Arthenia L. Joyner - Tampa, FL
Attorney at Swope, Rodante, Newsome & Steinberg
Civil Litigation Lawyers in Tampa, FL
1234 E 5th Ave Tampa, FL 33605
- Free Consultation
Tampa Civil Litigation Lawyer
Updated: 08/21/2026
Areas of Practice
- Civil Litigation
- Personal Injury
- Insurance Bad Faith
- Car Accidents
- Trucking Accidents
- Product Liability
- Wrongful Death
- Civil Trial
- Complex Civil Litigation
- Negligence
- Premises Liability
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Brain Injury
- Burn Injuries
- Rideshare / Lyft & Uber Accidents
- Construction Accidents
- Child Abuse
- Professional Liability
- Appellate Practice
- Texting/Distracted Driving Accidents
- Sexual Abuse (Plaintiff)
- Catastrophic Injuries
- Legal Malpractice
- Bicycle Accident Lawyer
- Insurance Coverage
- Automobile Insurance Bad Faith Claims
- Boating Accidents
- Dog Bite Injuries
- Negligent Security
- Nursing Home Abuse
- Slip & Fall Lawyer
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist Claims
- Claims Against Insurance Companies
- Commercial Insurance Bad Faith Claims
- Automotive Defects
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Hit and Run Accidents
- Drunk Driving Accidents
- Bus Accidents
- Rear-End Collision Accidents
- Defective Drugs and Devices
- Medical Device Claims and Recalls
- Insurance Coverage Litigation
- Homeowners and Renters Insurance Bad Faith Claims
- Insurance Coverage Disputes and Denials – Failure to Defend
- Clergy Abuse
Attorney Information
Overview
Senator Arthenia L. Joyner is a dynamic individual whose personal life reads like a chronicle of the struggle for equal justice. She has not just lived history, she made it. Senator Joyner is Of Counsel at Swope, Rodante, Newsome & Steinberg in Tampa, FL, practicing in the area of personal injury. Born in Lakeland FL and reared in Tampa, she grew up in a time of segregation and has always been determined to end it.
Senator Joyner began her long march for equality as a high school student in Tampa protesting for change as a participant in the Woolworth lunch counter demonstrations. That journey took her to jail cells in Tallahassee during her undergraduate years at Florida A&M University when she was twice arrested for demonstrating against segregation and spent 14 days in the Leon County, FL jail.
When president of the National Bar Association, she was arrested for protesting apartheid outside of the South African Embassy in Washington, D.C. in 1985.
Joyner entered politics in the early ‘70s when she chaired in Tampa the Shirley Chisholm’s presidential campaign, Jesse Jackson’s 1984 and 1988 presidential campaigns, and co-coordinator of Lawton Chiles’ 1990 gubernatorial campaign, and Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign.
A graduate of Florida A&M University College of Law, she was Florida’s fifth Black female lawyer, the first Black female lawyer in Hillsborough County, the first Black lawyer in Polk County, the first Black female lawyer to serve on the board of the Hillsborough County Bar Association, the first Black attorney appointed by Governor Lawton Chiles to the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, the first Black female appointed to the Board of Directors of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, the first Black female State Representative and State Senator elected from Tampa, the first Black female Minority Leader in the Florida Senate. Senator Joyner has practiced law for fifty-six (56) years – longer than any Black woman in the history of Florida.
Her most prestigious appointments came from President Clinton, including the U.S. Delegation to the International Population Development Conference in Cairo, Egypt (1994) and the U.S. Delegation to the United Nations 4th World Conference on Women in Beijing, China (1995). She is widely recognized for her leadership on women’s and human rights issues and her relentless passion for justice, truth, and equal rights. The Board of County Commissioners and the Tampa-Hillsborough Library Board in 2018 celebrated her many contributions to Florida and the community by naming its new $9.3 million library in her honor.
