Getting to know attorney Charles Gallagher III with this week's 10 questions for?

Are you ever curious about the real lives of politicians, celebrities, local newsmakers and athletes? Who are their mentors and who would they really like to meet?

Each Tuesday, ABC Action News asks 10 questions of a Bay area leader or celebrity. They're fun questions that let you get to know the person.

This week we hear from Pinellas County attorney Charles Gallagher III.

Gallagher has served as a legal expert for ABC ACTION NEWS. He specializes in storm damage claims and answered many questions on the aftermath of Tropical Storm Debby in June.

This attorney is proud to be in Florida and has strong roots here. He graduated from Rollins College in Winter Park Florida with a degree in Politics. He then graduated from Stetson University College of Law.

While student at Stetson, he kept busy! Gallagher was the Director of the Legal Writing Clinic, President of the Christian Legal Society, a Teaching Fellow/Teaching Assistant and an Honor Court Attorney.

He now practices in the bay area and focuses on all sorts of insurance litigation. From storms, to molds to sinkholes.

But, his law firm has a bit of different flair. In the back is a Tiki Bar! Gallagher said it reminds him to enjoy life as well.

He has lots to celebrate. He got married less than a year ago.

Gallagher also believes in giving back to the community. The charities he is involved in including the Breast Cancer 3-Day and Relay for Life.

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1. What is your all time favorite movie or song?

It's difficult to narrow it down to all time favorite, but Caddyshack, Vacation and Fletch are my favorite movies.  My current favorite song is "Teardrop" by Massive Attack (also the theme from House)---very cool mood music.  As for artists, I love Peter Gabriel, Everything But the Girl, Diana Krall and Dave Matthews Band.

2. Do you have a Smartphone? If so, what's your favorite app?

My Backberry Bold is never far away and I love having a touch-screen and keyboard.  And I admit it, I am addicted to FourSquare.

3. Who do you count as your mentor(s)?

I have been fortunate to have a lot of great mentors along the way. My father has long been a valued mentor and challenged me to think big and take risks.  Dean Lynn Howell from Stetson University College of Law remains a mentor and good friend.  Additionally, I have been fortunate to have amazing mentors at my prior law firms.    

4. What was your very first job?

My very first job was a unique one, an athletic trainer, like taping ankles, sports injures and the like.  It was a blast and I did it through college and beyond.  The high point was working the national professional soccer league championship in Boston when I was a senior in high-school.

5. If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

If I could change one thing, it would be to better perfect the work-life balance.  It remains a struggle.  Additionally, I would like to read more than I do now.

6. What do you consider your greatest success?

I would like to think my greatest success is creating our unique legal practice.  Prior to G&A the thought of a boutique law firm offering concierge legal services to individuals, consumers and small business was unheard of.  Our firm team is second to none and they are what make things run effectively.  These are the guys you want along side you when you go to battle.  We provide big firm service to consumers and we are able to obtain some amazing results for your clients through tireless work.  We take great pride in helping save our clients' homes.  And we do this with a Tiki Bar on site at our office, practicing the work hard-play hard model.  

7. Tell us something about you most people don't know?

At heart I am an introvert.  However, my professional life demands otherwise and I rarely withdraw to that place of quiet solace.

8. If you could have dinner with any three people, living or dead, who would they be?

Dinner guests would include: Stephen Biko (a contemporary of Nelson Mandela).  He fought against apartheid in South Africa and inspired a movement for racial equality in a culture where it seemed impossible.  I would include Rays Manager Joe Maddon to lighten the discussion with some Rays shop talk and round out the group with (creator of BBC version of  "The Office") Ricky Gervais because everything he says is hysterical.

9. What is in your fridge right now?

Crystal Light Raspberry Lemonade, this addictive bruschetta, take out left-overs and Guinness.

10. If you could have a different career, other then what you're doing now, what would it be?

I would be working an athletic trainer for some professional sports team.  

If you would like to suggest someone for 10 questions you can e-mail me at sfazan@abcactionnews.com. or "like" me on Facebook. To do that just head to abcactionnews.com/facebook ... and find me under the favorites tab and click the "like" button.

I look forward to hearing from you!