By Courtney Gaver, Ex-officio Young Lawyers Section board member
Attorneys and law students in the 4th Judicial Circuit are cordially “summoned” by the Young Lawyers Section to attend “Afternoon at the Courthouse” on Wednesday.
The annual event is designed to introduce law students and Jacksonville’s newest lawyers to the Duval County Courthouse, the judiciary and court personnel.
Circuit judges, county judges, their judicial assistants and attorneys will provide insight and commentary on professionalism, courtroom etiquette and the professional courtesies by which our legal community abides. Judges expound upon the “Gold Standard” in the 4th Circuit and the legacy that is passed down to young lawyers who practice here.
From information on free resources available to new attorneys to how to handle an emergency filing, attend ex parte hours and a look at the new PDF/A court document standard, the seminar assists attorneys in learning what to do, where to go and who to ask.
Historically, a highlight of the event is the guided tour when attendees get a glimpse into hearing rooms, courtrooms, jury rooms, the inmate hallway, “secret” back hallways, the robing room, judges’ elevators and chambers.
The seminar includes a presentation on practicing with integrity and professionalism by Circuit Judge Adrian Soud; a judicial panel on avoiding rookie mistakes as a young lawyer with Circuit Judge Mark Borello, Duval County Judge Gary Flower, Circuit Judges Virginia Norton and Tatiana Salvador; a judicial assistant panel that will give a close look at the legal process; a courthouse technology primer; and a presentation on the history of the Duval County Courthouse.
Afternoon at the Courthouse is from noon-5 p.m. in the jury assembly room on the second floor of the courthouse.
The seminar will end with a reception at the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville, where attendees can socialize with judges, courthouse staff and other members of the Jacksonville Bar Association and the YLS.
Tickets are $10, which includes a boxed lunch and 4.0 general CLE credits with 1.0 toward ethics. Registration is open at jaxbar.org/afternoon.
The Afternoon at the Courthouse committee, Chairs Hillary Musselman, Timothy Miller and me, have been working to make this a memorable and helpful event for all participants. It would not be possible without the help and support of the judiciary, practitioners, court personnel and YLS members.
This year’s sponsors are The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division and Rogers Towers. For those that may be interested in sponsoring, contact me at (904) 473-1388 or [email protected].
Courtney Gaver is an associate in the Government and Regulatory Department at Rogers Towers focusing on land use law.