The Federalist Society Jacksonville Lawyers Chapter will meet at noon Thursday in The Lounge at the Main Library Downtown, when 1st District Court of Appeal Judges Harvey Jay and Scott Makar will discuss appellate practice and the state of the courts.
Who or what inspired you to become a lawyer?
During high school, I worked as a legislative aide to my state representative and became fascinated by the law. That experience also sparked an interest in speech and debate which led to my becoming a litigator.
Someone who inspires me:
My grandfather. As part of the Greatest Generation, he served in the Pacific in World War II before coming back to serve his church and community.
How do you relate your undergraduate degree to your practice of law?
My undergraduate degree is in economics. That helps me understand the business concerns of my clients. More importantly, economics taught me how to think critically, question assumptions and analyze evidence.
How did you decide your practice area? And why have you chosen that?
I graduated from law school at a time when many of my friends were in Iraq or Afghanistan. I felt compelled to serve my country during a time of war. As a result, I served on active duty for five years in the U.S. Navy JAG Corps and deployed to Baghdad during Operation Iraqi Freedom. However, I never intended to make the military a career. I left active duty for the opportunity to litigate at Rogers Towers. Litigation is a natural extension of the trial experience I gained in U.S. and Iraqi courts.
What has been the biggest change in your practice area since you passed the Bar?
When I first passed the Bar, Facebook was still new and not everyone carried a smartphone. People then were more cautious about what they posted about themselves online. The explosion of social media over the past 10 years has greatly increased the amount of electronic data, the type of evidence available and the cost of discovery.
What do you think will be the next biggest change in your area of law?
Technology is only beginning to change the way law firms market and provide legal services.
If I could change anything in the legal system, I would ...
Having worked in foreign legal systems, I greatly appreciate the courts and institutions that support the rule of law in the United States. Independent judges, due process and impartial justice are not always available in other parts of the world. That being said, the civil litigation system can be prohibitively time-consuming and costly.
What community service have you pursued and why that?
I continue to serve as a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve JAG Corps. As part of a unit that supports U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, I spend several weeks each year in Bahrain to support maritime operations in the Arabian Gulf. I am also the president of the Federalist Society Jacksonville Lawyers Chapter, which seeks to promote a deeper understanding of the Constitution, the separation of governmental powers and liberty.
What’s your advice for new lawyers?
Work for the very best lawyers and learn from their experiences. The most important aspects of the practice of law are not taught in law school.