Meet Our Neutrals — Jay Knight

Dedication, professionalism, and effectiveness are the hallmarks of successful trial lawyers as well as successful mediators. Andrew J. ("Jay") Knight II embodies these qualities. Jay knew he wanted to be a lawyer at a young age, thanks to Perry Mason. A scholarship took him to the University of Mississippi, where he majored in accounting, and he then attended the College of Law at the University of Florida. There, his experience in the law clinic gave him a jump start on trial practice. Upon graduating, Jay returned to Jacksonville and joined the firm Toole, Taylor, Moseley & Joyner, where he learned from the firm's chief railroad lawyer E. Dale Joyner — whom Jay describes as among the best trial lawyers he has ever seen. From Joyner, Jay learned the importance of knowing everything that could be known about a case and how to connect with a jury.

Over 42 years, Jay became the lead railroad lawyer at his firm, which grew into Moseley, Prichard, Parrish, Knight & Jones. Growing up in Jacksonville, perhaps it was inevitable that he would be drawn to transportation law — and more specifically, to maritime and railroad matters. Having transitioned to full-time practice as a mediator in late 2025, Jay brings the same dedication and deep litigation experience to his work as a neutral. When not mediating or arbitrating, Jay values spending time with his family — on long weekends you can find him doing just about anything outdoors, especially fishing, boating, and camping with his wife and dog. We are fortunate to have Jay as part of our team of neutrals and hope that you enjoy learning more about him.

When did you first think about becoming a mediator?

In the 1990's as mediation was becoming a more regular part of the cases I was handling, I thought that by taking the mediator courses and becoming certified as a mediator I could gain a good understanding of the process and be able to better serve my clients in their cases that were then starting to be routinely referred to mediation by judges. Accordingly, I became certified in 1998.

What did you do before becoming a mediator?

Prior to (and for 25+ years after) becoming a certified mediator, I had a busy practice as a trial lawyer in a small Jacksonville firm specializing in transportation law. The firm had been in existence focused on transportation law since 1906. I went to work for that firm a few days after my 1982 law school graduation until my retirement from trial practice 42 years later. Over the years I handled a wide variety of cases from their inception through trial involving all sorts of personal injuries, wrongful deaths, property damage, and insurance claims governed by state and federal tort laws, maritime law, and railroad law. Since becoming certified as a mediator in 1998 I also started serving as a mediator from time to time after word got out among some maritime colleagues that I had that ability. I transitioned to full time practice as a mediator in late 2025.

What did you like most about your prior career?

You don't practice trial law for as long as I did in the same small firm without liking a lot of things about it! (Of course, as a trial lawyer it was always a great feeling when a verdict in favor of my client was being read out in court at the conclusion of a hard-fought trial). I liked the law partners that served me so well as mentors in my formative years as a newly hired young lawyer and those firm lawyers and staff I continued to work with over the years. We were an effective team. I even liked the opposing counsel I had cases with, even those that earned verdicts contrary to the way I thought they should have come out. As a young lawyer, I was raised on the professional tenants of cordiality, respect and cooperation with opposing counsel and was fortunate that in our areas of practice we encountered the same opposing counsel repetitively. It really helped us all from case to case as we all got along while still zealously representing our respective clients. Finally, I liked speaking to and connecting with jurors during trials while getting my clients' evidence across in an understandable and logical way.

What is your favorite part of being a mediator?

Checking that "Case Completely Settled" box on the Mediator Report Form submitted to the Court knowing that the parties have been heard, the issues have been fairly evaluated by them and that a mutual agreement has been reached, thus avoiding the uncertainty and anxiety a trial involves.

Describe yourself in three words.

Friendly. Focused. Flexible.