< PreviousThese professionals have each been nominated by their peers to receive the honor of Top 10 Under 40 in the First Coast legal community. While their careers are still growing, they have each already differentiated themselves as an attorney to watch in the Jacksonville area. Congratulations to them all. Chuck Griffith Partner at Papalas & Griffith, PLLC Chuck Griffith has dedicated his entire legal career to advocating for landowners and business owners in eminent domain and condemnation matters as well as other property rights litigation. He is active with JBA’s Young Lawyers Section, currently in his third year serving as an ex-officio board member. Outside of work, Griffith and his wife, Lauren, love spending time with their girls, Ginny and Maggie. Favorite Legal Themed Movie: “To Kill a Mockingbird” -- Reid M. Hart Founder of Hart Law, PLLC Born and raised in Jacksonville, Reid M. Hart received his Juris Doctor in 2009 from Stetson University College of Law. Following his admission to the Florida Bar, Hart practiced in the St. Petersburg/Tampa area for several years before returning to Jacksonville. Since becoming a licensed attorney, Hart has exclusively practiced criminal defense, handling cases from the pre-arrest investigative phase through jury trial. Favorite Legal Themed Movie: “ A Time to Kill” and “My Cousin Vinny,” movies; and “Suits,” TV show. -- First Coast 10 ATTORNEY AT LAW MAGAZINE · FIRST COAST · VOL. 4 NO. 5Amelia Henderson Shareholder at Smith Hulsey & Busey Amelia Henderson is a shareholder in Smith Hulsey & Busey’s healthcare and corporate departments. A former president of the Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association, Henderson has been recognized as an Ultimate Attorney and 40 Under 40 by the Jacksonville Business Journal and as a Florida Legal Elite Up and Comer. Favorite Legal Themed Movie: “A Time to Kill” -- E. Holland “Holly” Howanitz Shareholder at Wicker, Smith, O’Hara, McCoy & Ford, P.A. Holly Howanitz is a shareholder in Wicker Smith’s Jacksonville office supervising a team of six associate attorneys. In addition, she supervises the Brunswick, Georgia office. Howanitz was recognized by the Jacksonville Business Journal as one of the 2015 top 40 under 40 for business leaders and professionals and as one of the 2016 Women of Influence. She is married to attorney Jay Howanitz and they have one son, Dutch. Favorite Legal Themed TV Show: “ Matlock” as a child; “Ally McBeal” as a young adult; and most recently “Trial and Error.” -- Matthew C. Hunt Named Partner at Phillips & Hunt Matthew C. Hunt, is a partner at the newly re-named law firm of Phillips & Hunt, P.A. (previously the Law Offices of John M. Phillips). Hunt is a board certified specialist in marital and family law in Florida, and manages the family law division at the firm. He has been voted as the best Divorce and Family Lawyer by Void Magazine, Folio Weekly, and Jacksonville Business Journal. Favorite Legal Themed TV Show: “Matlock” -- Dan Iracki Partner at Coker Law Dan Iracki is the youngest partner ever named to Coker Law, and one of the youngest board certified civil trial lawyers in the state. He has tried more than 50 civil jury trials, resulting in combined total judgments and verdicts of over $52 million. He is a member of several professional organizations, as well as a community champion for children’s issues. Favorite Legal Themed Movie: “The Rainmaker” -- Timothy Miller Associate at Robert Shafer and Associates Timothy is a Jacksonville native who attended The Bolles School before attending the University of Alabama. He started his career at the State Attorney’s Office handling cases ranging from misdemeanors to repeat offender felonies. In 2016 he joined Robert Shafer and Associates where he specializes in representing those accused of committing crimes. Favorite Legal Themed Movie: “The Rainmaker” -- James Poindexter Shareholder at Delegal & Poindexter, P.A. James Poindexter, a JD/MBA, holds a certification in business law from Florida Coastal School of Law and is licensed in both Florida and Georgia. Practicing since 2015, Poindexter currently serves as co-chair of the Jacksonville Bar Association’s Government Relations Committee, treasurer of the Jacksonville Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section, and treasurer of the National Employment Lawyers Association, Florida Chapter. Favorite Legal Themed Movie: “ To Kill a Mockingbird” -- Stefano Portigliatti Associate at Coker Law Stefano Portigliatti specializes in commercial motor vehicle cases. He has represented clients in over 90 trucking cases and helped obtained more than $40 million in verdicts and settlements just in the last six years. He is one of the first 20 attorneys in the United States to complete a national certification in trucking litigation. Favorite Legal Themed Entertainment: “To Kill a Mockingbird,” book; “Time to Kill,” movie; and “Suits,” TV show. -- Matthew Spohrer Partner at Spohrer Dodd Matt Spohrer is a Jacksonville native and has over 10 years of experience handling injury cases. Like the rest of the Spohrer Dodd team, his cases tend to involve complex liability and catastrophic injuries. Spohrer is proud of the North Florida legal community’s reputation for civility and professionalism. Favorite Legal Themed Book: “Black Edge” by Sheelah Kolhatkar is a fascinating book about prosecuting insider trading. 