Ciara C. Willis

Ciara C. Willis provides strategic legal counsel to condominium and homeowner associations across Florida. As general counsel to a wide range of residential and professional communities, she helps boards navigate day-to-day operations, legal compliance, and long-term planning. Her work includes drafting and amending governing documents, enforcing covenants and restrictions, resolving disputes, ensuring regulatory compliance—including matters related to the Condo Safety Act—and guiding boards through developer turnover, contract negotiations, elections, collections, and other legal matters affecting associations.

Ms. Willis also represents associations in litigation when needed, in both state and federal courts, with a strong focus on practical, proactive solutions that protect communities and support effective governance.

Before joining Bush Ross, Ms. Willis was a judicial intern with the Florida Supreme Court, gaining valuable insight into appellate procedure and judicial decision-making.

In addition to her legal practice, Ms. Willis leads Bush Ross’ Women Leadership Initiative, a firmwide effort focused on fostering mentorship, supporting career growth, and encouraging leadership among women attorneys. She also currently serves on The Florida Bar Committee for Mentoring New Lawyers and the Stetson Law Alumni Association (SLAA) Board.

Her past leadership includes eight years of service on The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division Board of Governors as both an elected and appointed governor, contributing to one of the largest young lawyer organizations in the country. She also served three years on the Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers (HAWL) Board and six years on the Hillsborough County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Board of Directors.

Florida Bar, President’s Award (June 2023)

Florida Association for Women Lawyers “Leader in the Law Award” (June 2022)

Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division, President’s Award (June 2022 & June 2023 & June 2024)

Tampa Connection, Team Member of the Year Award (May 2022)

Recognized in Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation, (2022-2026)

Recognized as Florida's "Legal Elite Up & Comer" in Commercial Litigation by Florida Trend magazine (2021 - 2022)

Tampa Magazine’s Top Lawyers List, Real Estate Law (2021-2023)

HAWL President’s Award (2020)

Recognized as a "Rising Star" by Florida Super Lawyers Magazine (2019-2025)

William F. Blews Pro Bono Service Award (2016)

Publications & Speaking Engagements

• Dan O’Keefe, Episode 24, Ciara Willis, Danielle Weaver-Rogers, Matthew Ceriale, Stetson in the Tampa Bay Community, 2024 Podcast guest, Real Cases: A Legal Podcast
• Moderator, “Basic Appellate Practice 2023” The Florida Bar (November 20, 2023)
• Speaker, “Basic Community Association Litigation” The Florida Bar, Basic Real Property CLE, Virtual (Spring 2023)
• Panelist, Condominium Association Ask the Experts Panel on Condo Safety Act, Property Insurance, Legal & Property Management, KW Property Management & Consulting, St. Petersburg, FL (April 5, 2023)
• Numerous Condominium and HOA Board Certification Courses
• Panelist, “Pathways for Success for Young Lawyers” The American Inns of Court’s Bench & Bar Conference, Miami, FL (Feb. 18, 2022)
• Panelist, “Health and Wellness Events” Florida Bar Voluntary Bar Leaders Conference, Orlando, FL (July 16, 2021)
• Panelist, “Stetson Law Admitted Students Day Webinar” (April 6, 2021)
• Hannah Becker, Nichole Gehringer, and Ciara Willis, The Good, the Bad, and the Takeaways of Working Remotely, HCBA Lawyer Magazine, Vol. 31, No. 4, Mar-Apr 2021
• Moderator, “Basic CLE Bankruptcy Law” The Florida Bar, Virtual CLE (Fall 2020)
• Ciara C. Willis, Note, Age is Just a Number; Not a Reason to Force Retirement, 11 J. Comparative and Int’l Aging L. & Pol’y 67. (Spring 2020)
• Speaker, “The Florida Bar & How to Get Involved” Hosted by Hispanic Organization of Legal Advocates, Cooley Law School, Tampa, FL (January 22, 2020)
• Moderator, HAWL Diversity & Leadership – A Networking Breakfast Series “Speaking Up and Making a Difference as a Young Lawyer” Tampa, FL (November 14, 2019)
• Moderator, “Basic CLE Business Law” The Florida Bar, Tampa, FL (October 11, 2019)
• Moderator, HAWL Diversity & Leadership – A Networking Breakfast Series “First Generation Lawyers” Tampa, FL (September 26, 2019)
• Moderator, “Basic CLE Estate Planning & Probate” The Florida Bar, Tampa, FL (May 18, 2018)
• April 2018, Panelist, Courtroom Etiquette Panel hosted by The Florida Bar YLD Law Student Division, Stetson Chapter
• Panelist, “Courtroom Etiquette” hosted by The Florida Bar YLD Law Student Division, Stetson Chapter (April 2018)

Ciara Willis was born in Miami, Florida and raised in Jensen Beach, Florida.

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