Issuu

FREE

Mathis Report: Closed Bealls in review as shooting range

March 4-10, 2021

PAGE 3

jaxdailyrecord.com

JACKSONVILLE

Record & Observer Multiple retail spaces planned for eTown center

HOSPITAL TRENDS ISSUE

AFTER THE Record & Observer PANDEMIC JACKSONVILLE

The development will be anchored by a grocery store that matches the size of a Publix.

JACKSONVILLE At UF Health and Baptist Health, leaders look toward returning to the strategic plans in place before COVID-19 struck.

Record & Observer BY KAREN BRUNE MATHIS EDITOR

JACKSONVILLE

More details are emerging about the eTown commercial center whose lead tenant matches the size of a Publix Super Markets Inc. store. The PARC Group is developing the proposed “ETown Grocer Commercial Center,” comprising a 43,387-square-foot grocery store and 12,000 square feet of adjacent retail space. Four outparcels could add four buildings totaling up to 31,400 square feet. Developers and Publix have not confirmed the anchor although the Lakeland-based chain operates in other PARC centers, including at Nocatee. The development is in review at the corner of E-Town Parkway between Apex Trail and Exchange Street. The eTown Welcome Center anchors the corner and will be an outparcel. Skinner Bros. Realty Co. develops and leases retail centers with The PARC Group. “Skinner Bros. Realty and The PARC Group are working on a number of projects in the Northeast Florida area,” said Skinner Bros. executive Riley Skinner, but he could not comment on plans at eTown. The master-planned eTown community is designed for up to 2,000 homes along E-Town Parkway, east of Florida 9B. The St. Johns River Water Management District is reviewing plans.

Record & Observer Photos special to the Daily Record

UF Health CEO Dr. Leon Haley and Baptist Health CEO Brett McClung lead two of the largest health care systems in Northeast Florida.

BY KATIE GARWOOD STAFF WRITER

ollowing a challenging 2020, area hospital leaders hope to normalize operations on their campuses as COVID-19 cases decline and vaccines are distributed. “We’ve spent the last several months managing COVID,” said Dr. Leon Haley, CEO of UF Health Jacksonville. “Now we’ve shifted into managing COVID recovery and vaccine distribution to the degree we’re able to participate in that process while still maintaining our focus on our strategic initiatives.” UF Health Jacksonville is the third largest hos-

pital in Northeast Florida with 462 beds, according to 2019 Agency for Healthcare Administration data on Florida hospital finances. Eighteen area hospitals are listed in the data in Duval, St. Johns, Nassau, Clay and Baker counties. Haley said some of the main focuses in 2021 for UF Health Jacksonville include managing remaining COVID-19 cases, vaccinating, increasing surgery and clinic visit volumes, planning for physical growth and engaging with the community. The hospital opened both of its facilities in Wildlight in the past year, a YMCA and rehabilitation center and a medical office building. Haley said UF Health is looking at other pos-

What’s Trending: Adventure Landing property sold PAGE 2 The Bar Bulletin: Women in the law making great strides PAGE 11 The top 10 sales of the week in residential real estate PAGE 16

MORE INSIDE ■ Chart looks at the financial health of Northeast Florida hospitals. Page 4. ■ How tech advances are keeping patients at home. Page 6 ■ Dr. Estrellita Redmon oversees nine hospitals and more than 100 other care sites. Page 7

SEE HOSPITALS, PAGE 4

KMATHIS@JAXDAILYRECORD.COM @MATHISKB (904) 356-2466

THE BASCH REPORT

Maple Street Biscuit Company growth slowed Cracker Barrel CEO still happy with chain. PAGE 9 VOLUME 3, NO. 40 • ONE SECTION

WHAT’S TRENDING

JACKSONVILLE DAILY RECORD / JACKSONVILLE RECORD & OBSERVER 2 JaxDailyRecord.com

4, 2021 DAILY RECORD / JACKSONVILLE RECORD & OBSERVER THURSDAY, MARCH JACKSONVILLE

Big news doesn’t break just on Thursday. Here’s a look at some of the top stories published over the past week online at JaxDailyRecord.com and in the Jacksonville Daily Record that you may have missed.

Daily Record Adventure Landing property sold JACKSONVILLE

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

A Jacksonville Beach investment HOW TO REACH US group bought the Adventure Landing W. ForsythBeach St., Suite 150, Jacksonville, FL, 32202 property 121 in Jacksonville on Feb. 24 for $7.87 million. Phone: (904) 356-2466, Fax (904) 353-2628 Property owner National Retail Propjaxdailyrecord.com erties LP of Orlando sold the almost 22.2-acre site at 1944 Beach Blvd. to JB Fair Park MF LLC. The LLC shares ABOUT US an address with Trevato Development Jacksonville Daily Record and Jacksonville Record & Observer are a division of Group of Jacksonville Beach. Observer Media Group Inc. Woodburn said the park has a 10-year Trevato could not be reached for lease on the property and will continue comment. Its website says it “creates Established in 1912, the Financial News & Daily Record, now the Jacksonville Daily operating. innovative places where residents and Record, is published Monday-Friday and is the Official Court Newspaper of the Circuit “This is our 26th season coming up visitors alike love to work, relax, stay Court and publisher of public notices in Duval County. and (we) look forward to 26 more,” he and play.” said. Adventure Landing owner Hank Jacksonville Record & Observer is a free weekly business newspaper available in Downtown Jacksonville and key business nodes throughout Jacksonville. To find a location near you, visit jaxdailyrecord.com/rack-locations.

HOTELS

JaxDailyRecord.com THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2020 1

Daily Record JACKSONVILLE

HOW TO REACH US JACKSONVILLE

Daily Record 121 W. Forsyth St., Suite 150, Jacksonville, FL, 32202 Phone: (904) 356-2466, Fax (904) 353-2628 jaxdailyrecord.com

Daily Record Daily Record JACKSONVILLE ABOUT US

Jacksonville Daily Record and Jacksonville Record & Observer are a division of Observer Media Group Inc. Established in 1912, the Financial News & Daily Record, now the Jacksonville Daily JACKSONVILLE Court Newspaper of the Circuit Record, is published Monday-Friday and is the Official Court and publisher of public notices in Duval County. Jacksonville Record & Observer is a free weekly business newspaper available in Downtown Jacksonville and key business nodes throughout Jacksonville. To find a location near you, visit jaxdailyrecord.com/rack-locations.

Editorial content focuses on news and trends, with a concentration on development, real estate, construction, law, companies, and industry trends and how local Omni Jacksonville soldeconomic for $35.1 million and state government affects business. Holdings Inc., LR Intermediate LLC, Omni Jacksonville Corp. sold the Ian Livingstone and Desmond Taljaard, Omni Jacksonville Hotel Downtown to STAFF also at that address. a company whose address is in JackPublisher Matt Walshfor $35.1 million. Director of Advertising Jay Lesowitz Taljaard has been/managing director son, /Wyoming, mwalsh@jaxdailyrecord.com jlesowitz@jaxdailyrecord.com of hotels at London & Regional ProperThe Omni Jacksonville at 245 Water Publisher Emeritus / James F.1987. Bailey Coordinator / Codi Gildberg ties. St. opened in October ItJr. has 354 Advertising jbailey@jaxdailyrecord.com adassist@jaxdailyrecord.com LR Jax LLC was registered with rooms and suites. Editor /The Karen Brune Mathis a price of theAdvertising state Feb. Manager 12. Robert Mautner, sale represents Legal / Janet Mohr kmathis@jaxdailyrecord.com legal@jaxdailyrecord.com president of Willow Lake Holdings Inc., $99,152 per room. Managing / Monty Zickuhr signed the document. is director, LREditor Jax LLC bought the property Feb. Legal Advertising AssociateHe / Rhonda Fisher mzickuhr@jaxdailyrecord.com attorney and vice president of Jack25. The deed, recorded Feb. 26, was rfisher@jaxdailyrecord.com son Hole Trust Co. signed by Michael G. Smith, Associate Editor Legal Affairs / Maxexecutive Marbut Network Administrator / Erik Wagner mmarbut@jaxdailyrecord.com Peter Strebel, president of Omni Hovice president of Dallas-based Omni webadmin@jaxdailyrecord.com tels & Resorts, said in a statement that Staff Jacksonville Writer / Katie Corp. Garwood Court Typeset / Paula Steiner kgarwood@jaxdailyrecord.com the new owner will transition the hotel LR Jax LLC’s Wyoming address is admin@jaxdailyrecord.com out of the Omni system later this year. same as Jackson Hole Trust Co. Staff the Writer / Mike Mendenhall Director of Circulation / Anne Shumate mmendenhall@jaxdailyrecord.com The managers are Willow Lake

Editorial content focuses on news and trends, with a concentration on development, real estate, construction, law, companies, economic and industry trends and how local and state government affects business.

Business Manager / Angie Campbell acampbell@jaxdailyrecord.com

subscriptions@jaxdailyrecord.com Distribution / Tim Reagan distribution@jaxdailyrecord.com

RESTAURANTS

RELEASE/INQUIRY/REPRINTS ClosedPRESS Applebee’s to become 145°F Seafood Boil SubmitThe a press release or editorial closed Applebee’s in St.inquiry John’sonline A banner sign on the 5,400-squarejaxdailyrecord.com/submit-news-release editorial@jaxdailyrecord.com. foot building says the restaurant is Town Center North is becoming the or email Article reprints are available at jaxdailyrecord.com coming soon. second location for 145°F Seafood Colliers International North Florida Boil, whose first restaurant opened in Retail Services Director Karen Hong Clermont. HOW TO SUBSCRIBE said the restaurant plans 200 to 250 Jacksonville-based ownership apSubscribe online at jaxdailyrecord.com/subscribe or contact our subscription seats. plied to the city for a certificate of use department by phone atat(877) or email Hong subscriptions@jaxdailyrecord.com said the restaurant owners are for the restaurant 4507231-8834 Town Center renovating the dining area and intend Parkway, where Applebee’s closed in PRICES to move in within 90-180 days. 2019. Thursday only ..........$66 per year 2 years ................................... $154 Single copy ......................35 cents 1 year ........................................$89 6 months .................................$55

