Family: My wife, Whitney, is a psychologist and professor at Flagler College and the University of North Florida. We have no children yet.
Pets: Two dogs, Bacchus and Webber. They recently won our firm's "cutest pet" contest.
Education: Double Gator — University of Florida, B.A. and J.D. Two NCAA basketball national championships and one football championship while I was in school there.
Admitted to the Bar: September 2007
Employed by: Akerman Senterfitt
Field of practice: Commercial Litigation and bankruptcy
Professional organizations: Treasurer of Young Lawyers' Section of The Jacksonville Bar; 4th Circuit representative of The Young Lawyers' Division of The Florida Bar; co-chair of 4th Circuit's Bench & Bar Professionalism Committee; and executive committee member of The Florida Bar's Business Law Section.
Community involvement: Executive member of local chapter of Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Through my Bar involvement, I have also chaired numerous events benefiting local charities, including Sanctuary on 8th Street, Catholic Charities and Girls Inc.
How did you become involved?
I became involved with LLS when I learned a very close friend and a father of three has been living with leukemia for a dozen years. The work LLS does is amazing and it is truly a great cause.
How can someone else become involved?
Everyone should participate in LLS' "Light the Night" event on Nov. 7 at the Landing. It is a great time and raises a ton of money for cancer research. Also, call — (904) 598-8619 — or email me ([email protected]) and I am happy to help facilitate anyone's involvement in organizations in which I am involved.
What have you learned/achieved through the experience?
Life is much better for all if we help each other through tough times. Helping others, especially those that are sick, impoverished, or otherwise on hard times, is the most important and rewarding thing any of us can do. Also, I learned early in my career that participating in Bar activities to help maintain a positive outlook on our community is time well spent.
What was the last book you read or are reading?
I have been reading "A Land Forgotten" for about three months. It is a good book relating to Florida history, but I do not make enough time for leisurely reading. I have heard that Tim McDermott's book "Dangerous Propensity" is a good read.