Akerman is proud to share Labor and Employment Associate Ashlea Edwards has been sworn in as the new President of the Young Lawyers Division of The Florida Bar for the 2024-2025 bar year. The YLD, which has more than 20,000 members, provides programing and projects designed to aid members in their personal and professional growth as well as contribute to the community.

"The YLD is such an important organization and has been very influential in my career, so it is truly my honor to be trusted with this role," Edwards said. "I want to thank all of my YLD and Akerman colleagues for their support, and I look forward to accomplishing even more together."

Edwards, who has served on the YLD board for eight years, is based in Akerman’s Jacksonville, Fla. office where her practice is focused on employment litigation and counseling, which includes offering day to day legal advice to employers and defending clients before Florida federal and state trial and appellate courts, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the U.S. Department of Labor, and various other agencies. In a small portion of her practice, Edwards represents parties in commercial litigation disputes relating to, among other areas, contract formation and enforcement, restrictive covenants, and fraudulent transfers. Edwards represents clients operating in a variety of sectors, including veterinary practices, hospital systems, fast food restaurants, hotels, and financial institutions.

Both the News Service of Florida and Jacksonville Business Journal named Edwards to their 40 under 40 lists. She was also named "One to Watch" by The Best Lawyers in America.

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