by Fred Seely
Editorial Director
Not many Jacksonville Bar Association presidents change jobs . . . it may never have happened.
This year, it did. Bill Joel left Winn-Dixie “because I was ready for new challenge,” and two months later landed at Akerman-Senterfitt.
Just a month on the job, Joel said Wednesday that he’s settled in and is ready to pass the JBA reins to Jim Moseley Jr.
“It certainly has been an interesting year,” said Joel in his downtown office. “I think we’ve accomplished a lot with the JBA and I’ve certainly accomplished something in my personal life.”
Three major events remain in his year as JBA president: Law Week and the annual meeting are this month, and then the change of command is in early June.
“We’ve had good meetings and I thank [past JBA president] Tom Beverly for that. He told me, ‘Give ‘em good speakers and get ‘em out on time,’ and we’ve done that.”
Joel, who lives in Ortega with his wife and two children, was between jobs for two months and says “it was a great time to take a break to reconnect with my family. It was enjoyable.
“I’m very happy here [Akerman-Senterfitt]. We have a good office and I’m very busy.” He specializes in banking law and spends much of his time worrying about commercial real estate loans.
He’s also been able to step back and see how the JBA has been doing.
“I’m impressed at the depth of giving by the legal community,“ said Joel. “It’s been interesting to work with people who come from all areas of the law and to see how much time they give.”
His time has been stretched, too. In addition to the numerous local JBA meetings, he’s been to Chicago for an American Bar Association leadership seminar and to Clearwater for a similar session run by the state bar association.
In June, he turns the gavel over to Moseley and says he’ll still be active.
Does he have aspirations to continue leadership on the state level?
“Maybe some day,” he said.