STAFF Publisher / Matt Walsh mwalsh@jaxdailyrecord.com

Director of Advertising / Jay Lesowitz jlesowitz@jaxdailyrecord.com

Publisher Emeritus / James F. Bailey Jr. jbailey@jaxdailyrecord.com

Advertising Coordinator / Codi Gildberg adassist@jaxdailyrecord.com

Editor / Karen Brune Mathis kmathis@jaxdailyrecord.com

Legal Advertising Manager / Janet Mohr legal@jaxdailyrecord.com

Managing Editor / Monty Zickuhr mzickuhr@jaxdailyrecord.com

Legal Advertising Associate / Rhonda Fisher rfisher@jaxdailyrecord.com

Associate Editor Legal Affairs / Max Marbut mmarbut@jaxdailyrecord.com Staff Writer / Katie Garwood kgarwood@jaxdailyrecord.com

Network Administrator / Erik Wagner webadmin@jaxdailyrecord.com Court Typeset / Paula Steiner admin@jaxdailyrecord.com

Staff Writer / Mike Mendenhall mmendenhall@jaxdailyrecord.com

Director of Circulation / Anne Shumate subscriptions@jaxdailyrecord.com Distribution / Tim Reagan distribution@jaxdailyrecord.com

PRESS RELEASE/INQUIRY/REPRINTS Submit a press release or editorial inquiry online jaxdailyrecord.com/submit-news-release or email editorial@jaxdailyrecord.com. Article reprints are available at jaxdailyrecord.com

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE Subscribe online at jaxdailyrecord.com/subscribe or contact our subscription department by phone at (877) 231-8834 or email subscriptions@jaxdailyrecord.com PRICES 2 years ................................... $154 1 year ........................................$89 6 months .................................$55

THE DAILY BRIEF

HOW TO ADVERTISE

Thursday only ..........$66 per year Single copy ......................35 cents

HOW TO ADVERTISE

a shortcut to staying the loop Display &There’s Digital Advertising: Call Jay Lesowitz at (904) in 356-2466 or email

advertise@jaxdailyrecord.com Don’t miss a story. Subscribe to the Daily Brief and we’ll send our top news to you Monday-Friday morning via email. To sign up, visit JaxDailyRecord. Legal Advertising: Submit public notices via email to legal@jaxdailyrecord.com com and look for the “Sign up” box, enter your email and you’ll be set.

Display & Digital Advertising: Call Jay Lesowitz at (904) 356-2466 or email advertise@jaxdailyrecord.com Legal Advertising: Submit public notices via email to legal@jaxdailyrecord.com

Penny W. Schmidt JaxDailyRecord

JaxDailyRecord

POSTAL INFORMATION

Mediator Arbitrator / Umpire / Special Master Jacksonville Daily/Record (USPS 190-620) is published daily except Saturday, Sunday & legal holidays (New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas) by Daily Record & Observer LLC, 121 W. Forsyth St., Suite 150, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Periodicals postage paid at Jacksonville, Florida • Personal Injury/Wrongful Death • Insurance Coverage Disputes and at additional mailing offices. Under no circumstances will any news or records of Duval County be suppressed for anyone. Information in this newspaper is for our • Construction Disputes • Commercial and Business Disputes subscribers only and must not be used by anyone for publication purposes.

Areas of Practice

• Homeowner Insurance Disputes • Probate • Collection

Jacksonville Daily Record (USPS 190-620) is published daily except Saturday, Sunday & legal holidays (New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas) by Daily Record & Observer LLC, 121 W. Forsyth St., Suite 150, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Periodicals postage paid at Jacksonville, Florida and at additional mailing offices. Under no circumstances will any news or records of Duval County be suppressed for anyone. Information in this newspaper is for our subscribers only and must not be used by anyone for publication purposes.

Services/Qualifications POSTMASTER

POSTMASTER

• Online Scheduling Calendar In Person and Virtual Send address changes to Jacksonville DailyAvailable Record, •P.O. Box 15456, NorthMediations Hollywood, • Florida Supreme Certified Circuit Court Mediator CA, 91615-9965 • Certified Mediator for the Middle District of Florida

OFFICIAL DESIGNATIONS • Florida Supreme Qualified Arbitrator • Member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals

The Official Newspaper for The Official Newspaper The Official Court • AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell since 1997 the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of The Jacksonville Bar Newspaper of Duval for the Middle District of Association, Nov. 21, 1926. County by Order of the Jax Mediation Center Florida, Jan. 4, 1947. Circuit Court, July2700 7, 1961. University Blvd West, Suites A-1 & C-2 Jacksonville, FL 32217

AFFILIATIONS

pschmidt@jaxmediationcenter.com Florida Press Association 904-224-7044

Send address changes to Jacksonville Daily Record, P.O. Box 15456, North Hollywood, CA, 91615-9965

OFFICIAL DESIGNATIONS The Official Court Newspaper of Duval County by Order of the Circuit Court, July 7, 1961.

The Official Newspaper of The Jacksonville Bar Association, Nov. 21, 1926.

AFFILIATIONS Florida Press Association 337085-1

The Official Newspaper for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, Jan. 4, 1947.

JACKSONVILLE DAILY RECORD / JACKSONVILLE RECORD & OBSERVER

JaxDailyRecord.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

Closed Bealls in review as shooting range

KAREN BRUNE MATHIS EDITOR

But there are no plans to open one, according to the building owner, who says it is “merely an exploratory concept.” The closed Bealls store in Southside Commons is in review for use as an indoor shooting range. A year after R.M. Bealls posted a “closing sale” sign on its door at Southside Commons in the Regency area, the landlord is seeking a zoning exception to see whether it could open an indoor shooting range in the stand-alone building. There is no lease and no plan to open one, however. “This is merely an exploratory concept. We are exploring the concept of a use there,” McNaughton said Michael McNaughton, chief operating officer of landlord Sleiman Enterprises, on March 1. He said Sleiman Enterprises wants to understand “what if any issues exist that could preclude this kind of use.” McNaughton said the use is an idea “we’ve had for this facility.” “There is no deal or anything to announce there in any way. We are checking the boundaries of use and approvability.” Southside Retail LLC, part of Jacksonville-based Sleiman Enterprises LLC, is requesting the exception for the former Bealls at 651 Commerce Center Drive. Southside Commons comprises 26 acres east of the Southside Connector, north of Regency Square Mall. Bealls turned the store from its traditional concept into R.M. Bealls, a brand of the chain that focused on “a con-

Photo by Karen Brune Mathis

The closed Bealls store at 860 Commerce Center Drive in the Southside Commons shopping center.

sistent lower price,” but closed it less than a half-year later. Bradenton-based Bealls sells casual lifestyle apparel and home merchandise. Bealls said on its website in October 2019 that two stores became R.M. Bealls – the Jacksonville store at Southside Commons and a store in Deerfield Beach. A Southside Commons site plan shows Bealls leased 80,000 square feet of space in the free-standing building, whose address within the center is 860 Commerce Center Drive. Southside Commons anchor tenants include The Church of Eleven22, Planet Fitness, Ross and Michaels.

Stein Mart and Pet Supplies Plus Sleiman Enterprises COO Michael McNaughton said the closed Stein Mart stores in two of its centers are in discussions for lease to new tenants. He said Sleiman Enterprises is working with two tenants for the Stein Mart at 1848 University Blvd. W. in Lakewood Promenade. The 30,000-square-foot store would be divided for lease. At Point Meadows, two companies want to lease the Stein Mart, although it will be leased to just one, McNaughton said. That 32,000-square-foot store is at 10915 Baymeadows Road. “Discussions are moving along quite well,” he said. He declined to identify the prospective tenants. Jacksonville-based Stein Mart filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in August and closed its stores in late October. Also at Lakewood Prome-

nade, Pet Supplies Plus intends to lease 7,500 square feet of space between the Stein Mart shell and Dick’s Wings & Grill, McNaughton said. JEA received a service-availability request for Pet Supplies Plus to demolish, combine and remodel two retail units at Lakewood Promenade.

Stellers Gallery opening third location in San Jose

Jacksonville-based Stellers Gallery expects to open a third location this fall at 6934 St. Augustine Road in the San Jose area. Stellers Wholesale and Design LLC, which has changed its name to Stellers Art and Design LLC, bought a 2,400-square-foot building Dec. 22 for $225,000. The structure, at 6934 St. Augustine Road, was built in 1962. The LLC bought the property from Mahshid Fatemi. T. Graham Riley is the manager of Stellers Art and Design and is the owner of the new gallery. Riley is the son of Scott Riley, who owns Stellers Gallery in San Marco and Avondale with his wife, Missy Riley. According to Missy Riley, the new business will be a place for the Stellers Galleries to showcase a deeper collection of their fine art. She said the space will feature three showcase rooms, a design center for collaboration with commercial and residential designers and a comprehensive collection of artwork. She said there was no investment estimate for renovations. Stellers Art and Design will offer art, home accessories, and custom frame services.

Riley said Stellers also is launching a fine art printing division that will provide printing services for artists and designers. Scott Riley has been an art dealer in Northeast Florida for more than 36 years. Missy Riley said Stellers Gallery is one of the longest-operating, privately owned galleries in the area. The gallery represents more than 50 artists. Scott Riley opened Stellers Gallery in 1985 when he began to exclusively represent his brother, nationally recognized artist C. Ford Riley. Stellers’ art can be found in private clubs, commercial businesses, area hospitals and private residences. The other two galleries are at 1990 San Marco Blvd. in San Marco and at 3562 St. Johns Ave. in Avondale. A Ponte Vedra Beach gallery was sold 15 years ago. KMATHIS@ JAXDAILYRECORD.COM @MATHISKB (904) 356-2466

Subway to Westside: The city is reviewing a permit application for Subway to buildout in an empty unit attached to the BP gas station at 6573 Commonwealth Ave. Hoffman Commercial Construction LLC is the contractor for the $152,619 project of 1,970 square feet. Merrill McDonald’s: McDonald’s is renovating at 7245 Merrill Road in Arlington. The city is reviewing a permit application for Stansell Properties of Odessa to remodel and add space to the restaurant at a cost of $375,000.

THE MATHIS REPORT

RESTAURANT NOTES

Whataburger to St. Johns: St. Johns County is reviewing plans for Whataburger to build a 3,745-square-foot fast-food restaurant on a 1.26-acre outparcel at 2638 County Road 210 W. in the Shoppes of St. Johns Parkway. Ellianos at Chaffee Road: Work continues toward the 750-squarefoot Ellianos Coffee Shop drive-thru on 0.3 acres at 703 Chaffee Road S. in West Jacksonville. The city calculated a mobility fee of $38,236.

Special to the Daily Record

Stellers Gallery intends to expand to 6934 St. Augustine Road.

When uplifting stay-at-home care is needed most Because your parents always gave you the very best of care throughout your life, do the same for them. Put them in the caring hands of Comfort Keepers®, We provide compassionate in-home care that helps seniors live safe, happy, and independent lives in the comfort of their own homes.

