This powerful quote is easily applied to almost any situation or life circumstance. Given the current economic climate and the thousands of people in need on the First Coast, please remember to give a little extra of your time, talent or treasure for those less fortunate. The return on investment for an unexpected gesture of kindness or generosity when someone is the most vulnerable is often immeasurable. While a selfless act may cost you money or a few hours of your time; you can give someone hope, provide them with nourishment or even strengthen their faith. As the holidays engulf our personal and professional lives, we must remember that this is the season of giving. The time is right. What will you do?
Please share stories and photographs of your firm giving back to the community this holiday season with Financial News and Daily Record Legal Reporter Joe Wilhelm at [email protected].
For example, Camerlengo & Brockwell is eliminating our gift exchange tradition this year. The firm and our employees are combining funds to help out several families in dire need. We would like to publish examples of lawyers or law firms giving back to the community. The reason is not to “toot our own horns,” but rather to provide charitable, pro bono or philanthropic ideas for other JBA members.
Changing of the Guard
Over the next few months, four of our long-standing circuit court judges will leave the bench. When Judge Bernard Nachman, Judge Charles Mitchell, Judge Aaron Bowden and Judge Frederic Buttner step down from the bench they will have a combined total of over a century of public service. In addition, both State Attorney Harry Shorstein and Public Defender Bill White are stepping down from their offices after serving the public for about 30 years each. On behalf of the City of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Bar Association, I thank each of you for your dedication over the last quarter century. In addition, I welcome those chosen to fill your shoes as they prepare to take public office.
The Bench & Bar Holiday Reception
On Dec. 11 AETNA will again host the Jacksonville Bar Association’s Bench & Bar Holiday Reception in the lobby of their building on the Southbank.I encourage all of you to please attend this year. If you are interested, we will be giving tours of the new JBA office on the 13th floor. As you may know, we are making the conference rooms available to members for mediations, depositions, arbitration, etc. The Board of Governors and the JBA staff are very proud of the new office and we look forward to seeing you there on Dec. 11 or in the future.
Giving Thanks
This article was due the day before Thanksgiving. A time when many people reflect on the things in their lives for which they are grateful. Here are the top 10 things I am most thankful for so far in my first 6 months as the JBA President:
10. Hank Coxe not getting me in any more trouble with his unedited election analysis.
9. Vanderbilt University football finally getting bowl eligible so Dan Bean can check that off his “Bucket List!”
8. The new Duval County Courthouse allegedly breaking ground in December.
7. The Hyatt finding new, creative ways to tastefully prepare chicken.
6. I do not practice criminal law.
5. If I needed a criminal lawyer, I could hopefully afford one with experience.
4. No one with the last name “Bush” was running for an office that I could vote for.
3. Clean judicial and political elections, without any negative campaigns.
2. So far keeping the JBA luncheons to one hour or less.
1. Only six more of these dreaded columns to write!