To say that Coker Law attorneys Lindsay Tygart and Fraz Ahmed enjoy togetherness would be an understatement.
Married since 2013 and raising a family, their 16-year history includes meeting and becoming friends while attending Florida Coastal School of Law.
They practice at the same law firm and are members of the Jacksonville Bar Association board of governors after serving together on the organization’s Young Lawyers Section board and several of the section’s committees.
“We knew before we got married what we were signing up for,” Ahmed said.
Tygart has a more direct description.
“We were basically shoved down each other’s throats. If we didn’t get along, it would have been difficult,” she said.
During law school, they were members of the mock trial team and after graduation, maintained the connection with Florida Coastal by coaching the students who took their places.
“That gave us common ground. We both knew we wanted to be trial attorneys,” Tygart said.
They also became involved with local Bar service, active in YLS activities and committees.
Ahmed said he and Tygart co-chaired the Law Week Committee for two years and both served on the Afternoon at the Courthouse Committee that organizes an annual orientation event for law students.
Tygart and Ahmed married in November 2013 and two years later, their daughter, Salem, was born. Her sister, Silas, will be 2 years old in October.
Balancing work and family responsibilities without taking anything away from either takes planning, they said.
With their practices and JBA board commitments, each logs a 60- to 70-hour weekly work schedule that has to make time for raising two children, even with a nanny and family to help, Tygart said.
“On Sunday night, we work out the week,” Ahmed said.
“Being lawyers, we’re good at creating schedules and sticking to them,” Tygart said.
Despite working at the same firm, each has a specific practice area and their offices are on different floors.
“We’re lucky if we see each other in the office a couple of times a week. Work is kind of like our own time. We go to the gym together after work and we do date night, usually Friday. You’ve got to use your hours wisely and get done what you need to get done,” Ahmed said.
He represents plaintiffs who have been injured in vehicle accidents, premises liability and negligent security actions. She specializes in representing plaintiffs with medical malpractice claims.
“We don’t meddle in each other’s practice areas, but we understand the demands of trial practice. We have mutual respect for each other in all aspects of our lives,” Tygart said.
“Life is good. We are truly blessed and grateful,” she said.