ORLANDO, FL – April 2, 2014 – Mayanne Downs, Orlando shareholder and firmwide chair of GrayRobinson’s Litigation Department, has been named Orlando Business Journal’s 2014 Woman of the Year, as part of the Women Who Mean Business awards. There were over 190 nominees this year, and only 28 honorees. The Women Who Mean Business awards recognize Central Florida’s leading businesswomen in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, Volusia and Brevard counties. Each year, the Orlando Business Journal accepts nominations and honors a select few.
Downs is an Orlando native who has been part of the Central Florida business community for more than 35 years and has practiced law for 25 years. Her practice areas include commercial litigation, appellate law and high-stakes domestic matters. She has also served as the city attorney of Orlando since 2007, overseeing 25 lawyers and providing counsel to the mayor and city commission.