by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
What better way to get to know the local judiciary than invite them for drinks and dinner?
That’s exactly what Perkins Bar Association President Mamie Davis had in mind when she invited the Fourth Judicial Circuit’s County and Circuit judges as well as the local federal judges to a reception Thursday evening at The River Club.
“This is really to honor the judges and give our members a chance to interact with the judges,” said Davis, a Ch. 13 Bankruptcy Trustee, who also happens to be a CPA. “We also want increase our membership.”
The Perkins Bar was started in 1968 and evolved from what was called the Colored Lawyers Association. Davis said the bar has 50 members right now and another 25 that she expects to renew their membership soon. Her goal as president is to add another 25 members before her term expires.
“We’d like to easily get to 100. That’s our goal,” said Davis, adding the bar’s April scholarship banquet is its biggest fundraiser of the year. Last year’s event benefited students at Florida Coastal School of Law, but Davis said this year’s beneficiary hasn’t been decided yet.
Thursday’s reception was sponsored by Foley & Lardner and Wachovia.