J. Stephen O’Hara, Jr., was a Tallahassee native and original founder of the firm. He graduated from Florida State University law school in 1977, having served as an editor of the Law Review. Steve began his liability trial defense practice with the firm of Mathews, Osborne, Ehrlich, McNatt, Gobelman & Cobb.

Steve O’Hara was a trial lawyer and mentor to aspiring litigation attorneys.  He also handled pre-suit matters like global settlement initiatives, time-limited settlement demands, and coverage questions and handled appeals during lawsuits and after trials.

Steve was a Fellow in ABOTA (American Board of Trial Advocates) and a member of the CLM (Claims & Litigation Management Alliance), American Bar Association (Law Practice Management, Litigation, and Tort and Insurance Practice Sections); Defense Research Institute; Florida Defense Lawyers Association; Jacksonville Bar Association; and Jacksonville Association of Defense Counsel.