Law Day Events

Tallahassee Women Lawyers is hosting the sixth-annual Legacy of Excellence. Legacy of Excellence is day-long overview of this year’s Law Day theme for girls in 8th through 12th grades presented through the eyes of women lawyers. This year's program will take place on April 29, 2008. The program curriculum focuses on exposing participants to women lawyers, encouraging them to pursue a legal career, and enlightening them on a substantive aspect of the law. Participants will have an opportunity to hear from keynote speakers such as a Supreme Court Justice; a Circuit Court Judge; an FSU Law School Professor; as well as have the opportunity to visit the Capitol and the Florida Supreme Court; view a Circuit Court proceeding; attend lunch with members of the Tallahassee Women Lawyers; and visit a local law firm. At the end of the afternoon participants will come together as a group to discuss the day’s experiences and will be awarded certificates of completion. Participants are required to write an essay on this year's law day theme and submit an application by April 21, 2008 to be considered for the program. Applications may be requested by contacting Aubrey Posey at aubreyposey@hotmail.com.

The Clearwater Bar has coordinated a variety of activities to benefit both the public and the membership. Volunteers are welcome and needed to participate in any of the events. Contact Stephanie Bolton, Law Week Chair, by phone at 813-223-7000 or sbolton@carltonfields.com. A complete description of each project is at clwbar.org/LawDay.html.

Law Day Luncheon & Annual Meeting
The Law Day Luncheon & Annual Meeting is May 9. Highlights of the event include the induction of the new association officers and directors. The event will also include the presentation of annual awards including the President’s Awards, the John U. Bird Judicial Excellence Award, the Ralph Richards Professionalism Award, the Allen G. Moore Gold Badge Award, the Liberty Bell Award and the George Greer Judicial Independence Award. The coveted Oyster Roast Cup and Judge Harry Fogel Great Debate Trophy will also be awarded at the luncheon.

High School Speaker Program—April 23
Law Line—May 7
The Great Debate—April 22 and May 1
Young Lawyers Division Judicial Reception—April 16
The Three Bears vs. Gold E. Locks—April 16
3rd & 4th Grade Poster Contest
5th Grade Essay Contest
6th, 7th, & 8th Grade Speech Contest

To mark the 50th anniversary of Law Day and the "Rule of Law", the Jacksonville Bar Association has planned many activities to educate our students and members of the public about the principles of a free society and government under the law. Numerous judges and attorneys in conjunction with the Florida Supreme Court Justice Teaching Volunteers will be making presentations to over 700 students at local elementary, middle and high schools on the Rule of Law, the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. A mock trial competition for high school students will also be conducted at the Duval County Courthouse with assistance from Florida Coastal School of Law, local judges and attorneys. "Lawsuits" - a professional clothing drive - will benefit the local homeless shelter, and assist the less fortunate members of our community in their search for employment and better opportunities in our community. Additionally, the Jacksonville Bar Association will present two free informative seminars to the public on "How to become a U.S. Citizen" and the process of naturalization. Lastly, in conjunction with the Family Law Inns of Court, the Hispanic Bar Association of NE Florida and the Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, additional workshops, which are free to the public and available in Spanish, will be presented on topics of tax law, family law, and bankruptcy/foreclosures. All workshops will be held in Jacksonville's Main Library during the month of April.

The Brevard County Bar Association of Melbourne, Florida will hold the annual Law Day Luncheon on May 1, 2008 at the Suntree Country Club. The guests will be students who have entered and won the Law Day Essay and/or Poster Contest which can be entered by students in Brevard County Florida. Their essays and posters with the theme of "The Rule of Law: Foundation for Communities of Opportunity and Equity" will be on display for the attorneys and parents to see as we honor the students. The winning students will receive savings bonds and have their work on display at the 18th Circuit Court's Moore Justice Center in Viera, Florida.

The honored speaker for the Law Day Luncheon will be Justice Harry Lee Anstead who was appointed to the Florida Supreme Court on August 29, 1994 by Gov. Lawton Chiles. Justice Anstead was named Florida’s 50th Chief Justice on July 1, 2002.

Brevard County Bar Association
Melbourne, FL
Chairman, Jay Fowler
Email: bcba@brevardbar.org

The objective of the law day program, sponsored by the Orange County Bar Association, is to ensure our youth understand their rights and responsibilities under the law in order to become effective participants in our nation's civic life. See attached (PDF) for further information

For additional information, please contact Lori Spangler by telephone at (407) 245-2432 or via email at LSpangler@ralaw.com or Lissa Bealke by telephone at (407) 407-843-8880 or via email at LBealke@gray-robinson.com.