About Jacqueline Tornés

Founding Partner

Mrs. Torn­és is a multi-faceted attorney knowledgeable in both transactional and litigation matters with experience related to the following areas of law: banking and finance, business and commercial law, creditors’ rights, family law, commercial litigation, complex real estate transactions, investment and disputes, employment law, and hospitality.

Being an in-house attorney for a local restaurant group has allowed Mrs. Tornés to hone her business acumen and in turn provide her clients with advice and counsel in order to facilitate, improve, and strengthen their operations. Much to her client’s advantage, Mrs. Tornés is able to think and operate with the mind of a business-owner. Unlike other attorneys that complicate matters and end up having deals fall apart, she is able to think quickly and provide solutions to business-owners so that they can continue to operate with minimal or no disruptions.

Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Mrs. Tornés attended Florida International University School of Hospitality Management where she graduated with honors specializing in Hospitality Management. After working in the hospitality industry for a few years, Mrs. Tornés decided to attend law school at Fordham School of Law in New York City where she was part of the Trial Advocacy / Moot Court Team as well as the Criminal Law Clinic. Mrs. Tornés always had a love for litigation and advocacy.

Mrs. Tornés worked as a summer intern at the State Attorney’s office in Miami and later worked as a summer associate at a mid-size boutique law firm in Miami where she later on became a full-time associate representing foreign and domestic investors, financial institutions, commercial and residential property owner’s, restaurant groups, and other businesses and agencies. Mrs. Tornés later on left the law firm world and went to work for a restaurant group as in-house counsel and VP of Operations. There, she had the opportunity to further hone her expertise on corporate matters, negotiations, real estate transactions, business law, as well as litigation on employment issues such as wage and hour and FLSA issues, together with other types of commercial litigation. She also gained valuable exposure to the actual operation of the business. Due to her undergraduate degree and time as in-house counsel, Ms. Tornés is very knowledgeable in the day-to-day operations of a multimillion-dollar business and the issues that business-owners come across on a daily basis and, thereby, can help other business-owners anticipate problems from occurring as well as, naturally, mitigating and resolving them.

Education

  • J.D., Fordham University School of Law, Trial Ad Member
  • B.S. in Hospitality Management, Florida International University, Cum Laude, Honors: Dean’s List; Florida Merit Scholarship; Honors College Study Abroad Program (Italy)

Bar Admissions

  • Florida
  • Washington, D.C.

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
  • Pro Hac Vice in the United States District Court, Northern District of California

Board Positions

NRA Board Member, National Restaurant Association
As a Board Member of the National Restaurant Association, I work alongside a diverse group of industry leaders to support and advance the restaurant and hospitality sector nationwide. In this role, I contribute to collaborative discussions on key issues impacting operators—particularly in the areas of hospitality law, labor relations, and regulatory compliance. Together, we help shape initiatives that strengthen the industry’s voice in public policy, workforce development, and operational sustainability. I’m proud to be part of a board committed to empowering foodservice professionals through advocacy, education, and community engagement.

FRLA Vice President of Restaurants, Executive Committee, Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association
As Vice President of Restaurants for the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, I serve as a strategic liaison between restaurant operators, legal stakeholders, and industry partners across the state. In this role, I work collaboratively to address key issues impacting Florida’s food-service sector, with a focus on hospitality law, workforce policy, and regulatory matters. I help guide initiatives that support the growth, compliance, and operational success of restaurant businesses—from local independents to national brands—while championing FRLA’s mission to protect, educate, and elevate Florida’s hospitality industry.

Languages, Certifications & Associations

  • Fluent in Spanish; Conversational Italian
  • FL Restaurant & Lodging Association – President of the Miami-Dade Chapter
  • Court of Master Sommeliers – Level 1
  • USSA Intermediate Sommelier Certificate