11 AttorneyAtLawMagazine.comATTORNEY SPOTLIGHT AALM: What first drew you to your firm? Tell us about your role there. Moore: I was first drawn to Sheftall & As- sociates because of the opportunity to work for and alongside Scott Sheftall. Besides be- ing a master trial advocate with over 40 years of experience, Scott has been an outstanding mentor with a preternatural ability to con- vey complex subjects with clarity and ease. Over the past eight years, I have worked with Scott on every aspect of cases, from inception through trial, while guided by the firm maxim of “trust, commitment, care,” where we seek to build strong, lifetime connections with our clients starting from the first meeting. Our firm’s intense dedication to achieve a just out- come for every client is a direct reflection of the confidence that Scott has placed in each member of our staff from the very beginning. Brian Moore Clarity Purpose ATTORNEY AT LAW MAGAZINE · FIRST COAST · VOL. 4 NO. 5 12AT A GLANCE SHEFTALL & ASSOCIATES, P.A. One Independent Drive, Suite 3201 Jacksonville, FL 32202 (904) 647-4066 www.sheftalllaw.com PRACTICE AREAS Commercial Litigation Business Litigation Personal Injury EDUCATION Juris Doctor, University of Florida, Levin College of Law, 2010 Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and German, Davidson College, 2004 FAMILY Wife, Katherine Son, James Second Baby Due in February INTERESTS Florida Gators Davidson College Basketball AALM: What case most defined or redefined your practice? Moore: Our firm continues to handle a uniquely diverse range of business litigation and personal injury cases. Recently, however, we achieved noteworthy results in the First Amendment/defamation arena while going up against some of the largest multi-national media companies in the world. In this day and age, each defamation case pres- ents novel issues of law pertaining to mass media, social media, and technology. Our exacting research coupled with a creative eye towards problem solving has enabled us to stay on the cutting-edge of this fast- changing media landscape. AALM: What experiences have taught you the most? Moore: I think I draw most upon the human experiences when first conceptualizing my client’s case and then conveying it in front of a jury. The experience of representing an anguished mother in my first wrongful death case certainly crystallized the solemn duty that any ad- vocate undertakes to tell a client’s most personal story with heart and precision. Most recently, I have drawn upon the experience of being a father to my two-year old son, James. Through him, I have gained a clarity of purpose that personally drives me during the most stressful and intensive moments in litigation. AALM: What accomplishment are you most proud of achieving? Moore: Some of our biggest results have been multi-million dollar recoveries in cases which were settled on a confidential basis, so I can’t describe them. But not all of my proudest accomplishments come from the largest or most complex cases. When I first started at Sheftall & Associates, I was tasked with a bathtub slip and fall case where the out-of-state client had been turned down by several attorneys previ- ously. Mid-way through the case, I discovered evidence which signifi- cantly changed the dynamics of the case and resulted in one of the largest settlements the insurer had ever paid in a slip and fall case. This case taught me to trust my gut and instincts when evaluating a case, and to keep mining for those little nuggets of gold for as long as it takes. AALM: Are there any changes coming in the future that you’re ex- cited about? Moore: My beautiful wife, Kate, and I are most excited about the birth of our second child this coming February! “I have gained a clarity of purpose that personally drives me during the most stressful and intensive moments in litigation.” AttorneyAtLawMagazine.com 13® STRUCTURED SETTLEMENTS Injured Minors Wrongful Death & Catastrophic Injury New: S&P500 Index Linked & Market-based Options STRUCTURED ATTORNEY FEES Potential for Immediate Income & Tax Deferral Market-based Fee Structures May Utilize Attorney's Personal Financial Advisor TEAMARCADIA.COM Nathan M. Evans, CSSC, CMSS Jacksonville, FL (904)864-3600 nevans@teamarcadia.comAs