We sat down with Dana Jacobs following her recognition by the Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association with the Woman Lawyer of the Year Award. Each year, the organization presents it to a woman lawyer who has made meaningful contributions to her community through legal service or volunteer activities.
Past recipients include Ashlea Edwards, Magistrate Donna Vincent, Magistrate Marquita Green, Missy Davenport and many more.
AALM: Dana, what was your reaction when you learned you would be receiving this honor?
DJ: To say I was shocked would be an understatement. I was sitting in a room of women who were equally as deserving of this award, and I felt honored to have been selected. When I turned around and saw my husband and son walking into the room right in front of partners and friends from my firm, I couldn’t have been happier.
AALM: Of the past recipients of the award, who has stood out as a woman lawyer who inspires you?
DJ: So many of the previous recipients are lawyers who inspire me from past interactions, such as Linda Farrell (2008), Patty Dodson (2011), Joni Poitier (2019), but the standout for me is one of my dearest friends, Lindsay Tygart (2020). It was done virtually that year, and I was fortunate to be present (hiding behind the wall listening in) when they announced her name over Zoom.
I distinctly remember hearing the presenter’s long list of organizations and committees Lindsay was involved in during her career and wondering how she found the time to be so involved and yet still balance her work and home life. She really helped encourage me to become more involved in groups I felt passionately about, as opposed to just being involved in something to say I was involved. I took what she said to heart and spent the last several years working with groups that bring me joy outside of the practice of law.
AALM: Of the organizations you’re involved in which one means the most to you and why?
DJ: I wouldn’t dare choose one organization over the other! The JWLA is an organization that quite frankly the entire legal community should be involved in, not just women. It helps promote the equality of women in the workplace and leadership roles for women in the legal community.
The Grievance Committee for the Florida Bar has been and continues to be an eye-opening experience for what kind of complaints and issues exist in the legal community. I feel very strongly about assisting in the process that helps maintain the integrity of the legal profession.
Since becoming a member of ABOTA, I have been blessed with being able to attend events that help promote the Seventh Amendment, especially with students in middle school and high school who are learning about what goes on in a courtroom.
And finally, after serving on the board of trustees for my Temple for the last two years, I was asked to serve as a vice president, and my role there is just beginning. My focus is on leadership within our Temple and finding ways to elevate our Temple members and have them taking on more meaningful roles. My son is actively preparing for his Bar Mitzvah, and I’m proud he can see our family’s involvement with our religious community is a lifelong practice and commitment.
I would encourage all the lawyers in our community to get involved in organizations, groups, or committees in any way they can. I know we are all busy between our work lives and personal lives, but it’s incredibly fulfilling and rewarding to participate meaningfully in matters outside of our everyday law practices.
