• Here are the 12 candidates for the 2017-18 Young Lawyers Section Board of Directors Election.
• Online voting begins today and ends at 11:59 p.m., June 7.
• A young lawyer is any member of the association who has not reached the age of 36 or who has been practicing law for five years or less.
• Membership dues must be current to vote.
• There are two 2-year seats open for the board and two 1-year seats. You must vote for one candidate for every seat open or your ballot will be rendered invalid. You may only vote once.
Jacksonville Bar activities (both current and past):
• YLS Board of Governors (2016-17 Term) n YLS, Chili Cook-off Committee member, twice
• YLS Golf Tournament Committee
• YLS Poker Tournament Committee
• YLS Ribault High Future Lawyers Program mock trial defense coach
• YLS Sports League participant
Florida Bar/other Bar association activities:
• Jacksonville Federal Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• Jacksonville Beaches Bar Association
Civic activities:
• Since 2007, I have been in the American Red Cross Volunteer Lifesaving Association. Since 1912, volunteer lifeguards have been donating their time on Sundays and holidays in an effort to keep Jacksonville Beach safe. To date, I have volunteered over 1,000 hours.
• I am also an active volunteer for the Leadership Jacksonville Collegiate Leadership Experience Program. I completed the program myself in 2009. The program is a summer opportunity where college students interact with community leaders, network with professionals and go behind the scenes to explore difficult issues facing our community and learn from our successes
Goals for the Young Lawyers Section:
Being on the board of governors this past year has shown me that we must never be content with the status quo. Although we had a tremendous amount of success this past year, my goal is to build upon that success. That means raising even more money for charity, increasing membership and turnout at events, and providing insightful and useful CLEs for all of our members.
Jacksonville Bar activities (both current and past):
• Member Jacksonville Bar Association, Young Lawyers Section
• Board of Governors, 2016-present
• Law Week Committee 2015-present
• Chair, Rendezvous on the Rooftop
• Chair, naturalization ceremony
• Secretary
• Chili Cook-off Committee 2014-present
• Jacksonville Bar Association, Member Services chair, 2016 – present
Florida Bar/other Bar association activities:
• U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, Pro Se Clinic Project, committee member
• Association of E-Discovery Specialists – Jacksonville Chapter – Executive Board, programming and sponsorship chair
Civic activities:
• YMCA, Winston Branch, board member 2016-present
• Chester Bedell Inn of Court, associate, 2016-present
• Florida Blue Key, member, 2010-present
• JAX Chamber, Impact JAX, Public Policy Committee
• University of Florida Alumni Association
Goals for The Jacksonville Bar Association:
The Jacksonville Bar Association, and particularly the Young Lawyers Section, has grown bigger, badder and better in recent years as a direct result of 1) involved, passionate leadership and 2) member participation. Our current YLS board is filled with folks who truly care about your experience with the Bar, who are committed to the charities and events we host and who understand that the benefits you reap from the JBA are directly correlated to the passion and effort we put in. I have served the JBA, the YLS and its members for over four years now. I would like to continue the hard work I do for you on the YLS board for the next two years. We have so much work to do. Though our goal is to continue to host local charities and to put on the best social, civic and charitable events in town, I want to take steps to ensure the reach of the JBA stretches further beyond the legal arena. This goal involves partnering with other professional and civic organizations to diffuse the JBA’s influence to our fellows in business, charity and beyond and to make our JBA even more visible, relevant and valuable to the Jacksonville community.
Jacksonville Bar activities (both current and past):
• Commercial litigation
• Corporate, business, and in-house Counsel
• Labor law
• Franchise, intellectual property & technology law
• Golf tournament
• Law Week
• Legal technology
• Membership
• Social
• Solo practitioner/ small firm
• Sports league
Florida Bar/other Bar association activities:
• Jacksonville Beaches Bar Association
• The Florida Bar
• Business law
• Labor and employment law
• Solo & small firm
Civic activities:
• Member; Mystic Society, M.S.S. (Mobile, Ala.)
