Overview
Jon Philipson serves as outside general counsel to individuals and businesses and as a dedicated advocate in complex disputes. He assists clients when legal problems arise, providing practical guidance, developing strategies, pursuing negotiated resolutions, and representing clients in court.
Drawing on the diverse professional and personal experiences that shape his perspective, he considers not only the legal issues but also the political, public relations, and business impact of potential courses of action. He provides individuals and businesses with clear guidance, practical options, and an assessment of available paths toward a resolution consistent with their objectives. Jon addresses the immediate legal question while also helping clients evaluate how to protect what they have built, navigate uncertainty, and make informed decisions.
As a litigator, Jon represents national and regional business entities and individuals in complex business disputes in federal and state trial and appellate courts, and often serves as local counsel for businesses pursuing and defending actions in Florida state and federal courts, particularly the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. He is also a Florida Supreme Court certified circuit civil mediator, certified Middle District of Florida mediator, and court-approved arbitrator for Florida’s 6th, 12th, and 13th Judicial Circuits.
As outside general counsel, Jon advises individuals and businesses on a range of legal needs, including business transactions, contract disputes and negotiations, employment disputes, antitrust matters, shareholder derivative actions, defamation claims, First Amendment issues, and potential litigation. He negotiates and analyzes agreements and corporate documents for entities ranging from small businesses to large enterprises. His advice is designed to identify risks, address issues early where possible, and support sound business and legal decisions.
Jon brings strong analytical skills to his work. He finished first in his law school class, served as editor in chief of the law review, and was a Rhodes Scholar finalist—academic distinctions that reflect his sharp intellect and analytical discipline. He develops a detailed understanding of the facts, conducts thorough research, and examines key assumptions, while using creative, outside-the-box thinking to identify practical options responsive to the circumstances. His advice and advocacy are legally rigorous, strategically considered, and pragmatic.
Growing up in his family’s multigenerational business, Jon learned firsthand the realities of operating an enterprise. That experience informs his approach as an outside general counsel: he recognizes that legal advice must account for business pressures, personal priorities, timing, and the practical consequences of each available course of action. He works to bring clarity to complicated issues and to identify actionable paths forward.
As a litigator, Jon is a diligent advocate focused on understanding the facts, the record, and the law. He prepares carefully, anticipates opposing arguments, and advocates firmly for his clients in court. His work also extends outside the courtroom, where he analyzes issues, negotiates, and develops solutions designed to support the client’s objectives. His advocacy is paired with experienced judgment about whether litigation, mediation, arbitration, or a carefully structured business solution is appropriate in the circumstances.
Jon’s civic engagement and commitment to public service have informed his professional perspective. Before law school, he served at the national and state levels as an aide to a congressman, a press intern for a U.S. Senator, and a drafter of state legislation in Florida. He is the former Chair of the Florida Commission on Ethics, having served by gubernatorial appointment. That record of public service informs his approach to advising individuals and businesses, including his attention to independence, careful judgment, and the broader implications of legal issues.
Following law school, Jon externed and clerked for Chief Judge Anne Conway of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Working closely with the judge, he assisted with drafting opinions and memoranda, researched a wide range of legal topics, and prepared jury instructions. The experience provided a firsthand perspective on the judicial process and how courts evaluate facts, law, and advocacy—a perspective he draws on when assessing issues and presenting clients’ positions.
Whether serving as outside general counsel, litigator, mediator, or arbitrator, Jon brings a consistent approach grounded in analytical rigor, creative problem-solving, careful preparation, and firm advocacy.
Experience
- Represented mass media and entertainment conglomerate and serving as local trial counsel in a theme park disability discrimination claim under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- Negotiated resolution of severance agreement for high-ranking executive
- Negotiated food delivery agreements for Southeast regional restaurant
- Serve as outside counsel to regional Southeast restaurant in contract negotiations, business counseling, and risk management issues
- Represented national fast-food chain in regulatory issues
- Represent boat manufacturer in antitrust and breach of contract action
- Represent and advise media and non-media client on defamation and First Amendment issues
- Serve as outside counsel to one of the largest Servpro groups in Florida
- Serve as outside counsel to large public hospital system
- Represent developer in multimillion dollar land development dispute
- Assisted clients with Homeland Security issues
- Defended concierge airplane service company in breach of contract dispute
- Represent cancer research center in regulatory issues
- Serve as counsel to private wealth clients for personal and business issues
- Represented international animal rights organization in ongoing litigation
- Represent government departments in various matters
- Represented closely held corporations and limited liability companies in derivative and direct disputes and records inspections.
