JIMERSON BIRR, P.A. - Key Persons
Hunter Faulkner is a partner at Jimerson Birr, P.A., and practices in the areas of commercial real estate transactions, residential real estate transactions, commercial and residential leasing, title insurance, and land use and zoning. Mr. Faulkner represents a diverse set of clients including real estate investors, developers, builders, and small business owners in northeast Florida.
Mr. Faulkner's practice focuses on the representation of clients engaged in the acquisition, development, entitlement, sale and finance of commercial real estate projects including, but not limited to retail shopping centers, marinas, restaurants, office buildings, multi-family residential projects, as well as buyers and sellers in residential real estate transactions. Mr. Faulkner's practice also includes the representation of landlords and tenants in connection with the negotiation of office building leases, warehouse leases, ground leases, and residential leases. Prior to joining Jimerson Birr, Mr. Faulkner was a partner at a boutique real estate law firm in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
Mr. Faulkner was born and raised in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and is an avid Tar Heel fan. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2004, and was stationed in Jacksonville from 2005 - 2010, where he served as a P-3C Orion flight engineer. His experience in the Navy taught him discipline and attention to detail, which he applies daily to his legal practice. After leaving the Navy in 2010, Mr. Faulkner completed his undergraduate degree summa cum laude at the University of North Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in political science in 2011. He then obtained his Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami in 2015.
Mr. Faulkner resides in Ponte Vedra Beach with his wife Jennifer and their son. When he does get time away from his practice, he enjoys spending time at the beach, traveling, skiing, running in local races and watching sports.
A. Hunter Faulkner is interviewed by Attorney at Law Magazine to discuss his new position as a partner at Jimerson Birr, and how
Austin B. Calhoun is a Partner of Jimerson Birr and joined the firm in October 2011. Since then he has served various corporations, entrepreneurs, financial institutions, and small-, mid-, and large-size businesses in business litigation, corporate governance, and transactional matters. His specialties range from construction disputes and business torts to construction liens, contracts, negotiation, project guidance, purchase and sale transactions, mergers and acquisitions, loan originations, workouts, and foreclosures, creditor bankruptcy representation, and trademarks.
Prior to law school, Mr. Calhoun obtained his certified general contractor's license and became a LEED Accredited Professional while working in the local construction industry. Mr. Calhoun supported himself through college and earned his Bachelors of Science in Building Construction Management from the University of North Florida, graduating magna cum laude. During the eight years before his entrance into law, Mr. Calhoun worked for one of Jacksonville's largest commercial construction companies as a project manager and completed numerous building projects in Northeast Florida, including a nine story mixed-use condominium building, a five story office building along the St Johns river, a three story office building, a two story office building, a renovation of a building on the National Historic Registry owned by a local museum, an interior renovation for a local children's hospital, a high school expansion, and various big box retail projects. Mr. Calhoun was known as a detail-oriented, award-winning construction professional with a combined expertise in client relations, building construction management, and finance who owned full P&L responsibility for multi-million dollar projects. While in construction he specialized in servicing demanding, hands-on accounts, as well as complex water intrusion challenges.
Mr. Calhoun employs his background in the practice of law. His experience and knowledge of the construction industry, and business in general, strengthen his legal focus areas He is well-versed in crisis management and proactive problem resolution. He is an articulate communicator with strong relationship management and follow-up skills; able to interact effectively with individuals of varying backgrounds from subcontractors to Boards of Directors and business executives.
Mr. Calhoun was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2014 after earning his Juris Doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law, graduating magna cum laude and in the top two percent of his class. While in law school, he earned book awards for the highest grade in nine classes, including Property I, Property II, Torts I, Torts II, Criminal Law, Civil Procedure, Lawyering Process II, Practical Professionalism, and Trusts and Estates. He was the recipient of the Governor's Scholarship and Dean's Honors Scholarship. Mr. Calhoun was also a Staff Editor of the Florida Coastal Law Review, a member of Phi Delta Phi honors society, and a student member of the Jacksonville Bar Association.
