by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
Law Day was officially celebrated Friday in Jacksonville and across the nation, but that celebration continued at the Jacksonville Bar Association’s annual ‘Law Day Luncheon’ Monday at the Hyatt.
The event highlights included honoring both the “The Lawyer of the Year” and “Liberty Bell Award” winners and a speech from Stephen Zack, former Florida Bar President and recent nominee for president-elect of the American Bar Association.
“I am absolutely shocked,” said W. C. Gentry, winner of the 2009 Daily Record Lawyer of the Year Award. “I was not expecting this, and it means a great deal to me. There can be no greater accolade then one that comes from your peers.”
The award has honored 22 previous recipients and was first given out in 1986. The recipient is chosen from nominations submitted to a review board selected by the Daily Record.
“This award is given each year to a lawyer who has made a difference to our community,” said Jim Bailey, president of Bailey Publishing & Communications. “Not only in the field of law, but a difference in the lives of people. A lawyer who sets standards of service and leaves high marks for others to follow.”
Gentry has filled that mold with an extensive resume of achievements in and out of the courtroom. He was a teacher and coach in Jacksonville. He was a founding director and chair of the Schultz Center for Teaching and Leadership. He’s lent his expertise in law to the Duval County School Board and Florida School Board Association as pro bono counsel. His passion and expertise in education earned him Mayor John Peyton’s nomination as chair of the education subcommittee of Jacksonville Journey. He serves on the boards of the Early Learning Coalition of Duval and The Alliance for World Class Education. Gentry is currently serving on the Duval County School Board as its District No. 3 representative.
A person who serves and supports the legal community is annually recognized with the Liberty Bell Award.
It was established more than 30 years ago to honor a person outside of the legal community who donated their time and efforts for the betterment of the practice of law or a better understanding of the rule of law.
This year’s “Liberty Bell” award went to Mary Lou Martinson, judicial assistant to Chief Judge Donald Moran. For Moran, it was a distinction she truly has earned for her service.
“In the face of her own personal health struggles she demonstrated great resolve and contributed greatly to the rule of law,” said Joe Camerlengo, Jacksonville Bar Association president, “and the success and efficiency of the Fourth Judicial Circuit.”
Moran let everyone in on a little secret about his judicial assistant during the event.
“She is the real chief of the courthouse,” said Moran.
Martinson was recognized not only for the efficiency with which she performs here daily tasks, but also the effort she uses to get answers for people looking for help.
“She is so nice to pro se people who call on the phone that have questions and are upset,” said Moran. “She takes time to explain things to people. She really reflects well on the Circuit and the judiciary in general and for that I really appreciate her.”
One person who appreciates the rule of law and the liberty it provides was guest speaker at Monday’s lunch, Stephen Zack, who was Florida Bar President and has been nominated as president-elect of the American Bar Association.
“We went back to Cuba to live with the rest of the family and I lived there until I was 14 years old,” said Zack, whose mother is Cuban and father is American. “It was a good life, we enjoyed the blessings of liberty. Then Fidel Castro came and we knew there was going to be a problem. The loss of liberty was soon not to become the theoretical idea in my life. Shortly after Fidel’s empowerment, we were told not to speak English on the street.”
Zack’s family would soon find themselves on the street traveling to the airport with haste.
“We got a phone call from my grandfather’s factory and it said that the army was at the factory and they have come and taken over the factory,” said Zack. “’They have come to put your family in jail,’ the person said. My grandfather and the Cuban-born members of my family immediately left for the airport with the clothes on their back. I asked my grandfather how he felt as he was leaving. He said, ‘Steve I never expected to be a refugee twice in my life, but I am optimistic about one thing. I’m going to America and I know that I will never be a refugee again. Because if America falls there will be no place else to go.’”
Zack’s grandfather fled his native Russia and took a boat to Cuba.
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