The Jacksonville Bar Association’s Senior Holiday Project set a record this year when gifts were provided to more than 400 residents.
Working with the nonprofit Aging True, the association collected wish lists from seniors. Members purchased and wrapped the gifts that were delivered last week by attorneys, judges and judicial assistants as well as sworn officers and community service officers from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
“This is such a rewarding project,” said project Chair Kimberly Jones of Baumann, Gant & Keeley. She has participated in the project since 2011, her first year at Florida Coastal School of Law.
Gifts such as cookies and snacks, blankets, pajamas and household necessities like can openers were delivered to 420 seniors, an increase of more than 50 percent from last year.
“Most people just wanted basic things. Sometimes, we can forget that there are those who don’t have the luxuries,” Jones said.
Also, a used typewriter donated by an association member was delivered to a senior veteran, who explained on his wish list that he could no longer use a pen or pencil because his hands tremble.
“It’s nice to be able to give to people who really need it,” said Jones.
Article II, Section 2 of the American Board of Trial Advocates’ constitution makes it clear that one of the national organization’s specific purposes is the “responsibility for elevating the standards of integrity, honor, ethics, civility and courtesy in the legal profession.”
One of the ABOTA Foundation’s programs that it offers to other Bar groups include a book – “Why Civility and Why Now?” – and accompanying DVDs that are used at educational events hosted by local ABOTA chapters.
The local chapter recognizes members of the legal community who exemplify the principles of civility in the profession. This year, the annual Civility Award was presented to 4th Judicial Circuit Judge Steven Fahlgren.
The award is typically presented to an attorney, said ABOTA outgoing President Matthew Posgay of Coker, Schickel, Sorenson, Posgay & Iracki. However, this year Fahlgren was selected not only for his years of dedication to professional civility, but also for granting a defendant’s motion for protective order and motion to compel in a matter related to what the judge determined was inappropriate conduct during a deposition by a plaintiff’s attorney from Tampa.
“This court will not tolerate flouting the rules regulating the taking of depositions,” Fahlgren wrote in his order.
Posgay said Fahlgren’s action made it clear that civility is required “in depositions as well as the courtroom.”
The chapter also recognized Circuit Judge Virginia Norton as Jurist of the Year and Saalfield Shad partner Charles Shad as Attorney of the Year.
Corrine Hodak of the Hodak Law Firm received the President’s Award.
The Jacksonville Lawyers chapter of The Federalist Society invited Edward Whelan, president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center and a former law clerk to the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, to its meeting at 12:30 p.m. Jan. 16 in The Lounge at the Main Library Downtown.
Whelan is co-editor of “Scalia Speaks,” the recently published collection of Scalia’s speeches on the law, faith and life.
Advance tickets cost $10, including lunch, at eventbrite.com/e/scalia-speaks-reflections-on-law-faith-and-life-well-lived-tickets-41246243625 or $15, for admission only, at the door.
The Florida Bar Criminal Law Section is seeking nominations for the 2018 Selig I. Goldin Memorial Award, which recognizes the recipient’s outstanding contributions to Florida’s criminal justice system.
Nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m. Jan. 4 and include the candidate’s name and contact information, a resume or biographical sketch and a description of their contributions to the criminal justice system.
Send nominations to The Florida Bar Criminal Law Section, Attn: Chase Early, 651 E. Jefferson St., Tallahassee 32399.
More information and a list of previous recipients can be found at flacls.org/selig-goldin-award.
Also, The Florida Bar Foundation is accepting nominations for both categories of the 2018 Medal of Honor Awards until Feb. 2.
The first category is for members of The Florida Bar, including practicing lawyers, judges or teachers in the legal field.
Nominees must have demonstrated dedication to the principles of duty and service to the public, improving the administration of justice and advancing the science of jurisprudence.
The second category is for nonlawyers, including lawyers who are not practicing.
Nominees must be Florida residents and must have made outstanding contributions to the improvement of the administration of justice in Florida through research, writing or other deeds.
The local past recipient of the Medal of Honor Award for a nonlawyer is Kevin Gay, founder and CEO of Operation New Hope.
Nominations for each award should describe the specific achievements that would qualify an individual for the Medal of Honor Award and include a brief biographical sketch of the nominee.
Nominations may be submitted online at floridabarfoundation.org.