Mr. Calhoun has lived throughout Florida, and presently resides in St Johns County with his wife, Kristen, their children Audrey and Lauren, their dogs Ruby, Maverick, and Pennylane (all Boxers), and many friends and family. In his spare time, Mr. Calhoun enjoys watching Gator football and basketball, traveling (with vast experience at Disney World), maximizing his time at the beach, golfing terribly, winning at cards, winning at anything, guiding his children through life, and trying to master marriage.
Austin T. Hamilton is a partner with Jimerson Birr, P.A., and is an experienced commercial litigation attorney. Austin is an integral part of the firm's banking and financial services industry team, insurance industry team, and real estate development, sales and leasing industry team. Austin has a proven track record for successful outcomes counseling businesses faced with complex challenges.
Austin is a Board Certified Specialist in Business Litigation by the Florida Bar, an achievement held by less than 1% of attorneys in the State of Florida. Austin is rated AV® Preeminent™, the highest performance rating in Martindale-Hubbell's peer review rating system recognized by his peers as having the highest level of ethical standards and professional ability. Austin was named a Rising Star for 2018-2021 in the Florida Super Lawyer's magazine as a business litigation attorney.
Austin focuses on all aspects of business litigation in state and federal court and enjoys representing businesses throughout the state of Florida. Examples of Austin's practice areas include but are not limited to: complex commercial litigation, class action defense litigation, business and contract disputes, commercial landlord-tenant litigation and lease disputes, commercial evictions, consumer litigation defense, commercial defamation and disparagement, unfair competition claims, construction lien disputes, construction defects and delay claims, real property litigation, creditor's rights, and post-judgment collections.
As an experienced trial attorney who has tried jury trials and bench trials in state and federal court and prosecuted arbitration actions through final hearing, Austin's focus is always on providing honest advice and obtaining the best results for his clients. For example, Austin was the lead plaintiff's attorney in an eight (8) day federal jury trial involving an insurance coverage dispute resulting in a $1.89 million dollar judgment for his client. Austin also represented a transportation company in a breach of contract action against a fortune 500 company resulting in a $725,000.00 judgment for his client. Austin also represented a contractor and subcontractor against a developer in a five (5) day jury trial in St. Johns County resulting in a six-figure judgment for his clients.
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.
Austin obtained his bachelor's degree, cum laude, from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. He obtained his Juris Doctor degree, magna cum laude, from Florida Coastal School of Law graduating in the top five percent (5%) of his class.
While in law school, Austin was on the Florida Coastal Law Review and was the Executive Editor of the Florida Coastal Law Review Executive Board. He was also a Student Pupil in the prestigious Chester Bedell American Inn of Court, and he interned with a United States District Court Judge for the Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division.
Austin is married to his beautiful wife, Emily. Austin met Emily in undergrad at Bowling Green State University. He moved to Jacksonville in 2009 and Emily joined him shortly after completing her graduate degree at Bowling Green. Austin and Emily have two adorable children, both of whom take after their mother. Austin and Emily, along with their children, have made Jacksonville their home.
When Austin is not advocating on behalf of businesses or attempting to resolve disputes in the office, he spends his time at home negotiating resolutions between two preschoolers trying to assert their dominance over one another (and over him). In his free time, Austin enjoys exercising, playing basketball, boating, fishing, chasing his children on the beach and spending quality time with his family.
Brandon C. Meadows is an experienced business litigator and trial lawyer who delivers strategic advice and counsel to businesses seeking cost-effective legal solutions. If litigation is necessary, Brandon can assess a company's needs and develop a winning strategy that delivers results. In high-stakes, high-pressure cases, where exposure is consequential, and every second counts, Brandon approaches each matter with composure and a laser-focus on the client's goals for a most favorable business outcome. For that reason, Brandon is often involved in many of the firm's most significant and time-sensitive cases, including cases requiring emergency injunctive relief to immediately: protect minority shareholders' rights; preserve confidential business information, customer lists, and trade secrets; enjoin the transfer and misappropriation of corporate assets; seize possession of collateral to avoid concealment and waste; or ensure thousands of critically-ill medical patients continue to receive access to life-saving medicines and therapies, among other things.
Mr. Meadows represents businesses of all sizes, from Fortune 500 companies to small start-ups. He understands that even the "smallest" issues can have serious legal or practical consequences, so he strives to deliver results with attentiveness and accessibility. Brandon approaches legal issues with a winning style, looking past the obstacles to find the hidden opportunities. Clients seeking Brandon's counsel will benefit from his combination of charisma, grit, and wit-all of which are the cornerstones to persuasive advocacy and successful legal outcomes.
