Lee Haramis is an attorney with Becker & Poliankoff, which established an office in Jacksonville in September.
WHAT IS HIS SPECIALTY?
Principally commercial litigation, but he handles all types of cases. Other areas include appeals, patents, intellectual property rights, product liability, security disputes, international business transactions, bankruptcies, employment and technology law and arbitration.
CLIENT BASE
“I generally represent businesses, especially larger or growing businesses. I do have some individual clients; they tend to be more sophisticated.”
HIS PHILOSOPHY
“I am blessed for practicing in blue chip firms and never having to be involved in mill-type practices where you churn out 1,000 foreclosures a week or cookie cutter cases. Each case deserves full attention. Each is a work of art and not a factory production item. When I litigate, I put emphasis on procedure and strategy.”
HINTS ON HOW TO BE
A GOOD LAWYER
“Number one, you have to know human nature and be able to get along with people. Whatever case it is circles around people and their behaviors. Secondly, you need to know as much about everything you can — every business, every human endeavor. To be a good lawyer in litigation you need to educate yourself about the client’s industry.”
WHAT’S REWARDING ABOUT IT?
“The nice thing about what I do is that I handle dozens of different types of cases and I get to learn about lots of different businesses.”
WHAT’S MOST CHALLENGING?
“The economics of the practice of law. It’s expensive and many can’t afford it, at least to give it the attention it deserves. You’re under pressure to collect money but it’s difficult to charge what’s necessary to do the job.”
GET A GRIP
“I know people who freak out because they say it’s too hard or too much stress but I never felt that way. I feel confident that I’ve learned how to handle matters and don’t second guess my efforts. At the end of the day I know I’ve done everything I can do for the client, within reason.”
LAW SCHOOL
University of South Carolina.
WHY GO INTO THE LAW?
“In grammar school I was a history buff and would hear about great historical figures. Many were lawyers such as Abe Lincoln. It is a noble profession and something my skills are well-suited for.”
HOMETOWN
Jacksonville.
LABYRINTH FOR A RESUME
In practice since 1984, Haramis began his legal career as an assistant state attorney under Ed Austin. Then it gets complicated. Haramis went into private practice with Gallagher Baumer, which was a spin-off of the Mahoney Adams law firm. The firm split into two parts in the late 1980s and Haramis chose the half sticking with litigation issues. From there he worked with Baumer, only to rekindle his professional relationship with former colleagues who had since joined Kirschner and Main. Dissection of that firm led Haramis to form the partnership Edwards, Cohen, Jacobs, Haramis and Burnett, which subsequently merged with Becker & Poliankoff.
WHY DITCH JOBS LIKE
HOT POTATOES?
“There used to be only a couple of firms in town. When they got to a certain size, some would break off on their own. Statewide and national firms came into town doing consolidations as well. It appears consolidation of firms is a continuing trend.”
AFFILIATIONS
Haramis is a member of the Jacksonville Bar Association, the Defense Research Institute and active in St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Volunteering for Wolfson’s Antique Show or at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens are other commitments he holds.
FAMILY
Ortega is home to Haramis, his wife Drew and their children, Allison and Lee Jr.
HOBBIES
Collecting art, browsing for antiques or attending an event at the symphony appeal to his refined side. He also enjoys watching a Braves game in Atlanta, reading a novel by Ayn Rand or catching his favorite James Bond movie, “You Only Live Twice.” An admitted Trekkie, Haramis claims the food at Bern’s Steakhouse in Tampa is “too die for.” Studying architecture is yet another interest of his.
— by Monica Chamness