xby Michele Newbern Gillis
Staff Writer
Lauren and Michael Barker had a lot in common, but they didn’t meet until they found themselves on the same airplane.
Both attended University of Florida for their undergraduate degrees and both attended law schools across the street from one another in New Orleans.
Then, both headed back to Gainesville to see a football game and there’s a very happy ending: they’re now Mr. and Mrs. as well as business partners in Barker & Barker, P.A.
Together, Barker & Barker, P.A. provides legal services in construction law, commercial litigation, contract disputes, business and corporate law, estate and probate matters, as well as all areas of real estate law, including providing closing services and title insurance.
After law school Michael went to work for a construction law firm, The Robertson Group, in Gainesville while Lauren finished her master’s in taxation (L.L.M.) at University of Florida School of Law.
They then relocated to Jacksonville where Michael opened his own real estate law firm, Michael J. Barker P.A. in 2001.
Michael handles commercial and residential real estate transactions, real estate related litigation and construction law. “We represent residential and commercial developers and financial banking institutions,” he said.
When Lauren graduated with the master’s in taxation, she chose to work in a large corporate law firm, Brant Abraham, Reiter and McCormick in downtown Jacksonville.
But, that didn’t last long.
“She was there a year and had just gotten sick of working in a large corporate firm,” said Michael. “In 2002, she showed up my doorstep and said I hope you have a lot of work because I need a job.
“I went to an arbitration of a securities fraud case in Orlando and was gone for five days. When I returned, she used her corporate law background to change the name from Michael J. Barker, P.A. to Barker & Barker, P.A. The letterhead and business cards were all changed and that was it.”
Lauren handles anything dealing with tax issues, corporate law or estate planning for their clients.
“I don’t really do the real estate like closings and things like that, but a lot of his clients are developers, Realtors or builders also have issues with their corporations, so they kind of go hand in hand,” said Lauren. “If they buy property to develop something, they might have estate planning issues that come with building a business. They are very complimentary and we try to take care of the client all around.”
In addition to changing the name of the firm, she also gave the office a women’s touch.
Quaint and comfortable are the words that come to mind as you enter the law firm located in the Avondale/Ortega area. The office, located conveniently close to their home, is located in an old house decorated with soothing greens and comfortable furniture.
“Our clientele seems to appreciate it,” said Michael. “It is a relaxed environment but at the same time they know they are going to get the quality professional services that they need.”
The Barkers own the house and the house next door. One day they want to knock both down and build a new office that fits the style of neighborhood and provides a comfortable setting for their clients.
“Visiting a lawyer, especially in litigation, can be a stressful time,” said Lauren. “You are nervous already and can feel intimidated by all the mahogany and skyline view from the window. It’s beautiful, but we want our clients to feel comfortable. It’s kind of like they are friends of ours and we are trying to help. I think that is very important.”
In 2004, they added a third attorney, Paul Kelly, who is a state licensed general contractor and focuses primarily on construction law, but also does real estate law. Others that work in the office are Lorie Abelon, title manager; Marti Taylor, closing coordinator, Shana Winick, receptionist and Paul Hammock, abstractor. Hammock actually worked with Michael’s father at Barker Title 30 years ago, so he has been technically working with the family for 36 years.
Having a small office allows Barker & Barker to give very personalized service to their clients.
“All of our clients know all of us here in the office,” said Lauren. “No one is going to answer the phone that they have not met or spoken with before. It’s a more personal relationship that they get from us. The advantage for us is not having to deal with the same bureaucracies that you would in a bigger firm.”
They said they may grow the office, but wouldn’t get any bigger than five attorneys.
“We would look for someone who has had substantial exposure to the real estate industry from a developer’s standpoint so they understand both the transactional aspect of real estate and the construction law aspect of real estate well,” said Michael.
The Barkers really seem to enjoy working together.
“A lot of people ask, ‘How can you work with your wife?’” he said. “I can’t imagine working with anyone else that has your back more than the person you choose to spend your life with.”
Lauren feels the same.
“I think it is great,” she said. “Nobody really has your back as far as how everything goes with your business at end of the day like your family does. My parents worked together. His parents worked together and I think it has worked out so well for our family. It seemed kind of natural and comfortable for us.”
Lauren shared some advice that she received from Michael’s father:
“Leave things at the office at the office and don’t bring them home. That especially applies to a husband and wife who work together.”
Lauren has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Florida, a law degree from Tulane University in New Orleans and a master’s of law degree in taxation (L.L.M.) from the University of Florida College of Law.
Michael has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Florida and a law degree from Loyola University in New Orleans.
When they are not working, they enjoy spending time with their two-year-old son, Jake.
Both belong to the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors, Northeast Florida Builders Association and Commercial Real Estate Women of Jacksonville.
The firm’s website is www.barker-law.com.