Honors
- AV Preeminent rating as independently determined by Martindale-Hubbell, 2019-present
- The Best Lawyers in America®
- Commercial Litigation, 2021-27
- Tampa Jewish Community Centers & Federation
- Cardozo Leadership Award, 2026
- Charles Adler Young Leadership Award, 2023
- Federal Bar Association, Tampa Bay Chapter’s Mentor of the Year, 2021 & 2022
- Tampa Magazine, Top Lawyers
- Litigation: First Amendment, 2026
- Top Three Lawyers in Commercial Litigation & Transactions/UCC Law, 2019
- Super Lawyers: Florida Rising Stars, 2017-2021
- University of Florida Alumni Association: Twenty Under Thirty List, 2013
- American Bar Association’s James Boskey Award, 2011
- University of Florida Hall of Fame, 2011
- Florida Blue Key Officer
- Editor in Chief, Florida Law Review
- W.D. Macdonald Prize, awarded to student who graduates with the highest grade point average
- Order of the Coif
- Irving C. Cypen Scholastic Achievement Award
- Robinson Award, awarded to student with highest grade point average of graduates in modern and classical languages
- Rhodes Scholar finalist
News & Insights
- Berkeley Preparatory School Convocation, speaker, 2025
- "Federal Trade Commission bans bogus online reviews, offenders could be sued and fined," WPTV, October 2024
- Berkeley Preparatory School Convocation, speaker, 2024
- Navigating the Line - Balancing Free Speech and Social Responsibility: “Strategies for Managing Technology & Social Media: How Can Attorneys Navigate Hate Speech Within Social Media?”, Moderator, Tampa JCCs and Federation, 2024
- “Oh! The Places You Can Go: How mentoring Impacts Civic Leaders” moderator, Federal Bar Association, 2024
- All Saints Academy, commencement speaker, 2024
- Berkeley Preparatory School Law Institute, speaker, 2023
- Berkeley Preparatory School Convocation, speaker, 2023
- “Mentoring from a Judicial Perspective Panel,” moderator, Federal Bar Association, 2023
- “High School Summer Program-Practitioner Panel,” panelist, Federal Bar Association, 2023
- ”Cooley Law Student Division: Judicial Law Clerk Panel,” panelist, Cooley Law Student Division, Federal Bar Association, 2023
- “Staying in the Game: Put Me in Coach,” panelist, Federal Bar Association, 2022
- Berkeley Preparatory School Convocation, speaker, 2022
- “The Mentor-Mentee Relationship—Keys to Success,” panelist, The Federal Bar Association, 2022
- “How to Build Your Professional Network,” panelist, Federal Bar Association, 2021
- Hillsborough County Public Schools’ African American Read-In, reader, Hillsborough County Public Schools, 2021
- “Stetson University College of Law: Campus to Career Conference,” speaker, Stetson University, 2021
- WTSP 10 News, legal commentator, 2019
- Florida’s Constitution Revision Commission, moderator, The Florida House 2017
- "Transportation—Florida’s Next Economic Engine," moderator, The Florida House, 2015
- "National Security in a Changing World," moderator, Allen L. Poucher Lecture Series, 2013
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida 50th Anniversary Symposium, speaker, 2012
- Florida Second District Court of Appeal Swearing-In Ceremony, speaker, 2011
- University of Florida College of Law Student Graduation, speaker, 2011
- Marshall Criser Distinguished Lecture: Justice Clarence Thomas, moderator, 2010
- "Inn the News: C.H. Ferguson-M.E. White American Inn of Court," The Bencher, July/Aug. 2021
- “Fla. Cir.: Florida Prosecutor's Libel Complaint Barred by Fair Report Privilege and Lack of Actual Malice,” MLRC Media Law Letter, May 31, 2019
- “Judge Orders Release of Exterior Video Recordings in Parkland School Shooting,” MLRC Media Law Letter, March 28, 2018
- “Second Order Logrolling: The Impact of Direct Legislative Amendments to State Constitutions,” 41 Nova L. Rev. 23, January 2017
- “Why I Took Paternity Leave—And More Dads Should,” TIME’s Motto.com, September 8, 2016
- “Secure Communications: How a Monthly Lunch Can Protect Your Company in a Data Breach,” PublicRelations Tactics PRSA, September 2015
- “A Kickstart to Business: Florida Joins Other States in Passing Intrastate Crowdfunding Exemption,” JDSupra, July 2015
- “The Efficient Market Theory—§10(b)’s Double-Edged Sword,” JDSupra, May 2015
- “Crisis Management: Five Steps to Take Before Providing That Comment,” Expect Focus Vol. IV, Fall 2014
