by James Mosely, Jr.
It is hard to believe that one year has passed since I have took office as President of the Jacksonville Bar Association. It has truly been a wonderful experience, and I certainly appreciate you allowing me to work with the Bar and its activities during this last year. As I wind up my year, I want to thank the many members who have tirelessly worked on our Bar’s many projects throughout the year. Because of their hard work, this year has been quite successful.
Much of our Bar Association’s work is performed by our committees and sections. Appearing on this page are the names of men and women of our Bar who have served as chairs for their respective committees and sections. I want to thank all of them for their hard work in putting on programs, CLE events, as well as keeping their committees and sections active.
I also want to thank our Board of Governors who showed great leadership on many issues that were brought before our Board. I seriously doubt that any previous president had such a hard working board as I have had the pleasure of working with during this last year. The attendance of our board members was the best in recent years, and I am glad they were there to keep me in line. A thank you to each and every one of them for their hard work.
Our Bar Association is recognized throughout the state as one of the leading voluntary bar associations. One of the reasons we remain such a fine Bar Association is Diane Gill and her staff. The Jacksonville Bar Association’s staff consists of Kelley Padgitt, Shotsie Main, Jessie King, and Kathy Jefferson. On behalf of our Bar Association, I want to thank our staff for making sure every event is flawless.
As for Diane Gill, I have certainly appreciated the opportunity to work with her on many Bar projects during the last 10 years. She has certainly kept me closely advised of all aspects of the Bar during the year. I have appreciated her thoughts and friendship and hope she will feel free to let me know when I can be of further service to the Bar.
There are so many other members of our Association who have contributed far beyond what could be expected of them. I have done my best throughout the year to thank them when I have discussed a project in this column. One thing I noticed during the year is that every past president of this Bar Association has contributed in some way. For this I am truly appreciative since I have indeed needed your wisdom and experience at certain times during the year. Your contributions and involvement are what makes this Bar Association special.
When speaking of past presidents, I must also thank our two current Florida Bar Board of Governor members, Grier Wells and Hank Coxe. I do appreciate their involvement with the Bar in keeping the Board advised of all current events. I also want to thank Hank for his guidance and ideas that he was kind enough to share with me during this year.
Our Bar Association is very fortunate to have the participation of the judiciary. This year both our federal and state court judges have been kind enough to donate their time and energies to various projects. Because of their involvement, our Bar is a stronger organization. Our judges have participated in CLE programs, committee meetings, as well as giving me their advice and thoughts during the year. I am grateful for their participation.
In closing, I want to thank my partners at Moseley, Warren, Prichard & Parrish for allowing me to serve the Bar Association this year. They have been very kind and understanding when my time and energy has been spent on Bar-related activities. While I am truly appreciative, I am not surprised since I am the seventh Jacksonville Bar Association President from our firm during my firm’s 98 year history. Our last president was Bill Prichard in 1989, and I have appreciated his insight and guidance through the years.
Most of all, I want to thank my dad, Jim Moseley, who has given me wonderful advice and guidance. He also served as president in 1976 and has continued his service to the Bar continually since then. He probably never dreamed, however, that he would have to work so hard on two terms as president — his term and mine. I appreciate his example of service to the community and his wisdom on issues that have come before the Bar this year. No other Jacksonville Bar president has ever had such a great advisor and friend as I have enjoyed with my father this year.
I certainly appreciate this opportunity to be of service, and I look forward to continuing working for the Bar Association in the coming years. I am sure our new president, Reginald Luster, will continue the fine tradition of our Bar Association which was started 107 years ago.