Broward County Lawyers | Broward County Bar Association

Presidents Message

It has been a fast year. It seems like about a week ago that I received my first email from Nydia Menendez arousing all the Bar officials in Broward County, inspiring all of us to get off our duffs and work to help the public learn about the judicial races that consumed our (but ultimately, not the public’s) attention in the Summer of 2010. While Nydia’s “Judicial Watch” program did not result in a 75% voter turnout, it did coalesce the many Voluntary Bars on issues of common interest, and that energy will have a truly lasting appeal.

Your Broward County Bar Association this past year has been extremely active, which is what our members wanted – and that will increase even more next year. We took enough time off to have a lot of fun, working to renew a spirit of collegiality and cooperation to blunt the “edginess” that too many of our members see happen much too frequently in our practice. Starting with a series of “The Bar at the Bar”, we enjoyed cocktails and conversation at many pubs around the County, most underwritten by a sponsor so we could have fun without charge!

The YLS Golf Tournament raised $17,000 for “Forever Family”, while the Bar’s Bowling League was much more exciting, well-received, and competitive than I had imagined. The Holiday Party at the Bar Center was blessed with perfect weather and great food, which resulted in the greatest attendance ever – plus a gazillion toys were contributed to benefit the YLS “Holiday in February” for deserving children, held at the Museum of Science and Discovery.

We had receptions for about everyone we could think of, from new members to old members, wishful judges to new judges to retiring judges, legislative wannabes to seasoned lawmakers, and Section participants of all interests and specialties. The West Section really took off, thanks to Bar Board Member Michael Vines and the new leadership out west, now led by President Michael Rajtar, while downtown the Bar Center on Third Avenue was busier than it ever has been, with the Bench and Bar Committee taking great steps to be heard on pending legislation, and the Pro Bono Committee for the 17^th Circuit inspiring much more involvement throughout the County and within the many diverse Voluntary Bars.

Installation Dinner will turn the page and honor some wonderful people. On June 9, the gavel will be passed to Jordana Goldstein, who must be the most energetic and hard-working lawyer/Mom/Bar leader I have ever met. Jordana has many, many exciting ideas that will truly make the Bar the place to be next year.

During the Dinner, as you know, many individuals will receive well-deserved awards – I am not going to divulge the recipients of the Stephen R. Booher Award, the Executive Director’s Award, the YLS’ Paul May Award, and the Lynn Futch and the Joseph Carter Professionalism in Practice Awards, but among the Award recipients will be three individuals who have put in particularly long hours during the past year, and one notable lawyer who has been providing service to the Bar for about thirty-plus years. Jeff Solomon, who heads the Bankruptcy Section, and Gary Singer, the Real Estate Section chair, will each receive a “Section Chair of the Year” plaque – Jeff and Gary both have produced many seminars and provided their Section members with great research and newsletter updates, which have been particularly notable in this year of too many foreclosures and bankruptcies.

The Committee Chair Award for 2010-2010 has been earned by Charles Morehead of the Bench and Bar Committee. Charles and I got together last summer to discuss ways that the Committee could better serve the judiciary and the Bar members, and the dialogue and the productivity of Bench and Bar has been spirited and meaningful. Great job!

The “notable lawyer” I referred to is Nancy Little Hoffmann, who will receive the President’s Award for distinguished service to the Bar. Nancy has long been a devoted member of the Broward Bar, and her columns on “Recent Developments in the Law” have provided guidance and good advice to so many lawyers, that we all should show up and express our gratitude to Nancy.

As this term ends, I also must thank the Bar’s advisor and able Executive Director, Art Goldberg. Art has been an integral part of the successes realized by the Bar this year and in years past – starting this year with the Judicial Watch coordination, all the way through planning the upcoming Installation Dinner on June 9 at the Marriott Harbor Beach. Thanks, Art, for all your hard work and your good friendship.

That’ll do it! Best wishes to you all.