The Florida Bar Foundation awarded Jacksonville criminal defense attorney Hank Coxe, a past president of The Florida Bar, its highest honor.
Coxe, a director of The Bedell Firm, will receive the group’s Medal of Honor June 21 at The Florida Bar Foundation’s 36th annual reception and dinner.
The event is scheduled during The Florida Bar annual convention at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando.
Coxe has served in several leadership positions in The Florida Bar, including president in 2007. In addition, he currently sits on the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission and the Florida Supreme Court Innocence Commission.
Coxe also has been recognized for his pro bono efforts, receiving the Equal Justice Award from Jacksonville Area Legal Aid. He is a past president of The Jacksonville Bar Association, serving in 1994-95.
He also served in the State Attorney’s Office in the felony and special prosecution divisions.
“He has exhibited innovation, courage and professionalism in the practice of law and in Bar-related activities throughout his career,” said former Florida Supreme Court Justice Major B. Harding in a news release from the foundation.
“Those characteristics reflected the leadership that caused his colleagues to install him as president of The Florida Bar and warrant his selection to receive the 2012 Florida Bar Foundation Medal of Honor,” he said.
Coxe acknowledged that he wouldn’t be able to offer his time to his profession and community without the support of his firm.
“I told (Mickey Cummings, Bar Foundation president) that ‘this wasn’t just undeserved — it simply made no sense, given the thousands of Florida lawyers who put the interests of others ahead of themselves,’” Coxe said.
“Our system of justice provides the opportunities, but it would be impossible without being surrounded by lawyers in a firm whose support makes them every bit as deserving of this,” he said.
He referred to veteran Jacksonville lawyer Lacy Mahon.
“Lacy Mahon used to say that you are not a real lawyer unless you can try a criminal case. This is clearly not true. But a friend once said that you aren’t a real lawyer unless you use your position to help those less fortunate. That is true,” said Coxe.
The Florida Bar Foundation Medal of Honor Award Program was established in 1977.
“He is truly deserving of the award. He is a tireless worker for our profession,” said Howard Coker, who is a past president of The Florida Bar and also serves with Coxe on the Innocence Commission.
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