Rogers Towers Law Firm Timeline

Colonel Toomer and Judge Reynolds arrive in Jacksonville, FL from Valdosta, GA, and launch the firm.

“Toomer & Reynolds” Law Firm is awarded a Membership Share in The Law Library Association.

The firm, “Toomer & Rogers” establishes offices in The Consolidation Building.

Upon the retirement of Colonel Toomer and the arrival of William H. “Billy” Rogers, the firm is renamed “Reynolds and Rogers”.

William Rogers becomes President of the Jacksonville Bar Association.

The firm is renamed, “Reynolds, Rogers, Towers”

Key Biscayne – In the 1920s, Florida is caught up in a real estate boom of a sort never seen before. One Miami developer has a vision of building 15 private islands in Key Biscayne on tidal lands to be acquired from the State of Florida and the U.S. War Department. Lawyers at Rogers Towers represent Florida’s Governor and his Cabinet (as Trustees of the Internal Improvement Fund) in the years of litigation that will arise from the controversial sale. The dredging barges are ordered back into port in 1928 when our attorneys obtain a Florida Supreme Court ruling against the developer on the grounds the lands are not eligible for private development.

After the passing of Judge Reynolds, the firm is renamed “Rogers & Towers”.

Charles Towers is a leader in the fight for the Jacksonville-Duval consolidation. He makes tireless railway tours, persuading voters in other counties to approve Jacksonville’s big move. Barnstorming with him are reformists. Against tremendous odds, they succeed. The state constitutional amendment is approved. But back at home, when Jacksonville voted on consolidation directly, the issue fails. The political machines are too powerful to beat. However, the effort spent on passing a constitutional amendment is not wasted. A generation later, it will enable a Jacksonville-Duval consolidation approved by voters in 1968.

Charles Towers becomes President of The Florida Bar.

William Rogers gives the Florida State Bar Association Annual Address: “Should We Amend the Constitution to Grant the National Government General Welfare Powers?”

Bootleggers & Baristas – On March 21, 1942, revenue agents outside Ocala, Florida seize a 1940 Chevrolet with a load of bootlegged liquor in the trunk. The impounded vehicle becomes the subject of one of the first decisions in Florida regarding the power of the government to seize assets used in criminal enterprises. Lawyers from Rogers Towers argue that the automobile finance company is an innocent victim in the case and should not be deprived of its collateral. The Florida Supreme Court’s four-page decision leaves no question as to the rights of the finance company. (The finance company is given a full opportunity to establish that the criminal conduct occurred without its knowledge or consent.) The record does not, however, provide any clue as to the fate of the bootlegged alcohol.

Main Street Bridge Opens -Shipping and commerce along the St. Johns River had helped build Jacksonville. But as automobile and truck traffic increased in the early 20th century, the river was becoming a hindrance to development. By the 1930s, it was obvious that ferry services and the twenty-year-old Acosta Bridge were insufficient to handle the heavy daily traffic heading north and south across the St. Johns River. In 1935, the City of Jacksonville and the U.S. Bureau of Roads turned to Rogers Towers to condemn the facilities of the Florida Ferry Company for the construction of a new downtown bridge. With the help of Rogers Towers’ lawyers, the Main Street Bridge opens to vehicular traffic on July 4, 1941.

Cecile Bailey becomes a Partner and the firm is renamed “Rogers, Towers, & Bailey”.

Bus Franchise Balloting – Charles Towers has been serving on the counsel for the Jacksonville Coach Co. that will allow buses to operate in Jacksonville. He is present at the signing of the proclamation for the special election with Mayor Alsop, with the issue set to be placed before the public and passed on Nov 21, 1944.

Cecile Bailey becomes President of The Jacksonville Bar Association.

William Rogers is appointed general counsel for Gulf Life.

Bailey Jones becomes a partner and the firm is renamed “Rogers, Towers, Bailey & Jones”.

Rogers Towers moves into the Florida Title Building.

Edwin Gay becomes a partner and the firm is renamed “Rogers, Towers, Bailey, Jones & Gay”.

The Roosevelt Hotel Fire – On Saturday, December 28, 1963, the University of North Carolina defeats the Air Force Academy in the 19th Gator Bowl football game. Early the next morning, fire sweeps through the fully-booked Roosevelt Hotel in Downtown Jacksonville. Twenty-two guests and firefighters lose their lives in the tragedy, the largest single-day loss of life in Jacksonville’s history. Rogers Towers’ lawyers play a significant role in the legal disputes that follow the destruction of the Roosevelt Hotel. On behalf of the firm’s casualty insurance clients, Rogers Towers defends claims and worked toward settlements for affected parties.

The Rogers, Towers, Bailey, Jones, and Gay firm is appointed Division Counsel for the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company.

William Rogers passed away in his home in 1967 at the age of 83, following a long illness.

Edwin Gay becomes Jacksonville Bar Association President.

Charles Daughtry Towers, Sr. passes away on Friday, April 18, 1969, at the age of 75, after a long illness.

Charles Daughtry Towers, Sr. passes away on Friday, April 18, 1969, at the age of 75, after a long illness.

The firm incorporates as a professional association under the laws of Florida, changing the legal structure of the firm from the pre-existing partnership, into a corporation.

Rhodes Gay becomes the new Judge of Industrial Claims.

The firm assists GATE  in the closing of the largest land deal in Northeast Florida history.
Gate beats out several wall street firms to acquire the real estate assets of Stockton, Whatley & Davin, assuming ownership of Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, Deerwood Country Club, Ponte Vedra Realty, and additional property in the area including 14,000 acres in Northeastern St. Johns County.

Graham Allen becomes President of The Jacksonville Bar Association.

The firm opens a branch office in Jacksonville located in the Southpoint commercial complex, principally for the purpose of servicing its ever-increasing column of real estate closings.

On November 4, 1991, the firm announces the move of its Jacksonville office to the Gulf Life Tower, known today as “RiverPlace Tower”.

William Brinto becomes President of The Jacksonville Bar Association.

Marc Mayo becomes President of The Jacksonville Bar Association.

Chris Hazelip becomes President of The Jacksonville Bar Association

The firm is renamed “Rogers Towers”.

Shareholder Graham Allen is admitted to the American College of Trial.

Rogers Towers’ attorneys are named among the “Top Business Litigation Lawyers in the State of Florida”.

Vescour against the famous Florida trial lawyer, Willy Gary.

Prominent statewide firms, Rogers Towers and The Fiorentino Group, announce a strategic alliance.

Shareholder Angelo Patacca is admitted to American College of Trial.

Rogers Towers shareholder, Wyman R. Duggan, wins State House District 15 Seat.

Ed McCarthy and Jason Holbrook successfully defend the ADS corporation in a high-profile jury trial in St. Johns County – an ADS truck had collided with another vehicle driven by a former police officer, who suffered serious injuries. The jury came back with a defense verdict.

Rogers Towers wins major suit for client, Riot Blockchain. The plaintiff had sued client, Riot Blockchain, for $3.15 million in company shares and $150,000 in cash. The court granted Rogers Towers’ motion for summary judgment.

First Mayo Trial