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The Yau Law Firm
Focused on Protecting Businesses and Representing the Injured

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In The News

Jo-Anne Yau is finalist for Entrepreneur of the Year
The Women Business Owners of North Florida holds an annual awards banquet, recognizing women in business across North Florida. Ms. Yau was the finalist for the most prestigious award: Entrepreneur of the Year. The candidates are interviewed by a panel of judges, and must submit records of financial success and a business plan for evaluation. The sold-out event was attended by over 600 people.

Jo-Anne Yau honored with 2012 Woman of Steel
Entrepreneurs Anchor Magazine held its annual “Masters of the Industry” awards banquet. Ms. Yau was awarded the Woman of Steel award for her entrepreneurial achievements, mentorship of business owners, and community involvement.

Women-Owned Businesses Increase in Tough Times
In a special feature of “Business Strategies” in June 2011, The Jacksonville Business Journal honored Ms. Yau not only for starting her law practice during her generation’s most challenging economic time, but also for helping businesses get started and developed despite adversity.

Franchise Law 101:  How to be in Business For Yourself, Not By Yourself
In the March 2011 issue of Entrepreneurs Anchor Magazine, Ms. Yau introduced franchisors and franchisees to basic legal concepts in franchising.  She also offered advice and strategies for those involved in franchise systems.

Trademarks, Copyrights, & Patents for the Entrepreneur
Ms. Yau is a feature author in the October 2010 issue of Entrepreneurs Anchor Magazine. Her article offers practical advice in identifying intellectual property, protecting it, and how to use these assets to grow a business opportunity.

Coastal Mock Trial Program Enjoys Success
In December 2009, Ms. Yau and John Leombruno coached a Mock Trial team from Florida Coastal School of Law.  The team advanced through the preliminary rounds of the regional competition, and were runners-up to advancement into the national competition.

Turning Tragedy Into Opportunity:  Chris Hanks’ Invention Improves Car Carrier Safety at ACE
Ms. Yau's client was the cover story of Advantage Business Magazine’s September 2009 issue.  The article highlighted the client’s "Patent Pending" status, and Ms. Yau offered tips for other inventors seeking patent protection. 

Standing Out By Zigging While Others Zag
The Jacksonville Business Journal featured Ms. Yau in the Business Strategies section in October 2009. 

Yau Sworn In To Traffic Court
The front page of The Daily Record featured Ms. Yau being sworn in as a Magistrate for the Fourth Judicial Circuit, to preside over Civil Traffic Court in April 2009.

Intellectual Property Law Offers Better Protection for Businesses
In this February 2009 "Special Report:  Guarding Against the Crimes of the Times," The Jacksonville Business Journal interviewed Ms. Yau regarding the Pro-IP Act, latest copyright law, addressing the problem of Internet piracy and proposing more strict punishments.  A colleague and a client of Ms. Yau’s were also interviewed.

Wanna Know a Secret?  Successful Business Owners are Tight-Lipped on Tricks of the Trade
The Jacksonville Business Journal published Ms. Yau’s advice to businesses regarding protecting trade secrets.

Seeking Safety During Future Parades
The Florida Times-Union documented Ms. Yau’s investigation in a controversial personal injury case in Yulee, Florida.  A mother suffered a fractured collarbone when a Shriner go-cart lost control and struck her during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 2007.

Speaking Engagements

2013

  • Florida’s automobile insurance laws changed in 2013. The no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) provisions were amended, affecting every insured person in Florida. Ms. Chen represented the Yau Law Firm, teaching doctors, lawyers, and law students about these changes. She also provided “best practice” strategies for handling personal injury cases resulting from car accidents under the new law.
  • Ms. Yau and Ms. Chen were invited by LawReview CLE to teach a Corporate Law course to local attorneys for continuing legal education credit.

2012

  • The Jacksonville Mayor, Alvin Brown, featured Ms. Yau as the legal advisor and business strategies speaker at the Mayor’s Asian American Advisory Board's Small Business Start-Up series to promote and encourage small business development in Florida.

