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MIAMI-DADE FAWL'S MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
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FEBRUARY 2016, Vol. XLII, Issue 8
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MIAMI-DADE FAWL CELEBRATES
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
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You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right. -Rosa Parks
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Hon. Marcia Cooke (seated second from left) and Miami-Dade FAWL and GSCBWLA member guests enjoying Motown the Musical
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Motown the Musical: Broadway in Miami with Judge Marcia Cooke
By: Deborah Baker-Egozi
On February 3, 2016, Miami-Dade FAWL and the Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association ("GSCBWLA") got together for an evening of fun at the Adrienne Arsht Center to see Motown:The Musical, the second show in Miami-Dade FAWL's Broadway Series.
The Honorable Marcia Cooke, district judge for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida was the guest of honor. Before the show began, Judge Cooke led a discussion on the impact that Motown has had on American culture. Motown is based on Berry Gordy's 1994 autobiography To Be Loved: The Music, the Magic, the Memories of Motown, and chronicles Gordy's founding and running of the Motown record label as well as his personal and professional relationships with Motown artists such as Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, and Michael Jackson. Attendees discussed how Motown played an important role in the racial integration of popular music and American culture. As an African American-owned record label, Motown achieved significant crossover success. This joint Miami-Dade FAWL and GSCBWLA event was a celebration of Black History Month and part of Miami-Dade FAWL's three-part Broadway series. Based on what we have heard from our members and our friends at GSCBWLA, it was a success.
Be on the lookout for information about our third and final show in the Miami-Dade FAWL Broadway series: Cabaret on April 13, 2016, with Judge Jason Dimitris!
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SPECIAL SECTION:
MEET THE CANDIDATES
MEET THE MIAMI-DADE FAWL MEMBERS CAMPAIGNING FOR
A SEAT ON THE FLORIDA BAR BOARD OF GOVERNORS!
By: Elisa D'Amico
Miami-Dade FAWL's members are incredibly smart, successful, philanthropic, and socially aware. We often are able to highlight their achievements in our "Membership Spotlight" section of The Advisor, or with one of our organization's awards. But in this issue, we are highlighting several of our members who currently are campaigning for a seat on The Florida Bar Board of Governors.
The 52-member BOG has exclusive authority to formulate and adopt matters of policy concerning the activities of the Bar, subject to limitations imposed by the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar. (Read more on The Florida Bar website).
Because these individuals are aiming to devote their time, experience, and wisdom to us and to all members of The Florida Bar, Miami-Dade FAWL would like to highlight our members who are campaigning for a seat on the BOG. We also hope this informational section clears up any confusion that might exist about this campaign, the candidates, and the contested races involving Miami-Dade FAWL members. We do note that there are three contested campaigns for the 11th Circuit Seats 4, 5, and 7. The race for Seat #5 is between Dennis G Kainen* and Ricky Patel.*
Seat 4 - Michael Higer's seat currently is vacant. The race for this seat (#4) is a contested race between Miami-Dade FAWL member and Immediate Past President Deborah Baker-Egozi and Jason Murray.*
Seat 7 - Miami-Dade FAWL member John H. (Jack) Hickey occupies this seat and is seeking re-election; the race for this seat (#7) is between Mr. Hickey and two other Miami-Dade FAWL members: Oscar Sanchez and Nikki Lewis Simon.
Voting begins today and ends on March 21, 2016 at midnight, so please, whomever you are supporting, do vote - your vote matters!
DISCLAIMER: THIS SECTION IS AN INFORMATIONAL PIECE AND MIAMI-DADE FAWL DOES NOT, AS AN ORGANIZATION, SUPPORT ANY PARTICULAR CANDIDATE. THE ORGANIZATION IS INCLUDING INFORMATION ABOUT ITS MEMBERS WHO ARE CAMPAIGNING FOR A SEAT ON THE FLORIDA BAR BOARD OF GOVERNORS AS A BENEFIT TO MIAMI-DADE FAWL MEMBERS.
THE RACE FOR 11TH CIRCUIT - SEAT 4:
DEBORAH BAKER-EGOZI, MICHAEL A. DRIBIN* AND JASON MURRAY*
Deborah Baker-Egozi (Seat 4)
Deborah Baker-Egozi, the Immediate Past President of Miami-Dade FAWL, is seeking to continue to serve the legal community as a member of the BOG. She is a Northwestern University School of Law graduate, a founding member of Lipscomb, Eisenberg & Baker, PL, and is licensed to practice law in Florida, New York and California.
