It’s almost the season to be jolly.
That’s why the Jacksonville Bar Association kicked off planning for the annual Holiday Project on Tuesday.
For committee Chair Kimberly Woods, an associate attorney at Boyd & Jenerette, it’s the eighth year she has been on the committee and her third year as chair.
“This is a great way to give back. We need to know who wants to play Santa,” Woods said.
Beginning Wednesday, association members may register at jaxbar.org to sponsor a holiday gift or gifts for a senior in Jacksonville who is served by the nonprofit Aging True’s Meals on Wheels program.
Each senior submits a wish list of gifts, which the sponsor purchases, wraps and then delivers to the recipient at their home.
Items most often requested are blankets, clothing, snacks and small appliances like toaster ovens and space heaters, Woods said.
Sponsors also have the option to drop off wrapped gifts at the JBA office from Dec. 9-16 for delivery by volunteers from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
Woods said the event has grown to serve about 400 seniors each year.
“We want to help as many people as we can and make them smile, so now’s the time to start gathering sponsors. We’d rather have too many sponsors than not enough,” Woods said.
Eleven attorneys joined the 4th Circuit State Attorney’s Office staff this month.
From left, State Attorney’s Office County Court Division Chief LaTesha Campbell, Director John Kalinowski, State Attorney Melissa Nelson and Division Chief Katelyn Johnston with new Assistant State Attorneys Jack Moran, Jamie Cona, Dora McClain, Kimano Edwards, Sarah Usman, Gabriel Roberts, Sam Mizeras, Brittainy Joyner, Jesse Nardy, Laura Dadowski and Carly Hazelip.
Attorney Craig Gibbs was elected chair of the Downtown Investment Authority board of directors, a nine-member group appointed by the mayor and City Council. He joined the board that oversees Downtown commercial and residential redevelopment in January 2014 after being appointed by former Mayor Alvin Brown.
Gibbs was a two-term member of the former Jacksonville Economic Development Commission, where he helped facilitate the addition of 1,700 jobs generating $89 million in annual payroll.
He also served on the Jacksonville Super Bowl XXXIX Host Committee, which succeeded in bringing the NFL’s Super Bowl championship game to Jacksonville in 2005.
Gibbs serves or has served on the boards of the Clara White Mission, the AME Housing Agency of Florida, Jewish Family and Community Service’s Citizens Advisory Board, Jacksonville Children’s Commission and GlobalJax.
The Jacksonville Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist Society has invited Charles Trippe Jr. to speak at its meeting at noon Tuesday at the Main Library Conference Center Downtown.
Trippe is a partner with Abel Bean Law and former chief counsel of the Federal Aviation Administration, former general counsel for former Gov. Rick Scott and former general counsel for litigation at CSX Corp.
His topic will be recent federal deregulation and the practical realities of dealing with the administrative state.
Tickets may be purchased in advance at bit.ly/31ngeal for $10 including lunch.
Attorney Mike Freed, a shareholder in Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart’s Jacksonville office, says he’s been “dabbling” in stand-up comedy.
He’ll do more than dabble on Nov. 12 when he’ll appear on the stage during Laugh Out Loud Comedy Night at the Comedy Zone at the Ramada Jacksonville Hotel and Conference Center in Mandarin.
Freed said don’t expect him to tell any lawyer jokes.
“It will be observational humor. Parenting. Life. Being a little guy in a big guy’s world,” he said.
Visit comedyzone.com for reservations.
The public is invited to a dedication ceremony at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Duval County Courthouse.
State Rep. Clay Yarborough has been invited to unveil a bronze plaque, inspired by a City Council resolution, recognizing the contributions made by Hispanic and minority contractors during construction of the courthouse at 501 W. Adams St.
Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association President Sarah Mannion, left, welcomed Michelle Browning Coughlin, founder and CEO of Mother’s Esquire, to the association’s first meeting of the 2019-20 membership year last week at The River Club Downtown.
Mother’s Esquire is a national organization with the mission to achieve gender equity in the legal profession by improving promotion and retention rates of women in the law, as well as championing equal pay and transparency regarding compensation practices in the legal profession.
The JWLA has invited The Florida Bar President John Stewart to its next lunch meeting on Nov. 14, also at The River Club.
