by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
The Jacksonville Bar Association aimed at the top of Florida’s political pyramid in search of its Law Day speaker and landed Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp.
Law Week Committee Chairman Patrick Earley credited Florida Bar President Hank Coxe and Bailey Publishing President Jim Bailey for helping bring Kottkamp to town for the May 16 luncheon.
Kottkamp should prove a popular speaker. In addition to being the state’s second-in-command and an attorney, Kottkamp is a graduate of both Florida State University and the University of Florida. He got his Bachelor of Arts in political science from FSU in 1984 and his law degree from Florida in 1987. Kottkamp, who is from Ft. Myers, clerked for two United States District Court judges in Miami before going into private practice. In 2000, Kottkamp was elected to the Florida House of Representatives and re-elected in 2002 and 2004. He and Crist were elected in November.
“We are really excited about having the lieutenant governor,” said Earley. “We are looking forward to it.”
The Law Day luncheon is at the Omni and is the highlight and culmination of Law Week, which is actually about a month of legal-related events that includes seminars and a poster contest for 5th-graders at three area elementary schools. This year’s theme is “Liberty Under Law: Empowering Youth, Assuring Democracy.”
Earley said several other people were considered as guest speakers. As much as anything, Earley is glad the search for a speaker is over.
“We are thrilled to have the date nailed down and on everyone’s calendar,” said Earley.