Ms. Baker-Egozi has spearheaded legislative efforts regarding criminalizing revenge porn, and she has championed pro bono legal work and diversity issues, including diversity on the bench. She has led the collaboration of various voluntary bar associations in the consideration of diversity issues when recognizing individuals with awards or when putting together panels. Ms. Baker-Egozi is an active member of our community, including, among other things, sitting on a Florida Bar Grievance Committee, the Florida Civil Procedure Rules Committee, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Miami Judicial Reception Awards Selection Committee.
Ms. Baker-Egozi had this to say about her thoughts on reciprocity: "believe that no attorney should practice in Florida without demonstrating his or her knowledge of our laws. Nearly 90% of The Florida Bar agrees and I will represent that overwhelming majority's view." Learn more at www.bakeregoziforbog.com.
THE RACE FOR 11TH CIRCUIT - SEAT 7:
JACK HICKEY (INCUMBENT), NIKKI LEWIS SIMON, AND OSCAR SANCHEZ
John H. (Jack) Hickey has been a member of Miami-Dade FAWL for over 10 years. He currently holds Seat 7 and is running for re-election to the BOG. His law firm, Hickey Law Firm, is comprised of 4 lawyers: 2 men, and 2 women.
Mr. Hickey has supported and continues to support women's rights, publicly. Mr. Hickey spoke to the members of the BOG about Miami-Dade FAWL's position on the TV Show Bad Judge, after the organization brought to his attention that the show was denigrating to both women and the judiciary.
He has taken a public stance against reciprocity, and even wrote a letter to the editor of the Daily Business Review, which was published.
Mr. Hickey says "The issues facing every hard working, everyday lawyer-- me and you-- are numerous and far reaching ... I want to continue to represent and fight for you." Mr. Hickey is a Duke Law School graduate and is double board certified in Civil Trial, as well as Admiralty and Maritime. He is extremely active both in the community and within the BOG. Among his numerous civic leadership positions, Mr. Hickey is a member of the Judicial Nominating Commission Selection Committee, the Disciplinary Committee, and the Special Committee to Study the Unethical and Illegal Solicitation of Illegal Business. Learn more at www.hickey2016.com.
Nikki Lewis Simon (Seat 7)
Nikki Lewis Simon is a University of Miami School of Law graduate and has been practicing law since 1999. The first lawyer in her family and one of few black female partners at a large international law firm. Among her many accomplishments and activities, Ms. Lewis Simon currently is Vice Chair of the Federal Court Practice Committee of The Florida Bar and chaired the Committee's Federal Judicial Roundtable in 2015. She is a Board Member of GSCBWLA, sits on the Board of Directors of the Kozyak Minority Mentoring Foundation and is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Miami School of Law.
Ms. Lewis Simon is seeking to utilize her legal skills, as well as her experience dealing with corporate social responsibility and business generation to lead The Florida Bar as a member of the BOG.She hopes to drive positive change in the legal profession by building collaborative relationships, fostering reciprocal trust, and being accessible to all. And, using her ability to be innovative and to think outside-the-box, Ms. Lewis Simon's goals include expanding access to the courts, ensuring that communities have access to quality legal services that are affordable, and protecting Florida residents by opposing reciprocity. She had this to say about the practice of law today "What worked yesterday may not work as well today. We need innovative thinking to tackle the challenges facing lawyers, the practice and the public we serve." Learn more at www.nikkisimonbog.com.
Oscar Sanchez (Seat 7)
Oscar Sanchez earned his law degree in 1982 from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where he was selected to the Order of Coif. He practiced law for over 25 years with a national law firm, where he was a civil litigator and trial lawyer. In 2015, he left to work as a mediator and arbitrator and to serve, when appointed by the courts, as a special magistrate.
Mr. Sanchez placed his name in nomination for the BOG because of the upcoming Florida Constitution Revision Commission, which he believes is an issue of great importance to all Floridians, and especially to members of The Florida Bar. He understands that The Florida Bar will be asked to play a key role in this matter and believes that the BOG should have the necessary experience and principles to address this issue.
Mr. Sanchez currently serves on a the Judicial Nominating Procedures Committee of The Florida Bar, has worked on the Informed Voters Project of the National Association of Women Judges, has served as President of the University of Florida Law Alumni Council, and presently serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the University of Florida Law Center Association. Mr. Sanchez has asked of his fellow Florida Bar members: "I ask for your trust and your vote and give you my commitment to work diligently on behalf of our esteemed profession and to always ensure that your voices are heard."
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Learn more about the Miami-Dade FAWL member candidates and all candidates by reading their platform statements on The Florida Bar BOG website. Good luck to all of the candidates, and to all of the members of Miami-Dade FAWL and The Florida Bar, check your inbox for an email from "Election Services Corporation for The Florida Bar (Subject: The Florida Bar 2016 Election). If you have any questions about the election, if you cannot locate your electronic ballot, or if you just feel like talking to Election Services Co., call them at 866-720-4357 or email them at flabarhelp@electionservicescorp.com.
