by Rachel Witkowski
Staff Writer
It takes three things to become president of The Florida Bar — time, support and lots of money — say local former Bar leaders.
Approximately one of every 40 Board of Governors members becomes president of the Bar, according to Jim Rinaman of Marks Gray, who served as Bar president from 1982-1983.
“And most people don’t want to be president,” he added.
Rinaman was on the Board for about five years, which is how most become president, he said. Once elected, the candidate serves as a designee for 6-8 months, then as the president-elect for one year and the president during the following year.
Rinaman became president by gaining the support of the Board and the Board’s legal communities. He was also the attorney for many doctors in medical malpractice lawsuits all over the state, which was a big help during his campaign, he said. Though he ran unopposed, Rinaman said he worked very hard during the campaign and even harder as president.
“I think I probably was able to do about a third of what I did (in attorney work at his firm) as president and about half of what I did as president-elect,” he said.
In their president, Rinaman said Bar members look for someone who is dedicated to doing the job, having the time and availability, speaking ability, and knowledge and background on issues.
As president of the Bar, Rinaman was a representative in the House of Delegates for the American Bar Association where he met with other state presidents to discuss and make recommendations about issues including civil cases for death row inmates and tort reform. Rinaman also had to appoint 1,800 committee members and more than 50 committee chairs as president-elect and give many speeches throughout the state, nation and sometimes overseas as president. He was also a husband, father of four and commander at Camp Blanding, where he was later appointed to colonel during his term.
“(Being president of the Bar) It takes an ability to get people to do their best and get the job done,” he said. “You won’t find any leaders of the Bar that put their money first.”
But it does take money to become president. Howard Coker of Coker, Schickel, Sorenson & Daniel, said he spent more than $100,000 to run his campaign.
“I think that the fact that it requires a financial commitment is a good thing because it means that someone is willing to sacrifice in order to serve,” said Coker, who was the Bar’s 50th president from 1998-99.
There are about 50 members on the Board who participate in various sections of the Bar to potentially become president, said Coker. Like Rinaman, Coker initially started his uncontested campaign by getting the support from the Board and then different cities throughout the state. But it is also critical to have the support of his firm and a tremendous amount of support from his wife, Fran Coker, who passed away earlier this year.
“It was a real good experience for the both of us,” he said. “The staff at the Bar recognize the sacrifices a lawyer makes to be president of The Florida Bar.”
As president-elect and president, Coker spent about three days a week and 60 percent of his weekends on the road. As for the leadership in the coming year, Coker said The Florida Bar is improving every year and is more disciplined than about 90 percent of the other state Bars in the country.
“You have to have a clear vision of what you want to accomplish. You have to care enough about that position that you would be willing to lose and yet, still carry it out,” he said. “I think we’ve overcome a great number of legislative obstacles and I’m hopeful the next year will be a smooth year.”