- Florida Bar
- Administrative Law Section, Law School Outreach Committee
- Guardian ad Litem
Overview
Joseph “Jake” Whealdon joined Jimerson Birr, P.A. as an Attorney in 2025. He concentrates his practice in administrative and regulatory law and litigation, including appellate law. Additionally, Mr. Whealdon has experience in legislative analysis and implementation, financial compliance, and labor and employment law, among other areas.
Prior to joining Jimerson Birr, Mr. Whealdon spent over a decade in public service, most recently serving for almost three years as General Counsel for the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. In this role, he oversaw a legal team of nearly a hundred attorneys and support staff that handled regulation of a diverse portfolio of licensed entities in industries including, but not limited to, real estate, construction, alcoholic beverages and tobacco, condominiums, timeshares, and mobile homes, and hotels and restaurants.
During his time in public service, Mr. Whealdon handled matters touching on virtually every aspect of administrative law, such as consideration of permit and licensure applications, license disciplinary proceedings, rulemaking and rule challenges, and procurement procedures. Mr. Whealdon firmly believes that private actors and governmental entities can and should work together to speedily resolve any issues which arise and promote a prosperous economy. To this end, Mr. Whealdon approaches every matter with a desire to find efficient, creative solutions, while also acknowledging that vigorous litigation is sometimes necessary to achieve a desired result.
Mr. Whealdon was born in New Orleans but grew up in the Florida Panhandle. He attended Florida State University as an undergraduate, graduating magna cum laude with degrees in History and American Studies. He attended the University of Pennsylvania Law School and obtained a Certificate in Business and Public Policy from the Wharton School. He holds a LL.M. in Environmental Law and Policy from the Florida State University College of Law, where he graduated magna cum laude.
Mr. Whealdon resides in Tallahassee with his wife, Katharine, and their two sons. In his free time, he enjoys trips with his family, reading, jogging, live music, playing pinball, and rooting for the Florida State Seminoles, Philadelphia Eagles, and Philadelphia Phillies.
