Age: 44
Family: Better half: lawyer and human rights advocate Crystal Freed; children: Nicolas, 17; Anthony, 14; Brianna, 10; Sydney, 8; and Samantha Rose, 3.
Pets: Not a chance. We have enough mouths to feed and we like to travel.
Education: Georgetown University Law Center, J.D.; Jacksonville University, B.A. English and political science; Edward Waters College, Honorary Doctor of Law; Rockville (Maryland) High School, time and space.
Admitted to the Bar: Florida, 1995; Maryland and Washington, D.C., 1993.
Employed by: Brennan Manna & Diamond.
Field of practice: Business litigation and a handful of other stuff.
Professional Organizations: Immediate past president of The Jacksonville Bar Association; former president of the Federal Bar Association, Jacksonville Chapter; Chester Bedell Inn of Court.
Community Involvement: My wife and I are advocates in the fight against human trafficking and child exploitation. I am also involved with the following organizations: Justice Teaching, civics education to students; Jacksonville Area Legal Aid; The Clara White Mission; Leadership Jacksonville; Florida Partners in Crisis, which seeks improvements in the justice system for those with mental disabilities or illness; and Southpoint Community Church.
How did you get involved?
I just jumped in.
How can someone else become involved?
Find what you’re passionate about and find a good, relevant organization — they will be glad to have you.
What have you learned/achieved through the experience?
No matter how much you give, you get much more in return.
What was the last book you read or are reading?
“Problems, God’s Presence, & Prayer,” a great book about how God can use problems to better us. It’s a must-read for the litigator.