I preceded my year as The JBA president with a column entitled “Let me Have It –– Preferably Sooner Rather Than Later.”
The goal of the column was to identify certain initiatives for the year and elicit member input early. I received much valuable input and offers of help.
It is now appropriate to look back at what we have accomplished while looking forward to opportunities to build on those accomplishments and otherwise continue to grow.
Mentorship
We have breathed new life into our mentorship initiative and made it run smoother, but there still are many opportunities to do more with this vital program.
Special thanks are due Glenn Warren and the many others who accepted the invitation to brainstorm on how to increase participation and effectiveness. There is consensus that a vibrant mentorship program is one of the keys to maintain the high levels of professionalism and competency for which the Jacksonville legal community is known.
We need even greater participation in the years to come as our historically small, provincial legal community will continue to face the dual challenges of rapid growth and a difficult job market for attorneys.
It is incumbent on each of us to encourage newer lawyers to join The JBA and enroll in our mentorship program, and it is incumbent on more senior lawyers — particularly those with a heart for professionalism — to volunteer to be a mentor.
Pro bono service
With Kathy Para’s continued service as chair of the Pro Bono Committee and with the leadership of, in particular, Judges Hugh Carithers and Jean Johnson, The JBA has done more than ever to provide legal services to the needy in our community.
Genuine opportunities are being created for transactional attorneys to serve; a panel has been created for lawyers willing to represent otherwise pro se litigants; efforts are being undertaken to encourage mentor/mentee pairings to collaborate on pro bono cases; and we successfully undertook two “Ask-A-Lawyer” phone-in opportunities on First Coast News, one focusing on foreclosure and the other during tax season to address income tax questions.
We also hosted the American Bar Association’s Equal Justice Conference, providing The JBA members access to new and better ways to serve lower-income communities and showcasing to pro bono attorneys around the country what The JBA already is accomplishing through its partnership with Jacksonville Area Legal Aid and otherwise.
While we are blessed with many lawyers who do far more than their share, we still struggle to get too many other lawyers off of the bench. It is a missed opportunity to serve, to represent our profession, to put the needed resources behind our constitution’s intent and to receive the resulting blessings.
Diversity and sensitivity
We have made progress in combating the impression that Jacksonville is a “good ole boys” network, while respecting the traditions and contributions of those who have come before us.
We published articles illustrating the benefits of diverse perspectives in providing legal counsel and sensitizing our members on how diversity is good for business.
We celebrated our state’s first racially integrated law firm: Sheppard, Fletcher, Hand & Adams. We brought in national speakers to provoke open dialogue on what we have learned in 10 years since the Sept. 11 attacks; what we can do about human trafficking; and what we need to know about mental illness.
We also rallied against a local magazine’s offensive suggestion by its cover that for a women to succeed as a Jacksonville lawyer she must dress and act provocatively.
We have reached out to the other voluntary bars to see how we can better serve their members. And, we held a “Bollywood” event, complete with Indian fashion, dance and videos.
One of the results of our renewed focus on diversity has been more active participation by certain of our membership — precisely the goal. I am genuinely proud of how our membership has embraced the call for inclusiveness.
Meeting locations
Regrettably, we did not, as I had proposed, hold a member meeting outside of Downtown (although we have had several events on the campus of Florida Coastal School of Law). I remain convinced, however, that we will need to give this proposal serious consideration and also find other ways to continue to reach the growing number of lawyers with offices outside of the Downtown area.
Bar Sections and Committees
Our sections and committees have grown in membership and activities. The rebirth of the Corporate Law Section, under the leadership of Christine Bell and Scott Glazier, is particularly rewarding to see.
Not only has this section held regular meetings on topics of importance to transactional attorneys, the section inaugurated the Marshall Criser Transactional Law Seminar Friday at the Sawgrass Marriott.
Other sections have seen new life, and some, such as Alternative Dispute Resolution led by Blane McCarthy and Solo Practice led by Eric Kolar, have continued to thrive.
The JBA’s new president, Ray Driver, has a bold plan to streamline our sections and committees to create greater collaboration, more activity and greater member benefits. I am confident that this plan will be successful and I look forward to continuing to participate in a variety of section and committee activities.
I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge ABA President William Robinson and The Florida Bar President Scott Hawkins for their unprecedented involvement with our membership, and for their insight and encouragement to our leadership.
The JBA, under Driver, Executive Director Susan Sowards and the rising JBA leadership, is well-poised for its most relevant, most impactful years, filled with meaningful opportunities to serve the members and the community. I encourage our members to offer support and participation.
As I transition to my new title, immediate past president, and conclude 10 years of service on The JBA Board, I hope that I have left The JBA better than I found it. I know that I have grown and benefited from this opportunity to serve. Thank you for letting me have it.