by Michele Newbern Gillis
Staff Writer
About 100 lawyers attended the inaugural Raymond Ehrlich Trial Advocacy Seminar Wednesday at the Adam’s Mark Hotel.
“We wanted to honor Ray Ehrlich, who was a trial lawyer and judge for many years as well as on the Florida Supreme Court,” said Scott Makar, assistant general counsel for the City and co-chair of the seminar. “We wanted to honor him and have top-of-the-line courses with speakers who are renowned in their area of expertise.”
When Ehrlich left the Florida Supreme Court, he returned to Jacksonville to practice with Holland & Knight.
Justice Major Harding, who replaced Ehrlich on the Florida Supreme Court, was the keynote speaker and presented an award to Ehrlich’s stepson Jack Bettman, honoring Ehrlich for his dedicated service to the legal community.
Ehrlich, who broke his hip recently and is recovering at Brooks Rehabilitation Center, was unable to attend the luncheon.
“Ehrlich and Harding are two of the most revered judges in Jacksonville’s legal history,” said Makar.
The day-long seminar gave lawyers an opportunity to earn credits toward continuing education required by The Florida Bar.
The seminar was a joint effort between the Florida Coastal School of Law and the Jacksonville Bar Association.