• The Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce opposes two bills that would allow City Council to partially regulate what the city’s independent agencies can and can’t do. In a letter to Council President Ronnie Fussell, Chamber Chair Ron Autrey says the consolidated nature of Jacksonville’s government was established to assure the independence of those agencies. “The Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce urges you to vote no” on the two bills, wrote Autrey.
• Speaking of the Chamber, three programs it facilitates will have a new address after the first of the year. Effective Jan. 5, the Small Business Center, the Jacksonville Women’s Business Center and the Procurement Technical Assistance Center will be located on the first floor of the Chamber’s headquarters building Downtown. The move will begin Dec. 18; for details call 924-1100.
• Richard Lewis, Jr., chairman of Smith Hulsey & Busey’s health care group and business department, is one of 12 lawyers across the country to be named to Nightingale’s Healthcare News’ 2008 Outstanding Health Care Transaction Lawyers list. The list is published in a November special report of the national health care newsletter for executives and professionals. Lewis was recognized for his role in recent health care transactions, including the formation of numerous joint ventures between hospitals and physicians groups, the acquisition of several hospitals by major health systems and tax-exempt financing.
• Lara Nezami is leaving the Public Defender’s Office at the end of the year to go into private practice with former Public Defenders Pat McGuinness and Ann Finnell.
• The Jacksonville Bar Association has welcomed new faces into its office in the Aetna building on the Southbank. Lori Barnes, formerly of Harrell & Harrell, is the new full-time lawyer referral service coordinator. Linda Morris will be working part-time while Kendra Rhodin is on maternity leave.