About Joy
Joy Owenby trained in political science and criminology before turning to law. She earned a B.S. from Florida State University in 1993, followed by a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Florida in 1994. She completed her J.D. at Florida Coastal School of Law in 1996.
Her early career moved between public service and court work. In 1998 she served as an administration manager for the U.S. Department of Commerce. By 2001 she was working inside the legal system as a certified legal intern at the State Lawyer’s Office for the Fourth Judicial Circuit and as an intern for General Magistrate Franklin F. Akel. The next year she became a program lawyer for the State of Florida Guardian ad Litem Program, handling matters that brought her into direct contact with families and courts.
In 2004 she founded Owenby Law, P.A., where she has practiced as a lawyer and counselor at law. Her standing allows her to appear in Florida courts and in the federal judiciary, including the Eleventh Circuit and the Federal Circuit. In addition to courtroom work, her practice has involved case preparation, client counseling and negotiation.
Owenby has been active in bar and professional organizations since the early 2000s. She joined The Florida Bar and several local and national associations in 2002 and has maintained those memberships. She served as chair of the Jacksonville Bar Association Family Law Section from 2012 to 2013. Since 2014 she has been a barrister of the Florida Family Law American Inn of Court. She is also active in groups focused on women lawyers and in the Jacksonville legal community.
Colleagues describe her as pragmatic in approach. She typically prepares cases with an eye for practical outcomes rather than theatrical litigation. That orientation shaped her work at the Guardian ad Litem Program and informs the representation she offers clients today.
Her files reflect a steady emphasis on family law and related domestic matters. She handles custody, support and dissolution matters and represents clients in hearings and negotiations. She continues to operate Owenby Law, P.A., where her practice concentrates on family law and related issues.
