The lengths some will go to to get out of jury duty
By HELEN HUNTLEY
Published February 16, 2004
Raymond James chairman Tom James worried he might have to miss his company's annual meeting when he was ordered to report for jury duty last week. He needn't have feared.
When James was questioned as a potential juror for a medical malpractice suit against Bayfront Medical Center, he didn't exactly come off as the picture of impartiality. Both of his children were born at Bayfront, and he is a satisfied former patient himself. Furthermore, Bayfront Medical Center has been a client of the St. Petersburg brokerage.
James assured the plaintiff's lawyer, Frank Currie, that the relationship would not affect his ability to be impartial, but there was this other little matter he had to bring up: James was chairman of the Florida Council of 100's Tort Reform Task Force during last year's rancorous legislative debate on medical malpractice. The council is opposed to "excessive" lawsuits and jury awards that increase the cost of business. In fact, James was so outspoken on the subject that some angry trial lawyers closed their brokerage accounts at Raymond James.
The implications weren't lost on Currie:
"Actually Mr. James, I have had this nightmare," he responded. "It is now coming true, but it is a pleasure to meet you, sir."