Call (904) 230-9220 JacksonvilleSeniorHomeCare.com Kathryn Murphy, RN, MSN | Comfort Keepers ® Owner HHA License #299992389

337259-1

Certified Geriatric Care Manager | Service Disabled Veteran Owned

HOSPITAL TRENDS

JACKSONVILLE DAILY RECORD / JACKSONVILLE RECORD & OBSERVER

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

JaxDailyRecord.com

Northeast Florida hospital financial health Here’s a look at the financial health of hospitals in Northeast Florida, according to the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. The numbers are from 2019, the latest available. For more hospital data, visit ahca.myflorida.com DUVAL COUNTY

Beds

Working Admissions Medicaid Occupancy Capital

Operating Expenses

Operating Margin

Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside Ascension St. Vincent’s Southside Baptist Medical Center Beaches Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville Brooks Rehabilitation Curahealth Jacksonville Mayo Clinic Memorial Hospital Jacksonville River Point Behavioral Health UF Health Jacksonville Wekiva Springs Wolfson Chidren’s Hospital

466 242 146 624 160 107 250 402 84 462 120 146

22,120 9,909 8,586 45,139 3,055 272 16,212 22,840 3,201 26,287 3,327 8,144

2,654 1,138 491 3,982 151 None 146 4,381 None 7,202 None 4,133

50.8% 35.5% 51.5% 70.2% 86.8% 20.3% 75.9% 69.7% 53.0% 65.7% 58.7% 74.3%

($2.7 million) $3.2 million $2.8 million N/A* $73.6 million $1.1 million $253 million $45.1 million $700,000 $165.9 million $4.4 million $41.4 million

$426.9 million $170.9 million $114 million $898.2 million $104.9 million $12.3 million $617.2 million $363.1 million $13.1 million $722.7 million $19.1 million $238.3 million

3.7% 10.7% 16.1% 16.4% 12.3% 3.5% 21.1% 13.6% -20.6% -0.6% 14.8% 9.2%

304

13,152

1,761

49.1%

$64.5 million

$254.1 million

3.2%

3,695

505

48.9%

$2.3 million

$63.6 million

18.9%

98 74 273

6,948 494 20,432

786 4 4,032

57.4% 58.3% 84.4%

$4.3 million $7 million $48.2 million

$99.3 million $29.2 million $308.4 million

14.7% 3.0% 15.3%

312

11.6%

$902,100

$22 million

-7.3%

ST. JOHNS COUNTY Flagler Hospital NASSAU COUNTY Baptist Medical Center Nassau CLAY COUNTY Ascension St. Vincent’s Clay County Kindred Hospital North Florida Orange Park Medical Center BAKER COUNTY Ed Fraser Memorial Hospital

*Baptist Medical Center is reviewing the data that AHCA recorded

Hospitals: Admissions still down in COVID aftermath CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

sible expansion opportunities along Interstate 95, through its rehabilitation service line and possibly at its campus in North Jacksonville. In addition to routine maintenance at its main campus in Springfield, Haley said he wants to add an education and research building there to “support a regional medical campus.” It also will explore locations outside the hospital base for primary care offices and other ambulatory services, focusing on expanding beyond its campuses. “We don’t want very hospital-centric things,” Haley said. “We want to make sure we have ambulatory clinics to support the patient population.” UF Health’s use of telemedicine skyrocketed during the peak pandemic to about 1,500 to 2,000 virtual appointments a day. While that number is down to about 300 a day, Haley said the

hospital has “a very aggressive telehealth initiative.” “You’re going to see us coming out of the pandemic focusing on telehealth, digital health, use of data analytics and ambulatory strategies,” he said. Haley said hospital admissions still are lower than historical levels. Emergency room admissions are down about 15%, and pediatric visits are down even more, he said. Overall admissions are down 8%. The hospital is working to communicate with its patients that the hospital is a safe place to be, and encouraging people not to delay care. Haley said he also is focused on communicating with his staff, managing day-to-day operations while working on longer-term initiatives. “As a leader during moments like this, it’s also trying to make sure people understand the strategic initiatives,” he said. “We still want to be able to do

those and get out of the pandemic and be the organization we want to be.” BAPTIST HEALTH

Baptist Health CEO Brett McClung said its goals are similar, but that the organization will refocus its attention to a five-point strategic plan the hospital completed a few months before the pandemic. Those five points are growing for the future, integrating the system, caring for the consumer, advancing the Baptist Health way and advancing clinical care. Baptist Health Jacksonville, the system’s Downtown campus, is the region’s largest with 624 beds. Baptist Medical Center Beaches has 146 beds and Baptist Medical Center Nassau has 54. Baptist Medical Center South was not listed in the 2019 AHCA data. The hospital system put some of its physical expansions on hold because of the pandemic. Work continued on the Wolf-

son Children’s Hospital Critical Care Tower, expected to be completed early next year. That included the $200 million, 100-bed Baptist Clay hospital in Fleming Island. Construction was slated to begin in April 2020, but was delayed until December. McClung said it will open in fall 2022. McClung said the pandemic inspired a few design changes to the hospital. The building’s fourth floor will have air filtered from the outside to help prevent the spread of airborne germs, and more touchless features will be incorporated throughout the building. Baptist also launched its HealthPlace on Demand app last fall. It offers telemedicine services to patients, connecting them to ER or family medicine doctors 24/7. “We really have to lean into digital first for everything,” McClung said. “Whatever it is, consumers want to be able

to access it virtually. We’re designing and producing cool things in there and we’ll continue to do that work.” Like at other institutions, McClung said Baptist’s ER volume is about 85% to 90% of what it has been historically. Baptist also is “standing by and nimbly available” to distribute COVID-19 vaccinations when more supply becomes available, he said. The hospital system has distributed 40,000 vaccines since December and has the capacity to administer 2,700 shots a day. Despite the challenges COVID-19 posed to hospital systems in 2020, McClung said there were positives. “I think the world has a better understanding of the courage, the tenacity and the passion of people who work in health care.” KGARWOOD@ JAXDAILYRECORD.COM (904) 356-2466

We Specialize In Social Security & VA Claims HHHHHHHHHHHHHH Now Handling VA Disability Claims

Florida Lawyers Representing Injured Floridians

Corinne Murrell

Owner, Attorney

Associate Attorney

(904) 249-1440 | info@lorigaglione.com www.LoriGaglione.com

347800-1

Lori A. Gaglione

342765-1

FREE CONSULTATIONS

JACKSONVILLE DAILY RECORD / JACKSONVILLE RECORD & OBSERVER

JaxDailyRecord.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

22 ND ANNUAL

FIRST COAST BUSINESS HALL OF FAME - Honoring The Hall of Fame Class of 2020 Daniel Davis, Leon L. Haley Jr., MD, MHSA, Karen Mathis, David & Michael Miller and Brian Wolfburg - Legacy of Leadership Award Paul McElroy Presenting Sponsor

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Daily Record JACKSONVILLE

Connect. Grow. Prosper.

Record & Observer Record & Observer JACKSONVILLE

JACKSONVILLE

Corporate Sponsors

FL Rock & Tank Lines Foundation, Inc.

JEA

RS&H

GATE Petroleum

KPMG

Truist Bank

IBERIABANK

PGA TOUR

University of North Florida

350783-1

For More Information: www.fcee.org/fchof • 813-289-8489

JACKSONVILLE DAILY RECORD / JACKSONVILLE RECORD & OBSERVER

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

JaxDailyRecord.com

HOSPITAL TRENDS

Care without leaving home Advances in technology and the growth of telemedicine are making it easier to treat patients without a trip to the doctor. BY KATIE GARWOOD STAFF WRITER

Similar to how groceries, Amazon orders and takeout meals can be home delivered, experts say health care is the next service to be easily accessed without leaving the house. Mayo Clinic launched its home health care program in June in Jacksonville and Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Since then, 150 patients have been enrolled . Through the program, patients can receive the care they would in the hospital at home through virtual doctor visits. Hospital patients who are sick enough to be in the hospital but don’t require more intensive care or procedures are ideal candidates, said Dr. Michael Maniaci, Mayo Clinic Florida’s lead for the program. “I truly believe that over the next couple of years it will be the expectation of patients,” Maniaci said. He said patients will con-

tinue hospital care for a major surgery or procedure, “but the little things or everyday illness, they’ll expect to be cared for at home.” Patients in the program are monitored for 30 days from home. In that time, they receive telehealth care from a Mayo Clinic doctor, who can examine them on video and see their vital signs from instruments that are sent home with the patient. Home health patients receive a blood pressure cuff, pulse oximeter, scale, Wi-Fi-enabled phone, emergency button and a backup power pack that lasts 72 hours in the event of a power outage. They also receive a tablet to use to speak with a doctor or nurse. About 95% of patients enrolled in the program are age 65 or older. Many are general medicine patients with conditions like heart failure, COPD, infections or pneumonia. Maniaci said many patients agree to the program because of its convenience and because it allows them to recover at home instead of in the hospital, where they often are sedentary and waiting for care. “When you look at studies of people in the hospital, they are up out of bed less than two hours a day,” he said. “With our patients at home,

Special to the Daily Record

Dr. Michael Maniaci is Mayo Clinic Florida’s lead for the home health care program. It launched in June in Jacksonville and Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

they’re up 8, 9, 10 hours a day. They like that mobility. They feel like they’re getting better faster.” With advancements in technology, it will become easier to treat more patients from their homes, he said. One day, it could be possible to aggregate health data from smart watches, home cameras and virtual voice assistants like Alexa and send it to someone’s medical provider to receive information on their well-being without leaving the house or bringing extra medical instruments to them. “If we properly feed that into something that can do artificial intelligence and data analytics, we can predict who is going to get ill, who is getting ill, what they’re doing and how we can get them better quickly,” Maniaci said.

EMPLOYMENT LAW REPRESENTATION • Discrimination

• Whistleblower

“That’s something that doesn’t exist now.” TELEMEDICINE BECOMING MAINSTREAM

Since the onset of the pandemic a year ago, consumers are seeing doctors virtually more frequently. Telescope Health founders Dr. Matthew Rill and Dr. Matthew Thompson said in the coming years they expect people to turn to virtual care first before considering an in-person visit. “I do think we’re going to get to a point ... they’ll use their phone as a resource,” Rill said. Rill said the company saw an influx in telemedicine users last spring and summer. He said that while that has plateaued, home health providers and long-term care facilities are more interested in using the service.

