by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
The new general manager for the Jacksonville Jaguars is Lee Wedekind III.
That’s the way it plays out in this sports fan’s dream anyway.
If anything was possible, Wedekind — an attorney in real life — would like to pursue his passion for sports as the general manager of a professional sports team.
“The next 10 years? If I haven’t been given the opportunity to run a professional sports franchise, I’ll still be in Jacksonville,” said Wedekind. “If I had the choice, I would call and ask Wayne (Weaver) to manage his club.
“I’d call the (Atlanta) Braves if he didn’t take the call.”
Dreams aside, life has gotten really serious for Wedekind, 31, lately and he is glad to be working for a top firm in a profession he loves. Wedekind is in his fifth year as an attorney at Smith Hulsey & Busey and he and his wife, Suzanne, are expecting a daughter in October.
“Everything will change once the baby is born,” said Wedekind, “and we have to prepare for that.”
Another change he is looking forward to is taking the lead on his own cases. Wedekind has been sitting “second chair,” or assisting, on a lot of sizable cases lately and could soon be in line for that progression.
“He has been fortunate to work on a number of substantial, high-profile cases early in his career,” said Joel Settembrini, Wedekind’s supervisor. “That experience should help him when he gets the opportunity to lead.”
Wedekind is already a leader in that he is the first lawyer in his family. The oldest of five children, Wedekind strayed from the path of real estate development taken by his father and grandfather.
“I’m kind of the black sheep in that respect,” said the Wake Forest University graduate. “Some of the senior management (of Smith Hulsey & Busey) are parents of my friends, so I got a view of the profession at an early age.”
One of Wedekind’s neighbors wasn’t surprised with his career path or the success he has had.
“There were four lawyers in pretty good firms within a stone’s throw of where he grew up,” said Bill Scheu, a family friend and attorney at Rogers Towers. “He was a good kid who had a family that really raised him well. He was taught to not always think of himself and help others, traits of a good lawyer.”
Wedekind really latched onto the idea of being a lawyer when he went to college, graduating from Wake Forest in 1999, and earning his law degree from the University of Richmond in 2003.
Wedekind may have strayed from real estate, but he still has a hand in it as a lawyer. He is a litigator who specializes in commercial law and eminent domain. The latter normally involves the acquisition of private property for the public good, such as widening a road or building a hospital.
“Eminent domain is a drastic measure,” said Wedekind. “Any government should consider it as a measure of last resort.”
Jacksonville has benefited from eminent domain, Wedekind added, in projects including the sports complex, new courthouse and the Wonderwood Expressway.
After five years of putting his knowledge and ability to work, Wedekind understands it is time to have the conversation about what the next step will be in his career.
“(Smith Hulsey & Busey) has given me the best training available,” said Wedekind, “so I think I am thoroughly prepared to meet any challenge.”
Settembrini agrees, and feels his pupil has the tools to succeed.
“He is a very capable young lawyer,” said Settembrini, “with impeccable character and innately good judgment.”