A president-elect and six members of the 2024-25 board of governors are to be elected by the date of the annual meeting of the Jacksonville Bar Association on May 1, 2024. Online voting at jaxbar.org opens April 10 and will end at 12:30 p.m. May 1.
PRESIDENT ELECT
Brian T. Coughlin
(Elected unopposed)
I aim to continue to work with the board of governors to support Jacksonville lawyers personally and professionally, keep in high esteem our judiciary and system of justice, lead on major issues affecting our profession and grow membership and financial infrastructure for the Jacksonville Bar Association.
Our leadership will insist on high standards of conduct to instill public confidence in our profession.
And, bringing lawyers together being a major function of what we do, I will continue to push for diverse opportunities to network and make personal connections.
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Dave Chauncey
The JBA is an incredibly important institution in our city and we should be focused on building its future.
I am committed to being a steadfast voice for innovation on the board. I will advocate for continued outward-focused initiatives that strengthen our ties to the community and reinforce the indispensable role of the legal profession in shaping our city.
I will advocate for strengthening and building community amongst our members in the JBA.
I am a firm believer that leadership is about empowering those around us. I will work diligently to prioritize initiatives that maximize the value of our resources, enhance member benefits and support the long-term sustainability of the JBA.
Adam Edgecombe
As a new lawyer, and throughout the earlier years of my career, I found the JBA very intimidating and as a result did not get involved with the JBA and YLS as early in my career as I wish I would have.
As a result of that experience, my goal is to make the JBA a welcoming and inviting organization and space for all of our members, regardless of experience level and aptitude.
I would also like to get our membership to support efforts to revitalize and grow our Downtown by, for example, hosting a monthly lunch in James Weldon Johnson Park or cross-promoting events between the JBA and other Downtown-focused organizations.
Jon McGowan
I have had the privilege to serve as the chair of the JBA Government Relations Committee for 2023-24.
We have been able to bring high level speakers including Jacksonville City Council President Ron Salem, Florida House Speaker Designate Sam Garrison and former Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried.
I want to continue that momentum and serve the JBA where needed.
Tim Miller
(incumbent)
The Jacksonville Bar Association is comprised of many outstanding individuals who put on amazing programming year round.
One of the most vital things I believe we can accomplish as a board is making the legal community here in Jacksonville aware of the wonderful opportunities available to them.
There is nothing more rewarding than meeting someone who is attending their first Bar event. It has been my experience that you will often see that person again as the tight knit community fostered by the Jacksonville Bar leads to long lasting friendships and rewarding business connections.
By building on the great things accomplished I would want to bring as many people to the table as possible.
Adina Pollan
(Incumbent)
I have been working with my fellow board of governors to increase membership so that the faces of our organization parallel our profession at large. Diversity and inclusion are core missions of mine.
I also believe that it is important to have a range of offerings that complement our busy and hectic schedules. Breakfasts, lunches, happy hours, online CLEs, in-person events, Zoom meetings - all of these options can enhance what we do as attorneys and help to bridge our networks.
I’ve also taken time to call or have lunch with members who haven’t been able to attend events, so that they know we at the JBA also value one-on-one time with our members. Each individual is important.
Shannon Schott
(Incumbent)
In my tenure on the board of governors, I’ve been privileged to witness the strengths of the JBA, including its legacy of connecting members with the judiciary and fostering a professional community.
However, our legal landscape is evolving, and so are the needs of our members.
My goal is to steer the JBA towards a more inclusive and dynamic future, where every local attorney, regardless of their background or firm size, sees the value in our membership.
By broadening our engagement and programming, and by actively addressing the concerns of underrepresented groups, we can ensure the JBA not only maintains its esteemed legacy but also a nurturing ground for all local legal professionals.
Kathryn E. Stanfill
I want to be your next JBA board member because I want to help our association grow together.
My two goals for JBA next year are to increase: (1) active membership and (2) diversity within our leadership.
Since we are one of the largest Bar associations in the area, JBA has the unique ability to assist our members expand their networks by becoming more active within our community. This in turn helps our members advance their careers.
Additionally, my goal is to assist and support individuals with diverse backgrounds advance to leadership roles within JBA to accurately reflect the Jacksonville legal landscape.
David Thompson
(incumbent)
Over my past two years as one of your governors, we have increased membership and participation within our legal community and my main goal is to continue that growth.
When I ran two years ago, my other goal was to strengthen bonds between the JBA and our community, especially the youth, to promote a positive view of our legal community and our profession. We have increased participation within the Raines High School Future Lawyers and Leaders Program and have increased participation within our own Bar association including certified paralegals.
I would like to continue our community participation with more efforts placed in our schools to inspire our next generation of lawyers.
Michele Waddell
As Jacksonville and the surrounding areas grow, so does the Jacksonville Bar Association.
We have a reputation for being one of the most collegial Bar associations in the state, so I believe it is important to continue the current programs that create that atmosphere, such as happy hours and luncheons, continuing education opportunities and social events that allow us to bring our families.
As a board member, my goal is to continue the growth of these programs as well as strengthen opportunities for professional advancement and mentorship, develop additional mental health focused activities and create greater support for our growing Bar affiliates.
John K. Weedon
(incumbent)
Dockets are tight and our schedules are busier than ever. I will continue to concentrate my efforts on meaningful membership engagement and retention and providing more opportunities for involvement, whether big or small.
The JBA should continue to provide outstanding networking in order to ensure that we continue to be the best place in the state to practice law.