– President –
Mike Freed
Jacksonville Bar Activities (both current and past):
• President-Elect – (2010-2011)
• Member - Board of Governors (2002-Present)
• Chair - Commercial Litigation Section (2000-2005)
• Co-Chair - Raymond Ehrlich Trial Advocacy Seminar (5 years)
• Jax Reads
• Co-Chair – Naturalization Committee
• Served on various investiture, portrait hanging and fundraising committees
Florida Bar/Other Bar Association Activities:
• President - Federal Bar Association, Jacksonville Chapter (2001-2002) (other offices held 1997-2001)
• Chester Bedell Inn of Court
• Fourth Judicial Circuit Bar Grievance Committee
• Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission (Special Counsel)
• Florida Bar, Inventory Attorney
Civic Activities:
• Active in Causes and Cases Combating Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking
• Edward Waters College Athletic Advisory Board
• Leadership Jacksonville
• Christian Legal Society
Goals for The Jacksonville Bar Association:
• Do my part, and provide opportunities for others, to recognize and continue the high level of professionalism and collegiality in our legal community.
• Increase member benefits.
• Make The JBA more relevant to transactional attorneys.
• Improve the image of our profession by bringing attention to the good that we do individually and as an association.
• Increase membership within The JBA.
• Recognize, and celebrate, the diversity of our members.
– Candidate for President-Elect –
G. Ray Driver, Jr.
Jacksonville Bar Activities (both current and past):
• Board of Governors of The Jacksonville Bar Association (member since 2004; ex officio member from 2003 to 2004). Currently serving as Treasurer.
• Board of Governors of the Young Lawyers Section of The Jacksonville Bar Association (President from 2003 to 2004; President-Elect from 2002 to 2003; Treasurer from 2001 to 2002; member of the Board of Governors from 2000 to 2004).
Florida Bar/Other Bar Association Activities:
• Member of The Florida Bar (Business Law Section).
• Member of the American Bar Association (Business Law Section).
• Attend the American Bar Association’s Bar Leadership Institute in March 2011.
• Participated in various leadership conferences hosted by the Young Lawyers Division of The Florida Bar.
Civic Activities:
• Leadership Jacksonville (Class of 2007).
• Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce (Trustee since 2001; member of the Board of Governors from 2004 to 2007, and current). Currently serve as Chair of the Sustain the Jaguars Committee.
• The Rotary Club of Deerwood (member of the Board of Directors since 2009); served as Sergeant at Arms for 2009-2010; currently serve as bulletin editor).
• Northeast Florida Community Hospice Foundation (member of the Board of Directors since 2009; currently serve as Vice-Chair).
• Small Business Resource Network (past member of the Steering Committee).
Goals for The Jacksonville Bar Association:
As a member of the Board of Governors for the past eight years, I have worked with the other members to improve The JBA by:
• Enhancing the value delivered to The JBA’s members.
• Improving the Jacksonville community’s knowledge of the important role that The JBA plays in this community (e.g., through pro bono, charitable and social projects).
• Improving the perception of lawyers generally.
If elected as President-Elect, I intend to continue to work hard with The JBA’s president to accomplish those same goals.
– Elections –
Five seats are open on The Jacksonville Bar Association Board of Governors for the upcoming election. All seats are two-year terms.
One seat has been vacated by Ray Driver, who is running unopposed for president-elect. Geddes Anderson, Mark Bajalia, Michael Bateh, Tammy Butler, Katie Dearing, Christa Figgins and Lee Wedekind are running for a seat on the board. Wedekind is president of the Young Lawyers Section and is serving on the board as the YLS representative during the current term. The five candidates with the most votes will be elected to the board.
Meet the Board of Governors candidates
Geddes D. Anderson Jr.
Jacksonville Bar Activities (both current and past):
• Board of Governors (2006 - Present)
• Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program Committee Chairman (2010-Present)
• Membership Committee Chairman (2008 –2009)
• President- Young Lawyers Section (2006 – 2007)
• President Elect - Young Lawyers Section (2005-2006)
• Secretary - Young Lawyers Section (2004 - 2005)
• Treasurer - Young Lawyers Section (2003 – 2004)
• Board of Governors - Young Lawyers Section (2002-2007)
• Teen Court Judge for Juvenile Delinquency Pre-trial Diversion (2001-2002)
• Law Week Committee (2003-2005)
• Holiday in January Project to aid foster children, chair (2004) and committee and/or participant (2000-2007)
• YLS Special Olympics Committee and Participant (2001-2003)
• YLS Pro-Bono Service Competition Committee (2005)
• YLS Skin Cancer Association Charity 5K Run, committee and participant (2005-2006)
• YLS Charity Golf Tournament Committee member and participant (2004-2006)
• YLS Annual Luncheon Committee, chair (2005)
• Commercial Litigation Section (2002-present)
• Trial Lawyers Section (2002-present)
Florida Bar/Other Bar Association Activities:
• The Florida Bar, Grievance Committee, Fourth Judicial Circuit (2009-present)
• The Florida Bar’s Practicing with Professionalism, co-presenter (2007 – 2009)
• Jacksonville Federal Bar Association, member (2004 – present)
• Trial Lawyers Section of The Florida Bar (2000-present)
• Chester Bedell Inn of Court (1997, 2005-2007)
• Fourth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee (2002-2004)
• San Jose Episcopal Church, Vestry (2010-present)
Civic Activities:
• San Jose Episcopal Church and Day School, Strategic Planning Committee (2009)
Goals for The Jacksonville Bar Association:
To help improve the practice of law in Northeast Florida by encouraging participation in The Jacksonville Bar Association activities, enhancing The Jacksonville Bar Association member benefits, and serving the public.
