Matthew J. Jowanna obtained his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree, majoring in Broadcasting and Mass Communications, from the University of South Florida. While at the University of South Florida, Mr. Jowanna was a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society and the Outstanding College Students of America.
Before attending law school, Mr. Jowanna worked for several Tampa Bay area radio and television stations as an announcer, news anchor, news assignment editor, producer, reporter and writer.
Mr. Jowanna obtained his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Nova Southeastern University, graduating Summa Cum Laude (with Highest Honors) and achieving the distinction of graduating in the top two percent (2%) of his law school class. While in law school, Mr. Jowanna was the recipient of academic scholarships; was a Senior Staff Member, and published author, of the Nova Law Review; was awarded the Attorneys' Title Insurance Fund, Inc. Prize (for scholarly writing on an issue of real property law); was an associate member of the Moot Court Society; was a student member of ATLA (Association of Trial Lawyers of America); was a member of the Phi Delta Phi Honor Fraternity; was named to the law school's Dean's List every semester; received the Dean's Award for Academic Excellence; received the Highest Grade Awards for Florida Constitutional Law and Torts; received the West Publishing Corporation Award for Outstanding Scholastic Achievement; and was listed in Who's Who Among American Law Students, 13th and 14th Editions, and The National Dean's List, 17th Edition. Also during law school, Mr. Jowanna served as a Federal Judicial Intern for a Federal District Court Judge; was a Law Clerk for a County Court Judge; and was a Certified Legal Intern with the Office of the State Attorney for the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit in Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida where he prosecuted cases before both bench and jury.
Mr. Jowanna obtained his Legum Magister (LL.M.) degree from the University of Notre Dame, graduating Magna Cum Laude (with High Honors). While pursuing his Master of Laws degree at Notre Dame Law School, Mr. Jowanna served as the LL.M. Representative on the Executive Board of the NDLS Student Bar Association.
Practicing law in the Tampa Bay area since 1994, Mr. Jowanna's legal practice has included appellate law; civil rights; class actions; construction litigation; contract litigation; general civil litigation; general tort litigation; insurance coverage; insurance defense; international law; medical malpractice; personal injury; products liability; professional errors and omissions; and wrongful death. Along with his litigation and trial work, Mr. Jowanna has also argued numerous civil appeals.
Prior to opening The Law Offices of Matthew J. Jowanna, P.A., Mr. Jowanna was a partner with one of the largest law firms in the state of Florida, and was next then a partner with a mid-sized, multi-office Florida law firm. In addition to his litigation practice, Mr. Jowanna is also a certified mediator for County and Circuit State Courts of Florida, as well as being a certified federal mediator for the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
Mr. Jowanna is a member of The Florida Bar and the Hillsborough County Bar Association, and is also admitted in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida; the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit; and the Supreme Court of the United States. Being “AV” rated by Martindale-Hubbell, Mr. Jowanna has also obtained the peer review rating of "preeminent" for his legal ability. Only the top seventeen percent (17%) of all lawyers across the nation receive this pinnacle rating.
Mr. Jowanna is also a platinum member of The Verdict Club; a member of The Top Trial Lawyers in America; and a member of both the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Platinum membership in The Verdict Club and membership in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum is limited to trial lawyers who have obtained million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients. Membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum is limited to trial lawyers who have obtained multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients.
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Shortly after establishing The Law Offices of Matthew J. Jowanna, P.A., the Firm was listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, as published by Martindale-Hubbell. Fewer than five percent (5%) of all law firms in the United States of America qualify and are included in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers. Mr. Jowanna is extremely proud of this accomplishment and honored recognition.
■ Shirking the Duty to Defend in Florida: Is Assignment the Exception to Argonaut?, 30 No. 4 Trial Advoc. Q. 36 (2011);
■ Torture, American Style: A Recipe for Civil Tort Immunity, 42 McGeorge L. Rev. 243 (2011);
■ 42 U.S.C. § 1983: A Legal Vehicle with No International Human Rights Treaty Passengers, 9 U.N.H. L. Rev. 31 (2010);
■ Trial Exhibits, Subject Address at the Florida Defense Lawyers Association Symposium: Trial from the Defense Perspective - A Primer for the Defense, Tampa, Fla. (Apr. 9, 1999); and
■ Restrictions Against the Use of Hurricane Shutters: Are They Enforceable After Hurricane Andrew?, 17 Nova L. Rev. 1191 (1993).
Some of Mr. Jowanna's Reported Cases include the following:
■ Thomas v. Alpha Homes, Inc., 11 FJVR 8-32 (2011);
■ Spectra Chrome, LLC v. Happy Jack's Reflections in Chrome, Inc., 2011 WL 1337508 (M.D. Fla. 2011);
■ Palma v. Seven-One-Seven Parking Mgmt. Svcs., Inc., 08 FJVR 11-18 (2008);
■ 14250 Realty Assocs. Ltd. v. Weddle Bros. Constr. Co., 2008 WL 4853635 (M.D. Fla. 2008);
■ Scannavino v. Fla. Dept. of Corr., 242 F.R.D. 662 (M.D. Fla. 2007);
■ Fireman’s Fund Ins. Co. v. Gulf Ins. Co., 2005 WL 1863383 (M.D. Fla. 2005);
■ Fireman’s Fund Ins. Co. v. Gulf Ins. Co., 2005 WL 1866412 (M.D. Fla. 2005);
■ Hayes v. Seven-One-Seven Parking Mgmt. Svcs., Inc., 05 FJVR 8-17 (2005);
■ JMIC Life Ins. Co. v. Henry, 922 So. 2d 998 (Fla. 5th DCA 2005);
■ Namen v. Simon Group, L.P., 04 FJVR 6-38 (2004);
■ Roberts v. DeBartolo Props. Mgmt., Inc., 849 So. 2d 309 (Fla. 2d DCA 2003);
■ Harris v. Lennar Homes, Inc., 00 FJVR 6-34 (2000);
■ Lennar Homes, Inc. v. Harris, 737 So. 2d 1090 (Fla. 2d DCA 1999);
■ Firn v. Ohio Cas. Ins. Co., 725 So. 2d 1177 (Fla. 2d DCA 1998);
■ Natter v. N. Geraci & Co., 717 So. 2d 1015 (Fla. 2d DCA 1998);
■ Ball v. Jimenez, 730 So. 2d 703 (Fla. 2d DCA 1998);
■ Chiang v. Wildcat Groves, Inc., 703 So. 2d 1083 (Fla. 2d DCA 1997);
■ Brewer v. Gulfcoast Transit Co., 97 FJVR 3-50 (1997); and
■ Brewer v. Gulfcoast Transit Co., 679 So. 2d 341 (Fla. 2d DCA 1996).
You may send Mr. Jowanna an email at MJJ@Jowanna.com.
Kelly M. Husk obtained her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degrees, double-majoring in Political Science and Philosophy, from Florida State University. Ms. Husk obtained her Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from the Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law at Barry University in Orlando, Florida.
While at Barry University, Ms. Husk received her certificate for study concentration in Child & Family Law. In addition, Ms. Husk was an active member of the Barry Women Lawyer's Association and the Environmental Law Society. Prior to becoming an attorney with the Firm, while attending law school, Ms. Husk worked for the Firm as a law clerk. Ms. Husk is a member of The Florida Bar and is also admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Ms. Husk's practice is concentrated in the areas of personal injury; insurance and business litigation; family law; wills and trusts; and bankruptcy. The Law Offices of Matthew J. Jowanna, P.A. is proud to have Ms. Husk as a Junior Partner in the Firm.
You may send Ms. Husk an email at KMH@Jowanna.com.