Age: 48
Family: Wife, Monica, children Ben, Luke, Oliver and Raquel
Pets: Two dogs, two hamsters, a ball python and a bunny
Education: University of Florida undergrad and law school
Admitted to Bar: 1989
Employed by: The Costantino Law Firm
Field of practice: Civil trial law
Professional organizations: American Board of Trial Advocates, International Society of Barristers, The Florida Bar Scope Panel, Florida Justice Association, The Jacksonville Bar Association, Jacksonville Justice Association, Catholic Lawyers Guild.
Community involvement: Free to Breathe organization.
How did you get involved?
Several years ago my brother-in-law Ron was diagnosed with lung cancer at the age of 41. He had a wife and three children and had never smoked. His long-term odds of survival were not good but he had a lot to live for. We learned about Free to Breathe, which is an organization that raises awareness and funding for vital lung cancer research by hosting 5K runs in cities across the country. My wife met a lung cancer survivor who was putting together the first Jacksonville area Free to Breathe event. Our family dove into this cause and our team raised the most money in the nation for a Free to Breathe event. The Jacksonville area Free to Breathe 5K has raised more than $300,000 in its first three years. Ron lost his battle with lung cancer last August. He touched a tremendous number of lives before he left us.
How can someone else get involved?
Join the Free to Breathe organization at www.freetobreathe.com.
What have you learned through the experience?
That every day is a gift, and to never give up hope.
What book are you reading?
“Imagine: How Creativity Works” by Jonah Lehrer.