AALM: How did your experiences as a nurse lead you to pursue a legal career?
CH: As a nurse in the intensive care unit, I took care of many patients who had been injured by someone else’s negligence. I wanted to be able to help them seek justice for their injuries, which were life changing. Also, I could see things that could change in the hospital system that would help prevent medical and nursing errors, and I wanted to help improve the health care system.
AALM: What are some of the ways you’ve found joy you didn’t expect or made an impact?
CH: Nursing is so different than the practice of law! Different vocabulary, and a different approach to problem solving. The practice of law was much harder than I expected, more time consuming, more detailed, and more demanding. Being able to help people who had a bad experience with the medical profession has been rewarding. Changes that have been made in hospitals (maybe different types of beds, medical equipment, or changes in policies and procedures) that prevented other patient injuries has been personally rewarding because it has an impact beyond helping the client.
AALM: Tell us a little bit about your legal career and the path that led you to practice at Coker Law.
CH: Although I wanted to work in a hospital to prevent errors, I soon learned that there were no opportunities for that type of position in the hospitals. At that time risk management was more reactive than proactive. So, I began my legal career at Gentry and Phillips doing medical malpractice, product liability, construction negligence and other negligence cases.
In the early years, my time was spent primarily on product liability cases, including L-tryptophan cases (product defect in the manufacturing process at that time) and was involved in the MDLs. This was an opportunity to meet, and work with, attorneys throughout the United States. I learned so much through those relationships. Over the years, we handled several cases involving defective medical products, as well as medical malpractice cases.
Eventually two of the partners decided to pursue other interests, and I opened my own firm and continued handling medical malpractice and other negligence cases. The years flew by. Then I had the opportunity to join the Coker firm and work with their outstanding attorneys.
AALM: Tell us about some of your mentors and the best lessons they instilled in you.
CH: WC Gentry and Kitty Phillips were my primary mentors, and I credit them for the lawyer I am today. They both had excellent legal minds and skills. When I would approach them with a problem the response would be “do what is right.” It may not be the easy thing to do or the quickest, but if you do what is right it serves you and your client well. It seems like such simple advice, but it has served me well in my career.
AALM: Of the organizations you’ve worked with in your legal career, which are you most passionate about?
CH: This has changed over time. Currently, I am passionate about the American Board of Trial Advocates because they are committed to preserving the Seventh Amendment right to trial by jury in a civil case, the independence of the judiciary, civics education and the rule of law. I served as the president of the local chapter (2020) and as national secretary (2022 and 2023), and am currently a trustee on the ABOTA Foundation.
The American Inns of Court, and particularly the Chester Bedell Inn of Court are other organizations near and dear to my heart. During my career, I have also been involved in the local bar associations, the American Bar association, the Florida Bar association and the Florida Justice Association. I am on the board of the UNF Foundation and am very excited about the University’s upcoming projects. UNF has a strong connection with the community.
AALM: A few years ago, you received the Spirit of Giving Award from the Jacksonville Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, tell us about your work on the ABA’s 14th Amendment Law Day exhibit and any future nonprofit or educational projects you’re working on?
CH: Such a fun project! This project was done by the Chester Bedell Inn of Court. It was the 100th Anniversary of the 14th Amendment. We secured the exhibit which had been curated by the Library of Congress. In order to maximize its exposure, we did a virtual tour of the exhibit. Dressed in period costumes, Chelsea Harris (another shareholder at Coker Law) and I played the roles of Susan B. Anthony and her good friend as we toured the exhibit, reciting events depicted in the exhibit. The video was sent to schools so students who could not come to the exhibit could still see and enjoy it! Currently, I am working with ABOTA on several civics education projects including reading books about civics issues to elementary school children, and also the Teacher’s Law School which supports teachers who teach civics.
AALM: What goals are you still hoping to accomplish in your professional career? What’s the next big milestone for you?
CH: My goal is to continue to serve my clients and seek justice for those who have been wronged. Professionally, I hope to continue to give back to the community and other lawyers through the organizations. The next big milestone – probably the next trial on the calendar!
