Jordan Beard
Jacksonville,FL
Summary
Dedicated Civil Litigation Lawyer specializing in auto negligence and related cases, offering over 14 years of comprehensive legal experience. Proven track record as a Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer, adept at navigating complex legal landscapes and advocating for clients' rights. Committed to delivering exceptional results while seeking new challenges that leverage extensive expertise in litigation and trial advocacy. Passionate about upholding justice and providing effective legal solutions tailored to client needs.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Team Lead Attorney
Law Offices of Ronald E. Sholes
Jacksonville, FL
04.2024 - Current
- Currently manage a staff up to six people including paralegals, case managers, legal assistants, and others, and an average case load between 50-80 cases in active litigation.
- Have settled almost $10 million in claims in the last two years
- Handle auto negligence cases, including bodily injury and uninsured motorist claims including commerical motor vehicle cases, trucking, and catastrophic injuries, from intake through all stages of litigation.
- Participate regularly in depositions, mediations, hearings, drafting motions, discovery, and pleadings.
- Hold team meetings weekly and come up with weekly and quarterly goals and plans of action to resolve cases at all levels.
Assistant Public Defender
Public Defender's Office
Jacksonville, FL
12.2012 - Current
- Assigned to almost every division including juvenile, misdemeanor, felony, homicide, and post-conviction work, handling thousands of cases.
- Tried dozens of jury and non-jury trials on charges ranging from petit theft to capital murder.
- I was a division chief (supervisor) in both juvenile and felony court, directly supervising 2-4 attorneys and assigning and monitoring their cases.
- Spent nearly two years working on post-conviction juvenile life without parole homicide cases, which required intensive legal research, writing, interviewing witnesses, preparing experts, and handling multi-day sentencing hearings presenting extensive evidence and expert witnesses, attempting to get my client another chance at life outside prison.
- Currently handling juvenile direct filed cases, which are juveniles that are being prosecuted in adult court facing extreme adult penalties, requiring experience and expertise in juvenile and felony courts.
Associate Attorney
Law Offices of Benjamin H. Cooper
Birmingham, AL
11.2011 - 08.2012
- Fully involved with all aspects of labor and employment and contract litigation, focusing on Title VII, FMLA, FLSA, and ADA claims in federal court.
- Conducted and defended depositions in federal cases.
- Prepared for trials in federal and state court, including pre-trial orders, conferences, preparing exhibits, witnesses, and trial strategies.
- Researched, drafted, and filed motions and responses to motions, including summary judgment, motions to dismiss, and various other pleadings and discovery.
- Attended hearings on motions and presented successful oral arguments.
- Conducted countless client consultations and witness interviews dealing with many complex and emotionally charged issues such as discrimination.
- Gained valuable experience working with administrative agencies including the EEOC, OSHA, and the state Department of Industrial Relations.
- Participated in successful settlement discussions and mediations.
Education
Juris Doctor -
Samford University, Cumberland School of Law
Birmingham, AL05-2011
Bachelor of Arts - undefined
University of Tampa
Tampa, FL05-2008
Skills
- Attention to detail
- Conflict resolution
- Customer focus
- Coaching and mentoring
- Ability to manage a high volume and fast paced case load
Accomplishments
Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer with over 25+ jury trials to verdict.
Settled nearly $10 million in claims in the last two years.
Nominated by the 4th Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Committee for Circuit Judge.
Certification
Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law, Licensed in Florida and Alabama
Timeline
Team Lead Attorney
Law Offices of Ronald E. Sholes
04.2024 - Current
Assistant Public Defender
Public Defender's Office
12.2012 - Current
Associate Attorney
Law Offices of Benjamin H. Cooper
11.2011 - 08.2012
Bachelor of Arts - undefined
University of Tampa
Juris Doctor -
Samford University, Cumberland School of Law
Awards
Nominated by the JNC for appointment as Circuit Judge