About this Event
Cost $15 -- Breakfast provided by Fresh Fork
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
8 a.m.- 9 a.m.
Riverplace Tower Skyline Room
Chris Hand has a long record of public, civic, and legal service. He currently leads Hand Law, a Florida law firm which helps clients achieve opportunities and solve challenges with government and advocates for clients in civil litigation. In his additional role as a government consultant, Hand also advises states, counties, and cities around the nation on key priorities including government efficiency, economic development, budget and revenue optimization, strategic planning, and policy development.
From 2011 to 2015, Hand served as Chief of Staff at the City of Jacksonville — the largest city by area in the contiguous United States, 10th largest by population in the nation, and most populated city in Florida. As Chief of Staff, he led the advancement of strategic initiatives, coordinated the Mayor’s Cabinet of direct reports, and managed the Mayor’s Office team, with oversight for policy, advocacy, communications, outreach, and scheduling. Hand also led efforts to achieve pension reform and participated in economic development and Downtown Jacksonville revitalization initiatives.
In 2018, Hand returned to City Hall for the Task Force on Civil Rights History. Task force members were recognized with the Melody Starr Anne Bishop Community Service Award for “outstanding community involvement, public service, and commitment to enhancing and improving the quality of life for others.” He later authored the 50th Anniversary update to the chronicle of Jacksonville’s historic city-county consolidation: A Quiet Revolution–the Consolidation of Jacksonville-Duval County and the Dynamics of Urban Political Reform.
Hand has also been engaged with federal and state government. From 1996 to 2000, he served as speechwriter, campaign press secretary, and Senate press secretary for U.S. Senator and former Governor Bob Graham. With Graham, Hand is co-author of America, the Owner’s Manual: You Can Fight City Hall – and Win, a guide to helping Americans use their effective citizenship skills. He was a member of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 2018-2019 transition team.
In 2008, Hand served as one of 27 Florida electors in the U.S. Electoral College. Ten years later, Hand helped to lead the bipartisan Groveland Four Clemency Coalition, which worked to achieve justice for four Floridians unjustly accused of crimes. On January 11, 2019, the Florida Cabinet unanimously pardoned the Groveland Four. On November 22, 2021, the Fifth Circuit Court restored their legal innocence.
Hand graduated from Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs. He was honored with the Daily Princetonian Award for efforts to reform the university’s then century-old Honor Code. Hand later graduated from the University of Florida’s Levin College of Law. The law school student body elected him as president of the student bar association.
He is an author and speaker who provides governmental, legal, and political analysis for media, including the monthly “Hand on Government” commentary for This Week in Jacksonville on WJXT Channel 4 (News4Jax.com)and a monthly appearance on the WJCT 89.9 FM public affairs show First Coast Connect. Hand is a graduate of Leadership Florida and Leadership Jacksonville. He serves on the University of Florida Bob Graham Center for Public Service Council of Advisors and the Leadership Florida Board of Directors. He is a past member of the Jacksonville Business Professionals Board of Directors and Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute Board of Advisors.
Directions:
We meet at Riverplace Tower, also known as the Ameris Bank building. This is a walkable location along the Southbank Riverwalk and also convenient to the First Coast Flyer and the Skyway Riverplace Station.
There is limited free street parking, and paid parking is also available in a neighboring surface lot and garage.
Entering from the Riverwalk: take the stairs or elevator next to Village Bread Company up to the Skyline Room.
Entering from Riverplace Blvd: take the escalators and walk toward the back of the building, behind the Ameris Bank offices.
Entering from the garage: make a right at the first bank of elevators and another right into the hallway between the Ameris Bank offices.
Entering from the driveway between Riverplace Tower and the Doubletree: Walk down the hallway to the left, and make another left toward the restaurant. Take the elevator or stairs near the restaurant to the meeting space.
About Cuppa Jax:
Cuppa Jax holds gatherings for neighborhood and community leaders that are open to everyone in Jacksonville. Join us on Wednesday mornings in the Skyline Room in the Riverplace Tower on the Southbank to discuss important issues facing our city.
Scheduled speakers will talk for 10-15 minutes. The rest of the time is spent with Q&A and discussion of relevant issues brought up by participants. We also encourage attendees to make community announcements at the beginning of the program.
Some Important Things to Note:
No membership fee. Unlike many other discussion forums in Jacksonville, there is no membership fee to attend or participate in Cuppa Jax. We do ask attendees to cover the cost of coffee and breakfast provided by the restaurant in the building, which gives us access to the space. If you cannot attend due to the cost of the event, please email [email protected] and we will be glad to cover your ticket.
Topical and timely. We are seeking local thought leaders who can discuss and educate about important community issues to speak at future dates. We don’t accept offers to speak about or pitch organizations. Cuppa Jax is non-partisan, and does not endorse candidates or issues. An offer to speak does not constitute an endorsement. It is simply an opportunity for the community to have a meaningful discussion.
Event venue & nearby stays
Skyline Room, Riverplace Tower, 1301 Riverplace Boulevard, Jacksonville, United States
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