Staff Writer
JSO Undersheriff wins ‘Liberty Bell’ award
The accolades for Cindy Laquidara just keep coming.
Mayor John Peyton announced Tuesday that he had chosen Laquidara, subject to City Council approval, to replace Rick Mullaney as General Counsel when he steps down in July to run for mayor.
Thursday, she discovered that she had been chosen for another recognition.
“I was very surprised,” said Laquidara, “because there are so many lawyers that are deserving of the award.”
She was presented with the 25th Daily Record “Lawyer of the Year Award” at the Jacksonville Bar Association “Law Day” luncheon.
She was chosen by a committee of past recipients who reviewed a pool of nominees and she became the third woman to win the award. Circuit Court Judge Karen Cole, 2004, and Audrey Moran, 1998, were previous winners, and both sat at the head table as Laquidara received the award.
It was created by Daily Record Publisher Jim Bailey to recognize the contributions that lawyers make to the community outside of the courtroom.
“This person has showed us that the cause is greater than the individual,” said Bailey before presenting the award. “They have inspired us and truly captured the attention of the nation.”
The speech was veiled to keep those in attendance guessing, but that comment caused ears to perk up because some suspected Bailey was referring to Laquidara’s service in representing the family of the late U.S. Navy Capt. Michael Scott Speicher as they searched for answers after Speicher’s F/A-18 Hornet was shot down during a combat mission over Iraq during Operation Desert Storm.
The “Law Day” luncheon was also an occasion to announce the Jacksonville Bar Association’s “Liberty Bell Award” winner. The award was created by the American Bar Association to recognize the outstanding work of a non-lawyer in the legal community. The JBA Board of Governors served as the selection committee and the criteria includes demonstrating a significant commitment to the legal community; promoting a better understanding of the law; encouraging greater respect for the law and courts; stimulating a sense of civic responsibility; or contributing to good government in the community.
“It is an honor for a non-lawyer to win this award when you realize who it is coming from,” said Sheriff John Rutherford, who presented the award on behalf of the JBA.
“This year’s honoree takes to heart the trust this community, state and country has placed in him.”
The 2010 JBA “Liberty Bell” award winner was Undersheriff Frank Mackesy, who is a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office veteran of 31 years and served the past five as undersheriff.
“It is an honor to receive this award from such a learned group of people,” said Mackesy.
The guest speaker for the “Law Day” luncheon was Vice Adm. James Houck, Judge Advocate General of the U.S. Navy. He spoke of his experience working with Laquidara.
“She may not remember working with me, but I remember working with her on the Scott Speicher case,” said Houck. “She was always honest and straightforward with the cause she was pursuing. That’s something I respect in the practice of law.”
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