Suzanne Meyer Judas is a partner in Holland & Knight's Jacksonville office. She practices in the area of general commercial litigation with a focus on admiralty and maritime law, media and communications, and personal injury. She also practices in the area of general corporate law representing maritime and media clients in general corporate transactions, and advising on issues related to insurance, noncompetes, pensions, sales and marketing.
In her maritime practice, Ms. Judas represents shipowners in a wide range of matters in state and federal courts, including claims involving personal injury, cargo damage, collision/allision, maritime liens, dredging and environmental incidents. In addition, she handles both litigation and transactional matters for maritime terminals and intramodal trucking companies. Ms. Judas is available at all hours for maritime clients that require her knowledge in post-accident investigations.
In her media practice, Ms. Judas counsels print and broadcast media in pre-publication review, and defense of defamation claims, courtroom access, Florida's Sunshine Law, and access to public records under the Freedom of Information Act and Florida's public records laws. In addition, Ms. Judas advises clients in sweepstakes and skill contests run locally and nationally, as well as the preparation of contest rules, affidavits of eligibility and release, publicity and warranties of ownership and licenses.
Prior to joining Holland & Knight, Ms. Judas was a partner with the law firm of Gabel & Hair, where she litigated maritime and admiralty matters for international and domestic clients and First Amendment and public records matters for media clients, as well as handled corporate transactions for individuals and private businesses.
Additionally, Ms. Judas was appointed by the chief judge of the U. S. District Court of the Middle District of Florida as chair of its 2004 and 2008 Magistrate Retention Committees, and chair of its 2007 and 2009 Magistrate Selection Committees. The Florida Supreme Court appointed her to the Florida Board of Bar Examiners in 2004, an administrative agency of the court responsible for admissions to the Florida Bar. She served as chair of the Florida Board of Bar Examiners from 2007-2008 and currently is an emeritus member of the board.
Ms. Judas is the pro bono and community service partner for the Jacksonville office of Holland & Knight. She chairs a committee of attorneys and staff that have contributed a significant amount of money to charitable causes over the last three years that has been distributed to more than 30 different community organizations assisting at-risk children in Jacksonville.