Mark Bajalia
Jacksonville Bar Activities (past and current):
• Co-Chair, Bench and Bar Professionalism Committee (2010-present)
• Co-Chair, Bench and Bar Professionalism Committee (2008-2010)
• Member, Bench and Bar Professionalism Committee (1996-present)
• Co-Chair, JBA Professionalism Symposium (2009)
• Chair,JBA Professionalism Symposium (2011)
• Member, Health Law Section (2005-present)
• Member, Commercial Litigation Law Section (2000-present)
Florida Bar/Other Bar Activities:
• American Inn of Courts, Chester Bedell Chapter (Barrister)
• Fourth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee (2011)
• Member, Florida Bar Trial Lawyers Section
• Member, Florida Bar Health Law Section
• Member, Florida Bar Administrative Law Section
Civic Activities:
• Vice Chair, HandsOn Jacksonville Board of Directors (2011)
• Co-Chair, HandsOn Jacksonville Development Committee (2011)
• HandsOn Jacksonville Blueprint for Leadership Class of 2009
• Gator Bowl Association Committee
• University of Florida Alumni Association
• Hendricks Day School Development Committee
• Trial Advocacy Coach, Florida Coastal School of Law
Goals for The Jacksonville Bar Association:
• Continue to promote the ideals of professionalism within our association and legal community generally.
• Initiate or revitalize programs that benefit new or younger lawyers, including the mentorship program.
• Promote and encourage pro bono efforts of the Fourth Judicial Circuit.
• Further develop and foster The JBA’s relationship with Florida Coastal School of Law and work with them on their professionalism programs.
• Improve the image of our profession by bringing attention to the good that we do individually and as an association.
• Increase membership and encourage and promote active participation in The JBA and its committees and sections.
Michael I. Bateh
Jacksonville Bar Activities (both current and past):
• Holiday Project - Participant
• Special Olympics - Volunteer
• Bench and Bar Professionalism Committee
Florida Bar/Other Bar Association Activities:
Criminal Law Section
Civic Activities:
• I. M. Sulzbacher Center Volunteer Prepare and serve meals to the residents and nonresidents and Pro Bono Legal Services
• Teen Court Judge
• Guest Speaker - Florida Coastal School of Law
• University of North Florida Prelaw Board of Advisors
Goals for The Jacksonville Bar Association:
My goal for The Jacksonville Bar Association is to positively affect our profession and community. By increasing membership and participation, we can improve upon the present activities the Association has implemented. Through outreach to our legal and surrounding communities we can develop new ideas, goals for the future and tackle community-related legal issues. Participation in the Association and its activities is essential to foster professionalism among our members and nonmembers, the Judiciary and the community as a whole.
As a member of the Board of Governors I will continuously strive to positively promote The Jacksonville Bar Association, its members, activities and our profession.
Tammy D. Butler
Jacksonville Bar Activities (both current and past):
• Board of Governors (2005 – present)
• Website Committee – Chair
• Social Committee – Chair
• Young Lawyers Section (YLS) Board of Governors
• Law Week Committee
• YLS Special Olympics Committee – Chair
• YLS Scholarship Committee – Co-chair
• YLS Holiday in January Project – Co-chair
Florida Bar/Other Bar Association Activities:
• Florida Bar 4th Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee
• Daniel Webster Perkins Bar Association – Treasurer and Chair of Fundraising/Scholarship Committee
Civic Activities:
• Leadership Jacksonville Program
• Girl Scouts of Gateway Council
• Holiday Hill Elementary PTA Board
Goals for The Jacksonville Bar Association:
• Encouraging attorney and practice development by increasing the use of JBA services and participation in JBA activities.
• Improving the image of The JBA and the legal profession.
• Increasing the diversity of The JBA membership.
• Maintaining the high level of professionalism, ethics and civility of The JBA.
