One of the most important events of the year for The Jacksonville Bar Association is Law Day. President Dwight D. Eisenhower established the observance in 1958 as a day of national dedication to the principles of government under law.
While May 1 is the official date, the JBA will celebrate Law Day at noon May 16 at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront Downtown.
Law Day underscores how law and the legal process contribute to the freedoms that Americans share and also provides an opportunity to recognize the role of courts in a constitutional democracy.
This year’s theme is the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and how it continues to shape the law relating to citizenship, due process and equal protection. Applying the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment, courts subject laws that classify by race, national origin or religion to the highest level of scrutiny.
The JBA is honored to present a legend in the legal community, 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals Senior Judge Susan Black as the keynote speaker for the Law Day luncheon.
Born in Valdosta, Ga., Black earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida State University, her J.D. from the University of Florida Levin College of Law and an LL.M. from the University of Virginia School of Law. She was a high school teacher in Jacksonville from 1967-68 before embarking on what is now 48 years of service as an attorney and judge.
After leaving the classroom, Black was a staff attorney for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, an assistant state attorney and an assistant general counsel for the city.
In 1973, she began her service on the bench when she became a Duval County judge. Black then served as a judge in the 4th Judicial Circuit from 1975-79.
After exemplary service as a state judge, President Jimmy Carter nominated Black to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida in 1979, where she eventually served as chief judge from 1990-92. Then, in 1992, President George H.W. Bush nominated Black to the U.S. Court of Appeals, where she has served for the past 25 years.
Another important event will occur May 21 at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville — the JBA’s ALS Fundraiser with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp to benefit Evan’s Hope.
Evan Yegelwel, an esteemed member of our legal community and long-time JBA member, was diagnosed with ALS six years ago. With the help of former JBA President Alan Pickert and the law firm of Terrell Hogan Yegelwel, the ALS Association Florida Chapter is hosting a fundraiser in honor of Yegelwel and his hope to find a cure for ALS.
You can help by being at the ballpark to watch the Jumbo Shrimp play the Mississippi Braves. All net proceeds from ticket sales purchased through http://bit.ly/JShrimp will go directly to ALS research.
If you’re unable to attend the game, there is an option to make a donation of which 100 percent will benefit ALS research. You must purchase your tickets through the link to support this cause.
The JBA is one of the best ways to network with lawyers and judges, gain access to excellent CLE programming and give back to the community and legal profession.
In an effort to expand those benefits to every attorney in Northeast Florida, the JBA has a special offer for new members. If you join as a member of the JBA by May 5, the association will extend your membership by an additional two months. Your payment of $225 will cover your membership until June 30, 2018. Your membership also provides admission to regular membership luncheons at no charge.
There are two ways to join the JBA: complete the online application at jaxbar.org/membership/membership-signup/ or call Tad Delegal, JBA president-elect, at (904) 399-4486.
Visit jaxbar.org for more information about events that are available to JBA members.