Brandon has been consistently recognized as a top-rated business litigator, being recognized by Super Lawyers as a "Rising Star" every year since 2017-an honor reserved for the top 2.5% of lawyers throughout the entire State of Florida. Brandon is an integral part of the firm's Banking and Financial Services and Healthcare Services industry teams, as well as the Eminent Domain practice group. He serves in a leadership capacity as Chair of the Law Student Recruitment Subcommittee. Brandon takes great pride in mentorship and training of law students and law clerks, as they embark on their respective legal careers.
Brandon is a true competitor, and his passion for trial advocacy began in law school, where he was elected as President of the University of Florida Trial Team, earning several awards for his advocacy skills as the 2012 Champion of the Florida Justice Association Trial Competition and as a 2012 Regional Semi-Finalist for the American Association for Justice Trial Competition. Mr. Meadows is a 2013 inductee of the National Order of Barristers, and he is a recipient of the Gerald T. Bennett Outstanding Service Award for his advocacy and service to the University of Florida Levin College of Law.
While in law school, Mr. Meadows served as the Executive Editor of the Florida Journal of Law and Public Policy, and as a judicial intern to the Honorable Roy B. Dalton, Jr., of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida and the Honorable Mark W. Moseley of the Eighth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida.
Originally from the Bluegrass State, Brandon and his beautiful wife, Jenna (who is also an attorney), moved to Florida to pursue their legal education. Brandon and Jenna have three incredible little kids (all under 6 years old!), and they are just the right mix of silly, smart, and adorable. The Meadows Party of Five would not be complete without their favorite Jack Russell Terrier named Peanut. In his free time, Brandon enjoys guitar jam sessions, weekend beach getaways, taking his boys to the driving range, dancing with his little princess, and rooting for his Kentucky Wildcats (Go Big Blue!).
Bruce R. Fox began his legal career with the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office in Consumer Protection. He then moved on to General Electric handling major litigation nationwide, such as the Chicago DC-10 plane crash, substantial property damage from transformers, electric blankets, and significant personal injury mainly involving high voltage electrical equipment. In 2007, Bruce turned to corporate legal joining The Main Street America Group (MSA), a national property/casualty insurance company. In 2011, he became the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. He also served for several years on the Board of Directors for all 11 companies within its holding company structure. Bruce has an extensive background in all corporate legal matters, including mergers and acquisitions/strategic combinations, corporate governance, employment law, regulatory compliance, insurance company licensing, complex transactions, and contracts. Bruce spent two decades teaching law courses at Anna Marie College and Suffolk University, as well in the paralegal program at North Shore Community College.
Bruce has lectured extensively for the International In-House Counsel Association, Massachusetts Continuing Education group and the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies.
Bruce and his wife of 48 years moved to Florida from Massachusetts in 2007. He enjoys golf, running and playing the guitar. After retiring from MSA in 2019, Bruce began consulting with Jimerson Birr.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Litigation Lawyer and Partner
C. Ryan Maloney is a trial and litigation lawyer and Partner at Jimerson Birr, who practices in the areas of construction law, business and contract disputes, government bid protests, real estate disputes, and creditors' rights, including complex commercial foreclosures, bankruptcy and workouts. Clients look to Mr. Maloney for his excellent legal and practical judgment, and his ability to quickly assess the key issues and develop strategies for consistently obtaining client-focused results within budget.
Mr. Maloney is Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Construction Law and is both Peer and Judiciary Review Rated as AV® Preeminent™, the highest performance rating in Martindale-Hubbell's review rating system. He was also recognized by The Legal 500 in the area of real estate - construction in 2013, 2014, and 2016. Every year since 2020, Mr. Maloney has been recognized by Florida Trend as one of "Florida Legal Elite" a select group of attorney's representing the top 1.4% of active Florida Bar members practicing in Florida, as selected by peer attorneys.
