Fourth Circuit Board of Governors Candidates’ Platform Statements
Below are the platform statements for candidates running in this year’s Florida Bar Board of Governors race in the Fourth Circuit. Ballots will be emailed or mailed to eligible voters on February 28, and must be returned to the Bar’s election company no later than midnight, March 23. As in the past, voters will have a choice of using the mailed paper ballot or voting online, following instructions included in the mailing.
Fourth Circuit, Seat 2
W. Braxton Gillam IV
I am honored to be a candidate for the Board of Governors representing the Fourth Judicial Circuit.
For over 20 years, I have lived and practiced law in Jacksonville. My practice has primarily involved business and construction litigation, but has included significant trust and estate litigation experience. I am board certified by The Florida Bar in Business Litigation and Civil Trial.
Since election to the Board of Governors for the Young Lawyers’ Section of the Jacksonville Bar Association 20 years ago, I have been actively involved in Bar service. I served on the YLS board through 2004, when I served as president. Also in 2004, I began service on the Board of Governors for the Jacksonville Bar Association. I served as president of the Jacksonville Bar Association in 2013-2014. In 2015, I was appointed to The Florida Bar’s Unlicensed Practice of Law Committee and currently serve as chair for this committee. Since 2016, I have served on the Executive Council of the Trial Lawyers Section of The Florida Bar.
I have also been actively involved in community service. In 2007, I was appointed to the Jacksonville Ethics Commission by Mayor John Peyton. After completing my predecessor’s unexpired term, I was reappointed and served two additional terms. During my final two years of service, I served as the Ethics Commission chair. In 2017, I was appointed by Mayor Lenny Curry to serve on the Downtown Investment Authority, and continue to serve on the DIA at this time. I am also a member of the Downtown Rotary Club of Jacksonville.
The motto of Rotary is “service above self.” I take this motto to heart. I see Bar service as a responsibility and one that I enjoy. Looking back, I have made many lifelong friends through this service, and I am committed to continuing my service as a member of the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar.
The Bar and our profession are under increasing political fire. We must stand strong against inroads that could affect the independence of the judiciary. I am committed to working with the Florida Legislature through my strong relationships with our elected officials and to defending our court system and our profession.
I am proud to be a member of the Fourth Judicial Circuit and am humbled by the outpouring of support I have received from so many of you in connection with my candidacy. Please remember to vote beginning February 28, 2020.
In the meantime, I welcome the opportunity to speak to you about any concerns you have for the Bar and how I could serve you as a member of the Board of Governors.
John M. Phillips
My name in John M. Phillips and it is my honor to request your vote to serve on The Florida Bar’s Board of Governors for the Fourth Judicial Circuit. I have practiced in Jacksonville since moving here in 2001. I am also licensed to practice law in New York, Washington, D.C., Georgia, and Alabama. I love our judicial circuit and think we have a special group of lawyers and judges here.
My law practice has been diverse — commercial, civil, and criminal, big firm and small firm. My initial practice involved insurance defense, commercial litigation defense, and sports law. In 2011, I started my own firm and practice personal injury, high profile, and civil rights litigation. I have been board certified as a Civil Trial Lawyer since 2014. My firm, Phillips & Hunt, also has board certified attorneys in Marital and Family Law (Matthew Hunt) and Criminal Trial Litigation (Finley Williams). We are the only firm in Northeast Florida with board certified lawyers in those three areas. I am frequently requested to comment for CNN, HLN, Law & Crime Network, and all four major networks. I am AV Rated and have been recognized locally, regionally, and nationally for legal work, leadership, and charitable acts.
Since beginning my practice, I have seen stress increase along with decreases in decorum and professionalism. The fact is most lawyers in our circuit — and across our state — care very much and are proud to be lawyers. We probably don’t do enough to self-regulate our profession and provide opportunities for young lawyers to learn and grow. I’d like to see both of those concepts nurtured locally and statewide.
As a board certified lawyer, we are often presented with opportunities to speak and help the general public appreciate lawyers and the services we provide. Because board certification is difficult as is the ability to stand out in a crowd sometimes, I have noticed that these opportunities often lack diversity. Our state is filled with an array of lawyers of different backgrounds, races, creeds, religions, and identifications. My peers and I want to find ways for the public to see our rich diversity inspire others toward the profession and increase the reputation of lawyers as a whole.
Michael G. Tanner has served us well. We wish him well with his next position. At this point, I have no idea who else has been nominated to this position and I truly wish my fellow candidates all well. The Fourth Judicial Circuit is full of outstanding leaders, passionate advocates, and stewards of justice. How will I stand out? I will listen to your wants and needs and be a strong advocate for our area, as I have been for my career.
You can read more about me at https://floridajustice.com/our-team/john-phillips/ or on Twitter at @JohnPhillips. Thank you for taking the time and attention to my candidacy. I want to give back and serve The Florida Bar and appreciate your help.