Awards and Honors
Honors
- Florida Sheriff’s Association Legislative Champion Award, 2016
- Hillsborough County Democratic Party Helen Gordon Davis Lifetime Achievement Award, 2016
- National Federation of Democratic Women (NFDW) Outstanding Elected Democratic Woman Holding Public Office, 2016
- National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women Presidential Award, 2016
- Independent Colleges & Universities of Florida Presidential Honor Roll, 2016
- Florida Bar Trial Lawyers Section Legislator Leadership Award, 2016
- Florida Network of Youth and Family Services Chairman Leadership Award, 2016
- Tampa City Council Commendation Award, 2016
- Progress Florida Champions of Florida’s Middle Class Award, 2016
- Florida Legislative Black Caucus Special Recognition of Senate Democratic Leader for Outstanding Dedication and Service, 2016
- Florida Legislative Black Caucus Special Recognition for Leadership and Distinguished Honor of Being Florida’s First Black Women Elected Senate Democratic Leader, 2016
- Bay Area Apartment Association (BAAA) Inaugural Legislator of the Year Award, 2015
- Florida Dental Association 2015 Dr. Lewis Earle Legislative Award, 2015
- National Black Caucus of State Legislators – Legislator of the Year, 2015
- National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women (NOBEL Women) – Woman of the Year, 2015
- Senate Victory Women in Politics Annual Dinner named for Senator Arthenia L. Joyner, 2015
- Women in Government – State Directors Award, Southern Region, 2015
- Florida League of Cities Defender of Home Rule Top Advocacy Award, 2015
- Florida Sheriff’s Association Legislative Champion Award, 2015
- Florida Association of Counties Leadership Award, 2015
- Florida League of Cities’ Legislative Appreciation Award, 2015
- Suncoast League of Cities Legislative Lifetime Achievement Award, 2015
- Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority Legislative Service and Leadership Award, 2015
- Florida Association of Counties County Champion Award, 2014
- Florida League of Cities, Inc. Legislative Appreciation Award, 2014
- Democratic Women’s Club of Florida, Inc. Legislative Advocacy Award, 2014
- Florida Public Defender Association L. Clayton Nance Award, 2014
- Florida Democratic Party – Recognition of Election as Senate Democratic Leader, 2014
- National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women (NOBEL) Women of Distinction Award, 2013
- The Florida Justice Association Perry Nichols Award, 2013
- The Florida Bar Legislative Award, 2013
- Florida Police Benevolent Association. Inc. Legislative Champion Award, 2013
- Florida Association of Counties County Champion Award, 2013
- 19th Annual Delta Days at the Capitol Honorable Carrie P. Meek Servant Leadership Award, 2013
- 11th Annual Mayor’s Brunch Award-Pittman Law Group, 2013
- National Black Caucus of State Legislators Lifetime Achievement Award, 2012
- Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of prisoner’s rehabilitation and sponsoring bills that target restoration of rights-Ambassadors Gavel Club of Okeechobee C.I, 2012
- Defender of Women’s Rights, American Civil Liberties Union, 2012
- Legislative Public Safety Award – Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, 2012
- Legislative Leadership Award, University of South Florida, 2012
- Legislative Appreciation Award, Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee, 2012
- Florida League of Cities, 2012 Legislative Appreciation Award
- Progress Florida, Florida Watch Action & America Votes Champions of Florida’s Middle Class Award, 2011
- Shining Star for Public Education Award by Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association, 2011
- The Florida Bar Foundation 2009 Legislative Appreciation Award, 2009
- The Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged 2009 Legislator of the Year Award, 2009
- The National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women (NOBEL/WOMEN) President’s Award, 2009
- Florida Bar Legislative Award, 2009
- Participant, GlobalPOWER Program, Center for Women Policy Studies, 2009
- Alternatives to Incarceration Council (ATIC) Honor Roll, 2009
- National Black Caucus of State Legislators 2009 Anheuser Busch Eagle Award, 2009
- Florida Association of Counties County Champion Award, 2008
- Trial Court Budget Commission Legislative Leadership Appreciation Award, 2007
- Women Legislator’s Lobby Pacesetter Award, 2005
- The Florida League of Cities Legislative Appreciation Award, 2005
- Trial Court Budget Commission Service Award, 2004
- Florida Bar Celebration of Florida’s First 150 Women Lawyers and the First 5 African American Women Lawyers, 2000
- Polk County Chapter Fla. A&M Univ. National Alumni Association Leadership and Service Award, 2001
- Virgil Hawkins Bar Association Civil Rights Award, 2001
- Florida Association of Women Lawyers Rosemary Barkett Outstanding Achievement Award, 2001
- National Bar Association Equal Justice Award, 2001
