by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
A few dozen Jacksonville attorneys spent Wednesday afternoon in the Duval County Courthouse. They weren’t at trial and they weren’t filing motions. But, it’s likely they left having a better sense of what’s expected of them during their career as an attorney.
The Young lawyers Section of the Jacksonville Bar Association hosted Afternoon at the Courthouse — a half-day seminar aimed at new attorneys and those interested in reacquainting themselves with the courthouse and the local judiciary.
The agenda included a talk from attorney Mike Dewberry on practicing with integrity and professionalism, a mock trial featuring Circuit Court Judges Gregg McCaulie and Libby Senterfitt, a section on interacting with the judiciary and their assistants, a history lesson and the future of the County Courthouse as well as a tour and a post-seminar reception at Berkman Plaza.
Circuit Court Judge Fred Tygart provided the opening remarks and stressed the importance of being an ethical lawyer and someone looked upon favorably by their clients as well as the community.
“This is an exciting time for you,” said Tygart, a former member of the State House of Representatives who was appointed to the bench in 1987. “This is a time for fulfillment and the realization of the investment you have put into your law degree.
“Professionalism is how you conduct yourself relative to your fellow members of the Bar, your clients and the bench. If you are a rude and uncivil attorney, it will hurt you. If you are unethical, you could lose your license.”