Vannoy, John G. (Jay)

Mr. Valdes was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. At the age of 13, he and his family relocated to South Florida where he attended Cooper City High School. In 1995, Mr. Valdes graduated from Florida State University and received a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Psychology. While at Florida State, Mr. Valdes was selected as an intern at Common Cause, a nonprofit, nonpartisan citizen's lobbying organization promoting open, honest and accountable government. Upon graduating college, Mr. Valdes entered the work force and became employed as a general manager for a multinational sales corporation.

Returning to academics in 2000, Mr. Valdes attended the University of Miami to pursue a law degree. During law school, he interned at the Eleventh Judicial Circuit and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. Mr. Valdes also clerked at two AV rated law firms specializing in medical malpractice defense and personal injury. While at the University of Miami, he was active in various organizations such as H.O.P.E. (Helping Others through Pro Bono Efforts), Phi Alpha Delta, Hispanic Law Student Association and the student section of the American Bar Association.

Mr. Valdes was admitted to the Florida Bar and was hired at an AV rated law firm specializing in commercial litigation and family law. He remained in this position for 3 years where he obtained extensive courtroom experience and was made a member of the First Family Law Inns of Court.

Mr. Valdes is a member of the Dade County Bar Association and currently sits on the organization’s Professionalism Committee. He is also a member of the American Bar Association, the Cuban American Bar Association and he is fluent in Spanish.

Outside of work, Mr. Valdes enjoys government and politics and he is a member of the Miami-Dade County Democratic Executive Committee. He is an aficionado of architecture, design and urban planning and enjoys traveling and the outdoors.