Home: Brentwood, TN. Birthplace: Jackson, TN. Profession: Attorney, real estate investor, entrepreneur. Organization: J and J Ventures LLC; Durham Firm PLLC. Significant other: Dr. Jessica Durham. Alma mater: University of Tennessee.
Current project: Expanding my real estate portfolio while advocating for property rights. Recent professional development: Navigating complex legal battles related to property rights and business law. Latest accomplishment: Successfully selling an RV park in Florida. Hobbies: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, strength training, swimming, scuba diving, baseball coaching. Recent travel or adventure: Scuba diving and exploring Florida’s coast. Recently viewed and recommended: The Last Dance, a masterclass in elite mindset.
Personality profile: Strategic, tenacious, results driven. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Unyielding. Moral compass: Would I want it published in The Wall Street Journal? How do you define a perfect friendship? Built on loyalty, honesty, candor and trust. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Investments, in real estate, businesses, and high-quality training equipment. How do you relieve stress? Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai and ice baths. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Adventure and challenge. Scuba diving, hiking or sports.
What was your favorite college course? Constitutional Law, which set the foundation for my legal career. What movie have you repeatedly watched? The Dark Knight, because strategy wins. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? A whiteboard full of strategies, legal case notes and real estate plans. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Control the narrative before someone else does. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? Blockchain, the future of real estate transactions. What world event has had the greatest influence on your life? The 2008 financial crisis, which taught me how to pivot and seize opportunities.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field?
Holding government entities accountable for overreach.
What message do you want to send out into the world? Build assets. Defend rights. Stay ahead. What widely held belief do you reject? That talent is everything. Discipline beats talent when talent isn’t disciplined. What mega-trend most excites you? Continued decentralization of real estate and finance. What mega-trend most concerns you? Overregulation crushing small business owners.
What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Tom Hardy, for his grit, intensity and underdog energy. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? Teddy Roosevelt, a man of action. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A lawyer, because I liked to argue. Some things never change. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? The Bible I’ve had since 2009 that Jessica gave me. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? On the field with Jackson, then at Tito’s with the rest of my family. What advice would you give your younger self? Think bigger, act faster. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? My early twenties. I would have started investing sooner.
Personal mission: Building businesses, protecting property rights and developing the next generation of athletes and leaders. Personal motto: Adapt. Overcome. Succeed. Favorite quote: "Don’t wait for the right opportunity— create it" (George Bernard Shaw). Desired epitaph: A fighter, a builder and a believer in resilience.
