Family: My wonderful fiance, Jesse Wilson, and adorable soon-to-be stepdaughter, Presley, who just turned 3.
Pets: Two cats: Charlie (scared, orange fluffball) and Maxie (gray and white, chubby snob).
Education: Florida Coastal School of Law and Flagler College
Admitted to the Bar: 2010
Employed by: Holland & Knight. I just returned to H&K after having the honor of completing a judicial clerkship with the Honorable Timothy J. Corrigan at the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
Field of practice: General commercial civil litigation, maritime and media aw.
Professional organizations: I am an ex-officio board member of the Young Lawyers Section of The Jacksonville Bar Association; the vice chair/co-editor of The JBA Bar Bulletin committee; the vice president of sponsorship of the American Marketing Association, Jacksonville chapter; and a member of the Federal Bar Association, Jacksonville chapter.
Community involvement: I am a board member of the Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association, which is the organization trying to bring the USS Adams to downtown Jacksonville (adams2jax.org); a member of the University of North Florida pre-law program board of advisers; and a mentor at R.V. Daniels Elementary with H&K's Beckham's Buddies Program. I also teach at Florida State College at Jacksonville, the University of Phoenix and will be teaching mock trial at UNF starting in the spring.
How did you become involved?
People asked me to get involved, and I said "yes." I have trouble saying "no" when I think something is a great cause. In fact, I was recently asked to help co-chair the JWLA/YLS Date Auction that will be held in February (and benefits Jacksonville Area Legal Aid), and I once again couldn't resist!
How can someone else become involved?
There are so many ways to get involved. Either pick up the phone and call (or email) someone involved in an organization to see how you can participate or just go to an event and do some recon. The Jacksonville Bar Bulletin or The JBA's website are two great resources for finding out what's going on in the community. Also, I am happy to talk to anyone interested in learning about the organizations in which I'm involved.
What have you learned/achieved through the experience?
I have learned that life isn't all about work and how wonderfully fulfilling it is to do more, even if it leaves you strapped for "free" time. Two years ago I was all work, work, work and rarely came up for air. Now, I'm involved in several worthwhile organizations that really make a difference in the community, and I love it. Having that work-life balance is so important.
What was the last book you read or are reading?
"Presumed Innocent" by Scott Turow.