The Young Lawyers Section of The Jacksonville Bar Association hosted a group of about 70 summer interns and new associates from area law firms Thursday during its annual “Noon in June” program.
The award-winning program was created in 2008 to provide exposure to the Downtown legal and government communities to interns, law clerks and associates who are new to the area or are visiting for the summer.
The group toured the Main Library, Bryan Simpson U.S. Courthouse, City Hall, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid and the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Guest speakers included program organizers and YLS members Sarah Anderson, Beau Baker and Christian George, immediate past YLS President Michael Orr, The JBA President Ray Driver, Duval County Judge Gary Flower, U.S. District Judge Timothy Corrigan, State Attorney’s Office Director of County and Juvenile Court Division Julie Taylor, Public Defender’s Office Director of the Duval County Court Unit Kate Bedell, Mayor Alvin Brown’s Chief of Staff Chris Hand and Financial News & Daily Record Publisher Jim Bailey.
Driver advised the group to not become lost in the communication of the electronic age.
“I understand and appreciate the technology that allows us to do our jobs more efficiently, but resist the urge to communicate electronically in the practice of law. You can’t see body language through an email, so you can’t tell how your message is being received,” said Driver.
Corrigan urged the group to not only be concerned with the big picture as they progress through their careers, but also the closer view.
“There was a book out not too long ago, ‘Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.’ I’m going to tell you to do the opposite. You need to sweat the details. They are important and they will make you look professional,” he said.
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