Elizabeth A. Harper

Co-Founder and International Attorney

Elizabeth A. Harper, Co-Founder and International Attorney at Collon & Associates Lawfirm, has been a cornerstone of the firm since its establishment in 1997. With nearly three decades of legal experience, Ms. Harper specializes in business litigation, offering unparalleled expertise in federal, state, and international law, with a particular focus on UK legal systems.

Ms. Harper’s distinguished career began as a Judicial Law Clerk for the United States District Court in Jacksonville, where she served for five years, including three years under the Honorable Powell W. Mellon, Senior United States District Judge. During this time, she managed complex caseloads, conducted in-depth legal research, drafted judicial opinions, and supported civil and criminal proceedings, including sittings with the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Her work encompassed a broad spectrum of civil cases, including Bankruptcy Appeals, Civil Rights, Consumer Law, Employment Law, ERISA, Patents, Social Security, and state contract and tort law, as well as criminal matters involving sentencing and habeas proceedings.

As an international attorney, Ms. Harper is deeply engaged in UK legal systems, leveraging her admission as a solicitor in England and Wales to advise clients on cross-border disputes and international business transactions. Her global perspective is informed by her robust academic background. She earned her Juris Doctor with High Honors from the University of Florida College of Law (USA) in 1992, where she served as Senior Articles Editor for the Florida Law Review and received a Fellowship with the Center for Governmental Responsibility. Additionally, she holds a Master’s degree in International Law from Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (Germany) and a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from the University of Oxford (UK).

Admitted to The Florida Bar and the Middle District of Florida Bar since 1992, Ms. Harper is also admitted to practice as a solicitor in England and Wales under the Solicitors Regulation Authority. She is an active member of prestigious professional organizations, including the Jacksonville Bar Association, the Jacksonville Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, and the Catholic Lawyers Guild, where she served as Past President. Her international affiliations include the Deutscher Anwaltverein (German Bar Association), the Law Society of England and Wales, and the Bar Council of England and Wales. Ms. Harper has also served as an Associate Editor for the Jacksonville Bar Association Bulletin.

A dedicated educator, Ms. Harper has shared her expertise as an Adjunct Professor at the Florida Coastal School of Law, teaching seminars on Law and Religion and Florida Constitutional Law.

•  Jacksonville Bar Association (USA)

•  Jacksonville Chapter of the Federal Bar Association (USA)

•  Catholic Lawyers Guild, Past President (USA)

•  Deutscher Anwaltverein (German Bar Association, Germany)

•  Law Society of England and Wales (UK)

•  Bar Council of England and Wales (UK)

•  Cross-Border Business Litigation: Represented a multinational corporation in a complex breach of contract dispute spanning the United States and the United Kingdom, securing a favorable settlement through strategic negotiations under both U.S. and UK legal frameworks.

•  International Arbitration: Advised a U.S.-based technology firm in an international arbitration proceeding in London, addressing intellectual property and licensing disputes, leveraging expertise in UK legal systems and international law.

•  Bankruptcy Appeal: Successfully appealed a bankruptcy ruling in the U.S. District Court, overturning an adverse decision for a corporate client, preserving significant assets in a multi-jurisdictional restructuring.

•  Civil Rights Litigation: Defended a corporate client against a high-stakes civil rights claim in federal court, achieving dismissal of claims through meticulous pre-trial motions and discovery management.

•  Employment Law Dispute: Represented an international employer in a cross-border employment dispute involving U.S. and UK labor laws, ensuring compliance with both jurisdictions and securing a favorable resolution.

•  Patent Infringement Case: Led the defense of a mid-sized company in a patent infringement lawsuit, coordinating with UK counsel to address parallel proceedings in the UK, resulting in a negotiated licensing agreement.

•  ERISA Litigation: Secured a favorable outcome for a client in an ERISA dispute involving complex pension plan issues, navigating federal regulations and coordinating with international stakeholders.

•  UK Commercial Transaction: Provided legal counsel to a U.S. client acquiring a UK-based company, ensuring compliance with UK corporate law and facilitating seamless cross-border due diligence.