Brena (pronounced with a long e) Bodenhammer (long o) is a new addition at Humphries & Oberdier. She was hired three months ago for this, her first job as a lawyer.
OTHER LEGAL EXPERIENCE
While pursuing her bachelor’s degree, Bodenhammer worked for the law firm of Davis and Wallace in Tennessee. During her last semester in law school, she interned at the Law Offices of Curtis S. Fallgatter.
EDUCATION
Nova Southeastern University is where Bodenhammer earned her law degree. Her bachelor’s degree focused on criminal justice, with a concentration in law in the courts, at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
WHY GO INTO THE
LEGAL FIELD?
“Growing up, I thought I wanted to go to law school. Once in school, I was headed toward the medical profession. My junior year I started thinking about law again. I like it because it’s challenging. With the field I’m in now, I like the trial aspect of it. I’ve always been fascinated with trials, the energy and spontaneous change. And, I think it affects everyday life. The law is what we live by.”
WHAT’S MOST CHALLENGING FOR HER?
“When you first get a case and you go through the initial pleadings, you might have an idea of what the case is about. But every document you get in, the more you dig, the more it changes, possibly your whole strategy. It could end up being a completely different case from what you thought it would be at the start.”
HOMETOWN
Chattanooga, Tenn.
WHY GO TO SCHOOL
IN FLORIDA?
Bodenhammer’s previous employer, David Wallace, graduated from college in South Florida and encouraged her to check out the state universities. “Going through law school, they teach you the foundations of law and research. They don’t teach the practical aspects of a case, the process from start to finish.”
WHAT BROUGHT HER TO JACKSONVILLE?
“I didn’t want to stay in South Florida. Being from Tennessee, it was too much of a change from what I was used to. I wanted to come back to where the Southern hospitality is. I get the feel of that more in Jacksonville. I wanted to stay in Florida awhile and give it a try since I went to school here. That’s why I interned here.”
WHAT TYPE OF LAW
DOES SHE PRACTICE?
“We represent CSX railroad. In dealing with the railroads, I’ve found there’s a lot to learn about that industry. Our specialization is in the area of workers compensation, the personal injury of the railroad workers and the crossing cases. We do defense work only [by working] with the field investigation department. There is a different investigator assigned to each case.”
WHAT SITUATIONS DOES SHE HANDLE?
“When cars or pedestrians get hit by the train or when railroad workers get hurt on the job. Derailments I don’t know about. They [the firm] may have done them in the past.”
RESIDENCE
San Marco is home to Bodenhammer and her pet cat, Bella.
HOBBIES
“Being from Tennessee, I like hiking, camping and mountain biking. I also enjoy sailing, snowskiing, gardening and traveling.” Bodenhammer is a member of the Jacksonville Bar Association.
FAVORITE THINGS
Bodenhammer’s pick for best film is “Braveheart.” As far as television goes, she would give the award for best show to “Sex and the City.”
— by Monica Tsai