Shutts & Bowen LLP Sarasota partner John Patterson recently presented the 2019 President’s Award for Excellence at The Florida Bar Foundation’s 43rd Annual Reception and Dinner. Acting as Past President of the Florida Bar Foundation, John presented the award on behalf of the firm, which sponsored the President’s Award.
The mission of The Florida Bar Foundation is to provide greater access to justice. Founded in 1956, the Foundation seeks to accomplish its goals through strategic grant-making to local and statewide civil legal aid organizations and projects to improve the administration of justice and increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the legal aid delivery system. The Foundation’s work reaches every county in the state.
A Foundation board member since 2004, John has chaired the development, finance and audit, and Legal Assistance for the Poor/Law Student Assistance Grant Program committees. He also has served as president and vice-chair of the executive, grant program and nominating committees. John’s commitment to legal services includes serving as founding president and board member of the organization now known as Legal Aid of Manasota. He was the 1985 recipient of The Florida Bar President’s Award for pro bono service for the 12th Judicial Circuit. John is a Florida Bar Foundation Fellow, a member of the Foundation’s Gold Society for lifetime giving, and a member of its Legacy for Justice, which recognizes those who have made or facilitated major gifts or bequests to the Foundation.
To see the award presentations, click here.
About John Patterson
John Patterson is a partner in the Sarasota office of Shutts & Bowen LLP, where he is a member of the Corporate Practice Group. John is a Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ rated attorney with 50 years of experience. A former litigator and appellate lawyer, John regularly represents clients in commercial real estate, business, and financing matters in a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, hotels and resorts, retail, marinas, personal storage, mobile home parks, construction, and real estate development.
John has held numerous leadership positions in the community, state and The Florida Bar, having served as past director and president of The Florida Bar Foundation, former President of the Sarasota County Bar Association and three years on the Second District Court of Appeal Nominating Commission. He has been consistently recognized for his pro bono efforts, earning The Florida Bar Foundation President’s Award of Excellence and Community Youth Development Leadership Award. He currently serves on the board of directors of Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics, Inc. in Gainesville.