With the month of June right around the corner, it can only mean one thing — The Jacksonville Bar Association Young Lawyers Section is gearing up to host the award-winning “Noon in June” seminar for law students, law clerks and summer associates.
Did you honestly think I was going to say the beach, barbecues, Suns games or fireworks? You will have July and August to enjoy all of that, but law students interning or clerking over the summer only have one opportunity a year to attend an invaluable seminar geared solely for them.
That seminar is “Noon in June,” which is scheduled noon-5 p.m. June 14.
“Noon in June” was founded in 2008 by current YLS Board of Governors Secretary Michelle Bedoya Barnett of the law firm of Alexander DeGance Barnett.
There is no question that summer interns and clerks employed by various law firms and government offices will be mentored by some of the best attorneys in the state of Florida, and will gain valuable practical experience.
Summer interns and clerks will spend many hours researching various legal issues, reviewing contracts or drafting memoranda, pleadings and motions.
“Noon in June,” on the other hand, is focused on introducing interns and clerks to the Jacksonville legal community, as well as each other. “Noon in June” also is designed to introduce participants to Downtown Jacksonville and the function of local government offices.
“Noon in June” is scheduled to begin at noon at The Carling, where attendees will have an opportunity to enjoy lunch with one another and be welcomed by the incoming The JBA President Ray Driver, a member of the judiciary, incoming YLS President Michael Orr and members of the YLS board of governors.
After lunch, the event will proceed to the Bryan Simpson U.S. Courthouse where a federal judge will address the participants and answer questions.
Following the judge’s address, the attendees will be treated to a tour of the courthouse. The “Noon in June” participants will then proceed to City Hall, where they will be addressed by State Attorney Angela Corey, Public Defender Matt Shirk and members of City Council.
They will then proceed to Jacksonville Area Legal Aid to learn about the important services that legal aid attorneys and advocates provide for members of the Jacksonville community.
The event will conclude with the participants returning to The Carling for the YLS Annual Meeting & Reception.
Being previously involved with “Noon in June,” I have observed the positive impact that attending the seminar has left on many of the attendees.
“Noon in June” has introduced people to their future colleagues and our city’s uniquely collegial legal community.
The goal for this year’s “Noon in June” seminar is to leave participants with the same positive experience and help them become more familiar with our legal community so they feel comfortable returning to practice law on the First Coast.
If your law firm, government agency or social services agency plans to have law students working as summer associates, clerks, or interns, please save the date of June 14 to allow them to participate in the 2012 “Noon in June” seminar.
Please email me at [email protected] to make a reservation for your summer associates or for additional information. The registration deadline for this year’s event is June 7.
This year, the YLS is combining the Annual Meeting & Reception with the “Noon in June” reception. The YLS hopes this will allow an additional opportunity for summer law clerks attending “Noon in June” to meet and mingle with their soon-to-be colleagues.
The YLS Annual Meeting & Reception will be held Downtown at The Carling beginning at 5 p.m.
At the reception, we will have a live band, hors d’oeuvres and beverages.
For those of you looking to become more involved with the YLS, I strongly encourage you to attend the annual meeting and reception, and to reach out to any of the YLS board of governors’ members. We would be happy to speak with you and answer any questions you have.
The “Noon in June” program was honored by the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division and The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division.
On behalf of this year’s board and our membership, I would like to thank our outgoing President Elizabeth Howard for her service and leadership during her tenure on the board of governors. Elizabeth is the most recent example of a tradition of strong leadership our board has enjoyed from its president and she has worked tirelessly to represent our membership.
Please join the YLS membership on June 14 to celebrate another successful year. We look forward to seeing you then.