from staff
More than 70 members and guests of the American Board of Trial Advocates Jacksonville chapter met Dec. 11 at the San Jose Country Club for the group’s annual meeting.
The group honored Circuit Judge Hugh Carithers as “Jurist of the Year” and lawyer Michael O’Neal with Howell & O’Neal as “Lawyer of the Year.”
Chief Circuit Judge Donald Moran swore in the officers for 2011. John “Jake” Schickel will serve as president; Dianne J. Weaver will be vice president; Charles P. Pillans III will be treasurer; Lee “Tad” Griffin will serve as secretary; and Kristen Van der Linde will be the chapter’s historian.
“The strength of the Jacksonville legal community is sitting right here tonight,” said Schickel, who pledged to involve the chapter in school educational efforts about the justice system.
Florida ABOTA President Robert Cole told the group that the state organization would stay involved with legislative issues regarding the courts, especially court funding.
“It’s going to be a busy year,” he said.