Smith, Richard E.T.

Leonard E. Ireland, Jr. was born in Tifton, Georgia. He graduated from North Georgia College in Dahlonega, Georgia, in 1961 with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. Leonard then entered the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant, serving as an Infantry Platoon Leader at Fort Benning, Georgia. He completed the United States Army Rotary Wing Aviation (Helicopter) Schools at Camp Walters, Texas, and Fort Rucker, Alabama, earning his wings as an Army Rotary Wing Aviator. He served as a helicopter pilot with the First Armored Division in Fort Hood, Texas, until his discharge from the Army in 1965.

After leaving the Army, Leonard entered the University of Florida, Levin College of Law receiving a Juris Doctor, with honors, in 1967. While at the University of Florida, he was a member of The Law Review, Phi Kappa Phi and Order of the Coif. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1967.

Leonard has practiced with the firm now known as Clayton-Johnston, P.A. since graduation from law school. Since admission to the Bar, his practice has concentrated primarily in civil trial practice, although for a brief period he served as a part time Assistant State Attorney in Gilchrist County, Florida. Leonard has handled many complex cases such as prosecuting and defending class action suits involving insurance companies, commercial disputes, land use disputes, construction litigation, and family law matters. In addition, Leonard has represented many injured parties in personal injury cases.

In 1982, the Florida Bar's Board of Certification, Designation and Advertising, on which Leonard served in 1985, permitted Florida lawyers who demonstrated substantial trial experience and met certain continuing legal education requirements, to apply to become Board Certified as a civil trial lawyer. Leonard was among the first Florida lawyers to be certified as a civil trial lawyer. Leonard also maintains the highest possible peer rating for legal ability and integrity, as established by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory.

In addition to his law practice, Leonard has been actively involved in professional activities, especially the Florida Bar and the Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association. He served on the Board of Directors of the Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association including a term as President, as Chairman of the Florida Bar's Continuing Legal Education Committee, and as a member of the Florida Bar's Board of Certification, Designating and Advertising.

He has also been active in Gainesville area community activities. He served as President of the Gainesville Jaycees in 1971, and received the Gainesville Jaycees Distinguished Service Award. He has served as legal counsel to the Florida Jaycees, on the Board of Directors of the Kiwanis Club and the Rotary Club, and served as President/Chairman of the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce in 1992.