Tallahassee
2016 Delta Blvd. Suite 101, Tallahassee, Florida 32303
Tampa
1600 E 8th Ave A200, Suite 103, Tampa, FL 33605
Naples
4850 Tamiami Trail N, Suite 301, Naples, FL. 34103
Merritt Godwin is a Paralegal at Kilinski | Van Wyk where she assists in the establishment and operation of Community Development Districts. Her prior experience includes working for Sutherland Asbill & Brennan in Atlanta, specializing in the area of land acquisitions. Prior to Kilinski | Van Wyk, Merritt was an elementary and middle school educator. In addition, she was the co-owner of a second-generation family business established in 1960 and currently still in operation.
Focus areas – Merritt has developed cooperative working relationships with attorneys, engineers, district managers, and project teams related to the establishments and boundary amendments of these special taxing districts, which includes bond validations and public finance, public procurement, public records, contracts, rulemaking, real property, litigation, landowner and developer services.
Experience Highlights
- Jennifer represents some of the largest master planned communities in Northeast Florida, Central Florida, Southeast Florida and areas in between.
- Jennifer has served as counsel to some of Florida’s largest landowners, national homebuilders, and largest developers in the establishment of special districts and general counsel representation thereafter. This representation includes serving as district counsel in the validation of hundreds of millions of dollars in tax-exempt financing and serving as issuer’s counsel related to the same.
- Jennifer also represents a large number of resident controlled special districts, where she prides herself on offering policy, business and legal advice in support of the elected officials direction and goals. She understands the importance of sound policy and supporting legal advice and the direct impact to people’s lives in their communities. She walks hand in hand with newly elected officials in support of their policy goals.
- Jennifer has provided legislative services to industry organizations and special district clients, including monitoring legislation, participating in executive and legislative branch lobbying on special district issues and coordinating large scale efforts, including the implementation of Amendment 12.
- Jennifer represents a number of private landowners in conjunction with negotiation and execution of construction contracts for multi-million dollar private projects, including coordination with owners, contractors, engineers and related professionals.
Merritt stays busy with the youngest of her three children, and in her free time, enjoys renovating properties and traveling with her family and friends. Merritt is a member of the North Florida-South Georgia Tennis League and enjoys playing tennis in her free time.
Education
- Vanderbilt University, B.S.
- The National Center for Paralegal Training, Atlanta, Georgia
Community Involvement
Merritt currently resides in Thomasville, Georgia and has served on the Downtown Thomasville Main Street Advisory Board, as well as the Board of the Thomasville Music and Drama Troupe.