JULIE SEARS
Julie began her practice in 1988 as an associate in the complex litigation department of a mid-size firm in Atlanta, Georgia. Her practice focused on insurance defense on behalf of the insured and/or self insured, including non covered claims, as well as commercial litigation in the areas of construction, property rights and contracts.
After moving to Florida in 1991, Julie became a member of the Florida Bar and joined the firm of Baumer, Bradford & Walters, PA (now known as Smith, Gambrell & Russell) located in Jacksonville, Florida where she practiced primarily in the area of commercial litigation, including construction, contract and coverage litigation and some insurance defense.
From 1999-2007 Julie decided to transition from the full time practice of law to devote her time to raising her three daughters. In December 2007, Julie joined Bachara Construction Law Group with a focus on insurance coverage issues on behalf of the insured and third party beneficiaries; commercial litigation issues that arise during phases of construction including bankruptcy, collections, admiralty law and construction defect claims.
Julie has served as either second chair or lead counsel in at least twenty jury and non jury trials in both state and federal courts and has argued cases to the Georgia Court of Appeals, Georgia Supreme Court and Florida First District Court of Appeals and Middle District of Florida, Tampa and Jacksonville Divisions.
Prior to becoming a lawyer, Julie was a member of the 1980 honorary Olympic swim team, represented the United States in several international competitions and, at one point, was ranked 4th in the world in the 200 meter individual medley. Julie is the proud mother of three and devotes her time away from the firm to her children, their activities at school and, during the summer, as head swimming coach of the Julington Creek Plantation Swimming Team, a large summer league swimming program with approximately 150 swimmers in St. John’s County, Florida.
Education
- Emory University Law School
- Juris Doctor, 1988
- Activities and Honors
- Class Rank: Top 10%
- Editorial Board: Bankruptcy
Developments Journal
- Reading, Writing and Advocacy Instructor, third year
- Emory University
- Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, 1985
Memberships
- The Florida Bar - Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, Construction Law Committee Member
- Jacksonville Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Section of Litigation – Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee
- Construction Defect Subcommittee
- Additional Insured Subcommittee
- Associated Builders and Contractors - Florida First Coast Chapter
Bar Admissions
- The Florida Bar, 1991
- State Bar of Georgia, 1988
- Georgia Supreme Court
- Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals
United States District
Court Admissions
- Northern District of Georgia
- Northern District of Florida
- Middle District of Florida