Mr. Maloney has successfully litigated and arbitrated numerous construction claims and disputes involving issues including delays, disruptions, accelerations, cumulative impacts, changed conditions, mechanic's liens, payment and performance bonds, licensing, construction defects and design defects, among others. He also has extensive experience drafting and negotiating construction contracts for owners, contractors, subcontractors and design professionals, including negotiating numerous AIA, DBIA and other industry standard contract documents. He recently co-authored a chapter for the annual 2018 Construction Law Update, book published by Wolters Kluwer, entitled "New AIA Contract Documents." Mr. Maloney's construction litigation and transactional experience involves a number of different types of projects across the country, including commercial, government, high-rise, multi-family, condominiums, high-end residential, industrial and warehouse, chemical plants, highways, airports, hospitals, schools and data centers.
In addition to his active construction practice, Mr. Maloney has also successfully represented clients in many other types of business litigation and disputes, including breach of contract, landlord/tenant disputes, business torts, government bid protests and other administrative proceedings, creditors' rights, including complex commercial foreclosures, bankruptcy and workouts, shareholder and partnership disputes, class actions, antitrust claims, and corporate governance and securities disputes. Mr. Maloney is an experienced trial attorney, having handled jury and bench trials, as well as arbitrations and administrative proceedings. He has also successfully handled appeals in Florida and federal appellate courts.
Prior to joining Jimerson Birr, Mr. Maloney was a partner in an Am Law 100 national law firm, where he was the vice chair of the construction practice group and chair of its Jacksonville office litigation department. Mr. Maloney has been successfully practicing law in Jacksonville for 20 years. He has also been extensively involved in the Jacksonville area community, including serving as the pro bono General Counsel for the Clay County Chamber of Commerce, serving on and chairing the Downtown District Board of the YMCA of Florida's First Coast, and being a longtime member and serving on the Board of the Rotary Club of South Jacksonville.
Prior to practicing law, Mr. Maloney grew up in North Carolina and later Vero Beach, Florida. After college, he worked in the admissions office at his alma mater, Florida State University, before later attending law school at the University of Florida. He resides in the San Marco neighborhood in Jacksonville with his wife, Amy, two children, Christopher and Sarah, and dog, Molly. When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with his family, travel and tennis, and is a devoted fan of the Florida State Seminoles and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Charles B. Jimerson, the founder and Managing Partner of Jimerson Birr, P.A., represents various businesses of all sizes and scale as their go-to counsel for all legal matters, offering comprehensive legal expertise both inside and outside the courtroom. In his capacity as a practice group leader for several areas of emphasis of the firm, and someone who often finds himself involved in the most sensitive matters the firm is handling at any given time, Mr. Jimerson leads teams of lawyers serving several industries in many capacities. Most of his days are spent putting out legal fires for businesses of all sizes in need of a lawyer who can draft and enforce contracts, provide grounded executive-level advice, and collect money owed. With extensive experience spanning all phases of litigation, including alternative dispute resolution, settlement negotiations, and the litigation of complex commercial cases that culminate in trial, Mr. Jimerson's career is distinguished by a rich tapestry of accomplishments that mirror his unwavering commitment to securing favorable outcomes for his clients. His career highlights below and representative matters tab reflect a diverse legal career focused upon service, quality and results.
Mr. Jimerson has won just about every peer-nominated and media-given award a Florida business lawyer can win. As an esteemed A-V rated lawyer, he stands distinguished among his colleagues for upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct and professional aptitude. Furthermore, Mr. Jimerson's expertise in construction law has earned him the esteemed title of Board Certified Construction Attorney, granted by The Florida Bar. This respected certification signifies his exceptional skill, specialized knowledge, proficiency, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to ethics, as rigorously assessed by the Florida Bar. In addition to these prestigious accomplishments, Mr. Jimerson has been the recipient of numerous distinguished business and legal honors, including being listed for multiple years in honored publications such as Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, and Florida Trend Legal Elite. His outstanding contributions have also been acknowledged through accolades such as The Jacksonville Business Journal's 40 under 40, Veterans of Influence, and Ultimate Attorneys. Under Mr. Jimerson's leadership as Managing Partner, Jimerson Birr, P.A. has been the proud recipient of numerous local, statewide, and national awards, recognizing their excellence as a fast-growing company, a veteran-owned business, and best place to work.
