Joni A. Poitier Attorney At Law

Experienced litigator in trials throughout Florida and Georgia. Providing focused, strategic defense in maritime, railroad, trucking defense, and criminal and white collar defense.

A trusted advocate in complex civil litigation, Joni Poitier focuses her practice on maritime defense, transportation sector liability defense, product claims, railroad law and serious personal injury matters. She represents corporate clients and insurers in cases involving substantial risk, managing disputes from investigation through trial and appeal in both state and federal courts.

Joni began her legal career as a prosecutor in Florida’s 4th Judicial Circuit, where she led more than 40 jury trials. With a great depth of courtroom experience, her litigation strategy focuses on results in cases involving catastrophic loss in highly regulated industries. Licensed in Florida and Georgia, she remains active in both professional and civic leadership at the local and state levels.

• Recognition
  • Martindale-Hubbell, AV-Preeminent® Rating
  • Law and Spirituality Award, Diocese of St. Augustine, and The Catholic Lawyers Guild’s 31st Annual Red Mass, 2021
  • Florida Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2017-2020
• Insights
  • “Bridging the Gap With Opposing Counsel,” ABA TIPS Admiralty Committee: Admiralty Disruption 2023, March 3-4, 2023
  • “Personal Perspectives on Inclusiveness in the Remote Workplace and How to Retain Young Lawyers,” Maritime Law Association of the United States, May 6, 2022
  • “The Changing Face of Maritime Shipping in the 21st Century: It’s a Woman’s World,” ABA TIPS Admiralty Committee: Admiralty Disruption 2021, March 12, 2021
  • “Personal Perspectives on the Elimination of Biases and What Law Firms Can Do to Embrace Diversity,” Maritime Law Association of the United States, Fall Meeting, November 5, 2021
• Affiliations
  • Benedict’s Maritime Bulletin
  • Chester Bedell American Inn of Court
    • Barrister, 2018
    • Associate, 2008
  • D.W. Perkins Bar Association
  • The Florida Bar
    • Professional Ethics Committee, 2014-2016
  • Florida Elections Commission
    • Vice Chair
  • Jacksonville Bar Association
  • Jacksonville Federal Court Bar Association
    • President, 2024-2025
  • Maritime Law Association of the United States
    • Marine Pollution and Maritime Crimes Committee, Vice Chair
• Credentials
  • J.D., Vanderbilt University School of Law, 2005
  • B.A., Spelman College, 2002, summa cum laude
• Admissions
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia
• Languages
  • Spanish