• U.S. Magistrate Judge Howard Snyder will be honored for his 29 years of service on the bench at a retirement reception Wednesday at the Federal Courthouse from 4-6 p.m. No RSVP is needed and the cell phone policy will be suspended for the event. Contact Susan Weisman at 549-1304 for more information.
• Former Jacksonville Bar Association President Kelly Mathis and his wife have a Cuban restaurant in San Marco called the Black Bean. Mathis wants everyone to know he won’t be doing any of the cooking.
• Jacksonville attorney Ann Bittinger is bringing national attention to Jacksonville through her knowledge of health law shared in the recently released book “Representing Physicians.” The Bittinger Law Firm was one of 22 firms across the U.S. asked to contribute to the book.
• William Dillon served 27 years toward a life sentence in prison before post conviction DNA testing proved his innocence. Through a partnership with The Innocence Project, Dillon is telling his story to audiences nationwide and that audience will include Public Defender Matt Shirk. Dillon will speak to the staff of the Public Defender’s Office at 2 p.m. Friday in the jury assembly room of the Duval County Courthouse Annex, room 100 on the first floor. All interested parties are invited to attend and can RSVP at 630-1503.
• The Jacksonville Bankruptcy Bar Association is hosting its annual Clerk Appreciation Luncheon Feb. 24 at the Main Library. All attorneys are encouraged to attend and bring their office staff to show their appreciation for the clerks of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division. Lunch will be provided by Olive Garden. Cost is $5 for JBBA members and $10 for staff who purchase tickets by Feb. 17, $15 for nonmembers or for those paying at the door. RSVP and send a check payable to JBBA to 221 N. Hogan St. Suite 349.