Jo Colbert Stanley

Since 2005, Jo Colbert Stanley has been Of Counsel to Colodny Fass after several years as a general litigator in Delaware, where her practice focused primarily on labor and employment law. Throughout her career, Jo has represented employers in civil rights suits based on Title VII, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and various other fair employment and public accommodation laws. At Colodny Fass, Jo works with the litigation and appellate groups, consulting on cases related to insurance defense, employment law, regulatory compliance, corporate and commercial law.

Jo is a Florida Supreme Court Qualified Arbitrator and Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil and County Mediator. She is also on the public mediator roster for FINRA, a government-authorized, not-for-profit organization that oversees U.S. broker-dealers.

A British/Barbadian national, Jo completed her undergraduate studies at Penn State University, where she graduated summa cum laude. In 1996, Jo completed her Juris Doctor (magna cum laude) at Widener University School of Law, where she was the president of the Moot Court Honor Society and served as chair of the Minority Law Students Association. More recently, Jo received a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Dispute Resolution and Litigation at Shepard Broad College of Law. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution at Nova Southeastern’s renowned Halmos College. A Widener Scholar, Jo has received numerous other academic honors and awards over the years, including law school accolades such as the National Order of Barristers, Chief Justice Nix Scholar, and Outstanding Minority Scholar. Jo was also inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society for academic excellence during each of her degree programs. She was recently honored as a Fellow of the American Bar Association’s Dispute Resolution Section.

Jo is a published author, contributing articles to publications such as the Journal of Individual Employment Rights, M. Lee Smith’s Employment Law Letter, The Florida Bar ADR Section’s periodical The Common Ground, and the International Yacht Broker Association’s Compass magazine. A sought-after speaker, Jo has also developed and presented numerous employment-related seminars on behalf of nationally recognized continuing education services. She has addressed audiences such as the State attorneys for the Florida Department of Health, The Florida Bar, Association of General Contractors, Delaware Bankers Association, Delaware Contractors Association, and the National Association of Women in Construction. Jo also conducts anti-discrimination and diversity training workshops, which she has handled for employers of all sizes across the country. She regularly leads panels on topics such as ADR, employment law, and maritime-related issues.

In addition to her private practice, Jo is a volunteer with The Florida Bar’s Disaster Relief Assistance program, helping individuals navigate FEMA services and secure post-hurricane relief. Her other pro bono endeavors have included an internship at Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law’s Dispute Resolution Clinic; acting as guardian ad litem on behalf of children in state foster care in Delaware; and representing individuals seeking political asylum in the United States.

Jo’s multifaceted career path includes her involvement in the maritime industry for nearly two decades. She owns and operates her yacht management and maintenance company, Stanley Yacht Services, Inc., which has been in business in Fort Lauderdale for over 16 years. From stem to stern, Jo has experience as a mate/deckhand, stewardess, purser, and charter manager. Jo is credentialed with the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) certificate, is a U.S. Coast Guard certified Medical First Aid Officer and holds a Florida boater’s license.