attorneys, we are trained to pursue and resolve le- gal issues for the benefit of our clients. Primarily, those ben- efits are in the form of compensation. A verdict or settlement for an injured client is intended to compensate them for their losses, cover past and future medical care, and supplement or re- place a loss of the ability to earn fu- ture income. However, when cases are resolved, clients usually receive a substantial check without additional guidance on what to do with the mon- ey they received. With a little bit of effort, attorneys can help clients maximize their recov- ery through a strategic settlement that provides financial security, depend- able income, and support for their future needs. Discussing settlement options early can help clients under- stand the need to protect any money they recover and maximize the ben- efit to themselves. PERSPECTIVE A six-figure check is a significant sum of money for anyone. Individu- als with wealth typically rely on pro- fessionals to manage their money and assets. Advisors help them identify and accomplish their financial objec- tives, like retirement, tax, or business planning. Unlike those with means and in good health, injury victims have increased physical and financial demands that affect their everyday living. Many will not have the finan- cial resources or experience to help them preserve their settlement. Some may believe such a large sum of mon- ey will never run out. Clients must decide how to receive their compensation, but attorneys can help them make an informed decision that may enhance their quality of life for years to come. STRATEGIC SETTLEMENT: OFFENSE VS. DEFENSE There are numerous settlement op- tions available to meet clients’ finan- cial, medical, and family needs. In- jured clients can choose to safely grow their overall recovery by receiving a portion of their settlement over time or on a future date. This is known as a structured settlement, or “structure”. Unlike the services advertised by “cash now” corporations on TV and legal funding companies, structures were designed to provide greater financial security to injured victims through special tax-advantaged and protective provisions enacted by Congress in the Internal Revenue Code. There are also no fees to the client when a guaran- teed structure is established as part of the settlement. Investments such as a 401k, IRA, or Mutual Funds may offer higher potential returns than a traditional structure. However, the returns on these investments are not guaranteed and may be subject to taxes and man- agement fees. They may also be con- sidered an owned asset and subject to creditor liens, lawsuits, or penalties. Attorneys can engage a qualified settlement consultant well before resolution to help educate clients and coordinate with other settlement ve- hicles such as trusts. A Special Needs Trust is a great settlement option that can preserve eligibility for needs-based programs, such as Medicaid or Supplemental Se- curity Income (SSI). Pooled trusts are a cost-efficient alternative to stand- alone trusts in the right situation. ABLE accounts allow disabled chil- dren and young adults to build sav- ings without jeopardizing their public benefits, so long as their disability and onset qualifies. Professional adminis- tration accounts are also a great settle- ment tool that extend the client’s re- covery by lowering the cost of future prescription medicine. IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS Appropriately timing settlement discussions with the client can be critical. Broaching this topic early can help temper client expectations while still allowing them to plan and evalu- ate the right tool(s) for their needs. Options like trusts and structures re- quire lead time to prepare the required language and supporting documenta- tion, which can be drafted while final offers are being exchanged. Waiting until the case settles or until late in negotiations may stall payments and fees, surprise the client or appear less attractive than a big lump sum. Care should be taken to avoid con- structive receipt of the settlement funds if alternatives to cash are being considered. Since an attorney is an agent of the client, depositing pro- ceeds into a firm trust account may be viewed as constructive receipt there- by eliminating public benefits or the preferential tax-treatment of certain options. It is never too early to educate cli- ents on their settlement options. Structured settlements, trusts, and other options can coordinate to pro- vide long term financial security for injury victims. An attorney who dem- onstrates their commitment to a client early in the case by helping them plan for the future, will also build trust and rapport with that client. Regardless of the client’s ultimate decision, the attorney can feel