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Partner's Perspective: Making Time to Keep Perspective
- Jimerson Birr Ranked Among Best Law Firms in the Nation
- Gregory J. Lesak, Jr. Joins Jimerson Birr as Special Counsel
- Last Chance to Vote for Jimerson Birr in the Florida Community Association Journal's Reader's Choice Awards
- Blog Highlights
- Curiosities, Ruminations and Various Eccentricities of Firm Biz
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PARTNER'S PERSPECTIVE
Brandon Meadows - Making Time to Keep Perspective
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The month of November marks the beginning of the holiday season, and it comes with a wave of anticipation and expectation. The hustle and bustle over the next several weeks will impact us all in very different ways, depending on your season of life. But one thing is certain: as quickly as the holidays sneak up on us, they will likewise pass us in the blink of an eye.
The speed of life seems to accelerate with each passing year, and the sense that time is a precious and fleeting commodity leaves us either longing for the past or worrying about the future. On one hand, we might spend our day dwelling on the past, whether that means a great achievement, a deep loss, or reminiscing a host of nostalgic memories. On the other hand, we can find ourselves extremely focused on the future, whether that means constantly planning and setting goals, or anxiously anticipating the next big thing to happen in our lives.
In many ways, we are conditioning our mental and emotional states on a past and future that is largely out of our control. In reality, the only moment we can control—the only moment we can truly live in—is the present. A quote from the Dalai Lama captures this concept beautifully: “There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called Yesterday and the other is called Tomorrow. Today is the right day to love, believe, do and mostly live.”
To “be present” and to “live in the moment” are hackneyed phrases; clichés that come without instructions. And if you’re reading this lawyer’s perspective for a “how-to” on being present in the moment, you might be disappointed. You see, I’m among those guilty of being inevitably distracted by the past events of the day, or what the future days will hold—all at the sacrifice of the present.
As an attorney and father of three young children, every day has its unique demands, where it seems everything and everyone is competing for my time and attention. I can readily recall regretful instances where I missed an opportunity to soak in the present moment. In fact, there have been many days when my emotional and mental self could not keep up with my physical self.
Lately, I have found some success in “being present,” and it all started with simply increasing my awareness of the issue. By accepting the fact that the world will not explode in the next 10 minutes if I don’t check my email; by practicing gratitude for all the sights, sounds and smells around me; and by acknowledging that sometimes the most important people are those people right in front me; those are the actions that help me to “be present.”
Over the next several weeks, there will be plenty of time for reflection on the past and perhaps even more anticipation for the future. But don’t forget about the moments that can be grasped and better embraced. “Today is the right day to love, believe, do and mostly live.” There is no time like the present.
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Jimerson Birr Ranks Among Best Law Firms in the Nation |
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Jimerson Birr has been named one of the “Best Law Firms” for the third consecutive year, according to U.S. News – Best Lawyers® 2022 rankings.
Firms recognized by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® go through a rigorous screening and selection process, which includes peer evaluation, demonstrated client success, previous honors and the size and scope of the practice. Best Lawyers has conducted over 13 million evaluations of lawyers and firms across the globe.
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Cast Your Vote: Jimerson Birr Nominated for a Reader's Choice Award from Florida Community Association Journal |
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We are excited to share that Jimerson Birr has again been nominated for a Florida Community Association Journal (FLCAJ) Reader's Choice Award. The FLCAJ Awards are presented each year to industry service providers, and the winners are selected by popular vote through their online voting process. Last year, the firm won a Platinum Award thanks to the number of votes cast.
Voting is quick, and we hope you will cast your vote for us in the Legal Services category. We appreciate your consideration, and thank you for continuing to be loyal readers and friends.
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Seasoned Real Estate and Construction Litigator and Contract Attorney Joins Jimerson Birr
Gregory J. Lesak, Jr.
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Seasoned commercial litigator and transactional attorney Gregory J. Lesak, Jr. has joined Jimerson Birr as Special Counsel, bringing years of legal experience and a unique perspective for serving clients gained from his experience as both the client and the attorney.
Prior to joining the firm, Lesak was in-house counsel for a large publicly traded real estate company, where he led multiple attorneys and litigation matters, and managed their large contracting program. Before that, he worked as an attorney for several prominent law firms specializing in complex commercial litigation and real estate development, focusing on a wide range of matters, including real estate transactions and land use work.
Lesak has particular expertise in landlord-tenant leasing and dispute resolution, construction contracting and dispute resolution, complex commercial litigation, insurance disputes, client contract drafting and negotiations, as well as in contract automation and cybersecurity.
"It is our continued mission to augment our capacity to serve clients with attorneys who can add additional value to the work they are doing and perspective to the conversations they are having every day,” said managing partner Charles B. Jimerson. “Greg understands the business of the sectors he works in as well as he understands the laws that govern them, and that's exactly the type of counsel we aim to provide."
Lesak earned his Juris Doctor with High Honors from Florida State University College of Law and was admitted into the Florida Bar in 2003. He holds a Bachelor's Degrees from FSU in Finance and Real Estate. He is a member of the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) and the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).
