by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
Fourth Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Don Moran would like to start what he hopes becomes an annual tradition that grows over the years. And, he hopes it starts Thursday with a good turnout at his swearing in ceremony for new Florida Bar members.
Today, attorneys across the state find out of they passed February’s Florida Bar exam. Many will rush off to a notary public to be sworn in and go immediately to work for a firm that has promised a job upon successfully passing the rigorous exam. Others will be sworn in over a few days by various judges throughout the state. Moran is hoping that many will come to his ceremony with families in tow and get sworn in as a group.
“The idea behind it is to promote professionalism,” said Moran, who was sworn years ago with about 150 other aspiring attorneys on the steps of the capital in Tallahassee. “The Jacksonville Bar Association will come in and talk to them about the Bar and other things. It may take a while for this to catch on, but as firms hear about this I am hoping more will come down.”
Moran said the ceremony isn’t just a first, there’s also an element of the unknown at work.
“I have no idea how many we will have, but if we have 10 that would be wonderful. If we have more than that, it will be even better,” he said. “I am not sure how many pass the Bar exam in Jacksonville every year.”
Moran said he’s not even sure what time the ceremony will be, but anyone interested can call his office.