Staff Writer
Judges, pro bono winner honored at record-setting JBA luncheon
The list of information was just as full as the ballroom at the Hyatt for the first Jacksonville Bar Association meeting of the year.
Approximately 450 people had reserved space at the Tuesday luncheon, and, though the room was not filled to capacity, it was one of the most well attended luncheons in recent history for the association.
Attendees honored recently retired U.S. Magistrate Judge Howard Snyder, Circuit Court Judge Michael Weatherby and Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award winner Rebeccah Beller. First District Court of Appeal Judge William A. Van Nortwick Jr. was the guest speaker and he talked about the importance of pro bono work and the “One Campaign.”
“One client. One attorney. One promise,” said Van Nortwick, who serves on the Florida Bar Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services. “How amazing would it be if the 87,000 members of the Florida Bar took one pro bono case? Think of the change we could help make happen.”
Van Nortwick was born in Morehead City, N.C. but graduated from the University of Florida Law School in 1970 and began private practice in Jacksonville shortly after.
“It’s difficult to believe that I have been in Tallahassee for 15 years,” said Van Nortwick, “but I still consider myself a Jacksonville native and a representative of (The JBA).”
Attendees were also urged to apply for one of two positions open on the Fourth Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission. Two applications have been received so far and the deadline to apply is Friday at 5:30 p.m.
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