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Melanie Shoemaker Griffin: YLD President and More By Christi N Morgan

onderfully generous. Com- to school here." "When she was getting sworn in, passion ate. Infectiously When she was finished, Griffin had she made a point to do the Seminole Wenthusiastic. Inspiring. Some earned three degrees from the university chop from the podium at the general of the state's most successful lawyers — a bachelor's degree in business finance, assembly ofThe Florida Bar," said Sean have used those words to describe a J.D. and an M.B.A. She worked in Desmond ('00), who served as president Melanie Shoemaker Griffin. state government the entire time she ofthe YLD from 2011-12."That was an Griffin's friend and classmate Bar- was a student. awesome thing for me to see as a Florida bara Leach ('07) describes the 2006 Upon graduation from law school, State alum." College of Law graduate as "a perfect Griffin joined Dean Mead's Orlando "It's been really fun," said Griffin a mix of energy and optimism, determi- office, where she had previously served few months into her presidency."There nation and graciousness. She is the most as a summer clerk. She has consistently are two initiatives that have been signif- disciplined person I know. Whatever been one of the firm's top performing icant priorities for the YLD and things goal she sets for herself, she achieves, associates and, in just her fourth year that we've already accomplished. One is whether that's in the courtroom, in of practice, was one of the youngest communications.That is one ofthe most the boardroom, in a familial setting, attorneys in the firm's history to earn simple and important things you can it doesn't matter. She is more capable an AV rating. do for an organization — to ensure that of juggling friendships, relationships, Early in her career, Griffin conceived you are communicating effectively and cases and philanthropic endeavors than a plan to serve among the leadership pushing out information about which anyone I've ever met." ranks of several professional organiza- members need to be informed. We have Griffin also can be described much tions. Griffin has served as president increased our social media presence and more basically as a planner. When she of the Central Florida Association for newsletter communications,publishing was in grade school, Griffin's plan to Women Lawyers (CFAWL) and on an issue about every two weeks." practice law took shape. the boards of The Florida Bar Young "The YLD is also focused on helping "I wanted to go to law school since Lawyers Division and the Young Law- to lead the Bar on technology issues. I was about 8 years old. I dressed up as yers Section ofthe Orange County Bar It is something that young lawyers are an attorney for Halloween and decided Association. Under Griffin's engaging facing every day — for example, how do that I would pass out candy as opposed leadership, CFAWL's membership we handle increased e-mail communi- to going trick-or-treating," said Griffin, doubled and event attendance sky- cation without having the length oftime whose costume included fake eyeglasses rocketed. At the end of her presidency, that we used to have to think about our and a briefcase. CFAWL was named chapter ofthe year responses.), As a junior at Manatee High School by the Florida Association for Women In line with those priorities, Griffin in Bradenton, Griffin formulated a plan Lawyers. can be especially proud ofa social media to attend Florida State. "I came for an In June of 2013, Griffin reached campaign that resulted in 2,000-plus American Legion Girls State program another major milestone when she was new Facebook and Twitter followers and fell in love with Tallahassee and the installed as president ofThe Florida Bar for the YLD and YLD Law Student Capitol and knew that I wanted to come Young Lawyers Division (YLD). Division groups. The campaign also

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"Griffin," continued from page 3 raised more than $2,000 for The Florida "There were people along the way serve clients." Bar Foundation. Additionally, Griffin for me, who really shaped my life and During her seven years in Dean has used the newsletter to educate law helped me get where I am today by men- Mead's commercial litigation depart- students and recent graduates about how toring me and opening doors that would ment, Griffin's top priority has been to best transition into practice and about have otherwise been closed. So,from a her clients. "It's really important to me the resources the Bar can provide. very early age I thought it was impor- to maintain a substantive practice and In terms oftechnology, the YLD has tant to give back and pay it forward," be taken seriously in that realm, not started a monthly lunchtime Webinar said Griffin, whose most influential just someone who is involved in bar series. The first Webinar was held in mentors include Sean Desmond,Renee activities. What has been great is the August and addressed technology is- Thompson,who is another former YLD client relationships I have developed — I sues in the practice of law. That event president, and Barbara Leach, who is have clients now that I've worked with garnered 10 times the number of at- the current CFAWL president. "So, I for most of my career. You develop a tendees compared to Webinars hosted previously by the division. "It shows that "There were people along the way for me, who really members really are craving that type of shaped my life and helped me get where l am today education. A big part of the reason we had that jump is, not only is there such by mentoring me and opening doors that would have an interest in it, but we also now have otherwise been closed. So,from a very early age l the communication systems, through thought it was important to give back and pay it forward." our newsletters, social media and our Web site, that members actually know what education we can provide." have taken a huge interest in mentoring. special relationship and I don't want to Another priority for Griffin is the It is critical that law school students let them down." expansion of the division's "Mentoring get input from attorneys about their Focusing on business and com- with the Masters" program, which is a law schooljourneys and future practice plex commercial litigation, Griffin series ofshort videos that provide practi- oflaw." specializes in contract disputes, in- cal advice to young lawyers about topics Although Griffin will travel 30-40 cluding prosecuting and defending like deposing a witness. Griffin aims weeks during her year-long presidency, non-competition, non-solicitation and to triple the number of videos posted she still is very committed to her sub- confidentiality cases for her business online during her presidency. stantive practice. Supportfrom her firm clients. She has had great success ob- Because Griffin is extremely pas- and her penchant for planning have al- taining preliminary injunctions and sionate about mentoring, it is fitting lowed. Griffin to stay productive. temporary restraining orders in federal that the endeavor is central to her presi- "My firm and I both prepared court and in the Orange County Busi- dency. Griffin has dozens of mentees — thinking that it would be more chal- ness Court,where she almost exclusively located across Florida. She even helped lenging for me to keep up with my client practices. establish a 1L mentoring program at work, but I actually am going to end "I cannot imagine a better place to FAMU's law school. An extremely up exceeding the firm's billing require- work because ofthe opportunities," said engaged alumnus, Griffin also makes ment this year," said Griffin. "My firm Griffin about Dean Mead. Very early in time to help students at Florida State. has everything set up so well. Not only her career, Griffin was handed the reins During one busy week in September, online, but even my desk phone rings to take a lead role in her cases, taking she had dinner and lunch with Florida simultaneously to my cell phone. It al- depositions and often appearing in State law students, counseling them on lows me to be out of the office and not court. "They have also been supportive networking and the legal profession. worry about being able to effectively of me being involved in the community,

