by Richard Prior
Staff Writer
With their worlds spinning out of control, families in crisis could use some level heads and calming influences around them.
They definitely don’t need attorneys intent on stoking the turmoil.
And that, in a nutshell, is the primary reason behind the formation of the Florida Family Inn of Court in Jacksonville.
But there’s more. In addition to promoting civility and boosting professionalism, members of the Inn of Court share educational programs, take advantage of mentoring opportunities and enjoy the pleasure of each other’s company.
“It can be, and already is, a close-knit fraternal bar in the old-fashioned sense of the word,” said Circuit Court Judge Waddell Wallace, president of the Inn. “Because you see the same lawyers repeatedly over time, you get to know everybody.
“Among the more senior, experienced lawyers, there is a lot of camaraderie and professionalism. It’s great to pass that tradition on to the younger people.”
The name implies a statewide membership, but the Florida Family Inn of Court draws its members from judges, lawyers and general masters from Duval, Clay and Nassau counties.
There are 94 members in the group, which does give it a feel of exclusivity.
“It’s a situation where there are lawyers on the outside competing to get in,” said member Barry Zisser. “The assumption is there’s a limited number of spots open, and it’s the right thing to do. It’s the cool thing to do.
“At least in the mind of the younger lawyers, it becomes a competitive thing. I think that has a great bearing on the attitude displayed by that lawyer in his peer group.”
Applications, which should be submitted during June, are considered and voted on by the Masters — judges, law professors and lawyers with more than 15 years of experience. The membership year starts in September.
Information about the Inn is posted at www.familylawinnofcourt.com. Those who want to be considered for membership may download an application from the website or call membership chairman Marla Buchanan at Rogers Towers, 346-5555.
The local group was founded in 1998, following the formation of the Chester Bedell Inn of Court. It is composed of Masters; Barristers, those with five to 15 years of experience; and Associates, members with up to five years of experience.
They meet once a month at The River Club for a social time, dinner and programs that spotlight points of law and more effective techniques.
“One of the beliefs is, if we can get together outside the courtroom in an environment like the Inns of Court, then we learn a little bit about each other on a personal level,” said General Master Dianne Misiak, the organization’s vice president. “The youngest can socialize with a judge they might not even have the confidence to approach in another setting.”
With such high divorce rates around the country, “American families are struggling,” said McIntyre, a former basketball star (he’s 6-foot-10) at Jacksonville University and a May 2000 graduate of Florida Coastal School of Law.
“Going through divorce is a difficult situation,” he continued. “Pitting attorneys with a nonprofessional attitude against each other makes a very difficult situation a horrible situation. To me, it was exciting to find an organization that was committed to civility and professionalism.
“The attorneys I’ve dealt with fight hard for their clients. They’re good at what they do, but they don’t try to make things worse than they should. That’s been a real important factor to me.”
McIntyre also appreciates the wisdom and direction he gleans from mentors. And that has led him to question the wisdom of all those young attorneys going into solo practice right out of law school.
“I ask, ‘Where are you going to get your clients, and where are you going to learn what you’re going to do?’” McIntyre said. “You’d better go find a senior lawyer you can just love on and hope he loves you back.
“I’ve got two or three I just love to death, and I try to call them as much as I can without wearing them out.”
Hal Castillo agreed that mentoring is probably what he appreciates most about the Inn of Court.
“All the members are available to the other members,” he said. “Somebody could call up Barry (Zisser), for example, and say, ‘I’ve got this situation. What do you recommend I do?’
“I think that raises the overall level of practice in the Family Law division.”
That increased emphasis on professionalism and civility also reaches out and touches other lives, particularly those that need a break from all the tension.
“We aspire to do it the right way, the professional way,” Castillo said. “It’s also with a sense that there are families involved in this.
“It’s not just your client. There are children and extended families. There are repercussions. If it’s handled well, then it won’t have a more detrimental effect on the family.”