Leading with Purpose:
- Jun 30
- 3 min read
By Joy N. Owenby, Esq.
When I look back on the journey that led me to where I am today—as the founder and senior attorney of Owenby Law, P.A., a proud mother of four, and a woman who built her career on giving others a voice—it’s clear that my success was never just about the law. It was about purpose. It was about heart. And it was about answering the call to lead with both.
My path to founding Owenby Law in 2004 was far from conventional. I didn’t step out of law school with a silver platter of opportunity. In fact, I was teaching high school full-time while attending law school—a balancing act that tested every ounce of my discipline and resolve. After graduating, I went on to serve as an administration manager for the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of the Census. It was stable work, but I knew I wanted more. I wanted to build something of my own. Something meaningful.
I began my legal career advocating for Florida’s most vulnerable population: children. Serving as legal counsel for the Guardian Ad Litem Program, I represented children in cases involving dependency, neglect, abuse, and criminal charges. In those moments, I realized my calling wasn’t just to practice law—it was to fight for people who couldn’t fight for themselves. I gave children a voice in court when no one else would. I made it my mission to ensure they were heard, protected, and represented with compassion and strength.
That heart-centered mission never left me, and it became the foundation for Owenby Law, P.A. We didn’t start with prestige or fanfare. We started with a deep-rooted desire to help people through some of the most challenging chapters of their lives. Whether it’s divorce, custody disputes, criminal allegations, or estate planning, we walk beside our clients with honesty, empathy, and fierce advocacy. That approach—one built on purpose and people—has not only shaped the culture of our firm but has also fueled its incredible growth.
Over the past six years, Owenby Law has been recognized by Law Firm 500, Inc. 5,000, and Seminole 100 as one of the fastest-growing firms in the country.
I’ve been honored with awards from The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100, the American Jurist Institute, and the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, among others. But the true reward comes from the lives we touch every day and the families we help protect.
As a mother of four, I’ve experienced firsthand the tension between personal and professional demands. I understand the emotional complexity of family law cases because I’ve lived through many of those same challenges. That lived experience has informed the way I lead—both in the courtroom and in the office. I want my team to know that success doesn’t require sacrificing compassion. You can be tough, skilled, and strategic without losing your humanity.
To young women entering the legal field, or to any professional chasing a dream while juggling family, I offer this: Never underestimate the power of purpose. It’s what kept me going in the early days, working late nights after putting my kids to bed. It’s what fueled the creation of a firm that has since helped thousands of clients. And it’s what continues to guide our mission today.
We are advocates for change, for healing, and for justice. Our journey is rooted in real lives and real stories, and every client we serve becomes part of that legacy. If you’re facing a legal challenge and looking for a team that listens, cares, and fights for you, we invite you to take that first step with us. The road ahead may be difficult, but you don’t have to walk it alone.
A Heart-Centered Journey to Success
Connect With Joy
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