Name: Robert B. George
Age: 40
Family: Wife, Erin (married 12 years); children, Ella, 7, and Patrick, 5.
Education: University of Florida, B.S. with honors, 1992, and JD with honors, 1996
Admitted to the Bar: 1997
Employed by: Liles, Gavin, Costantino, George & Dearing, P.A.
Fields of practice: Business and commercial litigation, professional malpractice, products liability, class actions, general real estate litigation and insurance disputes
Professional Organizations: The Florida Bar (member of the Fourth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee), The Jacksonville Bar Association (past chair of the Commercial Litigation Section) and American Bar Association.
Community Involvement: Camp Diversity Foundation (co-founder and member of the Board of Directors), the Sanctuary on 8th Street (Vice President and member of the Board of Directors), St. Johns Presbyterian Church (elder and Sunday School teacher) and University of Florida Phi Delta Theta Board of Trustees.
How did you get involved?
The Camp Diversity Foundation is based out of Black Mountain, N.C., and provides a Christian summer camp experience for economically disadvantaged boys from numerous cities around the Southeast. While I was looking for a local ministry that could participate in the summer camp program in North Carolina, I was introduced to the Sanctuary on 8th Street. I was immediately impressed with the Sanctuary, its dedicated staff and its after-school and summer camp programs that are offered to the children living on the north side of Jacksonville. Fortunately, the Sanctuary was able to send five boys to the camp in North Carolina last summer and it plans to send eight boys this summer. Through this involvement, I was asked to serve on the board of the Sanctuary, which includes several other local attorneys, including Mark Rosenberg, Chip Keller, Laura Allen and Patty Barksdale.
How can someone else get involved?
The Sanctuary is always looking for volunteers, but the best way to get introduced is to attend the “Shindig,” which is the Sanctuary’s largest annual fundraising event. This year, the “Shindig” has a tailgating theme and will be held on Sept. 10 at the Garden Club of Jacksonville. Delores Weaver is the honorary chair and Jeff Prosser will serve as the host. It really is a fun event with great food and all of the money raised goes to a worthy cause. You can also learn more about the Sanctuary and the Camp Diversity Foundation and how you can help on their respective websites: www.sanctuaryon8th.org and www.campdiversityfoundation.org.
What have you learned/achieved through the experience?
I have learned how important it is to have a true servant mentality. I have also realized how fortunate and blessed I am to have never had to face many of the difficult challenges these children face on a daily basis.
What was the last book you read or are reading?
Given the age of my children, most of the books I usually read are geared toward a younger audience. However, I recently read “Rigged” by Ben Mezrich over the Fourth of July holiday.