UNIONDALE, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 9, 2025 / Marquis Who's Who honors Suzanne Judas, JD, for her expertise in maritime law. Ms. Judas was a partner and attorney at Holland & Knight LLP before her retirement.
About Ms. Suzanne Judas
Ms. Judas was 42 years old when she decided to fulfill her lifelong dream to attend law school. Her first experience arguing a case was when she was in the ninth grade. During the presidential election between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon, her civics teacher wanted the class to debate. When no one volunteered, the teacher chose Ms. Judas, marking a significant moment in her life.
Though she wanted to be a lawyer since childhood, Ms. Judas did not have the opportunity to pursue that ambition until she reached her 40s. She earned a Juris Doctor, with honors, from the University of Florida in Gainesville in 1990. Immediately after receiving her degree, she was hired by Gabel & Hair in Jacksonville, Florida. Later, the firm merged with Holland & Knight LLP, where she worked for close to two decades.
Working as a Maritime Lawyer
Ms. Judas had multiple mentors throughout her life, but two in particular were important to her career as a maritime lawyer: a preeminent maritime lawyer who hired her and promoted her throughout her career, and a Coast Guard captain of the port who taught her all about the carriage of goods by sea on cargo ships.
Ms. Judas' career had a significant boost when she was selected as a Pegasus Scholar of the Inner Temple in London for four months. The law firm she was working for let her take leave during that time as they understood the value of that experience for the firm. She says she had "enumerable learning experiences that opened doors" to maritime clients in London and that those doors remained open for the rest of her career.
"In a speech I gave, I said, ‘You won't hear any lawyer jokes from me' because the law has given me opportunities I never dreamed of and I have been able to help people," Ms. Judas says.
Success Comes with Effort
Ms. Judas attributes her success to her persistence and thoroughness when investigating maritime disasters. When she first embarked on her career, there weren't many women practicing law and even fewer in maritime law. She particularly enjoyed the fact that people were warned by others not to underestimate her due to her reputation for persistence, integrity, comprehensive research and work ethic.
During her career, Ms. Judas often responded to calls from maritime clients that would result in her going onboard large cargo ships to inspect them and investigate casualties. Sometimes, her inspections would result in litigation. She was part of many kinds of cases, from handling litigation arising from oil spills, and injuries to longshoremen and seamen working the ships, as well as damage to port structures.
After retiring, Ms. Judas moved to Marietta, Georgia, to be closer to her family. She is currently attempting to create a community outreach program similar to one she oversaw in Jacksonville, Florida.
"Nothing is impossible," Ms. Judas says. "You can follow your dreams. It may be hard work, and it may take time, but nothing is impossible. It's possible to have a family and a work-life and do both well."
About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms worldwide. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.
Marquis Who's Who
Uniondale, NY
(844) 394 - 6946
info@marquiswhoswho.com
www.marquiswhoswho.com
SOURCE: Marquis Who's Who
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
