Voting officially begins today at The Jacksonville Bar Association office at 841 Prudential Drive, Suite 1320.
Ballots may be cast at The JBA office through 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 16, or at the YLS Annual meeting 6-7 p.m. Wednesday at The Carling, 31 W. Adams St.
Seat 2 (2 year Seat):
Incumbent, Brad Blair (Murphy & Anderson)
1. Name- Bradley A. Blair
2. Jacksonville Bar Activities (both current and past):
JBA Young Lawyers Section Board of Governors (2009 - Present)
Chair- JBA YLS Afternoon at the Courthouse Seminar (2009)
Vice-Chair- JBA YLS Florida Skin Cancer Foundation 5K “Run for Cover” (2010)
Vice-Chair- JBA YLS Annual Meeting (2010)
JBA Law Day Committee (2009 and 2010)
Chair – JBA Sports and Entertainment Law Section (2010-Present)
JBA Bulletin Executive Editorial Committee (2009-Present)
3. Florida Bar/Other Bar Association Activities: Chester Bedell Inn of Court (2009-2010)
4. Civic activities: N/A
5. Biography and/or Statement: I am running for re-election to the Board of Governors. As a member of the JBA, I am the current chair of the JBA Sports and Entertainment Law Section and member of the JBA Bulletin Executive Editorial Committee. During my first term on the JBA YLS Board, I served as the chair for the annual “Afternoon at the Courthouse” seminar. I also served as the vice-chair for the annual “Run for Cover” 5K and am currently the vice-chair for the JBA YLS annual meeting in June. I have been an active member of the YLS for three years. I am an associate at Murphy & Anderson, P.A. where I specializes in the area of commercial and securities litigation.
6. Goals and/or ideas for the Young Lawyers Section: Continue the JBA YLS efforts in promoting the public perception of the legal profession in Florida through community and philanthropic activities. Encourage growth and greater involvement from the members of The JBA.
Heather Byrer (Boyd & Jenerette)
1. Name: Heather M. Byrer
2. Jacksonville Bar Activities (both current and past):
Current YLS member
Past Holiday Project participant
3. Florida Bar/Other Bar Association Activities: Florida Association Women Lawyers
4. Civic Activities:
First Coast Manufacturers Association (prior member)
Jacksonville Claims Association
Jacksonville Humane Society, Committee Member for Fur Ball Event
HabiJax, Habitat for Humanity
Volunteer/Fundraiser for Muscular Dystrophy Association
North Florida Leukemia Society, Team in Training Participant/ Volunteer
Jacksonville Scene Sports League Participant
Race for the Cure
National Breast Cancer Marathon (26.2 with Donna)
Various triathlons for charity, including St. Anthony’s Triathlon
5. Biography and/or Statement: I’m running for the YLS Board of Governors because it’s my time to give back. I worked hard to become a lawyer and to become a partner in my firm, but part of it comes from luck, good fortune and good timing. At this point in my life, I think it’s time to repay some of that goodwill. The YLS Board provides more opportunities to work with a wide range of charitable organizations while simultaneously honing leadership skills more than any other organization in the area. I am reasonable, resourceful and responsive, all of which are attributes that are beneficial when working in a large group on multiple important projects.
6. Goals and/or ideas for the Young Lawyers Section: Lawyers aren’t bad people. There are a million bad lawyer jokes about us and let’s admit it, occasionally it’s deserved, but YLS shows off the good components of being a lawyer. The volunteer programs benefit a wide range of charitable organizations in the area and mentoring the up and coming younger lawyers improves all of our reputations. Adding membership and increasing volunteer programs sponsored by YLS would be my goal on the board. In my opinion, more YLS membership = less lawyer jokes.
