The Florida Bar selected Jacksonville attorneys Aaron Bates of The Bates Law Group, Giselle Girones of Taylor, Day, Grimm & Boyd, and Joshua Wright as fellows for the 2017-18 Wm. Reece Smith Jr. Leadership Academy.
The group officially kicks off June 21 in coordination with the Bar’s annual meeting at the Boca Raton Resort & Club.
The academy was initiated in 2013 by then-President Eugene Pettis to foster diversity and inclusivity in the profession.
The participants, 31 lawyers from across the state who are selected through an open application process, will participate in a yearlong series of training opportunities, legal events and educational programs.
The curriculum is designed to teach fellows about how the Bar operates and to provide additional insight into critical leadership skills, such as running an effective meeting, dealing with conflict and identifying a proper work-life balance.
Happy hour at Precise Reporting Services
Members of the Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association and St. Johns Association of Women Lawyers, chapters of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers, met Wednesday for a happy hour sponsored by Precise Reporting Services at its new office in Ponte Vedra Beach. Members had the opportunity to network and socialize while enjoying food, drinks and Kilwins ice cream sundaes.
Law students invited to observe sentencing
Law students working with local firms or organizations are invited to observe a criminal sentencing hearing presided over by U.S. District Judge Marci Morales Howard at the Bryan Simpson U.S. Courthouse.
Part of the Jacksonville Chapter of the Federal Bar Association’s Summer Series, the hearing convenes at 9:30 a.m. June 12 in Courtroom 10B.
Attorneys from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Federal Defender’s Office will be available for questions and a discussion in the ninth-floor conference room after the hearing. Lunch will be provided. RSVP to Lauren Purdy, [email protected].
Gierum elected to arboretum board
Lawrence Gierum, an attorney with Driver, McAfee, Peek & Hawthorne, was elected to the board of directors for the Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens and will serve as president-elect for the nonprofit agency this year.
The Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens opened in 2008 at 1440 Millcoe Road in Arlington.
The 120-acre venue is operated and maintained by board members and volunteers.
Amenities include a paved parking area, an accessible lake loop with gardens, and five maintained trails, benches, boardwalks, scenic overlooks and picnic tables.
Federal Judicial Roundtable June 22
The annual Federal Judicial Roundtable is 2:15-5 p.m. June 22 in conjunction with The Florida Bar’s annual meeting in Boca Raton.
The event hosts more than 30 federal judges and 100 practitioners.
This year’s program explores legal ethics dealing with technology in the courtroom and the practice of law, such as the use of technology in federal court, juror investigation, presentation of evidence and testimony, judiciary usage, and opening and closing statements.
It is free for judges, lawyers, law professors and law students. However, space is limited and registration is required at member.floridabar.org.
Law clerk vacancy in Orlando
U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Orlando Division Daniel Irick has a vacancy for a law clerk to begin in Oct. 2018 for a one- or two-year term. Visit flmd.uscourts.gov and follow the “About the Court” tab, then “Career Opportunities” for more information.
Pro bono update available on website
New and updated information about pro bono representation in civil cases and the Bench Bar Fund is available on the court’s website at flmd.uscourts.gov under the “Attorney Resources” section.
Included is a link to the revised Plan for Pro Bono Representation by Appointment in Civil Cases, and links to the forms for obtaining pre-approval for expenses more than $1,500 and for reimbursement.
The Bench Bar Fund Information section includes the revised Bench Bar Fund Plan, the First Amended Parameters for Use of Bench Bar Funds and the Request for Funding form. Both the updated plan and the parameters provide information about available uses of the bench bar fund and guidance to members of the Bar on how to request funding.
210 students graduate from Florida Coastal
Florida Coastal School of Law had its 19th spring commencement ceremony May 13, awarding 192 juris doctor degrees and 18 Master of Laws degrees.
The May graduating class provided a collective 16,000 hours of pro bono legal service. More than 70 graduates completed 125 hours of pro bono service.
Their work led to Florida Coastal School of Law’s appointment to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, the highest federal recognition an institution can receive for its commitment to community, service-learning and civic engagement.
The Quick Law Group opens Winter Park office
A new office in Winter Park is an addition to the Jacksonville-based Quick Law Group, which also has an office in St. Augustine.
Michelle Kane is managing attorney for the Winter Park office. She has owned and operated a family law firm in Winter Park for the past 14 years. Her practice focuses on family law with an emphasis on high asset divorce, alimony, paternity and custody issues.
Jacksonville lawyer disciplined
Robert John Slama, 6817 Southpoint Parkway, Suite 2504, is publicly reprimanded following an April 20 court order.
As a result of personal and family-related crises, Slama has not paid his corporate and personal taxes for the past eight years.