by Richard Prior
Staff Writer
James Moseley Jr. didn’t have to look far to find guidance for the upcoming year at the Jacksonville Bar Association.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
“One primary goal is to maintain our reputation for excellence in the programs we’ve had over the years,” said Moseley, the new president of the JBA. “We also may add a couple more items that serve the public and the bar association without taking away anything we’ve done in the past.”
His term, which began July 1, runs until June 30, 2004.
Moseley has been practicing law at Moseley, Warren, Richard & Parrish since he graduated from Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham in 1987. The Moseley who heads the firm is James Sr., who was president of the JBA in 1975-76.
Across the years, the Moseleys’ professional paths crossed in another, unexpected way.
“The first courtroom I ever went into was Courtroom No. 2 in the old federal courthouse,” Moseley recalled. “It was 1966. My Dad was trying a case in front of U.S. District Court Judge Scott.
“About three months ago, I tried the last trial in that very courtroom, Courtroom N. 2, before Judge [Timothy] Corrigan.
“So I thought that was kind of neat.”
And how did the case turn out?
“We won,” Moseley said with a quick smile. “I wouldn’t have brought it up if we lost.”
James Moseley Jr. went north to Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia after graduating from Episcopal High School.
He is a member of the Florida and Georgia bars and is board certified by The Florida Bar in admiralty and maritime matters. He also practices commercial and civil litigation, with an emphasis on insurance defense.
He is a past president of the Young Lawyers Association of the JBA, as well as past president of the Jacksonville Propeller Club (1999-2000).
“The purpose of the Jacksonville Bar is to maintain the high level of professionalism that our lawyers have enjoyed for well over 100 years,” said Moseley. “We also want to maintain and improve our high system of justice, which means providing equal access for all members of our society, including those who can’t afford a lawyer, and provide programs to the community as a whole.”
During Moseley’s second year at the firm he was encouraged by former JBA president Bill Prichard to get involved with committees and projects.
Three years later, when Bill Brinton became JBA president, Moseley worked as chairman of Law Week, “which was a heavy responsibility then . . . and still is.”
Law Week, held the first of May each year, features special programs for schools and the general public. A big luncheon usually features a nationally known speaker.
A conspicuous part of the JBA’s community involvement is its continuing participation in JaxReads!
“The Bar was heavily involved in that last year by staffing the various discussion groups at the libraries,” Moseley said. “I held two of those discussion groups myself.”
The focus of last year’s program was “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. This year’s book is “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury.
Members of JBA have also worked for HabiJax and the Special Olympics. This year, Moseley said, members may try to work with child literacy programs, “which would dovetail with what the state is trying to set forth as its theme this year — working toward better lives for our children in Florida.”
The local bar association is “truly recognized” around the state, Moseley said, “and we want to maintain our high degree of professionalism.
“Part of that comes from us being a close-knit group. The challenge for the future, as the city grows and as the legal community grows, is to maintain that professionalism. We do that by bringing everybody together, so we’re not just in pockets, which has happened in some other parts of the state.”
Since 1983, the offices of Moseley, Warren have been at 501 W. Bay St., in “the oldest commercial building still standing in downtown Jacksonville,” said Moseley.
The 1901 fire that ravaged downtown didn’t reach the building, which had housed the offices of George R. Foster & Co., the agent for a line of schooners. It later became the El Modelo Cigar Factory.