Firm shareholder J. Jeffrey “Jeff” Deery and his wife, Jennifer Deery, have been honored with Lake Highland Preparatory School’s 2026 President’s Award, the school’s highest distinction recognizing individuals whose exceptional service and philanthropy have advanced its mission.
The Deerys accepted the award before an audience of more than 200 guests, expressing their gratitude and reaffirming their commitment to Lake Highland’s mission of educating and developing future leaders.
A 1982 charter graduate of Lake Highland Preparatory School, Jeff Deery has dedicated decades of service to the school. His contributions include serving on the Board of Trustees for 14 years, including four years as chairman; leading the school’s Highlander Fund campaign; and coaching varsity basketball. In recognition of his extraordinary leadership and longstanding commitment, the Board of Trustees also named Deery a Life Trustee, one of the institution’s highest honorary distinctions. He is now one of only six living individuals to hold the Life Trustee designation.
Jeff Deery serves as general counsel to smaller businesses throughout Central Florida and practices in the areas of complex business transactions, healthcare and banking litigation as well as business shareholder disputes and complex commercial transactions. His experience also includes litigating disputes over employment covenants and executive compensation agreements. Jeff Deery has been recognized as a leader in various charitable and not-for-profit organizations. He is also a frequent lecturer on law firm practice development and lawyer-client relationships. Jeff Deery is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2008, including being named Orlando “Lawyer of the Year” in Litigation–Banking and Finance in 2014, 2021, and 2025, and recognized as a Florida Super Lawyers® honoree since 2016.