by David Chapman
Staff Writer
Around 40 attorneys with experience of all levels spent the afternoon at the “Afternoon at the Courthouse” seminar Tuesday, some learning the ropes while others reacquainted themselves with aspects of the legal profession.
The all-afternoon seminar began with opening remarks by The Jacksonville Bar Association President Courtney Grimm and concluded with participants receiving a tour of the Duval County Courthouse.
In between were legal and historical lessons from judges, judicial assistants and others in the profession.
Grimm advocated for attendees to take part in The JBA’s pro bono and mentoring efforts. Then Circuit Judge Frederick Tygart hit the books, literally.
Armed with the voluminous “Florida Rules of Court,” Tygart discussed several aspects of professionalism and ethics.
“Ethics is pass-fail,” he said. “There isn’t any middle ground.”
Tygart told the participants that once they began practicing, they’d quickly establish what kind of lawyer they’d be in the eyes of their peers.
Reading from the Florida Rules, he outlined several rules of professional conduct. Several, such as attorneys not making child support, failing to offer a response and having relationships with the opposition, were unethical behaviors some attorneys have overlooked.
He said the No. 1 ethical problem comes from clients posting complaints on the lack of proper communication from their attorneys.
The second, he said, comes in the form of trust account violations.
Following the discussion, attention turned to more “do nots” as Circuit Judges Mark Mahon and Adrian Soud and County Judge Angela Cox performed a skit that illustrated what young attorneys should not do in the courtroom.
From improper attire to insulting the opposing counsel to being unprepared, Soud and Cox displayed attributes and behavior not proper of the profession, all to the laughter of attendees.
The three then discussed tips about how to act while avoiding embarrassment. Proper attire, both for the attorney and client, is vital, they said.
Soud offered another. “It’s the golden rule,” he said. “Treat everyone with respect.”
Mahon told the group to always “assume the worst” and make a solid first impression with everyone, while moving to the good side of judicial assistants.
“Be nice,” he said. “They (judicial assistants) run this courthouse.”
Judicial assistants then had their turn in the spotlight as they offered advice about how to interact with judges and other judicial assistants.
Linda Stone, Linda Davis and Sharon Shoup, judicial assistants to Tygart, Circuit Judge Charles Arnold and County Judge Harold Arnold, respectively, offered the protocol and advice.
Attendees also were provided an overview of the new Duval County Courthouse before touring the existing facility.
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