Tampa attorney appointed secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation

Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed Shumaker attorney and adviser Melanie Griffin in Tampa as secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. 

Griffin advises and represents businesses of all sizes and types in commercial disputes and litigation. She has also represented individuals and entities in trust and estate litigation, handling several multimillion-dollar disputes for prominent Florida families.

“We will be working closely together during the weeks ahead to make a seamless transition as we continue to support the DBPR team in ongoing initiatives,” said Julie Brown, former Shumaker attorney and current secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, in a release.

Griffin also serves on Florida State University’s College of Law Board of Visitors and is the Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers Executive Board of Directors president.

“Florida is the best in the nation for business owners, and I’m elated for the opportunity to further advocate on behalf of the business community,” Griffin said in a statement. Shumaker Advisors was formed in 1925 and has become one of the fastest-growing public affairs firms in the state.

Griffin’s appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate. The DBPR is in charge of licensing and regulating businesses and professionals in the state, including alcohol, beverage and tobacco, hotels and restaurants.