Local figure James D. O'Donnell has been chosen for the prestigious 2025-2026 Leadership Sarasota class, as announced by Shumaker. This selection reaffirms O'Donnell's dedication to community leadership, bearing on his future contributions.
Shumaker Associate James D. O'Donnell Selected for Leadership Sarasota Class
James D. O'Donnell, an associate at Shumaker's Litigation & Disputes Service Line, has been chosen for the 2025-2026 Leadership Sarasota Class. This prestigious programme, run by the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, equips participants with the skills and insights needed to address the challenges facing the Sarasota region.
The Leadership Sarasota programme offers an immersive curriculum focused on community development, public policy, economic growth, and regional collaboration. Participants engage in an intensive learning experience that explores how to foster community growth, influence public policies, support economic development, and promote cooperation across regional stakeholders.
James D. O'Donnell, a Sarasota native, is no stranger to community service. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast in Sarasota. His selection for Leadership Sarasota is seen as a reflection of his professional acumen and commitment to the Sarasota community.
At Shumaker, James specializes in business and real estate litigation, advocating for businesses, shareholders, landlords, and property owners in all phases of litigation in state and federal courts. With a team of over 300 attorneys and advisors, Shumaker has a commitment to giving back to and supporting the communities it serves.
Jan Pitchford, the Sarasota Managing Partner at Shumaker, expressed her pride in James's achievement, stating, "James's selection for Leadership Sarasota is a testament to his dedication to our community and his professional expertise. We are confident that he will bring valuable insights to the programme and continue to make a meaningful impact in Sarasota."
James represents clients from various industries such as manufacturing, construction, health care, real estate, hospitality, retail, and technology. His participation in Leadership Sarasota is expected to further strengthen his ability to address the complex issues facing these industries in the Sarasota region.
Before joining Shumaker, James served as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Joel DeVore of the Oregon Court of Appeals. This experience, combined with his local knowledge and community involvement, makes James an ideal candidate for Leadership Sarasota.
As James embarks on this new journey, he is expected to continue making a significant contribution to the Sarasota community, leveraging the skills and insights gained from the Leadership Sarasota programme to drive positive change.
James D. O'Donnell's selection for the Leadership Sarasota Class underscores his commitment to the Sarasota community, a testament to his professional expertise in both finance and business. As he delves into the programme's immersive curriculum focused on community development and economic growth, his influence in regional collaboration is anticipated to further benefit various industries such as real estate, healthcare, and technology.
