Name: Bill Adams
Age: 43
Family: Claudia, Annie (6) and William (4)
Pets: Mabel the wonderdog, Jed the neon fish and Sharkey the beta
Education: Double Mustang – THE Southern Methodist University, BA ’93 and JD ‘96
Admitted to the Bar: Texas, 1996 and Florida, 2001
Employed by: Gunster
Field of practice: Business litigation
Professional organizations: Chester Bedell Inn of Court, Federal Bar Association and The Jacksonville Bar Association
Community involvement: Downtown Vision Inc. board member and Episcopal Children’s Services board member
How did you become involved?
I got involved in both because I believe in the missions of the organizations. ECS focuses on early childhood education in North Florida. Getting all kids off to the right start is critical for their development and for Jacksonville’s economy. DVI looks to promote Downtown development (and redevelopment), which is going to be a key driver of Jacksonville’s fate over the next 20 years. We absolutely have to get Downtown going now or else it will be another generation before the opportunity arises again.
How can someone else become involved?
Pick something you have a passion for — if you don’t like it, you won’t do it. Look for people who share that passion and then just start doing things relating to it — the organizations will find you.
What have you learned/achieved through the experience?
You can make a significant difference just by getting involved. Jacksonville is not so big that your efforts won’t be impactful — jump in feet first and you’ll make waves.
What was the last book you read or are reading?
I have a few books going at any given time — right now, it’s “Savage Harvest” (Michael Rockefeller’s disappearance in the South Pacific), “An Army at Dawn” (WWII history), and my wife is leaning on me to start “The Hungry Ocean” (about the world’s only female swordfish boat captain).