Welcome to the South Florida Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. For over 50 years we have been dedicated to advancing the administration of justice and improving federal court practice for both lawyers and judges in our federal courts. We do this locally by ensuring ongoing dialogue and interaction between our lawyers and judges at educational, social, and community outreach programs. As part of the national FBA, we pursue these goals through far-reaching government relations, media, and other outreach efforts in such crucial areas as court funding, judicial vacancies, and judicial pay, all of which directly affect the independence of our third branch of government and the administration of justice (please read the press releases and articles posted on the main FBA homepage). Feel free to contact me directly for more information and to join us in our important work.
Since our inception in 1959, our chapter has grown by leaps and bounds and we're proud of our signature events and excited for you to be part of our new initiatives. Young lawyers--whether newly admitted, law clerks, or law students--have a new and growing role and that makes sense because they are the future of our courts and federal practice. Our members serve as mentors to young lawyers and students through our mentoring initiative and through the annual Minority Mentoring Picnic, held each year by John Kozyak and his firm, Kozyak, Tropin & Throckmorton. I urge all young lawyers to come to our events, participate in our programs and seek leadership roles in the future. Join now!
We sponsor two luncheon series. From November through May, we host monthly luncheons at the Bankers Club in Miami. Our "Bankers Club" luncheons typically attract about 100 top practitioners and federal judges, including district, magistrate and bankruptcy judges. Each lunch includes a presentation by a guest speaker, which can vary from a talk followed by a question and answer session, to a panel with a moderator addressing a topic of interest in the federal courts. Our "Recent Events" page highlights some of what our members have enjoyed lately. For instance, in April, Judge James Cohn captivated the audience with a talk focused on the importance of judicial courage and independence. Judge Cohn told his personal story as a young student at Tuskegee Institute High School in Alabama during the early 1960s and the desegregation of that school over the vigorous opposition of the then-governor Wallace. Judge Cohn's account of the courage of District Judge Frank Johnson in deciding many cases related to those historical events was moving and reminded us all of the critical role our judges are playing today as they decide questions of historical importance that require courage and independence. You won't want to miss these kinds of presentations!
For our members only, we have our "Boardroom Series" lunches. The Boardroom Series consist of a maximum of 20 lawyers having lunch in an open forum with two federal judges around a boardroom table. The lunches are hosted at local law firms and are limited to the first 20 people who respond to our email invitation. These lunches allow a small group of attorneys from all types of firms and practices to get to better know our federal judges outside of the courtroom.
Our longest running signature event is our annual Federal Judicial Reception every February at the Hyatt Hotel in Miami. Law firms from throughout the District sponsor the event which honors our local federal judiciary. Lawyers, judges, law clerks and law students mingle over cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Our Thirtieth Annual Reception in February 2011 was attended by over 700 lawyers and judges. This is the event of the year and we hope to see you there at our next reception on February 9, 2012!
In Setpember each year we gather for our annual Installation of Officers and Awards Gala. Usually held at the luxe Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, our judges and lawyers come together for the swearing in of our officers and board members for the coming year and, beginning in 2010, to present to one of our judges or lawyers The Hon. Edward B. Davis Award for Service to the Federal Bench and Bar (immediately coined "The Ned" after Judge Davis' nickname among his many friends!). Please read the tribute to Judge Davis and the remarks in presenting the first award to Magistrate Judge Peter Palermo immediately below this message. We welcome nominations for the 2011 Hon. Edward B. Davis Award to be presented at our next Installation and Awards Gala to be held on Thursday, September 22, 2011.
We couldn't do what we do without the support of our judges, who are always willing to help our group, guide and teach young lawyers, educate the bench and bar about developments and issues of importance to the federal bench and bar, and ensure the vitality of excellence, professionalism and civility in our federal courts. You are the backbone of our organization and we thank you!
On behalf of the South Florida chapter’s executive board, I thank you for visiting our site and I look forward to seeing you soon at one of our events.
Brett Barfield
President, South Florida Chapter
View our Chapter presidents since 1959