Firm Profile: Attorneys
WILLIAM G. HARRISON, JR.
Phone: 850.769.7714
A lifetime resident of Panama City, William Harrison is the founder of HRB. Admitted to the Florida Bar and the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Florida in 1988, William received his B.A. from the University of Florida and his Juris Doctor from Samford University's Cumberland School of Law.
Aside from his legal expertise, William is well-respected as a key political strategist for the Florida Panhandle and has been instrumental in local, county, state, congressional and presidential campaigns for nearly twenty years. He served as an Organizational Chairman in all of Governor Jeb Bush's election campaigns, and President George W. Bush's campaigns in 2000 and 2004, and was named to the Bush-Brogan Gubernatorial Transition Team in 1998. He also serves as Chairman of the Northern District of Florida Judicial Nominating Commission, a position he has held since 2000.
William is married with three children, and serves his community in a variety of civic positions.
From his key involvement in successful political campaigns, and experience working with governmental and business leaders on vital public policy issues, Bo Rivard brings to HRB a wealth of political experience, key relationships with business leaders and knowledge of the workings of government at every level. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, he was raised in Panama City, Florida. Following his education at the University of Florida and Samford University's Cumberland School of Law, Bo was admitted to the Florida bar in 1997.
His political experience includes serving as the Escambia County Chairman for the Bush/Brogan '02 campaign, Bay County Chairman for the Bush-Cheney 2004 campaign, and Regional Coordinator for the Mel Martinez for U.S. Senate campaign.
Bo is also actively engaged in a number of civic organizations: he serves on the Board of Directors for the Florida State University Panama City campus, the Bay Medical Center Foundation, the Bay High School Foundation, Boys and Girls Club, and has served as Chairman of the Bay County Chamber of Commerce State and Local Government Committee. He and his wife reside in Panama City.
DERRICK BENNETT
Phone: 850.769.7714
Born and raised in Panama City, Derrick Bennett specializes in the intricate legal nuances of the development process and is integral to the firm's stellar reputation in real estate. Educated at the University of Florida, where he was a member of Blue Key, Derrick received his Juris Doctor from Stetson University. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1988, and the Northern and Middle Districts of the U.S. District Court.
Derrick is a member of The Florida Bar Association and the Bay County Bar Association.
Derrick is also actively engaged in civic matters, serving as a member of the Governor's Commission for Government by the People, a board member of the Bay Medical Center Board of Trustees, and as a board member for the Salvation Army. Derrick and his wife have six children and reside in Panama City.
CATHERINE HESTER
Phone: 850.769.7714
When Catherine started with HRB in 2003, she brought with her considerable legal talents in the areas of general corporate law, mergers, and acquisitions. She actively practices real estate law, as well, since joining the firm. Formerly with King & Spalding, LLP, Catherine is licensed to practice law in Virginia, Georgia and Florida.
She received her B.A., Magna Cum Laude, from Auburn University and received her Juris Doctor from George Washington University, where she served as a member of the Moot Court Board, and was articles editor for The Environmental Lawyer. Catherine and her husband have resided in Panama City since 2003, where Catherine is a member of the Junior Service League.
NICOLE RIVARD
Phone: 850.769.7714
Key to the firm's specialization in real estate is legal expertise such as Nicole Rivard's, with her extensive experience in real estate practice and condominium law. Raised in Panama City, Nicole was educated at Vanderbilt University and received her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Tulane University.
She is licensed to practice law in both Florida and Massachusetts, where, prior to joining HRB, Nicole was an attorney with Morrison, Mahoney and Miller, in Boston. Her previous experience also includes serving as an Associate General Counsel for Taxware, Inc., in Salem, Massachusetts.
Nicole is an active member of her community, serving in the Junior Service League and as an Executive Board member for the Bay Arts Alliance.