Thompson said the service is especially useful overnight, when nursing homes don’t have a doctor on call for patients to see. “This is another way to b r i d ge that gap and prevent inappropriate spending when there Thompson doesn’t need to be a transfer, some kind of costly workout,” Thompson said. It also is supporting Baptist Health’s HealthPlace app, which allows users to speak virtually with a doctor. “When people do connect, they tend to use it again and tell their friends,” Rill said. “I still think that there’s some barrier to entry in awareness that it exists, and that it’s as easy as it is.” In Florida, t h e re a re additional barriers for the growth of telemedicine. Many insurers don’t cov- Rill er telehealth visits. Thompson said there’s no legislation in Florida that requires insurance companies to bill telehealth visits and inperson visits equally. “There’s certainly a lot of movement and a push for Florida to adopt that but we’re not there yet,” Thompson said. KGARWOOD@ JAXDAILYRECORD.COM (904) 356-2466

Florida Medical Malpractice

• Retaliation

or 20 years, attorney Sean Cronin has helped clients in Florida with

• Non-compete/Employment Contract Disputes • Unpaid Wages and Commissions

injuries and deaths caused by medical malpractice. As attorneys who are also veterans, our military experience helps us serve medical

malpractice victims and their families

Over 20 Years of Litigation Experience

throughout Northeast Florida. Our

Shands M. Wulbern

military medical malpractice claims.

attorneys handle both civilian and

Practice Areas 347077-1

(904) 570-9233 | wulbernlaw.com 3063 Hartley Road, Suite 5, | Jacksonville, FL 32257

Wrongful Death

Join us for the

Medical Malpractice

Thur., March 11 • via Zoom • Noon

Military & VA Medical Malpractice

MARCH LUNCHEON

Hospital Negligence

Elevate Women:

Prioritizing Women’s Advancement to Leadership in NEFL

ATTORNEYS AT LAW

Topic: A 60-minute presentation let by Angela Timberlake addressing Elevate Women’s strategy focused on advancing women to the highest level of leadership, making Northeast Florida known as a place where women can be successful both personally and professionally.

RSVP no later than March 9th at www.JWLA.org.

Pending

904.388.9555 medical-malpractice-jacksonville.com 4250 Lakeside Dr., Suite 204 349002-1

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

1 hour CLE

Partner

Cronin & Maxwell, pl

Speaker: Angela Timberlake, Vice President of Elevate Women – JaxUSA

Live Stream Options: $0 Prepaid members • $10 Pay as you go members $15 Non-members

Sean B. Cronin

Jacksonville, FL 32210

LAWYER REFERRALS WELCOMED 347324-1

JACKSONVILLE DAILY RECORD / JACKSONVILLE RECORD & OBSERVER

JaxDailyRecord.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

Ensuring a good experience at Ascension St. Vincent’s

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Each day when she goes to her office at Ascension St. Vincent’s in Riverside, Dr. Estrellita Redmon works to help the health care experience be the best possible for everyone involved. As chief clinical officer for Ascension Florida and Gulf Coast since January, her territory comprises the nonprofit Catholic health care systems’ hospitals, outpatient clinics and post-acute facilities from Northeast Florida to the Panhandle and in 20 counties in Alabama and Mississippi. Ascension Florida and Gulf Coast comprises Ascension St. Vincent’s based in Jacksonville, Ascension Sacred Heart based in Pensacola and Ascension Providence in Mobile, Alabama. It operates nine hospitals and more than 100 other sites of care, employing 900 providers and more than 13,000 staff. Its Riverside campus has the second-most number of hospital beds in Northeast Florida. “I make sure the patient has a good experience and make sure our provider clinicians are having a good experience while trying to do that at a lower cost of care,” Redmon said. “I enjoy the work. I never have a dull day.” Redmon was born and raised in Tallahassee, in a home that

Special to the Daily Record

Dr. Estrellita Redmon started her career in medicine with a degree in pharmacy from Florida A&M.

valued education, so there was no doubt she would attend college. Her mother was an elementary school teacher, her father was an instructor and administrator at Tallahassee Community College. A family tragedy when she was 11 years old led Redmon to her career in medicine. “On Christmas Day, right after we opened gifts, my greatgrandfather collapsed and died of a massive heart attack. That was so traumatic for me that it fashioned my desire to go into medicine,” she said. The first step was a degree in pharmacy from Florida A&M University in 1981. “It’s not the typical path, but I thought it would be a good

years of justice commitment community integrity

background for medical school,” Redmon said. After graduating from the University of Florida College of Medicine with her M.D. five years later, Redmon left her home state and practiced for nearly three years at the University of Virginia Affiliated Hospitals. She returned to Florida in 1989 to become a primary care physician in West Palm Beach. “I was seeing patients at a clinic that was always in the red. We took good care of our patients and they kept coming. We ended up making it profitable,” Redmon said. She went home to Tallahassee in 1995 to join Capital Health Plan as a primary care physi-

Since 1976, the team at Coker Law has dedicated our lives to yours. Fighting for justice, recovering millions for our clients, and donating more than $1 million to local charities. Thank you for honoring us with 45 years. We look forward to serving you for 45 more.

ESTRELLITA REDMON, M.D. Age: 60 Hometown: Tallahassee Education: ■ Bachelor of Science, Pharmacy, Florida A&M University, 1981 ■ University of Florida College of Medicine, M.D., 1986 ■ University of Florida Warrington College of Business, Master of Business Administration, 2008 Job: Chief Clinical Officer, Ascension Florida and Gulf Coast; President, St. Vincent’s Health Partners. Previously was chief medical officer, Ascension Medical Group-Florida and Gulf Coast.

care. She keeps her primary care skills sharp with Ascension St. Vincent’s Mobile Health Outreach Ministry that treats uninsured patients in Hastings. “My first passion will always be patient care, even though I don’t do that much any more. I want to take care of the mother, the father, the grandmother, the grandfather. I want to wear a stethoscope around my neck,” Redmon said.

MMARBUT@ JAXDAILYRECORD.COM (904) 356-2466

COKERLAW.COM 904.356.6071 OFFICES-JACKSONVILLE 351266-1

BY MAX MARBUT

cian. Redmon later was named associate medical director, and then medical director and vice president. “It was the needs of the organization that pulled me to administration. I felt it was what I was called to do,” Redmon said. “I needed the business background, so I got my MBA.” Always looking for the next challenge, Redmon said she was “cruising LinkedIn” when she noticed that St. Vincent’s in Jacksonville was looking for a vice president of clinical integration. “I interviewed and they hired me,” Redmon said. She joined St. Vincent’s HealthCare in July 2014. In March 2016, she became president of St. Vincent’s Medical Group and clinical integration with responsibility for transitioning St. Vincent’s HealthCare to a regional clinically integrated system of care. Redmon rose steadily in the organization and was appointed to her current post in January. The challenge for Ascension and Redmon is how to transform value-based care in a feefor-service environment while delivering high-quality care at an affordable cost, she said. “Our mission is a commitment to the poor and vulnerable, based on our Catholic health care identity. We want to deliver health care that has equality and equity attached to it,” Redmon said. Even with a job revolving around reports, spreadsheets and projections, Redmon maintains her commitment to patient

HOSPITAL TRENDS

Dr. Estrellita Redmon oversees nine hospitals and more than 100 other care sites in three states.

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

JACKSONVILLE DAILY RECORD / JACKSONVILLE RECORD & OBSERVER

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

JaxDailyRecord.com

Top commercial sales of the week FROM STAFF

Here are the top 10 commercial real estate sales in Northeast Florida, comprising Duval and St. Johns counties. The sales were recorded Feb. 22-28.

File image

A company based in Jackson, Wyoming, paid $35.1 million for the Omni Jacksonville Hotel Downtown.

DUVAL

ST. JOHNS

DUVAL

$35,100,000

$7,870,000

$7,264,000

$7,000,000

$6,829,000

245 Water St., Jacksonville

1944 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach

Silverleaf Parkway, Saint Johns

10564 Philips Highway, Jacksonville

8101 Southside Blvd., Jacksonville

Type: Omni Jacksonville Parcel size: 1.04 acres Building size: 287,042 square feet Buyer: LR JAX LLC Seller: Omni Jacksonville Corp.

Type: Adventure Landing Parcel size: 22.17 acres Building size: Five buildings totaling 43,902 square feet Buyer: JB Fair Park MF LLC Seller: National Retail Properties LP

Type: Undeveloped residential Parcel size: Not available Buyer: Richmond American Homes of Florida LP Seller: White’s Ford Timber LLC

Type: Auto dealerships Parcel size: 7.2 acres Building size: Four buildings totaling 47,468 square feet Buyer: Jacksonville Phillips Hwy Land LLC Seller: Q Automotive Jacksonville FL LLC Previous sale: $6,642,857 in 2004

Type: Commercial Parcel size: 1.76 acres Building size: 21,855 square feet Buyer: Red Apple Realty LLC Seller: Bentley Mortgage LLC Previous sale: $1,207,500 in 2013

ST. JOHNS

DUVAL

$2,600,000

$2,541,000

$2,226,800

Florida 16, St. Augustine

4710 Town Center Parkway, Jacksonville

POW-MIA Memorial Parkway, Jacksonville

Type: Undeveloped Parcel size: Not available Buyer: American Land Development St. Johns LLC Seller: TGC St. Johns LLC

Type: Moe’s Southwest Grill Parcel size: 0.14 acres Building size: 2,830 square feet Buyer: MSG Town Center Land LLC Seller: CTO18 Jacksonville FL LLC, CTO Realty Growth Inc., and Indigo Group Ltd.

Type: Undeveloped residential Parcel size: Not available Buyer: Patriot Ridge LLP Seller: Great Meadows I LLC

$4,750,000

$5,600,000 St. Johns Parkway, Saint Johns

2001 Old Moultrie Road, St. Augustine

Type: Commercial Parcel size: 0.91 acres Buyer: Piedmont FGIM Jacksonville St. Johns Parkway GW LLC Seller: Piedmont Development of Florida LLC

Type: Undeveloped Parcel size: 39.9 acres Buyer: VCP St. Augustine LLC and VCP St. Augustine II LLC Seller: Southglen Inc.

