Welcome Women Business Owners

WBO is recognized as the premier women's entrepreneurial organization in North Florida, increasing recognition of women business owners and their successes and encouraging ownership by women in business. Our Mission is to inspire women business owners to grow through networking, education, and support.

January Dinner Meeting - January 28th, 2019

Time
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM Networking Hour
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Dinner and Program
Location
Deercreek Country Club
7616 McLaurin Road North
Jacksonville, FL 32256
Menu
Starter Tomato Bisque Soup
Protein Southwest Flank Steak Salad: Grilled Flank Steak, Spinach, Baby Kale,
Corn, Black Beans, Roasted Red Peppers, Fried Tortillas, Chipotle Ranch
Vegetarian Butternut Squash Ravioli, Brown Butter, Broccoli
Dessert Cheesecake
Cash bar available.
 

Main Program Melissa Nelson, State Attorney for Florida's Fourth Judicial Circuit

Melissa Nelson took office as State Attorney for Florida's Fourth Judicial Circuit on Jan. 3, 2017. She leads a group of more than 100 attorneys and 200 staff who represent the people of Clay, Duval, and Nassau Counties, primarily in criminal matters.

Nelson spent 12 years in the office as an Assistant State Attorney from 1997-2009. During that time, she prosecuted capital homicides, white collar matters, sex crimes, and crimes against children.

In 2009, she joined McGuireWoods and worked in private practice for seven years.

Since taking office, Nelson has committed to employing new public safety measures, including the deployment of strategic prosecutorial initiatives. She also is committed to leading the implementation of modern criminal justice reforms and ensuring the office's work is done in a fair, transparent manner for the people it serves.

Recognized for her ethics, integrity, professionalism, and collegiality, Nelson recently was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers. She is a member of the Chester Bedell Inn of Court, the Jacksonville Women's Lawyers Association, and previously served on the Judicial Nominating Commission for the Fourth Judicial Circuit.

Nelson earned both her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Florida.

Nelson and her husband, Jason, live in Jacksonville where they raise their three children.
 

Spotlight Speaker Laurie Lee, Esq., Elevate Business Law

Laurie M. Lee has practiced business law since becoming a member of the Florida Bar. After working at other medium and large-sized law firms, Laurie decided to start Elevate in order to implement more progressive ways of serving clients. Specifically, Elevate is a flat-fee only firm (no hourly billing), which sets out the most efficient and productive system for all involved. Elevate has two equally beneficial options for clients: pay on a project-by-project basis or pay a set monthly fee for services throughout the year.

Over her career, Laurie has helped businesses with strategic planning, reorganizations, ownership changes, business transactions, regulatory compliance, brand protection, growth goals and exit strategies. She has counseled and represented various sizes of businesses, ranging from non-employer companies to multi-owner businesses with eight figure revenues.