by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
The current state of the Jacksonville Bar Association along with law schools and their students were topics of discussion at the Bar’s monthly luncheon Thursday at the Hyatt.
Fall is a time when students are deep into their studies and lawyers have the same opportunities with the continuing law education seminars offered by the JBA.
“Business Valuation Fundamentals for Lawyers” will be held Friday, Oct. 24 at the Florida Coastal School of Law. Attorney Charles Willmot will chair the Nov. 13 seminar on family law and it will be held at the Hyatt.
The Dec. 4 defending foreclosures seminar will be presented by April Charney of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid at the Aetna Building.
Guest speaker Robert Jerry, dean of the University of Florida Levin College of Law, expressed concern about the choices law students may have to make due to finances.
“Students are graduating with so much debt that it’s tough for them to think about serving with the State Attorney’s or Public Defender’s Office after they graduate,” said Jerry. “That’s a decision they shouldn’t have to make if they want to serve the public.”
The following lawyers were approved as new members of the Jacksonville Bar Association:
Abena Akuffo-Akoto, Wendy Arcuri, Gina Atienza, Becky Barlow, Monelle Beal, Rachel Beatty, Alexis Clay, Deanna Coates, Susan Cohen and Susan Daicoff.
Adam Deli, Shalisa Francis, Sara Beth Frazier, Amy Graves, Catrina Ann Humphrey, Robert James Mara, Renee Maxey, Jana McCreary, Christy Michele Greene and Kort Parde.
David Peek, James Pimentel, Ryan Rhyce, Julie Sears, Sarah Villa and Robert Wood.