Webb & O’Quinn is a law firm on Atlantic Boulevard that specializes in civil litigation, including personal injury, professional negligence and commercial litigation. Primarily, their work leans towards defense.
WHY FOCUS ON THIS AREA OF THE LAW?
“It’s what I know and that’s the work we get,” said Robert O’Quinn. Since its inception, the firm has always practiced this specialty.
WHAT CLIENTS DO
YOU HANDLE?
“We represent manufacturers of products, insurance companies, construction companies, nursing homes [and some defendants in suits involving automobile accidents].”
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN BUSINESS?
“The firm started out 35 to 40 years ago by two fellows [both deceased] named Charles Scott and John Cox. Both of them left the firm to become judges.”
THE NAME GAME
The original firm of Scott & Cox has changed names several times. They added another partner, becoming Scott, Cox & Webb. From there, the firm was Cox, Webb & Swain, then Webb, Swain & Watson and became Webb, Swain & O’Quinn three years after O’Quinn joined the practice in 1982.
WHO WORKS tHERE?
Phillip Webb III is retired, leaving O’Quinn as the sole partner. There are two other associate attorneys, Pamela Bower and Bart DePalma, and five legal assistants.
WHY KEEP WEBB’S NAME FOR THE BUSINESS?
“Out of respect for him and for the continuity of the firm.”
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AT THIS SITE?
“I bought and built this building seven years ago. For 10 years we were in the Cecil Powell Building, the old Morocco Temple. Before that we were at the old American Heritage Life Building.”
WHY MOVE OUT OF DOWNTOWN?
“To own my own building and not pay rent. I built this building seven years ago. It’s more convenient for my clients. We have all the parking we need and we’re right by the Hart Bridge overpass so I can jump on the overpass and it drops me off right at the courthouse.”
WHERE DID O’QUINN GO TO LAW SCHOOL?
Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala.
WHERE DID YOUR ASSOCIATES GRADUATE?
A Virginian by birth, Bower grew up in Jacksonville and earned her law degree from the College of William and Mary. DePalma attended Florida State University’s law school.
WHERE ELSE HAVE YOU PRACTICED?
“After law school I was an assistant public defender. I left the office and went to work for Webb, Swain & Watson. I’ve never been at a big firm but I do not regret being with small firms. I don’t want to get big. We do what we enjoy doing and don’t accept any business that we wouldn’t enjoy doing.”
WHAT ABOUT YOUR ASSOCIATES?
“Pamela worked for another firm, doing substantially what we do now. Next, she worked with us before moving to practice in Georgia. She came back and has been with Webb & O’Quinn ever since.” No stranger to tense situations, DePalma enrolled in law school after serving in the Army’s 82nd Airborne Command. During his military career, he fought in Desert Storm. Originally from South Florida, DePalma’s first job out of FSU was prosecuting cases as an assistant state attorney in Tallahassee. Before joining O’Quinn’s firm, he also worked as an assistant state attorney in Jacksonville.
WILL YOU ADD TO
YOUR TEAM?
“I do need to hire another lawyer or two. We’re interviewing right now.”
WHAT IS MOST CHALLENGING ABOUT RUNNING THE FIRM?
“Keeping up with the caseload. It has always been at a real high level.”
WHY DO YOU THINK
THAT IS?
“Because we live in a very litigious society. But if there weren’t as many lawsuits, I’d still be in business.”
HOW CAN THE PROBLEM OF EXCESSIVE SUITS BE CORRECTED?
“I don’t know that there is a way.”
WHAT’S YOUR BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY?
“To do the best job we can and give clients the quality legal service they deserve, to treat each case as if we’re representing ourselves.”
WHAT CHANGES HAVE YOU SEEN IN THE PROFESSION?
“One of the big changes has been that firms from other cities in Florida and other states have been opening offices here. Firms based out of the North for years were opening offices in South Florida. Jacksonville has grown a whole lot in 50 years. When I started working, the older lawyers would say, ‘There are so many lawyers that I don’t recognize their young faces at the courthouse.’ Of course, I see the same thing. There are a lot of people I don’t know.”
ARE YOU A MEMBER OF ANY PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS?
O’Quinn participates in the Jacksonville Bar Association, the International Association of Defense Counsel and the Florida Defense Lawyers Association.
THE INSIDE SCOOP
Because his father was in the Navy, O’Quinn was born at Pensacola’s Naval Air Station. His family roots are in Jacksonville though because he grew up here. He and his wife, Susie, and two daughters, Christi and Katherine, a high school senior, reside in Mandarin.
— by Monica Chamness