3 SILHOUETTES

 by Adam Jahr


 Living on 22nd Avenue at
the intersection of Nebraska
and Floribraska Avenues, Joe
Ficarrotta's family was the first
on the block to have a color
television. Neighbors would
visit the house, which still
stands today, and marvel at
the colored tubes' projections.
Of course, there were only a
few hours of color television at
the time.
 Today, Ficarrot-
ta sits at a grand
conference table in
the Tampa office
building of Wilkes &
McHugh law firm. A '
tremendously large .*
LCD television rests "
on its stand near
the window, where
teleconferences are
held. He is one of
15 attorneys in the
main office of his
firm, which has
over 50 lawyers na-
tionally in offices in
Los Angeles, Phoe-
nix, Little Rock,
Memphis, Lexing-
ton, Pittsburgh and
Philadelphia.
 Ficarrotta is
a Tampa lawyer
who was men- -,a <
tored by some of
Florida's finest law
men. At Wilkes &
McHugh, he tends
to work on nurs-
ing home, medical
malpractice and
catastrophic injury
cases.
 "This is the most
fun I've had prac-
ticing law, and the
most rewarding,
too," he says. "Even "Everyd
in cases that you
don't necessarily go to trial,
it's just good to work with the
family and try to right a wrong.
The elderly people are almost
like little children, and I say
that respectfully. You have to
really cherish them and look
after them."
 Ficarrotta came to Wilkes &
McHugh in December of 2001,
bringing with him a string of
enlightening experience.
 Growing up in Ybor, he at-
tended Our Lady of Perpetual
Help, then went on to Jesuit
High School. His father worked
in the liquor business and his
mother worked at a furniture
company across from the Uni-
versity of Tampa. When he
was in the sixth grade, his
family moved to the Palma
Ceia area, where they lived
on what is warmly called Ron
Jorosa Farm, named after his
father. They had cows, horses
and held many parties ranging
from political events for the
governor to small get-togethers
for friends.
 "It's been a great life," says
Ficarrotta, who still visits the
farm regularly with friends and
family. "We've kept it in honor
of him."
 He has a sister, Rosemary,
who works for an eyeglasses
company and his brother,
Ron, is the chief administrative
judge in the criminal division
of Hillsborough County, ap-
pointed by Governor Lawton
Chiles in 1994. Ficarrotta's fa-
ther was a member of the West
Tampa Optimist Club and very
involved in the community.
 When Ficarrotta graduated
Jesuit, he studied journalism
at the University of Florida,
graduating in 1969. From
there, he went to South Texas
College of Law for one year
then transferred to University
of Miami School of Law, where
he got his degree. In his senior
year at the University of Miami,


 he was assigned
 Defender's office
 jury and trying
 the school's clin
 "It's one thin
 the book and ar
 practice law," he
 got to understand
 books and the b
 the most import
 get along with
 listen to people.


oe FicM




 f-


ay there's oppo

 Upon gradual
 up to Tallahasse
 as the law clei
 James S. Adkins
 to become chief
 Florida Suprem
 "He took m
 wing," says Fica
 almost like a so
 He then work
 of his mentors, J
 cines, at the St
 Office.
 "All you've go
 at the judges
 sborough Cou
 says. "The maj
 came from E.J.
 it was an honor
 working for him
 always open."
 Back then, F
 prosecution fo
 cases, even hai
 cases. "It does
 take your life to
 explains. "You e
 tossing and turn
 From there,
 private practice
 on criminal d
 throughout the s
 try. He's had
 lete clients suc
 Gooden, Darry
 Warren Sapp a
 field and worked
 publicized Key I
 "Those are ir
 es," says Ficarr
 private practice
 cades to work
 McHugh. "But
 cases, all taken
 you the rewar
 with elderly peo
 to better their 1
 going on in their
 Fortunately,
 & McHugh gives
 cial resources
 direction to go af
 Street corporate
 He says sc
 homes the firm
 cut costs, just tr


d to the Public Medicare and Medicaid money.
e, picking the "What's happening over the
a case through years, they've insulated and
ical program. structured themselves where
g to learn it in it's hard to get to these com-
lother thing to panies to show that they're
e says. "You've the ones that really control the
d what's in the place." Some of these compa-
Dasic form, but nies will own property, lease it
:ant thing is to to someone else who subleases
people and to it to another company, all to
 hide assets, and form a liability
 protection against
 rr tt a responsibility,
 Sirro a claiming they don't
 run the homes.
 i* ... '- "We try to show
 there's profits over
 people," he ex-
 plains. In some
 cases, the nursing
 homes are under-
 staffed. "These cor-
 porations hand cuff
 [the home and its
 employees] and all
 i they're concerned
 about is what the
 bottom line is. All
 They've got to do is
 hire more people
 and give them the
 supplies and care
 that they need. If
 somebody has to
 eat, you've got to
 feed them. It hits
 your heart. It brings
 F-~
 tears to my eyes of-
 ten times."
 SWhile he's won
 multi-million-dollar
 verdicts, his pas-
 Ssion is still present.
 "All the cases that
 I've handled, I still
 get nervous," he ad-
 a .mits. He relates his
 experience to a mag-
 ed r a o azine article he once
rtunities for success." read in which Al
 Pacino said he still
nation, he went vomits before performing. "It's
ee and worked like going before a jury, you let
rk for Justice all your guard down and you
s, who went on put everything out there. It's
justice of the presenting your heart and your
e Court. cause," he explains. "When you
Le under his stop doing that, you better stop
arrotta. "I was what you're doing."
n to him." Ficarrotta has met a lot of
:ed for another success over the years, though
Judge E.J. Sal- his definition of success has
tate Attorney's evolved. Early in his career, he
 thought working on big cases
dt to do is look with media attention were
around Hill- signs of success, but that's no
nty now," he longer what he believes. As he
ority of them progressed in his career, he got
's tutelage, so to a point where he'd decline to
and a privilege comment on high-profile cases.
. His door was He developed credibility for not
 selling out clients for media
Ficarrotta did attention.
r high-profile "Success means knowing
ndling murder you did the very best you can
kind of over- and that you were able to help
an extent," he somebody, whether it means
nd up at night million-dollar verdicts or just
ning." going to hold somebody's hand.
he went into I think success is knowing that
e and worked when you go home at night
defense cases you can go to sleep because
;tate and coun- you were honest and you were
celebrity ath- straight-forward and you gave
ch as Dwight it your best fight ever. It's ab-
1 Strawberry, solutely nothing to do with the
nd Gary Shef- money you have or the things
d on the highly that you own. Everyday there's
Bank case. opportunities for success."
interesting cas- When he's not working,
otta, who left Ficarrotta enjoys fishing and
after two de- having cook-outs at his home
for Wilkes & with a beautiful view of Tampa
none of those Bay.
together, give "As you get older, your
d of working friends and your family is what
)ple and trying really keep you going," he says.
ife and what's Ficarrotta, who is now 64,
r world." has no plans on retiring any-
he says Wilkes time soon, especially consider-
him the finan- ing his current position is the
and hands-on most emotionally gratifying one
after these "Wall he's held.
ons." "I enjoy my work so much at
:me nursing Wilkes & McHugh," he says. "I
takes to court hope to stay here as long as I
trying to collect can be effective."