Seat 4 (2 year Seat):
Fraz Ahmed (Kubicki Draper)
1. Name: Fraz Ahmed
2. Jacksonville Bar Activities (both current and past):
JBA Young Lawyers Section Board of Governors (2008 - Present)
JBA Law Day Chair (2010)
JBA Law Day Committee Member (2008 and 2009)
JBA Senior Citizen Holiday Project Committee (2007)
Chair and Co-Chair - JBA YLS “Afternoon at the Courthouse” Seminar (2008 and 2009)
Chair JBA Law Day High School Mock Trial Competition (2008 and 2009)
Keynote Speaker at the JBA Law Day Naturalization Ceremony (2009)
Chair JBA YLS “Holiday in January” Project to benefit foster children (2009 and 2010)
Creator and Chair of the JBA “Rendezvous on the River” charity fundraiser to benefit local nonprofit groups (2009 and 2010)
Co-Chair YLS “Noon in June” for summer associates (2010)
3. Florida Bar/Other Bar Association Activities:
Chester Bedell Inn of Court (2009 - 2010)
JALA Young Lawyers Advisory Panel (Present)
4. Civic Activities:
Volunteer for JALA (2008 - Present)
Dreams Come True Horizon Board Member (2009 - Present)
Coach for Florida Coastal School of Law Mock Trial Teams (2006 - Present)
5. Biography and/or Statement: As a current YLS Board Member, I can truly say that becoming involved with the YLS and the JBA has been one of the most rewarding experiences. The JBA, and in particular the YLS, provide excellent opportunities to give back to the Jacksonville community. In addition to giving back to this community, we plan a number of events, including happy hours to encourage greater camaraderie among young lawyers. It has been a pleasure to serve you for the past several years, and I hope to continue to serve you in the upcoming years.
6. Goals and/or ideas for the Young Lawyers Section: I would like to continue to see greater involvement by young lawyers in both YLS and JBA activities. To encourage greater involvement, I would like to exceed the goals our membership sets for us including developing ways to better serve our membership, continuing to promote the highest degree of professionalism and fostering a stronger bond between the JBA/YLS and our community to promote public perception of the legal community.
Brian Lee (Schuler & Lee)
1. Name: Brian Lee
2. Jacksonville Bar Activities (both current and past):
Member of JBA Special Needs of Children Committee (2007-2009)
Member of JBA Committee on “Afternoon in the Courthouse” (2003-2004)
Pro Bono Legal work through Jacksonville Area Legal Aid
3. Florida Bar/Other Bar Association Activities:
Member of National Association for Consumer Advocates as well as the Florida Bar
Admitted to the Middle District of Florida.
4. Civic Activities:
Board Member- Jericho School for Autism (2008-Present)
Chair, Board of Trustees of Arlington United Methodist Church (2008-Present)
5. Biography and/or Statement: I graduated from THE Florida State University and then graduated from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2001, after writing numerous articles for FCSL’s Journal and serving on law review. As a member of the YLS since 2002, I have been fortunate enough to serve on committees that provide opportunities for young lawyers to give back to this great community. Now more than ever, young lawyers in Jacksonville should be reaching out to the public, and I hope to bring that type of attitude to the Board of Governors.
6. Goals and/or ideas for the Young Lawyers Section: My main goal for the Young Lawyers Section is to develop better working relationships with our judiciary, and to reach out in various programs to the citizens of Jacksonville. Jacksonville is a city that is ripe with opportunities for us to serve and to elevate the image of lawyers and what they do. I hope to bring that sort of service attitude to the YLS Board of Governors.
Seat 5 (1 year Seat):
Tricia Rado (Public Defender’s Office)
1. Name: Tricia Rado
2. Jacksonville Bar Activities (both current and past):
Rendezvous on the River, 2009 and 2010
Holiday in January, 2010
Law Week Committee, 2010
High School Mock Trial Competition, 2009 and 2010
Run for Cover, 2010
3. Florida Bar/Other Bar Association Activities: None at this time
4. Civic Activities:
Volunteer with Team in Training as a coach
Sulzbacher Center (cooking meals for the homeless)
5. Biography and/or Statement: I have been an active member of the Young Lawyers Section of The Jacksonville Bar Association since joining in 2009. As a member, I have participated in the planning and execution of numerous events, including the “Rendezvous on the River” charity event in both 2009 and 2010 as well as “Law Week” events. Being from out of town and choosing Jacksonville as my new home, I started immediately giving back to the community and want to continue on with that trend as a member of the Young Lawyers Section Board of Governors.
6. Goals and/or ideas for the Young Lawyers Section: If elected, I plan on helping to make already established events even better. Fundraising is essential to charities in the communities and the Young Lawyers Section already has a solid foundation in place. By reaching out to more businesses and professionals in the community, we will be able to better help the charities and, in turn, the community as a whole.