Timothy J. McDermott MEDIATOR | ARBITRATOR SPECIAL MASTER

• State and Federal Courts • Certified Middle District of Florida & Florida Supreme Court Circuit Court Mediator • Florida Supreme Court Qualified Arbitrator • Board Certified in both Business Litigation and Civil Trial by Florida Supreme Court • AV Preeminent rating since 1980s

THE VALUE OF CONNECTION Connecting Borrowers to a New Homebuying Experience

Dispute Resolution Services at Jacksonville’s TIAA Bank Building and Throughout Florida Upchurch Watson White & Max | 800-264-2622 | uww-adr.com linkedin.com/company/upchurch-watson-white-&-max

www.facebook.com/UWWMMediation

@UWWMmediation 347820-1

Downtown Office Space For Rent • Historic building @ 200 E. Forsyth

TRAVIS GIBBON

• 5 Offices Available

SWBC MORTGAGE CORPORATION SR. LOAN OFFICER NMLS #657289

• 95 sq. ft. to 240 sq. ft.

3010 3rd St S. Ste D Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 OFFICE: 904.425.2941 CELL: 904.424.5328 EMAIL: tgibbon@swbc.com swbcmortgage.com/travisgibbon

• On-site Parking Available • Includes: • Conference Rooms • Receptionist • Kitchen

351619-1

our one-on-one service and our competitive loan programs with a digital application that allows borrowers to apply for a mortgage in a fast, convenient, mobile-optimized process.

Let’s create a positive and memorable homebuying expierence your borrowers will thank you for.

Visit swbcmortgage.com/travisgibbon today.

347309-1

Call Rachel @ 353-5800 or rds@fallgatterlaw.com

We know how important a homebuying experience

© 2018 SWBC. All rights reserved. Loans are subject to credit and property approval. Other restrictions and conditions may apply. Programs and guidelines are subject Corporation, NMLS #9741 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). 1060-A1077 02/18

JACKSONVILLE DAILY RECORD / JACKSONVILLE RECORD & OBSERVER

JaxDailyRecord.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

Maple Street Biscuit expansion slows

Cracker Barrel pulls back plans to grow the chain, saying it wants to make sure it has the “best sites” for new locations. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc. started this fiscal year with ambitious growth plans for Maple Street Biscuit Company, the former Jacksonville-based restaurant chain it acquired in October 2019. However, as Cracker Barrel reported quarterly earnings last week, CEO Sandra Cochran said the company is slowing its expansion plans for Maple Street. The company has opened two new Maple Street restaurants in the fiscal year that began Aug. 1 and plans to open only one more by the end of the year, which would bring the total to 38 company-owned and seven franchised locations. Cracker Barrel said at the beginning of the fiscal year it planned to open 15 new Maple Street sites this year. “We’ve been really so focused on making sure we had the best sites as we opened new locations and that we understood what the best site looked like, which is why we’ve probably gone a little slower than we had originally planned to,” Cochran said in Cracker Barrel’s quarterly conference call with analysts. “We’re really pleased with the performance and they’ve exceeded our expectation, both in the comps (comparablestore sales) and in the progress they’re making on their operating income margins,” she said. Cracker Barrel did not include specific data for Maple Street in its report for the second quarter ended Jan. 29. It said total revenue in the

File image

Cracker Barrel CEO Sandra Cochran said the company is “really pleased with the performance” of Maple Street Biscuit Company.

quarter dropped 20% to $677.2 million and restaurant sales at Cracker Barrel stores open for more than one year fell 21.9%. Cochran said a resurgence in COVID-19 cases in the holiday season hurt sales at its 663 Cracker Barrel restaurants. “The second quarter is a key period for us due to its special connection with the holidays and our historically higher seasonal volumes, which are driven in part by seasonal travel,” she said. “As a result of the increased dining room closures and capacity restrictions, as well as the impact of reduced travel, our comparable store sales performance declined compared to the first quarter.”

Fidelity title business jumps Fidelity National Financial Inc. reported last week a big jump in fourth-quarter revenue, in part because of an acquisition. The Jacksonville-based company’s main business of title insurance also rose sharply in a strong mortgage market. Fidelity’s total revenue rose about 60% to $3.77 billion, helped by its acquisition in June 2020 of annuity and life insurance company F&G. The company’s title insurance revenue rose about 32% to $3.04 billion. “We remain encouraged by the order volumes we have seen the last two quarters as

open orders have rebounded across multiple geographies to the levels we saw before the outbreak of the pandemic,” President Michael Nolan said in Fidelity’s conference call with analysts. The prospect of higher interest rates may slow the volume of mortgage refinancings this year, but Nolan said Fidelity still anticipates a big demand for refinance-related title insurance. “I think our view is that refis will still be strong in ‘21, maybe not as strong as ‘20, but certainly stronger than we’ve probably had in a number of years,” he said. Fidelity’s adjusted earnings from continuing operations more than doubled from 95 cents in the fourth quarter of 2019 to $2.01 in the 2020 fourth quarter.

Rayonier AM reports profit Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. reported its second straight quarterly profit last week after six straight losses, as the Jacksonville-based company’s markets continue to recover. Rayonier AM recorded a fourth-quarter profit from continuing operations of 14 cents a share, compared with a loss of 91 cents in the fourth quarter of 2019. The second-half recovery left Rayonier AM with a breakeven year at the end of 2020, with revenue falling 2% to

Home Depot sees growth in former Interline business

Home Depot Inc. has big plans for its professional contractor business, which sells products to maintenance, repair and operations professionals. The home improvement retailer established that segment by acquiring Jacksonville-based Interline Brands for $1.625 billion in 2015, and it expanded the MRO business in December with an $8 billion acquisition of HD Supply Holdings. “We’re going to take our time

Medtronic ENT Q3 sales fall Medtronic plc said last week sales fell in the third quarter ended Jan. 29 at its Jacksonville division, which makes surgical instruments for ear, nose and throat doctors. The global medical device company does not give revenue figures for the ENT business but it said sales fell by a midsingle-digit percentage. The ENT business is part of Medtronic’s Special Therapies group, which increased revenue by 5.1% to $618 million, with the drop in ENT sales offset by increases in neurovascular and pelvic health products.

St. Joe earnings more than double The St. Joe Co. reported last week that fourth-quarter earnings more than doubled to 34 cents a share and revenue rose 50% to $63.9 million. For the full year, the real estate development company’s revenue rose 26% to $160.5 million and earnings rose by 32 cents a share to 77 cents. St. Joe was established in Jacksonville in 1936 and moved its offices to the Florida Panhandle in 2010, where its development activities take place. It is headquartered in an office park St. Joe owns in Panama City Beach. MBASCH@ JAXDAILYRECORD.COM

www.gardmediation.com

44 Years of Experience in Complex Civil Litigation CIVIL • INSURANCE • COMMERCIAL • CONTRACT

Call now for your FREE pre-evaluation by phone

• Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Mediator • AV Preeminent rating since 1980s • Practice exclusively devoted to Mediation • Virtual mediation by teleconference capability

904 -299 - 5300

10695 Beach Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32246 CMMDR.COM

FREE MARIJUANA DELIVERY Delivered directly to your home or business

352295-1

You NOW get the dry flower to

SMOKE!

Financial services company TIAA last week named Thasunda Brown Duckett as CEO, succeeding the retiring Roger Ferguson. CNBC said Duckett will be only the second black woman running a Fortune 500 Duckett company when she takes over May 1. Duckett is joining TIAA from JPMorgan Chase, where she has been CEO of Chase Consumer Banking. TIAA is headquartered in New York but its bank subsidiary has been headquartered in Jacksonville since it acquired Jacksonville-based EverBank in 2017.

GARD MEDIATION LLC

GET YOUR – MEDICAL MARIJUANA – CARD HERE Fast Easy Certification

We provide Medical Marijuana in a variety of forms such as tinctures, pills, pain patches, vapes, concentrates, buds, vape shatter pills, dry flower & much more!

TIAA names banker as CEO

and look at how we encompass all the assets that exist between the former Interline and now HD Supply, and we’ll put a plan together that will allow us to use all that asset base to be able to grow and capture share in the MRO market,” CEO Craig Menear said last week in Home Depot’s year-end conference call, according to a transcript posted by the company. An analyst on the call suggested the addition of HD Supply gives Home Depot a 10% share of a fragmented MRO supply market. “That’s clearly why we made the acquisition,” Menear said. “We want to accelerate growth in that space, and it’s a great space and allows us to penetrate into a housing segment that was more difficult to penetrate with the orange box, so we’re super-excited about the opportunity.”

THE BASCH REPORT

MARK BASCH CONTRIBUTING WRITER

$1.74 billion. “Despite the outbreak of COVID-19, we executed on our plans to reduce costs, preserve cash and align production to fluctuating market demand,” CEO Paul Boynton said in a news release. “We benefited from a strong lumber recovery in the back half of 2020 and now, as we enter 2021, we see very positive momentum in the commodity pulp markets,” he said. “With price increases in these markets combined with 2020 cost actions, we are well positioned to capture significant incremental cash flow which will allow us to reduce debt, invest in our core High Purity Cellulose business, and drive high-potential growth and innovation projects.”

• Member Florida & Georgia Bars & Jacksonville Bar Assoc. • Board Certified in Business Litigation • Former Senior Assistant Attorney General • Certified Federal Court Mediator

Steven J. Gard Certified Circuit Court Mediator steven.gard@gardmediation.com (904) 830-1140 www.linkedin.com/in/atllawr

