The Jacksonville Bar Association had a full agenda for its final meeting of the 2023-24 Bar year June 27 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Jacksonville Riverfront.
More than 200 members and guests witnessed President Blane McCarthy present the association’s annual awards and the 2024-25 board of governors and President Christian George being sworn in to office.
The meeting also featured a keynote address by Chief U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Florida Timothy Corrigan, who administered the oath of office to the new governors.
McCarthy presented the Committee Chair of the Year Award to John McGowan, chair of the JBA Government Relations Committee.
In the past year, the committee presented six continuing legal education lunch events with local regional and state-level presenters, McCarthy said.
Speakers included U.S. Rep. John Rutherford, City Council President Ron Salem and former state Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried.
The President’s Award was presented in absentia to Iana Benjamin, editor-in-chief of the JBA Bar Bulletin, the association’s monthly newsletter, which is published in the Jacksonville Daily Record.
McCarthy noted that Benjamin practices law in Jacksonville remotely while living in Germany with her family, six time zones from Jacksonville.
“She can’t be with us today, but she will see the video,” McCarthy said.
Rutledge Liles, a partner in The Liles Firm, received the JBA Professionalism Award, presented each year to a member who exemplifies the highest standards of ethics and professional conduct.
After serving in the Marine Corps, Liles graduated from law school at the University of Florida in 1966 and has practiced law for 58 years.
Board certified by The Florida Bar in civil trial law, Liles was president of the state organization in 1988-89.
Corrigan provided an update on the Middle District that extends 325 miles from Jacksonville through the middle of the state to Fort Myers.
More than 13 million people live in the district.
“The population of the Middle District of Florida is larger than 44 of the 50 states of the Union. Our caseload is also among the highest of the 84 federal districts around the country,” Corrigan said.
The district has two vacancies among its 15 seats on the bench, with another coming in November when Corrigan steps down as chief judge and takes senior judge status.
The vacancies affect the court’s ability to handle the caseload on a timely basis.
“As chief judge, I have made sure the White House and senators are aware of the urgent need to fill these vacancies. I remain hopeful, but cautiously pessimistic with the election approaching,” Corrigan said.
He also reflected on his time on the bench and the past four years as chief judge.
“I thank you for the support you have shown me and the court over the years. The collegiality and professionalism exhibited by the bench and lawyers in the Middle District is something I am extremely proud of. My friend and colleague, Judge Marcia Morales Howard, will take over in November as the 15th chief judge of the Middle District. She will do an outstanding job,” Corrigan said.
Concluding the meeting, McCarthy turned over the JBA presidency to George, managing partner of Akerman’s office in Jacksonville.
Fourth Circuit Judge Katie Dearing, a past president of JBA, administered the oath of office.
George is a past president of the JBA Young Lawyers Section and The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division.
“I owe so much to the JBA. I am thrilled to be your president for the next year and I will give you my all all year,” George said.