by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
The Jacksonville Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates welcomed the judiciary and a new executive board to its annual judicial luncheon recently at the Main Library Downtown.
ABOTA’s membership consists of an equal number of plaintiff and defense lawyers whose main purpose is the preservation of the civil jury trial, “Justice by the People.” The Jacksonville chapter welcomed judges from state and federal levels.
Fourth Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Donald Moran provided insights on issues facing the Duval County Courthouse. Circuit Judge Mallory Cooper, a representative of the New Courthouse Committee, said the target date for completion is May 2012.
“They are on schedule,” said Cooper. “The architects at KBJ and contractors at Turner have been fantastic to work with.”
Cooper estimated an average of 25,000 people currently visit the courthouse each week and the new courthouse will be able to handle that traffic into the future through the proper design of the building.
Moran updated the group on some pending trials.
“As you know, we have these tobacco trials going on right now which are very burdensome, we have so very many of them. It takes so long to pick a jury and most of the cases are about 15 years old,” said Moran.
“If they had been tried 15 years ago, it probably would have been different, but everyone has these strong feelings over a period of time, either pro-tobacco or anti-tobacco. It just takes a long time.”
Moran also explained that judges have been “shuffled” to help with the large number of tobacco cases and he has assigned Judge Charles Arnold to help streamline the process to move the cases to trial faster.
The luncheon also featured the presentation of the chapter’s “Civility Award.” The organization first presented the award last year, and that recipient, Hugh Cotney, presented the second award to George “Buddy” Schulz of Holland & Knight.
“To be recognized by such outstanding people and lawyers whose example I have just attempted to follow is quite an honor,” said Schulz.
Cotney also introduced the new executive board of the Jacksonville chapter: President John “Jake” Schickel, Coker, Schickel, Sorenson & Posgay; President-elect Charles Pillans, Bedell Firm; Treasurer Diane Weaver, Weaver and Weaver; Secretary Lee “Tad” Griffin, Pajcic & Pajcic; and Historian Kristen Van der Linde, Boyd & Jenerette.
The new board welcomed new members William Corley and Angelo Patacca.
The next chapter event is the Gary Pajcic Professionalism seminar scheduled 1-5 p.m. Oct. 28.
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