Hizzoner goes back to the future

James Humphrey, the mayor of Fort Myers who guided the city's downtown redevelopment during the real estate boom, is back with the partners of a law firm he founded in 1982.

During his tenure as mayor from 2000 to 2009, Humphrey joined the statewide law firm of Fowler White Boggs. He says he needed the bigger firm to help him shoulder the twin responsibilities of elected office and managing longtime clients.

Recently, Humphrey joined the Fort Myers firm Knott Ebelini Hart, joining attorneys with whom he practiced at Humphrey Jones & Myers, the firm he founded in 1982. “All three names I hired into the firm,” he says.

Humphrey says he also prefers to be part of a smaller firm now. “With a smaller firm you do have more control, authority as to your fees and how you work with clients,” he says.

Humphrey's focus will be on government, administrative and real estate law. He is counsel to the Lee Memorial Health System board of directors and the Lee and Charlotte counties industrial development authorities.

Besides, Humphrey doesn't harbor any political ambitions today. “I do not want to say never, but I've served my time,” Humphrey says.