Challenges and opportunities.

• Author: Schifino, William J., Jr.
• Position: The Florida BAr - President's page

Over the years, I have had the privilege of serving on the board of directors of various for-profit corporations. Some small, some large. Regardless of size, what each had in common, no matter how successful, was that they were always in perpetual motion to do, whatever it is they did, better. Looking for new ways to deliver whatever it was they delivered, whether it be health care-related, physical fitness, or electronic.

One such board was for a company that owned 60-plus health club facilities around the country. They were some of the brightest men and women I have ever had the occasion to work with. Despite how successful they were, this was always a constant discussion: How can we do it better? How best to utilize current technology to better deliver our services? How to be more efficient? In the end, how best to serve our clients?

This mentality and approach should apply to our profession. This is not to suggest that how we have done things in the past has been wrong. It is simply the acknowledgment that, as with every profession or business, evolution is at work. Adaptation is critical.

Over the past few years, it has been clear to see that no matter your perspective, we all recognize that our profession certainly faces many challenges. So does all of society. But we should not run from these challenges; we cannot. We must instead meet them head-on.

The reality is that this continues to be an exciting time to be a lawyer. We have the opportunity to shape the future of the profession. It is a responsibility we must embrace. We all recognize that it is a privilege to practice law. With that privilege comes responsibility. I believe that one of our responsibilities is to always challenge ourselves to improve the way we deliver legal services to the citizens of our state. The fact that we, as a profession, face challenges should be of no surprise. We always have, and we always likely will.

As I travel this state, I see opportunities. I see lawyers and members of...