Chanel T. Rowe is Senior Counsel in the Global Legal Organization at Johnson & Johnson where she focuses on litigation policy and litigation risk mitigation. Ms. Rowe has a well-rounded legal and business background. She has led legal departments as the Founder and Managing Partner of her own law firm and as General Counsel and Partner at a global FinTech broker-dealer facilitating the sale of over $1 Billion in securities across various alternative asset classes. Prior to that, she served as Enforcement Counsel for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Miami Regional Office, and Judicial Law Clerk to Senior Judge Donald L. Graham of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Ms. Rowe started her career as an Associate at two AmLaw 100 law firms where she defended multi-national pharmaceutical and medical devices companies in multidistrict litigation and counseled corporations in complex commercial actions.
In 2021, Ms. Rowe became the first Black woman appointed to the FIU Board of Trustees and the youngest trustee in the history of the State University System of Florida to be confirmed by the Florida Senate. As a Trustee, Ms. Rowe oversees the Audit and Compliance Committee. She is also a Founding Member of the FIU Foundation Office of Inclusive Philanthropy’s inaugural Women in Philanthropy Council. Before she was elevated to the FIU Board of Trustees, Ms. Rowe held the roles of Vice President, Parliamentarian, Director, and Committee Chair on the FIU Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Ms. Rowe graduated as the Valedictorian of her College of Law class at FIU. As a student, she was the Executive Business Editor for the FIU Law Review and received the “Best Orator Award” as the winner of the FIU Moot Court Competition. She has also served as Parliamentarian and Corporate Relations Specialist for the FIU Black Law Students Association and the Southern Region of the National Black Law Students Association, respectively. She graduated summa cum laude from Florida Atlantic University with a bachelor’s degree in economics where she tutored at-risk students in mathematics and economics courses.
An active member of the Florida Bar, Ms. Rowe has served on several committees, including the Standing Committee on Student Education and Admission to the Bar, the Grievance Committee, and the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She is a past chair of the Miami-Dade Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers’ Mentoring Committee and previously provided services to the Florida Board of Bar Examiners. Ms. Rowe is also a graduate of the Florida Bar’s Wm. Reece Smith Jr. Leadership Academy.
Throughout her career, Ms. Rowe has demonstrated a commitment to public service, mentorship, professional development, and mental wellness. She has provided career advice to numerous young professionals and spoken on behalf of various organizations in the community. Ms. Rowe has received several acknowledgements for her achievements including, the Miami-Dade Bar Association Inaugural Top 40 Under 40 Award, the 2023 Jack Daniels Black Achievers Award, the 2023 National Bar Association Rising Star Award, The American Lawyer 2021 Trailblazer Award, the 2020 National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 Award and has been listed as a Super Lawyers® Rising Star in 2017 and 2023.
Additionally, we extend our congratulations to FIU Professor H.T. Smith, who has been recognized as an honoree at The National Bar Association’s 2023 Wiley A. Branton Issue Symposium Awards Luncheon. This prestigious honor acknowledges individuals in the legal community whose professional journeys exemplify a deep commitment to civil rights and economic justice advocacy.