What attracted you to the practice of law?
Lack of attractive job offers after Business Administration Degree. I had a “stay home with kids” wife, two preschool sons, my remaining G.I. bill, and a good part-time job.
Who was your mentor and what information did you learn that you still use today?
Tyrie A. Boyer. Nothing beats hard work, strong will, and “don’t lie to a judge.”
What was the transition like from law school to a job practicing law?
It was rather smooth because I studied for the bar and that went well for me, thank goodness. I hung out with a couple of lawyers who were ahead of me in school and they got out and established their own firm. When I started working with them, my father was an accountant, uncle owned a liquor store, another owned a grocery store and another owned a repair shop and gas station. Being businessmen and longtime Westsiders, I got a good amount of referrals from them. If I would have stayed out of politics I could have been rich.
How did you feel when you tried your first case on your own?
Naive, fortunate that the verdict was for my client. Cocky. Tyrie watched it and brought me back down to Earth with his critique.
What has been your proudest moment during your legal career?
Swearing in before the United States Supreme Court and being accompanied by former Gov. Farris Bryant as my sponsor. He was serving in (President) Lyndon B. Johnson’s “little” cabinet.
What advice would you give to a law school graduate?
To not get caught up in the “money making, success at all costs” culture we seem to be developing. Remind them that they are officers of the court and they should conduct themselves accordingly. Better have money in the bank because it will take some time to establish themselves. Find a mentor that has been there and would be able to help them set the business up.
What was it like practicing with your son?
Fantastic. We had a good time together. He was eager and showed up to work every day. He was anxious to learn. We do pretty well together. He’s picked up a lot of my good habits and stayed away from the bad.
How did your background in law assist you as a politician?
Helped me develop a better willingness to negotiate and listen to the opinions of others.
Do you utilize technology in your practice of law?
We have our files on the computer and that helps us with file management and record keeping. Having them on the computer makes it easier to pull up information rather than thumbing through a paper file. Communicating online saves considerable time over talking on the phone, also.
Why did you join the Jacksonville Bar Association?
Tyrie A. Boyer