2011

  • The American Medical Writers’ Association’s 71st annual conference was in Jacksonville, and the AMWA featured Ms. Yau as the keynote speaker about legal issues in scientific and medical publications
  • Florida State College of Jacksonville’s Women’s Center and the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Business Center invited Ms. Yau to speak at their “Exploring Entrepreneurial Options” convention, addressing business issues such as entity formation, trademarks, franchising, and corporate litigation
  • University of Florida College of Law asked Ms. Yau to address “Breaking Barriers, and Rising to the Top” at their annual Asian & Pacific Asian Law Students’ Association (APALSA) Conference
  • With graphic designer Felicia Wright, Ms. Yau presented “Protect Your Brand,” at Beaver Street Enterprise Center.  The workshop taught business owners how to identify their trademarks, determine the value of those trademarks, and take advantage of registration protection
  • Ms. Yau was the keynote speaker at the University of Florida's College of Law's Asian Pacific American Law Students' Association, specifically addressing best practices for an Intellectual Property and Corporate Attorney. She also shared her experiences as a Magistrate for the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida.
  • Participated in several panel discussions at Florida Coastal School of Law, offering tips and mentorship to the Women Law Students' Association, the Corporate & Business Law Society, and the first year law students participating in The Starting Line.
  • Ms. Yau provided an introduction to Copyright Law at the University of North Florida's Business & Graphic Design class

2010

  • The First Coast Community Network invited Ms. Yau to speak at their Christmas Lunch. Her presentation was focused on "Franchising & Business Resolutions for 2011"
  • Beaver Street Enterprise Center, the winner of the International Business Incubator of the Year 2010, invited Ms. Yau to speak to business owners about the importance of trademarks and branding for business development
  • Ms. Yau presented an introduction to Trademark and Franchise Law for CPAs, who earned continuing education credit for their attendance
  • Hosted multiple seminars across Florida, teaching individuals and businesses how to file their own BP oil spill claims

2009

  • IMPACTJax, the young professionals division of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce, invited Ms. Yau to talk about franchising and business growth opportunities
  • The Jacksonville Asian American Alliance hosted an event with INDO-US for local entrepreneurs at Havana Jax Cuban restaurant and featured Ms. Yau as the speaker to introduce the concept of franchising and protecting a business with trademarks
  • Florida Coastal School of Law invited Ms. Yau as a guest lecturer in the Franchise Law class, specifically to discuss trademark identification, protection, and licensing
  • Florida Coastal School of Law also invited Ms. Yau to speak on a variety of panel discussions, including:
    • Entertainment Law
    • Women in Law
    • Litigation vs. Transactional Practice

2008

2005 – 2007

  • Each year, the Criminal Justice students at the University of North Florida had Ms. Yau as the guest speaker, discussing Criminal Law theories in practice
  • Each year, Ms. Yau spoke to law students at Florida Coastal School of Law in the Franchise Law class about trademarks and trade dress

Community Involvement

Ms. Yau serves as a member of the Board of Directors and/or Board of Advisors in the following associations:

Ms. Yau is also a member of the following organizations:

In addition, Ms. Yau has participated in the following community events:

  • Yau Law Firm sponsors Small Business Super Makeover contest
    May 2012 was the first annual Small Business Super Makeover contest, where Jacksonville-area entrepreneurs submitted videos about how to make their business dreams come true. The Yau Law firm contributed to the grand prize was worth $8,000, and to prizes for the two finalists.
  • Teen Entrepreneurship Conference
    Junior Achievement of North Florida invited Ms. Yau to serve as a Careers Mentor for over 100 high school girls chosen to attend the 6th annual conference.  The full day conference was packed with activities and lessons to teach teenage girls how to become entrepreneurs, own businesses, and take control of their personal finances.  The girls also had the opportunity to talk to mentors about education choices and career paths.
  • Faces of Asia 2011
    Jacksonville Asian American Alliance, the city’s only charitable organization dedicated to promoting Asian cultural awareness and supporting the Asian community, held its annual Faces of Asia fundraising gala.  This year’s event was a Casino Night theme.  The Yau Law Firm sponsored a poker table, and contributed a gift certificate for legal consultations to the silent auction.
  • YMCA Strong Kids fundraiser
    In 2009, Ms. Yau and two colleagues biked, ran, and swam almost 300 miles in 30 days, and raised over $1,100 for the YMCA’s Strong Kids campaign.  The campaign funds benefited underprivileged children and their families, providing resources for healthy living and sports.
  • Mayor Peyton's Summer Jobs Program: Jo-Anne Yau and Local Youths Learned From Each Other
    Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton has a program to prepare local youths for their summer jobs, working for the City. As part of the program, the Mayor invites a number of professionals from the community to share their work experience, as well as answer the youths' questions.  Ms. Yau participated in this program in 2009.
  • Gate River Run 2003, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
    Ms. Yau participated in the largest race in Jacksonville, running the 15K race