As the owner of a hyperlocal business that will celebrate its 30th anniversary in February of next year, I have seen a lot of businesses come and go over the years and celebrated many anniversaries with dozens of those businesses.
One of the companies I feel particularly close to is the Spinner Law Firm, headed by Charles S. (“Charlie”) Spinner, Esq., which celebrated its 20th anniversary of serving the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel communities on Oct. 5.
In addition to a North Tampa Bay Chamber ribbon cutting, the event included a proclamation given to Spinner by Chamber president & CEO Hope Kennedy, a short video created by Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel president (and local videographer) David Alvarez, a red carpet for Charlie and his staff, an appearance by a Pasco County Sheriff’s Office K9 therapy dog, free drinks and a huge crudité table…and something that hit a lot closer to home for yours truly.
Charlie talked about meeting his first employee, office administrator Vicki Portfolio, when both were walking their dogs in a park in early 2003. Vicki was in charge of the “Beer School” at the Busch Gardens Hospitality House at the time. Charlie was working for an insurance defense firm in downtown Tampa and told Vicki he was considering branching out on his own one day. Vicki told him that when he did start his own firm, “I want you to hire me as your legal assistant.”
“OK, what are your qualifications?,” Charlie replied.
“I don’t have any. I teach Beer School.”
But, when Charlie did start his firm in New Tampa, where he lived with his then-wife-to-be Carrie, he immediately took out his first ad in the Neighborhood News and, “The first call I got from that ad was from Vicki, asking me ‘When do I start?’ The rest is history.”
Jannah and I were among at least 100 people in attendance at the 20th anniversary event, so I got to hear that story, for the first time, in person, and I acknowledged that not only had Charlie been advertising continuously with us ever since, he definitely “helped send (my) kids to college,” as he quipped during his short speech.
Charlie thanked every member of his now-much-larger staff, as well as Carrie and the couple’s five kids, the Chamber and the local community.
Hope said that the Chamber was on hand when Charlie cut the ribbon at his new Wesley Chapel office five years ago, but noted that, “We wanted to do something better, something more deserving, to celebrate your 20 years of service to the community.”
The proclamation read that “Through the years, Spinner Law Firm has been committed to unwavering dedication and perseverance, making it a true pillar of our community…We commend Spinner Law Firm for this outstanding achievement, exceptional leadership and continuous growth.”
Charlie Spinner with his wife Carrie and three of the couple’s five children.
Spinner then thanked every member of his outstanding staff, including community outreach director Jennie Yingling, who organized the event. He went on to thank Carrie and all of his children before watching Alvarez’s video on one of fellow Rotarian Troy Stevenson’s mobile billboard trucks.
“When I created Spinner Law Firm, I wanted to make a real connection with my clients, and with the community,” Charlie said during the video. That was followed by a number of clients and organizations who said the firm had helped them, all giving testimonials, including coaches from both Wiregrass Ranch and Cypress Creek high schools and Lisa Michaelangelo from the Emerald M Therapeutic Riding Center, all of whom thanked Charlie and his firm for helping them.
Pickleball Tournament
Eight days after the 20th anniversary party, the Spinner Law Firm hosted the Spinner 20th Anniversary Pickleball Tournament at the Land O’Lakes Recreation Center.
Although I wasn’t in attendance at the tournament, and had not yet received a recap of who played and won the various awards, I do know that Charlie and his brother John, as well as Spinner Law Firm attorney Patrick Barnes all played in the tournament and, according to our photographer Charmaine George, a great time was clearly had by all.
The Spinner Law Firm, located at 2418 Cypress Glen Dr., in the Cypress Glen Professional Park, specializes in family estate planning and personal injury law. For more information, call (813) 991-5115, visit SpinnerLawFirm.com.
The Spinner Law Firm group at the 20th Anniversary Pickleball Tournament on Oct. 13. Spinner Law Firm attorneys Charlie Spinner and Patrick Barnes played each other during the tournament.
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