'Be prepared ... and prepare yourself'.

• Author: Hawkins, Scott G.
• Position: President's Page

One of my first professors at the University of Florida Levin College of Law, the late James Quarles, commenced an early lecture with this admonition: "Be prepared and prepare yourself."

Professor Quarles (previously dean of Mercer University's College of Law) taught that preparation is the key to all worthwhile accomplishments in the legal profession.

That admonition from Professor Quarles resonates with the power of truth and applies to all worthwhile endeavors.

It clearly applies to the day-today practice of law, whether one's focus is criminal defense, estates and trusts, real estate, structuring a tax plan, or corporate litigation.

Likewise, it applies to the daily endeavors that citizen-lawyers frequently undertake: helping to organize a charity, mediating a nonlegal dispute, recruiting a lawyer (whether new or lateral), helping colleagues work through myriad difficulties, and planning for the future.

As Florida Bar leadership looks toward the 2012 legislative session, the admonition of Professor Quarles is particularly applicable.

The Legislature: Looking Forward

Shortly after her term concluded, Bar Past President Mayanne Downs met with me to discuss preparation for the 2012 session. She reflected on the challenges from the 2011 session and expressed appreciation for the complimentary efforts of many from within and outside the Bar who helped address the issues. With gratitude, she pointed to the efforts taken by all three branches to ensure that this year's budget for the judicial branch was not reduced (despite the economic pressures of our times)--an acknowledgement of the judiciary's importance.

What was most clear from President Downs's guidance, however, was the need to prepare early to ensure The Florida Bar is positioned to address questions that arise during the next legislative session. (Similarly, Past President Jesse Diner defined the challenge this way: "Prepare for the unexpected.")

Early Preparation

Given the Bar's commitment to readiness, President-elect Gwynne Young and I have spent significant time in the last three months preparing for the 2012 session that begins January 10. Our efforts have included the following:

* We have met with Supreme Court justices and court staff to discuss planning for the 2012...