Lindell & Kellison is a Mandarin law firm that concentrates on business litigation, complex commercial litigation, motor vehicle dealer representation, general contract litigation and general corporate law.
HAS THE FIRM ALWAYS PRACTICED IN THESE AREAS?
“In 1990 the firm continued the emphasis on commercial litigation but gradually expanded to include general business and corporate advice, which was a natural evolution of the practice because of the opportunities to meet businesses in a litigation context who would request proactive advice on how to avoid the litigation experience again,” said Michael Lindell. “That has opened doors.”
THE STAFF?
Lindell and Lee Kellison are the firm’s partners. They have two associate attorneys, Karen Wendzel and Jacqueline Holley, one paralegal and five other staff members.
HISTORY LESSON
“In August 1987, I had the opportunity to remain with the firm I was with to be promoted to a full-named partner. Or else it was a logical time, if I was to go out on my own, to do it,” said Lindell. “I opened an office in the Blackstone Building because of its proximity to the courthouse. The nature of my practice had always had an emphasis on business and commercial litigation. That was the beginning of the practice. In 1990, I took on a partner who remained with me for 11 years until we began making plans to move out of the Blackstone Building. That move was a positive step for attracting new business.”
WHY MANDARIN?
“A lot of lawyers, from time to time, think about moving into a location that is more convenient for themselves, their clients and their staff,” said Lindell. “Harrell & Johnson is probably the most visible. I was always against moving from downtown. The factors that convinced me was that, number one, the location of our office should be more convenient to the clients we serve and the staff we want to retain long-term rather than our own personal convenience as attorneys. The other thing is technology. Because of changes in technology and practices at the courthouse it was no longer critical to be located near the courthouse. The law library located in the county courthouse as we know it is a passing thing. We can access research materials online and can handle cases over the telephone or by video teleconferencing. So options were explored in the suburbs for a new office location, which led to this site.”
AND THEN THERE WERE THREE
“By the mid-1990s, we were in need of a third lawyer,” said Lindell. “My former partner opted to stay closer to home rather than commute to this location.We were fortunate to find Mr. Kellison, who at the time was with Smith, Hulsey & Busey, where he had practiced for five years. His CPA designation was a natural fit for what we do.”
Kellison joined the firm in 1997. Subsequently, Karen Wendzel was hired last January and Jacqueline Holley joined the staff last July.
LINDELL’S RIGHT HAND MAN
Kellison graduated from the University of Florida College of Law. He also holds a bachelor degrees from the University of North Florida and the University of Indiana.
A Pittsburgh native, Kellison participates in the Catholic Lawyers Guild, the Mandarin Business Association, Executive Associates of Jacksonville and the American Bar Association. He is currently hosting an exchange student from Thailand.
LINDELL’S BACKGROUND
Lindell first worked in civil trial law with Ulmer, Murchison, Ashby & Ball. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, where he majored in English and economics. The University of Florida College of Law is where he earned his law degree. For four years, he taught as an adjunct professor at FCCJ. Lindell is a member of the Rotary Club, the American Bar Association, Christian Legal Society and the 4th Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee.
FLOCKING SOUTH
Born in Maine, Wendzel graduated from the University of Maine with a bachelor’s degree in political science. She worked in the banking before attending law school at the University of Connecticut. Wendzel was employed with Rogers, Towers, Bailey, Jones & Gay and Stoneburner, Berry & Simmons before becoming an associate with Lindell & Kellison. She is a member of the Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association and is active at Mandarin Christian Church.
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOLLEY
“She was previously a prosecutor with Harry Shorstein’s office,” said Lindell. “She had considerable trial experience prosecuting felony criminal cases. Most recently she was with Marks Gray doing civil litigation.”
— by Monica Chamness