Online voting will begin Friday, April 27, and run through Wednesday, May 16, at www.jaxbar.org.
• Membership dues must be current to participate in the voting process. Non JBA members who wish to vote must submit their membership applications before April 27.
• Honorary and Student members are excluded from the voting process.
• Must vote for 6 (six) Board of Governor candidates or ballot will be rendered invalid.
• On-site voting will take place Thursday, May 17, at the Annual Meeting, Deerwood Country Club, from 5-6:30 p.m. Results will be announced after the polls have closed.
W. Braxton Gillam, IV
The JBA Activities:
• Board of Governors Member (2005 to Present)
• Board of Governors, Secretary (2010-11)
• Board of Governors, Treasurer (2011-12)
• Board of Governors Member, Young Lawyers Section (1999-2005)
• Young Lawyers Section, Secretary (2002-03)
• Young Lawyers Section, Vice President (2003-04)
• Young Lawyers Section, President (2004-05)
The Florida Bar/Other Bar Association Activities:
• Member Business Law Section
• Business Litigation Subcommittee
Civic Activities:
• Jacksonville Ethics Commission, member (2008-Present); vice chair (2010-11); chair (2011-12)
• Riverside Presbyterian, Church Elder (2008-10)
• Riverside Presbyterian Day School, board member (2003-present)
• Riverside Presbyterian Day School, chair of buildings and grounds (2008-10)
• Leadership Jacksonville (Class of 2002)
Goals for The Jacksonville Bar Association: Continue efforts to promote public perception of legal profession in our community; continue to support and advocate for local representation on First District Court of Appeal and Florida Supreme Court.
Michael I. Bateh
The JBA Activities:
• Holiday Project — participant
• Special Olympics — volunteer
• Bench and Bar Professionalism Committee
The Florida Bar/Other Bar Association Activities:
• Criminal Law Section
• Florida Association Criminal Defense Lawyers
Civic Activities:
• I.M. Sulzbacher Center — volunteer
- Prepare and serve meals to the Center residents and non-residents.
- Pro Bono Legal Services.
• Teen Court Judge
• Guest Speaker — Florida Coastal School of Law
• University of North Florida Prelaw Board of Advisors
Goals for The Jacksonville Bar Association: My goal for The Jacksonville Bar Association is to positively affect our profession and community. By increasing membership and participation, we can improve upon the present activities The JBA has implemented. Through outreach to our legal and surrounding communities we can develop new ideas, goals for the future and tackle community-related legal issues. Participation in The JBA and its activities is essential to foster professionalism among our members and nonmembers, the judiciary and the community as a whole.
As a member of the board of governors I will continuously strive to positively promote The Jacksonville Bar Association, its members, activities and our profession.
T.A. “Tad” Delegal III
The JBA Activities:
• Member, The JBA Board of Governors (2008-present)
• Chairperson, Special Needs for Children Committee, 2007-08
• Board of Governors 2012, North Florida Legal Community’s Diversity Program
• Board of Governors 2008, member responsible for Judicial Candidates Forum
The Florida Bar/Other Bar Association Activities:
• The Florida Bar, Executive Council, Labor & Employment Section (2009-present)
• The Florida Bar Grievance Committee 4(D), vice chairperson (2008-09)
• Florida Bar Grievance Committee 4(D), chair (2009-10)
• Florida Bar, Fourth Circuit Fee Arbitration Committee (1997-2000)
• Florida Bar Labor & Employment Certification Committee, chair (2010-11)
• National Employment Lawyers Association, Florida Chapter, secretary/treasurer (2002-05)
Civic Activities:
• Rotary Club of San Marco, charter member
• Rotary International, Paul Harris fellow.
• Jericho School for Children with Autism, board of directors, (1997-2010), chair (2007-10)
• All Saints Episcopal Church, chancellor & vestry member (2008-present)
• All Saints Episcopal Church, senior warden (2011)
• University of Florida, Political Science Department advisory board (2007-present)
• “Twelve Who Care” award winner, 2004
Goals for The Jacksonville Bar Association: I hope to assist in making the Jacksonville Bar Association more relevant in the lives and practices of each of our members. I am one of the very few small firm practitioners on the board of governors, and I believe I bring a different perspective to the board. Although I appreciate the need for members of larger firms in bar activities, I also believe that small firms and solo practitioners make up a large percentage of our membership and we need to recognize the needs of such practitioners.