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Jimerson Birr Legal Blogs |
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Are you keeping up with the latest information in business and law? Jimerson Birr publishes weekly blog posts covering topics from construction law, real estate development, sales and leasing law, banking and financial services law, community association law, and everything in between. Click here to subscribe today and stay up-to-date on the latest legal news from the industries we serve:
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Real Estate Development, Sales & Leasing Industry Legal Blog |
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What Happens When a Lender Fails to Record a Satisfaction of a Mortgage.
Paying off one’s mortgage can be an exciting time for homeowners. Not only is the homeowner relieved of the burden of their monthly mortgage payments, but they are also finally able to proclaim that the property is owned free and clear. However, making the payoff alone does not automatically free the home from the mortgage and the lien used to secure it. Under Florida law, a mortgage lender is required to release their lien against the property upon satisfaction, giving the owner clear title to their home, absent any other encumbrances. This article will discuss the requirements that a mortgage lender must fulfill upon satisfaction of a mortgage and property owner’s remedies if the lender fails to do so...
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Community Associations Industry Legal Blog |
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How Do I Get My Attorney's Fees in Litigation After a Settlement is Reached?
When lawsuits are filed, sometimes the prevailing party is entitled to attorney's fees. As a general rule in Florida, those attorney’s fees may only be awarded if a statute or contract allows for them. See State Farm Fire & Cas. CO. v. Palma, 629 So.2d 830, 832 (Fla. 1993).
For example, in lawsuits involving a homeowners’ association and one of its members, Florida Statute § 720.305 provides that attorney's fees are awarded to the “prevailing party.” However, determining the “prevailing party” is not always clear, particularly when a pre-trial settlement is reached. A recent decision in Isola Bella Homeowners Ass’n, Inc. v. Clement addresses this issue and provides guidance on determining the “prevailing party” for purposes of awarding attorney's fees after a settlement agreement is reached...
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Construction Industry Legal Blog |
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Five Key Construction Terms That Every Subcontractor Needs to Negotiate
One of the most important aspects of construction project success for subcontractors can be the subcontract agreement. A one-sided subcontract in favor of the contractor can make problems experienced by the subcontractor on the project even worse, and leave the subcontractor with very few options. While subcontractors may not always have the ability to renegotiate the entirety of a contractor’s standard form subcontract, this blog highlights five of the key provisions that every subcontractor should carefully review and try to negotiate in order to try to put themselves in a position to achieve successful project outcomes and minimize the effects of project problems...
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Banking & Financial Services Industry Legal Blog |
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What Does Florida's New Summary Judgement Standard Mean for Lenders in Borrower Default Cases?
One of the most important aspects of construction project success for subcontractors can be the subcontract agreement. A one-sided subcontract in favor of the contractor can make problems experienced by the subcontractor on the project even worse, and leave the subcontractor with very few options. While subcontractors may not always have the ability to renegotiate the entirety of a contractor’s standard form subcontract, this blog highlights five of the key provisions that every subcontractor should carefully review and try to negotiate in order to try to put themselves in a position to achieve successful project outcomes and minimize the effects of project problems...
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Cross-Industry Legal Blog |
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How to Prevent Public Access to Confidential Business Information Through Motions to Seal Records
Professional service providers in the state of Florida find themselves in precarious legal situations often given the nature of their work. Because these companies are providing advice, consulting, or other services based an employee’s individual qualifications or relationships, there is always an opportunity for the individual to act in his or her own best interest rather than in the interests of the professional service provider company or the client...
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Curiosities, Ruminations and Various Eccentricities of Firm Biz |
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November JB FOR ME Highlight Reel
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This Thanksgiving season, we’re thankful for our colleagues, our clients, and our health—but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a good donut or two (or three, or four).
We kicked off the month by enjoying the second Donut Day of the year (yes, there’s two! Look it up.) Did you know that America eats 10 billion donuts a year? That's about 31 donuts per person! At Jimerson Birr, we were happy to contribute to the count. Sometimes, it's the smallest things that bring us the most pleasure, like finding out sweet treats from multiple local vendors were available in the breakroom. We choose to classify this under "breaking bread with friends."
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Daphne Gomez and Stephanie Maynard unbox dozens of donuts for the firm's second observance of Donut Day. |
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Jimerson Birr was proud to sponsor the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's (JDRF’s) annual Party with a Purpose, A Night Under the Stars, on November 4 at the TPC Sawgrass Back Lawn. The purpose was to raise money to find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes, and boy, did it do just that. Over $500 thousand was raised in just one night. All of the gala's proceeds support promising research and families with loves ones navigating life with T1D.
Our managing partner Charles Jimerson serves on the board of the organization and dedicates his time to fundraising and advocacy.
JDRF is the global leader in funding Type 1 Diabetes research. In 2020, JDRF raised over $500 Million for T1D research, partnering with industry leaders and the government to maximize their impact. To date, it has funded over $2 billion in research.
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Guests of the Jimerson Birr table at A Night Under the Stars
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Jimerson Birr Salutes Veterans |
As a Veteran-Owned Business, our leadership knows, first-hand, the contributions and sacrifices of servicemen and women both on and off the battlefield. We will always salute the veterans who have served our country not just on Veteran's Day, but every day. |
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