Eric Roberson (McGuire Woods)
1. Name: Eric Roberson
2. Jacksonville Bar Activities (both current and past):
YLS Member (2007-Present)
JBA Holiday Project (past participant)
3. Florida Bar/Other Bar Association Activities:
Pro Bono Counsel for several trial and appellate matters
Chester Bedell Inn of Court (Associate)
Appellate Practice Section, Florida Bar
Young Lawyer Division, Florida Bar
4. Civic Activities:
Big Brothers & Big Sisters (Volunteer/Fundraiser)
Arthritis Foundation (Volunteer/Fundraiser)
University of North Florida Pre-Law Board of Advisors
University of North Florida Mock Trial Program (Guest Speaker and Volunteer)
Instructor, “Firearms and the Law” - Bullseye Gun Range
5. Biography and/or Statement: I am a Jacksonville native who is proud of the contributions that the JBA and YLS make to our community. In serving on the YLS Board of Governors, I will do my part to increase membership participation both within the profession and within the community.
6. Goals and/or ideas for the Young Lawyers Section: I would like to implement online voting for YLS elections so that more members’ voices can be heard. The current system makes voting inconvenient or impractical for members who have other commitments or obligations. My other goals include increasing attorney awareness of pro bono opportunities and increasing the mentoring opportunities available to YLS members.
Lanesha Sims (Holland & Knight)
1. Name: Lanesha L. Sims
2. Jacksonville Bar Activities (both current and past):
Former YLS Board Member in ex-officio capacity
Past YLS Volunteer for Special Olympics
Frequent Volunteer for “Ask-A-Lawyer” Pro-Bono Project
Member of Inaugural Committee for “Noon In June” (2008)
Committee Member for YLS “Run for Cover” (2008 and 2010)
Helped to reform JBA membership dues structure in 2007
3. Florida Bar/Other Bar Association Activities: Former Full-Time Volunteer with Mississippi Volunteer Lawyer’s Project
4. Civic Activities:
Volunteer at Children’s Home Society of Florida (CHS)
Mentor to Teen Mother, formerly a foster child at CHS
Mentor at R.V. Daniels Elementary School
5. Biography and/or statement: During one of my visits to CHS, one of the girls asked me what I do. Before, the older girls had guessed that I was a teacher, social worker, or foster mom. Today, I skipped the guessing game and told the young girl that I am a lawyer. She looked up at me as if disappointed and said, “you’re not a lie-awyer.” I quietly told her that it is pronounced “law-yer,” to which she proclaimed, “no, you’re not a lie-awyer because you don’t lie to us.” I had heard lawyer jokes before, but the sadness in her eyes was real.
6. Goals and/or ideas for the Young Lawyers Section: The JBA/YLS has remarkable projects, events and social activities. My goal for the YLS is to spark a similar level of enthusiasm and participation in community events as we generate for social activities. Lawyers have an obligation to ensure that the rule of law is maintained and respected by all members of our communities. Our community involvement helps to fulfill that obligation by positively shaping the public’s perception of our profession as one of service, integrity and sensitivity.
Seat 6 (2 year Seat):
- Incumbent, Pat Kilbane (Rogers Towers)
1. Name: Patrick Kilbane
2. Jacksonville Bar Activities (both current and past):
Young Lawyers Section Board of Governors (2008-Present)
Chairperson for the 2010 “Noon in June Event” for the YLS
Chairperson for the 2008-2009 Trial Docket/Trial Hotline for the YLS
Co-Chairperson for 2009 “Afternoon in the Courthouse” event for the YLS
3. Florida Bar/Other Bar Association Activities: Jacksonville Bar Association Confidential Mentor/Mentee Program Committee (2009-Present)
4. Civic Activities:
Notre Dame Club of North Florida Vice-President
Executive Committee of the Jacksonville Family Law Chapter of the American Inns of Court
Jacksonville Community Council, Inc.
Ponte Vedra Rotoract Club
5. Biography and/or statement: I graduated from the University of Notre Dame Law School in 2005 and have been working at Rogers Towers, P.A., practicing in the area of matrimonial & family law ever since. My wife, Kathy, and I have enjoyed living in the Southside area for the last four years. Since being elected to the Young Lawyers Section Board of Governors in 2008, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time representing the young lawyers of Jacksonville and thank you for considering me for reelection to the Board.
6. Goals and/or ideas for the Young Lawyers Section: My goal for my second term would be to increase participation and turnout at our events- especially the social events. The Board has been working hard to plan events that they feel the young lawyers would enjoy. However, it seems that many are missing the opportunity to mingle with other young lawyers as friends and colleagues. YLS also offers many events aimed at helping lawyers fresh out of law school to develop and learn from their peers. I would love to develop some similar events focused on career development for mid-level and senior associates approaching partnership.
Sample Ballot
