Position: Senior Partner

In Judy Hoyer’s long and diverse career as a federal and state prosecutor, she found excitement and success in prosecuting fraudulent behaviors in the banking, securities and corporate worlds. Much like her childhood literary heroine, Nancy Drew, Judy’s passion lies in taking the parts of a fraud case and piecing them together like a puzzle to solve the crime.  

At James, Hoyer, Newcomer, Smiljanich & Yanchunis, Judy focuses her attention on nationwide fraud and False Claims Act (qui tam) cases. She co-founded James, Hoyer, Newcomer, Smiljanich & Yanchunis, P.A., with her husband Chris Hoyer, also a former federal prosecutor, and friends Bill James and John Newcomer. Since its inception, the firm has been actively engaged in complex fraud litigation on behalf of defrauded consumers, whistleblowers and government agencies.  

Following law school, Judy served as a prosecutor in the State Attorney’s office in Tampa, Fla., where she was the second woman attorney to be appointed to the position. Shortly thereafter, Judy joined the U.S. State Attorney’s office and prosecuted everything from drugs to obstruction of justice.  

Facing a con artist on the stand was always a highlight for Judy in the courtroom, and her talent for cross-examination solidified her already respected reputation as a prosecutor. In 1991, Judy was appointed Special Counsel to the Florida Legislature on Sexual Harassment Hearings. She was also appointed to prosecute cases for the Florida Judicial Qualifications Committee, a checks and balances system for judges throughout the state.

Judy graduated cum laude from George Mason University (B.A., 1973). She received her law degree from Stetson University (J.D., 1976), where she served as executive editor of the Law Review, and was a recipient of the Who’s Who Florida Bar Achievement Scholarship. She authored the cross examination section of the book, “Criminal Trial Practice in Florida,” published by the Florida Bar. She was chairman of the Hillsborough County Bar Association Trial Lawyers Section (1997-1998). She also served as Ferguson-White American Inns of Court Counsel to the Inn (1991-1998) and President (1999-2000).

I Discovered Fraud - What Should I Do?