• Various volunteer/charity/fundraising events:
• M.S.S. Fishing Rodeo
• M.S.S. Poker Run
• M.S.S. Golf Tournament
Goals for the Young Lawyers Section:
1. Increase diversity within the JBA
2. Foster culture of embracing technology to advance career field
3. Guarantee YLS events are well-planned and executed
4. Reignite the Mentor/Mentee Program
5. Monthly/quarterly outdoor adventures
Jacksonville Bar activities (both current and past):
• Member of the JBA Health Law Committee
• Member of the JBA Judicial Relations Committee
• Member of the JBA Legal Technology Committee
• Active JBA sports league participant
• Captain for YLS Ribault Young Lawyers program mock trial
• Assisted with logistics for Afternoon at the Courthouse
Florida Bar/other Bar Association Activities:
• The Florida Bar Leadership Academy Class V
• Member of The Florida Bar Committee on Professionalism
• Member of The Florida Bar Criminal Law Section
• Member of The Florida Bar Health Law Section
• Member of the Jacksonville Chapter of The Federal Bar Association
Civic activities:
• Member of United Way Atlantic Circle
• Fourth Judicial Circuit Teen Court judge
• Board member of Horizon Board for Dreams Come True
Goals for The Young Lawyers Section:
My goals for The Young Lawyers Section are threefold. First, as a young attorney working in the public sector, I hope to bridge the gap between private-practice attorneys and public-sector attorneys. So many young attorneys work in the public sector, yet they do not avail themselves of the tremendous opportunities that come with being a member of a local Bar association. I suspect there are several reasons for this, financial reasons being the primary cause. I want to use my past experiences in working with local Bar associations, as well as my experience in working as a public-sector attorney, to push for greater membership from the young lawyers working in the public sector.
Second, I want to forge a stronger bond between the baby boomer generation of attorneys and the millennial generation of attorneys. Millennials are the nation’s largest living generation. With our progression, millennials bring innovative thinking, a unique understanding of technology, and a myriad of challenges and obstacles the previous generation never faced. We must adjust to this transition as a profession. The legal profession, like other professions, cannot insulate itself from the passage of time, nor the resulting development in demographics that comes with it. However, it is my hope and belief that young lawyers can and should play their part ensuring the “passing of the torch” is painless and seamless. We can do this by continuing to foster relationships with the older generation, by taking a personal stake in the growth of our profession, and by respecting the old manner of accomplishing goals but understanding when there is a need for change.
The third goal I have for the Young Lawyers Section is to promote the importance of community. Jacksonville, as big as it is, has a small-town feel in many ways, especially in the legal field. As members of the community, we must be willing to give back to those that are less fortunate. We must work to bridge the gap between the haves and the have nots. Although charitable donations are important, I believe the best way to make this happen is through community involvement. Although we as attorneys are equipped with unique legal skills we can and should use to help those in need, we, as human beings, can do so much more. Help an old lady carry her groceries, mow a disabled adult’s lawn, assist in repairing a dilapidated house. We need to get our hands dirty. We need to unify. We need to remember we are all in this together. We do this by taking part in our community. My goal is to instill this mindset in other young lawyers with hopes that it will result in systemic benevolence.
Jacksonville Bar activities (both current and past):
• Member, Young Lawyers Section
• YLS Ribault Future Lawyers program; Mentor and mock trial coach;
• Attendee, Chili Cook-off, Afternoon at the Courthouse and YLS swearing in ceremony
Florida Bar/other Bar association activities:
• Member, Florida Bar Solo and Small Firm Section
• Member, Florida Bar Trial Lawyers Section
• Member, Florida Bar YLD
• Past Member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association
• Past member of the Polk County Bar Association
Civic activities:
• Member, Impact Jax and the Community Pride Committee (JAX Chamber)
• Member, University of Florida Alumni Association
• Member, Southeastern University Alumni Association
• Past board of directors member for Tri-County Health and Human Services
Goals for the Young Lawyers Section:
My goal is to help the YLS continue to be a group for all young attorneys, by creating professional opportunities to grow and prosper, social opportunities to network and have fun, and to help further facilitate the community focused work that has such a positive impact on those around us.