confident that they have done their best to enhance the injured client’s life long after the case resolved. KEITH MAYNARD | Injury Settlement Planning Keith Maynard is a trial attorney at Spohrer & Dodd for cases in aviation law, wrongful death, products and premises liability, federal tort claims, transportation accidents, medical malpractice and insurance law. Gradu- ate of the University of Baltimore School of Law with a Juris Doctorate focused on business law and an M.B.A. from the Merrick School of Business. Retired as a Major from the Maryland Army National Guard in both the Infantry and Aviation branches and spent 11 years as a rated UH-60 pilot. Member of the Board of Directors for the Five STAR Veterans Center in Jacksonville and the Southern Legal Counsel. Enhancing Value for Injured Clients at Settlement AttorneyAtLawMagazine.com 15D. Finley Williams Jr. inley Williams, director of the Criminal Division at Phillips & Hunt, has prac- ticed law for less than a decade, but already has much to be proud of in his relatively short career. Williams has tried over 50 cases, with more than 25 of them before a jury. He is a board certified specialist in criminal trial law, making him the youngest of only 25 certified criminal trial law- yers in Duval County. The prestigious certification Williams achieved through dedication and hard work complements the board certifications in civil trial law and marital and family law held by the firm’s partners, John Phillips and Matt Hunt respectively. Williams’ proven criminal litigation prowess is a big ac- complishment for a man who wasn’t sure he even wanted to be a trial lawyer. “Growing up, I never liked speaking in front of people,” Williams says. “And now I do it for a career. It wasn’t un- til law school, after taking a mock trial class and forcing myself out of my comfort zone, that I discovered I really enjoyed it. Later on in law school, I interned at the state attorney’s office where I got my first real trial as the second chair. It was then that I was hooked.” Williams joined Phillips & Hunt in 2018, reestablishing the firm’s criminal defense practice in the wake of another attorney who left the firm several months earlier. A mutual friend put him on to the opportunity and the firm that was seeking a criminal defense attorney. Williams did some research and met with the founder John Phillips and liked what he learned about the prominent law firm. Williams is based out of the Ortega office, but the firm boasts multiple locations in Jacksonville, as well as one in Georgia. In addi- tion to criminal defense, the firm’s practice areas include personal injury, family law, business litiga- tion, and high-profile matters. “Everybody here takes work seriously, but we don’t take ourselves seriously,” Williams says. “We like to have fun and my boss, John, never misses an opportunity to par- ticipate in some fun competition. For example, the city did a call out for people to do a video promo to win Rolling Stones tickets. The firm made a video in an afternoon and ended up winning. It was a great time.” Williams graduated from Florida Coastal School of Law and received his license to practice in 2012. Prior to com- ing to Phillips & Hunt, the third-generation Jacksonville native worked for nearly six years as an Assistant State At- torney, trying attempted murder, robbery, burglary and other cases throughout the Fourth Circuit. His experience as a prosecutor enabled him to develop an in-depth un- derstanding of what it takes to convict someone in a crim- inal case. He brings that knowledge to the criminal de- fense cases he now handles, which include a wide variety ATTORNEY OF THE MONTH Helping Clients Through Tough Times BY VICKI HOGUE-DAVIES ATTORNEY AT LAW MAGAZINE · FIRST COAST · VOL. 4 NO. 5 16of misdemeanor and felony matters. “I really love the practice of crimi- nal law and especially enjoyed my time with the State Attorney’s Office,” he says. “When I left the State At- torney’s Office, I wanted to continue practicing criminal law. It was a natu- ral progression to move to criminal defense.” In spite of his record of success on the high-profile cases he has handled so far, Williams doesn’t believe he has yet experienced a career-defining moment. However, he has had some particularly rewarding experiences. A recent case involved a client who was falsely accused of impersonating a po- lice officer. Williams was able to use GPS evidence to prove that his client was on the other side of town when the crime occurred. “Getting his acquittal was a big one for me and was particularly reward- ing,” Williams says. DEVELOPING TOP LITIGATION SKILLS As someone who self admittedly didn’t like speaking in front of people, how did Williams develop his strong courtroom skills? He notes his expe- rience watching more experienced trial