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"Griffin," continued from page 4 thus not only giving me a large role In addition to mentoring students and honeymoon and most recently after an in the substantive part of my job, but young lawyers, Griffin has worked with American Bar Association meeting that also allowing me to have a large role in detained female juveniles and garnered Griffin attended in San Francisco. contributing to the profession." substantial support for an Orlando-area "Mike and I have known each other Most people would look at Griffin's Title I elementary school. almost half of our lives," said Griffin. schedule and become overwhelmed, but "My mom really cared about giv- "He has helped me in the second part Griffin says keeping up with her many ing back to the community, being a of my life in terms ofbouncing ideas off responsibilities is, "surprisingly easy, as genuine person and being true to others. of him, getting feedback about things long as I remain flexible." Griffin has From an early age those values were professionally and learning to have fun." her single mother, Jean Shoemaker, to also important to me, and a skill that Up until this point, Griffin's plans thank for her can-do attitude and ability I developed over the years. To me, it is have been very concrete — earn her law to accomplish more than might seem important to appreciate people and have degree and M.B.A, marry her best possible to others. a positive attitude as a leader." friend, work for a firm that represents "I've never actually met anyone with When not practicing law or serving business clients, serve as CFAWL more energy than Melanie.I don't know her community and profession, Griffin president and serve as president of The how she does what she does, but she is has a fulfilling personal life. Most ofher Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division. incredible," said Desmond,who quickly spare time is spent with husband Mike She will be eligible to become a partner realized what an asset Griffin was when Griffin, a commercial real estate broker. at Dean Mead at the end of2014,so that she joined the YLD board on which he Melanie and Mike became friends goal also is within sight. was already serving. Desmond made during their senior year of high school, After that, Griffin admits there are sure his mentee was assigned to lead key after meeting at a student government many question marks in her future. projects even though there were more leadership conference. They began dat- Although she finds herself for the first senior members on the board. ing while Melanie was in law school time without a plan, the Florida State "You can't bench your best player," and became engaged shortly after she law school community is sure to be joked Desmond. graduated. On the morning of their impressed and inspired by Griffin for "I was on a schedule from an early wedding in February 2009,they ran the years to come. age," said Griffin about the roots of her Gasparilla 15K race before exchanging "She really is, first and foremost, a ability to effectively juggle competing vows that afternoon. model Florida State Seminole," said priorities. "One day was dance and one "It was really fun," recalled Griffin. Mike. "When you look at the type of day was piano lessons and one day was "He wore a shirt that said, am mar- leaders that FSU has produced, particu- choir and one day was church. I remem- rying her today,' and I had one that larly the College ofLaw, she is following ber that even from Kindergarten. For conversely said, am marrying him in the footsteps ofso many people before me, being busy and balancing different today: It was something fun for us to her who really set a high bar. As proud activities — my mom always encour- do together before all ofour friends and as I am of her personal and civic ac- aged me to explore — wasn't a big deal. familyjoined us for the rest ofthe day." complishments, when she received her Also, my mom didn't really allow me to The Griffins still run together on the AV rating very early in her career and watch T.V. So, T.V. has never been that weekends. They also enjoy attending the peer recognitions that come with important to me. Sometimes I wake up college football games together — Mike the Florida Trend and Super Lawyers and realize that I haven't watched T.V. is chair-elect ofthe University of South recognitions, that is a validation that in a week." Florida's national alumni association — her professional peers respect her work A social worker by profession, and share a love of wine. The couple product, in addition to everything else Griffin's mother also passed along to has been to Napa Valley three times in she does, which is truly incredible." m her daughter a compassion for people. the past five years, once during their

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