by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
Three attorneys were given the chance to create opportunities for their peers to give back to their community Wednesday.
Members of the Jacksonville Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division saw Katie Dearing sworn in as president and Kirby Oberdorfer as president-elect at its annual meeting at the Cummer Art Museum.
“I’ve always liked being involved with giving back to the community,” said Dearing, who will be serving her sixth year on the board. “The Young Lawyers are very active in not only giving to the community, but also giving people a way to help other people. Sometimes that’s the hardest part, finding a way to help.”
Dearing has served as treasurer, secretary and president-elect on the Young Lawyers Division Board of Governors. She served as an assistant state attorney for the Fourth Judicial Circuit shortly after being admitted to the Florida Bar in 1999. The position allowed her to gain substantial trial experience prosecuting various crimes from theft to first-degree murder.
Dearing joined Liles Gavin in 2003 and her practice is focused on litigation of civil cases representing businesses and individuals in cases involving product and professional liability, personal injury, wrongful death claims and contract disputes.
Officers that will be serving with Dearing and Oberdorfer include Treasurer Lee Wedekind III of Smith Hulsey and Secretary Elizabeth Howard of Rogers Towers. Michael Scheve of Rogers Towers, Patricia Michelle Bedoya of Holland and Knight, and Chris Hand of Terrell Hogan will be joined on the board of governors by Michael Orr of Marshall Dennehey, Fraz Ahmed of Kubicki Draper and Patrick Kilbane of Rogers Towers.
Former President Kevin Cook of Bedell Ditmar, Shawn Arnold of the Arnold Law Firm and Kimberly Killian Law of Holland and Knight stepped down from the board. Law has been elected to the board of governors of the state Young Lawyers Division.
Cook enjoyed his years of service to the board and felt it was in good hands with Dearing at the helm.
“I met a ton of people I wouldn’t have otherwise being active with the Young Lawyers and there is a personal satisfaction you get from being able to help others,” said Cook. “Katie is a good leader, she gets things done. She cares about the bar and the way people perceive themselves.”
The Young Lawyers Division of the Jacksonville Bar is open to lawyers 35 years old or younger or who have been practicing less than five years. It’s membership, currently 586 members, has been responsible for raising $20,000 or more for the Special Olympics, Salzbacher Center for the Homeless, daniel (a children’s hospital) and Big Brothers/Big Sisters over the last four years.
photos by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
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