The Marbut Report: Abel Bean Law moving into new space

Firm expands from a solo practice to 11 attorneys and staff.


  • By Max Marbut
  • | 5:10 a.m. November 14, 2019
  • | 5 Free Articles Remaining!
Abel Bean Law partners Michael Abel, left, and Daniel Bean are moving their offices and staff to 100 N. Laura St.
Abel Bean Law partners Michael Abel, left, and Daniel Bean are moving their offices and staff to 100 N. Laura St.
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Abel Bean Law is moving out of the serviced-office space it has leased since it was founded and into a new office suite across the street.

Michael Abel struck out on his own in April 2017 and moved into a one-room office at Bank of America Tower that provided all the services needed for an attorney to do business and that could be leased month to month.

About a year later, one of his former colleagues at Holland & Knight, Daniel Bean, joined the firm.

The firm has continued to grow and its space no longer fits its needs.

The partners have applied to the city for a permit to build-out 7,950 square feet on the fifth floor at 100 N. Laura St. above the Bellwether restaurant.

“In our new home office, there will be eight of us – six full-time lawyers, our business manager-senior trial paralegal and one legal assistant. The new office will also accommodate our three part-time lawyers,” Abel said.

The layout comprises 11 offices, two conference rooms and a reception area.

“We feel like we’ll have the space available to continue to grow,” Abel said.

The job cost listed on the permit application is $376,234; Tenant Contractors Inc. is the contractor.

Abel said the firm’s move is scheduled in March.

Voluntary Bar associations to Jaguars game

The inaugural League of Our Own: Joint Bar Sporting Event is Dec. 8 at TIAA Bank Field.

The Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association, Jacksonville Bar Association, D.W. Perkins Bar Association, the voluntary Bar associations in Jacksonville Beach, Clay and St. Johns counties and the Jacksonville Justice Association have arranged a discount on tickets for the Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Los Angeles Chargers game and a pregame tailgate party.

Tickets are $45 for the game and $10 for the tailgate party, catered by Bono’s Real Pit Bar-B-Q. Tailgating begins at 1 p.m., kickoff is at 4:05 p.m. Optional parking in Lot X also is available for $35.

Visit jwla.org/events for reservations.

Bar foundation seeking board members

Two attorneys are needed to serve three-year terms on The Florida Bar Foundation board of directors.

The terms will begin July 1, 2020, and end June 30, 2023.

The Florida Bar Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to provide greater access to justice through strategic grants.

The 33-member board administers the Interest on Trust Accounts program.

Appointees will be members of the foundation during their terms as directors.

Visit floridabar.org and download the Application for Special Appointment or call (850) 561-5757 to obtain the application.

The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. Dec. 13.

The Bar’s board of governors will review the applications and may request telephone or personal interviews.

David Reeves
David Reeves

Reeves chairs Bar examiners board

David Reeves, a partner at Moseley, Prichard, Parrish, Knight & Jones, was elevated to chair of the Florida Board of Bar Examiners, effective Nov. 1.

His service on the board began in November 2015; he was elected vice chair in October 2018.

The board is an administrative agency of the state Supreme Court with the responsibility of enforcing the court’s rules related to admission to the Bar, including supervision of character background investigations and administering and grading the Florida Bar Examination.

Brad Johnson
Brad Johnson

Gunster adds shareholder

Brad Johnson joined Gunster’s office in Jacksonville as a shareholder.

He has 30 years of litigation experience with a focus on representing businesses and employers in labor and employment law matters.

An alumnus of The Bolles School, Johnson served on its board of trustees from 2007-13 and as interim head of school from 2013-15.

He received his bachelor’s at Duke University and his J.D. from the University of Florida Levin College of Law.

 

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