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What’s ahead for the Wildlight master-planned community PAGE 12

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JACKSONVILLE

Record & Observer DEVELOPMENT

Pair of new stores in works for Town Center

JEA’S NEXT HQ Record & Observer JACKSONVILLE

What put the West Adams Street site past the Jaguars, Northbank locations.

Sur La Table, Warby Parker seeking building permits for the space that was vacated by Williams-Sonoma.

JACKSONVILLE

Record & Observer JEA’s board of directors selected Ryan Companies US Inc. to build a new campus at 325 W. Adams St. near the Duval County Courthouse and State Attorney’s Office.

BY KAREN BRUNE MATHIS EDITOR

JACKSONVILLE

Housewares store Sur La Table and fashion eyeglass retailer Warby Parker appear to be prospective tenants at St. Johns Town Center in the closed Williams-Sonoma space. Williams-Sonoma closed recently and its roughly 6,500-square-foot space at 4712 River City Drive, No. 109, is being prepared for two tenants. Sur La Table, a housewares company based in Seattle, will take 5,049 square feet at that address, according to a building permit application filed with the city. No contractor is listed for the $500,000 build-out. Similar to Williams-Sonoma, Sur La Table sells cookware, bakeware, dinnerware, glassware, kitchen tools, knives, small appliances, grilling accessories, décor and specialty foods, coffee and tea. The company opened in 1972 and has expanded to more than 120 stores in at least 32 states and the District of Columbia. It has seven locations in Florida. Sur La Table did not respond immediately to an email requesting comment. Warby Parker, which is the operating name for New Yorkbased JAND Inc., is shown as the user of 1,460 square feet of space at 4712 River City Drive, No. 107. The city is reviewing a permit application for a $300,000 buildout for JAND in the end space of

Record & Observer BY DAVID CAWTON ASSOCIATE EDITOR

File image

ver the next 120 days, JEA will complete an agreement with Ryan Companies US Inc. to lease and build a new corporate headquarters in Downtown Jacksonville. JEA’s board of directors selected the Minneapolis-based development company Tuesday to build a new campus at 325 W. Adams St., near the Duval County Courthouse and State Attorney’s Office. The estimated $72.2 million development comprises a nine-story, 207,810-square-foot tower for offices and a customer service center and a detached 850-space parking garage.

A rendering of a new JEA HQ. The estimated $72.2 million development comprises a nine-story, 207,810-square-foot tower.

SEE JEA, PAGE 10

The JEA headquarters site as seen from Julia and Adams streets.

Photo by Monty Zickuhr

SEE STORES, PAGE 11

ECONOMIC TRENDS

Optimistic forecast for region, U.S. Port helping boost area. PAGE 3 VOLUME 1, NO. 44 • ONE SECTION

Page 2 • Thursday, April 4, 2019

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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 Record, is published Monday-Friday and is the Official Court Newspaper of the Circuit Court and publisher of public notices in Duval County. Renderings special to the Daily Record

Plans for The Exchange at Jacksonville include an amphitheater, food hall, apartments, offices and more. The property is at southeast Butler Boulevard and Interstate 295.

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, economic and industry trends and how local and state government affects business.

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DEVELOPMENT Plans unveiled for the Exchange at Jacksonville Fuqua Development Principal Jeff Fuqua unveiled plans for his proposed $300 million mixed-use project named, for now, the Exchange at Jacksonville. Atlantabased Fuqua Development plans to develop the 67-acre retail, entertainment, hotel, office and apartment center on land it will buy from the Skinner family at southeast Butler Boulevard and Interstate 295. “It’s a big project but it has a local focus,” Fuqua said. He said he hasn’t decided whether to seek public financial incentives for the project. A video presentation shows that the signature 20-kitchen Bold City Food Hall might feature tenants such as CuliVino, a new concept by Jacksonville chef Tom Gray, along with Black Sheep, El Jefe, 29 South, Taverna, Vagabond Coffee, Mayday Ice Cream, Tabouleh Mediterranean Café, North Beach Fish Camp, Keg & Coin and Community Loaves. “We win by being the local guys,” Fuqua said. The developer introduced El Jefe and 29 South owner and chef Scott Schwartz as food hall curator and partner. Other names include Botiwalla Indian Street Grill, Sushi Bear, Timwah Dim Sum, Little Miss Ha and Farm Burger. The development is the retail center of 1,063 acres owned by the Skinner family. Fuqua intends to buy the land in early 2020. There also are plans for two luxury hotels, a CineBistro, four apartment complexes and buildings with ground-floor retail topped by apartments and offices. Construction could start in the first quarter for a 20-month build-out, with most of it under construction at the same time.

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RESTAURANTS

Panera Bread to open at Nocatee Town Center The PARC Group and Regency Centers announced Panera Bread will open late this year in Nocatee Town Center. “The all-day café is a use that isn’t currently offered in the community, and we are happy to have landed a best-in-breed operator,” said Patrick McKinley, Regency Centers vice president and market officer. The location will be north of Daily’s and south of Nocatee Parkway, off Crosswater Parkway. The permit application filed with the St. Johns River Water Management District shows Panera Bread at southwest Crosswater Parkway and Village Lake Drive.

GOVERNMENT Former newscaster new city public affairs director Former television newscaster Nikki Kimbleton was appointed director of public affairs for the city of Jacksonville. “This is a crucial role and requires extensive communications experience, and also a passion and love for our city,” said Mayor Lenny Curry in a news release. Kimbleton has more than 20 years of experience as a journalist, most recently 13 years at WJXT TV-4. She began her professional career during her junior year at Troy University in Alabama working as an anchor and reporter in Montgomery and Birmingham. In 2004, she moved home to Jacksonville. Kimbleton will start with the mayor’s office Tuesday.

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POSTAL INFORMATION 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, 10 N. Newnan St., 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.

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Thursday, April 4, 2019 • Page 3

Economist: Jacksonville market strong ECONOMIC TRENDS

Cushman & Wakefield’s Kevin Thorpe says the Northeast Florida industrial market is “as close to a can’t miss as there is.” BY MARK BASCH CONTRIBUTING WRITER

“Economists love to predict recessions,” admits Kevin Thorpe, chief economist and global head of research for Cushman & Wakefield. “The running joke is we were successful predicting nine of the last four,” he said last week at a NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association Northeast Florida Chapter luncheon. Actually, most economists are “pretty optimistic about this year,” Thorpe said at the event at The River Club Downtown. He said 90 percent of members of the National Association Thorpe for Business Economics don’t expect a recession in 2019, with the average forecast calling for 2.1 percent growth in U.S. gross domestic product. Concerns about slowdowns in China and Europe may be clouding the U.S. outlook, but Thorpe pointed out those economies are still growing, just at a slower rate. “Despite the global slowdown, the expansion will continue and not be ending anytime soon,” he said. “I would argue the U.S. economy is more likely to shoot itself in the foot than to allow the global economy to do that to us.” Speaking to a group of commercial real estate professionals, Thorpe said the metrics for the Jacksonville market are strong, particularly for industrial properties. “Industrial is about as close to a can’t miss as there is in the commercial real estate industry,” he said. Jacksonville’s industrial vacancy rate is 2.3 percent, well below its historical average vacancy of 8.1 percent, he said. That’s the third-lowest vacancy rate among the top 50 markets in the U.S. Thorpe thinks business from

The port’s economic boost Kevin Thorpe, chief economist and global head of research for Cushman & Wakefield, said business from Jacksonville’s port and rail connections will continue to make Northeast Florida a strong industrial real estate market.

Photo provided by JaxPort

Low vacancy rates, unemployment Thorpe said the metrics for the Jacksonville market are strong:

2.3%

Industrial vacancy rate, well below the historical average vacancy of 8.1%

Jacksonville’s port and rail connections will continue to make Northeast Florida a strong industrial real estate market. “You’re kind of at the heart of the intermodal network,” he said. The vacancy rate for office buildings in the Jacksonville market was higher than for industrial properties at 12.9 percent in the fourth quarter, Thorpe said. But that’s still below the 10-year average of 18.3 percent. Thorpe told audience members they would have a better handle on the local market than he does, but “from a macro view, it looks like this market can use

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12.9%

Office building vacancy rate in the fourth quarter, below the 10-year average of 18.3%

some new office buildings.” Jacksonville’s growth is benefiting from a continued migration of new residents, he said. The net migration in the Jacksonville area was an addition of 69,000 residents from 2016 to 2018, and he projects that pace to continue with a net addition of 66,000 people from 2019 through 2021. Thorpe projects jobs in the Jacksonville market will grow by 13,900 this year, which would rank the area 35th of the 50 largest U.S. metropolitan areas. However, the area’s unemployment rate, at 3.4 percent last month, remains low.

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3.4%

Northeast Florida unemployment rate

Thorpe said the low unemployment rate could result in labor shortages. “This is going to create some challenges,” he said, including difficulty in retaining workers and filling open positions. It also will prompt businesses to increase wages, which will hurt their profitability. On the other hand, higher wages will increase consumer spending power, which will help the overall economy. “The U.S. is still a 70 percent consumer spending-based economy,” Thorpe said. While most economists do not expect a recession this year,

30 percent of NABE economists think it could happen in 2020 and 50 percent expect a downturn by 2021. But Thorpe said any recession will not be as severe as the 2007-09 downturn. “The U.S. financial system is as solid as I’ve ever seen,” he said. As far as Thorpe is concerned, the economy is not slowing too much but not overheating. It could be described as just right. “It really puts the Goldilocks scenario back in play,” he said. MBASCH@ JAXDAILYRECORD.COM

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Page 4 • Thursday, April 4, 2019

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THE MATHIS REPORT

Tamaya Market permits in review

Site plans show Sprouts Farmers Market with adjoining shops and outparcels available for development.

The Tamaya Market construction permits cover 53,676 square feet of retail space, comprising a 29,896-squarefoot Sprouts and the adjoining retail shops of 11,539 square feet and 12,241 square feet. Randy Kelley, Harbour Retail Partners principal, said the more than $20 million project KAREN BRUNE MATHIS could be comEDITOR pleted near the end of Sprouts Farmers 2019. Sprouts Market is the anchor Kelley is expected to open in the for the shopping center first quarter of 2020. near Beach and Kernan. Tamaya Market is designed as a 75,000-square-foot shopping Tamaya Market is taking center. In addition to the groshape near Beach and Kernan cery store and shops, another boulevards to feature the city’s 22,000 to 25,000 square feet second Sprouts Farmers Marwill be developed among the ket grocery store. three outparcels, Kelley said. The city is reviewing permit Directors Nancy Sumner applications for the Sprouts and Katy Figg with Colliers market, two adjoining sets of International are the leasing retail shops and a retaining wall. representatives. Harbour Retail Partners of A site plan in the ColWrightsville, North Carolina, liers marketing brochure is developing the shopping shows three outparcels of center on 11.22 acres at 12675 0.60 acres and 1.06 acres for Beach Blvd., at northwest 5,000-square-foot buildings Beach and Tamaya boulevards. and a 1.56-acre site for up to

Renderings special to the Daily Record

10,000 square feet. Harbour Retail Partners is open to selling, ground-leasing or building-to-suit on the outparcels. A gas station is not allowed by Tamaya’s approved planned unit development. Kelley said eight tenants, which he declined to identify, are in stages of lease negotiations at the market. In November, Harbour Retail Partners bought the Tamaya property for $6.73 million from the ICI Homes group, the Tamaya developer. Ameris Bank of Atlanta issued a mortgage of $18.64 million. The market is at the entrance

to the 780-acre Tamaya development, where 2,400 homes are planned. Colliers International says 350 homes are occupied. Also, the 171-unit Grand Living at Tamaya independent living, assisted living and memory care center is scheduled to open by early summer. Kelley said previously the location at Beach and Kernan boulevards “has a lot of appeal, great traffic counts and lots of visibility.” Colliers says the population is 10,048, at an average household income of $106,615, within a mile and 171,933, at an

average $85,106, within 5 miles The Tamaya Sprouts will be the Phoenix-based chain’s second in Jacksonville. The first is scheduled to open in the second quarter this year at The Markets at Town Center. It is under construction in the former Best Buy store at 4893 Town Center Parkway. The city issued a permit for a $2.5 million renovation for that 30,162-square-foot Sprouts. Sprouts said the stores will feature its newest interior designs. It focuses on its center-store produce. Departments include The Butcher Shop, Fish Market and The

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Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer Market Corner Deli. As of Dec. 30, Sprouts operated 313 stores in 19 states.