Specifically, I want to continue helping build the Ribault mentorship program as I’ve seen its profound effect upon the students. I also would like to become heavily involved in the planning and execution of the YLS sports leagues, which I have found to be a wonderful experience. Finally, I would like to connect the YLS with other young professional organizations in the area in order to help facilitate leadership roles and broaden our influence within the community.
I believe I would bring a unique perspective to the board as the owner of a small law firm. I’ve been exposed to the unique challenges that small business ownership provides and gained valuable knowledge and experience. I’ve also worked as an assistant state Attorney, staff counsel for GEICO, as an associate at a large law firm which helps provide me with a more complete view for all young attorneys.
Jacksonville Bar activities (both current and past):
• Student participant, Noon in June 2015
Florida Bar/other Bar association activities:
• Chester Bedell American Inn of Court, associate member 2016-17
• St. Johns County Bar Association, member
Civic Activities:
• Emerging Leaders United Way of St. Johns County (Steering Committee and Special Events Committee, 2016 to present)
• St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, Member
• Riot Student Ministry—CR 210 Group, (crew leader and hospitality team, Fall 2016-Spring 2017)
Goals for The Young Lawyers Section:
My goal is to utilize the resources and breadth of the Jacksonville Bar to increase membership and participation from young lawyers across the area with YLS, especially at social events. As an associate attorney working in both Duval and St. Johns counties (and living in the latter), it is important to have attorneys across the First Coast connect and have a sense of community regardless of whether or not they live in Jacksonville specifically. Most attorneys, even if they focus their practice in Jacksonville, also practice throughout the First Coast, so getting to know other attorneys and judges from the area is beneficial. To that end, I would like to encourage and invite participation from young lawyers living and working in Clay, St. Johns, and Nassau counties to get involved in everything YLS has to offer.
Jacksonville Bar activities (both current and past):
• Chips 4 Change Poker Tournament Committee
• Law Week Committee
Florida Bar/other Bar association activities:
• Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association, Judicial Reception Committee
• American Bar Association, member
Civic Activities:
• Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, volunteer
Goals for The Young Lawyers Section:
1. Increase membership of the Young Lawyers Section of The Jacksonville Bar Association;
2. Encourage the mental and physical health of young lawyers in Jacksonville;
3. Fundraise for charitable organizations.
Jacksonville Bar activities (both current and past):
• Co-chair, 2016 Senior Holiday Project
• Chair, 2017 Law Week Naturalization Ceremony
• Member, 2017 Poker Tournament Committee
• Member, Legal Technology Committee
Florida Bar/other Bar association activities:
• Member, Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association
Civic Activities:
• Pro bono attorney, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid
Goals for The Young Lawyers Section:
Continue the long-standing YLS tradition of active involvement in the Jacksonville community. Serve as a voice for the newest attorneys to our profession while giving them the tools that they need to succeed.
Jacksonville Bar activities (both current and past):
• Human Rights Committee, Young Lawyers Section
• Florida Bar/other Bar association activities: Labor & Employment Law Section, Administrative Law Section
Civic Activities:
In 2012, I was appointed by City Council to serve as a member of the Public Service Grant Council for the City of Jacksonville. From 2011 -14 I served on the executive board of Jacksonville Community Council Inc.’s young professional organization “JCCI—Forward.” From 2012-14 I mentored a student at Matthew Gilbert Middle School as part of the “Mayor’s Mentors” initiative with Communities in Schools. From 2013-14 I served as a citizen editorial board member of the Florida Times-Union. Currently, I am an active member in the Florida chapter of the National Employment Lawyers Association. Outside of work, I am a member of First Coast Rotaract and the Southside Business Men’s Club.
