by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
Those who attended the second annual Gary Pajcic Professionalism Seminar at the County Courthouse Thursday represented the gamut of the Jacksonville legal community. From the 10 or so Florida Coastal School of Law students on hand to former Florida Bar President Rut Liles and his 40-plus years of experience. The seminar offered something for everyone.
Regardless who spoke, for how long or on what topic, the prevailing theme was simple: the law was and is meant to be an ethical profession and held in the highest regard.
“Gary Pajcic was what we all should strive to be,” said seminar organizer and moderator Hugh Cotney.
A dozen Jacksonville law firms sponsored the half-day seminar that was also sponsored by the American Board of Trial Advocates and featured guest speakers Liles, Circuit Court Judge Lance Day, Senior United States District Court Judge for the Middle District of Florida Harvey Schlesinger, attorneys Lee Griffin and Dianne Weaver and Circuit Court Judges Charles Arnold, Aaron Bowden, Peter Fryefield, Jack Schemer and Waddell Wallace.
Cotney said he has practiced law all over and has found the Fourth Judicial Circuit to be the best in the state. He attributes that to the example set by veteran attorneys and the judges of the circuit who rarely, if ever, find themselves being disciplined by The Florida Bar.
Day said despite Pajcic — who passed away last year — being a tenacious plaintiff’s attorney, he always respected everyone involved in the case or trial, from the clerks to the judges.
“Gary Pajcic set the highest standard for lawyers conducting themselves in and out of the courtroom,” said day. “He was the fiercest protector of rights while never displaying any offensive behavior. If Gary Pajcic was here today he would remind everyone that the greatest asset a lawyer brings to the courtroom is their name.
“It’s a very lonely profession if you are rude and disrespectful. No case out there is worth losing your name. Your first year defines your career and how your colleagues and judges perceive you.”
Liles talked about being an expert witness in a case in Tampa in August. The lawyer for the defense was from the Midwest and he represented a large insurance firm. According to Liles, the attorney’s conduct was “mad dog advocate“ and “in-your-face lack of civility” among other things.
“I concluded he was without question the most unprofessional lawyer I had ever met,” said Liles.
Throughout his 20-minute talk, Liles stressed the importance of lawyers holding themselves to the highest standards and, when that fails, to learn from the mistake.
“Each instance in which I have failed has left an indelible mark,” said Liles. “The main goal of lawyers is, and should be, to make the law work. People judge us by the way we act and the results we produce.”
Legal pet peeves
Jacksonville Bar Association President Caroline Emery recently hosted a professionalism seminar. Part of the seminar’s agenda packet included a list of 10 lawyer pet peeves and 10 judges’ pet peeves. Those lists were also included in Thursday’s seminar packet.
Judges’ Pet Peeves
1. Not being on time
2. Failing to identify yourself
3. Forgetting to inform the judge or judicial assistant
4. Providing incomplete information
5. Improper and unprofessional manners at court appearances
6. Ineffective presentation of argument
7. Disparaging another lawyer before the judge
8. Failing to confer or agree with opposing counsel
9. Failing to limit discovery in accordance with the rules
10. Using improper verbiage in a proposed order
Lawyer Pet Peeves
1. Not being on time
2. Not being accommodating
3. Lack of manners
4. Inadequate communication
5. Discovery matters — evidence withheld or disorganized
6. Inadequate consequences — lack of sanctions
7. Inadequate motions and pleadings
8. Unfair hearing practices
9. Judges shouting
10. Mischaracterization