While it does seem odd to utter that phrase this time of year, it is only fitting that our Bar Association begins its fiscal year every July when our country celebrates its birth under the rule of law as set forth in the Declaration of Independence. As lawyers, of course, we play an integral part in our country’s system of justice under this rule of law. The purpose of The Jacksonville Bar Association is to serve the lawyers of our community as well as the public in facing law–related community issues. As The Jacksonville Bar Association begins its 107th year, I ask for your involvement and participation. During the year, I look forward to seeing you at many of our Bar Association activities.
Our Bar Association has enjoyed strong leadership in the past, and I will do my best to meet the high standards of my predecessors. I first want to thank immediate past president Bill Joel for his many years of service. I also want to thank Bill for his stewardship of the Bar this last year and including me in his decision-making process at times to better assist with the transition. He has left The Bar Association strong, and I hope to continue his good work this coming year.
As much as Bill included me on different projects, I look forward to working closely with President-Elect Reginald Luster. Reggie has been a tireless worker for The Bar Association for many years working as a member of the Board of Governors, Bulletin Editor, Long-Range Planning Committee Member and chairman of other sections. I look forward to working with Reggie and getting his insight on issues that will come before us.
No Bar president in the last 10 years has been without the able guidance of Diane Gill. I look forward to working with her and her staff as she begins her second decade with us. We are lucky here in Jacksonville to have someone such as Diane for her service and hard work. Without her, I am sure my job would be a lot more difficult.
I also want to congratulate and recognize our Board of Governors members. These lawyers put in many thankless hours to make sure our Bar Association continues with its fine projects and serves its members. This year’s Board members are Dan Bean, Joe Camerlengo, Rob Devine, Caroline Emery, Michael Freed, Kelly Mathis, Angelo Patacca, Alan Pickert, Joel Toomey, Cheryl Worman, and Young Lawyers Section President Ray Driver.
Most of the difficult work of our Bar Association is performed by committees and sections. This work consists of everything from social functions and Law Week to substantive areas of the law. Through these committees and sections, the lawyers of our Association are able to serve our community, produce continuing legal education seminars, and address substantive issues facing the Bar each year. I want to thank each person who has agreed to serve as a committee and section chair this year and look forward to working with them. Without the lawyers to chair these various sections and committees, most of our Bar work would not get done.
While the lawyers of The Jacksonville Bar Association have enjoyed a reputation for civility and professionalism, it is a reputation that cannot be taken for granted. Our Bar Association must renew each year its desire to strive toward this goal through our programs and social interaction. But programs alone do not create the working environment we now enjoy. It is by our participation in the Bar that we continue our fine tradition and inculcate in new members the traditions of our Bar.
Currently, The Jacksonville Bar Association is one of the largest in Florida at over 1,800 members. Out of all the lawyers in all of the counties in the Fourth Judicial Circuit, the Jacksonville Bar enjoys an approximately 85 percent participation rate. This figure has continually ranked as a leader in the state. While we are indeed proud of this accomplishment, The Jacksonville Bar Association must continually strive to include participation of all lawyers from all walks of life. In addition, our Bar Association should be representative of the different types of lawyers. This is why we will be reaching out to in-house corporate lawyers and government lawyers from the General Counsel’s Office, State Attorney’s Office and Public Defender’s Office. The Jacksonville Bar Association should represent all lawyers of the Fourth Judicial Circuit. This year we will attempt to push our participation rate even higher while we strive to push our membership to over 2,000 members. This would entitle The Jacksonville Bar Association to a representative in the American Bar Association House of Delegates and further our reputation as a leader in the national legal community.
Congratulations to former president and current member of The Florida Bar Board of Governors, Hank Coxe. Hank was given the President’s Award of Merit by Florida Bar president Tod Aronovitz, at the General Bar Assembly on June 27, 2003, in Orlando. This award is for extraordinary diligence and a deep, abiding commitment to improving the delivery of legal services in Florida. Congratulations to Hank for recognition of his hard work and dedication to the Florida Bar and our state as a whole.
I appreciate the opportunity to be of service to The Bar Association and look forward to this year. At any time during the year that you have any questions, comments or ideas, please feel free to call me at my office or at the Bar Association. I hope you will decide to be involved this year and look forward to seeing you soon.