By Ashlea Edwards, Noon in June Committee Chair
As the clock strikes noon on June 21, eager and enthusiastic law clerks, interns and young lawyers will continue the tradition of learning about the Jacksonville legal community.
For the past several years, it has been a priority for the Young Lawyers Section of the Jacksonville Bar Association to welcome new members of our legal community with a program called Noon in June. It is an immersive program that teaches prospective and new attorneys the ins and outs of the 4th Judicial Circuit.
The day begins with a lunch and introduction to local Bar leaders, including leaders of the JBA, the Young Lawyers Section, the D.W. Perkins Bar Association and the Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association.
Noon in June attendees also will hear from a special speaker, Megha Parekh, the senior vice president and chief legal officer for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Parekh will share her legal journey and her experience as the Jaguars’ in-house counsel.
After inspirational words from our Bar leaders, the Noon in June group will take some time to visit U.S. District Judge Timothy Corrigan, who will introduce himself and the world of federal law.
The group then will make their way to the ceremonial courtroom in the State Attorney’s Office to hear from the Circuit Judge John Guy, Mac D. Heavener III, the chief assistant state attorney, and Lewis H. Buzzell III, the chief assistant public defender, as they describe their roles.
As an inherent part of Jacksonville’s legal landscape, the Noon in June attendees will tour Jacksonville Area Legal Aid or JALA. Kathy Para and her exceptional team will show our attendees the importance of giving back to the community through pro bono work and services.
This year, the Young Lawyers Section and Duval County Judge Gary P. Flower have a new, special event planned for the Noon in June attendees. Judge Flower has been hard at work gathering attorneys from all around the 4th Circuit to act as mentors for a speed networking event at Bellwether immediately following the Noon in June program.
This is the first time that a speed networking event has been incorporated into the Noon in June program. Attendees will speed network with attorneys to learn about practice areas and the do’s and don’ts of being a law clerk or new attorney. Through this, we hope the Noon in June attendees form long-lasting mentoring relationships.
Also at Bellwether, all attendees are encouraged to attend the Young Lawyers Section Annual Meeting for food and drinks to continue the welcoming and mentoring into the evening.
On behalf of the Young Lawyers Section, I would like to welcome all law clerks, interns and young lawyers to Jacksonville and the 4th Judicial Circuit. Regardless of whether you are with us for the summer or for the beginning of your legal career, we would be honored for you to join us.
To register, contact Ashlea Edwards at (904) 598-9929 or [email protected]. We are looking forward to hearing from you.
Ashlea Edwards is an associate with GrayRobinson P.A. focusing on commercial litigation, bankruptcy, and corporate transactions.
