In what is described as significant for both organizations, members of the Jacksonville Bar Association and the D.W. Perkins Bar Association will meet together May 7 for the annual Law Day observance and luncheon at The River Club.
In 1957, American Bar Association President Charles Rhyne proposed establishing a national day to celebrate the American legal system. A year later, President Dwight D. Eisenhower established Law Day as a day of national dedication to the principles of government under law.
In 1961, Congress designated May 1 the official date for celebrating Law Day.
“This is a significant moment for both organizations. This collaboration represents a meaningful step forward in strengthening ties between the D.W. Perkins Bar Association and the Jacksonville Bar Association.
By coming together for Law Day, we highlight the value of connection and a shared commitment to the profession, and we look forward to continuing to grow this partnership in the years ahead,” said Naphtalie Azor, president of the D.W. Perkins Bar Association.
Formerly the Colored Lawyers Association, the name was changed in 1968 to honor Daniel Webster Perkins, who was a founding member and one of the state’s first African American lawyers, admitted to The Florida Bar in 1914.
“It is exciting to reconnect with the D.W. Perkins Bar after far too long. We see this partnership as a step toward the kind of collaboration our profession and our community benefit from,” said JBA President Brian Coughlin.
Liberty Bell and Lawyer of the Year awards
Law Day includes presentation of two annual awards.
The JBA’s Liberty Bell Award is an annual tradition that began in 1988. It recognizes a nonlawyer who has gone above and beyond in service to the legal community, promoting civic responsibility and advancing the rule of law.
The Jacksonville Daily Record Lawyer of the Year Award is presented to a lawyer who has provided exceptional service to the community, going beyond their legal skills in daily practice.
Keynote speaker: Barry Richard
This year’s keynote speaker is Barry Richard, a Tallahassee attorney with a career in the law that spans military service, government service, elected office and private practice.
He now concentrates his practice on commercial litigation, government and election law, state and federal constitutional law, securities litigation and appellate practice.
Richard served two years on active duty in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps of the U.S. Navy. After completing active duty in 1970, he began private practice in Miami followed by service as chief deputy attorney general for the State of Florida from 1972-74 and a member of the state House of Representatives from 1974-78.
Soon after, Richard and several partners formed a firm to provide commercial litigation and government consulting services. In 1991, the firm merged with Greenberg Traurig, then a firm with more than 300 attorneys. He remained a principal shareholder with Greenberg Traurig until he left amicably and founded Barry Richard Law Firm in 2023 in Tallahassee.
Richard led the Florida litigation team for George W. Bush in the 2000 presidential election “hanging chad” voter recount litigation, managing 47 cases statewide and personally arguing many of them.
His representation was recognized as instrumental in resolving one of the most historic legal challenges in U.S. history.
He has argued and won four cases as lead counsel before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Richard was admitted to The Florida Bar in 1967.
100-year partnership
In addition to the joint meeting with the two voluntary Bar associations, 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the Jacksonville Daily Record becoming the official newspaper of the Jacksonville Bar Association.