PRESIDENT’ S MESSAGE
PRESIDENT’ S MESSAGE
Honoring Public Service: Spotlight on Unsung Legal Heroes
Jean Marie Middleton 2025-26 PBCBA President
The following is part of a continuing series by Jean Marie Middleton.
Meet Shawntoyia“ Shawn” Bernard, General Counsel, Palm Beach County School Board
In keeping with my theme of“ Honoring Public Service,” and the Bar’ s mission of enhancing the public’ s understanding and awareness of the legal system, I am proud to highlight an unsung hero who exemplifies quiet dedication to service through law.
Education and Early Legal Foundation
Shawn Bernard earned her bachelor’ s degree in History, emphasizing African American Studies, from Clark Atlanta University with an Honorable Mention. She went on to earn her Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where she was part of the winning team in the Florida Bar Mock Trial Competition. Fun Fact: one of her trial partners on the award winning team is now Palm Beach County Circuit Court Judge, Bradley Harper.
A Journey Rooted in Service
Shawn began her legal career in private practice in Jacksonville, but found her true calling during her time at the law firm of Weiss & Serota, where she represented government employers. That experience opened her eyes to the complexities and rewards of public sector legal work. In 2008, she responded to an ad in the Florida Bar Journal for a part-time, job-share opportunity at the South Florida Water Management District. As a young mother, this innovative arrangement— pioneered by then- General Counsel and Palm Beach County Bar member Sheryl Wood— allowed Shawn to balance her growing family with meaningful public legal work. It was there she discovered the intersection of law, politics, and public policy— and found a passion she thought would carry her to retirement.
From Water Management to the Classroom
But service called again. In 2011, she joined the Palm Beach County School District as Senior Attorney / Chief of Litigation under the leadership of her former boss and Palm Beach County Bar member, Sheryl Wood. Upon Ms. Wood’ s retirement, former President of the Palm Beach County Bar Association, JulieAnn Rico returned to the School District as General Counsel.
Under Ms. Rico’ s mentorship, Shawn would go on to serve as Assistant General Counsel, then Deputy General Counsel, before being promoted to General Counsel during the COVID-19 pandemic.“ I grew up in the public sector during that time,” she recalls. The School District— Palm Beach County’ s largest employer— became a legal epicenter, navigating the complexities of public health, remote education, contract law, employment, and student rights under intense political and social pressures and Shawn sat at the helm of helping her Board and District Leadership.
A Full-Service Legal Office for Public Education Today, Shawn leads the Office of General Counsel( OGC), which functions as a full-service law firm for the School District. The office has a staff of 31 and is organized into key practice groups:
• Business Operations
• Governance
• Academics
• Real Estate & Construction
• Litigation( Labor & Employment, Risk Management)
• Appellate
“ The OGC is perhaps the most unknown law firm in the county,” Shawntoyia says.“ But we’ re everywhere embedded in every layer of the District’ s strategic plan. Our goal is to be thought partners, not just triage teams.”
Shawn is especially proud of the opportunity to educate students and the community about the essential role the legal department plays in supporting education and protecting public interests.
A Legacy of Leadership in Law and Service
Shawn Bernard is the definition of a public servant: steady, thoughtful, and driven by purpose. Her journey reminds us that leadership doesn’ t always happen in the spotlight— but its impact is felt everywhere.
Family Life
As if running a full-service law firm wasn’ t enough! Shawntoyia is married to Senator Mark Bernard whom she met in law school. Mark was also on the award winning UF Trial Team.
They are the proud parents of three very active daughters. Their eldest will be attending Howard University in the fall. Go Bison!
PBCBA BAR BULLETIN 3