BUSINESS LITIGATION

334558-1

JACKSONVILLE DAILY RECORD / JACKSONVILLE RECORD & OBSERVER

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

JaxDailyRecord.com

THE MARBUT REPORT

ABA supports law student loan modifications

MAX MARBUT ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Alan Pickert says the group’s virtual meeting had advantages and disadvantages. Terrell Hogan partner Alan Pickert is one of 14 Florida representatives in the American Bar Association House of Delegates. He participated in the ABA Midyear Virtual Meeting Feb. 17-22 when 31 measures were considered and approved. The policy proposals, which are debated by delegates with diverse legal and political backgrounds, enable the ABA to lobby legislators and authorize the filing of legal briefs in support if a resolution on a topic is approved by a majority of the delegates. Pickert said there are some advantages to conducting the meeting remotely. He doesn’t have air fare or six days of hotel and meal expenses in Chicago, he’s not away from his family and he can continue to practice law. “Not all resolutions require

my participation. If you are at the meeting in person, you can’t just get up repeatedly and leave the room for 20 or 30 minutes. Via the computer, I can do work at my desk, field phone calls, etc., until I am needed throughout the course of the meeting,” Pickert said. However, he misses the personal contact with colleagues. “The Florida Caucus typically has lunch and or dinner together. It’s amazing how much I learn from listening to their experiences in and out of the courtroom,” Pickert said. Pickert said one of the first resolutions passed concerned student loan debt for law students and recent law school graduates. Advocates for the student loan modifications, Resolution 106C, said that even before COVID-19 slowed the U.S. economy, many young lawyers struggled with their student loans given the legal profession’s uncertain job market and their high student debt. Studies indicate recent law school graduates carry an average student debt of $145,000. Last summer, the National Association for Law Placement reported that 49% of law schools surveyed stated employers had rescinded employment offers, and other offers were pushed into 2021. The resolution recommends extending loan repayment terms, allowing either refinancing or transferring of obligations to federal from commercial programs and

authorizing suspension or forgiveness of student loans in certain situations. The sponsor, the Young Lawyers Division, withdrew a companion resolution that urged Congress to amend the U.S. bankruptcy code to ease restrictions on how student loans can be discharged in bankruptcy proceedings because of objections raised by other ABA Pickert entities, Pickert said. As a help to some recent law graduates taking the Bar exam, the delegates approved Resolution 105, which urges that the Bar admission authority of each jurisdiction allow test-takers to bring menstrual products in opaque rather than clear containers, and recommends relaxing other restrictions now in place. Each jurisdiction develops its own rules and guidelines, and restrictions regarding menstrual products were cited as posing additional pressures and challenges to test-takers. Two other new policies are geared to help lawyers and law students better manage their well-being and family life, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Resolution 300A encourages stakeholders in the legal profession to make resources accessible that advance well-being. Resolution 101A urges gov-

ernmental entities to allow specially trained facility dogs to assist victims and vulnerable witnesses in any stage of the criminal justice system. Other resolutions approved that Pickert said might be of interest locally include: ■ 10E, which endorses the federal Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act of 2020, or similar legislation, to prohibit the disclosure of personally identifiable information of current and former federal judges and other jurists. The proposed federal law follows the assassination last year of a son of a federal judge in New Jersey. ■ 10F, which urges governmental entities to establish law enforcement officer training and implement guidelines to minimize implicit bias in giving exit orders during discretionary traffic enforcement stops where the officer has safety concerns or a reasonable suspicion of criminal activity. ■ 103B, which asks the U.S. Department of Justice and the attorney general to withdraw certain AG opinions related to criminal records and U.S. immigration law and replace them with opinions that are consistent with congressional intent, the U.S. Constitution and U.S. treaty obligations. ■ 107B, which urges states to adopt certain principles in administering elections for U.S. president and that if a dispute arises as to the proper recipient of the electoral votes for a state, Congress should

give controlling effect to the winner of the popular vote for that state unless a state allocates electoral votes by congressional district as is currently done in two states.

Smith Hulsey hires Malik Jackson Malik Jackson joined Smith Hulsey & Busey as an associate attorney. He will practice in the law firm’s general litigation and sports litigation groups. Jackson received his bachelor’s degree from Princeton University, where he played quarterback and won an Ivy League football championship in Jackson 2013. He received his J.D. from Florida A&M University College of Law in Orlando and was admitted to The Florida Bar in December. Before law school, Jackson was a Teach for America Corps member, teaching U.S. history and coaching football at Highlands Middle School in North Jacksonville. Born and raised in Duval County, Jackson graduated as class salutatorian of Jean Ribault Senior High School. MMARBUT@ JAXDAILYRECORD.COM (904) 356-2466

Let a Board Certified CiviL triaL Lawyer

Mediate your next Case

ONLINE SCHEDULING CALENDAR Construction Collections Insurance Other

jacksonvillemediator.com

904.391.0091

Civil Trial

JBA GOVERNOR SINCE 2013

L AW Y E R S

WJCT-TV IS NOW JAX PBS

Do you know who your direct competitors are? • Do you have and use a marketing plan that targets your ideal clients? • Do you have and follow an accounts receivable policy? • Do you know the technology you will need in a post-COVID-19 marketplace?

New name. Fresh look. Same mission.

Helping Attorneys Mind Their Own Business

Find out more! VISIT JAXPBS.ORG www.charlesvannconsulting.com 904.903.6062 • chuck@charlesvannconsulting.com

343063-1

Jax PBS is a service of WJCT Public Media 348440-1

347958-1

Personal Injury Probate Global SC Commercial

THE BAR BULLETIN

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

Bar Bulletin The

PROTECTING RIGHTS • PURSUING JUSTICE • PROMOTING PROFESSIONALISM

WOMEN’S PRO HISTORY MONTH FROMBONO THE PRESIDENT

GREAT STRIDES TOWARD EQUALITY BLAZING THE LEGAL TRAIL Arabella Mansfield was America’s first female lawyer, admitted to the Iowa Bar in 1869 after she challenged the state law excluding her.

MICHELLE BEDOYA BARNETT JBA PRESIDENT

For women in the law, much progress has been made for gender equality, but much work remains to be done.

INSIDE

COMMENTARY

The best advice I have received Although I didn’t believe the wisdom was meant for me when I heard it, upon reflection it brought me to tears. PAGE 12

YOUNG LAWYERS

‘Making lemonade’ New attorney works to grow a small business and serve clients while making sure to be safe during a pandemic. PAGE 14

t’s Women’s History Month and I am happy to not be writing about how I am the first female president of the Jacksonville Bar Association. Actually, I am on what is becoming a long list of female JBA presidents. It was 35 years ago that the JBA had its first female president, Mary K. “Kitty” Phillips. Since then, there have been eight female JBA presidents, and five in the past 10 years. For many decades, there were few women in the organization because the legal profession was predominantly male. It wasn’t until 1869 that America had its first female lawyer, Arabella Mansfield.

COMMENTARY

Negotiate to succeed A gentle smile, a minor concession or a thoughtful question often will get you much further than your brilliant argument. PAGE 14

SEE BARNETT, PAGE 15

PRO FROMBONO THE PRESIDENT

Don’t neglect yourself during these times of tension It is critical to stay grounded and rooted at the core as we confront adversity.

MARQUITA GREEN ATTORNEY

The past year has been wrought with ups and downs. We are impacted by the global health pandemic and by racial tensions. We have challenges with the economy. We have much political tension.

We have been mentally and emotionally taxed on various fronts. We have experienced losses. Death of family members and loved ones. Decrease in clients. Changes in operations at home and at work. Managing the emotions of our children. Lots of overwhelm. People are resilient and we keep going no matter what comes against us. We are strong for all of those who are depending on us. We

keep face for all of those who are watching us. We are giving so much of ourselves to stay afloat. But wait. What’s really happening on the inside? In this time, it is critical for us to stay grounded and rooted at the core. This comes from being intentional about caring for ourselves. Here are some tips for you to practice self-care for just 10-30 minutes per day:

TAKE A NAP

You may think napping is just for children. You may be thinking that you have too much to do to nap. The truth is, naps are necessary. Think about why children take naps. Naps slow down the mind. They rejuvenate. Naps restore. Allowing your mind to rest and relax for as few as 15 minutes will give you the energy boost you SEE GREEN, PAGE 15

THE BAR BULLETIN

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

JBA CALENDAR COMMITTEE MEETINGS For all meetings, register at jaxbar.org MARCH 9 Elder Law Noon, in person at the JBA office and livestream MARCH 9 Professionalism Noon, livestream MARCH 10 Solo & Small Firm Noon, In person at the JBA office and livestream MARCH 11 Veteran & Military Affairs Noon, livestream MARCH 17 Diversity & Inclusion 11:30 a.m., livestream MARCH 23 Hispanic and Latino Interest Committee March Madness Referrals Noon, livestream MARCH 24 Law Week Committee Noon, livestream

COMMENTARY PRO BONO FROM THE PRESIDENT

The best advice I’ve ever received brings me to tears

JOHN GUY FOURTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT JUDGE

Is something holding you back from doing what matters most? The best advice I have received came in only four words. Although I didn’t believe the wisdom was meant for me when I heard it, upon reflection it brought me to tears. How correct the advice was, and how remarkably I had failed to heed it. Now many years later, I think about that advice daily; not to prepare myself for tomorrow, or to justify yesterday, but instead, for today. The words that have stuck with me for so long? “Don’t miss your life.” Perhaps the reason it took so long for me to internalize those words was that

I needed time to consider what really mattered in my life. Inevitably, the answer was not what, but who. I started to think about all the things I was doing daily that prevented me from living my life to the fullest. All the things I wasn’t doing that I should have been. The answers were humbling and depressing. I have made changes since that time, but to be sure, there is no going back. Too many yesterdays have become opportunities lost. In reviewing my life in this context, it occurred to me a related piece of advice also is true: The biggest obstacle in one’s life is oneself. I have reached for excuses, in every sense and manifestation. I have created excuses. None were the correct answer. My failures, my shortcomings and my regrets were squarely on my shoulders. The cause of most of my life’s disappointments are covered by the shaving cream in my bathroom mirror. It also occurred to me that an equally important corollary to “don’t miss your life” is this: Don’t cause anyone else to miss their life. That realization was even more disturbing. Too many times I caused others to miss out. My words, my actions and my deeds were causing others pain and holding them back - not strangers, but the people who were closest to me. The advice I received so long ago led me to contemplate and appreciate

THE JACKSONVILLE BAR ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP President Michelle Bedoya Barnett, Alexander DeGance Barnett President-elect Michael Fox Orr, Orr | Cook Treasurer Fraz Ahmed, Coker Law

Secretary Blane McCarthy, Blane McCarthy Young Lawyers Section President Ashlea Edwards, Akerman Executive Director Craig Shoup

another adage that is as important as it is true – tomorrow is not promised. The only certainty in our lives is today. As I write these words, I am thinking of a close friend who is spending time with a parent who is in the final stages of a terminal illness. A lifetime of making memories is days from ending. How much time and energy do we spend planning for events that will never come to pass? Or worse, how much anxiety have we experienced worrying about things that never happened? How much life have we lost in worry? I submit that wisdom has withstood the centuries not by accident. Like everyone, I often look back with so much joy on experiences I have had. But as the years have passed, I have realized the key is to feel that joy, not in reflection, but in the moment. Now, I often find myself thinking about how enjoyable a particular experience is as I am living it, in real time, and how grateful I am for that experience. Sugar is sweetest when it is on your tongue. Now the hard part. Is there anything you are doing routinely that is holding you back? If so, stop. Is there anything you are not doing that is preventing you from moving forward? If so, start.

