Suzanne Blankenship

Shareholder

Suzanne Blankenship is a Board Certified Condominium and Planned Development Lawyer practicing law in Pensacola since 1996. She earned a B.A. in political science and M.P.A. in public administration from the University of Alabama and a J.D. from Hamline University School of Law where she was editor-in-chief of the Hamline Journal of Public Law and Policy.

Practice Areas

Corporate

Suzanne G. Blankenship is Pensacola’s only Board Certified Condominium and Planned Development Lawyer and has practiced law in Pensacola since 1996. As a Shareholder at Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon, Suzanne’s practice involves serving as legal counsel for numerous condominium and homeowners’ associations throughout Northwest Florida.  She has also represented buyers, sellers, and lenders in commercial and residential real estate transactions. 

Suzanne is a long-time member and sponsor of the North Gulf Coast Chapter of Community Associations Institute (CAI), an organization devoted to representing the interests of condominium associations and homeowners’ associations throughout the United States.  

Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon is proud to serve as an approved provider by the Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares, and Mobile Homes to offer an educational curriculum to board members of Florida condominium and homeowners’ associations as well as those who may be interested in serving on association boards. Suzanne teaches these classes which are free and open to the public. The class schedules and registration information are posted on our Community Association Law practice area page.

Education

  • Hamline University School of Law (Saint Paul, Minnesota)
    • Juris Doctor (J.D.), 1995 
    • Editor-in-Chief, Hamline Journal of Public Law and Policy
      • 1994 – 1995
  • The University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, Alabama)
    • Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.), 1991
    • Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), The University of Alabama, 1989

Professional Work Experience

  • Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon
    • Shareholder
  • Coastal Association Law Group, P.L.
    • Founder
    • Former Managing Partner
  • McDonald Fleming Moorhead
    • Former Partner

Bar Admissions

  • The Florida Bar
    • Board Certified Condominium and Planned Development Lawyer
  • Alabama State Bar

Court Admissions

  • All Florida state courts
  • All Alabama state courts
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida

Professional Membership Activities

  • Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association
    • Executive Council and Program Chair
      •  2005 – 2007
  • The Florida Bar
    • Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section
  • Alabama State Bar
  • Community Associations Institute (CAI)
    • Sponsor of North Gulf Coast Chapter

Recognition & Awards

  • Community Service Award, presented by the Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association
    • 2013
  • 40 Under 40 Emerging Business Leaders, presented by the Pensacola Business Journal
    • 2006
  • Recognition Award for Excellence in Employment Law, given by the Labor and Employment Section of Minnesota State Bar Association
    • 1995

Presentations & Teaching Opportunities

  • Frequent presenter at CAI events and chapter meetings
  • Approved education provider for condominium and homeowners’ association board member certification classes since January 2015 by the Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares, and Mobile Homes
  • Presenter at educational seminars regarding Florida’s required structural integrity reserve studies and mandatory milestone inspections for condominium associations

Community Involvement

  • Leadership Pensacola Class of 2003
    • Former Curriculum Committee/Community Overview Day Co-Chair
  • Justice Teaching, School Resource Volunteer 
  • Escambia County School District volunteer activities
    • C.A. Weis Elementary School
      • Backpack Buddies weekend meal program, 2010 – Present
    • Booker T. Washington High School
      • Project Graduation, Co-Chair, 2017
      • Lacrosse Booster Club Board, 2017 – 2019
      • Varsity and JV Volleyball Team Representative, 2014 – 2016
    • Brown-Barge Middle School
      • Career Fair participant, 2012 – 2013
    • Cordova Park Elementary School
      • Reading Tutor, Classroom Volunteer, 2004 – 2012
    • Pensacola High School’s Dr. Sarah J. Ussery Law & Public Service Academy
      • Law Advisory Council
  • Chain Reaction
    • Chair, Board of Directors, 2008 – 2010
    • Vice Chair, Board of Directors, 2007 – 2008
    • Program Sponsor
  • Pensacola Bama Club (The Pensacola Chapter of the University of Alabama National Alumni Association, Inc.)
    • President, 2007 – 2009
    • Former Chair of the Board of Directors
  • IMPACT 100
    • 2007 – 2009
  • First United Methodist Church of Pensacola
    • Member