by Bailey White
Staff Writer
Law wasn’t the first career choice for Linda Calvert Hanson. But, it has worked out.
“I was studying aviation because I wanted to be an air transport pilot,” she said. “But then I realized that law offered the opportunity to make a difference, and it opened a whole new world. I saw a lot of opportunities for women were beginning to open up. I’m fortunate that I’ve been able to weave my passion into my work.”
Her passion is pro bono work, and a desire to give back to the community. It’s because of that commitment to community service that the Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association chose Calvert Hanson as the first recipient of “Woman Lawyer of the Year,” award.
“I think we have an obligation to try and make a difference,” she said. “And I think we can do it one of a time.”
“I was completely surprised. I’m thrilled that the organization honored me,” Calvert Hanson said of the award.
Calvert Hanson was most recently a part of the Florida Coast School of Law’s faculty. She served as the school’s associate dean of professional development for two and a half years, a position she loved.
“I enjoyed so much being with the students’ energy and vitality,” she said. “It was so exciting to help them see the different opportunities available.”
While at the school, Calvert Hanson helped create a pro bono program that linked law students with community service projects in need of volunteer work.
She’s also a strong proponent of the JWLA’s mentoring program which matches members of the organization with FCSL’s female students and she served as the administrative advisor for the student organization of female lawyers at FCSL.
“It’s great for these young lawyers to have role models who support and encourage them. It’s a good way for them to get an introduction into the legal community,” she said. “I strongly believe it’s the responsibility of more seasoned lawyers to serve as mentors, and to help new lawyers develop professional skills and the recognition of the need to give back. JWLA has done an outstanding job of trying to get new women lawyers involved and aware of the service opportunities in Jacksonville.”
Calvert Hanson graduated from the University of Florida’s law school and went on to teach civil law at the school for 10 years. She’s run her own part-time law practice since 1988 and has served on the Florida Bar’s committee on professionalism.
“Our goal is to create a better awareness of what professionalism actually is,” she said. “We have a great bar here in Jacksonville, where civility is the norm. It’s very refreshing to be a part of this legal community.”
While Calvert Hanson is currently exploring her next career options, she’s enjoying the time she has to spend with her family- three sons and a grandson.
She and her husband, attorney Mike Davis, live in St. Augustine.
“We live in the historic district, and it’s wonderful,” she said. “We can walk to dinner and to the water, all the places the tourists drive thousands of miles to see.”