Luster off the hot seat
The Jacksonville Bar Association’s annual meeting May 19 at Deerwood Country Club marked the closing of Reginald Luster’s term as JBA president. He’ll step aside for Alan Pickert at the next meeting. Luster said the biggest highlight of his year in the office was the JBA’s ability to attract top-name speakers to its monthly luncheons. Speakers from Supreme Court justices to top state and local politicians brought out record attendance at the meetings and kept JBA members up to date with the issues affecting their jobs, said Luster.
One of those speakers was Mayor John Peyton, who received quite a few questions about construction of a new courthouse. Plans for the building have been in a holding pattern since Mayor Peyton fired the architect and construction manager and started the project from scratch. The JBA will stay engaged in the next year as that process unfolds, said Luster.
Aside from keeping up with the courthouse, Luster advised new president Pickert to get a head start on planning. “I’d advise him to prepare himself, his fellow attorneys at his firm and his family over the summer,” said Luster. “Then get ready to run the 100 meter dash. Because it is a sprint.”
Expecting Lawyers
Something must be in the water at the Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association luncheons. Former JWLA presidents Paola Parra Harris and Paula Brice are both pregnant. Congratulations Paola and Paula!
Moving
Established in January, Murphy & Anderson, P.A. was temporarily set up in the 550 Water Street Building but is now moving to a permanent space on the 18th floor of Independence Square. The firm will moving July 1, into the old Ernst and Young space.
Moving up in the ABOTA
Coker, Myer, Schickel, Sorenson and Green partner Charles Sorenson is on track to take over the presidency of the American Board of Trial Advocates in 2007. Sorenson was sworn is as secretary for the organization in December and will serve as vice president in 2006 before moving up to the top office.
JBA Golf Tournament
The JBA’s annual golf tournament at Deerwood Country Club was won by the team of Alan Henderson, Judge David Wiggins, Judge Peter Fryefield and Michael Dawes. The team shot a handicap-adjusted round of 57 in the best-ball format.