The Jacksonville Bar Association wrapped up its 2011-12 session Tuesday by swearing in new officers, recognizing some of its members and discussing substance abuse and mental health issues in the courts.
Michael Freed of Brennan, Manna & Diamond directed his last meeting as president of The JBA. The event was at the Hyatt.
“This is the best unpaid job a lawyer could have. There is a large core of our membership that are simply tremendous lawyers, tremendous professionals. I’ve been motivated and challenged by you each day and I have appreciated getting the opportunity to serve you,” Freed said.
Before accepting the title of past president, he continued a tradition started by past President Dan Bean in 2009 of honoring a leader of one of the organization’s sections or committees.
“As president, you have the privilege of appointing folks to chair various sections and committees and they are the ones who really run the organization,” said Freed.
“I just do the victory laps and try to get people there. Nobody more quietly and professionally serves in the role of chair than Blane McCarthy,” Freed said as he presented the “Chair of the Year” award to McCarthy, who leads the ADR Practitioners Section.
The JBA Professionalism Award, which was created in 2009 to recognize an attorney for his or her professionalism and dedication in practicing law with integrity, honor and civility, also was presented.
The 2012 honoree was Carl Dawson of Dawson Orr. The JBA members Jake Schickel and Caroline Emery were the previous honorees.
“This plaque may read ‘2012 Jacksonville Bar Association Professionalism Award — Carl Dawson,’ but sir, this award is recognizing your 61 years of professional and civil practice here in Jacksonville,” said Michael Orr, a law partner with Dawson and a member of The JBA Bench and Bar Professionalism Committee.
The featured speaker at the monthly meeting was 11th Circuit Judge Steven Leifman, who is the chairman of the Florida Supreme Court Task Force on Substance Abuse and Mental Health Issues in the Courts.
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