Staff Writer
Its main purpose is the preservation of the civil jury trial to protect citizens’ rights to “justice by the people.” Beginning in August, another Jacksonville attorney will lead the statewide organization.
Robert Cole of Boyd and Jenerette will be sworn in as president of the Florida Board of Trial Advocates (FLABOTA) at the organization’s annual meeting in July.
He becomes the fourth attorney from Jacksonville to lead the organization comprised of an equal number of civil plaintiff and defense trial attorneys.
Cole served as president-elect under President Jeffrey Garvin of Fort Myers from 2009-2010 and is the latest Jacksonville lawyer, after Josh Whitman a partner with Milton, Leach, Whitman, D’Andrea, Charek & Milton.
From the same firm, partner Joe Milton also served as president, as well as Howard Coker of Coker, Schickel, Sorensen & Posgay. Ben Weaver of Weaver & Weaver also served as president, but he was with a Fort Lauderdale firm when he served.
“It’s an honor and I look forward to serving this great organization,” said Cole, during the American Board of Trial Advocates Jacksonville chapter meeting Wednesday.
Chapter President Hugh Cotney offered words of support. “I have no doubt that he will do a great job,” said Cotney.
Cole is the 2008 “FLABOTA Trial Lawyer of the Year” and serves as chair of both the Committee to Preserve Florida’s Courts and Court Liaison Committee for FLABOTA.
The former is responsible for furthering the independence of the judiciary, including but not limited to assisting with obtaining full funding for the trial court system in Florida. The latter assists ABOTA chapters in Florida to set up programs and activities, such as promoting ABOTA’s “Juror Bill of Rights.”
Cole will oversee the 11 chapters that comprise FLABOTA and are a part of the more than 6,300 ABOTA members across the country.
Membership is by invitation only and those selected “must exhibit the principles of courtroom civility, integrity and professionalism over the course of their legal profession. Members must have tried at least 10 civil jury trials to conclusion and possess additional litigation experience.”
Jacksonville ABOTA Chapter President-elect Jake Schickel has also been recognized by the statewide organization. He will be presented with the “Fran Peacock Coker FLABOTA Community Service Award” at the annual meeting in July.
The award was established in March 2006 “in memory of Fran Peacock Coker in recognition of her tireless devotion and accomplishments in the area of children’s literacy, an issue so important to the administration of justice and preservation of trial by jury, to be bestowed, from time to time, to an individual, lawyer or nonlawyer, whose dedication to the community exemplifies the character, commitment and accomplishments of Fran Peacock Coker.”
This year will mark the third time the award has been presented. Milton was the first recipient in 2008.
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