Jacksonville Celebrates the Holidays with Awards and Festivities

News Summary

The Jacksonville Bar Association held its annual holiday celebrations on December 12, bringing together attorneys and judges for a heartwarming luncheon. This year’s events recognized community champions with awards, including Jim Kowalski and Lisa Call for their impactful contributions. The festive atmosphere promoted the spirit of giving and featured a keynote address from Mari Kuraishi of the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, emphasizing philanthropy’s role in the community. A judicial panel discussion on mediation was also announced, highlighting ongoing education opportunities in the legal field.

Jacksonville Rings in the Holidays with Festive Celebrations and Heartfelt Awards

Jacksonville experienced a splash of holiday cheer on December 12 with the exciting annual celebrations hosted by the Jacksonville Bar Association. This year’s festivities took place in the gorgeous atrium lobby of 1 Independent Square, creating a perfect backdrop for attorneys, judges, and their guests to gather for some much-needed informal fellowship this holiday season.

A Heartwarming Tradition

The 18th Annual Honorable Harvey E. Schlesinger Spirit of Giving Holiday Luncheon was also held on the same day, but over at The River Club Downtown. Sponsored by the Jacksonville Federal Court Bar Association, this cherished luncheon is a wonderful opportunity for local federal practice lawyers and judges to come together, share a meal, and reflect on a year of achievements.

As the event unfolded, a series of awards were presented to recognize the outstanding contributions made by individuals and organizations within the community. The joyous atmosphere was amplified as attendees celebrated the true spirit of giving, which was a central theme throughout the day.

Honoring Community Champions

At the luncheon, various awards were distributed to deserving recipients who have made a significant impact on the community. The civil practice Spirit of Giving Award was presented to Jim Kowalski, the dedicated President and CEO of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid. His unwavering commitment to providing essential legal services to those in need earned him this notable recognition, presented by none other than former Chief Judge Timothy Corrigan.

Switching gears to the criminal practice realm, the spotlight fell on Lisa Call, the Federal Public Defender, who was honored with an award for her exceptional work in representing clients facing trying circumstances. U.S. Magistrate Judge Monte Richardson delivered this esteemed accolade to Call and highlighted the valuable contributions she has made to the field.

There was also a special moment during the luncheon when Chief U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard presented a third award to Timothy Corrigan. This recognition was for Corrigan’s impressive mediation efforts in tackling particularly challenging cases, underscoring the importance of negotiation in resolving disputes.

Inspirational Keynote Address

In addition to the awards, the event featured a thought-provoking keynote address from Mari Kuraishi, the president of the Jessie Ball duPont Fund. Kuraishi passionately spoke about the tremendous role philanthropy plays in building a thriving community. She emphasized the need for society to overcome historical inequalities to foster transformative change, urging each attendee to reflect on their potential impact.

Mediation and Its Value

On a related note, a judicial panel discussion focusing on mediation was scheduled for February 7 at the Duval County Courthouse. Circuit Judges including Bruce Anderson, G.L. Feltel Jr., John Guy, Maureen Horkan, and Virginia Norton participated in this engaging discussion, moderated by the skilled Certified Circuit Court Mediator Steven Gard.

The discussion emphasized how important mediation is for resolving disputes before they reach trial. Judges shared insights on preparation strategies that would lead to positive outcomes and stressed how mediation is often a more amicable path to resolution.

Continuous Learning Opportunities

The Jacksonville Bar Association also emphasizes the importance of ongoing education, providing a variety of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) opportunities throughout the year. These sessions are designed to help legal professionals stay updated on essential practices and enhance their skills for the benefit of the community.

As the holiday season approaches, the celebrations hosted by the Jacksonville Bar Association serve not only as a reminder of the importance of giving but also showcase the collective pride and spirit of the legal community in Jacksonville.