Name: Alexis Brown-Gelb
Age: 33
Family: My boyfriend, Steve, who is currently deployed with the Navy. My father, stepmother, little brother (Cooper, 14) and little sister (Martine, 11) all live in Jacksonville, which prompted me to move here.
Pets: My two crazy dogs, Alaia and Robbie, my two cats, Daniel and Cane, and one fish named Fish.
Education: I obtained my undergraduate degree from the University of Miami (hence my cat being named Cane) and obtained my law degree at Nova Southeastern in Fort Lauderdale.
Admitted to the Bar: 2005.
Employed by: Wicker, Smith, O’Hara, McCoy & Ford.
Field of practice: I focus on medical malpractice defense cases but also do defense work with a focus on negligent security, personal injury and legal malpractice.
Professional organizations: I am a member of the Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association and The Jacksonville Bar Association. I am the chair of the Community Service Committee for JWLA.
Community involvement: I volunteer at the Jacksonville Humane Society and First Coast No More Homeless Pets. I also participate in various fundraising events, including the Fight For Air Climb to benefit the American Lung Association and the 5K Stadium Run to help save athletic programs in Duval County Public High Schools.
How did you get involved?
When I was growing up I always wanted to be a veterinarian but I chose to be an attorney instead. I decided that I could do both by practicing law during the week and volunteering to help the animals on the weekends. I have also lost friends, family and pets to various forms of cancer, which made me want to help a variety of charitable organizations.
How can someone else get involved?
There are so many amazing groups, organizations and charities that are dying for people to help and a simple telephone call to one that affects you is all it takes. I simply found a volunteer application online and filled it out and sent it in. I went to a few training sessions and started volunteering immediately.
What have you learned/achieved through the experience?
I have learned that my boyfriend will kill me if I adopt any more animals, so, instead, I volunteer for various events to help support the animals and the Jacksonville Humane Society. I have helped the humane society raise a lot of money by volunteering for events such as “Toast to the Animals” and the “Fur Ball Gala” and I have met many wonderful people who truly care about people and animals.
What was the last book you read or are reading?
“The Art of Racing in the Rain” by Garth Stein. Surprising, this book is about a man’s life told from the perspective of the family dog.