by The JBA Board of Governors member Katie Dearing
It’s a new year and a new opportunity to take advantage of the many benefits The Jacksonville Bar Association has to offer.
Since all JBA members get the Monday edition of the Daily Record, I realize I may be preaching to the choir here. But you can help grow The JBA and the services it offers by getting a friend or colleague to join! A few points for your sales pitch ... The JBA offers its members a plethora of public and member service opportunities, as well as CLE courses and social networking events. A few of our upcoming events include:
• Monthly member luncheons;
• Sidebar lunch in February with the Duval County Circuit Court judges;
• The Annual Meeting in late spring;
• Various CLE opportunities (available on www.jaxbar.org); and
• Sports league activities
Additionally, members can get involved in more than 40 volunteer committees and sections.
Committees focus on JBA programs and outreach.
For example, our social committee helped organize a ticket drive among the members last year to contribute to the Jaguars’ Team Teal initiative to show The JBA’s support for keeping an NFL team in Jacksonville. Our Holiday Project provided an opportunity to brighten the lives and holidays of senior citizens living in our community who need a little help during the holidays.
Committees include The JBA Bulletin editorial, client dispute resolution, diversity, holiday project, judicial relations, law week, mentoring, naturalization, pro bono, professionalism, and special needs of children.
Sections focus on a particular area of law and provide the membership with an opportunity to gather with and learn from peers in their practice group or business situation.
These volunteer groups cover practice areas including admiralty and maritime, adoption, ADR practitioners, appellate, commercial litigation, computer law and technology, corporate banking and business, corporate counsel, criminal, elder, environmental land use, family law, franchise law, government, health, human rights, intellectual property, juvenile law, dependency and Guardian ad Litem, labor/employment, military, personal injury litigation/PIP, real property, social security, sports and entertainment, tax, trust and probate, and workers’ compensation.
There is also a section for sole practitioners/small firms.
For our members ages 35 or younger, or new members who have been practicing fewer than five years, the Young Lawyers Section offers programs and opportunities directed toward the developing lawyer, such as informal access to the judiciary through regular judicial breakfasts, and many networking happy hours to help new lawyers establish connections with colleagues in a relaxed environment.
Proving that you are never too old to take advantage of The JBA, the Vintage Lawyers Section will begin again with renewed vigor, offering our most experienced members the benefits of the Bar and the collegiality for which our Bar Association is known.
Whether it is for the collegiality of the sports leagues and social opportunities, the service projects or the CLEs, there are many ways to enjoy participation in The Jacksonville Bar Association and find that it is worth your investment.
Speaking of which, remember, The JBA offers reduced rates for government lawyers and a prorated rate for membership in this part of the year.
Involvement with The JBA has been very rewarding to me and to others who are active. However, much like the gym, it’s not enough to join, you actually have to give to get something out of it!
Participate in your Bar Association and convince others that they should as well. It will be well worth your time and effort!