Coming Home

Jeff Goodman lights up when he speaks of traveling down the road less traveled.

Jeff Goodman lights up when he speaks of traveling down the road less traveled. When faced with a fork in his path several years ago, he decided coming home to Northwest Florida was the way to go. And based on his new-found success and happiness, it appears the Washington County-based young lawyer once again has a knack for picking the right direction.

Life in the Fast Lane

Goodman graduated from Holmes County High School in Bonifay, Fla., and went on to receive a degree in business management from the University of Florida, where he was a wide receiver on the Gator football team. He quickly moved on to earn his law degree from UF’s College of Law in 2003.

Soon after, the fast-rising Goodman began practicing at Bach & Bingham, LLP, one of Alabama’s largest law firms. There he specialized in commercial, energy and casualty litigation, representing clients such as Alabama Power Company, Nevada Power Company, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. It was at Bach & Bingham that Goodman was part of the team that brought down Enron. As a new associate, Goodman was tasked with researching audio tapes of the infamous energy scandal.

“I was fresh out of law school, maybe 18 months out, and in the thick of the Enron mess,” explained Goodman. “I listened to over 100,000 hours of tapes of traders talking, complete with code names. A veteran attorney told me that even if my law career lasted 30 years, I would never hear the likes of that again.”

Goodman was also active in the firm’s sports and entertainment practice, representing college and professional football coaches and professional football players. As the son of longtime coach and sports administrator James Goodman, the field was old hat.

Goodman’s career path took a quick turn in 2006 when he joined the Denver Broncos, where his father was the director of player personnel. Trading in the courtroom for the National Football League (NFL) was a big change for Goodman. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t end some days, scratching my head, asking myself, ‘What did I get into?’ ” Goodman once explained to ESPN.

After two years as a college scout responsible for evaluating the Southeast region for the franchise, Goodman was promoted to assistant general manager in 2008, making him one of the youngest front office executives in the NFL — a youthful but highly regarded standout in a field of older administrators. In his elevated position, he oversaw contract negotiations, salary cap management and participated in short-and-long term planning related to roster management and the draft.

But while Goodman received accolades for his service to the Broncos, during a 2009 management reorganization both he and his father were dismissed from the franchise.

“When we got let go in Denver, obviously there are some emotions that run with that,” said Goodman. “First shock. But, then you quickly regroup.”

Goodman regrouped like any good lawyer. Thoughtfully and strategically — and with the realization that his often-described quick rise to the top didn’t necessarily equate to personal fulfillment. With no real ties keeping his young family in Denver, Goodman assessed his options, packed his bags and came back to the Chipley area.

Shifting Gears

After returning to Florida, Goodman spent a few months consulting for ESPN on the draft. He kept his eyes open, though, constantly assessing the benefits of the smaller world and slower lifestyle around him.

He saw three potential options for his immediate future. “I could push back and go on with the NFL, I could go back to a larger law firm or I could go out on my own,” he explained. However, the benefits of spending more time with his family and the newly-discovered pleasures of living in a small, established community were starting to grow on him.

“My dad was a coach and we always moved every four to five years. My wife, Marissa, lived in the same house from when she was a little kid until she went to college. Growing up, we had opposite lifestyles,” explained Goodman. The couple, who both have family in the Chipley area, talked a lot about their potential future and the benefits of living near extended family. Goodman admits the story of Marissa’s stable childhood influenced him.

“As time went by, I became more comfortable in the area. I spent more time with my kids and saw a niche for my skill set in Holmes and Washington counties. So, I pondered staying here,” said Goodman, who has a four-year-old daughter, Savannah, and a one-year-old son named Grant.

With a laugh, Goodman recalled his time with the Broncos and the long hours he worked. The demanding position meant he could go weeks without seeing his family in any meaningful way. “In Denver, my only day of the week to take a lunch hour was on Friday. One Friday my wife and daughter picked me up for a quick lunch. When they dropped me off at the office after lunch, my daughter Savannah said, ‘This is where Daddy lives,’ ” said Goodman. That memory stuck with him. “So I talked to a lot of people, I prayed a lot and then I decided to start my own shop. And, I decided this is my home — for me, my kids and my wife.”

His World Now

“In the move (from Denver and the NFL), I gave up money and a high-profile lifestyle. But I got an improved lifestyle and an opportunity to give back in a meaningful way,” said Goodman with obvious happiness. “And of course, my wife is as happy as she can be.”

Labeling himself an independent and ambitious thinker, Goodman embraced the idea of hiring his own staff and doing things his own way. With the goal of bringing his diverse background and expertise to the area, he opened his own law office in Chipley in 2010. He serves Washington, Jackson, Holmes and Calhoun counties and enjoys providing local citizens a level of service they would normally find only from a larger firm or in bigger cities. “I offer a unique perspective and experience to the people around me,” he explained.

But small town law is a different theater. “I used to do 10 to 15 cases at a time, now I do 100 smaller cases at a time,” said Goodman. But with the increase in workload comes the pleasure of intimacy, challenge and growth. “Here the majority of my clients I know on a personal basis, and many as friends. There is a closeness of people in a small community, an opportunity to help people on a professional and personal level. I find that very satisfying. And I never know what is coming in my office next — from someone abandoning 62 dogs, to Tommy in trouble with the law, to estates with major land holdings, to a rail project with the potential of jobs for our community.”

