In addition to her career as a land use and zoning attorney, Cyndy Trimmer has been a member of the Jacksonville Bar Association Bar Bulletin Committee for the past five years and chair and editor-in-chief for the past four years. Elected last month to the JBA board of governors, Trimmer is stepping away from her editing duties, but will consult with the new chair who will be appointed by 2018-19 board President Katie Dearing.
Who or what inspired you to become a lawyer?
I’ve wanted to be a lawyer for as long as anyone can remember. My mother tells stories about the time I had to draw what I wanted to be in nursery school, and I drew myself with a little briefcase. To be fair, I also drew a ballerina, but that one was not in the cards.
How do you relate your undergraduate degree to your practice of law?
My undergrad degrees are in psychology and law. The psych background really impacted my level of empathy and appreciation for the motivations behind action and decisions. They are invaluable qualities in a job that constantly requires building consensus and resolving disputes.
How did you decide your practice area? And why have you chosen that?
My practice area is commercial real estate development focusing on land use and zoning. The job was recommended to me by a colleague I met through the Bar. I knew nothing about the area of law at the time, but once she started describing it to me, it sounded like a great fit for my personality and skill set. My job is the perfect mix of lawyering and lobbying and I love it. I get to help people make their dreams a reality while working with brilliant development professionals to bring new projects to the city.
What has been the biggest change in your practice area since you passed the Bar?
My first office had a single computer with dial-up internet in a back room and PalmPilots were all the rage. The vast majority of correspondence was handled by thoughtfully crafted letter and reaching someone when they were away from the desk was near impossible. Now we all squeeze as much work as possible into the few minutes we are stuck at a red light and are still handling texts and emails from our phones as we lay in bed at night.
If I could change anything in the legal system, I would:
Provide more certainty in outcomes. I know it is maddening to anyone who does not practice law, but most of the time, the answer really is “it depends.”
What community service have you pursued and why that?
Outside of my Bar service, I am an active member of the Junior League of Jacksonville. I originally joined to meet people when I moved here. I have stayed active over the years because the league truly lives up to its motto: Women Building Better Communities. Junior League provides me the opportunity for personal growth through placement on a new committee each year, as well as a venue for giving back to the community through direct service with our countless community partners. Some of my favorite volunteer experiences have been with Daniel Kids, Cathedral Arts Project, White Harvest Farms, Feeding Northeast Florida and the Jacksonville Symphony Instrument Zoo.
What’s your advice for new lawyers?
Find the practice area and office that are the right fit for you, and do not stop looking until you find it. If you are feeling perpetually burnt out, stressed or dissatisfied, do not assume that’s just part of being a lawyer. Also, take steps to improve your quality of life like getting involved in voluntary Bar organizations or civic groups. Having a network of like-minded people outside the office is vital to personal and professional satisfaction.