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CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC: YOUR INSIGHT
THE MATHIS REPORT
Attorney: ‘Virtual law office’ saves time Daily Record JACKSONVILLE
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KAREN BRUNE MATHIS EDITOR
JACKSONVILLE
Ally Bank buys two Flagler Center buildings
The financial institution pays $49 million for Lakeside III and IV, where it was leasing.
Special to the Daily Record
Attorney Gerald Wilkerson has a virtual law office where he attends teleconference depositions and hearings.
“I think COVID-19 catapulted us into the 21st century,” says Gerald Wilkerson. BY MAX MARBUT ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Attorney Gerald Wilkerson has taken practicing law virtually by teleconference to the next level – he built a virtual law office. Actually, it’s a custom Zoom background created by Wilkerson’s son, Sean, who’s president of the Paxon School for Advanced Studies Film Club. “It’s all virtual. He used a photo of a law office and the sign on the wall is just text. I use it for my Zoom hearings,” Wilkerson said. With the social distancing requirements
because of the COVID-19 shutdown, he is regularly logging on for depositions and some types of hearings, like uncontested divorces. While having to move from practicing law in person to practicing virtually was a substantial transition, Wilkerson said after doing it for about two months, he’s found it has certain advantages. “I’m saving hours of travel time,” he said. Wilkerson said that before virtual meetings, a five-minute hearing could take two hours of his day.
KEEPING CLOSE – FROM A DISTANCE On May 4, the state began a phased reopening of some businesses shut down to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The Daily Record is reporting on small businesses as they confront the challenges of social distancing and financial hardships brought on by the pandemic and its aftermath.
SEE WILKERSON, PAGE 2
Crocker Partners sold the Lakeside III and Lakeside IV office buildings in Flagler Center to Ally Financial Inc. for $49 million. Ally Financial spokesperson Christianna Vazquez confirmed by email May 20 that the company completed the purchase of the Lakeside III and Lakeside IV buildings in Flagler Center from Crocker Partners. She said Ally is the sole occupant of both buildings, where it has 1,090 employees. “This purchase will help Ally strengthen the common culture and collaboration across teams in a campus-like environment for its loyal and high performing workforce,” Vazquez said. “The transaction will also help Ally control long-term occupancy costs.” Crocker, through two limited liability companies, bought the property in 2014 as part of a larger portfolio in Flagler Center, which is in South Jacksonville. The deed was executed May 13 and posted to the Duval County SEE MATHIS, PAGE 2
The Daily Record’s new home After 48 years at Bay and Newnan streets near the old City Hall site, the Jacksonville Daily Record and Record & Observer offices have moved to the 121 Atlantic Place building at 121 W. Forsyth St. Suite 150. The building is Downtown across Forsyth Street from the Bank of America Tower, and west of the Bellwether restaurant. The Daily Record offices are on the first floor in space formerly used by Ameris Bank. All phone and fax number and email addresses are unchanged.
VOLUME 107, NO. 135 • ONE SECTION