Looking back.

• Author: Aronovitz, Tod
• Position: President's Page

"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm."

RALPH WALDO EMERSON

In 1996, I was satisfied with my achievements as a trial lawyer in Miami and ran for a two-year term as a member of The Florida Bar Board of Governors because I wanted to voice my opinions on legal issues and the future of The Florida Bar. I had been active for years in local bar associations, trial lawyer organizations, and community programs, and believed that I could contribute to the Board of Governors. I had no aspirations for further Florida Bar or ABA service.

The first meeting I attended as a new board member was held at The Registry Hotel in Naples. I observed and admired the lawyers of the Board of Governors who devoted time away from their families and law practices, who addressed cutting edge legal issues, trends in the law, the direction of The Florida Bar, lawyer discipline, and issues involving the regulation of the lawyers and judges of Florida. Having enjoyed my service on the board, I ran for re-election and ultimately made the commitment and sought to become president of The Florida Bar.

Our entire board representing attorneys from Key West to Pensacola were diligent and enthusiastic all year long. Now that my term as president is winding down, I reflect upon the outstanding achievements this year of Board of Governors members including: 1) Jerry Beer (West Palm Beach)--chair of Budget Committee, responsible for recommending a budget which implements the approved programs of the Bar and monitored fiscal and budgetary policy; 2) Alan Bookman (Pensacola)--chair of All Bar Conference, a gathering at the Midyear Meeting of The Florida Bar of lawyers, judges, and journalists to review the Dignity in Law program; 3) Hank Coxe (Jacksonville)--chair of Article V Task Force, responsible for direct monitoring of legislative activity involving Article V, Revision 7, and co-chair with David Rothman (Miami) of Disciplinary Review Committee, responsible for reviewing the grievance agenda and making recommendations on disciplinary actions; 4) Jesse Diner (Hollywood)--chair of Legislation Committee, considered proposals for legislative or political action by The Florida Bar or other sections of The Florida Bar on pending legislative issues, and chair of Dignity in Law Review Committee, reviewed the progress of Dignity in Law public awareness program and made recommendations of continuation of program to BOG; 5) Terrence Russell (Ft. Lauderdale)--distinguished...