As a part of Attorney at Law Magazine First Coast’s board-certified issue, we were pleased to sit down with Cobb and Gonzalez’s board-certified lawyers, Christopher Cobb, Nick Elder and Hans Wahl, to discuss their careers and their outlook on the future of their practices.
Christopher Cobb
AALM: What attracted you to your practice in particular?
CC: I was handed a lien transfer bond claim early in my career and enjoyed the technical nature of that type of case. I asked my mentor James Bledsoe to get me into as many of those cases as possible and he did.
AALM: What was the biggest challenge you personally faced in becoming board certified? Do you have any plans on seeking certification in another practice or through another organization?
CC: Becoming board certified was a natural step in the progression of my career. I always look for ways to improve and achieving that designation in 2009 was a no-brainer. The test is no joke so juggling personal and work obligations while studying for the test was difficult, but in the end, you just need to buckle up and get it done. Being board certified in construction law helped me secure my appointment to the Construction Licensing Board.
AALM: Tell us about a case that has stood out as significant in your career and why.
CC: In 2009, I was given the opportunity to handle a large condominium construction defect matter. It was me versus 25 other parties. I loved being in that position and I was able to secure a favorable settlement for the association. I have handled at least 10 cases like this and really enjoy helping the unit owners achieve their objectives.
AALM: What changes do you see coming to the practice of law in the near future and to your practice in particular?
CC: Technology is always changing, and the legal industry will need to continue looking forward on how to proactively address the issues that may arise. The next hurdle seems to be use of A.I. in legal research and drafting.
AALM: What are you most proud to have accomplished in your career?
CC: Helping create our current firm has been the single most rewarding accomplishment of my career. We have a team of like-minded professionals who are all really genuine and just good people. The last four years have simply been amazing.
Nick Elder
AALM: What attracted you to the practice of law? And to your practice in particular?
NE: I grew up reading John Grisham novels at a young age and always pictured myself in those imaginary roles helping a client in need. In business litigation and construction law, I am happy that I can now assist those small businesses or individual homeowners in stressful situations and make a positive difference in people’s lives.
AALM: What was the biggest challenge you personally faced in becoming board certified? Do you have any plans on seeking certification in another practice or through another organization?
NE: As I tell others who are planning on becoming board certified, find the time in your busy schedule to study. For most of us, it’s been a while since we took the bar exam, so it’s important to spend a few hours each day studying the law and combining that study with your everyday caseload to prepare for the difficult certification exam. I am also always looking to improve my practice, so my goal is to obtain an additional board certification in the near future.
AALM: What changes do you see coming to the practice of construction law?
NE: We are lucky to live in a state that is continually expanding and growing its population base. With so many people moving to Florida, and Jacksonville specifically, the construction industry isn’t slowing down and will provide unlimited opportunities for firms and attorneys specializing in this area of law.
Hans Wahl
AALM: What attracted you to your practice in particular?
HW: Out of law school I worked at a firm that practiced construction defect litigation. In that practice area, you typically have HOA and condominium clients with construction defect issues involving common element structures and amenities. The firm had many such clients, and, over time, they had specific HOA and condominium legal issues, requiring guidance on that particular area of law. That work fell to me, I dove head in, and years later it became my area of board certification.
AALM: What was the biggest challenge you personally faced in becoming board certified?
HW: I became board certified in condominium and planned development law in 2018, which was the first year the Florida Bar offered this area of certification. The challenge presented was that the board certification test was unknown without much guidance on what to expect for content, structure, and topics addressed. I did the best I could preparing for that unknown and somehow got through it.
AALM: What changes do you see coming to the practice of condominium law in the near future?
HW: I believe the recent changes in condominium law in response to the tragic Champlain Towers collapse in 2021; namely, the new structural integrity reserve study and milestone inspection requirements for condominium buildings three stories and taller will have significant impact in this industry moving forward. For many condominiums across Florida, these new reports will come due in a couple of years. They will likely reveal that many high-rise condominiums throughout the state need significant repairs but have substantially inadequate reserve funds to address the needed repairs. It will be interesting how the legislature and related state agencies address this likely widespread dilemma in the condo industry.