These days he is working 50 to 55 hours a week, a reduction in work hours from his days out west. “I’ve got two kids under the age of five,” explained Goodman, who enjoys golf and spending time at the beach. “Now I’m taking most weekends off. I’ve recently learned to really live in the moment.”

Giving Back

Goodman is quick to explain he has received much and grown in abundance since he’s returned to Northwest Florida. And out of those gains, a yearning to give back has developed.

“I feel obligated to give back and make significant contributions. I really started to feel this way once I moved back to a small community,” said Goodman, who reciprocates through church and Kiwanis functions by donating to local causes and by serving on multiple boards and committees. “I really enjoy being active in my church and teaching Sunday school. I’ve never been able to do that — they play on Sundays in the NFL.”

He credits his parents with setting the example of service to community. “My parents were always active. We moved a lot. But, they stepped up in each new town and helped out,” said Goodman. “Maybe part of it is the kids — you want your kids to have a good hometown.”

Goodman, who is a member of the Washington and Holmes Chambers of Commerce, enjoys being a sounding board for people in the surrounding counties. “A majority of my day is spent, ‘Hey Jeff, what do you think about … ’ ”

The World Around Him

As much as Goodman loves the I-10 corridor, he worries about the void created by the 30- to 40-year-old professionals who have left the area. “I get disappointed when we lose our talented, young people to bigger cities. It’s important to show the opportunity here,” said Goodman, who advocates for strategic and thoughtful growth in the area. He talks passionately about the possibility of having it all — a successful and rewarding professional life, coupled with a very pleasant personal life in the Northwest Florida region.

“I hope people will see me as somebody who left and accomplished his goals, then made a conscious decision to come back,” noted Goodman as he described his journey back home. “And … know I’m thriving here. That I’m trying to lead by example.”

Most important to Goodman is the future for his son and daughter. He hopes they will get their college degrees, set lofty goals and explore their skills. But then return to Northwest Florida, a region he hopes will be ripe with resources, opportunities and fruitful communities in their future. He hopes that one day they will know the comfort and reassurance that comes with being connected to, and successfully serving, an intimate community.

But what the future holds, even Goodman’s reliable internal compass can’t predict. “I didn’t know I’d be 27 and working on the Enron case, or 30 years old and working as one of the youngest executives in the NFL with Denver. Today I’m 33 and wonder where I’ll be when I’m 40.”Jeff Goodman lights up when he speaks of traveling down the road less traveled. When faced with a fork in his path several years ago, he decided coming home to Northwest Florida was the way to go. And based on his new-found success and happiness, it appears the Washington County-based young lawyer once again has a knack for picking the right direction.

Life in the Fast Lane

Goodman graduated from Holmes County High School in Bonifay, Fla., and went on to receive a degree in business management from the University of Florida, where he was a wide receiver on the Gator football team. He quickly moved on to earn his law degree from UF’s College of Law in 2003.

Soon after, the fast-rising Goodman began practicing at Bach & Bingham, LLP, one of Alabama’s largest law firms. There he specialized in commercial, energy and casualty litigation, representing clients such as Alabama Power Company, Nevada Power Company, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. It was at Bach & Bingham that Goodman was part of the team that brought down Enron. As a new associate, Goodman was tasked with researching audio tapes of the infamous energy scandal.

“I was fresh out of law school, maybe 18 months out, and in the thick of the Enron mess,” explained Goodman. “I listened to over 100,000 hours of tapes of traders talking, complete with code names. A veteran attorney told me that even if my law career lasted 30 years, I would never hear the likes of that again.”

Goodman was also active in the firm’s sports and entertainment practice, representing college and professional football coaches and professional football players. As the son of longtime coach and sports administrator James Goodman, the field was old hat.

Goodman’s career path took a quick turn in 2006 when he joined the Denver Broncos, where his father was the director of player personnel. Trading in the courtroom for the National Football League (NFL) was a big change for Goodman. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t end some days, scratching my head, asking myself, ‘What did I get into?’ ” Goodman once explained to ESPN.

After two years as a college scout responsible for evaluating the Southeast region for the franchise, Goodman was promoted to assistant general manager in 2008, making him one of the youngest front office executives in the NFL — a youthful but highly regarded standout in a field of older administrators. In his elevated position, he oversaw contract negotiations, salary cap management and participated in short-and-long term planning related to roster management and the draft.

But while Goodman received accolades for his service to the Broncos, during a 2009 management reorganization both he and his father were dismissed from the franchise.

“When we got let go in Denver, obviously there are some emotions that run with that,” said Goodman. “First shock. But, then you quickly regroup.”

Goodman regrouped like any good lawyer. Thoughtfully and strategically — and with the realization that his often-described quick rise to the top didn’t necessarily equate to personal fulfillment. With no real ties keeping his young family in Denver, Goodman assessed his options, packed his bags and came back to the Chipley area.