ARIES (March 21 to April
19): A gracious Lamb can
learn more about a problem-
filled situation than one who
is openly suspicious of what
could be happening. A friend
might offer some well-directed
advice.
TAURUS (April 20 to May
20): Getting adjusted to an
unexpected change might be
difficult for the Bovine who
prefers things to go according
to plan. But help could come
from a most welcome source.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20):
This could be a good time to
get a head start on those ca-
reer-related plans. Th.e sooner
you check out the pluses and
minuses, the sooner you can,
act on your information.
CANCER (June 21 to July
22): A personal situation you
thought would no longer pres-
ent a problem suddenly could
produce some surprises. Try
to sort things out with the
help of trusted colleagues.
LEO (July 23 to August 22):
An upcoming move holds both
anticipation and anxiety for
Leos and Leonas who have
some big decisions to make.
Advice is plentiful, but it's up
to you to decide which way
you want to go.
VIRGO (August 23 to Sep-
tember 22): Someone from a
previous project could provide
valuable guidance on how to
handle a current problem, es-
pecially where it might involve
a legal matter.
LIBRA (September 23 to Oc-
tober 22): A business situa-


tion presents some unexpect-
ed complications. But rather
than try to handle them all at
once, it would be best to deal
with them one at a time.
SCORPIO (October 23 to No-
vember 21): You just might
get what you want, despite
the odds against it. In any
event, be sure to thank all
those people involved who be-
lieved in you and went to bat
for you.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22
to December 21): Before you
even hint at an accusation,
remember that you'll have
to prove what you say. So be
sure you have what you need
to back up your comments.
CAPRICORN (December 22
to January 19): A roman-
tic situation takes an unex-
pected turn that favors some
Sea Goats, but causes others
to reassess how they've been
handling the relationship.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to
February 18): A surprise
turn of events could unsettle
the Water Bearer. But it also
might help open up an entire-
ly different way of working out
an important matter.
PISCES (February 19 to
March 20): A smoothly run-
ning operation could bump
up against an obstacle. This
is where your ability to assess
situations and make adjust-
ments can restore things to
normal.
BORN THIS WEEK: Your
kindness is legendary, and
so is your strong sense of
responsibility.


 Kyle's Critter Corner
 by Kyle Dion

 As you prob-
 ably already,-
know, the Gasparilla Pirate
Fest will take place down-
town this Saturday, Janu-
ary 29, and the Sant' Yago >
Illuminated Knight Parade
will begin at 6:30 p.m. on A
February 12th. Many people
bring their dog(s) to join the
festivities, so here are a few
reminders to keep your pet
safe at these events:
 Make sure your dog is J
outfitted with an up-to-date
ID tag, and make sure the
information on his microchip
contains your current ad-
dress and information.
 Remember the law states
that your dog must be kept on a leash at all times. Many dogs
are frightened by people in costumes, so keep a tight grip on
your dog's leash.
 Also, the law states that you are responsible for picking up
his excrement, so bring your baggies!
 Dress up your pet with caution. Make sure bandanas are
not too tight. Hanging beads around your dog's neck is not a
great idea because they are a choking hazard if chewed and
swallowed.
 Candy is for humans only! Keep an eye on your dog to
make sure she does not gobble any treats off the sidewalk.
 Dogs who dislike large crowds and/or other dogs, or who
are easily frightened by loud sounds (e.g. from the pirates' fake
guns), should be left at home.
 For small dogs, a well-ventilated wagon or doggie stroller
may be a good idea to eliminate the chance of trampling.
 Keep in mind that not everyone loves dogs. In fact, some
children are afraid of them, so be considerate with your pet
and keep him under control, even if he's just being friendly.
 The weather is forecast to be sunny and cool. Even though
it will not be scorching hot, you should still bring an ample
supply of water for your dog to keep her well-hydrated. Pack
bottled water and your dog's bowl with your other provisions.
 After the festivities, you should wash your dog's feet to re-
move dirt, stickiness or other sidewalk cling-ons. Then check
to make sure there are no cracks or tears in his paw pads.

 i .i I 1. I - J._ '
 -J'L l ; JAjJ _ijj', K.'- '-9 i "


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