A Tribute to Joe Chambers (1939-2005)

When Joe Chambers became an attorney in 1964, at the young age of 25, he knew his calling was helping those who had been injured by the negligence of others. Only a year later, in December of 1965, Joe Chambers was in his first trial representing a minor child who had been injured in a car accident. A successful verdict was returned for the minor child, and the start of a very prominent legal career followed.

A few years later, in 1969, Joe Chambers was making the news when he successfully represented a black gentleman in a civil case against the City of St. Petersburg for being falsely arrested by the police. Joe Chambers was only 29 years old at the time, but he was willing and able to fight for a just cause and seek justice and respect for his client.

From 1964 to 1971, Joe Chambers worked in a couple of different law firms while making a name for himself in the local community. But by 1971, Joe Chambers knew it was time to venture on his own. He established his own law firm in 1971 when he partnered with Bill Blews to form Chambers & Blews. The office was across the street from City Hall and the Court House in downtown St. Pete. In 1987, as the law firm continued to grow, Joe Chambers’ oldest son Joseph (“Joey”) joined the law firm. Three years later in 1990, Joe Chambers’ second son Jeff joined the firm. As the firm grew, Chambers Law moved to its current location on 4th Street where it has remained for 30+ years.

In addition to practicing law, Joe Chambers was an integral part of the St. Petersburg community. He obtained a degree in Theology from the University of the South in 1990 which led him to serve as a leader of his local church (St. Peter’s Episcopal) where he also was a eucharistic minister. He also helped establish the Resurrection House in St. Pete which is a residential program designed to help end the cycle of generational poverty for families in the Tampa Bay area.

In the mid 1990’s, Joe Chambers was unfortunately diagnosed with prostate cancer. He underwent successful prostate surgery, but the cancer returned in 2004. Joe continued practicing law throughout his courageous cancer battle but decided to retire from the practice of law in December 2004. Joe’s cancer spread quickly in late 2004, and he lost his battle on January 6, 2005, at the young age of 65.