- “When the Battle Zone Comes Home: The Adjudication of American Citizens in Terrorism Cases,” 15th Annual Conference on Legal & Policy Issues in the Americas, Center for Governmental Responsibility, April 2014
- “Introduction to the Symposium: Fifty Years of Central Florida History Through the Lens of the Federal Courts,” The Florida Historical Quarterly, Vol. 92.2, Fall 2013)
- “The Kids are Not All Right: Mandating Peer Mediation as a Proactive Anti-Bullying Measure in Schools,” 14 Cardozo J. of Conflict Resol. 81, 2012 (ABA’s James Boskey Dispute Resolution Award Winner)
- “OWNER BEWARE: OSHA’s Impact on Tort Litigation by Independent Contractors’ Injured Employees against Business Premises Owners,” 66 U. Miami L. Rev. 987, 2012
Speaking Engagements
Involvement
Professional Associations & Memberships
- Florida Commission on Ethics
- Vice Chair, 2026-present
- Chair, 2025-2026
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida’s Grievance Committee
- Chair, 2026-present
- Member, 2023-present
-
Jewish Lawyers Association of Tampa Bay
-
Founder, 2026-present
-
- Federal Bar Association-Tampa Bay Chapter, 2016-present
- Board Member, 2023-present
- Mentoring Chair, 2023-present
- Summer Camp at the Courthouse Committee, 2023
- Mentoring Program Mentor, 2021-present
- Stay in the Game Committee, 2018
- Day at the Courthouse Committee, 2016
- Barrister, Wm. Reece Smith, Jr. Litigation American Inn of Court, 2023-present
- C.H. Ferguson-M.E. White American Inn of Court, 2017-23
- The Florida Bar
- Constitutional Judiciary Standing Committee, 2011-14
- Wm. Reece Smith, Jr. Litigation American Inn of Court, 2023-present
- Mentoring Chair, 2024-present
- Wm. Reece Smith, Jr. Litigation American Inn of Court, 2023- Present
- Board Member, 2024-present
Civic & Community Service
- Tampa Jewish Federation
- Vice President, 2026-present
- Annual Campaign Chair, 2026-present
- Board of Directors, 2024-present
- Jewish Community Relations Council, Member, 2022-present
- Hope Cohen Barnett Leadership Institute, Participant, 2021-22
- Hillels of the Florida Suncoast
- Federation Liaison/Ex-Officio Member to Board of Directors, 2026-present
- Rekindle Fellowship, Tampa Bay, 2024-present
- WEDU-PBS Board of Directors
- Executive Committee, 2024-present
- Board Member, 2022-present
- YMCA, Orlando/Tampa, FL, Youth Basketball Coach, 2011; 2013; 2023-present
- Tampa Bay United Soccer, Coach, 2023
- Tampa Jewish Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council, Member, 2022-present
- i9 Sports League, Coach, 2022
- Anti-Defamation League’s Glass Leadership Institute, Participant, 2022
- Tampa Jewish Federation’s Hope Cohen Barnett Leadership Institute, Participant, 2021-22
- University of Tampa Board of Fellows, Fellow, 2019-23
- Congregation Schaarai Zedek’s Amy Gail Buchman Preschool, Home Room Parent, 2017-19
- All Saints Academy, Board of Trustees Member, 2016-19
- Washington & Lee University’s Williams School Young Alumni Council, Board Member, 2016
- Washington & Lee University’s Florida West Coast Alumni Chapter, Board Member and President, 2014-21
- Best of Tampa Bay, Committee Member, 2014-16
- Ovarian Cycle Tampa, Fundraising Committee, 2013-18
- Florida House on Capitol Hill, Young Trustee, 2013-22
- University of Florida Law Judicial Clerkship Committee, Mentor, 2015-18
- United Way Suncoast, Public Policy Committee Member, 2013-18
- United Way Suncoast, Early Literacy Initiative Committee Member, 2013-15
- University of Florida Law Alumni Council, Board Member, 2011-19
- University of Florida Law Alumni Mentoring Program, Mentor, 2011-present
- Leadership Florida Connect, East Central Region Board Member, 2010-12
- Snively Mentoring Program, Founder and Chairman, 2000-02
Practices
Education
- University of Florida Levin College of Law, J.D., summa cum laude; Editor in Chief, Florida Law Review; W.D. McDonald Prize (Graduating with Highest Grade Point Average)
- Washington & Lee University, B.A., Economics and Romance Languages, summa cum laude
Admissions
- Florida, 2011
- District of Columbia, 2013
- Middle District of Florida, 2013
- Southern District of Florida, 2013
- Northern District of Florida, 2013
- Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, 2014
- U.S. Supreme Court, 2020
Clerkships
- Hon. Anne Conway, U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