MARCH 25 ADR Committee Noon, livestream

UPCOMING EVENTS For all events, register at jaxbar.org MARCH 10 Wellness Wednesdays: Healthy Happy Hour Walk 5:15 p.m., meet at JBA office MARCH 17 Wellness Wednesdays: Virtual Meditation Noon, livestream

MARCH 18 JBA Member Luncheon Noon, livestream Featured speaker Mark Woods from The Florida Times-Union talks about Jacksonville’s hidden treasures MARCH 24 Wellness Wednesdays: Ask The Dietitian Noon, livestream

Fourth Judicial Circuit Judge John Guy was appointed to the bench in 2015 after 22 years in the State Attorney’s Office.

BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEMBERS Brian T. Coughlin Bedell Firm

Shannon Schott Plata Schott

Christian P. George Akerman

Asghar A. Syed Gunster

Jamie Karpman U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Cyndy Trimmer Driver McAfee Hawthorne & Diebenow

Adina Pollan, Pollan Legal

Lindsay L. Tygart Coker Law

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Editor-in-chief Iana Benjamin Cordell & Cordell Editors Ashlea Edwards Akerman Kirsten Oliver Law Offices of William W. Kurtz, Jr.

THE BAR BULLETIN

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

PRO FROMBONO THE PRESIDENT

Volunteer helps client gain power of attorney for daughter if the client executed a power of attorney. In that case, my volunteering had a direct positive impact on the client’s life because he no longer had to personally visit the VA to complete paperwork. It was a rewarding experience for me and confirmed that my volunteer work at JALA makes a difference. What advice do you give attorneys considering pro bono involvement? I encourage all local attorneys to partner with JALA to assist in its mission to provide legal services to those in our community who simply do not have the financial resources to retain their own counsel.

MISSY DAVENPORT JBA PRO BONO COMMITTEE CHAIR

Advance Directives Clinic volunteer George Morrison finds experiences rewarding. Before COVID-19 changed everything, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid had a clinic on the third Tuesday of each month where volunteer attorneys assisted low-income clients with the preparation of advance directive forms such as power of attorney and living will documents. With the current safety concerns, the in-person clinic has been on hold for nearly a year. However, many attorneys are still taking these cases pro bono and assisting clients without a fee to get the much-needed documents completed. Advance Directives Clinic volunteer George Morrison describes one of his cases: What were the facts of your case? The client requested a power of attorney so her daughter could act on her behalf. I learned that they live together, are very close and consequently concluded a POA may be helpful under the circumstances. Further, it became apparent that the client and her daughter also would benefit by having other advance directive documents in place including designation of health care surrogate. What were you able to accomplish for your client? I prepared a durable power of

Special to the Daily Record

Advance Directives Clinic volunteer George Morrison is an in-house attorney with Bank of America.

attorney, living will, designation of health care surrogate and designation of pre-need guardian for the client. The Jacksonville Area Legal Aid team developed a user-friendly document preparation template that I used as a starting point to prepare these documents. The template helps ensure that advance directive documents prepared for JALA clients are consistent and up to date. The template also makes it easy for volunteers who may not specialize in advance directive documents to prepare them.

Why was the outcome important to your client? The client recognizes that she may have to rely more heavily on her daughter for day-to-day care as she ages. The documents gave her comfort knowing that they are in place should she need them. Providing peace of mind to a client is one of the best services an attorney can render. What did you gain from the experience? These experiences have been tremendously rewarding because

I can see firsthand that the legal services I provide correlate to an immediate tangible benefit for the client and their loved ones who are designated to take actions and make decisions on their behalf. For example, I prepared advance directive documents for a veteran who was in declining health. It was difficult for him to go to the Veterans Administration to complete routine paperwork. The VA said the client’s spouse could handle administrative matters on his behalf, but only

In what areas do you practice? I am an in-house attorney with Bank of America. I have worked in a number of different practice areas over the years, in private practice and in-house, but my primary areas of focus now generally are related to consumer and commercial automotive finance. Pro bono work obviously helps the client but it also offers the opportunity to have a direct, positive and meaningful impact in someone’s life. In addition, for litigators, pro bono work may resolve a matter that would otherwise wind up in the local court system. Anything the Bar can do to ease the burden on our judges and the Clerk of Courts is no doubt greatly appreciated as well. Should your circumstances prevent you from working directly with JALA, keep in mind that you can help with a financial contribution. Any support you can provide, no matter how small, will have a positive impact for those less fortunate, JALA, the court system and our community. Attorneys interested in advance directive cases and other pro bono opportunities in the 4th Judicial Circuit are encouraged to contact Missy Davenport at: missy.davenport@ jaxlegalaid.org.

LEGAL BRIEFS

Need CLE hours? Check out the JBA website The Jacksonville Bar Association has a CLE video library where you can purchase online CLE presentations and get those CLE credits you need in the convenience of your home or office. You may choose from as few as 0.5 CLER hours to as many as 8.0 CLER hours, including various certification hours. Just select the videos that correspond with the CLE credits you need, purchase them, watch online and submit for credit. Topics include family law, technology law, transactional law and professionalism for new practitioners. Visit jaxbar.org/store

Upcoming CLEs MARCH 11 What Keeps You Up At Night? A Seminar For Business Owners And Professionals That Serve Businesses Part 1 of 2 2 p.m., livestream 1.0 CLE approved by The Florida Bar MARCH 16 COVID-19 Update With Chief Judge Mark Mahon 2 p.m., livestream 1.0 CLE approved by The Florida Bar MARCH 18 What Keeps You Up At Night? A Seminar For Business Owners And

Professionals That Serve Businesses Part 2 of 2 2 p.m., livestream 1.0 CLE approved by The Florida Bar Register at www.jaxbar.org MARCH 25 Work From Home Cybersecurity Best Practices 2 p.m., livestream 1.0 CLE approved by The Florida Bar MARCH 30 Professionalism Committee CLE Noon, livestream 1.0 CLE pending approval by The Florida Bar

Keep involved in the JBA The driving force behind this organization is the active participation of its members. Please give the association the benefit of your ideas and talents by volunteering to serve on one or more of the committees shown on the JBA website. With your active involvement, this association will flourish. To join or change your committee preferences, open your web profile at jaxbar.org and click on “Join a Committee.”

THE BAR BULLETIN

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

COMMENTARY PRO FROMBONO THE PRESIDENT

Negotiate to succeed, not to win

BILL ADAMS GUNSTER JACKSONVILLE MANAGING SHAREHOLDER

Argument too often focuses on being right, rather than listening for openings to find agreement. I have a terrible habit, and I’m sure I’m not alone. Too often when in a discussion, I go into “argument mode.” The other person says something and I start thinking about where I want the conversation to go, I’m considering the reasons for going to that place, forming the positions I am going to take in order to get there. I’m looking for the exploitable weaknesses in the other’s statements that can be used to establish the justness of my cause. I do this in all contexts — at work, in conversations with friends and at home with my family. My wife hates this part of me. She’ll call me out for “lawyering” her every time, but it’s what I’ve been trained to do. After all, a good litigator does one thing: Win arguments. When I mediate cases, I always advise the parties that I will not decide which side is “right.” I usually give a semi-dramatic gesture toward the courthouse, telling the parties that the judge will decide who the winner is, but only after they spend a great deal of time and money. Parties and their counsel nod in agreement, leaving me feeling like I have imparted some great wisdom. Yet, almost immediately after hearing my great opening,

the parties get into “argument mode” and resume the business of trying to convince the other side (and me) that their position is the right one. The outcome is as predictable as the effort. It never works. Why not? Because there is no winning. In mediation, as in life, there are only two outcomes on contested issues: An agreement or a disagreement. Life is not a courtroom. Out in the world, there is no grand referee that picks winners and losers. You can either find yourself at a negotiated conclusion or you can continue the disagreement. So why does argument mode fail us, time after time? Go back

up and review the first paragraph again. The careful reader will note a critical absence. Argument too often focuses on being right, rather than listening for openings to find agreement. Argument mode says, “I want the other side to listen to me because I am right,” but I am not listening to them, other than to find ways to show how right I am. Is this persuasive? Am I convincing anyone of anything? Negotiation is a process with layers. The main subject under consideration forms the substance of the conversation, but there also is the underlying negotiation of how much information the parties exchange. Unquestionably, the side with

more and better information is more likely to get what they want from a negotiation. So how do you get a reluctant opponent to share their secrets? The best negotiators put the other side at ease, extract the information they need and then use it to steer the conversation to their benefit. If you want the other side to engage with you, engage with them first. Ask thoughtful questions. Listen to the responses. Concede the reasonableness of others’ desires, concerns and interests and, when they make good points, acknowledge them. Positive feedback works. When you want someone to give you information, reward-

ing them with your attention is the best way to get more of that behavior. A gentle smile, a minor concession or a thoughtful question often will get you much further than your brilliant argument. By engaging with your counterpart, you will learn more about their interests and positions, giving you a definite advantage and increasing your chances of a successful resolution. Bill Adams is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator, a Florida Supreme Court Qualified Arbitrator and a Certified Mediator for the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

YOUNG LAWYERS PRO BONO FROM THE PRESIDENT

A new firm faces extra challenge of pandemic

TAMLA LLOYD JBA YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION

“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”

Migrating from the island of St. Kitts to the U.S. was for me like embarking on a new journey, and it was more than a process. The path of migration is not a piece of cake. Although I knew nothing about the U.S. legal system, my determination motivated me to learn and understand immigration law to help other people like myself have the opportunity for a better life. Looking back, there were many experiences that helped me get to where I am today. One of those experiences that brought me to the first step of my journey to becoming a lawyer was getting to know the process of admission into a law school.

From those beginnings and up to this point, considering the journey was a struggle at times, I always have been passionate about this quest. I am happy I remained determined not only to complete the process, but also to be part of the process that allowed remarkable experiences to lead me to where I am today. Who knew I would complete this major accomplishment just before a pandemic put our nation on house arrest? I guess it is true what they say, “We can’t predict the future.” I never thought shortly after deciding to open my solo practice law firm, I would be faced with extra challenges such as trying to grow a small business

and bring clients into my firm while making sure to be safe during a pandemic. As a new lawyer, I pictured my career going in a different direction. I expected to finish law school, become a licensed attorney and immediately start working for a local medical malpractice law firm. However, the decision to open my firm was the best thing I’ve done. I learned from the proverbial phrase, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” It is important that we take and learn from each experience as it comes. That’s why this pandemic experience should not make us focus on the negativities of life. Instead, we should look for the

positives and use our attention and energy to help others. I am grateful for the support and encouragement received from fellow lawyers and mentors along the way, especially during this pandemic. I hope to share my experiences as a new lawyer with others, in the hope that my sharing will provide inspiration during these difficult and uncertain times. Tamla Lloyd graduated from Florida Coastal School of Law. She was admitted to The Florida Bar in September 2019 and established Lloyd Law Firm PLLC to practice business, immigration and real estate law.