Miami-Dade FAWL wishes the best of luck to each of our member candidates, and all candidates!
*Not a member of Miami-Dade FAWL
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Table for Eight with Judge Jason Bloch
By: Kelly Peña
On January 27, 2016, Miami-Dade FAWL hosted its "Table for 8" series lunch with Judge Jason Bloch. The lunch was hosted by Director Lauren Brunswick at Vero Italian in Downtown Miami and also was attended by Judge Bloch's Judicial Assistant, Linda Kraft.
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Judge Jason Bloch (fourth from right) and attandees
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Miami-Dade FAWL members were able to eat, enjoy each other's company, and most importantly to enjoy an intimate and interesting conversation with the Judge, who gave a detailed history of his journey to the bench. Judge Bloch, who currently works in the Criminal Division for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in and for Miami-Dade County, gave attendees his practice tips, which included: (a) provide legal authority for your position in court, but be concise; and (b) do not bring up issues for the first time in court; be sure to brief all issues in advance.
Certainly, this is sound advice that we appreciate dearly. Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, Judge Bloch encouraged all Miami-Dade FAWL members to become more active in the legal community early on in their careers.
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Ileana Cruz, President
Rebecca Ocariz, President-Elect
Katie S. Phang, Secretary
Lara Bueso Bach, Treasurer
Elisa D'Amico, Newsletter Editor
Deborah Baker-Egozi, Immediate-Past President
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Ardith Bronson
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Stephanie Moot
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Lauren Brunswick
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Kelly Peña
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Stephanie Casey
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Jody Shulman
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Courtney Engelke
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Alicia Welch
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Mallory Gold
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Talia Zucker
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Diana Mendez
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Got Civility?
By Jody Shulman and Jennifer V. Ruiz
Got civility? If you don't, you will be in the minority in Miami-Dade County. It is with great pleasure and excitement we announce that nine of Miami-Dade County's Voluntary Bar Associations, namely: Miami-Dade FAWL, DCBA, DCDBA, GSCBWLA, CABA, MJA, FBA, CGBA, and ABOTA , have joined forces to promote civility in the legal profession. his effort to bring back the "Got Civility?" movement to Miami-Dade County was spearheaded by Miami-Dade FAWL upon its announcement last December at its Judicial Reception.
Civility is the backbone of our legal system, without it, faith in our judicial system becomes questionable. An attorney's goal should be to resolve disputes as quickly, efficiently, and amicably as possible, within the bounds of the duty of loyalty owed to clients. Through the inherently adversarial judicial process, attorneys should remember that civility and zealous advocacy for your client are not mutually exclusive. Rather, civility when coupled with zealous advocacy will reap the most benefits for clients, as it will ensure matters are handled as expeditiously as possible. The Eleventh Judicial Circuit in and for Miami-Dade County's Chief Judge Bertila Soto places great importance on civility and professionalism. "The courts are a cornerstone of our society - the third branch of government. Individuals turn to us to protect their rights and resolve disputes peacefully. With such a solemn responsibility on our hands, there is no room for anything less than the highest levels of professionalism and civil conduct." Judge Thomas Rebull, Co-Chair of the Professionalism Committee established by Chief Judge Soto, noted: "Our courts are places where people go to resolve disputes; and, it is because the parties are in conflict, that it is of the utmost importance that when they are engaged in the judicial process, whether in court or out of court, that they treat everyone involved with courtesy, respect, and civility."
By the same token, Co-Chair of the Professionalism Committee, Judge Andrea Wolfson believes civility is something we should all practice and promote daily within the legal profession. "When I think about professionalism within our system of justice, I cannot help but be guided by the principle of treating others as you would like to be treated - it's as simple and yet as complicated as The Golden Rule."
With the help of several members from each Voluntary Bar Association involved, "Got Civility?" Day will be celebrated on March 15, 2016. A CLE and Happy Hour to follow will take place at Coffey Burlington's office in Coconut Grove from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The Moderator will be Miami-Dade FAWL's President-Elect, Rebecca Ocariz, and the distinguished panelists include: Chief Judge Bertila Soto, Judge Robert Scola, Judge Thomas Rebull, Judge Andrea Wolfson, and our Florida Bar President Ramón Abadin. We hope you will join us and our distinguished panelists in promoting civility within our legal community.
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Congratulations to our 2016 Women Making History Award
Honoree, Miami-Dade State Attorney
Katherine Fernandez Rundle
Join Miami-Dade FAWL as we celebrate the trailblazing work of one particular outstanding woman whose leadership has positively impacted so many lives in our community.
