Eric Roberson has joined The Law Office of Jason K.S. Porter as an associate attorney. Roberson received his law degree from the University of Florida College of Law in 2005 and then served as an assistant state attorney in both Duval and Nassau counties. Since 2007, he has been associated with McGuireWoods, handling complex commercial litigation matters for large businesses and financial institutions throughout the country. At the Porter firm, he will continue his practice in business and civil litigation while also representing clients in personal injury and medical malpractice actions.
• Unemployment in Duval County rose to 11.02 percent in August from 10.87 percent in July, according to state numbers adjusted for seasonality by the University of North Florida Local Economic Indicator Project. While still above 10 percent, the rates are below the 12.61 percent in August 2010.
• Year over year, the number of employed people in Duval County grew by 3,724 and the number of unemployed fell by 6,111, the state numbers show.
• Annette Ritter, an assistant professor at Florida Coastal School of Law, has joined the board of the Youth Crisis Center. At Florida Coastal, she is in charge of the Trial Practice and Mock Trial programs.
• GrayRobinson attorney S. Grier Wells has been appointed to a statewide task force established by Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater to analyze personal injury protection insurance. The group was formed to analyze and evaluate PIP reform in light of escalating fraud in PIP claims and spiraling costs of coverage. Wells serves on The Florida Bar board of governors and chairs the Special Committee on Lawyer Referral Services. The committee conducts public hearings on the role and conduct of lawyers in lawyer referral services.
• Christopher Cobb joined the firm of Jimerson & Cobb as a shareholder. Cobb is board certified in construction law by The Florida Bar and focuses his practice on construction and business litigation. Cobb is formerly of Tritt Henderson. Jimerson & Cobb was previously known as Jimerson & Wilson. Former shareholder Harry “Reese” Wilson has joined Fidelity National Financial.
• The 68th annual convention of the NAACP Florida State Conference convention is scheduled Wednesday-Sunday at the Wyndham Hotel on the Southbank Downtown. On Thursday, NAACP National Director of Environmental and Climate Justice Programs Jacqueline Patterson will lead two sessions. The theme of the convention is “Affirming America’s Promise.” Other topics discussed during the convention will include civic engagement, civil rights advocacy and criminal justice.