Charles B. Jimerson is a gritty professional that personifies the true working-class spirit of a native Floridian, with familial roots that extend deep into the early days of statehood. He cut his teeth in the construction sector supervising landscape crews and serving as a shift manager at his Grandfather's plant nursery as early as 13 years old. Upon graduation from high school, Mr. Jimerson enlisted in the U.S. military to serve his country and earn money for college. A graduate of the Lundy-Fetterman School of Business at Campbell University (Buies Creek, NC), Mr. Jimerson earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree summa cum laude. While attending Campbell University, Mr. Jimerson contemporaneously served as an active duty Combat Meteorologist in the United States Air Force, participating in various worldwide operational missions and earning Airman of the Year honors. During his tenure, Mr. Jimerson was the youngest operationally certified meteorological forecaster in U.S. Air Force history. His tireless work ethic and ability to adapt and overcome challenging situations propelled him to achieve the highest honors in every academic pursuit throughout his secondary education, from undergraduate studies and professional certifications to technical schools, placing him in the top two percent of his classes.
Mr. Jimerson earned his Juris Doctorate from the prestigious University of Florida Levin College of Law, renowned as a tier one institution and consistently ranked among the top 25 law schools nationwide. During his time at UF Law, he showcased his leadership capabilities by assuming pivotal roles as President, Officer, and Director of numerous student-run organizations. Seeking to broaden his legal horizons on an international scale, Mr. Jimerson embarked on a transformative journey by participating in the esteemed London Legal Consortium in London, England, an experience that not only enriched his legal knowledge base, but also introduced him to his life partner, Ashley. Prior to founding Jimerson Birr, P.A., he honed his skills and expertise at prominent Jacksonville-based commercial litigation and construction law boutique law firms, cementing his reputation as an accomplished practitioner in the fields.
Mr. Jimerson resides in Ortega with his wife, Ashley, their two children, and their dog, Olive (Italian Greyhound). Though his free time is very limited, his non-professional interests are watching SEC football games and holding cuss words in, coaching youth sports teams that unexpectedly steal your weekend and drain your wallet, serving as an MMA fighting media correspondent, traveling to remote locations with an ambitious and overly complicated itinerary, binge watching clever dramas or thrillers with glints of dark comedy, apologizing to his wife for who knows whatever reason, grilling meats, self-loathing for working out like a has been and never will be, ranking just about anything in a top ten list, dive bars with a jukebox, impromptu family living room dance parties, and managing a cut-throat fantasy football league.
Jimerson Birr welcomes inquiries from the media and do our best to respond to deadlines. If you are interested in speaking to a Jimerson Birr lawyer or want general information about the firm, our practice areas, lawyers, publications, or events, please contact us via email or telephone for assistance at (904) 389-0050.
Deborah Lancia Ruiz joined Jimerson Birr, P.A. as Special Counsel in 2019. She concentrates her practice in the areas of commercial real estate, corporate and business transactions, including representation of clients acquiring, selling, leasing and financing commercial real estate and representation of borrowers or lenders with regard to construction loans, permanent mortgage loans and refinancing. Additionally, Ms. Ruiz has experience in real estate litigation and commercial litigation, including representation of borrowers or lenders in commercial foreclosures, problem loan documentation review and correction, foreclosure support, workouts, and forbearance agreements, representation of property owners in boundary disputes, trespass actions, and title insurance claims, and representation of landlords or tenants in landlord-tenant actions.
Ms. Ruiz grew up in Flagler County, Florida. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Stetson University in 2000. Ms. Ruiz was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2005 after earning her Juris Doctor degree with honors from the University of Florida Levin College of Law. Prior to joining Jimerson Birr, Ms. Ruiz was a partner in the Jacksonville law firm of Dale, Bald, Showalter, Mercier & Green, and practiced law in the Jacksonville area for more than twelve years before relocating due to her husband's military career.
Ms. Ruiz presently resides in Hillsborough County with her husband, Mark, and their five sons. In her spare time, Ms. Ruiz enjoys traveling with her family, building Lego® creations with her sons, playing board games and cards with her family, rooting for the Florida Gators, and reading a good book if she has any quiet time left at the end of a day.
Job Titles:
- Construction Industry Legal Blog
Job Titles:
- Moot Court Competition Judge, National Black Law Student Association, February 2014
‘E-Discovery tips: Top 5 ways to get the electronic data you deserve'- Daily Record, February 2014.
