by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
City Council member Jack Webb has a new job. Actually, it’s his primary job, he’s just with a new law firm.
Webb, a longtime labor and employment attorney, has joined the LaVilla law firm of Brennan, Manna & Diamond as of counsel in the firm’s litigation and labor and employment practice.
The move is the second for Webb in the past 12 months, something he admits is out-of-character for most attorneys. Prior to joining Brennan, Manna & Diamond, Webb was with Harper Gerlach for six months. Before that, Webb was a labor attorney with CEVA Logistics for nine years.
He said the quick move to the new firm was an opportunity that presented itself at the right time. Webb said he enjoyed his time with Harper Gerlach and respects Thomas Harper and Gregg Gerlach very much. However, a meeting with Tony Manna and a subsequent offer convinced him to make the move.
Webb was the in-house attorney for CEVA where he concentrated on labor and employment law. He said he was also becoming more of a commercial litigator with a great deal of experience in labor and employment matters.
“At CEVA, I was more commercial oriented. I was looking for a situation where I could leverage that,” said Webb, who earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida in 1987 and graduated from UF’s law school in 1994. “I was introduced to Tony Manna, the founder of the firm, and we hit it off. He is high energy. Then I met with the partners. This was a very unique fit. They are great lawyers with a diverse practice.
“Over the long-term, this is a better fit and I anticipate I will be there for the next 20 years.”
Mike Freed, the firm’s managing partner, said Webb’s experience will benefit the firm.
“Jack’s legal skills coupled with his broad range of experience and his solid track record will complement our firm’s existing litigation and labor and employment practice,” said Freed. “We are very excited to have Jack on our team.”
Webb currently chairs the Council Rules Committee and serves on the Finance and Land Use & Zoning committees. He has the support of a majority of Council to serve as vice president for the 2009-10 Council year under current Vice President Richard Clark. Webb is also a member of the Jacksonville Waterways Commission.
The law firm of Brennan, Manna & Diamond was formed in 2000 with seven attorneys. Today, there are 45 lawyers in the firm’s offices in Jacksonville and Ohio.
356-2466