by Miranda G. McLeod
Staff Writer
Although Alan Pickert practices personal injury, toxic torts, product liability and malpractice law, among others, he is more than just a lawyer.
Pickert is a partner at Terrell Hogan, president of the Jacksonville Bar Association, father of four, an avid runner and an advocate for justice.
His favorite holidays are Christmas and Halloween because of all the “tacky decorations” and the time to watch his favorite movies, which include “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “The Natural” and “Hoosiers.”
“I’m always rooting for the underdog,” said Pickert
He graduated from the University of Florida in 1988 and received his J.D. from UF’s Levin College of Law in 1991. He also spends a lot of time helping the underprivileged. Pickert has also worked with the “Jax Reads!” program and is heavily involved with the I.M. Sulzbacher Center, where he provides legal assistance with child support, divorce, personal injury, criminal and labor law issues. He has received the Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award for providing free legal services to the poor.
He said he has always wanted to be a litigator, even if he wasn’t the most articulate lawyer.
Pickert had always traveled because his father was in the Navy, and after graduating from UF, he knew he wanted to stay in Florida, whether it was Orlando, Tampa or Jacksonville.
“I love the way North Florida lawyers practice,” he said.
Pickert began his career with Mahoney, Adams & Criser, which was one of the longest continuously operating firms in Florida and one of the largest in Jacksonville until it merged with McGuireWoods in 1998.
After winning a particularly high-profile case, Pickert received a call from what was Brown, Terrell, Hogan, et al. at the time.
“Wayne (Hogan) asked me if I would be interested in asbestos litigation, and I immediately said ‘no.’”
But Hogan persisted and asked Pickert to read a court transcript. Pickert obliged and upon completing the nine volume document, he turned to his wife and told her he was switching jobs. “I was mortified that companies did this to people,” said Pickert. “They are truly David versus Goliath cases. There is nothing worse than telling people they are going to die of asbestos. And to know these companies knew about this since 1936 — and they were told to deny it, and that no one would ever be able to prove it. I really felt I could help these people.”
Beyond asbestos cases, Pickert feels strongly about vaccine cases. An alarming rate of autism in children may be traced to vaccinations containing mercury, which can lead to swelling of the brain. The solution to the problem costs about $4, but fighting vaccine cases involves fighting the United States Department of Justice.
“It’s definitely a humbling process when it’s just you and your dying client against 15 big corporation lawyers,” said Pickert. “The Department of Justice says there must be a sacrifice of a few to protect the herd.” But as a father, Pickert doesn’t think that’s a viable answer.
Technically, Pickert has no role after a case has been tried. But personally he does.
“I’ve gone to many funerals of my clients,” said Pickert who has also been a pall-bearer for his clients. “I follow up with these children and because I care, or because I’m successful, the family is glad to include me. I’m very blessed that they would include me.”
Pickert says he’s very fortunate to be doing what he’s doing.
“In all of my cases I feel like I’m making a difference and not clogging the system.”