Goals for The Young Lawyers Section:
I would like to increase the Young Lawyers Section’s presence in the Jacksonville community. By partnering with other young professional organizations, we can engage in social, community service, and other functions that reach beyond The Jacksonville Bar Association. Not only will this increase awareness of our section and build goodwill in the community, it will also provide our membership with access to new networks of professionals in Jacksonville.
This increased community presence will also help increase the section’s membership. By engaging in new social and service opportunities, we will be able to attract young lawyers who are not already members of the section. Working closely with JBA members to recruit new young lawyers will also help to achieve this goal.
Finally, I would like to see the section’s membership become more involved in JBA committee work. Young lawyers are the future of the practice, and as such, have a unique perspective on the practice of law. By engaging in committee work, we can play an active role in steering the direction of the JBA, train future leaders of the JBA, and increase the reach of our section’s network.
Jacksonville Bar activities (both current and past):
• Holiday in January Committee member
• Law Week Committee member
• Rendezvous on the Rooftop subcommittee member
• Poker Tournament Committee member
• Basketball league participant
Florida Bar/other Bar association activities:
• Young Lawyers Division member
• Entertainment and Sports Law Group member
Civic activities:
• TaxSlayer Bowl Committee member
• Association of Corporate Growth member
Goals for the Young Lawyers Section:
As a member of the YLS board, I want to continue YLS’s tradition of leadership and service to the Jacksonville community. I plan to develop new initiatives to grow membership and to increase current members’ involvement in various committees. I believe that our philanthropic ability as an association is our strongest asset that we must continue to employ.
Jacksonville Bar activities (both current and past):
• Member (2012-present)
• Law Week Committee (2017)
• Charity Happy Hour Committee (2017)
• Poker Tournament Committee (2017)
Florida Bar/other Bar association activities:
• Member, Criminal Rules Procedure Committee, The Florida Bar (2013-present)
• Parliamentarian, Member, Criminal Rules Procedure Committee, The Florida Bar (2016-present)
Civic activities:
• Florida Coastal School of Law mock trial coach (2012-14)
• Conducted a pet supply drive for Clay County Animal Care and Control (2014-16)
• Helped organize a “back to school supply drive” which benefited Daniel Kids, a local social services organization focused on improving the lives of children and families (2014-16)
• Volunteered for the panel at the Martin Luther King Elementary School career fair (2015-16)
• Organized Thanksgiving baskets in conjunction with our local Jacksonville Veteran Affairs, making each family a basket with food and a gift card for them to be able to enjoy a proper Thanksgiving dinner with their families (2015-16)
• Hosted a “Super Bowl Prediction Game,” and used the proceeds to donate to Brother’s Keeper, a movement to help local homeless, in which we were able to provide 20 homeless people with meals (2016)
• Volunteered at Salvation Army organizing food for donations as well as assembling furniture to be distributed to families in need (2017)
• Assisted setting up apartments for new refugees to Jacksonville (2017)
Goals for the Young Lawyers Section:
As a member of the board of The Young Lawyers Section, I would like to continue the excellence and tradition of helping to assimilate young lawyers into the legal community by throwing fun and exciting networking events. I would also like to continue working with different community service organizations to help bridge the gap between The Young Lawyers Section and our community.
Jacksonville Bar activities (both current and past):
• YLS Board of Governors
• Co-chair of Afternoon at the Courthouse
• Ribault High School Future Lawyers program.
Civic Activities:
• Jacksonville Historical Society Board of Governors
• Leadership Florida – Northeast Florida, Teach For America Jacksonville alumnus
• ImpactJax member
• University of Florida Alumni Association.
Goals for The Young Lawyers Section:
I am dedicated to continuing our progress with our Ribault Future Lawyers program in order to make the impact we desire on the lives of those students. I am also excited at the direction of our programming and leadership this upcoming year. I am looking forward to continuing my service to YLS as part of the great team currently assembled.