JoAnne Eichelberger is an attorney at Jimerson Birr. Ms. Eichelberger joined the firm in 2018 and currently focuses her practice on business litigation. She formerly served as a Judicial Law Clerk for the United States District Court in Jacksonville for over 24 years. For 23 of those years, she was the law clerk to the Honorable Howell W. Melton, Senior United States District Judge. In addition to traditional law clerk responsibilities with regard to civil and criminal hearings, trials, research, and drafting, she managed Judge Melton's caseload. During her tenure with the federal court, Ms. Eichelberger had the opportunity to work with many judges on a wide variety of federal cases. In the civil arena, she has experience with Bankruptcy Appeals, Civil Rights, Consumer Law, Employment, Law, ERISA, Patents, and Social Security, as well as state contract and tort law in diversity cases. In the criminal arena, she has worked on sentencing issues and habeas proceedings. Her experience includes assisting Judge Melton with preparation and drafting opinions for sittings with United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
Ms. Eichelberger earned her law degree with High Honors from the University of Florida. While in law school, she served as Senior Articles Editor for the Florida Law Review and earned a Fellowship with the Center for Governmental Responsibility.
Ms. Eichelberger has been admitted to The Florida Bar and the Middle District of Florida Bar since 1990. She is a member of the Jacksonville Bar Association, Jacksonville Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, and a Past President of the Catholic Lawyers Guild. She has served as an Associate Editor or the Jacksonville Bar Association Bulletin. She also was an Adjunct Professor at the Florida Coastal School of Law for four semesters, where she taught a seminar on Law and Religion and Florida Constitutional Law.
Joseph Luna combines his logistics experience with his knowledge of taxation and corporate law to help his clients overcome their transportation and logistics challenges. Clients bring Mr. Luna a wide variety of legal issues ranging from employee contracts to rejected freight. When clients require assistance putting together their contracts or recovering upon a payment, Mr. Luna uses his industry experience and legal knowledge to provide his clients solutions designed specifically to meet their needs. When clients are tasked with defending a claim after their trailer or tanker is rejected, Mr. Luna helps clients navigate the claims process, including recovery for their own loss of use. Mr. Luna understands the obstacles faced by those in the transportation and logistics industry and is steadfast in maintaining his reputation for quality work, on time deliveries, and always reminding his clients that he has their back.
Prior to joining Jimerson Birr, Mr. Luna worked in logistics for three years and coordinated the shipping and receiving for one of the largest grocery store chains in the southeast. Mr. Luna relied upon his drivers to meet tight deadlines, just as his drivers relied upon him to ensure a smooth pickup and delivery. Mr. Luna's time in logistics taught him how to flourish in a fast-pace, results-driven work environment, solve problems of varying degrees of complexity, and broker deals.
Mr. Luna decided to attend law school after realizing his first enjoyable day at work was helping one of his drivers get their trailer out of impound. He then attended Georgia State College of Law where he earned his J.D. and passed the Georgia Bar exam upon graduation. He then earned his LL.M in Taxation from Boston University where he graduated fourth in his class with a 3.96 GPA, and mastered the nuances of both tax and corporate law.
Mr. Luna is originally from Beverly, Massachusetts, but had lived in Georgia for several years prior to joining Jimerson Birr. Mr. Luna's childhood as a Red Sox fan prepared him for his life as a Georgia Bulldog fan, so he enjoys his fall Saturdays with high expectations and careful optimism. In his free time, Mr. Luna is also an avid golfer, poker player, and Fantasy Football guru, who creates decision tree algorithms on Microsoft Excel to optimize his drafts.
Justin Smith's practice focuses on corporate and transactional work with a focus on early-stage and middle market companies. Representative matters include representing clients at all stages of the business cycle from formation to growth stage capital, distribution and licensing strategies, to exit transactions. Prior to joining Jimerson Birr, Mr. Smith worked at various AmLaw 100 firms in their corporate and mergers and acquisitions practices before entering the venture capital space. As an entrepreneur, he understands first-hand the challenges of developing and scaling products and services, giving him valuable insight to help clients unlock opportunities and avoid pitfalls as they move from one stage to the next.
