The Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association presented its 2025 Woman Lawyer of the Year and Ally awards May 8 at The River Club.
Ashlea Edwards, a shareholder at GrayRobinson and 2024-25 president of The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division, received the Woman Lawyer of the Year Award.
The annual award is intended to promote a woman lawyer who is not necessarily at the pinnacle of her career, but who has made meaningful contributions in her community through her legal service or volunteer activities and who has been a positive role model for JWLA members.
Candidates are elected from those who have earned the respect of others professionally; are involved in activities for the betterment of her community; exemplify the qualities of a positive role model; and advance the cause of women in the community.
After graduating from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2015, Edwards began her practice in commercial litigation with a focus on contract disputes, general liability defense and bankruptcy before transitioning into employment litigation and corporate governance.
Presenting the award, JWLA President Brittany Ford said Edwards is “a tireless supporter of advancing the legal profession, particularly for young lawyers and female lawyers though Bar service, serving on the board of governors for the Jacksonville Bar Association and as past-president of its Young Lawyers Section.
She participated in Leadership Florida, the Florida Coastal Alumni Board and the Chester Bedell Inn of Courts.
“On a personal note, she remains one of the kindest and most genuine human beings I have ever had the pleasure to meet. She is a staunchly loyal friend, a loving spouse and daughter, and frankly, despite us being around the same age, the person I want to be when I grow up,” Ford said.
Fourth Circuit Chief Judge Lance Day received the JWLA Ally Award.
Ford said the award is presented in extraordinary circumstances in recognition of the recipient’s outstanding support and contribution to promoting women and gender equality in the legal community.
She described Day as “a staunch defender of equality for all even in the face of adversity.”
Immediately upon becoming chief judge, Ford said Day reached out to JWLA to see if there was anything he and the judiciary could be doing to help support JWLA’s mission and work in the community.
“He represents professionalism and ally-ship in every sense of the words,” she said.