The American Board of Trial Advocates Jacksonville Chapter installed officers, inducted new members and presented awards Saturday night at its annual awards dinner at the San Jose Country Club.
Past President Howard Coker presented the President’s Award to a surprised Tyrie A. Boyer, father of Judge Tyrie W. Boyer and father-in-law to City Council member Lori Boyer, who both attended.
Practicing law since 1954, the elder Boyer also served as a civil court judge, circuit judge and appellate judge, including as chief judge of the 1st District Court of Appeal, until retiring in 1979. He remains active with the Boyer, Tanzler & Sussman firm.
His wife, Betty Boyer, died in July at the age of 85.
Former chapter President Charles Sorenson presented the “Jurist of the Year” award to County Judges Charles Cofer and Russell Healey for taking on the caseload of the late Circuit Judge Jefferson Morrow after Morrow’s unexpected death in March.
Susie Morrow, Morrow’s wife, attended the dinner.
MarksGray shareholder Jerry Weedon announced Mary Bland Love Gobelman as “Lawyer of the Year.” She is of counsel to MarksGray.
The “Civility Award” was presented to Sorenson of Coker, Schickel, Sorenson & Posgay.
The dinner was led by 2011 chapter President Jake Schickel.
Circuit Judge Mallory Cooper installed new officers. The 2012 officers are President Dianne Weaver, President-elect Charles Pillans, Treasurer Tad Griffin, Secretary Kristen Van der Linde and Historian Scott Costantino.
The chapter also welcomed guests Robert Stone, the 2012 president of the national ABOTA, and William Ginsburg, incoming president of the ABOTA Foundation. Both are from California. Ginsburg’s clients include former White House intern Monica Lewinsky.
The group also paid tribute to Joe Milton, the 1997 chapter president and trial lawyer who died Dec. 4 and whose services were Saturday morning.
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