JBA accepts new members
The Jacksonville Bar Association accepted 26 new members into the organization at the last luncheon meeting. The new members are Michael A. Abel, Heidi R. Anderson, Matthew B. Baggett, Corrine A. Bathke, Jennifer A. Beyland, Adam P. Bourque, Carrie Boyles, James P. Brunet, Kevin M. Cobbin, Andrew S. Feldman, Kimberly A. Gossett, Rachel S. Green, Patrick J. Kilbane, Deirdre M. MacCarthy, Gustavo A. Martinez, Christopher L. Mellott, Heather S. Nason, Michael Fox Orr, Amy M. Paulsen, W. Christopher Rabil, James L. Reed, Lisa J. Rhein, Robert D. Sheesley, Samir A. Siddiqui and Meg M. Snyder.
Peek, Cobb, Edwards & Ashton win $4.1 million verdict
Tom Edwards won a $4.1 million jury verdict for a local woman whose trip to a Taco Bell drive-through ended with the jaws of life. Corrie Stearns Johnson was awarded $4.1 million by a Duval County jury for permanent injuries she suffered after a Rent Way truck driver plowed over the young mother’s car while she was driving. A diabetic blackout sent the truck driver into an eight-mile rampage, sideswiping two cars before driving over the top of Johnson’s Honda Civic, crushing it and trapping Johnson inside. She was eventually removed using the jaws of life but she sustained permanent injuries to her arms and legs. Edwards showed that the company knew about the truck driver’s diabetes but ignored co-workers’ complaints of dangerous driving and signs of medical problems associated with the disease.
New associate at McGuireWoods
Nova Harb has joined the Jacksonville office of McGuireWoods LLP as an associate in the firm’s corporate services department. Her practice will focus on mergers and acquisitions and other areas of corporate law. Harb comes to the firm from Emory University School of Law in Atlanta where she was a summer associate with Rogers & Hardin and a legal intern with the Southern Juvenile Defender Center.
Florida Bar looks to fill nominating commissions
The Florida Bar is looking for applicants for nomination to each of the state’s 26 Judicial Nominating Commissions. The Bar must nominate three lawyers for each vacancy to the governor, who makes the decision. There are two lawyer vacancies on each of the JNCs. Applicants must be members in good standing with the Bar and reside in the jurisdiction served by the commission to which the member is applying. Applications are due by 5:30 p.m. Jan. 16.
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