JD, LLM, FCI Arb at STANLEY LEGAL SERVICES LLC
An independent neutral and legal consultant, Jo Colbert Stanley is a Florida Supreme Court qualified arbitrator and certified mediator and holds a Diploma in International Maritime Arbitration from the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators where she is a Fellow. Jo also serves as a Public Arbitrator, hearing financial services-related matters for FINRA, and is a Registered Mediator for Florida’s Department of Financial Services where she handles a heavy case load of property insurance disputes. During her 20-plus years as a litigator in private practice, Jo focused on commercial litigation, employment, and insurance law. In that continued capacity, Jo offers legal consultant services and is Of Counsel at Colodny Fass, a leading insurance defense firm in Florida, working with their litigation and employment departments. Rostered on the International Yacht Arbitration Council, Jo was recently appointed by the Broward County Government Commissioners to serve on the county’s Marine Advisory Committee. In 2023, Jo was also honored by being selected as an Associate of the College of Commercial Arbitrators.
Jo is active in numerous national and local volunteer Bar associations, currently serving on the Admiralty Law Committee of The Florida Bar and as Chair of the Broward County Bar Association’s Admiralty/Maritime Law Section. Jo is also heading up the FBA’s Admiralty Law Section’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee. Jo notes she is a proud member of the Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute, the Port Everglades Association, the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (where she serves as secretary on the Yachting Committee), and the Fort Lauderdale Mariners Club.
In addition to her other professional engagements, Jo regularly presents continuing legal education seminars, accepts invitations to present at conferences, and submits articles on dispute resolution and maritime topics. Jo is also currently working on her Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution at Nova Southeastern University in Florida. In her “spare” time, Jo co-owns and operates Stanley Yacht Services (a yacht management and maintenance company based in Fort Lauderdale). She also endlessly practices her golf swing, to no avail.