Arthur Jacobs has owned Jacobs & Associates, P.A. since 1972.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
His firm practices commercial and residential real estate law, litigation, accident and malpractice cases, commercial transactions and corporate litigation all over Florida. He has been the general counsel for all the State Attorneys in Florida for 35 years and general counsel for the Trial Lawyer Section of Florida Bar for 30 years. “I do all their work in the U.S. Supreme Court, State Supreme Court and the legislature.”
COLLEGE?
He earned his bachelor’s degree in English and foreign relations from University of Florida and his law degree from the University of Florida School of Law.
HIS HISTORY?
After law school he was the dean of University Relations and Development at University of Florida for two years. “I was the president of the student body while in college and was always interested in being involved in that part of the college.” He then went to practice commercial and real estate law in Jacksonville for Kent Durdin & Kent for a year. After that he became an organized crime strike force prosecutor for the State Attorney’s Office in Jacksonville. He opened his office in Fernandina in 1972.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE REAL ESTATE LAW?
“I was very interested in the restoration of Fernandina. When I moved back here in 1972. I got very involved in the restoration of the town. I enjoy history and history is all about land and who owns the land. When you read the Bible and understand the history of the Bible, it’s all about land. I’ve always been interested in land and the history of the land, so real estate law was a natural segue to be involved in.”
WHO ARE YOUR CLIENTS?
Lending institutions, Realtors, builders and developers.
ISSUES FACING COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE?
“We are certainly aware of the challenges of today’s real estate market. The challenges are real estate taxes and being able to insure what you purchase otherwise you can’t get mortgages because if you can’t insure it, you can’t get a mortgage. Those are the two primary problems Realtors are dealing with.”
FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB?
“Going to work every day.”
MENTOR?
One of Jacobs’ mentors was Gordon Butler, who was the executive director of Florida League of Municipalities. “He’s the one who got me involved in Tallahassee.” The other was Tommy Shave, a lawyer in Fernandina. “He was very encouraging to me growing up.”
BEST PROFESSIONAL ADVICE EVER RECEIVED?
“Always take the high road.”
ADVICE FOR NEW LAWYERS?
“Every case you have and transaction you do is probably the most important one that your client has. Don’t forget that.”
KEYS TO SUCCESS?
“If you treat every body equally and don’t forget it’s their case or their transaction. It’s very important to them and it ought to be very important to you. Always be accessible. I talk to people 24/7. I enjoy what I do. If you don’t enjoy what you do, don’t do it.”
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS?
Jacobs is a member of the Amelia Island/Nassau County Association of Realtors, Nassau County Bar Association, Florida Bar Association and the Amelia Island/Fernandina Chamber of Commerce.
- by Michele Newbern Gillis