Shutts & Bowen LLP is pleased to announce that Amanda Buffinton, Patricia Leonard and Margaret “Peggy” Rolando were recently recognized by Florida Trend as honorees in the Legal Elite NOTABLE: 2025 Women Leaders in Law.
The Notable Women Leaders in Law profile, which was published in the November edition of Florida Trend, highlights leading female attorneys across the state of Florida who have made a significant impact in the field of law. Nominees for this honor must serve as role models, trailblazers and mentors who are recognized for their thought leadership and community engagement. According to the publication, as of 2025, nearly 35,000 female lawyers were practicing in Florida, representing more than 41% of the statewide legal community.
According to the publication, the numbers of women attorneys, as well as top performers, are steadily rising across the state of Florida, making this list more distinctive and difficult for inclusion.
To see Florida Trend’s 2025 Notable Women Leaders in Law, click here.
About Amanda B. Buffinton
Amanda B. Buffinton is the Managing Partner of the Tampa office of Shutts & Bowen LLP, where she is a member of the Construction Litigation Practice Group. A Martindale Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ rated attorney, Amanda is also Board Certified in Construction Law by The Florida Bar. She has been rated in Chambers USA for her expertise in construction law since 2020. Amanda specializes in the litigation and arbitration of complex construction claims including representing clients in jury and non-jury trials. She regularly represents design professionals, contractors, owners and developers in various types of construction disputes including claims related to public road and bridge construction including FDOT projects, electric generation landfills, storm water systems, retail structures, hospitals, municipal wastewater treatment facilities, warehouse structures, and large condominium and multi-family structures.
About Patricia A. Leonard
Patricia A. Leonard is a partner in the West Palm Beach office of Shutts & Bowen LLP, where she is a member of the Business Litigation Practice Group and Chair of the firm's Focus on Women Committee. Patti has a diverse business and commercial litigation practice, representing businesses in their contractual and other disputes, employment discrimination defense, partnership and corporate disputes, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical litigation matters, securities litigation, and real estate litigation. Patti has also litigated trademark, unfair competition, theft of trade secrets, Lanham Act, defamation, and copyright infringement cases. She practices in state and federal courts, as well as in FINRA arbitration. She also counsels clients in employment law matters.
About Margaret A. “Peggy” Rolando
Margaret A. “Peggy” Rolando is a partner in the Miami office of Shutts & Bowen LLP, where she is a member of the Real Estate Practice Group. A Martindale-Hubbell AV® rated attorney, Peggy is Florida Bar Board Certified in Real Estate Law and in Condominium and Planned Development Law. Peggy is a member of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL) and is a past chair of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of The Florida Bar. She's also a long time active member of The Florida Bar Committee on Condominiums and Planned Developments. Peggy has been named one of the Best Lawyers in America® in real estate since 2010 and has been recognized by Chambers USA – America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Florida Super Lawyers, and Florida Trend Magazine’s Florida Elite in real estate. She was also listed among the Top 50 Women Lawyers in Florida and Top 100 Lawyers in Miami.