Katie L. Dearing
Jacksonville Bar Activities (both current and past):
• Board of Governors, 2009-present
• President, Young Lawyers Section, 2008-2009
• Member of YLS Board of Governors since 2003
Florida Bar/Other Bar Association Activities:
• Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee, 2010-present
• Florida Bar Committee on Professionalism, 2005-2008
• Florida Bar Committee on Judicial Independence, 2007-2009
Civic Activities:
• Jacksonville Ethics Commission, 2003-2007
Goals for The Jacksonville Bar Association:
As our city and our legal community grow, we need to continue to keep our members involved with Bar Association activities and events; interacting with one another outside the courtroom and beyond the monthly luncheons or the Bench and Bar Party. Increased and vibrant participation from our membership will only improve the services The JBA can offer. To encourage increased participation, I will continue to work with the other members of the board of governors to bring you the kinds of programs, services, CLE opportunities, speakers and events that will be of interest and assistance to you, and will persuade you to give some of your valuable (and too limited!) time to The JBA. If more people get involved, other goals will be easier to achieve, like promoting professionalism and civility among our members, enhancing the image and reputation of the legal profession, providing a mentorship program to benefit our younger members and ensuring the public knows of all the community service and good works done by our area lawyers. I will also work hard to ensure that the membership is informed and well-represented as our Association addresses the important issues facing the court system now.
Christa F. Figgins
Jacksonville Bar Activities (both current and past):
• Board of Governors, 2009-present
• Volunteering in the Community: Co-captain (2011), JBA Team for March of Dimes “March for Babies;” Chair (2010), JBA Food Drive for Shelter residents at Hubbard House, Inc. (Approx. 600 lbs. of food gathered, $500 in grocery store gift cards gathered.)
• Law Day Committee: Chair (2009-2011), Law Day Poster Contest for Duval County Public Schools. Chair (2009), Law Day Book & Art Supply Drive for Duval County Public Schools and “Amicus Briefs, et al” Drive for the Sulzbacher Center; Co-chair (2008), Poster Contest, Book & Art Supply Drive for Duval County Public Schools and Lawsuits Professional Clothing Drive for the Sulzbacher Center; Member (2006-07), Law Day Committee: assisted with Book & Art Supply Drive.
• Professionalism Committee: Member (2010), Co-Chair (2009), Chair (2008).
• Professionalism Committee-Professional Symposium: Co-chair (2009)
• Diversity Committee: Member (2009-2011)
• Judicial Relations Committee: Member (2008)
• Voluntary Bar Association Committee: Member (2009-2011)
• JBA/ JALA Lawyer Variety Show: Co-Producer (2008-2009)
• JBA Young Lawyers Section: Volunteer (2011) YLS “Super Bowl” Chili Cook-off.
Florida Bar/Other Bar Association Activities:
• Senior Judge Review Panel, First DCA Region: Member
• St. Johns County Bar Association: Member
Civic Activities:
• JALA: Volunteer (2002-2005)
• Downtown Ecumenical Services Council: Volunteer (2009)
• Equality Florida, Jacksonville Chapter: Steering Committee Member (2011)
• Boxer Aid and Rescue Coalition, Inc.: Volunteer.
Goals for The Jacksonville Bar Association:
I would like to see The Jacksonville Bar Association grow its membership. The JBA is a great organization with the power and potential to positively impact the quality of life of every attorney in our area through continuing legal education programs, quality of life programs and services, and support for attorneys via mentorship relationships. Increased membership will allow further development of that potential.
I would also like to help The JBA develop more community outreach activities designed to assist our neighbors with legal issues and familiarize the community at large with the good JBA members do in our community. It is very important to promote and sustain community service amongst our colleagues and improve the community perception of attorneys. JBA members do great things to help our neighbors here in Jacksonville, and these activities should be promoted.
I would like to help The JBA and other Voluntary Bar Associations in our area work more closely together so as to maximize all of our mutual resources. Doing so allows for the most powerful benefit to all of our members. Great strides have been made toward this goal already; I would like to assist in the further promotion of that goal.
Finally, I would like to see The JBA Foundation continue to grow and prosper. The Foundation will support the future of The JBA for the generations to come; with my fundraising and legal backgrounds, I think I am uniquely qualified to help secure The JBA’s future here in Jacksonville.
Lee D. Wedekind, III
Jacksonville Bar Activities (both current and past):
• Board of Governors: Member 2010-2011
• Young Lawyers Section: President 2010-2011; president-elect 2009-2010; secretary 2008-2009; treasurer 2007-2008; member 2005-2011.
Florida Bar/Other Bar Association Activities:
• Florida Bar Trial Lawyers Section: Member
• Chester Bedell Inn of Court: Associate
• Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division – Affiliate Outreach Conference
Civic Activities:
• Rotary Club of Jacksonville
• St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
Goals for The Jacksonville Bar Association:
Continued development of mentoring opportunities for young lawyers, growth in JBA membership and support of local representation within The Florida Bar, the First District Court of Appeal and the Florida Supreme Court.