GWENDOLYN P. ADKINS

EDUCATION:
Agnes Scott College, Bachelor of Arts
Florida State University College of Law, Juris Doctor

ABOUT:
Gwen Adkins is a highly qualified and experienced litigator focused on training, counseling, and defending businesses – private, public, and non-profits – in civil matters of all descriptions but namely civil rights defense, employment discrimination, §1983 litigation, civil trial law, negligence, auto and premises liability, business and commercial litigation, non-compete agreements, police liability defense, law enforcement, Title IX, and a number of areas of local government defense.

Gwen is admitted to practice in all of Florida’s state courts as well as the United States district courts for the Northern and Middle Districts of Florida, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of the United States. She graduated magna cum laude from Agnes Scott College where she was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa and Mortar Board scholastic honorary societies. She received her J.D. degree from the Florida State University College of Law and became a member of the Florida Bar in 1992. Gwen joined Coppins Monroe that same year as the firm’s first associate attorney. Gwen was made an equity shareholder in 1998 and established herself as lead attorney in charge of the firm’s expansive local governmental defense practice. Gwen is AV rated as a Preeminent lawyer by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory Service and has been recognized by Florida Trend magazine as one of Florida’s Legal Elite.

Through her extensive governmental representation, Gwen has amassed a wealth of knowledge and experience assisting such entities with public records, government in the sunshine, freedom of information, and sovereign immunity issues. Advice and counsel to her governmental clients on these issues is a near constant part of her practice. Gwen regularly assists these clients by reviewing and advising on specific public records responses drafted by the entity as well as drafting and preparing the responses themselves. Gwen has conducted numerous executive sessions/shade meetings with these entities and is familiar with the procedures and dangers associated with the type of government in the sunshine exception. In the private sector, Gwen focuses on consulting, policy implementation, training, guidance, and defending litigation in employment and business related matters. Her representation of clients at all stages of litigation has included the successful defense of a client at the United States Supreme Court on jurisdictional grounds related to an employment matter.

Gwen always strives to provide clients with a prompt and honest evaluation of claims. When faced with frivolous litigation, Gwen is knowledgeable about requirements of the law and its varied exceptions and, in consultation with the client, will vigorously defend a claim. When the risk of liability is high, Gwen partners with the client to narrow the issues and achieve the best result including limiting attorney’s fees.

Outside of the office, Gwen enjoys time at the beach, traveling with family and friends, and keeping up with the activities of her three teenagers – horseback riding, band, youth groups, and more.

SPECIAL AWARDS and RECOGNITIONS:
Florida Trend Magazine, Florida Legal Elite (2018)

YEARS OF MEMBERSHIPS AND COMMITTEE SERVICE IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION:
Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division
Florida Supreme Court Sesquicentennial Commission
Grievance Committee, Second Judicial Circuit
Tallahassee Bar Association
Legal Aid Foundation
Tallahassee Bar Association
Tallahassee Women Lawyers
William H. Stafford American Inn of Court, Membership Chair, Secretary, Vice President, President
Florida Association of Police Attorneys
Fellow of the American Bar Foundation
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Local Rules Committee
Second Judicial Circuit Professionalism Panel
International Association of Defense Counsel

MEMBERSHIPS AND COMMITTEE SERVICE IN THE COMMUNITY:
Easter Seals of North Florida
Tallahassee Heights United Methodist Church
Homeroom and other primary and secondary school support activities