This year’s FBA Awards & Installation Dinner took place on September 13, 2012, at the JW Marriot Marquis. The Dinner neared maximum capacity and exceeded previous attendance records by more than 100 guests. Guests raved about the new venue for the event.
After our traditional blessing from Judge Peter Palermo and the Pledge of Allegiance led by our United States Attorney, Wifredo Ferrer, outgoing chapter President Brett Barfield shared some of the Chapter’s accomplishments over the last year. You can read about these and other chapter highlights in the chapter’s first newsletter, which debuted at the dinner and can be accessed on our Chapter website.
Brett then had the pleasure of introducing the chapter’s 2012-13 President, Bernie Pastor, the Chief of the Federal Litigation Section of the Miami-Dade County Attorney’s Office and a former federal law clerk and Assistant United States Attorney. Bernie began by expressing the chapter’s gratitude for Brett’s service with thoughtful and moving remarks, and he then presented Brett with a beautiful crystal clock and plaque to commemorate that service on behalf of the chapter. The chapter also presented Aidi Guerrero, Brett’s assistant, with a gift of pearl earrings in appreciation for all of her efforts on behalf of the chapter during Brett’s term as president.
After Chief Judge Federico Moreno swore in Bernie, the other new officers, and the executive board, Bernie introduced our Federal Defender, Michael Caruso, who in turn presented the Hon. Kathleen Williams with this year’s Edward B. Davis Award for Service to the Federal Bench & Bar, the chapter’s highest honor, which is given to a judge or lawyer who has exemplified the FBA’s values of excellence and service to the community, the federal bench, and the federal bar. Judge Williams, who joined the federal bench on August 4, 2011, has been serving the Southern District of Florida since 1984, first as an Assistant United States Attorney until 1988, and then as the Chief Assistant Federal Public Defender and our Federal Defender until her appointment to the district court bench in 2011.
Judge Williams’ acceptance speech mesmerized the entire ballroom. We will upload her remarks here very soon so you can read and enjoy them.
View a gallery of images from our reception.
