Carolyn “Joy” Whitmore is a trial attorney and commercial litigator at Woolsey Morcom.  She works with both businesses and individuals to navigate an endless variety of complex legal issues.  Joy enjoys the commercial litigation field because each case is unique and requires a different approach. Before coming to Woolsey Morcom, she spent several years as an Assistant State Attorney for the Fourth Judicial Circuit, successfully trying a variety of cases from driving under the influence to attempted murder. As a prosecutor, Joy discovered she loved being in front of a jury.  In her first trial after being promoted to the Special Victim’s Unit, Joy obtained a guilty verdict against a serial rapist who had kidnapped and sexually assaulted three victims from Jacksonville Beach.

One of her proudest trial moments was obtaining justice for a victim whose case sat cold for more than ten years before her attacker was finally identified, tried, and convicted. The most difficult, but rewarding, aspect of being an SVU prosecutor was helping children find their voice after years of abuse. In addition to advocating for victims of sexual assault and child abuse, Joy participated in undercover narcotic deployments, and worked closely with law enforcement. 

Joy earned her law degree, with honors, from the University of Florida and her undergraduate degree in creative writing from Florida State University.  While studying in Tallahassee, Joy wrote a music column for the FSView Newspaper and a hip-hop column for a local Jacksonville publication.  Clients benefit from her versatility, responsiveness, and sense of urgency.

Joy lives with her daughter, husband, and their four dogs. She enjoys the Blueridge Mountains, Jaguar Football, Star Trek, and escape rooms.  She is a member of the Catholic Lawyers Guild, Jacksonville Women Lawyer Association, and the Florida Bar’s Trial Section.