The fall season of the Jacksonville Bar Association Young Lawyers Section basketball league recently concluded with a familiar champion.
The Public Defenders Office team, sponsored by Dogwood Park of Jacksonville, continued its league dominance by going undefeated, beating Heekin Litigation Group in the final.
It’s the fourth championship in the past five years for the Defenders.
While players have come and gone throughout the seasons, captain Art Stresing, Morgan Orender, Jon Thacher, Adam Schemer and Pete Venuti have played on every championship team since the league’s rebirth in 2016.
The Defenders will defend their crown in January when the next season starts.
If you or any of your colleagues are interested in joining the league as a team or as a free agent, contact John Weedon ([email protected]), Jeremy Paul ([email protected]) or Kayla Haines ([email protected]).
Pictured above: The Public Defenders, front row from left, Eric Melendez, Art Stresing, Jon Lorimier, Jon Thacher, Josh Beard, Morgan Orender, Adam Schemer, Logan Chipperfield and Pete Venuti. Back row, from left, 4th Judicial Circuit Public Defender Charlie Cofer, Assistant Public Defender Austen Kane, Felony Director Owen Schmidt, Chief Assistant Lewis Buzzell, Assistant Public Defender Deb Billard, Homicide Director Alan Chipperfield, his wife, Terry and daughter-in-law Sara Chipperfield.