Name: Roger K. Gannam
Age: 34
Family: Married to Joy for 11 years. Son, Preston (8), and daughter, Bella (3).
Pets: Preston’s cockatiel, Joseph, and two kittens on the way (long story).
Education: University of Florida Levin College of Law, J.D. 1999; University of North Florida, B.B.A. in Finance, 1996; Robert E. Lee High School, 1991.
Admitted to the Bar: 2000
Employed by: Partner with Lindell & Farson, P.A.
Field of practice: Business and consumer litigation; construction and real estate litigation; trust and estate litigation; religious liberty litigation.
Professional Organizations: Florida Bar, Jacksonville Bar Association, American Bar Association, Christian Legal Society
Community Involvement:
My main passion is legal advocacy in religious liberty matters. In this arena, I am an Allied Attorney of the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), primarily engaged in pro bono religious liberty litigation in Jacksonville and throughout Florida. I do similar work with the Christian Legal Society (CLS) Center for Law and Religious Freedom. As a member of the Jacksonville CLS chapter, I have participated in all of its ministry projects, including its longstanding “Pro Bono Project” in partnership with Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, providing free legal services to the students of the Jacksonville City Rescue Mission LifeBuilders addiction recovery program, and the annual Easter Project, filling and delivering Easter baskets to the Ronald McDonald House and the pediatric oncology floor at Wolfson Children’s Hospital. (Thanks Daily Record for the coverage!) Also in the legal community, I have been a member of the UNF Pre-Law Program Board of Advisors since 2000.
Outside of law, I am an active volunteer with the CHILD Cancer Fund, a local charity providing financial and other assistance to families suffering through childhood cancer. I help lead a men’s Bible study at my church, Southside United Methodist, and I am a board member of my neighborhood association. Just this year I joined the Duval County Republican Executive Committee, hoping to help identify and support compelling candidates for office, and advising the chairman on legal issues.
How did you get involved?
My involvement comes from a deep sense of calling to use the gifts and circumstances I have been given for the greater good of my community, ultimately to glorify God. (Jer. 29:4-7; Col 3:23-24.) With respect to religious liberty advocacy, I simply feel called to do it, and I have been blessed with legal training and partners who support my pursuits. As for childhood cancer, my own son was diagnosed with leukemia when he was two. I got to experience the vital work of the CHILD Cancer Fund on behalf of all the families just like mine, and joining their cause was an easy decision. (My son is 8 now, and off treatment for three years!)
What have you learned/achieved through the experience?
Through serving I have gained a high sense of purpose, contentment, and joy.
How can someone else get involved?
I believe our callings are most often revealed in the things for which we have been specially gifted, or the things we already love to do. If a person starts there, I have no doubt the opportunities to serve will abound. Anyone interested in the organizations mentioned above are welcome to contact me for more information: [email protected].
What was the last book you read or are reading?
“Raising a Modern-Day Knight” by Robert Lewis (read), and “Redeeming Law: Christian Calling and the Legal Profession” by Michael P. Schutt (reading).