Jonathan Osborne and Stacie Townsend, Gunster (Florida, USA): New WLG Key Contact Partners
Get to know their practices:
Jonathan is a business litigator, co-chair of the firm's White Collar Defense & Internal Investigations practice group, and Managing Shareholder of the Fort Lauderdale office. He previously served as an Assistant US Attorney in the Southern District of Florida. Jonathan is a first-chair trial lawyer and counselor specializing in complex civil and white collar defense, internal investigations, and defending clients against government inquiries across various industries and legal matters.
Stacie is a shareholder in Gunster's Corporate and Technology & Entrepreneurial Companies practices. Her work includes mergers and acquisitions, complex business transactions, and matters that affect businesses on a daily basis. Stacie represents clients across all industries and helps entrepreneurial and tech companies with legal, strategic, and business decisions.
You both recently attended your first WLG summit. What was your experience, and what takeaways from that event have you brought back to your firm and your practice?
Jonathan: Going into the Riga trip, I had high expectations, and the summit exceeded all of them: the warmth of the WLG family, the depth of connections, and the stimulating discussions. I am incredibly grateful to everyone we met during the vetting process. The lasting impression that is on my mind constantly—was my first impression—during the introductory remarks by Aku Sorainen. The Sorainen firm’s purpose—to work together as one team, partnering with businesses to grow prosperity in their region—is a model of clarity; clarity that I hope to emulate in my life and practice.
Stacie: My first WLG summit was an energizing and eye-opening experience. I was pleasantly surprised by the shared culture and values across the group, which closely mirror what I see in the attorneys at Gunster. It truly felt like an extension of our firm, with a strong sense of inclusivity and excitement around the WLG community.
One of my key takeaways was the value of cross-border relationships—not just for client referrals, but for sharing best practices and innovative approaches to client service. I returned to Gunster with a focus on fostering the wonderful WLG connections that Jonathan and I made during our time in Riga, and we are actively looking for opportunities to connect our team to WLG member firms, so that we all can benefit from this dynamic network.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Jonathan: Along with my wife Gayla, our top priority is exploring with our three children, Judah (four), Winnie (two), and Jedidiah (one). We love to travel when we can—around the States, and vacationing internationally. This year, we tacked southern France onto our trip to Latvia and will be traveling to Italy in September for a client’s wedding. For self-care, I train three days a week with a basketball coach.
Stacie: In my spare time, I am an avid pickleball player and closely involved in the sport. Beyond pickleball, I enjoy spending quality moments with my partner and my family, which grew this week to include a new nephew!