The Jacksonville Bar Association has increasingly featured programs directly related to practices of our members. We need to continue providing good content during our monthly meetings and good CLE resources as well as a strong committee and section programs. Additionally, we need to continue and strengthen our lawyer referral service, which is a valuable service to the public in recommending good attorneys for a variety of legal services.
Fraz Ahmed
The JBA Activities:
• The JBA Young Lawyers Section Board of Governors (2008-present)
• Chair — The JBA Law Day Committee (2010 and 2012)
• Member — The JBA Law Day Committee (2008-present)
• Chair — The JBA Law Day High School Mock Trial Competition (2008-10)
• Chair and Co-Chair — The JBA YLS Afternoon at the Courthouse Seminar (2008 and 2009)
• Speaker at The JBA Law Day Naturalization Ceremony (2009)
• Chair — JBA YLS Noon in June (2012)
• Chair — JBA YLS Sports League (2011)
• Chair and Co-Chair — JBA YLS Holiday in January Project to benefit foster children (2009-2011)
The Florida Bar/Other Bar Association Activities:
• Participated and assisted with numerous activities, including The JBA Holiday Project to benefit senior citizens involved with Meals On Wheels, The JBA YLS Run for Cover 5K to benefit the Florida Skin Cancer Foundation, and The JBA YLS Annual Golf Tournament.
• Chester Bedell Inn of Court (2009)
Civic Activities:
• Volunteer at Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (2008-present)
• Dreams Come True Horizon Board member (2009-present
• Florida Coastal School of Law Mock Trial Team Coach (2006-present)
Goals for The Jacksonville Bar Association:I would like to continue to see a steady growth in The JBA membership and encourage greater involvement. Becoming involved with The JBA has been one of my most rewarding experiences. To encourage greater involvement, I would like to exceed the goals our membership sets for us including developing ways to better serve our membership, continuing to promote the highest degree of professionalism, and fostering a stronger bond between The JBA and our community to promote public perception of the legal community.
Giselle Carson
The JBA Activities:
• Member — The JBA Board of Governors (2006-present)
• Chair — The JBA Law Day Committee (2006)
• Volunteer — The JBA Senior Holiday Project
• Volunteer — Jacksonville Area Legal Aid
• Committee member — Afternoon at the Courthouse (2005)
The Florida Bar/Other Bar Association Activities:
• Chester Bedell Inn of Court (2002-03 and 2011-13)
• The Florida Bar, International Committee, Member and contributing writer in International Law Quarterly (2011, 2012)
• American Immigration Lawyers Association, member, contributing writer, speaker and committee chair of 2009 National Fundamentals Conference
• Florida Bar, Citizens Forum, member (2007-09)
• Hispanic Bar Association of Northeast Florida, member
Civic Activities:
• JAX Chamber of Commerce, general counsel (2010 to present)
• Leadership Jacksonville, Class 2005, board member (2008-11)
• Youth Leadership Diversity Day, chair (2006-07)
• First Coast Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Board Member (2004-10), president (2008, 2009)
• Northeast Florida Regional Leadership Academy, Class of 2007
• Florida Coastal Alumni Association
• Participant in many regional running, climbs, cycling and triathlon charitable events including the MS 150 and Fight for Air.
Goals for The Jacksonville Bar Association: Foster a positive community perception of our profession through events, public education, charitable efforts and media exposure.
Continue to promote professionalism and collegiality in the practice of law through activities that bring association members together, such as monthly luncheons, seminars, sections and committee meetings.
Enhance and improve membership value to members through communication, program development, strategic planning, committee enhancement and others.
I thank you for your support, and look forward to continuing to serve you on the board of governors.
Latasha Garrison-Fullwood
The JBA Activities:
• Law Day Committee
The Florida Bar/Other Bar Association Activities:
• Federal Bar Association Member
• The Florida Bar Grievance Committee “C” for the Fourth Judicial Circuit (2008-11)
- Chair (October 2010-October 2011)
- Vice Chair (October 2009-October 2010)
• The Florida Bar Unlicensed Practice of Law Committee
• The Florida Bar Labor and Employment Section
• The Florida Bar Board Certified — Labor and Employment
• D.W. Perkins Bar Association — Nomination Chair
• D.W. Perkins Bar Association — Banquet Committee Chair
Civic Activities:
• Special Assistant Public Defender —Fourth Judicial Circuit
• KIPP Impact Charter School Board of Directors
• Youth Leadership Jacksonville Selection Committee
• City of Jacksonville Civil Service (former board member)
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida (former board member)
• Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (former board member)
• MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation (former board member)
Goals for The Jacksonville Bar Association:
• Continue to support The JBA’s efforts to increase attorney participation on pro bono cases.
