Jason L. Unger Attorney At Law

Jason concentrates his practice in the areas of governmental affairs and administrative law matters, and regularly works with the executive branch agencies and the Legislature on behalf of his clients. Jason has successfully defended cities, counties, sheriffs, school boards, and/or their insurers in the claim bill process. 

Prior to joining GrayRobinson, Jason served as Special Counsel to the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives. While at GrayRobinson, he represented George W. Bush and Richard Cheney in the 2000 presidential election contest; the Florida House of Representatives in the 2002 and 2012 redistricting cycles; the Republican Party of Florida; and members of the Legislature in election law matters. In 2001, Jason was appointed by Gov. Jeb Bush and U.S. Congressman E. Clay Shaw, Jr. to the Florida Federal Judicial Nominating Commission. In 2005, Gov. Bush appointed Jason to the Florida Sports Foundation.

Jason served on the Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) during the Charlie Crist, Rick Scott, and Ron DeSantis gubernatorial administrations. Originally appointed to the Florida Supreme Court JNC by Governor Crist in 2008, he was subsequently reappointed by Governor Scott in 2011 and 2016. Jason served as the Chair of Florida Supreme Court JNC from 2009 to 2010 and from 2016 to 2019.

• Background

  Jason was born in New Jersey and has lived in Florida since 1982. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Florida in 1990 and then went on to receive his juris doctor from the University of Florida College of Law in 1993. He moved to Tallahassee from Fort Lauderdale in 1998.

• Education
  • University of Florida, B.S.B.A. (1990)
  • University of Florida, J.D. (1993)
• Admissions
  • Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
• Professional Associations & Memberships
  • Judicial Nominating Commission
    • Florida Supreme Court, 2008-2011, appointed by Gov. Charlie Crist; 2011-2019, reappointed by Gov. Rick Scott 
      • Chair, 2009-2010
      • Chair, 2016-2019
    • Florida Federal, 2001-2005, appointed by Gov. Jeb Bush and U.S. Congressman E. Clay Shaw
  • National Republican Congressional Committee, Florida Counsel, 2010 and 2016 elections
  • Florida House of Representatives, Redistricting Counsel, 2002 and 2012 cycles
  • Rudy Giuliani Presidential Campaign, Florida Counsel, 2007-2008
  • Republican Party of Florida, Election Law Counsel, 2002
  • Litigation Counsel to George W. Bush and Richard Cheney, 2000 Presidential Election Contest
  • Speaker, Florida House of Representatives, Special Counsel, 2000
  • Appointed by Gov. Jeb Bush to the Boards and Commissions Review Panel, 1999-2000
  • The Florida Bar
    • Governmental and Public Policy Advocacy Committee
• Media Mentions
  • "Trump's List of Potential Supreme Court Nominees Includes a Cuban-American Miami Native," 6 South Florida
  • "Judicial Nominating Commission Chair Resigns, Claims Governor's Office Interfered with Independence," Florida Today, June 2019
  • “Florida Attorneys Joining Governor on Trade Mission to Israel,” Daily Business Review, May 2019
  • “More than 90 people are traveling to Israel with Gov. Ron DeSantis. Who’s on the list?” SunSentinel, May 2019
  • “UNF Delegation Joining Gov. DeSantis On Trip To Israel,” WJCT Public Media, May 2019
  • "See the Names of the Delegation Members Accompanying Gov. DeSantis to Israel," Tallahassee Democrat, May 2019
  • "Lawmakers, Lobbyists Join DeSantis on Israel Trip," Daily Commercial, May 2019
  • “Florida Prepaid 'Tuition Differential Fee' Doesn't Entitle Out-of-State Students to Tuition 'Windfall:' Appeals Panel," Florida Record, March 2019
  • "New Florida Governor Moves Quickly With Supreme Court Pick, Environmental Plan," The Wall Street Journal, January 2019
  • "11 Names Sent To Fla. Gov.-Elect For 3 High Court Seats," Law360, November 2018
  • "Fla. High Court Nominee Process Can Continue, Justices Say," Law360, November 2018
  • "Trouble Getting Sake in Florida? Law Could Soon Change for the Better," Tampa Bay Times, June 2017
  • "Legislating Libations: What Comes Next for the Craft Distillery Movement," Jacksonville Business Journal, September 2016
  • "Publix, ABC Fighting Supermarket Liquor Sales Bill," Daily Business Review, October 2015
  • "Publix, Liquor Stores Unite to Keep Walls Between Groceries, Booze," Orlando Sentinel, October 2015
  • "Backroom Briefing: Liquor Dispute Could be a Wallbanger," Sunshine State News, October 2015
  • "Federal Medical Marijuana Bill Backed by Senate Trio," Examiner, March 2015
  • "Publix, Wal-Mart at Odds Over Separating Liquor, Groceries," News Service of Florida, February 2015
  • "Florida Legislation and Regulation to Watch in 2015," Law360, January 2015
  • "Craft Beer Brewers Go Head to Head With Beer Distributors," Florida Trend, January 2014
  • "Casino Resort Fight Creates Windfall for Lobbyists," Daily Business Review, December 2011
  • "Smooth Operators," AmericanLawyer.com, November 2011
  • Interview on Fox News Channel, October 2010
  • Interview on Fox News Channel, Election Day, November 2010
• Civic
  • University of Florida College of Law, Trustee, 2020-current
  • UF Health Shands Leadership Council Tallahassee, 2018-current
  • Florida Sports Foundation, Board of Directors, 2005-2007, appointed by Gov. Jeb Bush
  • Florida Tax Watch, Board of Trustees, 2004-2006
  • National Jewish Coalition, South Florida Chair, 1996-1998
  • Florida Blue Key
• Reported Cases

  Significant reported cases include:

  • Advisory Opinion to the Attorney General re: Prohibits Possession of Defined Assault Weapons, --- So. 3d ----, No. SC19-1266, 2020 WL 2960236 (Fla. June 4, 2020)
  • In re Senate Joint Resolution of Legislative Apportionment 1176, 83 So.3d 597 (Fla. 2012)
  • Martinez v. Bush, 2002 WL 31740366 (S.D. Fla. 2002)
  • Florida Senate v. Forman, 826 So.2d 279 (Fla. 2002)
  • In re: Constitutionality of House Joint Resolution 1987, 817 So.2d 819 (Fla. 2002)
  • Palm Beach County Canvassing Board v. Harris, 772 So.2d 1273 (Fla. 2000)
  • Gore v. Harris, 2000 WL 1770257 (Fla. Cir. Ct. 2000)
  •  In re: Constitutionality of House Joint Resolution 25E, 863 So.2d 1176 (Fla. 2003) (NO.SC03-1912)