- Florida Medical Association’s 2001 Outstanding Legislator, 2001
- American Cancer Society 2001 Legislative Award
- Florida Consumer Action Network Consumer Champion Award, 2002
- USF Area Community Civic Association, Inc. Legislative Appreciation Award, 2003
- Fleming Institute Legislative Leadership Fellow, 2004
- American Heart Association Award of Excellence, 2004
- Florida League of Conservation Voters “Gold Star Award”, 2004
- Pete Weitzel Friend of 1st Amendment Special Recognition Award, 2004
- American Cancer Association Legislative Award, 2004
- A. Philip Randolph Institute Distinguished Service Award, 2004
- Ferrell Middle Magnet School “Trailblazer Award”, 2005
- Florida Association Mortgage Brokers, West Coast Chapter Appreciation Award, 2005
- Tampa ACORN “Representative of the Year Award”, 2005
- Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa, Inc., Legislator of the Year Award, 2005
- Florida A & M University, College of Law “Outstanding Graduate Award”, 2005
- Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers Rosemary Barkett Award, 2005
- NAACP Morris W. Milton Memorial Award, 2005
- The Florida A & M University Distinguished Community Service Award, 2005
- Hillsborough County Sheriff & Tampa Urban League Salute to Leadership Award, 2006
- St. James House of Prayer Episcopal Church Service Award, 2006
- Bible-Based Fellowship Church “Living Legend Award”, 2006
- Tampa Branch NAACP Presidential Award, 2006
- AFL-CIO Legislator of the Year Award, 2006
- National Bar Association Legislative Lawyers Division, Rep. Pinkie Wilkerson Award, 2006
- Pinellas County Urban League 2007 Government Award, 2007
- Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee Jefferson Jackson Award, 2007
- Tampa Bay Academy of Hope 2007 State Legislative Leadership Award, 2007
- Florida Council Against Sexual Violence – Anne Gannon Warrior For Women Award, 2007
- American Cancer Society Legislative Leadership Award, 2007
- DACCO 2008 McKell Award, 2008
- Florida Council Against Sexual Violence Outstanding Legislator Award, 2008
- Healthy Start Coalition of Hillsborough County, Inc. Central Hillsborough Healthy Start Project Black Infant Health Practice Initiative Award, 2008
- National Bar Association Commercial Law Section, Cora T. Walker Legacy Award, 2008
- Derrick Brooks Charities Florida Consortium of Urban League Affiliates Public Service Leadership Award, 2008
- Florida Bar Leadership Award, 2008
- American Cancer Society Florida Division Legislative Award, 2009
- National Bar Association Hall of Fame Inductee, 2009
- Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. Patricia Roberts Harris Medallion for Excellence in Government, 2010
- Plant City Black Heritage Celebration, Inc. Appreciation Award, 2011
- Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, Inc. 37th Anniversary Roe v. Wade Choice Award, 2010
- The Florida Council Against Sexual Violence Warrior For Women Award, 2010
- Florida State Massage Therapy Association (FMSTA) Legislator of the Year Award, 2010
- Cathedral of Faith Church, Inc. Elected Official of The Year, 2010
- Prodigy Community Champion Award, 2011
- Teamsters National Black Caucus Trailblazers Award, 2012
- President’s Award, Florida A&M University, 2012
- Certificate of Recognition and Appreciation for Outstanding Public Service – 11th Episcopal District African Methodist Episcopal Church, 2012
- St Petersburg Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Leading Lady Award, 2013
- Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law 2013 National Distinguished Civil Rights Advocate Award, 2013
- 2013 Middle Class Champion Award-Florida Watch Action
- Farm Share Hunger Champion Award, 2014
- Humanitarian of the Year Award-St. John Progressive M.B. Church, 2014
- Creative Loafing Best of the Bay Award – Best Show of Class in The Face Of Unfathomable Stupidity, 2015
- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. – 2015 Impact Award
- National Bar Association Annual Prayer Breakfast named for its founder, Arthenia L. Joyner, 2015
- Bay Area YWCA Gems of the Community Award, 2015
- The Links, Incorporated – 2016 Florida Links day at the Capitol – Advocacy Award
- Florida A & M University National Alumni Association Legislative Trailblazer Award, 2016
- Tampa Bay’s 25 Most Powerful Politicians –St. Petersburg Blog, 2016
- Walk Through History “Black Girl Magic” Award, 2016
- National League of Black Women Black Rose Award, 2016
- Tampa Bay Lightning Community Hero Award, 2016
- University of South Florida Community Leader Kente Award, 2016
- FAMU College of Law Distinguished Alumni Legacy Award, 2016
- Junior League of Tampa & WEDU Luminaries Award, 2016
- Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Legacy Lifetime Achievement Award-Bethune-Cookman University, 2016
- MLK Parade Foundation Drum Major For Justice Award, 2017
Education
Legal Education
-
Florida A&M University College of Law,
Orlando,
Florida, 1968
J.D.
