• Rogers Towers law firm has hired 14 associates. They are: Heather R. Ambrose has joined the firm’s Real Estate Department. She attended Boston University and earned her law degree from Boston University School of Law. Christopher M. Garrett joined the firm’s Business Litigation Practice Group. His practice is concentrated in the area of complex commercial litigation and civil trial practice and includes contract litigation, business torts, real estate litigation and representation of creditors in bankruptcy cases. L. Javan Grant joined the firm’s Specialty Litigation Practice Group.His practice is primarily focused in the area of civil litigation with special emphasis in personal injury, insurance defense, landlord/tenant litigation and tort litigation. David V. Gubbini joined the firm’s Business and Tax Department. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and law degree from University of Michigan Law School. A. Hinton Johnson joined the firm’s Business and Tax Department and practices in the area of corporate law. Johnson’s specialties are corporate formations, acquisitions, restructurings and general business transactions. Timothy F. May joined the firm’s Real Estate Department. He earned his bachelor’s, master’s and law degrees from the University of Memphis. Matthew G. Mercer joined the firm’s Construction Practice Group. His practice is concentrated in business litigation with a primary emphasis on construction litigation and litigation involving contractual disputes. Michelle M. Moore practices in the firm’s Construction and Environmental Practice Groups. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology and law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law. Robert E. Pinder, formerly the chief legal officer for all United States Marine Corps Forces in Asia and the Middle East, joined the firm’s Specialty Litigation Practice Group. Pinder, a former federal prosecutor, practices in the areas of complex commercial, construction and tort litigation. Matthew R. Ringler joined the firm’s Business and Tax Department. Hisspecialties include federal and state taxation and the creation, operation, reorganization and disposition of partnerships, corporationsand other business and professional entities.Anna C. Shea joined the firm’s Land Use Practice Group. She earned her Shea will practice in the firm’s St. Augustine office. J. Ellsworth Summers Jr. joined the firm’s Business Litigation Practice Group. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Hampden-Sydney College and law degree from Stetson University College of Law. Teresa Thornton-Hill joined the firm’s Real Estate Department. Her practice includes representing lenders in loan transactions. She has over 10 years experience in real estate acquisition and finance transactions as well as in the construction industry. Amanda Parker Wilhelm joined the firm’s Specialty Litigation Practice Group. She begins her practice at the firm in the areas of commercial litigation, civil trial practice, and contract litigation. She will work out of the firm’s St. Augustine office.
• Beaver Street Enterprise Center, an initiative of FreshMinistries, has named Melvin A. Wooden the new program coordinator for the center. Wooden most recently was executive director for 100 Black Men of Jacksonville. He will be responsible for the coordination of technical assistance programs, including mentoring, training, workshops, seminars and tenant functions for up to 30 entrepreneurs. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University and his MBA at Jacksonville University.