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MEMBERSHIP SPOTLIGHT
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Stephanie Moot
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Trisha S. Widowfield
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Stephanie Moot, Miami-Dade FAWL Director and ADA Committee Chair, has been named partner at K&L Gates LLP. Stephanie focuses her commercial disputes practice on Title III ADA public accommodations and defends class action and individual lawsuits for clients across various industries. She counsels clients on the requirements of the ADA and state accessibility laws, and works with them to develop effective strategies for compliance. Stephanie also has experience with premises liability and personal injury defense arising from trucking accidents, regularly handling, for commercial clients, high-exposure cases involving permanent injuries and disability, in both federal and state court. She works with industry experts to provide risk assessments and minimize the potential for recovery of damages. And she also conducts in-depth investigations to mount an effective defense for her clients and protect their assets.
Trisha S. Widowfield, co-chair of the Miami-Dade FAWL Leadership Committee, has been named a partner with Haliczer, Pettis, & Schwamm. Trish handles complex civil litigation, focusing her practice in the areas of medical malpractice and personal injury and representing both Fortune 500 and Fortune 100 companies. In addition to Miami-Dade FAWL, Trish is a member of the Broward County Bar Association, Broward County FAWL, the Dade County Bar Association, and Miami Law Young Alumni.
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Miami-Dade FAWL and Lawyers for Children America Host Second Annual Valentine's Celebration for Foster Youth at Tropical Park
By: Lauren Brunswick
On February 14, 2016, Miami-Dade FAWL's Young Lawyers Committee partnered with Lawyers for Children America to host the Second Annual Valentine's Celebration for Foster Youth at Tropical Park. Over 200 foster youth and foster parents attended the picnic as did many attorneys, law students, and volunteers.
The event was chaired by Director Kelly Peña, and featured outdoor entertainment for the children, including a bounce house, balloon artistry, face painting, arts and crafts, an obstacle course, and music. The picnic also served as an opportunity to help spread the word on the need for legal advocacy for foster youth.
Miami-Dade FAWL directors Ardith Bronson and Lauren Brunswick, Officer Elisa D'Amico, and members Dyanne Feinberg, Amber Kornreich, Ingrid Benson-Villegas, Daniela Gordon, Judge Jason Bloch, and Linda Kraft, were in attendance. These Miami-Dade FAWL members provided much-needed support, from helping serve food, to supervising bouncing children. The weather was great, the food was delicious, and everyone had a blast.
Miami-Dade FAWL thanks its generous sponsors for making this event possible, including The Florida Bar, Duffles4Kids, Misha's Cupcakes, Miami Party Grill, The Miami Foundation, Ogletree Deakins, The Children's Trust, Kozak Tropin Throckmorton and Holland and Knight.
Visit our website or check us out on social media to learn more about the Young Lawyers Committee's upcoming events!
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Mindful Living and Stress Reduction for the Modern Lawyer
by: Amber Kornreich
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| Mindfulness Coach Alex Villegas of
Organic Work Environments (second from left, standing), and program attendees |
On February 10, 2016, the Young Lawyers Committee kicked off its Character and Fitness Series with "Mindful Living and Stress Reduction for the Modern Lawyer."
Twelve Miami-Dade FAWL members participated in the session led by Mindfulness Coach Alex Villegas of Organic Work Environments and practiced cutting edge techniques on how to live more intentionally and manage stress in the midst of all the chaos lawyers face daily.
The group discussed challenges that women lawyers face, as well as strategies for better managing clients, colleagues, and friends through active listening and mindful conversation.
Members raved that the presentation was "eye-opening" and that they "could not wait to incorporate the techniques" into their law practices and lives.
The Law Offices of Kornreich & Associates proudly sponsored the event, which featured organic juices and snacks from Cold Pressed Raw Juice and the event was held at Yes! Workspaces at the One Flagler Building downtown.
If you are interested in learning more about Mindfulness in Law, Alex Villegas invites you to sign up for the exciting new Eight (8) Week Mindfulness Course catered specifically to Lawyers here or to contact him directly at organicworkenvironments@gmail.com to discuss private sessions and/or hosting group events for your law firm.
The Young Lawyers Committee looks forward to seeing you at future Character and Fitness Series events!
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Flashback: Art Basel IP Law CLE
Panelists and attendees at the Young Lawyers Committee's CLE program held during Art Basel about arts and IP law, featuring Florida International University Professor J. Janewa Osei Tutu, and attorneys Chris Sanchelima and Emilie Kennedy. The program was held on December 6, 2015, at Poseidon in Miami Beach and was organized by Ingrid Benson-Villegas. |
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Miami-Dade FAWL is a volunteer bar association dedicated to actively promoting the advancement of women in the legal profession, expanding the leadership role of its members in the community at large, and promoting women's rights.
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Elisa D'Amico, Newsletter Editor | Miami-Dade FAWL
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