Drew Dixon
Former Jacksonville Deputy General Counsel Lawsikia Hodges has been hired by the law firm Smith, Gambrell & Russell.
Hodges has joined the Jacksonville office of the firm, which is based in Atlanta. Hodges will head up the firm’s governmental affairs practice in Jacksonville. She’ll also be a member of the firm’s real estate group.
“We are pleased to welcome Lawsikia to SGR and salute her many years of public service to the City of Jacksonville,” said Steven E. Brust, managing partner of the Jacksonville office. “Her experience in city, county, and local government will be a valuable resource to our clients.”
Hodges had extensive experience in Jacksonville government legal affairs. Most notably, she was the lead attorney for several city governmental agencies such as Jacksonville Port Authority, Jacksonville Housing Authority, Police and Fire Pension Board of Trustees, among several other authorities and organizations.
Hodges was an attorney at Jacksonville City Hall for 17 years before resigning in March. She stepped down after being considered as one of the candidates for the city’s General Counsel position. But Mayor Donna Deegan assigned that role to Michael Fackler and the City Council confirmed the appointment.
Hodges said she’s excited about her new position with Smith, Gambrell & Russell.
“I am honored to join such a reputable and outstanding law firm and continue my government law and transactional practice, representing both public and private sector clients,” said Hodges in a prepared statement.
This isn’t the first time Hodges has worked in private law. She was a business law associate at the firm Foley & Lardner. Hodges graduated from the University of Florida Levin College of Law after earning her bachelor’s degree at the University of North Florida.
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Editor’s note: Drew Dixon’s spouse is an employee of Mayor Deegan’s administration.
