• Andrew Fawbush, a partner with Smith, Gambrell & Russell, received the inaugural S. Austin Peele Distinguished Trustee Award in recognition of his service and dedication as a University of Florida Levin College of Law trustee. His practice focuses on employee benefits and executive compensation.
• Wayne Flowers, a Lewis, Longman & Walker shareholder in Jacksonville, was selected as one of the 2012 Florida Super Lawyers in the area of environmental litigation.
• The Gunster law firm announced that five of its Jacksonville attorneys have been included on the 2012 Florida Super Lawyers list. They are William Adams and David Wells, both in business litigation; Edward Whelan, construction/surety; and John Metcalf and Lynn Pappas, real estate. Additionally, attorney James Birr III, in construction litigation, was listed as a “Rising Star” for 2012.
• Fowler White Boggs announced that seven of its Jacksonville attorneys were included in the 2012 Florida Super Lawyers list and two were listed as “Rising Stars.” Those listed are Thomas Dearing, Eric Holshouser, John Marino, Daniel Nunn Jr., Robert Riegel Jr., Timothy Strong and Jeffrey Watson. “Rising Stars” are Melissa Dearing and Lindsey Trowell.
• WJCT has appointed Stan Cleiland as vice president of community relations and strategic communications. Cleiland is responsible for the station’s community messaging and political advocacy. He joined WJCT in 2005 as director of corporate communications.
• The U.S. House of Representatives passed the 2013 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill, which includes $21.98 million in funding for the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance Program Mission Control Complex at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. BAMS is intended to provide continuous maritime surveillance and complement the Boeing P-8A Poseidon that also is based at NAS Jacksonville. The bill was passed by the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations May 22 and is awaiting a full Senate vote.
• Jacksonville lawyer Archibald Thomas III has been designated as 2012 “Lawyer of the Year” in the area of “Employment Law — Individuals” by “The Best Lawyers in America.” Thomas also has been named a Florida Super Lawyer for 2012 in the area of employment and labor.
• City Council President Stephen Joost announced the nomination of three members to serve on the Police and Fire Pension Fund board of trustees: Former JEA CEO Walt Bussells, executive vice president and CFO of GreenPointe Holdings; former University of North Florida President Adam Herbert, executive director of Jacksonville ENT Surgery; and Randall Shoemaker-Crump, senior vice president of Fidelity National Title Group.