Influential Woman · Law
Jane Whalley Muir
Shareholder | Leader in the Miami Legal Landscape, J. Muir & Associates, P.A.
Coral Gables, FL 33134
Her Story
About Jane
Jane Muir is a business law attorney practicing in Coral Gables, Florida. She was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2009 and founded her own firm in 2010. After beginning her career in personal injury law, she transitioned to business law, embracing the field through hands-on experience starting her practice. Muir draws from a family legacy as the sixth-generation lawyer on her father's side, with her mother serving as a circuit judge for thirty-five years. Her father, admitted in 1980, is still in practice. Her work includes representing clients as general counsel in various industries including emerging sectors such as AI, software, and media. She also contributes through volunteer service on boards for nonprofit organizations and has been court-appointed to oversee businesses based on her demonstrated results.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jane
01What do you attribute your success to?
Opportunity is often disguised as hard work. I feel that enthusiastically accepting opportunities to serve in volunteer roles, and then delivering outstanding results as a result of consistent effort has been key in my career. People believe that how you do one thing is how you do everything, so community service gives you the chance to show your skills and personality and results in more opportunity.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
When I was in law school, I was struggling with grades and visited the careers office at my law school. It should have been closed, but one of the counselors happened to be there. I tearfully shared my fears and she reassured me, saying "there are three things you can be good at: grades, work experience, and extra-curricular activities. If you are weak in one area, work on it, but also you can be super strong in the other areas." This inspired me to hold at least two or three jobs each semester in law school and to participate in eighteen intramural and interscholastic competitions in various advocacy disciplines. By the time I graduated, I had earned Order of Barristers, earned a scholarship for advocacy, and had offers for three different jobs during an economic downturn where many of my peers were unable to find employment.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
One piece of advice is that you don't want to be the best woman in your area of expertise. You want to be the best, period. And then secondly, I would recommend finding an area that is uncharted. People don't necessarily remember who's the best at something; they remember who is first. If you can jump in to a new space and be very early in its development, it enables you to make yourself known as an authority on something that is brand new, it is very effective. Nobody has experience in a new area. That means when you are young and beginning your career you can become a leader quickly because experience does not exist in the new area.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
There is a lot of fear of artificial intelligence making attorneys obsolete right now. I believe that AI creates an amazing opportunity, and will be a tool and nothing moore. It will require attorneys to learn new skills and that there will be more need for sage counsel and effective oral advocacy from attorneys than ever.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity. Diligence. Civility. Community service.
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