Publix, shops coming to RiverTown The Shoppes at RiverTown is the new project that Publix Super Markets Inc. will anchor in St. Johns County. The 27.83-acre retail center is planned at Greenbriar Road and Longleaf Pine Parkway within the 5,000-acre RiverTown master-planned community by Mattamy Homes. Mattamy Homes and Publix announced the commercial project last week. The Shoppes at RiverTown will comprise a 65,765-squarefoot retail center anchored by a 54,965-square-foot Publix that will include a drive-thru pharmacy. It is connected to a multitenant, 10,800-squarefoot building that will be leased to retail shops. Plans filed with the St. Johns River Water Management District also show three outparcels – two at 1.25 acres at one at 1.2 acres, each accommodating a 5,000-square-foot retail building. Fleming Development & Consulting LLC of Atlantic Beach is listed as the developer. EnglandThims & Miller Inc. is the civil engineer. Fisher and Associates LLC of Clearwater is the architect. RiverTown is selling new homes in 10 neighborhoods. The homes range from the mid-$200,000s to more than $1 million. Mattamy said 11 model homes are open daily to tour. KMATHIS@JAXDAILYRECORD.COM @MATHISKB (904) 356-2466

Thursday, April 4, 2019 • Page 5

RETAIL NOTES Earth Pets in San Marco: Earth Pets Natural Pet Market intends to open in mid-May at 1635 Hendricks Ave. Center, Knight & May Contractors LLC is the contractor for the $36,800 build-out of 1,605 square feet in the center anchored by The Olive Tree Mediterranean Grille and Cline’s Custom Meats. The natural pet foods retailer for dogs and cats has stores in Gainesville, where it was founded 40 years ago, and in Jacksonville at 11740 San Jose Blvd. in Mandarin. Earth Pets also sells accessories, toys and provides grooming services. Dollar Tree in East Arlington: Dollar Tree intends to open in East Arlington at 2485 Monument Road in Monument Landing. No contractor is listed for the $180,000 buildout of 8,470 square feet next to Bailey’s Health & Fitness. Convenience store near airport: While no company is identified, JEA issued an availability letter for a 6,000-squarefoot convenience store and car wash at southeast International Airport and Biscayne boulevards in North Jacksonville. Prosser Inc. is the civil engineer. Tumi at Town Center: Luggage retailer Tumi will build-out at St. Johns Town Center. WFO Construction LLC is the contractor for the $75,000 project for tenant improvements in 1,496 square feet at 4812 River City Drive, No. 107. CycleBar in Gateway Village: CycleBar requests a certificate of use for its location in Gateway Village at Town Center. Novaturient LLC, doing business as CycleBar, intends to occupy 2,650 square feet at 5010 Gate Parkway, Suite 101. Construction in Gateway Village: Gateway Village at Town Center is preparing to add a 9,324-square-foot,

multitenant building on 1.5 acres at 10618 Deerwood Park Blvd. North Coast Construction is the contractor for the $1.13 million project. Champs in Regency Pointe: The city approved permits for four signs for Champs Sports at 9402 Arlington Expressway in the Regency Pointe shopping center. Taylor Sign & Design Inc. is the contractor for the $4,500 project. Champs is expected to move from Regency Square Mall to the new address, where it will lease 6,350 square feet, according to a Regency Pointe leasing flyer. CVS on Dunn: CVS intends to renovate its pharmacy at 1190 Dunn Ave. at a cost of $105,159. The city is reviewing a permit application. Prime Car Wash on Beach: The city is reviewing site plans for Prime Car Wash at 14190 Beach Blvd. at Washburn Road for property owner Sea Lion Real Estate LLC. Plans show an 11,212-square-foot building on 1.74 acres, near San Pablo Road. Goodwill in Oakleaf and Westside: The city issued a permit for Bush Construction Co. Inc. to build and complete an almost 16,500-square-foot building at 6046 Wesconnett Blvd. in West Jacksonville for Goodwill at $2.5 million. The city also is reviewing a permit for Target Contractors Inc. to build an almost 16,500-square-foot building on 1.62 acres at 8460 Merchants Way in Oakleaf Station in Southwest Jacksonville at a construction cost of $913,585. Daily’s in Julington: JEA issued a utility service availability letter for a 6,400-square-foot First Coast Energy Daily’s gas station and convenience store at 600 Florida 13 N. in Julington Creek. First Coast Energy said it owns the property but

has not defined a construction start date or other details. Aldi in St. Augustine: Aldi intends to add 3,714 square feet to its store at 1773 U.S. 1 S. in Seabridge Square in St. Augustine. It’s a $1 million project, according to a St. Johns County building permit. The store opened in 2014. The Seabridge Square site map shows Aldi is 23,323 square feet. Burlington, Ross and Hand & Stone at Durbin Pavilion: Burlington is building-out a 35,000-square-foot store at a cost of $1.4 in The Pavilion at Durbin Park in St. Johns County. Ross Dress for Less will build-out 22,000 square feet at a cost of $880,000. Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa is building-out in 2,400 square feet at a cost of $300,000. Gate Carwashes in Oakleaf, St. Johns County: Gate Petroleum Co. wants to build a Gate Express Carwash at Argyle Forest Boulevard and Middleburg Road in the Oakleaf area. The city is reviewing site plans for the 4,350-square-foot building on 1.01 acres. CPH Inc. is the civil engineer. St. Johns County is reviewing plans for construction of a 4,362-square-foot Gate Express Carwash on 1.6 acres along County Road 210 West, west of Interstate 95. Caliber Collision along Philips and in Orange Park: Caliber Collision proposes to develop an 18,625-square-foot auto-truck repair collision-repair center on 2.29 acres at 11556 Philips Highway, south of Interstate 295. The city calculated a $30,988 mobility fee to mitigate the traffic impact. The existing structures on the site will be removed. Atwill LLC is the agent. In Orange Park, JEA issued a letter of utility service availability for Caliber Collision to operate at 910 Blanding Blvd., where Caliber Collision proposes an 18,200-square-foot auto-truck collision repair facility.

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Page 6 • Thursday, April 4, 2019

Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer

THE BASCH REPORT

ParkerVision gives up on Milo wireless router

MARK BASCH CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Jacksonville-based technology company says it plans to preserve resources for its patent litigation efforts. After a year and a half of sales disappointments, ParkerVision Inc. said Monday it is giving up on its in-home wireless product called Milo. Jacksonville-based ParkerVision, which has been developing wireless technology for years but has not successfully marketed a product with it, now is focused solely on its patent infringement lawsuits against several major electronics companies. Introduced in the fall of 2017, the company said Milo offered superior performance to other in-home wireless routers. But sales reached just $100,000 by the end of that year and in its annual report filed Monday, ParkerVision said 2018 sales were only $135,000. ParkerVision began sharply cutting expenses in mid-2018 and in its third-quarter report, the company said it had to curtail marketing efforts for Milo to save money. In a news release Monday, the company said it expects to “sell or otherwise exit Milo product operations” to preserve its resources for its patent litigation efforts. In a brief conference call for investors Monday, CEO Jeff Parker gave updates on the progress of three pending patent infringement lawsuits but didn’t even mention Milo. ParkerVision has spent several years in litigation alleging major technology companies are illegally using its patented wireless technology. “It seems to be that the norm with patent litigation these days is an exercise in hurry up and wait,” Parker said Monday.

File image

In 2017 and 2018 combined, sales of ParkerVision’s Milo product reached $235,000.

ParkerVision last year closed its second office in Lake Mary and severely cut staff. According to its annual report, it had 14 full-time and two part-time employees as of Dec. 31, down from 45 full-time and five part-time workers at the end of 2017. ParkerVision recorded a net loss of $20.9 million, or 85 cents a share, for 2018. The company, founded in 1989, has lost money every year since its initial public offering in 1993.

Big stock moves for Jacksonvillebased firms

ParkerVision’s stock doubled in value in the first quarter. But starting from a year-end 2018 value of 14 cents, that represents an increase to a closing price of just 28 cents at the end of the quarter. Another Jacksonville-based company that started the year priced below $1, Drone Aviation Holding Corp., had a bigger first-quarter gain of 110% as the stock rose from 50 cents to $1.05. But the first quarter was good to a lot of stocks, both nationally and in Jacksonville. The S&P 500 index rose 13.1%, its biggest quarterly gain since 2009, according to CNBC. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 11.2% in the quarter. Eighteen of 20 companies headquartered in the Jacksonville area registered gains in the first quarter, with 14 of them beating the S&P 500 performance. The top four were stocks that were trading below $1 when the year started. Besides Drone

Aviation and ParkerVision, GEE Group Inc. rose 71% and Duos Technologies Group Inc. rose 48%. Among more conventionally priced stocks, the winner was Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc., which rose 27% to $13.56. The two stocks that declined in the quarter were Stein Mart Inc., down 7%, and Patriot Transportation Holdings Inc., down 5%. Stein Mart’s stock, which has hovered near the $1 level, edged lower over the last two weeks of the quarter after it reported a decline in sales for the fourth quarter. Patriot, which reported lower earnings for its first quarter ended Dec. 31, bounced up and down during the quarter.

Shoe Carnival jumps on strong earnings

Shoe Carnival Inc. was the top performing stock on Nasdaq a day after reporting better-than-expected earnings. The footwear chain controlled by former Jacksonville Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver reported adjusted earnings of 9 cents a share in the fourth quarter ended Feb. 2, which was 2 cents lower than the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017. Total sales of $234.7 million were 3.5% lower than the previous year. However, Shoe Carnival’s earnings were 3 cents higher than the consensus forecast of analysts and sales were $1.7 million above the consensus forecast, according to Zacks Investment Research. The company also reported

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a strong increase of 4.7% for comparable-store sales, which measures sales at stores open for more than one year. Shoe Carnival is forecasting 2019 earnings of $2.60 to $2.70 a share, up from $2.45 in fiscal 2018, with comparable-store sales rising by a low singledigit percentage. “Our merchant team continues to do a great job of identifying new trends, categories and key items of the season. They then buy these items with sufficient depth so that we can take advantage of key shopping periods like back-toschool and holidays,” CEO Cliff Sifford said in Shoe Carnival’s conference call with analysts. Weaver is chairman of Shoe Carnival and his family is the company’s largest shareholder, controlling about 31 percent of the stock. Shoe Carnival’s stock jumped $6.82 to $37.30 on March 27 after the earnings report. The 22.38% gain was the best for all Nasdaq-listed stocks that day.

Deleeuw also weighed in on Fidelity’s pending acquisition of title insurer Stewart Information Services Corp., after the company extended a deadline to complete the deal by three months. “We continue to believe the deal will be approved, but we acknowledge that the uncertainty level has increased,” he said.

Acquisitions boost ARC Group revenue

Analysts say lower rates benefit FNF

The owner of the Dick’s Wings & Grill restaurant chain more than doubled sales in 2018, helped by the acquisition of another chain. Jacksonville-based ARC Group Inc. reported revenue of $9.5 million, up from $4.3 million in 2017. The increase was helped by $3.8 million in revenue from the acquired Fat Patty’s restaurant chain, but the company said it also increased revenue by 30% at its Dick’s Wings business. ARC Group also has an agreement to acquire the Tilted Kilt Pub and Eatery chain, which will increase annual revenue to $25 million, CEO Seenu Kasturi said in a news release Monday. “At the same time, we are evaluating a number of other attractive acquisition targets in the marketplace that would provide us with additional brands and offer us product and geographic diversification,” he said. Despite the increase in sales, the company recorded a net loss of $282,483, or 4 cents a share, in 2018.

Fidelity National Financial Inc. rose a modest 16% to $36.55 in the first quarter, but one analyst is expecting bigger gains ahead. “We believe a lower interest rate regime has emerged that will be favorable for home purchase activity,” Piper Jaffray analyst Jason Deleeuw said in a research note Monday as he raised his price target for Fidelity from $44 to $49. A decline in rates also could increase mortgage refinancing activity, which would benefit the Jacksonville-based title insurance company, he said. Although Fidelity’s shares are up this year along with the rest of the market, Deleeuw said the stock has declined about 12 percent since an early 2018 rise in mortgage rates. So falling rates would be a big lift for shareholders. “A significant economic downturn that hurts commercial is the key risk to our upgrade,” he said. “However, a modest economic downturn may still be positive for FNF as the benefits to home purchase activity from lower interest rates may offset the negatives from modestly weakening employment.”

Ameris merger meetings set Ameris Bancorp and Fidelity Southern Corp. scheduled special shareholders meetings for May 6 to vote on their proposed merger. Ameris, which has its executive offices in Jacksonville, agreed in December to buy Atlanta-based Fidelity Southern for $751 million in stock. The merged company would have assets of $16.6 billion and 191 bank branches in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina. MBASCH@ JAXDAILYRECORD.COM

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Thursday, April 4, 2019 • Page 7

REAL ESTATE

Top 10 sales of the week BY SCOTT SAILER • EDITORIAL RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Here are the top 10 real estate sales in Northeast Florida, comprising Baker, Clay, Duval and St. Johns counties. The sales were recorded March 25-29.

File image

Seaside Apartments at 1985 Atlantic Blvd. sold for $11.25 million, 333% more than the $2.6 million the property sold for in 2012.

$11,250,000

$5,000,000

$3,607,111

$3,540,000

$3,400,000

1085 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach, Duval County

5624 Cagle Road, Jacksonville, Duval County

1551 County Road 220, Orange Park, Clay County

Sandler Oaks Drive, Jacksonville, Duval County

2061 Beach Ave., Atlantic Beach, Duval County

Type: Seaside Apartments Size: 6.3 acres Buyer: Seaside MIP MZL LLC, Seaside NCM LLC and Goldenvaal Seaside LLC Seller: 1085 Atlantic LLC Previous sale: $2,600,000 in 2012

Type: Econo Lodge hotel Size: 3.72 acres Buyer: Babaji Shivram Hotel Jacksonville LLC Seller: Real Hospitality Inc. Previous sale: $2,525,000 in 1996

Type: CVS Pharmacy Size: 1.35 acres Buyer: 1551 County Road 220 LLC Seller: Fran Property Investments Inc.

Type: 59 single-family lots, Sandler Oaks Phase One Size: Not available Buyer: Forestar USA Real Estate Group Inc. Seller: Patriot Ridge LLP

Type: Single-family Size: 0.27 acres Buyer: David L. Nunes Seller: Richard and Mimi Shaw Trust

$2,625,000

$2,465,200

$1,825,000

$1,674,000

$1,600,000

6920 Phillips Industrial Blvd., Jacksonville, Duval County

Sandstone Drive, St. Augustine, St. Johns County

942 Lew Blvd., St. Augustine, St. Johns County

7060 Florida A1A S., St. Augustine, St. Johns County

5317 Bentpine Cove Road, Jacksonville, Duval County

Type: Warehouse Size: 3.25 acres Buyer: North Florida HVAC Supply Inc. Seller: Sidekicks Inc.

Type: 35 single-family lots, Treaty Oaks, phase 2 Size: Not available Buyer: KB Home Jacksonville LLC Seller: Double Eagle Development LLC

Type: Single-family Size: 0.75 acres Buyer: William and Susan Foody Seller: Lynda H. George

Type: Single-family Size: 0.81 acres Buyer: Michael K. and Colleen M. Sprinkle Seller: Ronald G. and Suzanne M. Tumlin Previous sale: $377,500 in 1996

Type: Single-family Size: 0.76 acres Buyer: Carole Consul and Charles Y. Sammour Seller: Joseph A. and Maria C. Arcuri Previous sale: $1,505,000 in 2017

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Page 8 • Thursday, April 4, 2019

Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer

OPINION / OUR VIEW

Transparency needed for amendments MATT WALSH PUBLISHER

Two bills would bring an end to Florida’s confusing constitutional amendments.

t’s about time. Finally, state lawmakers have realized Florida’s constitutional amendment process needs serious reforms — reforms that will shine the light of transparency on the often vague constitutional amendments that appear every four years on Florida’s statewide ballots and a reform that will simplify proposed amendments. Take the 2018 Florida elections. There were 12 constitutional amendments on the ballot, and it’s a good bet the 8,305,329 Floridians who cast votes didn’t have much of a clue of who was behind each amendment; the back story behind the amendments; who favored and opposed the

amendment; who funded the initiative and the advertising for or against; or the consequences if the amendment passed or was rejected. When voters read their ballots, they read 50- to 75-word explanations of measures that, in most cases, would change the Florida Constitution forever, some in dramatic ways. But for decade upon decade, many Floridians have lamented the Florida Constitution has become a dumping ground for what amounts to specialinterest legislation. The one glaring example of this is the infamous pig confinement amendment in 2002, making it unconstitutional to confine a pregnant pig in a crate or cage that prevents the pig from turning around freely. Pregnant pig crates a constitutional matter? C’mon. Surely, when you think of a constitution, you think of the U.S. Constitution, which articulates our fundamental rights and how we’re governed. For good reason, it’s extraordinarily difficult to amend. This is the way the Florida Constitution should be as well. But it’s not. And the reason is Florida, like many states, has a voter initiative process whose basic requirement is to obtain enough verified voter signatures on petitions — 8% of total voters in the last presidential election — to put a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot. Various interest groups use

STEPS TO MAKE AMENDMENTS TRANSPARENT, SIMPLIFIED The following 11 provisions are from House Bill 7111, which would require more disclosure in Florida’s amendment initiative process: Require a petition-gatherer to attest that he or she is a Florida resident Allow interested persons to submit position statements for publication on the Department of State website Extend the time for the Financial Impact Estimating Conference to complete its analysis Require the analysis to summarize the impact to the state and local economy Require each supervisor of elections to include a copy of the summary in the publication or mailing required by FS 101.20 Require the name of the sponsor of an initiative to appear on the ballot with the percentage of donations received from certain in-state donors Require a statement to appear on the ballot if the amendment is estimated to increase costs, decrease revenue or have an indeterminate impact

this process either to avoid having their idea go through the Legislature, where the measure can be modified or killed; or they use it precisely because the Legislature refuses to take up their cause. There is a second route to proposed constitutional

Require a statement to appear on the ballot indicating whether the policy proposed by a constitutional amendment can be implemented by the Legislature Require the attorney general to make specified requests of the Supreme Court relating to proposed amendments Require a copy of proposed amendments to be provided in each voting booth Prohibit compensation for initiative petitiongatherers based on the number of petitions gathered. SINGLE SUBJECT AMENDMENT Constitutional Amendment Article XI, Section 2 Establishing single-subject limitation for Constitution Revision Commission proposals — Proposing an amendment to the state Constitution to require that any proposal of a revision to the state Constitution, or any part thereof, filed by the Constitution Revision Commission with the custodian of state records for placement on the ballot be limited to a single subject and matter directly connected to such subject.

amendments. Every 20 years Florida convenes a Constitution Revision Commission, which is charged with evaluating the constitution and proposing fixes. Out of this process, the commission placed eight amendments on the 2018 ballot. And complicat-

ing matters was the fact four of the Constitution Revision Commission’s amendments contained multiple issues. They overwhelmed and confused voters. Alas, two pieces of legislation moving slowly through this session of the Legislature

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Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer can provide dramatic remedies to this annoying and frustrating problem for voters. Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Orange Park, proposed a Senate Joint Resolution that would restrict the Constitution Revision Commission to proposing only one-subject amendments. If you recall, one amendment on the 2018 ballot contained three different subjects. Recall, too, that everyone else who proposes a constitutional amendment is restricted to one subject. This resolution would eliminate special treatment for the revision commission. That measure should pass unimpeded. More dramatic are House Bill 7111 and Senate Bill 7096. These two bills would bring strong rays of sunlight and transparency to a dark and well-cloaked process. Rep. Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, as chair of the House Judiciary Committee, and Rep. James Grant, R-Tampa, sponsored House Bill 7111, while the Senate Judiciary Committee proposed Senate Bill 7096. Overall, nine of the bills’ 11 provisions would be beneficial to voters. For instance: n It would allow “interested persons” to submit position statements — pro or con — underneath the proposed amendments on the Department of State Division of Elections website. Surely you would like to see who supports or opposes amendments. n It would require on the ballot an analysis and financial impact statement by the Financial Impact Estimating Conference, specifying any estimated increase or decrease in revenue or costs to state or local governments, as well as the estimated

Thursday, April 4, 2019 • Page 9

File image

The Florida Legislature is considering two bills that would benefit voters by making more information about constitutional amendments available at each polling place.

impact on the state and local economies. All of this information will be published by the state online in its entirety and sent to Florida’s 67 supervisors of election. The supervisors would be required to make this information available at every polling place. While this sounds laborious and involved, such measures would contribute enormously to transparency and voter knowledge. Hardly any of this infor-

mation is easily accessible to voters now. n This next requirement would be especially useful information and is the most valuable provision of the bill: Requiring the names of the sponsors of the proposed amendments on the ballots and the percentage of donations the sponsor received from in-state donors. This information is almost priceless. Surely you want to know who is backing a particu-

lar amendment. That helps you understand motivations for the amendments and helps you decide how to vote. How many of you, for instance, knew in 2018 on the proposed amendment to require 60% voter approval for casino gambling that Disney and the Seminole Indians contributed $36.4 million of the $37.6 million to lobby in favor of passage of the amendment? In effect, these two businesses wanted this amendment passed to protect themselves from competitors. The Seminoles now have a votersanctioned monopoly on casino gambling in Florida. That would have been useful to know beforehand. n Here’s another valuable piece of information to have before voting: a statement indicating whether the Legislature can enact and implement the proposed amendment. Seldom do voters think about the fact many of the proposed amendments actually would be better if they became law by statute. Here’s why: Rarely do voters repeal measures from the Constitution. Again, consider 2018: Two constitutional amendments — one from 1885 and one from 1926 — were repealed. Two bad laws in the constitution for 133 and 92 years. As with any legislation, HB 7111 and SB 7096 have their passionate opponents. Democrats, the American Civil Liberties Union and left-leaning mainstream media see these two measures as attempts to snuff out the voices of the people. Indeed, several commentaries and news reports have quoted sources essentially saying the evil Republicans are just putting

up higher obstacles to thwart voter will. But as previously noted, nine of the 11 provisions are clearly voter-friendly. They will give us valuable information. Only two of the provisions fall under the category of making the process more difficult: n Require signature gatherers to be Florida residents and to register with the state. n Prohibit compensation for petition-gatherers to be based on the number of petitions gathered. These provisions should be struck from the bills. The first appears to be an obvious attempt to prevent out-of-state activists (e.g. George Soros’ MoveOn.org, Tom Steyer’s NextGen or, say, the National Rifle Association) from swooping into Florida with hired signature gatherers to get their national marijuana, climate change or firearm proposals into the Florida Constitution. Let’s be honest: Nobody likes strangers coming into the neighborhood and forcing their views on you and everyone else. But does it really matter who gathers signatures or how they are paid? Those are akin to private business transactions. What voters really need to know are the who — who is behind the amendments — and how much — who’s contributing the money. HB 7111 and SB 7096 are not life-and-death bills. But they are dramatic opportunities to help make Florida voters smarter and keep Florida’s Constitution far more sacred than it has been. MWALSH@ JAXDAILYRECORD.COM (904) 356-2466

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Page 10 • Thursday, April 4, 2019

Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer

JEA: Next HQ step is to complete deal CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Ryan Companies’ bid received support over two other proposals – a site near TIAA Bank Field at Lot J, and one on the Downtown Southbank near the Kings Avenue Skyway Station. JEA will relocate from its campus at 21 W. Church St. after construction. Ryan Companies plans to finance the deal with cash and debt backed by Wells Fargo. JEA initially would lease the building for 15 years. JEA’s footprint covers 195,426 square feet, and rent is calculated based on $32.97 per rentable square foot. That is $6.4 million a year for the first year. The rent escalates 2.5% a year. CBRE, JEA’s real estate consultant leading the project, estimates JEA’s financial burden over that time including rent and other costs associated with occupancy would top $139 million. Ryan Companies needs to purchase the property from the city, which will take months. It begins with the Downtown Investment Authority issuing a formal request for proposals. The RFP process requires the city to advertise a property sale to the public, allowing interested buyers a chance to make an offer. The DIA board would review those offers and vote to enter a purchase-and-sale agreement. A property sale also requires approval from Jacksonville City Council. The Duval County Property Appraiser lists the market value for the 1.52-acre site at $1.96 million. Ryan Companies Regional

THE NEW SITE The Ryan Companies US Inc. plan for a new JEA headquarters is to build on this site at 325 W. Adams St., near the Duval County Courthouse and State Attorney’s Office. Ryan Companies will need to purchase the property from the city

Special to the Daily Record

President Douglas Dieck on Tuesday said his team initially budgeted $3.3 million for the land purchase. “We’ve been in contact with the Downtown Investment Authority on multiple occasions and we understand the process,” Dieck said. “We feel good about being able to get it.” Ryan Companies also will spend the next three or four months completing a lease with JEA. Outgoing JEA board Chair Alan Howard said during the meeting that the lease agreement is con-

Iguana Investments Florida LLC planned to partner with The Cordish Cos. to develop a JEA office building at Lot J, a surfacelevel parking lot west of TIAA Bank Field. JEA would have been the corporate anchor of a mixed-use development comprising a Cordish “Live!” entertainment venue and other uses. Jim Woodcock, speaking on behalf of Khan’s company, said that while JEA’s decision was disappointing, “it will not adversely affect our overarching goal of redeveloping Downtown Jacksonville as an urban destination to work, live and play.” “It’s a good sign when local interest is high in growing, developing and investing in Jacksonville and we hope that will continue for a long time,” Woodcock said. Stewart Green with CBRE said during the meeting the Lot J proposal came with more risks compared to the other bids. Green said Lot J had seven risk areas including land control, the need for environmental remediation, land viability, progress of the draft lease agreement, the time for planning and gaining necessary approvals from state and city agencies, the need to build a parking garage and the state of ongoing negotiations since March. Attorney Paul Harden, on behalf of Iguana Investments,

tingent upon Ryan Companies buying the property. “We can’t lease a property they don’t own,” he said. According to a preliminary schedule, Ryan Companies could begin site work by September. Dieck said he expects construction to take 25-26 months, meaning JEA could occupy the space by November 2021. CONCERNS WITH LOT J

Through Jacksonville 1-C Parcel One Holdings Co., Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan’s

The Ryan Companies

Ryan Companies Regional President Douglas Dieck said he expects construction of the JEA heaquarters to take 25-26 months from September, meaning the utility could occupy the space by November 2021.

disputed CBRE’s risk assessment, saying the Jaguars understand and actively are addressing the environmental and other concerns. When the National Football League awarded Jacksonville a franchise, the city performed some environmental remediation on the property, which once was an industrial site. Under the parking lots, petroleum and other contaminants are contained by a clay slurry wall, an underground barrier installed to stop groundwater flow. According to a 1996 agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Lot J property is prohibited from being developed as a residential or recreation area unless further remediation is performed. Harden said the Jaguars have reached an agreement with DEP officials on a remediation plan. Additionally, he said the development team has an economic development agreement for all of Lot J ready to send to the city within six days of the JEA decision. That agreement, Harden said, would address concerns over who pays to build a 3,000-space parking garage planned to serve the Lot J mixed-use development. Harden said it would be a public-private partnership between Iguana and the city. JEA’s real estate department

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Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer noted that a draft agreement with Khan’s entity still had 48 “significant” or “major” issues to work through – compared with 17 issues with the Ryan Companies agreement. Howard said it wasn’t JEA’s job to act as a catalyst for one development over another. “We have to be good stewards of our fiscal assets,” he said. SOUTHBANK ‘A LITTLE TOO FAR AWAY’

Developer Mike Balanky, through Kings Avenue Station P3 LLC, pitched JEA to relocate to the Downtown Southbank on property he controls on Kings Avenue, next to the Kings Avenue Skyway Station and two hotels he developed. Balanky reminded the board that his site was pad-ready, had a garage and was near a public transportation hub. After the Tuesday meeting, Howard said JEA preferred to be within the DIA boundaries, but the Southbank property was outside. “It was just a little too far away,” Howard said. That, along with 43 outstanding contractual issues in the draft agreement, were reasons in favor of Ryan Companies. On Wednesday, Balanky said that although the vote didn’t go his way, “Ryan will work out well for JEA and we enjoyed the process.” “I think we put together a very talented team for a great site, and I’m really proud of the job we did,” said Balanky. “We would’ve loved to have done the project.” Balanky, who has developed several projects in the area, said he’s received interest about what to do next with the site. “Ideally, we may do a residen-

Thursday, April 4, 2019 • Page 11

tial project there,” he said, citing high construction costs for office towers. “We’ve been buried in this process with JEA, so right now we’re just evaluating what’s possible there, but we do have interest,” he said. THE EXISTING SITE

Howard said JEA will sell the Church Street headquarters as part of a larger divestment strategy that could result in $100 million of unused or excess JEA real estate being sold. “If we could sell it tomorrow and lease it for three years while the new office is being built, we’d do it,” Howard said. The campus includes the 19-story tower and a six-level customer service center built in 1967. JEA has occupied the space since 1988. JEA CEO Aaron Zahn said previously that redevelopment is costly and not ideal considering the footprint is too large and antiquated for JEA’s long-term needs. On Tuesday Howard noted that two floors were shut down in recent weeks because of water damage and that the building has serious structural deficiencies. Since 2009, the utility has spent more than $11 million on repairs and ongoing maintenance. That point hit home during Tuesday’s meeting when fire alarms went off on the 19th floor. Security announced over the intercom that it was a false alarm to which Howard quipped, “We should stay here, I think this building’s fine.”

DCAWTON@ JAXDAILYRECORD.COM @DAVIDCAWTON (904) 356-2466

Specal to the Daily Record

Sur La Table has more than 120 stores in at least 32 states and the District of Columbia.

Stores: Taking space of closed Williams-Sonoma CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

the former Williams-Sonoma near California Pizza Kitchen. In a reverse of stores closing because of internet sales, Warby Parker began online in 2010 and opened its first storefront in 2013. It now has more than 90 stores in 30 states and in Canada, including four in Florida in Miami, Boca Raton and Tampa. Warby Parker says it keeps prices low by designing and producing its own eyewear rather than having a manufacturer do so. Warby Parker declined to comment. The space is being split after the city issued a permit Tuesday for Vision Contractors Inc., of Kennesaw, Georgia, to build an interior wall and install a new storefront entry at a cost of $75,000. Simon Property Group is the owner. Simon had no comment.

Warby Parker

The Warby Parker store in the Highland Village Shopping Center in Houston.

Williams-Sonoma closed in March. An employee said previously the company wanted to open in another Jacksonville location but had not decided where. KMATHIS@JAXDAILYRECORD.COM @MATHISKB (904) 356-2466

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Page 12 • Thursday, April 4, 2019

Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer

WHAT’S AHEAD FOR WILDLIGHT

WILDLIGHT Wildlight, a master-planned community In Yulee, is being developed on 24,000 acres of Rayonier Inc. timberland from Florida A1A north to the St. Marys River. A1A runs along the lower part of the image.

Photo provided by Rayonier

Twice as big as Nocatee in St. Johns County, the community might take 100 years to complete its development plan.

BY CAREN BURMEISTER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

A wellness center, hotel, restaurants and grocery store soon will be joining hundreds of Southern-style bungalows under construction at Wild-

light, a master-planned community east of Interstate 95 in Nassau County. Panelists outlined the first phase of the Yulee community in a presentation March 19 to members of CREW, a commercial real estate business network

in Jacksonville. The first phase will comprise 261 acres, a fraction of Wildlight’s 24,000 acres about 20 miles north of Jacksonville. At build-out, Wildlight will offer 24,000 homes. Raydient Places + Properties,

Photo by Caren Burmeister

This home, which is part of Wildlight Phase 1, is representative of the type of the “Florida Lowcounty” architecture that the community will be offering.

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Photo provided by Rayonier

Rayonier’s new global headquarters building at Wildlight. Rayonier’s subsidiary, Raydient Places + Properties, is the developer of Wildlight.

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a real estate investment trust and subsidiary of Rayonier Inc., is developing Wildlight on timberland between Florida A1A north and the St. Marys River. “This is one of our most beautiful properties,” said Mike Bell, Rayonier’s vice president of public affairs. “Failure is not an option.” The community will be similar to Nocatee, a masterplanned community in St. Johns County. But the footprint is nearly twice as big, Bell said, and it will have more commercial and light industrial space and a much longer build-out period. Wildlight’s development will be market-driven, said Bell, chuckling as he noted that it’s on a 75- to-100-year development schedule. Nearly half the land will be preserved for conservation, with several hundred miles of hiking and biking trails. “Trails are the new golf course,” Bell said, emphasizing the focus on nature, recreation, health and well-being. Site development started in spring 2016. The first phase of construction includes: n About 700 single-family homes and townhomes, and 300 rental apartments. n A 91-acre light industrial park with rail service near the Yulee post office n Community Wi-Fi from AT&T and Comcast n A Marriott-branded hotel n A 40,000-square-foot UF Health medical office building n A 35,000-square-foot UF Health Wellness Center in partnership with YMCA n First Federal Bank n A day care center n About 500,000 square feet of retail, office, hospitality and dining n 350 acres of permanently preserved open space Developers are designing a “Florida Lowcountry” effect inspired by 19th century Southern architecture. The cottages and bungalows will have steeply pitched gabled roofs, wide sweeping porches and native landscaping. The residential units, ranging in price from $230,000 to $500,000, are being built by Dostie Homes, Dream Finders Homes and D.S. Ware Homes. A development of regional impact, Wildlight has been in the works for years. It’s an upshot of Nassau County’s Vision 2032, a strategic plan to manage growth and create sustainable economic development, Bell said. Released in 2007, the plan-

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Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer ning model identified Nassau County’s challenges with long commutes, the unsustainability of heavy traffic on a single road (Florida A1A) and a need to build its tax base. “About 70 percent of the working population leaves every day to work somewhere else,” Bell said. Wildlight’s live, work and play concept helps solve those challenges with on-site recreation, health facilities and retail and office space. Residents can shop for groceries, work out and take their children to school or day care without traveling on A1A, he said. The community opened its first school, Wildlight Elementary School, in August 2017. Built for 800 students, the school enrolled 660 students before the first Wildlight resi-

dent moved in. Funding to build and maintain the roads, utilities, parks and recreational facilities will come from the East Nassau Stewardship District, a special taxing district approved by the Florida Legislature in 2017. Residents and commercial tenants will pay the district’s assessments. As the community develops, the taxing district’s board will be appointed by district residents. Wildlight will bring more employers to the area and help fulfill the county’s smart planning goals, said Nassau County Economic Development Executive Director Laura DiBella. “We are where Nocatee was 10 or 15 years ago,” she said. “Seeing this come up out of the ground has been really special for me.”

Photo by Caren Burmeister

Mike Bell, Rayonier’s vice president of public affairs, said that more than half the land in Wildlight will be preserved for hiking, biking and other recreation.

Thursday, April 4, 2019 • Page 13

Three projects near Wildlight are in review Wildlight Marketplace, Baptist Health and the Diocese of St. Augustine propose developments. BY KAREN BRUNE MATHIS EDITOR

Nassau County is reviewing plans for two projects near Wildlight – the Wildlight Marketplace and the Baptist Medical Village. And the St. Johns River Water Management District is reviewing an application for the St. Clare Early Learning Center by the Diocese of St. Augustine in Wildlight. The marketplace and Baptist projects are proposed south of Florida A1A from Rayonier Inc.’s Wildlight residential, business and retail center at northeast A1A and Interstate 95. Jacksonville-based Sleiman Enterprises proposes the retail Wildlight Marketplace at southwest Florida A1A and William Burgess Boulevard. The property is part of the Wildlight property. Plans show an almost 50,000-square-foot anchor retail store with an adjoining 12,000-square-foot commercial building that can be expanded. Two 8,400-square-foot retail buildings are near the main building and two more structures about that size are shown on the property. A 2.96-acre outparcel fronts Florida A1A. West of Wildlight Marketplace and separated by Harper Chapel Road, Baptist Health Properties Inc. proposes a medical village on property it owns.

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A rendering of the Diocese of St. Augustine St. Clare Early Learning Center planned at Wildlight. The image is courtesy of Kasper Architects + Associates.

England-Thims & Miller Inc. is the engineering consultant. Plans show the 24.6-acre site at southwest Florida A1A and Harper Chapel Road comprises an emergency center, a helipad, and a first-phase 30,000-squarefoot retail-office building. Future development includes retail, office, medical and hotel uses. A development schedule shows a 40,000-square-foot shopping center, two 30,000-square-foot medical clinics, a 4,000-squarefoot coffee and doughnut shop and a 125-room hotel. Plans for the diocese’s early learning center, for 170 children from 6 weeks to 4 years old, show the project north of Florida A1A within Wildlight. The water management district is reviewing plans for a 16,700-square-foot building on 27.9 acres as well as diagrams for a future school building and sports

fields. Connelly & Wicker Inc. is the civil engineer. Kasper Architects + Associates is the architect. The diocese said the St. Clare Early Learning Center will break ground in August. School officials expect to draw families from Yulee, Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island and South Georgia, including Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, which is part of the Diocese of Savannah. According to the diocese, Deacon Scott Conway eventually would like to build a K-8 school and a high school near St. Clare. “Wildlight was the perfect opportunity to strengthen our community in one of the fastestgrowing areas of Northeast Florida, said Bishop Felipe Estevez in a statement from the diocese. KMATHIS@JAXDAILYRECORD.COM @MATHISKB (904) 356-2466

Page 14 • Thursday, April 4, 2019

Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer

HOME BUILDING PERMITS

February permits show gains over 2018 Building permits for new home construction in Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties rose in February over January and were up from the same month a year ago. Clay showed the largest year-over-year increase, up 57%. St. Johns rose 33%, Duval 29%, and Nassau, 18%.

160

CLAY COUNTY PERMITS 2017-19

500

47 Jan

125

152

160

263 285

600 450 300

88 88

62 61

Apr

May

Jun

376 284

319 342

Mar

2018 83

233 243

314

326 312

Feb

220

Mar

306

Apr

May

82 78

72 62

Aug

Sep

Oct

321

307

68 63

Jul

401 269

259

Jun

Jul

Aug

1,200 900 600

369

175 Sep

Nov

Dec

256291

269 267

Nov

Dec

92 87

41 Jan

66 78 Feb

66 61

Mar

Apr

Oct

May

2017 2018

91 47 Jun

Jul

80 80 Aug

32 42 Sep

380 335

331

67 73 Oct

60 49

Nov

Dec

2019

ST. JOHNS COUNTY PERMITS 2017-19 284

330 381

333 315

420

531

373 333

335365

343

483 329

368

420

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

TOTAL PERMITS 2017-19 524

830 805

765

689

909

941

757

691

941

795876

Jun

1,013 833

Jul

689

930

216

Aug

Sep

797 799

769

505

417

Oct

867

2017

484 297262

266 305

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

2018 2019

2017

988 691644

660 639

2018 2019

300 0

2018 2019

100

2019

2017

135

110

150 0

311

NASSAU COUNTY PERMITS 2017-19

80 0

Feb

Jan

120 40

DUVAL COUNTY PERMITS 2017-19

375 250

2017

121

107

127

80 40

133

127

120

Oct

Nov

Dec

Source: Permit data provided by Northeast Florida Builders Association

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Sellers

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Thursday, April 4, 2019 • Page 15

Lolita Hill

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE Promotions, hirings and happenings for business people in Northeast Florida. Send items to ssailer@jaxdailyrecord.com

PS27 Empowerment, a Jacksonville nonprofit that provides training and development for entrepreneurs, appointed two members to its board of directors: Ruby Sellers is vice president of digital operations at SharedLABS Inc. Nathan Rimpf is a private wealth adviser at Goldman Sachs in West Palm Beach. Crowley Logistics promoted LaSonya Hill vice president of customer care. Hill joined Crowley in 1994 as a parttime student and joined permanently in 1997. Hill most recently was director of customer care. Eres McKee joined San Jose Episcopal Day School as director of marketing and development. McKee was an adjunct faculty member and accreditation coordinator at Edward Waters College. Lolita Hill received the U.S. Department of Transportation’s 2019 National Highway Safety Administration Lifesavers Award for appreciation and recognition of outstanding contributions and commitment to the Drug Evaluation and Classification program. Hill is president and CEO of L. Hill & Associates LLC at 511 N. Washington

St., providing consultation, education, outreach, field training and referral services to local organizations. Two Crowley Maritime Corp. executives changed roles: Michael Roberts returned to Washington, D.C., as senior vice president for government relations. Roberts Roberts has represented Crowley since 1991 on issues affecting the industry, including the Jones Act, Maritime Security Program and economic regulation. Roberts served in Jacksonville since 2008 as senior vice president and general counsel. Parker Harrison will serve as senior vice president and general counsel in Jacksonville, responsible Harrison for the legal and risk management teams. Harrison was senior vice president of procurement and risk management.

APARTMENTS Solera at Kendall West, 1462 Solera Terrace, contractor is Richbuilt Construction LLC, 5,801 square feet, new clubhouse, $1 million. The Loft at Baymeadows LLC, 8050 Baymeadows Circle W., contractor is Mathers Construction Services LLC, three permits for window, door and siding replacement, $510,000. The Woodland Apartments, 2600 Art Museum Drive, contractor is Alpha Foundation Specialists Inc., three permits for foundation repair, $39,969. HOTEL, MOTEL, DORMITORY Alunity Investments LLC, 8050 Baymeadows Circle W., contractor is Mathers Construction Services LLC, three permits for window, door and siding replacement, $170,000. OFFICE, BANK, PROFESSIONAL Brooks Health System, 14286 Beach Blvd., No. 34, contractor is Emerald C’s Development Inc., 4,000 square feet, tenant build-out, $257,418. ROC II Fairlead Gran Park at the Avenues LLC, 7411 Fullerton St., No. 300, contractor is Dav-Lin Interior Contractors Inc., 1,740 square feet, alteration, $60,320.

ENT Specialists of North Florida LLC, 11705 San Jose Blvd., contractor is Tenant Contractors Inc., 2,900 square feet, alteration, $30,076.

New at St. Johns Town Center: Two new stores are planned for St. Johns Town Center and an entertainment venue is now open. Fabletics plans to

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9AM–3PM Doors open at 8am www.neurochallenge.org

OTHER Amelia View Homeowners Association Inc., 14681 Amelia View Drive, contractor is Alden Contracting & Services LLC, replace wooden fence with concrete wall, $21,389. ROOFING 1050 Riverside Avenue LLC, 1050 Riverside Ave., contractor is Southern Coast Roofing & Construction Inc., roof replacement, $48,227. Our Lady of Peace Syriac Catholic Church Inc., 5854 University Blvd. W., contractor is Southern Coast Roofing & Construction Inc., roof replacement, $10,000. STORES, MERCANTILE Simon Property Group, 4712 River City Drive, No. 109, contractor is Vision Contractors Inc., alteration, $75,000. Caliber Collision, 625 W. Monroe St., contractor is Filterworks USA, install paint booth, $39,675. UTILITIES Crown Castle USA Inc., 5840 Timuquana Road, contractor is Goff Communications Inc., install structural modifications to cell tower, $107,532.

FREE EVENT Registration required. Online registration is strongly encouraged at www.neurochallenge.org Call 941-926-6413 for more information.

The Parkinson’s Expo will feature presentations from medical experts on treatment options, the latest in research, managing the non-motor aspects of the disease, and more.

This event is presented to the community at no charge thanks to the following partners: Exclusive Presenting Sponsor

Platinum Sponsor

Compiled by Scott Sailer

BUSINESS IN BRIEF Land Trust opens in LaVilla: North Florida Land Trust opened its offices at the historic Brewster Hospital in LaVilla. Danis Construction renovated the 5,700-square-foot building at 843 W. Monroe St. Brewster Hospital, built in 1885, was a hospital for African Americans and a training school for nurses.

APRIL 13

Compiled by Scott Sailer

DEVELOPMENT TODAY These are the largest commercial building permits by job cost issued Tuesday by the city of Jacksonville.

SATURDAY

A complete listing of speakers and topics is available on the Neuro Challenge website, neurochallenge.org

Diamond Sponsors open in late April between Soma and Altar’d State. Fabletics, co-founded by Kate Hudson in 2013, is an activewear brand evolving from e-commerce to retail shops. Tumi plans to open in May next to Lilly Pulitzer, offering high-end business and travel luggage and accessories. The Escape Game is open next to Panera Bread, offering 60-minute themed adventures. Compiled by Scott Sailer

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors Acadia • Bioclinica • Medtronic • Rough & Ready Slater-Kassan Charitable Fund of the Manatee Community Foundation SYNOVUS • Trulieve

Page 16 • Thursday, April 4, 2019

Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer

THE MARBUT REPORT

Judges, lawyers celebrate pro bono services

MAX MARBUT ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Annual “Presentation of the Pins” ceremony is named in honor of the late Judge William Van Nortwick. The Florida Bar sets an annual goal for each attorney licensed to practice in the state to perform at least 20 hours of pro bono (free of charge) legal service for people who cannot afford to hire a lawyer when they need one. About 300 attorneys who met or exceeded the goal for hours of free service were recognized last week at the annual “Presentation of the Pins” ceremony at the Duval County Courthouse. “Someone woke up today thinking about losing their home or their job. It’s you that helps them,” said Circuit Judge Steven Fahlgren to the attorneys, who each received a certificate and a lapel pin in recognition of their service. Fahlgren also said the event has a new name: The Judge William Van Nortwick Presentation of the Pins Ceremony. Van Nortwick, who died in January, was a judge on Florida’s 1st District Court of Appeal and later, partner in charge of the Akerman law firm’s national pro bono program.

Photo by Max Marbut

Circuit Judge Steven Fahlgren, left, presented a plaque to Senior Judge Hugh Carithers in recognition of Carithers’ pro bono service during his 26-year career on the bench. Carithers retired in January.

His volunteer work began soon after he graduated from law school when he helped represent three young African Americans who were expelled from school after an incident on their school bus. He also performed more than 200 hours of pro bono service to establish a medical clinic in an underserved Jacksonville neighborhood and was president

of The Florida Bar Foundation. Retired Circuit Judge Hugh Carithers, former chair of the 4th Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee, and Kathy Para, former director of pro bono at Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, also were presented plaques in recognition of their contributions to providing free legal services to low-income people in Northeast Florida.

Memorial in Problem Solving Courts office dedicated to Arnold At a ceremony attended by family, friends and court officials, a memorial in the Problem Solving Courts office at the Duval County Courthouse was dedicated March 20 in honor of the late Kenneth Arnold Sr.

The Nursing Home Abuse Expert™

Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer

Thursday, April 4, 2019 • Page 17

CLOSE TO AMELIA ISLAND

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Photo by Max Marbut

Retired Circuit Judge Hugh Carithers was enrobed in a “superhero” cape by attorney Leslie Goller.

In 1994, Arnold helped establish Adult Drug Court in Jacksonville, a diversion program that offers an alternative to the criminal justice system for defendants who are motivated to reform their lives. Arnold helped expand the program to include alternative courts for juvenile and military veteran drug offenders and people with dependency and mental health issues in Duval County; drug courts for adults and veterans in Clay County; and mental health and veterans courts in Nassau County. In 2018, Arnold became a project director at the National Drug Court Institute and conducted workshops that helped other jurisdictions duplicate what has been accomplished in the 4th Circuit. Teri Hamlin, director of Problem Solving Courts, said Arnold was a friend and mentor who was inspired to reach out to anyone in need. “He is an absolute legend,” she said.

Temporary move turns permanent for the Law Offices of Bateh & Clark

After 29 years in San Marco, the Law Offices of Bateh & Clark moved to 4229 Atlantic Blvd., near Art Museum Drive. Partner Abraham Bateh, who started the firm with the late Ross Clark, said the practice had to move in September 2017 after Hurricane Irma flooded parts of San Marco, including the area around his law office at 1558 San Marco Blvd. What was intended to be a short-term necessity turned out to be permanent. “For the very first time in 29 years, our office suffered water intrusion, so we had to temporarily relocate until repairs could be made. The relocation ultimately became a permanent relocation,” Bateh said. The firm continues to practice personal injury, family, business and traffic violation law and estate planning.

Atlantic Beach attorney Mearkle is suspended Brett Allen Mearkle, whose office is at 547 Selva Lakes Circle in Atlantic Beach, was suspended indefinitely March 19 by the state Supreme Court. According to the court, he failed to respond to two official inquiries from The Florida Bar. Mearkle previously was suspended in January 2018 for 90 days and ordered to pay restitution after the court found that he had not properly represented three clients.

Holland & Knight adds five litigators Five experienced trial attorneys have joined Holland & Knight’s Jacksonville office. Gina Bulecza is a staff attorney who focuses her practice on insurance litigation and commercial and consumer financial services litigation. She received her J.D. from Florida Coastal School of Law and a bachelor’s

from Florida State University. She was previously an associate with McGlinchey Stafford. Bradley Crocker is an associate who Bulecza focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation, class actions, appeals and creditors’ rights. He received a J.D. from the University of Florida Levin College of Law and a bachelor’s in business administration from Georgetown University McDonough School Crocker of Business. He previously was an attorney with Anthony and Partners in Tampa. Robert Gore is an associate who handles appeals, complex commercial litigation and class actions. He received a J.D. from Hofstra University School of Law and a B.A. in Mandarin from the Gore University of Mississippi. Before joining Holland & Knight, he was an associate with Robins Kaplan in New York, where he prosecuted antitrust class actions and opt-out claims. Aubrey Smith is an associate who works in the areas of general commercial litigation and commercial tort claims. She received a J.D. from the University of Florida Levin Smith College of Law and a bachelor’s from Florida State University. She is a former associate at Burr & Forman. April Snipes is a staff attorney who works commercial litigation, general litigation and motion practice, and consumer financial services litigation. She earned a J.D. from Charlotte School of Snipes Law and a bachelor’s from American Military University. Before joining Holland & Knight, she was a staff attorney at Burr & Forman. MMARBUT@ JAXDAILYRECORD.COM (904) 356-2466

Floridian Enclave Whether you seek adventure or relaxation, you’ll find what you’ve been looking for at the Floridian Enclave. Here you will have time to enjoy all that Florida living has to offer. Maintenance free yards will allow you the freedom to travel on your schedule or make the most of your weekends focusing on the finer apsects of life. Nestled along natural conservation areas, the Floridian Enclave is a private community with gated entrance that is tailored to those who desire a relaxed lifestyle. The homes feature architectural elements that showcase a coastal flair and interiors with gourmet kitchens and expansive islands that are open to the family room and lanai. Outdoor kitchens and firepits are available to create lavish outdoor living spaces. The Floridian Enclave is ideally located by luxurious Amelia Island and historic Fernandina Beach, allowing residents the opportunity for relaxation and exploration. This quaint community features 53 homesites with only 11 remaining, so now is the time to act.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS: • New homes from the low $300’s • Private community with gated entrance • Lawn & landscape maintenance provided by the HOA • Full lawn care including irrigation water, fertilization and lawn pest control provided by the HOA • Close to Amelia Island • Luxurious features • Ideal for “empty-nesters” • No CDD fees

Directions: I-95 N to Exit 373/Fernandina Beach/Callahan, east on SR 200/FL A1A approximately 6 miles, right on Amelia Concourse, left into the Floridian Enclave

SHARE LEGAL NEWS Attorneys and law firms are invited to send news and notes to Max Marbut, associate editor – legal affairs, at mmarbut@ jaxdailyrecord.com.

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Page 18 • Thursday, April 4, 2019

THE BAR BULLETIN

Jacksonville Daily Record

Bar Bulletin The

PROTECTING RIGHTS • PURSUING JUSTICE • PROMOTING PROFESSIONALISM

PRO BONO FROM THE PRESIDENT

INSIDE

JOIN US FOR THE INAUGURAL

CommUNITY Day

YOUNG LAWYERS

Give yourself a healthy boost The pressures of working in the legal profession are real: Improve your wellbeing by taking the Health and Wellness Challenge. PAGE 20

JBA ELECTION

Candidate statements A president-elect and six members of the Jacksonville Bar Association board of governors are to be elected by May 1. PAGE 23

Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan Dickinson

The Jacksonville Bar Association and other organizations will volunteer Saturday at Feeding Northeast Florida.

Law organizations to volunteer at Feeding Northeast Florida.

KATIE DEARING JBA PRESIDENT

re you looking for an easy way to give back to our community and expand your network? If so, we have the event for you. (If not, do it anyway; it’s good for you.) Members of the Jacksonville Bar Association, D.W. Perkins Bar Association and the Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association, along with members of other local voluntary Bar associations, will come together from noon to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Feeding Northeast Florida for an after-

noon of unity and service. At the inaugural Unity Day luncheon last year, our associations discussed methods to bridge gaps between groups, strengthen and unite as members of The Florida Bar and encourage cooperation between various local Bar associations. We will put those plans into action with the first CommUNITY Day at the food bank. SEE DEARING, PAGE 22

ON THE BENCH

Judge Funk an avid runner U.S. bankruptcy judge has completed several marathons, halfmarathons and River Runs. PAGE 22

COMMENTARY

Unplug and unwind: The case for taking a sabbatical Give yourself permission to enjoy life a little more.

MICHELLE BEDOYA BARNETT JBA BOARD OF GOVERNORS

I’m taking a sabbatical. No, I’m not sick, going to rehab or fat camp and neither of my parents are dying. It all started a couple of years ago when I was on the hunt for an expert. I called my preferred prospect and his assistant told me he was tied up for the next few weeks, but one of his partners could help me. One of them

even called and followed up. I decided to wait for the expert I was seeking and finally spoke with him. He was as pleasant as could be and told me how he had just returned from sabbatical. It didn’t seem appropriate to question him, and I remember thinking that he must have been away for one of the aforementioned reasons. As I got to know him, I learned that one of his partners died unexpectedly at a young age, and he and his other partners found

themselves aimlessly, and sadly, trying to pick up the pieces to fill the void. They lamented about everything the deceased partner wanted to do and never did, and selfishly about how much he did that no one else in the firm knew how to do or could. Financially, it was a disaster for the firm. They lost clients they didn’t know. They decided shortly after his death and in the rebuilding phase that the partners would start taking sabbaticals. The rea-

son was twofold: To enjoy life a little more and to make sure that they all knew what the other was doing and how to manage in the event of an unexpected loss. After learning about that experience, I impulsively and by pure chance rounded up my partners and somewhat sheepishly pitched the idea. You see, I’ve had three kids and each time I have worked up until their delivery. I’m embarSEE BARNETT, PAGE 22

THE BAR BULLETIN

Jacksonville Daily Record

Thursday, April 4, 2019 • Page 19

TUESDAY JUDICIAL RELATIONS Noon, Duval County Courthouse, Room 6174 Register at jaxbar.org WEDNESDAY VINTAGE LAWYERS Noon, Golden Corral (Southside) Register at jaxbar.org APRIL 16 HEALTH & WELLNESS 8 a.m. Beach Diner in San Marco Register at jaxbar.org

LAW DAY 2019

Free speech, free press, free society: Law Day is May 1

MARY MARGARET GIANNINI JBA LAW WEEK COMMITTEE

For the Jacksonville Bar Association, April is “Law Month.” Law Day was first instituted by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1958, and codified by Congress in 1961 to encourage citizens to honor the United States’ commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law. This year’s national Law Day theme, established by the American Bar Association, focuses on how the First Amendment’s protections of free speech and free press help safeguard a free society. We live in a time when it can be difficult to discern truth from falsehood, fact from speculation and journalistic reporting from allegations of “fake news.” In this unsettling period, it is crucial that society possesses a robust understanding of our constitutionally-endowed rights to free speech and a free press. A free press, through investigation and reporting, ensures the government is accountable to the people. Likewise, the right to free speech guarantees that citizens are able to openly express themselves and be exposed to different viewpoints, information and opinions. A nation that has a vigorous free press coupled with citizens who exercise free speech ensures a democracy that is healthy, vibrant and sustainable. In recognition of the importance of our free press and free speech rights, the Jacksonville Bar Association is hosting a variety of events surrounding the official May 1 Law Day commemoration. On May 1, the JBA will have its Law Day Luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront hotel. The guest speaker will address the role that a free press plays in furthering a free society. At the luncheon, the association will announce and honor this year’s recipient of the Liberty Bell Award. It recognizes outstanding service performed by a nonlawyer who has given time and energy to help foster a greater understanding and appreciation of the law and our legal community.

Further advancing Law Day’s theme of educating the citizenry of the importance of the rule of law, volunteer attorneys will spend time with elementary school students discussing the importance of the First Amendment protections. Based on their increased knowledge regarding free speech and free press rights, the students will create posters that will be displayed at the Duval County Courthouse during the last two weeks of April. Members of the JBA and the public will be invited to vote for their favorite student poster, and the winners will receive a prize. Other events sponsored by the JBA in honor of Law Day include Citizenship Day and a naturalization ceremony. This past Saturday, local attorneys, in conjunction with Florida Coastal School of Law and Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, provided pro bono service to lawful permanent residents on their journey to become U.S. citizens. The volunteer attorneys guided applicants through completing the required paperwork and will provide counsel to the aspiring citizens during their formal interviews with government officials. On April 18, the JBA is supporting a naturalization ceremony for new citizens at the Bryan Simpson U.S. Courthouse to be presided over by U.S. District Judge Harvey Schlesinger. The JBA and its members are sponsoring a number of fundraising activities in support of Law Day. Local law firms and other legal entities will be collecting art supplies to be donated to elementary schools, and toiletries that will be given to clients of Downtown Ecumenical Services. On April 25, the legal community and the public are invited to an evening of music, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at Edwards & Ragatz PA’s Law Day celebration. Donations made at the event will support Jacksonville Area Legal Aid. The JBA is sponsoring Rendezvous on the Rooftop April 30 at Intuition Ale Works. The evening will include food, festivities and a raffle. Proceeds will benefit Dreams Come True, a Jacksonville charity that grants wishes to terminally ill children. Rendezvous on the Rooftop is open to the public. We encourage you to attend to support this wonderful charity, and if you are interested in sponsoring, let us know. Tickets may be purchased online at jaxbar.org. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE LAW WEEK EVENTS OR SERVING ON THE COMMITTEE, CONTACT LAW WEEK COMMITTEE CHAIR KELLI LUECKERT AT LUECKERT@ASGLAW.COM OR (904) 273-4734 OR VICE CHAIR CHELSEA HARRIS AT CRH@COKERLAW.COM.

THE JACKSONVILLE BAR ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP President T. A. “Tad” Katie Dearing Delegal III DelegalCircuit Fourth Law Offices Judge

Secretary MichelleFox Michael Bedoya Orr Barnett Alexander Dawson | Orr DeGance Barnett

President-elect Katie L. Dearing Elizabeth Ferguson The Dearing Marshall Dennehey Law Firm Warner Coleman & Goggin Treasurer Elizabeth B. Ferguson Treasurer Marshall Bedoya Michelle Dennehey Barnett Warner Coleman &DeGance Alexander Goggin Barnett

Young Lawyers Section President Alexandria Jessica Byrne V. Hill Maple Street Dawson | Orr Biscuit Co. Executive Director Craig Shoup (904) Director 399-4486 Interim Executive Carla Ortiz-Ramos

APRIL 19 SOLO & SMALL FIRM Noon, Jacksonville Bar Association Register at jaxbar.org APRIL 23 LAW WEEK Noon, Jacksonville Bar Association Register at jaxbar.org

APRIL 16 ELDER LAW Noon, Jacksonville Bar Association Register at jaxbar.org

UPCOMING EVENTS SATURDAY COMMUNITY DAY Noon, Feeding Northeast Florida Lawyers and their families are invited to come together for a day of unity and service to our community. We will be working with Feeding Northeast Florida to inspect, sort and package food for distribution at their facility. Register at jaxbar.org APRIL 10 COCKTAILS WITH THE COURT 5:30 p.m., Cowford Chophouse Join members of the Judicial Relations Committee for cocktails at Cowford Chophouse. Please be sure to register. Register at jaxbar.org APRIL 18 JBA MEMBER GOLF TOURNAMENT PRESENTED BY TOM BUSH BMW We’re back at Deerwood Country Club. Individual players and foursomes welcome. Lunch and practice rounds will begin at noon with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. Registration fee: $135 per person, including boxed lunch, range balls, drinks, greens fee, cart and the awards dinner. Register at jaxbar.org APRIL 30 RENDEZVOUS ON THE ROOFTOP Join us as we raise money to benefit Dreams Come True, an organization that grants wishes to local children battling life-threatening illnesses. With your admission you will enjoy live music, two drink tickets and drink specials throughout the evening, heavy hors d’oeuvres and one raffle ticket. All of the proceeds will go toward fulfilling the dream of a local child. Register at jaxbar.org APRIL 30 PROFESSIONALISM AWARD NOMINATION DEADLINE Nominations are sought for the 2019 Professionalism Award, which will be presented June 19 at the Jacksonville Bar Association member luncheon. There are many outstanding lawyers in our community, and this award is a great way to recognize those members of the JBA who embody and embrace the ideals of professionalism and who practice law with integrity, honor and civility. Details at jaxbar.org. Submit nominations by noon April 30 to gflower@coj.net MAY 1 JACKSONVILLE BAR ASSOCIATION MEMBER LUNCHEON 11:45 a.m, Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront Register at jaxbar.org

BOARD BOARD OF OF GOVERNORS GOVERNORS MEMBERS MEMBERS Fraz Fraz Ahmed Ahmed The Coker LawLaw Offices of Eric S. Block

Blane Blane McCarthy McCarthy Blane Blane McCarthy McCarthy

Michael Michael I. I. Bateh Bateh Office DuvalofCounty the Public Judge Defender

Michael AsgharF.A.Orr Syed Dawson Gunster | Orr

Brian Brian T. T. Coughlin Coughlin Bedell Bedell Firm Firm

Asghar CyndyA.Trimmer Syed Smith Driver, Hulsey McAfee, & Busey Hawthorne & Diebenow Lindsay L. Tygart Coker, Lindsay Schickel, L. Tygart Sorenson, Coker Law Posgay, Camerlengo & Iracki

Christian Christian P. P. George George Akerman Akerman

APRIL 17 PRO BONO Noon, 20West Café Register at jaxbar.org

EDITORIAL EDITORIAL COMMITTEE COMMITTEE Editor-in-chief Editor-in-chief Cynthia Kelly Trimmer Karstaedt Driver, McAfee, Karstaedt Peek&&Stanko Hawthorne Editors Iana Iana Benjamin Benjamin Darlington Darlington Jordan Jordan Law Law Dave Dave Chauncey Chauncey Alexander Alexander DeGance DeGance Barnett Barnett Ashlea Ashlea Edwards Edwards GrayRobinson Akerman

Kelly Jessica Karstaedt Byrne Karstaedt Dawson&| Orr Stanko Adina Kirsten Pollan Oliver Pollan Steve Legal Watrel, P.A. Adina Pollan Pollan Legal

JBA CALENDAR

COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Page 20 • Thursday, April 4, 2019

THE BAR BULLETIN

Jacksonville Daily Record

YOUNG LAWYERS

Healthy living has its benefits, both personal and professional A commitment to exercise and making better diet choices can make you a happier person, so take part in the YLS Health and Wellness Challenge. BY CHUCK GRIFFITH JBA YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION

In early 2016, not quite three years after being admitted to The Florida Bar, I came to what would ultimately be a turning point in my life and in my career. My father, who lives in the Washington, D.C., area, called me a week after he had experienced severe chest pains while shoveling snow to let me know he was all right, but that we needed to get our health in order. He must have noticed from afar that I had gained close to 50 pounds since beginning law school in 2010. Looking back now, it is easy for me to recognize that the challenges of law school and the transition into being a young lawyer added a certain level of stress to my life. While I didn’t even notice that stress in the moment, my instinct was to focus all my time and attention on my work while creating lazy and unhealthy habits in my life. None of this is shocking. While job-related stress is not unique to lawyers, the pressures of advocating on behalf of our clients are very real, and the hours – especially for young lawyers learning to make critical decisions on the fly – are not conducive to making healthy lifestyle decisions. After that conversation with my dad, I made a commitment to reshaping my lifestyle. I didn’t set any specific goals other than to drastically change my habits. At the time, candidly, I was lazy and had no control of my diet. Since February 2016, by remaining committed to exercising four or five days

a week and eating a healthy and balanced diet, I have lost more than 60 pounds and have managed to maintain a consistently healthy lifestyle. Through my process, I’ve become an avid runner. At first, I could barely run a mile, but now I can handle half-marathons without blinking. I’ve found that a run provides time for me to clear my head of distractions and other times, I’ll use the quiet time to think about clients’ issues without the distractions from inside the office. I had always allowed myself to believe that I could not sacrifice any time in my day that needed to go toward practicing law, but it’s become clear that there is no sacrifice involved at all, and as a result, I am a better husband, father and lawyer now than I was three years ago. I am a happier person. This May, as part of The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division’s initiative to promote health and wellness throughout the legal profession, the Jacksonville Bar Association Young Lawyers Section is sponsoring a Health and Wellness Challenge to encourage members to focus on making healthy lifestyle decisions. Participants will earn points for completing wellness-related activities such as engaging in physical activity or mindfulness activities to improve mental health, eating fruits and vegetables or getting a physical examination. At the YLS annual meeting June 6, we will recognize the top three participants who tracked the most wellness hours throughout May, with each winner receiving a prize. All YLS members are invited to register by emailing me at cgriffith@eminentdomain-fl. com by 5 p.m. April 30. CHUCK GRIFFITH IS A PARTNER WITH PAPALAS & GRIFFITH, FOCUSING ON REPRESENTING LANDOWNERS IN EMINENT DOMAIN, CONDEMNATION AND PROPERTY RIGHTS LITIGATION.

Special to the Daily Record

Attorney and avid runner Chuck Griffith with his wife, Lauren, and daughters Ginny, 4, and Maggie, 1.

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 APRIL 24 17th Annual Raymond J. Ehrlich Jr. Trial Advocacy Seminar 8:30 a.m., Duval County Courthouse, Courtroom 406 4.0 CLE credits approved by The Florida Bar, including 4.0 civil trial, 4.0 criminal appellate law, criminal trial law certification credits, 4.0 juvenile law certification credits. The seminar will focus on four components of a jury trial: Jury selection, opening statement, cross examination and closing argument, presented by faculty who are circuit judges and attorneys who are board-certified by The Florida Bar in civil trial law, criminal trial law or business litigation. Register at jaxbar.org

APRIL 25 Business Valuations: Key Points for Attorneys Noon, Jacksonville Bar Association 1.0 CLE approved by The Florida Bar MAY 14 CME Seminar for Mediators 9 a.m, Florida Coastal School of Law 8.0 CLE pending approval by The Florida Bar MAY 17 Bench & Bar Conference 11:30 a.m, Duval County Courthouse Includes 5.0 hours of CLE credit, pending Florida Bar approval and lunch, two drink tickets and appetizers at networking social

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

Jacksonville Daily Record

Thursday, April 4, 2019 • Page 21

Photo by Max Marbut

From left, U.S. District Judge Timothy Corrigan, Circuit Judge Lester Bass, Senior Circuit Judge Hugh Carithers and Circuit Judge Steven Fahlgren were among the state and federal jurists who thanked attorneys who performed more than 20 hours of pro bono service at the annual pro bono service pin ceremony Friday at the Duval County Courthouse.

PRO BONO

Law students skip the beach, volunteer MISSY DAVENPORT JBA PRO BONO COMMITTEE CHAIR

Each group assisted lowincome seniors by creating advanced directives documents, such as durable power of attorney, designation of health care surrogate, living will and designation of preneed guardian. The law students were professional, knowledgeable and compassionate and provided a valuable service to the seniors.

Attorneys honored Alternative Spring Break for outstanding project helps Northeast achievement Local lawyers were recognized Florida seniors.

While many law students were enjoying the beach or traveling, two groups of students from the University of Florida Levin College of Law and Florida Coastal School of Law spent their spring breaks assisting the Northeast Florida community. This is the fourth year that the law schools have participated in the Alternative Spring Break projects of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid and Three Rivers Legal Services.

last week for the pro bono service they provided in 2018. More than 300 attorneys who gave at least 20 hours of volunteer legal assistance were invited to the Duval County Courthouse to have lunch and receive personal thanks from local judges and magistrates. The event was hosted by the 4th Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee and The Jacksonville Bar Association Pro Bono Committee. Judge Steven Fahlgren, chair of the 4th Circuit commit-

tee, presided over the program and thanked the honorees for providing legal assistance to underserved people in the community. Each attorney honoree received a letter of appreciation from state Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Canady, along with an “Outstanding Pro Bono Service” lapel pin provided by The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division. The distribution of the letters and pins is made possible by by the Florida Pro Bono Coordinators Association. The event was sponsored by the Akerman, Edwards & Ragatz, Farah & Farah, Holland & Knight, Pajcic & Pajcic and Spohrer & Dodd law firms. Sincere appreciation is extended to the volunteering heroes and to members of the pro bono committees for their work on the event.

Ask-A-Lawyer now in its 10th year The fourth of eight Ask-A-

Lawyer events of 2019 was Saturday at the School of Success Academy. Attorneys, law students, and Client Advisory Board members were on hand to provide an opportunity for people to “pick the brain” of an attorney during a brief individual interview. The Ask-A-Lawyer project is in its 10th year, made possible because of the collaboration of the Jacksonville Bar Association, Florida Coastal School of Law and Jacksonville Area Legal Aid. The events are scheduled throughout the year in locations that are accessible to lowincome residents. The legal advice is free and open to the public.

More than 100 volunteers assist with naturalization

On Saturday at Citizenship Day at Florida Coastal School of Law, more than 100 attorneys, paralegals, law students and other volunteers helped eligible legal permanent residents who

want to become U.S. citizens. Attorneys assisted applicants with reviewing and completing naturalization applications. Many of the attorneys also volunteered to accompany applicants to their citizenship interview. This event is organized and supervised by Florida Coastal law professor Ericka Curran and immigration attorney Kara Roberts. It is supported by the JBA Law Week Committee, American Immigration Lawyers Association, Florida Coastal and Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, along with many others in the community. ATTORNEYS INTERESTED IN PRO BONO OPPORTUNITIES IN THE 4TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT ARE ENCOURAGED TO VISIT FLORIDAPROBONOMATTERS. ORG. ATTORNEYS ALSO MAY LEARN OF LOCAL CLINIC AND ONE-DAY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES BY EMAILING MISSY.DAVENPORT@ JAXLEGALAID.ORG.

DO BUSINESS WITH OUR SPONSORS DIAMOND

SILVER

PARTICIPATING

ON THE BENCH

Page 22 • Thursday, April 4, 2019

THE BAR BULLETIN

Jacksonville Daily Record

JERRY FUNK BAR BULLETIN STAFF

A graduate of the University of Georgia and Cumberland School of Law at Samford University, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Jerry Funk was appointed to the bench in the Middle District of Florida in November 1993. Who inspired you to become a lawyer? My business law professor at college.

Picoult. I enjoy reading John Grisham, David Baldacci and James Patterson.

Who inspires you now? My current and former colleagues on the bankruptcy bench.

Do you have any special talents? I am an avid runner and have completed several marathons and half marathons and numerous River Runs. Also, I’ve been told (by my law clerk) that I’m very funny.

How do you relate your undergraduate degree to your practice as an attorney and on the bench? I majored in business administration. A substantial part of my law practice was business related so my understanding of business principles, agency relations and accounting served me well. Those concepts also have repeatedly arisen during my time on the bench.

What is your favorite movie? I have two favorites movies: “Spanish Prisoner” with Steve Martin and “My Cousin Vinny.” If you weren’t a judge what do you think you’d be? I cannot, and do not want to, imagine.

What community service have you pursued and why? I believe we all have a responsibility to give back. I served on the board of directors at my synagogue and on the board of Pine Castle, an organization for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I also performed pro bono work through legal aid.

Have you traveled anywhere exotic? I’m not sure what “exotic” means (in this context) but I have traveled to England, France, Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, Denmark, Russia, Germany, Finland and Sweden.

What is your favorite book? “Small Great Things” by Jodi

What’s your favorite holiday? Thanksgiving

What’s your favorite food? Fried chicken

Special to the Daily Record

Barnett: I feel like a bride planning for a wedding CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

rassed to say that after each birth I’ve taken new client calls and participated in conference calls from the hospital. For some reason, I never gave myself permission to unplug. I’m not proud of it and I don’t recommend it. Intellectually, I also know that no one expected me to do this – most importantly not my awesome partners. Thankfully, my kids don’t remember and seem unaffected by my distraction at the time.

Perhaps it’s the effect of a friend dying from cancer last year, another one recently being diagnosed with cancer and yet a third aggressively fighting it now. I’m giving myself permission to unplug for several weeks this summer. My kids are old enough to know when I am there and not there, when I’m distracted and when I am fully present. My parents are aging. Despite the fact I see them a lot, they deserve some uninterrupted time, including a few

undisturbed phone calls when I’m not cutting it short for another call or walking into a deposition. They’ve been really good to me – always. My husband, God bless him. I will go look at cars or golf clubs, eat barbecue, or whatever else the man wants to do. And me, you should see my Pinterest pages. I am a little anxious. What if I come back and the firm name has changed? What if my clients leave me? What if they like someone else better than me? I could go on and on.

Thankfully, I feel comfortable in my partnership and in the team that we have such that when I bring myself back down to reality, I recognize these are all possibilities but not probabilities. I’ve read many times that part of the therapeutic effect of taking a vacation is the planning of the vacation. I feel like a 5-year-old heading to Walt Disney World, or like a bride planning a wedding. I don’t expect any major revelations or transformations while I’m on sabbatical.

If history repeats itself, maybe I’ll get back and buy an Airstream and a pickup truck like one of my partners. Then again, maybe not. I’ll have to send that expert this article as he inspired for us a new firm tradition and sparked a sense of excitement that is simply contagious. MICHELLE BEDOYA BARNETT IS A FOUNDING PARTNER OF ALEXANDER DEGANCE BARNETT, FOCUSING ON LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW.

Dearing: Community service good for business CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

We know your lives are busy, the demands on your time, and how many options you have for how to spend your precious free time. It is hard to carve out time for giving back, but doing community service with your colleagues and with the new friends you will make is good for you, and good for your practice. First, it gives you perspective about your community, which you can bring to your life and practice. Second, it creates a better work-life balance when your volunteer work isn’t related to law.

With due respect to the immense import of pro bono services, doing volunteer work unrelated to law will feel less like “work” and will give your mind a break. It also helps you meet new people; in this case, people at the nonprofit and members of other Bar associations with whom you are serving. Not convinced yet? Community service also is good for business. How many times has each of us been told, at all varieties of marketing seminars, career development mentorship circles, coffee dates, etc., that the best way to expand your network and bring in clients is to be “out there,” be seen, be

someone that people think of when their issue or their need comes up. By being out in our city, you will develop a sense of how industries function and you will become more familiar with the attitudes and values of our community. The people that you serve with, and often the people who are the recipients of the service, are your future potential clients. They are sources of business, referrals, resources for information and your friends. The most active and engaged professionals that I know, lawyers or not, also are the ones who respond to my queries for assistance with “I know a guy

who ….” How do they always know a guy? Because they are present and engaged; they are out there. Being involved with the community is an easy and genuine way for you to engage. This is your chance to give back to this great city and broaden your network at the same time. Together, we can help build unity and fight hunger in our community by assisting in sorting food for distribution to families in need. According to Feeding Northeast Florida, more than 230,000 people in Northeast Florida struggle to put food on the table, and more than 81,000 of them are children.

The nonprofit works to provide food for those children, families, veterans and seniors so they can focus on building a foundation for a stronger tomorrow and do not have to choose between paying the rent or buying groceries. Please join our fellow local Bar associations Saturday in giving back. For more information or to sign up, visit jaxbar.org or call (904) 399-4486. KATIE DEARING IS A 4TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT JUDGE AND PRESIDENT OF THE JACKSONVILLE BAR ASSOCIATION.

Jacksonville Daily Record

THE BAR BULLETIN

Thursday, April 4, 2019 • Page 23

A president-elect and six members of the Jacksonville Bar Association board of governors are to be elected by May 1. Online voting opens April 11 and live voting will be conducted from 11:15 to 11:45 a.m. May 1 before the association’s annual Law Day Luncheon. Members may visit jaxbar.org for additional information about the candidates and to cast a ballot. PRESIDENT-ELECT CANDIDATE

Michelle Bedoya Barnett I credit much of my professional success and satisfaction to my involvement in Bar activities. I want every member of our organization to have the opportunity to say the same. I am committed to working to engage our current members and prospective members through outstanding programming that is relevant and interesting. As lawyers, our most valuable resource is our time. Your time spent with the JBA should be worthwhile – always. BOARD OF GOVERNORS CANDIDATES

Jessica Byrne My goals for the Jacksonville Bar Association are to expand membership, reach more of our members, endeavor to perform more community outreach and offer more programming targeted to the needs of our membership. I hope to achieve these goals through programming efforts. I would like to see the JBA pair with young lawyers to offer practical tools to assist them in growing as a legal practitioner. In addition, I would like to see more emphasis on health and wellness, and to achieve this, I would envision more creative ways to encourage this effort. This would include workshops designed to help with work/life balance, physical and mental health and general wellness. Finally, I would like to try to pair with other local nonprofits and businesses on joining events to enhance relationships across the community at large.

Brian T. Coughlin (Incumbent) My goals are to work within the board of governors to support Jacksonville lawyers personally and professionally, keep in high esteem our judiciary and system of justice, lead on major issues affecting our profession and help maintain strong membership and financial infrastructure for the organization. We will be a board of governors that insists on professional and ethical standards that instill public confidence in our profession. And because bringing lawyers together is a major function of the JBA, I will continue to push for diverse opportunities for networking and legal education.

Amber R. Donley My overall goal is to effectuate change and leave a lasting impact. If elected, I would bring diligence and passion to the role. I want to encourage collaborative efforts between the JBA and other voluntary Bar associations. This would allow the organization to support voluntary Bar associations and connect with attorneys and judges who may not be involved with the JBA. Opportunities to connect, collaborate and foster relationships are critical to our legal community. I believe that it is extremely important to expand outreach to law school students to create a pipeline of future JBA members and leaders. Next, it is vital to the organization to ensure that members are engaged and see the value in the organization. Finally, my goal is to ensure our community efforts reach a wide array of people and communities in NE Florida.

Christian George (Incumbent) After dedicating considerable time to The Florida Bar, I am ready to bring my efforts back home to Jacksonville. The JBA needs to focus on maintaining and growing its membership through creating return on investment for your membership dues. The JBA must assist in equipping our members with the right tools to create more efficient practices. We must also encourage our members to live their best lives in and out of the law by focusing on their physical and mental health. The JBA should continue to create opportunities for networking with lawyers and judges, which fosters professionalism among colleagues. Finally, it is very important to run the association like a business and the board must ensure that we maintain and look for opportunities to improve our financial position as we continue to grow the JBA.

Jamie W. Karpman My goal is to elevate JBA’s value and increase its support of the lawyers in our community. An established leader in JBA, Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association, Florida Association for Women Lawyers and The Florida Bar, I have the abilities to effect positive change. My focus will be on enhancing our substantive programming to provide you with the resources you need. Providing opportunities that maximize your network and time. Delivering social events that connect you with friends and peers in a purposeful way. Ensuring interested members have the opportunity and support to be successful JBA leaders and defining a clear path to committee, section and board leadership positions. Improving the visibility of JBA’s committee work and Young Lawyers Section programming to increase member engagement.

Blane McCarthy (Incumbent) During my six years of service on the board of governors, my primary focus has been on the Jacksonville Bar’s CLE event programming. Lawyers in the Jacksonville area can rely on the JBA’s annual CLE event calendar, including online access to video recordings of our seminars. Robust CLE programming provides you with needed educational opportunities and helps keep your membership dues affordable by providing a non-dues revenue source. I also bring to the board of governors diligence and a hard work ethic. I am the only sole practitioner on the board, providing it with a perspective that would otherwise be absent. In practice since 1995, I am the most experienced (i.e. oldest) lawyer on the board and can ensure that JBA leadership does not lose sight of what our more “seasoned” members may find important in their Bar membership.

Shea M. Moser My goal is to continue the Jacksonville Bar Association’s great work to provide value and services to our members. I would like to explore new avenues to serve the community and increase participation in the JBA. I think it is also important to offer opportunities for members of the JBA to socialize in order to maintain Jacksonville’s great tradition of professionalism in the legal community. It is my goal to continue the JBA’s efforts to be relevant to all lawyers in Jacksonville and to continue to stay on the cutting edge of the practice of law.

Adina L. Pollan I have been a passionate member of the JBA since 2009. For a decade, I have been behind the scenes helping various committees to bring new and exciting events together for the JBA. This year, as chair of the Judicial Relations Committee, my committee brought Cocktails with the Court and the inaugural Bench & Bar Conference to the JBA, as well as changed the sidebar luncheon format to a more interactive lunch & learn. I have also worked with our judiciary to bring back the “judicial poll” to

provide an outlet for our judges to let the general public get to know them on a personal basis. My goal has been to think creatively to provide value to the current members, as well as find ways to grow membership. I would be honored to have the opportunity to continue with those goals on a larger scale as a member of the JBA board of governors.

Michael Stanski Jacksonville is a great place to practice law. I want to keep it that way! As governor, I will seek to keep legacy programs like members’ luncheons vibrant. I will also focus event programming based on cohort needs and desires. What is interesting for the young attorney may not be met with the same interest by the senior attorney. I will strengthen committee development. Committees are the lifeblood of the JBA and allow for focused participation by members. Strong committees provide for a strong JBA. Attorneys of the Jacksonville Bar not only serve the local community but Florida and beyond. I seek to serve on the board of governors to ensure JBA’s legacy and service not just for today but also tomorrow.

Art Stresing My goal for the Jacksonville Bar Association is to increase my brand as much as possible. I’m kidding. My real goal is to try and help as many people as possible. I’d like to think I do that as a public defender and, during my time with Jacksonville Asian American Bar Association, we tried to do as much volunteering for the Jacksonville community as we could. The JBA has a much farther reach and I would like to continue that mission.

Asghar A. Syed (Incumbent) The Jacksonville Bar Association does a lot. So much that few members appreciate the scope of the JBA’s offerings. It convenes at luncheons, maintains common areas like the lawyers’ lounge and offers quality programming. I intend to foster member engagement so our lawyers can secure the full value of their JBA membership. The JBA offers high-quality CLEs such as the annual Ehrlich, Criser and TPC seminars and JBA committees (like the Elder Law and L&E committees) offer a forum for attorneys to educate and learn from one another. I hope to build on the JBA’s strengths by working to improve its educational programs. In everything it does, my goal is to ensure the JBA pursues excellence. I want every JBA event to be a quality event, well planned and perfectly executed.

John K. Weedon I am proud to call Jacksonville my hometown. The camaraderie and civility in our legal community set us apart from other legal communities in our state. In my practice, I strive to create and maintain healthy adversarial relationships with my opposition in order to make our jobs less stressful. I would like to continue to promote these qualities in our membership through more social activities for networking as well as events aimed to improve our community through charity and community service. I also believe that the Jacksonville Bar Association can provide more hands-on CLE experiences for younger attorneys through practical workshops and would be willing to assist in any such programs.

JBA BOARD OF GOVERNORS ELECTION

13 candidates seeking 7 seats

IN THE LAW

Page 24 • Thursday, April 4, 2019

Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer

CRYSTAL FREED

CRYSTAL FREED Christ-follower, wife, mom, attorney, community trustee and advocate, in that order

BY MAX MARBUT • ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Age: 42

Crystal Freed is founder of the Freed Firm and is the 4th Judicial Circuits’s 2019 recipient of The Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award. She’s also rehearsing to be a contestant April 27 in Jacksonville’s Dancing with the Stars to benefit the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus. Who or what inspired you to become a lawyer? I came to the practice of

law somewhat atypically. Through a series of events in my troubled family, at 14 I met a sympathetic assistant state attorney in Broward County who asked me what I needed to feel safe. The realization of the positive impact the law can have on lives came into focus, placing me on the path to becoming a counselor at law. How did you decide your practice area? And why have you chosen that? I started as a commercial

litigator because the idea of navigating the law as a mechanism to resolve the ever-changing landscape in complex business disputes was a welcomed challenge. Then, in 2008, my current practice area chose me because, aside from a handful of immigration lawyers, no one was representing victims of human trafficking. I have since expanded my areas of practice to include contract, landlord-tenant and probate cases, deliberately serving the defenseless or oppressed through Jacksonville Area Legal Aid. What has been the biggest change in your practice area since you passed the Bar? Propelled by

legislation and advocacy, there is a better, albeit rudimentary,

Education: Florida Atlantic University, double major in international business and management, minor in Spanish; The Georgetown University Law Center, J.D.

understanding of the people involved in and the legal issues presented by the laws addressing sex trafficking (though some still conflate it with the sex trade).

Hometown: Penal Rock Road, Penal, Trinidad and Tobago and post-1990, Fort Lauderdale.

What do you think will be the next biggest change in your area of law? An understanding of legal

issues, rights and remedies presented by labor trafficking outside of undocumented workers, remains a real challenge. However, as attorneys across the country continue to bring strategic labor trafficking cases, both justice for victims and increased public awareness will follow. My hope is that businesses will come alongside the anti-labor trafficking movement as an ally in ferreting out bad actors and criminals in their respective industries, without the need for additional regulation.

Family: Husband, Mike, also a lawyer; two girls, 15 and 10; and my bonus kids, 24, 21 and 17. Favorite book: “The Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S. Lewis Books I’m reading now: “A Crack in Creation” by Jennifer Doudna and Samuel Sternberg and “Designing Your Life” by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans

What’s your advice for new lawyers?

The Oxford Dictionary’s word of the year for 2018 was “toxic” while for 2016, the word was “post-truth.” Since we are not divorced from the “toxic, post-truth” society of which we are not only a part, but also draw our clients, the clarion call of the Oath of Attorney, to truth, honor, fairness, integrity and civility must be front and center of our life and practice.

Favorite nonwork activities: International travel with my family, serving my local church, reading, the arts and taking and instructing Les Mills BodyCombat classes Special to the Daily Record

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