Shifting Gears

After returning to Florida, Goodman spent a few months consulting for ESPN on the draft. He kept his eyes open, though, constantly assessing the benefits of the smaller world and slower lifestyle around him.

He saw three potential options for his immediate future. “I could push back and go on with the NFL, I could go back to a larger law firm or I could go out on my own,” he explained. However, the benefits of spending more time with his family and the newly-discovered pleasures of living in a small, established community were starting to grow on him.

“My dad was a coach and we always moved every four to five years. My wife, Marissa, lived in the same house from when she was a little kid until she went to college. Growing up, we had opposite lifestyles,” explained Goodman. The couple, who both have family in the Chipley area, talked a lot about their potential future and the benefits of living near extended family. Goodman admits the story of Marissa’s stable childhood influenced him.

“As time went by, I became more comfortable in the area. I spent more time with my kids and saw a niche for my skill set in Holmes and Washington counties. So, I pondered staying here,” said Goodman, who has a four-year-old daughter, Savannah, and a one-year-old son named Grant.

With a laugh, Goodman recalled his time with the Broncos and the long hours he worked. The demanding position meant he could go weeks without seeing his family in any meaningful way. “In Denver, my only day of the week to take a lunch hour was on Friday. One Friday my wife and daughter picked me up for a quick lunch. When they dropped me off at the office after lunch, my daughter Savannah said, ‘This is where Daddy lives,’ ” said Goodman. That memory stuck with him. “So I talked to a lot of people, I prayed a lot and then I decided to start my own shop. And, I decided this is my home — for me, my kids and my wife.”

His World Now

“In the move (from Denver and the NFL), I gave up money and a high-profile lifestyle. But I got an improved lifestyle and an opportunity to give back in a meaningful way,” said Goodman with obvious happiness. “And of course, my wife is as happy as she can be.”

Labeling himself an independent and ambitious thinker, Goodman embraced the idea of hiring his own staff and doing things his own way. With the goal of bringing his diverse background and expertise to the area, he opened his own law office in Chipley in 2010. He serves Washington, Jackson, Holmes and Calhoun counties and enjoys providing local citizens a level of service they would normally find only from a larger firm or in bigger cities. “I offer a unique perspective and experience to the people around me,” he explained.

But small town law is a different theater. “I used to do 10 to 15 cases at a time, now I do 100 smaller cases at a time,” said Goodman. But with the increase in workload comes the pleasure of intimacy, challenge and growth. “Here the majority of my clients I know on a personal basis, and many as friends. There is a closeness of people in a small community, an opportunity to help people on a professional and personal level. I find that very satisfying. And I never know what is coming in my office next — from someone abandoning 62 dogs, to Tommy in trouble with the law, to estates with major land holdings, to a rail project with the potential of jobs for our community.”

These days he is working 50 to 55 hours a week, a reduction in work hours from his days out west. “I’ve got two kids under the age of five,” explained Goodman, who enjoys golf and spending time at the beach. “Now I’m taking most weekends off. I’ve recently learned to really live in the moment.”

Giving Back

Goodman is quick to explain he has received much and grown in abundance since he’s returned to Northwest Florida. And out of those gains, a yearning to give back has developed.

“I feel obligated to give back and make significant contributions. I really started to feel this way once I moved back to a small community,” said Goodman, who reciprocates through church and Kiwanis functions by donating to local causes and by serving on multiple boards and committees. “I really enjoy being active in my church and teaching Sunday school. I’ve never been able to do that — they play on Sundays in the NFL.”

He credits his parents with setting the example of service to community. “My parents were always active. We moved a lot. But, they stepped up in each new town and helped out,” said Goodman. “Maybe part of it is the kids — you want your kids to have a good hometown.”

Goodman, who is a member of the Washington and Holmes Chambers of Commerce, enjoys being a sounding board for people in the surrounding counties. “A majority of my day is spent, ‘Hey Jeff, what do you think about … ’ ”

The World Around Him

As much as Goodman loves the I-10 corridor, he worries about the void created by the 30- to 40-year-old professionals who have left the area. “I get disappointed when we lose our talented, young people to bigger cities. It’s important to show the opportunity here,” said Goodman, who advocates for strategic and thoughtful growth in the area. He talks passionately about the possibility of having it all — a successful and rewarding professional life, coupled with a very pleasant personal life in the Northwest Florida region.

“I hope people will see me as somebody who left and accomplished his goals, then made a conscious decision to come back,” noted Goodman as he described his journey back home. “And … know I’m thriving here. That I’m trying to lead by example.”

Most important to Goodman is the future for his son and daughter. He hopes they will get their college degrees, set lofty goals and explore their skills. But then return to Northwest Florida, a region he hopes will be ripe with resources, opportunities and fruitful communities in their future. He hopes that one day they will know the comfort and reassurance that comes with being connected to, and successfully serving, an intimate community.

But what the future holds, even Goodman’s reliable internal compass can’t predict. “I didn’t know I’d be 27 and working on the Enron case, or 30 years old and working as one of the youngest executives in the NFL with Denver. Today I’m 33 and wonder where I’ll be when I’m 40.”