By Bradley Parsons
Staff Writer
As they had more than four dozen times over the last five decades, attorneys A.B. Blackburn of Jacksonville and David Goodwin once again faced off Friday afternoon. But this time the pair was trading old stories instead of opening arguments and exchanging pictures of grandchildren instead of discovery.
The pair estimated they lined up on opposing sides of a lawsuit about 50 times during their 50 years as members of the Florida Bar. The Bar gave them a chance to catch up on old times at its annual convention Friday at the World Center Marriott in Orlando.
The luncheon was organized by the Bar’s Young Lawyers Section to pay tribute to Bar members who reached 50 years of service in 2005.
Blackburn and Goodwin had a hard time agreeing on much inside the courtroom over those five decades, but on Friday, they agreed that their rivalry had been decidedly one sided.
“He used to mop up the courtroom with my blood,” said Goodwin.
Blackburn estimated he won about 45 of their faceoffs, but he’s quick to point out that Goodwin’s clients were often fighting an uphill battle.
“We’re representing injured people, he’s representing the railroads. We were supposed to win,” said Blackburn.
Personal injury suits are still very much a part of Florida’s legal landscape. But it’s hard to imagine five decades of legal practice could pass without some significant changes. Ed Siegel, another 50-year vet, didn’t have too much trouble coming up with the three biggest changes he’s seen.
“Computers, both in the courtroom and out; specialization in law; and women practicing law,” said Siegel. He thought all three had been positive changes.
Siegel joined Blackburn, his wife Judy, a former county judge who entered the 50-year club last year, and Bob Beckham in representing Jacksonville in person at the ceremony. Jacksonville also sent Richard Feldman, Joel Goldman, Peter Guarisco and Gerald Sohn into the ranks of the five-decade vets. This year’s class had 107 members overall.
So what is the key to lasting 50 years as a Florida attorney? Just about everyone gave the same answer.
“Persistence” was the first word out of their mouths, followed closely by “patience.”