by Monica Chamness
Staff Writer
George D. Gabel Jr., a long-time local media and maritime attorney, has been appointed executive partner of the Jacksonville office of Holland & Knight LLP, according to Robert R. Feagin III, managing partner of the firm.
Gabel, who joined the firm almost five years ago, replaces Linda Kane, who is leaving the firm to become a teacher. She’s returning to school to become certified in education and plans to teach at inner-city elementary schools.
Gabel will continue his full-time practice in civil trial litigation, with a focus on maritime and media law, in addition to his new responsibilities.
“My main function is to accomplish the goals of the firm and to provide the highest level of service to our clients while working together in a cooperative and supportive environment and encouraging our attorneys to be involved in the community,” said Gabel. “The lawyers and staff here care and genuinely like each other. I think that benefits the client so I’d like to maintain that as well. I think we’ve got a good operation here and I just want to make it better where it needs tweaking.”
“The firm periodically moves practicing lawyers in and out of various management positions in order to further the goals of the firm and meet the needs of full-time practicing lawyers. George is a talented lawyer and his proven leadership skills will enable us to accomplish our strategic goals in the Jacksonville market,” said Feagin.
One area of concern for the firm is the availability of legal specialities in its Jacksonville office. As Holland & Knight’s new leader, Gabel envisions adding lawyers adept in certain specialities as client needs dictate.
Gabel ran his own trial firm, Gabel & Hair, for 25 years prior to joining Holland & Knight. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and is listed in “The Best Lawyers in America.” Locally, Gabel has served as president of the Rotary Club of Jacksonville and of the North Florida Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He also served as a member of Holland & Knight’s directors committee.
“I am honored to serve in this new leadership role at Holland & Knight, not only because of the quality of the firm’s legal work, but its commitment to community service,” said Gabel. “As our founder, Chesterfield Smith, says about the firm, ‘Doing good, not just doing well is what we’re all about.’ “
Feagin also praised Kane, for her leadership.
“The idea of teaching children in the inner-city schools has long been a dream of Linda’s. We wish her well in this endeavor and know that the Jacksonville schools will be the special beneficiary of Linda’s career change,” he said.