Civics Program at the Federal Courthouse
On April 27, 2017, the Tampa Bay Chapter held a civics program at the federal courthouse. It was a great program, with participation from several local high schools.
Retirement Reception in honor of U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth A. Jenkins
On April 28, 2016, the Tampa Bay Chapter hosted a retirement celebration in honor of retiring United States Magistrate Judge Elizabeth A. Jenkins. The event was held at Le Meridien Tampa, a historic building that was once the United States Courthouse for the Tampa Division of the Middle District of Florida. The hotel was selected for its special significance to Judge Jenkins, who began her career as a federal judge when sworn in at that courthouse. The venue was filled to capacity by members of the Tampa Bay Chapter, Judge Jenkins’ colleagues from throughout the Middle District of Florida, and the judge’s special guests. The program included remarks from the Honorable Charles Wilson, Circuit Judge, Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the Honorable Steven Merryday, Chief Judge, Middle District of Florida, with additional remarks by representatives of Judge Jenkins’ law clerks and her family.
Chambers Lunch
On February 19, 2016, the Federal Bar Association’s Tampa Bay Chapter hosted its first Chambers Lunch with Middle District of Florida Judge Virginia Covington. The Chambers Lunch is a small-group lunch intended to facilitate unique and meaningful interaction between the Judge and members of the Tampa Bay Chapter. Judge Covington was eager to discuss her previous work experience with the ten attendees. She is particularly proud of her work as Chief of the Asset Forfeiture Section in the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. Judge Covington also spoke with the attendees about her efforts to ensure efficiency in issuing orders and decisions, describing the courtroom technology available to the Judge and her staff to track and manage her case load. Judge Covington ended the lunch with a tour of her chambers and courtroom. This Chambers Lunch is the first of an anticipated series of Chambers Lunches in 2016.
In Spring 2016, the Tampa Bay Chapter hosted two Chambers Lunches with U.S. District Judge Virginia Covington and U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Kovachevich. The Chambers Lunch is a small-group lunch intended to facilitate unique and meaningful interaction between judges and members of the Tampa Bay Chapter. Judges gave short presentations about their time on the bench and took questions from participants.