• Increase mentorship opportunities for less experienced lawyers to seek resource assistance from more seasoned lawyers (particularly in specific practice areas).
•Increase diversity efforts including partnering with other local bar associations to put on joint programs and CLE courses.
Kirby G. Oberdorfer
The JBA Activities
• Jacksonville Bar Association Board of Governors Member (2009-present)
• Jacksonville Bar Association Young Lawyers Section Board of Governors
- President — 2009-10
- President-Elect — 2008-09
- Secretary — 2007-08
- Chair of Afternoon at Courthouse
- Chair of Judicial Relations Committee
- Chair of Scholarship Committee
• Jacksonville Bar Association Appellate Practice Section member
The Florida Bar/Other Bar Association Activities:
• Florida Bar Appellate Practice Section member
Civic Activities:
- Vice Chair (2009)
• Hendricks Avenue Elementary PTA Board member
• Ronald McDonald House 5K and Family Festival (2006-present; volunteer chair)
Goals for The Jacksonville Bar Association:
1. Provide quality services and opportunities for members.
2. Continue development of mentoring program.
3. Develop additional public service outreach programs.
Troy K. Smith
The JBA Activities:
• JBA Member 1996-2012
• Board of Governors — JBA YLS (2001-06)
• Secretary — JBA YLS (2002-03)
• Treasurer — JBA YLS (2003-04)
• President-Elect — JBA YLS (2004-05)
• President – JBA YLS (2005-06)
• Board of Governors — JBA (2006-12)
The Florida Bar/Other Bar Association Activities:
• American Bar Association — Construction Forum
• Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Section
Civic Activities:Leadership Jacksonville, American Heart Association, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Fundraising, Florida Coastal School of Law Adjunct Professor — Construction Law, Muscular Dystrophy Association Fundraiser, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid Fundraising, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation — board member, Learn To Read, Inc — board member, Rotary.
Goals for The Jacksonville Bar Association:Continue to increase The JBA membership and its community involvement. Improve public awareness and perception of The JBA and its members. Oversee revenue-generating programs administered by The JBA, which may allow it to provide greater community service and reduce the need for future membership dues increases.
Elizabeth B. Howard
The JBA Activities: I have served on The Jacksonville Bar Association Young Lawyers Section Board of Governors since 2006. During that time I have held the positions of secretary, treasurer, vice president, and am the current president of the YLS. The YLS offers many activities to its members as well as opportunities to volunteer in the local community. YLS events include: Noon in June, Afternoon at the Courthouse, Run for Cover 5K, Holidays in January, and Judicial Relations breakfasts. I have been an active participant and chair of many of these events. I have also served as the chair of The JBA Holiday Project and as a member of the Law Week committee. In my role as YLS President this year, I have served as a member of The JBA Board of Governors.
The Florida Bar/Other Bar Association Activities: I have been active in the American Bar Association, Forum on the Construction Industry and was named as a Women and Minority Fellow from 2009-12. I serve on the Division 7 Governing Committee and am the Chair of the Annual Concepts & Ideas Book Working Group. I am the Young Lawyers Committee Liaison for Division 7 and also a member of several Division 7 committees, including the Membership Working Group and the Social Media/Technology Working Group.
Civic Activities: I am active in the Associated Builders and Contractors and the ACE Mentor Program of Northeast Florida. I also serve as an adjunct professor at Florida Coastal School of Law, teaching Construction Law.
Goals for The Jacksonville Bar Association: The Jacksonville Bar Association plays an extremely important role in the legal community, as well as to the entire Jacksonville community. It offers many opportunities for its members, including Continuing Legal Education and networking. It would be my goal to continue to build on these aspects of The JBA, but to also work on making The JBA more user-friendly and encouraging all members to be actively involved.
Tiffiny Douglas Safi
The JBA Activities:
• 2011 Law Day Committee (Project: JALA One Promise Music Video)
The Florida Bar/Other Bar Association Activities:
• Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association, Director of 2011 Judicial Reception
Civic Activities:
• Hemophilia Foundation of Greater Florida the Rocumentarian
Goals for The Jacksonville Bar Association:To foster and promote a healthy career-life balance for The JBA members by developing events involving the participation of members’ families.
To expand and foster The JBA’s mentor program by encouraging involvement of seasoned attorneys and developing events specifically for program participants.
To expand and foster The JBA’s referral service program by focusing on the recruitment of attorneys in areas in which the programs is deficient.