THE BAR BULLETIN

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

COMMENTARY PRO FROMBONO THE PRESIDENT

Maintaining mental health in an unhealthy time

TEDDY FOSTER MORGAN & MORGAN

Connecting with new people in new ways can yield benefits. In a time of utter chaos in the legal community, it is difficult to remember to take some time for ourselves. Zoom depositions, telephonic hearings and working from home are the new normal for a lot of us. This is difficult enough without factoring in schools and day cares shutting down because of COVID-19 risk, which means you might find yourself working from home, taking care of young children or even infants. That’s

not exactly conducive to work. The past year caused many changes in the litigation process, but we cannot forget that mental health can’t take the back seat for any reason. Without it, we no longer are efficient advocates upholding the Florida Constitution and vigorously representing our clients. Now, more than ever, mental health needs to be a staple in everyone’s repertoire. What does mental health look like in the COVID era that makes it more difficult to relax and take our minds off work or that one case we can’t seem to stop thinking about? More personal days is the easy answer, but we know that just leads to more hectic days when you return and that is assuming you are not thinking about work during your off day. Maybe it’s just taking a walk outside to give your brain a rest while you give your body a little exercise. One thing I’ve done for a few years is playing basketball in the morning twice a week with a group of friends. We affectionately call it the “Tuesday Morning Basketball” league or “TMB”

for short. We have even made socks and car stickers for everyone who plays. It’s something we bond over after we finish playing and continue the “group chat” on our phones throughout the week. We try to get together for lunch at a new place every Friday and talk about things not related to our jobs. It’s a group that uplifts each other much like a support group. We all could use a

group like this, a group of people cheering us on and who’s there to help. In this group, I’m the only attorney. It’s refreshing to find a group that talks about things outside my legal world bubble. Don’t get me wrong, I love the law. I grew up surrounded by it and will never change professions, but it is stimulating to talk with Realtors, builders, bankers, stockbrokers, engineers, etc.

Because of these friendships, I have learned about the stock market (albeit it a beginner’s understanding at best), real estate trends and I’ve even gotten back into playing tennis and chess. We usually like the people we work with and it’s a blessing to work with people you consider your friends. However, in this COVID era, try something new. Join an investors club and learn why AMC Theatres and GameStop stocks shot up faster than a rocket; watch “The Queen’s Gambit” on Netflix and learn to play chess; take up a new sport; or finish that book you started (“Hamilton” for me). Find an outlet outside of the legal community that gives your brain a rest from legal analysis and otherwise engages you. You might find that a new hobby is just what you need to reset your state of mind. Whatever it is, take time for you and as Tom Haverford said in Parks and Rec: “Treat yo’self!” Teddy Foster is an attorney at Morgan & Morgan focusing on personal injury litigation.

Green: Think of yourself as a car: Stay fueled up CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

need to be more creative and less worn down. GET MOVING

It does not matter how “fit” you think you are. The goal is to get moving. Instead of remaining stuck inside the house or office, getting outside and into the fresh air will do wonders for both your mind and body. This is a great way to break up your day and to clear your mind. This type of

movement will release endorphins that will restore, revive, and refresh you. KEEP A GRATITUDE JOURNAL

Spending time to jot down a few things you are grateful for each day is a great way to shift your thoughts. Instead of focusing on everything you need to accomplish in the future you allow yourself to reflect on all the things you already accomplished. Celebrating small wins is a great way to decrease anxiety and increase productivity.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

Working from home does not have to equal being a couch bum. Remember why you dress up to go to the office. Sure, the (potential) client is more impressed. Of course, the boss expects it. Don’t forget about how it makes you feel on the inside. Think about how your confidence increases when you believe you look good. Those highly contested hearings and trials are the days you really show up as your best self, right? Keep the momentum going even

while working remotely. It’s natural for you to be outwardly focused and to care for those around you. Your family members, your loved ones, your clients, your staff, etc. If you become too overwhelmed, too tired, too anxious, or too depleted it will show up and impact your health, your relationships, your business, your finances, and ultimately every area of your life. Eliminate the downward spiral by taking a few minutes each day just to focus on you.

Think about yourself as a car. One of two things will happen if a car runs out of fuel. The car will just stop moving until it receives more fuel or the engine will fail, be damaged and possibly ruined. Don’t take these risks. Refuel yourself daily. You’ll be all the better for it. Marquita Green is the family law low bono director at Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, coordinating reduced-fee family law legal services.

Barnett: Women remain underrepresented CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

The Florida Bar reports that 38% of lawyers now practicing in the state are women. That statistic is promising. We have come a long way since the first female, Louise Pannell, was admitted to The Florida Bar in 1898. Over the years I heard about Judge Dorothy Pate and remember meeting Judge Virginia Beverly. Another trailblazer is federal court Judge Susan Black, who holds many firsts including being the first female assistant state attorney in 1969, first female County Court judge in

1973, first female Circuit Court judge in 1975, and, in 1979, Florida’s first female federal judge. I am proud that two of the top female government officials in our state were members of the JBA while they lived and worked in Jacksonville. State Attorney General Ashley Moody was a member of the association while she was working at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Jacksonville. State Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried was a JBA member while she was employed by the Holland & Knight law firm. Looking at just the state of

Florida, it is clear that women have emerged as leaders in not only the legal profession but in their communities and in state and local government. Perhaps the most notable increase in female attorneys’ presence is in the U.S. Supreme Court. Of the last five justices appointed, three are female: Justice Elena Kagan in 2010, Justice Sonia Sotomayor in 2009 and most recently, Justice Amy Coney Barrett in 2020. Since 1981 when President Reagan appointed Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the first female, there

have been five female justices. To have three currently sitting on America’s highest court is a leap for female representation in the most honored legal position. The strides made in the U.S. Supreme Court to have greater female representation are indicative of the heightened presence and impact women have and will continue to have on the law and government on all levels. Despite the leaps in representation and equality, there still is work to be done. While there is no question that women remain underrepresented in certain groups, most notably as partners

in large law firms, it is clear that change is happening. Within our profession and our local Bar, women are seated at the table and engaged in the process. Thank you for your confidence in me. I am proud to serve this organization and in doing so, continue the legacy of the trailblazing female lawyers who came before me. Michelle Bedoya Barnett is a founding partner of Alexander DeGance Barnett, focusing on labor and employment law.

DO BUSINESS WITH OUR SPONSORS DIAMOND

SILVER

MEDIA

JACKSONVILLE DAILY RECORD / JACKSONVILLE RECORD & OBSERVER

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

Top 10 home sales of week FROM STAFF

Here are the top 10 single-family residential real estate sales in Northeast Florida, comprising Duval and St. Johns counties. The sales were recorded Feb. 22-28.

JaxDailyRecord.com

ST. JOHNS

$1,625,000

$1,425,300

1134 Neck Road, Ponte Vedra Beach

3095 S. Ponte Vedra Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach

Type: Single-family lot Lot size: 1.63 acres Buyer: Neil M. and Julie S. Pryor Seller: Dale J. Williams

Type: Single-family Lot size: 0.39 acres House size: 3,276 square feet Buyer: Vladimir Rak and Natalie J. Martin-Rak Seller: Richard A. Yeowart and Robert D. H. Hopkinson Previous sale: $1,424,000 in 2014

DUVAL

ST. JOHNS

$2,750,000 341 San Juan Drive, Ponte Vedra Beach Type: Single-family Lot size: 0.46 acres House size: 4.056 square feet Buyer: Derek Benedictson and Lea S. Tepedino Seller: Susan T. and Andrew B. Cheney Previous sale: $2,100,000 in 2017

About the property: Lakefront three-story coastal Floridian-style home. Features four bedrooms, four full and two half-baths, summer kitchen, outdoor entertainment area, pool and dock.

$1,605,030

DUVAL

3954 Ponte Vedra Blvd., Jacksonville Beach

$1,400,000

Type: Single-family Lot size: 0.33 acres House size: 3,554 square feet Buyer: Barry and Polly Gleichenhaus Seller: E. William and Sandra R. Kavanaugh Previous sale: $935,000 in 1988

DUVAL ST. JOHNS

ST. JOHNS

$1,450,000

$2,075,000

$1,750,000

$1,699,000

313 Pablo Road, Ponte Vedra Beach

923 Ocean Palm Way, St. Augustine

3039 S. Ponte Vedra Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach

1031 S. First St., No. 607, Jacksonville Beach

Type: Single-family lot Lot size: 0.43 acres Buyer: The Joann C. Kuss Living Trust Seller: Jane D. and McGehee Porter

Type: Single-family Lot size: Not available House size: 4,552 square feet Buyer: Gregory G. and Karen E. Montana Seller: Robert L. and Stephanie B. Garrison

Type: Single-family Lot size: 0.4 acres House size: 3,751 square feet Buyer: Bradley and Marie Fennell Seller: Marshall K. Coleman Previous sale: $1,475,000 in 2016

Type: Costa Verano Condominium Condominium size: 2,058 square feet Buyer: Mark and Ellie Pichelmann Seller: Joseph G. and Hannah H. Cernigliaro Previous sale: $925,000 in 2016

19 Ninth Ave. N., Jacksonville Beach Type: Single-family Lot size: 0.07 acres House size: 2,775 square feet Buyer: Stuart L. and Natalie Koren Palmer Seller: Dana G. and Shelly S. Leonard Previous sale: $980,000 in 2016

DUVAL

$1,275,000 14423 Marina San Pablo Place S., No. 8, Jacksonville Type: Town house Lot size: 0.09 acres House size: 2,867 square feet Buyer: Stephen P. Randolph Seller: Joseph F. and Julie A. Bowers Previous sale: $834,900 in 2018

PONTE VEDRA BEACH HOME READY FOR OCCUPANCY SUMMER 2021 *

800-728-1934 x1217 • www.PonteVedraBeachNewHome.com For Direct Sales Inquiries Call Steve Williams 904-241-8687 *See Agent for Details. Subject to change without notice. For financing information, contact Paul Miller (NMLS# 121182) at CenterStateBank Mortgage. Cell: (904) 334-8080 | Email: paul.miller@centerstatebank.com www.csbankmortgage.com/paul-miller Subject to credit approval. CenterState Bank, N.A. NMLS# 403455. South State Bank and CenterState Bank, N.A. have merged to become South State Bank, N.A. Please visit bankingforward.com to learn more.

333144-1

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE