• Words from the newest JB partner: Dreams do come true if you work for them
  • Jimerson Birr adds business litigator Austin T. Hamilton to the cadre
  • Charlie Jimerson is keynote speaker at the Jacksonville Lawyers Roundtable
  • New Law Blogs
  • Curiosities, Ruminations and Various Eccentricities of Firm Biz
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Words from the newest JB partner:
Dreams do come true if you work for them
I’m a second career guy. A decade ago I was constructing buildings during the real estate boom. When the bottom fell out, I had a big decision to make. Stay in the construction industry, or head in another direction. I chose the harder path. I chose to become an attorney.

At the time of my career switch, I was married, already had two children, and owned a home and two dogs. Going to law school while supporting my family was not going to be easy. It was going to take a ton of hard work. It was a bit of a scary proposition to say the least. But I had confidence that I could do it, that I could be a good lawyer, and make the reward worth the risk. 

I set a goal when I made the decision to become a lawyer. I wanted to make partner in as short a time as possible.  That goal was accomplished in December 2018 . It has been a hard road to get here, but now that I’m here, it feels darn good.

It has been a ton of hard work, as expected. The last 8 years have been by far the hardest I have ever worked. The hard work has been worth it. A lot of it was luck too. At the end of my first year of law school, I implemented the next step in my plan. Step one was to study harder than any other student and end the first year in the top 5 of my class. Step two was get a full time job at a law firm before the end of my first year of school. I accomplished those goals, and was rewarded greatly by landing at this firm. I have been working here full time ever since. I went from sharing a desk with another law clerk in the middle of a 3-story office in Riverside, to now sitting on the 14 th Floor with four windows in my office overlooking the expansive St. Johns river.  This firm has given me the opportunity to achieve my goals.

Charlie Jimerson once told me something that has stuck with me over the past years. Just about everything can be cured with hard work. There is no substitute for hard work. Another wise man once said: 

“Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.” - Abraham Lincoln 

At our firm, we often take a moment to look back at past accomplishments earned through hard work, then determine our next set of goals and keep working hard toward them. We’ve come a long way, but we’re really only at the start of our journey. We’re excited about our future. I have been blessed to have great, nice people around me here. Many of us have spent time in the trenches with each other, which forms a bond unlike any other. We’ve supported each other in the hard times, and celebrated each other in our successes. Spring is right around the corner (I know that because my wife is counting down the days to the end of winter — when I trim my beard). With the coming of Spring, we are thankful for the past and look to the future. Do something today that your future self will thank you for.

Very Truly Yours,
Jimerson Birr adds business litigator
Austin T. Hamilton to the cadre
This month we welcomed business litigator Austin T. Hamilton to the firm. He has joined our business litigation, construction law and appellate law practice groups, focusing on all aspects of litigation in both state and federal court.

For six years prior to joining Jimerson Birr, Austin worked for a business litigation firm in Jacksonville representing a wide variety of clients from small and mid-sized businesses. He is an experienced trial attorney who has tried both jury trials and bench trials in state and federal court. His diverse law practice includes: complex commercial litigation, general business litigation, business and contract disputes, commercial defamation and disparagement, commercial lease disputes, construction lien disputes, construction defects, real property litigation, creditor’s rights, garnishments and collections. Austin also represents homeowners associations and condominium associations in various matters including the collection of unpaid assessments and the construction and enforcement of governing documents.

Austin is a Hoosier by birth but a Boilermaker by the grace of God. He was born in Lafayette, Indiana and grew up in a small suburb outside of Cleveland, Ohio. While he did not attend Purdue University, Austin is an avid Purdue Boilermaker fan and grew up attending Gene Keady’s summer basketball camp at Purdue University. Austin attended the 2018 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament in Madison Square Garden.

When he's not working, Austin enjoys exercising, playing basketball, improving his pitiful golf game, fishing, chasing his children on the beach and spending quality time with his wife Emily and two adorable children.
Charlie Jimerson is keynote speaker at
the Jacksonville Lawyers Roundtable
We hear variations on: "life is moving fast, and we just don't have time to do it all" every single day. For lawyers, whose professional lives often require juggling many constantly shifting priorities at all times, this is especially true.

Therefore, it's only fitting that the topic for the Jacksonville Lawyers Roundtable luncheon on Friday, March 1 is “Tips and Techniques for Obtaining Work-Life Balance," presented by keynote speaker Charlie Jimerson. His remarks cover time management techniques, organizational methods and communications protocols which help him keep a well-rounded, jam-packed schedule that balances:

  • the practice of law;
  • the management of an award-winning, full-service business law firm;
  • widespread community and industry engagement; and
  • a life as a dedicated family man.

If you are an attorney interested in attending or participating in the monthly roundtable luncheon, email Doug Wilder or call (904) 705-4567.
Jimerson Birr Legal Blogs
Are you keeping up with the latest information in business and law? Jimerson Birr publishes weekly blog posts covering topics from construction law, business litigation, eminent domain law, community associations law and everything in between. Click here to subscribe today and stay up-to-date on the latest legal news from these areas:

Commercial Real Estate and Land Use Law Blog
What Does The Sign Say? Sign Regulation, Legal Issues and the First Amendment


All signs are subject to some form of regulation while at the same time carrying some form of First Amendment protection. Due to those protections afforded by the First Amendment, government regulation of signs is subject to a heightened scrutiny. This can often lead to disputes and litigation which we all know can be expensive and risky, while sometimes necessary or inevitable. 

Click here to read the full blog post.
Community Association Law Blog
Florida Law On Pre-Turnover And Post-Turnover Community Association Contracts


Community associations are businesses. Not only are they corporate entities, but they collect revenue (i.e., owner assessments) and incur expenses planned for through a yearly budget. Just like any other business, community associations find themselves in unfavorable contractual relationships with other entities.

Click here to read the full blog post.
Business Litigation Blog
Collecting Criminal Restitution Orders In Florida

and Evan Reid, JD Candidate

Our firm is often asked, what, if any, legal right in collection does an aggrieved victim have against a criminal defendant who was ordered to pay restitution in a preceding criminal action? In short, an aggrieved party that is either the state or named as a victim in a resulting criminal Restitution Order has an enforceable right to restitution identical to a judgment holder. 

Click here to read the full blog post.
How OSHA Calculates Penalties


Click here to read the full blog post.
Firm News
Curiosities, Ruminations and Various Eccentricities of Firm Biz
Charlie Jimerson featured on recent Jacksonville Buzz TV episode

The perceived challenge of attaining work-life balance is a recurring theme for many professionals, and it served as the subject for a recent episode of Jacksonville Buzz. Charlie joined host Grant Smith to discuss the topic and shared his insight, including several steps for achieving the goal of healthy balance.

These included being a great planner, being efficient with your time, prioritizing what's most important in your life, and being disciplined. Charlie used the example of how he structures his "perfect day" as a practicing lawyer to help illustrate the point. He explained that how you can apply time percentages related to life priorities, based on a well thought-out plan. As a result, what you actually spend your time doing will effectively equal what you really want out of life, and thus achieve the balance you seek.

If you missed the show or would like to see it again, click here to watch the video segment.
Hot chili on a cool day at the 2019 Jacksonville Bar Association Young Lawyers Section Annual Chili Cook-off

Our very own Adam Edgecombe co-chaired this year's YLS Charity Chili Cook-off , with over 50 firms in the Jacksonville legal community coming together for an afternoon of live music and delicious competition. The cook-off has been held since 2009, and each year helps to raise thousands of dollars for a local charity. This year's charity was Best Buddies Florida , an organization that offers one-to-one friendship, integrated employment and leadership development programs that impact over 100,000 individuals in the state, with and without disabilities.

If you were there, you know that the Jimerson Birr "Chilionaires" Team 28 did not disappoint, "coming in hot" with 5 gallons of scrumptious chili and a myriad of tasty fix-ins. Attorneys and staff from our firm served hundreds of visitors for over five hours, and we received a lot of positive feedback on both our chili and our new look. We even had a special Jimerson Birr T-Rex join the festivities, handing out Jimerson Birr -branded koozies and other promotional items throughout the Riverside Arts Market. We are definitely looking forward to next year's event!

To watch a short video of the Chilionaires in action at the event, click here .
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