Mr. Smith recognizes the importance of effective legal counsel being "value creators" for their clients by proactively identifying risks or unlocking new opportunities to meet their business goals. He believes a successful legal relationship must be built upon a foundation of trust and communication, and it starts with an unparalleled commitment to understanding the client's objectives in both the immediate and long-term. Mr. Smith is always on the lookout for ways to deliver legal services more efficiently and believes in the power of emerging technologies to streamline effective legal representation rather than replace it. That through innovation, and working smarter and harder, effective legal strategies can help drive client profitability instead of just driving up budget costs.
In his free time, Mr. Smith enjoys studying history, technology and markets. He enjoys reading and creating, whether writing or just dreaming up new ideas with morning coffee. He is the father of two daughters, Finley and Laiklyn, who constantly find ways to inspire and challenge him. Born and raised in Port Huron, Michigan, Mr. Smith grew up playing hockey in the winter and golf in the summer. He attended the University of Michigan, graduating with honors in a degree in Political Science before attending the University of Florida Levin College of Law. While there, he served on the Florida Law Review, and graduated at the top of his class, publishing a Note on conflicts between Florida's Post-Conviction Relief procedures and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14 th amendment. He enjoys rooting for the Wolverines and Gators on Saturdays and praying for world peace and a Lions Super Bowl on Sunday.
Melissa G. Murrin is a trained Canadian attorney, who joined Jimerson Birr, P.A. as a law clerk in April 2020, while completing the requirements to obtain her license in Florida.
Ms. Murrin was born and raised in the province of Newfoundland, Canada. Upon receiving a Bachelor of Kinesiology degree from the University of Newfoundland and Labrador, she moved to Fredericton, New Brunswick to attend law school at the University of New Brunswick. While attending law school in Canada, Melissa was chosen for a judicial internship with the Honorable Justice French at the New Brunswick Court of Appeals. Ms. Murrin was also chair of her law school's social committee and a peer mentor to incoming 1Ls.
After obtaining her Canadian Juris Doctor degree in 2017 and successfully passing the Ontario bar exam, Ms. Murrin was employed at a full-service law firm in Ontario. During her first year, Ms. Murrin obtained experience in several areas of law, including business, personal injury, criminal, wills and estates, tax, human rights, medical malpractice, and family. After obtaining her Degree of Barrister-of-Law by the Law Society of Ontario and her Ontario Court Certificate of Qualification, Ms. Murrin moved back home to the province of Newfoundland, where she clerked at the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador. In February 2019, Ms. Murrin obtained her Degree of Barrister-at-Law by the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, and her Newfoundland and Labrador Solicitor's Certificate.
Ms. Murrin moved to Jacksonville, Florida with her husband, a Jacksonville native, in July 2019. Ms. Murrin's passion for the practice of law landed her back in law school to obtain her license to continue practicing law in Jacksonville, and she graduated in May 2021 number one in her class. While in law school, Ms. Murrin was on a fast-track basis with the highest merit-based scholarship, was a dean's scholar, the Executive Editor of Florida Coastal Law Review, and a member of the International Legal Honor Society of Phi Delta Phi. Ms. Murrin obtained the highest grades in the following courses: Criminal, Civil Procedure I, Civil Procedure II, Legal Research and Analysis, Property I, Property II, Torts I, Torts II, Writing for Law Practice, and Evidence, Contracts II, and Transactional Drafting.
Ms. Murrin presently resides in Clay County with her husband, Nick, and their dogs, Simba and Kovu. In her very little spare time, Ms. Murrin enjoys spending quality time with her friends and family, starting (and never finishing) a television series, and traveling.
Education
Florida Coastal School of Law, Juris Doctor
Stewart J. Subjinski is an attorney at Jimerson Birr, P.A. who joined the firm in 2020. Mr. Subjinski handles matters involving employment disputes, general commercial litigation, and transactional advisement for clients in the banking and financial services, transportation and logistics, professional services, and construction industries.
Zachary A. Pestcoe is an associate attorney at Jimerson Birr, where he first started as a summer associate in May of 2021. Mr. Pestcoe works on a wide range of general commercial litigation matters including those related to construction, banking, professional services, employment, judgment collections, and class action defense.