JEFF CLOSE is a partner and shareholder in the firm whose areas of practice include railroad defense,
commercial tort and contract disputes, construction law, environmental law, and real estate litigation.
He has tried and otherwise seen numerous cases to favorable verdict or final disposition and
successfully guided clients through a wide variety of complex disputes and transactions. In addition to
his years of experience in the law firm setting, Mr. Close has also maintained his own solo practice,
where he represented clients ranging from large developers, design-builders, and contractors to small
businesses and individuals. Mr. Close also has considerable experience in the public sector, having
served as Assistant General Counsel at both the City of Jacksonville and the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection.
Mr. Close has been published twice in the Florida Bar Journal and given a number of guest lectures at
law schools within the state. While in law school, he was awarded first place in the statewide Dean
Frank E. Maloney Student Writing Competition (sponsored by the Florida Bar) and recognized on
numerous occasions as a Dean’s Scholar and with multiple book awards. Mr. Close is a past-President of
the Northeast Florida Association of Environmental Professionals and a Barrister in the Chester Bedell
Inn of Court.
Jeff obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama and his Juris Doctor with a
Certificate in Environmental Law from Florida Coastal School of Law. Jeff and his wife Caroline live with
their family in the San Marco area of Jacksonville. Jeff is an avid outdoorsman and an active member of
All Saints Episcopal Church, where he has formerly served on the vestry.