Christopher Cobb, Managing Partner, Cobb & Gonzalez
In an interview with Invest:, Christopher Cobb, managing partner at law firm Cobb & Gonzalez, discussed the firm’s recent achievements, including opening a new office in Orlando, and its strategic efforts to adapt to the evolving legal landscape and market opportunities in Jacksonville.
What have been some of the main highlights and achievements for the firm over the past year?
In the last year, we opened an office in Orlando as part of our rapid expansion. We just moved into that office, where our new team will handle general liability, insurance defense, and premises liability defense. All of our practice groups blend together, such as our work with condo and HOA communities tying into our construction practice.
What is your view of the legal industry in Jacksonville and the opportunities in the construction-focused legal sector?
Right now, in construction, all pathways lead through downtown Jacksonville. The Jacksonville Jaguars are preparing to renovate their stadium, which will spur significant development and growth in the downtown corridor. Historically, this area has seen spikes and lulls in development, but the new stadium is expected to be a huge boon.
There’s already a lot of activity downtown. The Four Seasons hotel is under construction, and there will be new retail, residential, and commercial developments. It’s an exciting time here as these projects are just starting to come out of the ground.
What distinguishes Cobb & Gonzalez from other players in the market?
Our culture sets us apart. We’ve created an environment where people enjoy coming to work. Many of us have come from places that were difficult to work in, so we made sure to build a welcoming and collaborative environment. We’ve won Best Places to Work and Fastest Growing Companies awards several times. We focus on keeping our employees happy because happy employees are productive and take great care of our clients. This positive culture creates a spiral-up effect, benefiting everyone involved.
What changes have you seen in terms of demand for the services or practice areas that you provide?
The practice groups we’ve developed in this firm are essentially recession-proof. If the construction or building market were to tank, litigation in that area would increase. Conversely, when all the projects are going well, we’re busy reviewing contracts. Once projects are completed, we might deal with defect issues.
The economy does affect construction, but we’re able to pivot because of our service offerings. For example, the year of COVID, when everything shut down, was one of our best years. Our condominium clients were seeking guidance, and construction was deemed essential. Contractors ramped up operations and needed our help. We didn’t miss a beat, even though everyone was working remotely.
Our condominium and HOA practice group adapt similarly. When the market tanks, collections ramp up. During COVID, condominiums, and HOAs needed guidance on managing common elements, so they reached out for opinion letters and advice. We pivot based on needs, from elections to board operations to opinions.
These practice groups support each other, especially in residential construction and condos. This synergy has been fascinating to witness over the last 15 years. Regardless of market conditions, we always have work.
What developing trends in the legal sector are you watching, especially regarding construction law?
In terms of legal trends, AI is the most significant development on the horizon. Although I’m still learning about it, AI’s impact in the next three to five years will be substantial. All lawyers will need to understand AI because it’s coming. Ignoring AI isn’t an option. With the shift to remote work and paperless offices, cybersecurity will be a continuous focus, requiring constant updates to ensure our technology is secure and protected.
AI feels like a boogeyman right now — we see it out there, but we’re not sure how it will affect us. AI can’t take depositions, argue cases, or handle trials and hearings. As long as we’re focused on those areas, we’re fine. However, for tasks like drafting, we must be cautious. AI won’t replace human review and analysis. We’re figuring out how it will impact our business and whether to use it as a tool strategically. It’s a gray area, and we must learn about AI and apply it where it provides an advantage. We’re still determining what that looks like.
Trust in AI is a significant issue; many in the legal community, including myself, aren’t ready to rely solely on a computer program to review documents. Developing trust with AI is a long-term consideration. In the short term, over the next five years, AI may become more sophisticated, requiring continuous adaptation. AI is here to stay.
In what ways is the firm benefiting from business relocations, corporate expansions, and overall population growth in the Jacksonville area?
Indirectly, population growth leads to more home construction, homebuying, and new businesses, which benefits us. As North Florida’s population increases, we all benefit. In the HOA and condo world, higher population density leads to more conflicts, which means more work for us. North Florida, particularly Saint Johns, Nassau, Duval, and even Baker counties, is experiencing explosive growth. Unlike other areas that are shrinking, we’re in a unique pocket of growth, which has been fascinating to witness over the past few years.
What are some common legal mistakes made by new businesses in construction, and why is it important for them to seek legal advice?
For condos and multifamily projects, legal counsel is typically involved early on. However, in residential growth, I’ve seen many individuals buying homes from national builders without having counsel review the contracts. These aren’t standard real estate contracts; they’re construction agreements with provisions that differ significantly. When disputes arise, buyers often realize they’ve signed agreements that aren’t in their favor. Having legal counsel review these agreements can save a lot of heartache by clarifying what happens in case of default or other issues.
Have recent legal changes in Florida affected your operations?
The most significant change affecting our industry is the new condominium statutes enacted after the building collapse in Miami. These statutes require periodic inspections, involving engineers to assess building safety. If a building is deemed unsafe, it must undergo renovations. We’ve been heavily involved in assisting engineers with inspections and helping associations review inspection reports. We also negotiate repair contracts with contractors and assist with special assessments needed to fund these repairs.
What are the biggest challenges for Cobb & Gonzalez, and what strategies are you using to address them?
Recruiting is our biggest challenge. We’re in growth mode and need to hire more people, but finding the right candidates is crucial. We use word of mouth, referrals, and staffing agencies to find new hires, focusing on quality over quantity. There’s no shortage of construction lawyers in North Florida, but convincing high performers to leave their current positions can be tough. We look for candidates who are ready to move and meet our standards. Many candidates reach out to us because they’re unhappy in their current roles, which usually results in successful hires. We’re continuously looking for quality candidates for all positions.
What is the outlook for Cobb & Gonzalez over the next few years, and what are your top priorities?
In the next few years, we plan to significantly grow our Orlando office. We currently have two lawyers there and aim to increase that number to six or seven within the next three to five years. Additionally, we’re looking to expand into the Panhandle, targeting areas like Pensacola, Destin, and Tallahassee. We see significant opportunities in these regions, particularly with administrative law and our condo and HOA practice.
We’re focused on growing our presence here while also expanding into other areas. One significant opportunity is the expansion of the Jacksonville airport, with Terminal C adding around 12 to 15 new gates. This expansion, along with the ongoing growth at JAXPORT with cruise ships, represents a big opportunity for the area. We’re committed to ensuring we grow responsibly and maintain our strong base in Jacksonville.
