The Florida Bar

If you have been keeping up with the latest Florida legal news, you would know Chief Justice Muñiz recently swore in Roland Sanchez-Medina, Jr. as the newest President of the Florida Bar. And, sure, you may have read about his installation speech (or maybe you were even there!), but if you are looking to learn about the man behind the podium and the path that led him there, look no further than this FANTASTIC profile from the Bar News and Journal staff! 🤩 https://lnkd.in/ebVuXher

The Young Lawyers Division had a remarkable year, and the cherry on top was the presentation of its annual awards to some outstanding lawyers in Florida's legal community! Right before the YLD's "Passing of the Gavel" ceremony, its immediate past president, Anisha Patel, and awards chair, Reno Pierre, joined to present the organization's annual awards. Among the honorees were 12th Circuit Judge Stephen M. Walker, BOG member Lorna Brown-Burton, health and wellness advocate Narinah P. Jean-Baptiste, and many more. Read about all the award winners in the Bar News! https://lnkd.in/eebUAJMB

🚨ANNOUNCEMENT🚨 The Florida Supreme Court in recent orders has disciplined 11 attorneys, revoking the license of two, suspending six, admonishing one, and reprimanding two. Read the full release on the Bar's website. https://lnkd.in/ejqib7vi

Last Friday, Roland Sanchez-Medina Jr. was sworn in as President of The Florida Bar, beginning a year-long term he intends to use focusing on "leading with heart." "My vision for The Florida Bar is clear: to cultivate a kinder, gentler environment that prioritizes support, collaboration, and well-being. This means not only increasing participation in Bar activities, but also fostering a culture of empathy and understanding among our members." Read more about President Sanchez-Medina Jr.'s plans for the next Bar year in his column in the Bar Journal. https://lnkd.in/d7YBWDh5

🗣️Okay, listen up, lawyers! Time is RUNNING OUT! ⚠️ July 1 is the last day to pay your annual fees, fill out your pro bono hours, and submit your trust certificate. The easiest and quickest way to pay is at member.floridabar.org. It is essential that you complete all three tasks, or you may be deemed ineligible to practice. Only a few days are left to pay! ❗

Don't worry. The Annual Convention party is not over!! 🙌 We told you we had more awards to celebrate, and we'll start with the President's Awards for this year! 🏆 These awards are given by the president at the General Assembly right before the swearing-in of the new officers, and they are not announced ahead of time, so they are a surprise to everyone! Congratulations to all the winners! 🎉 > The President’s Legislative Award: Representative Traci Koster > President’s Award of Merit: Paige A. Greenlee > President’s Award of Merit: Anisha Patel > President’s Award of Merit: Valeria I. Obi > Claude Pepper Outstanding Government Lawyer Award: Octavius Holliday > Marshall Cassedy, Sr. Award: Craig A. Shoup > Tony Boggs Excellence in Discipline Award: Brian Burgoon & Tom Wert (Not Pictured) > G. Kirk Haas Humanitarian Award: John C. Patterson, Jr. > 2024 President's Award: Special Committee on Artificial Intelligence Tools & Resources Co-Chairs Duffy Myrtetus (pictured here) and Gordon Glover and honoring members Carlos Baradat, Judge Hunter, Carroll, Gustavo Ceballos, Andrew Fay, Bill Hamilton, Kevin Johnson, Karl Klein, Liz McCausland, Kristin Norse, Michael Orr, Hardy L. Roberts III, Alice Sum, Renée Thompson

Congratulations to the new YLD president! Here's to an outstanding year, President Edwards! 🎉

Congratulations to the new YLD President, Ashlea Edwards! In her speech, Edwards emphasized that the division is actively striving to “instill kindness, compassion, and service” among young lawyers throughout Florida this year. Read about the new YLD President's plan for the 2024-25 Bar year in the Bar News. https://lnkd.in/dJ_CCypS

This is a wonderful opportunity to nominate a judge that is always going above and beyond! 👀

The time has come. The moment we have all been waiting for is here. It’s General Assembly time!! President Westheimer said farewell to us this morning, reminding all in attendance that all of this past year’s progress is a team effort and highlighting the role technology continues to play on the pratice of law. He said that his time as president has been a highlight of his career and that he believes The Florida Bar will continue to set the standard for Bar’s across the nation. He passed the baton to our brand new President, Roland Sanchez-Medina Jr., who began his speech by thanking his family AND his Bar family, particularly those who have served with him as part of the Cuban American Bar Association, where he found community as a Cuban immigrant. Throughout his speech, he returned to the theme of balance, reminding lawyers of the importance of caring for themselves and their own well-being and looking forward to this bar year. He noted that a healthy lawyer who feels valued and supported is a better lawyer, a better friend, and a better family member. After his speech, I think we all needed a box of tissues! Also joining our President Sanchez-Medina is President-Elect Rosalyn Sia Baker Barnes! Congratulations to her and our OUTSTANDING Board of Governors! It is going to be an amazing year. We would be remiss not to give a shoutout to our new YLD President and President-Elect Ashlea Edwards and Arti Hirani and congratulate Immediate Past President Anisha Patel on an outstanding year at the helm of the YLD.