• Bachara Construction Law Group announced that Brian Crevasse and Brent Zimmerman have become partners in the firm. Both are Florida Bar board certified in Construction Law. Crevasse earned both his undergraduate degree and his J.D. from the University of Florida’s Levin College of Law. Zimmerman earned his J.D. from the Florida State University College of Law and his undergraduate degree in business administration from the University of Florida.
• Jeffrey Toobin and Diana Eck are scheduled for presentations at the University of North Florida. Toobin, an author, will present “Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court” at 7 p.m. Feb. 23 at the UNF University Center. Eck, a Harvard University professor, will talk about “The Power of Religion: Practical Pluralism in a World of Difference” at 7 p.m. Feb. 28 at the University Center.
• Members of the Jacksonville Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 5-30 voted to accept the City’s offer of a three-year contract that includes more than $20 million in concessions including a 3 percent pay reduction for the fiscal year that began Jan. 1 and a 5 percent contribution to their health insurance plan. The deal now goes to City Council. The contract did not make any changes to the step plan. “With the final vote counted, our members resoundingly accepted the terms and conditions of this contract, which will help provide stability to our law enforcement families and to the City of Jacksonville,” said FOP President Nelson Cuba. Mayor Alvin Brown said Friday that he congratulates Cuba and the FOP members. “This is a great day for Jacksonville,” he said.
• Early voting for the Presidential Preference Primary has begun and it ends Jan. 28. Library voting sites are open 9:30-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. The Downtown Supervisor of Elections Office is open for voting from 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Saturday and Sunday voting hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at all early-voting locations. Check www.duvalelections.com for specific locations and more information.
• Duval County’s unemployment rate fell to 8.97 percent in December from 10.4 percent in November and from 10.77 percent in December 2010, according to state numbers seasonally adjusted by Paul Mason, director of the Leading Economic Indicator Project at the University of North Florida. “These results are obviously good, suggesting lots of Christmas hiring, and fewer layoffs than normal,” he said.
• The Young Lawyers Section of The Jacksonville Bar Association, in partnership with Family Support Services, hosted the annual “Holiday in January” party Jan. 7. It benefited 25 foster children and included a visit from Santa Claus, games and craft stations, pizza, snacks and presents, with each child receiving a bike. Mulholland Forensics, Investigations and Security donated bike locks. Major sponsors included law firms Dawson Orr, Bedell Firm, Marks Gray and the Camerlengo Law Group and the Young Lawyers Division of The Florida Bar. “The event was well attended and we had an overwhelming response from volunteers. We look forward to continuing this event every year,” said Brad Blair, an event organizer and member of The JBA YLS board of governors.