GrayRobinson Shareholder Mayanne Downs was recently honored with the Rosemary Barkett Outstanding Achievement Award from the Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers. This is the highest award bestowed annually by FAWL.
Rosemary Barkett, a federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, became the first female Florida Supreme Court Justice when she was appointed by Governor Bob Graham on October 14, 1985. Prior to her nomination for that post, she was Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court where she was the first woman ever to serve on that court. She was inducted into the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame in 1986. The award is presented in her honor.
Recipients for this award must demonstrate a commitment to the purpose and goals of FAWL, including outstanding career achievements, overcoming traditional stereotypes associated with women by breaking barriers, and advancing the status of women in the State of Florida. Mayanne joins the ranks of women honored since 1997, including former Attorney General Janet Reno.
An Orlando native, Mayanne 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.
Mayanne is the past president of The Florida Bar (2010-2011), traveling thousands of miles through Florida and the country speaking to law organizations, newspaper editorial boards and testifying before the Florida Legislature. She implemented the first direct communication between bar leadership and bar members about legislative matters. Mayanne also has served as president of the Orange County Bar Association, president of the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, president of the Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers, and a member of the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar.