John Welch is an attorney with Foley & Lardner.
WHAT’S HIS SPECIALTY?
Commercial real estate, corporate, banking and finance and general commercial law are his areas of practice. “I’m more of a generalist. I do work with economic development incentives working with the City on various projects.”
WET BEHIND THE EARS
In the bicentennial year of 1976, Welch started his legal career with Mahoney, Hadlow, Chambers and Adams. When the firm split in 1982, Welch joined Commander, Legler which subsequently merged with Foley & Lardner in 1991.
COLLEGE
Stetson University is where Welch began his formal education. He continued his studies of political science at the University of Florida where he also learned about public administration and ultimately, the law.
HOW HE GOT THERE
Before becoming a Gator alumnus, Welch served three and a half years as a Navy officer. He decided to put his GI Bill money to good use. “I wanted to be a lawyer. I was always very interested in the law and government seemed like a way to combine those interests. As a layman, all we know [about attorneys] is what we see on TV. Entering law school I thought I’d be a trial lawyer like Perry Mason. Government regulation has created a whole new area of practice. There are those who don’t realize transactional law even exists. How businesses deal with each other really has nothing to do with litigation.”
HOMETOWN
Searcy, Ariz.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT YOUR WORK?
“I enjoy the challenge of being able to assist clients in complex situations and seeing deals come together. There are a lot more factors that go into a major commercial transaction than people realize and it gets more complicated every year.”
PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC AFFILIATIONS
Welch is a member of the Jacksonville Bar Association and one of the organizers of Downtown Vision Inc. In 1997, he edited a book entitled “The Centennial History of the Jacksonville Bar Association.”
HISTORY BUFF
His office, dotted with maps, photographs, drawings and historical prints of Jacksonville and Florida, are a testament to his penchant for things remembered. His interest in the past carries over into his push for revitalization in the core of the City. Former president of the Jacksonville Historical Society, Welch was part of a critical study done years ago by the Chamber of Commerce which spurred on downtown resurgence. “A lot of my energy outside of the law is devoted to downtown development. When we [his company] bought this [Greenleaf] building, the whole area was in decline. By 1985 this whole side of town was vacant. It’s not perfect now but it is so much better than 10 years ago.” He was also involved in the campaign to have the City buy the St. James Building and turn it into City Hall.
OTHER HOBBIES
Surfing Napster for electric blues, golfing, reading biographies or traveling to the mountains. “A Man for All Seasons” is his film choice and his favorite television show is “Frasier.” For a good meal, it’s Matthew’s Restaurant for him.
LIFE’S WISH LIST
“I would do more historical travel, especially to the ancient places in Europe. May I’ll do some historical research and documentation when I retire.”
—by Monica Chamness