Honors: Outstanding Leadership Award, Student Bar Association, 1968
Honors: President, Student Bar Association, 1967
Honors: Moot Court Team, 1965–1968 -
Stetson University College of Law,
Deland,
Florida
Honorary Doctor of Laws, 1991
Non Legal Education
-
Florida A&M University,
Tallahassee,
Florida, 1964
Bachelor of Science
Current Employment Position(s)
-
Of Counsel
Past Positions
- Joyner & Jordan-Holmes, Founding Partner
Pro Bono Activities
- Bay Area Legal Services, Board of Directors, 1977–1986; 1990
- Bay Area Legal Services, President, Board of Directors, 1983–1984
- Bay Area Legal Services, Pro Bono Award, 1985–1988
Bar Admissions
- Florida, 1969
Other Affiliations
- Life Member, National Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Member, The Florida Bar
- Hillsborough County Bar Association Board of Directors
- Member, Florida Association of Women Lawyers
- American Judicature Society
- Member, National Association of Bond Lawyers, 1991-2001
- Member, Hillsborough County Association of Women Lawyers
- Member, Florida Bar Probate Rules and Guardianship Committee, 1984-1990
- Member, Hillsborough County Bar Probate Committee, 1984-1995
- Board of Governors and Executive Committee, National Bar Association, 1973–1990; 1996–1997
- President, National Bar Association, 1984-1985
- President-Elect, National Bar Association, 1983-1984
- Treasurer, National Bar Association, 1973-1983
- Chair, Hillsborough County Bar Association Program Committee,1987‑1988
- Chair, Hillsborough County Bar Association Law Day Luncheon, 1984; 1992–1993
- Member, Hillsborough County Bar Association Law Day Committee,1982-1984
- American Bar Association House of Delegates, 1981–1982; 1993–1994
- President, Florida Chapter National Bar Association, 1974-1976
- Vice President, Florida Chapter National Bar Association, 1972-1974
- Secretary, Florida Chapter National Bar Association, 1972-1974
- Member, Florida Bar Grievance Committee, 1988-1992
- Fellow, The American Bar Foundation
- Member, Judicial Nominating Commission, 13th Judicial Circuit
- Chair, Judicial Nominating Commission, 13th Judicial Circuit, 1993‑1994
- Member, Federal Judicial Nominating Commission for Florida, 1992-1996
- Inaugural Member, Commercial Law Section, 1987
Fraternities and Sororities
- Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.
Photo
Contact
1234 E 5th Ave
Tampa, FL 33605
Phone Number: (813) 273-0017
Fax Number: (813) 223-3678
Email: Send a message
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https://www.swoperodante.com
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https://www.swoperodante.com/tampa-personal-injury-lawyer/
(Personal Injury Lawyers)
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https://www.swoperodante.com/our-practice-areas/insurance-bad-faith/
(Insurance Bad Faith)
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https://www.swoperodante.com/tampa-car-accident-lawyer/
(Car Accident Lawyers)
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https://www.swoperodante.com/product-liability-lawyer/
(Product Liability Lawyers)
- https://www.swoperodante.com/blog/
Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
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