lawyers when he was with the State Attorney’s Office to help build his abilities. “As a visual learner, I took the op- portunity to watch some really great prosecutors which was incredibly helpful,” he says. “I would then in- corporate some of their style into my own presentation with a personal spin on it.” Williams also had some help hon- ing his courtroom presentations from another attorney, and one who is not afraid to tell him the truth. His wife Christina, who he met as an under- graduate at the University of Florida, and who practices insurance defense litigation at Taylor, Day, Grimm, & Boyd. She came to court to watch him try one of his first-ever cases. AttorneyAtLawMagazine.com 17At A Glance PHILLIPS & HUNT 4230 Ortega Boulevard Jacksonville, FL 32210 (904) 444-4444 www.floridajustice.com PRACTICE AREAS Criminal Defense Litigation EDUCATION Juris Doctor, Florida Coastal School of Law, 2012 Bachelor of Arts, Criminology, University of Florida, 2008 HONORS Board Certified Specialist in Criminal Trial Law, 2019 Voted Best Criminal Lawyer, Folio Weekly Magazine PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS Jacksonville Bar Association Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Edna Sproull Williams Foundation, Trustee & Board Member HOBBIES Spending Time With Family Rooting on Jaguars and Gators Playing Golf FAMILY Wife, Christina Son, Finley III FAVORITE MOVIE Wedding Crashers “I got chastised,” Williams laughs. “She said I didn’t have enough inflection in my voice and was too preachy, so during my next trial I made some drastic changes. When Christina came to watch one of my last trials at the SAO she was very impressed.” He attributes his friendly and easygoing na- ture to his success as a trial attorney. “I don’t have to force a smile in front of a jury,” Wil- liams says. “When personality and smiles come easily, that genuineness comes across to the jury, which is very important. It creates rapport and builds trust with the jury that is vital to your credibility.” Williams credits the example his parents set for his amicable dispo- sition and his people skills. “Both of my parents are great people and have a lot of integrity. I was raised to give respect to everybody and those teachings are really important when it comes to the law. Our profession is contentious by nature. You can disagree and not make it personal. That needs to transcend through the profession.” “I tend to always have good relationships with people I work with,” he continues. “That’s really important because contentious relation- ships with opposing counsel can really drive up the stress level unnec- essarily. The easiest way to avoid that is to have good working relation- ships with people. It makes the job that much easier.” For this young and dynamic attorney, it is helping people through the law that he most enjoys. He notes that unless a person understands the law, which most clients don’t, it can be pretty confusing. “When you help somebody, they are really grateful. It makes you feel good,” he says. In addition to working to achieve the best outcomes for his clients, Williams also believes that giving back is part of everybody’s obliga- tion to society. Each year, with the other attorneys and staff at Phillips & Hunt, he participates in a back to school drive passing out school supplies to underprivileged students. During the Christmas holiday season, members of the firm also do a toy drive. Williams is also on the board of trustees of the Edna Sproull Williams Foundation, where they allocate funds to local charities supported by the organization. OUTSIDE THE LEGAL PROFESSION When Williams isn’t advocating for clients in the courtroom or working in the community, he enjoys rooting on the Jacksonville Jag- uars and Florida Gators. Williams also golfs but admits to not practic- ing enough to be as good at it as he would like. Most importantly, his time away from the office is spent with his family. Williams and his wife Christina have one son, Finley III, who is al- most two years old. The couple also have a baby on the way—a girl who is due in November. Born in Jacksonville, Williams says his children will be raised in the city as well. “I love Jacksonville,” he says. “That is why I came back here after school. It is a big city but has a small-town feel.” For his future career, his wishes are straightforward. “I want this practice to blossom so I can continue helping people through tough times,” he says. “That is good enough for now.” Through the Northeast Florida Medical Legal Parntership, lawyers help pediatric patients and their families overcome legal and economic barriers to child wellness. Baptist Health will match your donation to the Northeast Florida Medical Legal Partnership at 125%, more than doubling the impact of your gift. jaxlegalaid.org/endowmentNext >