Schutt, Humphries, Schmidt & Burnett is a law firm located in Lakewood. Friday, they added another partner, Michael Burnett, to the firm.
HISTORY OF THE FIRM
Almost 10 years ago, the firm came into existence as Schutt [pronounced shoot], Humphries & Becker. Becker left the company two years ago and the firm became Schutt Humphries until Schmidt’s name was added last year.
HOW MANY PEOPLE DO
THEY EMPLOY?
There are 12 lawyers and 17 support staff that constantly rotate, including nine secretaries. Associate attorneys are Vanessa Herbert, Monett Brewer, Cindy Kinslow-Coats, Jeffrey Devonchik, Scott Noel, Trish Vowles and Alison Emery.
WHO ARE THE PARTNERS?
Ralph Humphries, Michael Burnett, Penny Schmidt and Dennis Schutt. David Carter, who retired after 20 years as the City’s assistant general counsel, is the senior attorney.
WHERE ELSE HAS
CARTER WORKED?
Just out of law school at the University of Florida in 1967, Carter practiced with the firm of Mathews, Osborne & Ehrlich. He has a bachelor’s degree from Stetson University. Early in his career, he worked in Jacksonville as an assistant state attorney and was subsequently part of Lewis, Martin & Carter. He also served in the Navy for three years.
HOW IS THE FIRM DIFFERENT?
“We’re less formal than the downtown firms,” said Humphries. “We don’t always wear a coat and tie. I think that puts people at ease.”
WHAT IS THE FIRM’S
PRACTICE AREA?
“We are predominantly an insurance defense firm specializing in personal injury litigation, workers compensation, medical malpractice and mediation,” said Humphries.
WHY THIS NICHE?
“The majority of us started in firms that specialized in insurance defense and trial practice,” said Schutt. “Over the years that has become our specialty as well.”
HOW MUCH OF THE
PRACTICE IS MEDIATION?
“That really varies from lawyer to lawyer,” said Humphries. “Probably 30-40 percent of my personal practice is ,with a greater percentage of Mike’s [being mediation] and a lesser percentage of everybody else’s practice.”
“We have five mediators out of the 12 lawyers,” added Schutt. “We think we are the firm in town with the largest number of mediators under one roof. We are actively growing our mediation practice.”
WHY FOCUS ON MEDIATION?
“There is a need for it in the community, for attorneys with significant trial and litigation experience to act as mediators,” said Schutt. “In a lot of other cities, they have firms or buildings dedicated to mediation only. Jacksonville doesn’t have that. Within our practice, we felt it was a good area to grow into.”
“We think mediation is the future because of the expense of going to trial and all the court administration budget cuts,” added Schmidt. “With their resources, if all cases went to trial, the judges wouldn’t be able to handle it.”
IS MEDIATION MORE LUCRATIVE THAN LITIGATION?
“Mediation, for most lawyers, pays a higher hourly rate than the typical rate for representing insurance companies or corporations,” said Schutt. “Plus, it’s a much less stressful occupation than being a trial lawyer.”
WHAT TYPES OF CASES
CAN THEY MITIGATE?
“Our experience crosses a wide spectrum, ranging from contracts, workers compensation and construction law to governmental disputes,” said Schutt. “We will not be doing domestics or criminal law because we don’t have attorneys experienced in that area. We will add other specialists as we need them.”
OFF-SCHUTT
Schutt, a University of Florida graduate, joined Carter at Mathews, Osborne, Ehrlich, McNatt, Gobelman & Cobb in 1981. Humphries, also a University of Florida graduate, followed in 1984. From 1986-1994 Schutt worked at Coker, Myers & Schickel. In the early 1970s, Schutt served eight years active duty in the Army. He later attended George Mason University School of Law, Louisiana State University and Louisiana A&M College.
WHERE ELSE HAS
HUMPHRIES WORKED?
“Prior to that, I was a public defender and had done more criminal work in general practice before going to Mathews, Osborne, McNatt, Gobelman & Cobb,” said Humphries. “Dennis and I left there in 1986 and went different directions for six or seven years. I went to Marks Gray, left them and then did a year solo before Dennis and I and Becker joined up.” Other firms on his resume include Maxwell & Scott and Meide & Humphries.
PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS
Penny Schmidt, a Miami native, went to St. Thomas College of Law from a paralegal background. From 1992-95 she worked at Fuller & Minor in Fort Myers. During 1996, she was the other half at Minor & Schmidt until she moved to Jacksonville to work with Schutt and Humphries.
BURNETT’S BIO
G. Michael Burnett, the newest partner, joined the team last year. For four years he was part of Johnston, Hammond & Burnett and before that, he worked at Taylor, Day, Currie & Burnett for 11 years. His first job was with Coker, Myers & Schickel. Burnett attended Tulane University for his bachelor’s degree and, after college football injuries, graduated from law school at Loyola University.
— by Monica Tsai