Jill F. Bechtold Invited to Join International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC)

Shareholder Jill F. Bechtold accepts invitation to join the IADC 

Shareholder Jill F. Bechtold

Marks Gray Shareholder Jill F. Bechtold accepted her invitation to join the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC). The IADC is comprised of 2500 leading defense, trial and corporate attorneys, in house counsel, and insurance executives throughout the world. Membership is granted through a nomination, peer review, board evaluation and invitation only process. An invitation to join the IADC indicates the nominee has not only met but exceeded the rigorous career qualifications set forth by the IADC Board of Directors.

The IADC dedicates itself to serving and benefiting its members, the legal profession, and the civil justice system by enhancing the development of skills, professionalism, and camaraderie in the practice of law. Members of the IADC are part of a distinguished group of professionals with advanced skills in defense law who look to each other to further their skills, their business, and their profession. Ms. Bechtold joins fellow Marks Gray Shareholder Jeptha F. Barbour in this prestigious organization.

About Jill F. Bechtold

Ms. Bechtold practices in the areas of medical and professional liability defense, products liability and general civil litigation defense. She has been recognized as a top lawyer by Florida Super Lawyer and Florida Trend magazines, has an AV Rating by Martindale-Hubbell, and is a member of the Defense Research Institute (DRI), Chester Bedell Inn of Court, and the Florida Defense Lawyers Association.  Ms. Bechtold represents both individual and enterprise clients. She is a member of the Leadership Jacksonville Class of 2015 as well as a Jacksonville Business Journal 2015 Woman of Influence. Ms. Bechtold earned her law degree from the University of Florida and joined Marks Gray in 2013. She speaks nationwide before defense lawyers on Reptile Strategy and related topics. She can be reached at jbechtold@marksgray.com.

About IADC

The International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) is an invitation-only professional association for corporate and insurance defense lawyers and insurance executives around the world. The IADC has been serving a distinguished membership of civil defense lawyers and industry executives since 1920. Members of the IADC practice in virtually every state and approximately 40 countries. More information can be found at www.iadclaw.org. 

Edward L. Birk Appointed to Florida Bar Media and Communications Law Committee

Edward L. Birk, Shareholder at Marks Gray, P.A. begins another term on the Media and Communications Committee

Marks Gray Shareholder, Edward L. Birk

Edward Birk, a First Amendment and media partner at Marks Gray, P.A., has been appointed to another term on the Florida Bar Media and Communications Law Committee.  The committee provides attorneys a forum for exchanging information and educating the public about free speech, free press, and the ever-developing world of electronic communications.  Committee members often represent news organizations as well as government agencies involved in public records and open government issues.  The committee engages in activities touching the full spectrum of communications methods, including print, broadcast, cable, the internet, and emerging technologies. The committee also promotes better understanding among members of The Florida Bar, the news media, and the public. The committee plans the annual Media Law Conference, Reporters' Workshop, Media Awards and produces and updates the Reporter’s Handbook.

Mr. Birk has served on the committee for several years, including in the positions of vice-chair and chair.  Before entering the practice of law, he worked as a reporter and editor for The Associated Press in Massachusetts and Florida. For nearly twenty years, he has been representing clients in matters related to the First Amendment, privacy, open government, access to courts, news gathering torts, copyright and trademark infringement.  Clients call on him during all stages of newsgathering, from conception of story ideas, to source development, research, writing, script and story review, broadcast and publication to post-broadcast responses and defenses against legal action when the arise. 

Mary Bland Love featured in Jacksonville Daily Record

"Our Legal Community Needs More Lawyers Like Mary" 

Mary Bland Love was the recipient of the 2016 Raymond Ehrlich Award, given annually to a lawyer whose career has embodied qualities to which litigators aspire. Ehrlich was a Florida Supreme Court chief justice and a role model to many. The award recognizes traits such as professionalism, discernment, thoroughness and preparedness, mentorship and a willingness to help those in need. Love is a former president of the Jacksonville chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates and is the first woman trial lawyer to win the Ehrlich award. Melissa Nelson, litigation chair of the Jacksonville Bar Association, interviewed Love and shared her insights about the practice of law.

The original article was written by Melissa Nelson, Jacksonville Bar Association Litigation Section Chair and published in the Jacksonville Daily Record on March 28, 2016. 

Marks Gray Attorneys among 2015 Florida Legal Elite and Up and Comer by Florida Trend Magazine

(JACKSONVILLE, FLA:  April 15, 2015) MarksGray, P.A. is pleased to announce Jeptha F. Barbour was selected by his peers as a Legal Elite and Jill F. Bechtold has earned the distinction as an “Up and Comer” by Florida Trend magazine in 2015. Both Mr. Barbour and Ms. Bechtold are listed in the Civil Trial category.

“Having Mr. Barbour and Ms. Bechtold named to the Florida Trend magazine’s 2015 Florida Legal Elite and “Up and Comer” list is a great honor,” said firm President, Gerald Weedon.  “We are pleased that they have earned this designation from their peers.”

Lawyers were asked to name attorneys whom they hold in the highest regard or would recommend to others. Voters were also asked to name three “Up and Coming” attorneys, as well as in a separate category, outstanding attorneys working in the government and non-profit sectors.

The ballots were processed and each lawyer was given a score based on the number of votes he or she received, with more weight given to votes from outside the firm. The list was further examined using membership status and histories provided by the Florida Bar. A panel of previous Legal Elite winners, representing different practice areas in cities across the state, reviewed the selection process and the list of finalists. The resulting lists represent fewer than 2% of the active Florida Bar members who practice in Florida.

Marks Gray, P.A. is a multi-faceted law firm with offices in Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra Beach.  The firm has 25 attorneys who specialize in providing highly personalized service while offering clients access to an experienced legal team across a broad spectrum of practice areas.  The lawyers at Marks Gray represent national, regional and local clients in a variety of matters.  The firm has a diverse practice that includes extensive commercial and professional liability and other tort defense litigation as well as banking, real estate, business law, probate, tax law, estate planning, immigration and workers’ compensation.

Click here to read the official release.