Shutts & Bowen LLP Sarasota partner John Patterson was recently installed to the Board of Directors of The Innocence Project of Florida, Inc., a non-profit organization that works to help innocent prisoners in Florida obtain their freedom and rebuild their lives.
John finds himself well positioned to serve the organization, which dedicates pro bono legal and investigative services to individuals seeking to prove their innocence in the case of wrongful convictions. A Past President of the Florida Bar Foundation, the Sarasota County Bar Association and Legal Aid of Manasota, John has worked with The Innocence Project of Florida for years. The Florida Bar Foundation has been the largest funder of the organization since 2004, advocating for systemic changes to prevent future wrongful convictions.
“I’m honored to have been invited to serve on the board of The Innocence Project (TIP). Its work has resulted in wrongfully convicted persons, who have collectively served more than 440 years in prison, being completely exonerated, enjoying the freedom they always deserved, and becoming reintroduced into society with a place to live and a way to make a living,” says John. “TIP also works to reduce the causes of wrongful convictions. My wife Nora and I have supported its efforts in the past, and this will be an additional way to contribute to the good and essential work that TIP does.”
As a member of the Board of Directors, John will help provide strategic leadership and direction, maximizing the organization’s ability to achieve its mission. He will serve the Board of the Directors as they advocate for criminal justice reform and try to make profound differences in the lives affected by wrongful imprisonment. To learn more about The Innocence Project of Florida, 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.