Name: Michelle Tatum
Age: 31
Family: Mike and Elaine Tatum (parents), Tony and Allison Tatum (brother and sister-in-law) and the proud aunt of Zachary Tatum.
Education: First Coast High School, 1997; University of North Florida, B.A., 2001; Stetson University College of Law, J.D. with honors, 2004.
Admitted to the Bar: 2004
Employed by: Ford & Harrison LLP
Field of practice: Labor and employment law representing management.
Professional Organizations: The Florida Bar, The Jacksonville Bar Association, the Federal Bar and Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association.
Community Involvement: Director on the University of North Florida Alumni Board; JALA Pro Bono; and Jacksonville Alumnae Panhellenic Association (JAPA), currently on the scholarship committee.
How did you get involved?
Community involvement was something instilled in me by my parents at an early age as both are very active in Pop Warner and Little League. Growing up in Jacksonville, I was always involved in sports as well as other high school organizations. The desire to be active in my community followed me through both college and law school. At UNF I pledged Zeta Tau Alpha, whose philanthropy is Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and at Stetson I volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House and continued my involvement with the Komen foundation. When I moved back to Jacksonville after graduating from law school, I began attending UNF alumni events and eventually became active as a board member. I also became active in JAPA, a large group of sorority alumnae who strive to continue their dedication to the service of others by volunteering in the Jacksonville community. As for JALA, there are two people who played a role in my involvement with their pro bono program, Christa Figgins (JALA Development Director) and John Duvall (current director of the JALA Foundation Inc.).
How can someone else get involved?
There are so many opportunities to volunteer in the Jacksonville community. If you are interested in becoming more involved with your college, law school, fraternity or sorority, attend the local alumni events and if there isn’t a local alumni association, consider starting one. JAPA is a great organization but unfortunately is on hiatus for the summer. Information on when the meetings will begin again and its other activities can be found at www.jacksonvillepanhellenic.org. JALA is a great source for volunteering in the legal community, and its need for volunteers is higher than ever. If you would like to get involved with JALA Pro Bono, you can contact Kathy Para at 356-8371, ext. 363, or e-mail her at [email protected].
What have you learned/achieved through the experience?
I have learned that there are many devoted people in the Jacksonville community from all walks of life who give their time and talents to make Jacksonville a better community.
What was the last book you read or are reading?
Dan Brown’s “The Lost Symbol.”