Erin Tilton named to the 2026 Class of 25 Women You Need to Know by the Tallahassee Democrat

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Stearns Weaver Miller announced that Land Development, Zoning & Environmental Shareholder Erin Tilton has been selected as one of the 2026 Tallahassee Democrat “25 Women You Need to Know” honorees. The award recognizes local women who demonstrate strong leadership, dedication to service, and create lasting impact on the Tallahassee community. Erin joins an elite group of 560 women chosen over the past 20 years.

An experienced litigator, Erin represents private and public sector clients before local, regional, and state agencies, courts, and elected bodies on land use, real estate development, and environmental matters. She is skilled in developing and implementing litigation strategy as it relates to obtaining, challenging, and defending development approvals.

Erin is a prominent leader in the Tallahassee community. She serves on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors for the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and chairs the organization’s Business Advocacy Committee, previously serving as chair of its Governance Committee. She is an active member of the Urban Land Institute of North Florida’s Capital Region Leadership Council, where she serves as chair of the Sponsorship Committee.

For over a decade, Erin served in numerous leadership roles with the Tallahassee Bar Association, including as President from 2023 to 2024. She is the youngest attorney, and only the ninth woman, to take on that role in the organization’s more than 100-year history. During her tenure, Erin championed leadership diversity and authored the Association’s diversity statement, which was formally adopted into its bylaws. Even after her tenure on the Board of Directors, Erin continues to serve as Co-Chair of the TBA’s Annual Chili Cook-Off, a premier event that raises funds for the Legal Aid Foundation of Tallahassee. In 2025, the event raised a record-breaking $32,000.

“Erin is the embodiment of what 25 Women You Need to Know is meant to celebrate,” said Liz Desloge Ellis, Stearns Weaver Miller Shareholder and past honoree. “She leads with strength, she serves with integrity, and she is intentional about creating space for other women to grow—whether that means offering practical career advice, making thoughtful introductions, or simply being a steady source of encouragement. She does this quietly and consistently, investing in others without expectation of recognition, and in doing so, she helps shape not only careers but confidence and community.”

Erin Tilton’s recognition as one of the “25 Women You Need to Know” reflects not only her professional accomplishments, but also her unwavering commitment to leadership, mentorship, and service in Tallahassee. See the full list of honorees here.