The Business Law Section is pleased to recognize Mark Wolfson as the recipient of the 2026 Business Law Section Pro Bono Award. The award honors attorneys who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to pro bono service and to expanding access to justice for those in need.

Mark, a partner with Foley & Lardner LLP and a past Chair of the Business Law Section, has devoted decades to serving both the legal profession and the community. Through Bay Area Legal Services alone, he has contributed more than 838 hours of pro bono service and handled approximately 50 pro bono matters. His work has included representing individuals and families in guardian advocacy matters, helping parents obtain the legal authority necessary to care for their disabled adult children.

Read on

By Immediate Past Chair Stephanie Lieb

When I asked Tara to take on this bold initiative of creating AND implementing the $eniorSmart$ program, her response was the best I could have asked for. She simply responded “yes ma’am.” Since then, and with the help of Judge Lori Vaughan, she has moved a mountain to create the program, draft materials, have them translated into different languages, do community outreach, coordinate presentations, and the list goes on. For her incredible work, it was my honor to present her with the 25/26 BLS Member of the Year Award.

By Immediate Past Chair Stephanie Lieb

One of the greatest privileges of my year as Chair was having the opportunity to recognize individuals whose contributions have shaped the Section into what it is today. Jim Murphy has given so much of himself to this Section over the years, always generously and without seeking recognition, which makes the honor all the more fitting.  He is a former Chair himself, and has sat on countless task forces and committees, attended so many Executive Council Retreats, written white papers, spoken with legislators, and mentored our younger generation within the Section. His decades of service to the Section, leadership, mentorship, and commitment to our profession and the improvement of business law in Florida have left a mark on countless lawyers and on the Business Law Section itself in the best of ways. He is our 25/26 BLS Judge Williamson Award Recipient.

Presidential Showcase Award was presented to Gary Teblum and Lou Conti for their Series LLC program

Section Service Award was presented to Andy Layden for his work on the labor day Retreat

Section Service Award was presented to Michele Moss for her work on the Marketing, Promotions and Sponsorship Committee

Paul Perdomo, our Section photographer

The Communications Committee is responsible for the newsletter, website, blog, and social media.

Deedee Bitran

Judge Hyman

Emma Refuveille

Shirley Grinstein

Tracey Eller

Judge Delano and Kathleen DiSanto are the forces behind the CLE Committee.

By BLS Scholar Zenani Johnson, Florida State University College of Law



Every law student should attend their state’s Bar Convention at least once. Students should also consider joining and engaging with the various sections of their State Bar as student members. Attending committee meetings, educational programs, and networking events can provide valuable exposure to the profession while also helping students to develop meaningful relationships with attorneys and judges. From June 17 through June 19, I attended three days of The Florida Bar Annual Convention as a newly selected Business Law Section Scholar. Through committee meetings, educational programming, luncheons, and receptions, I moved from learning about the legal profession in the classroom to experiencing it firsthand. What I expected to feel somewhat similar to law school orientation became a life-changing experience that gave me meaningful connections, a sense of community, and clarity about my role as a law student, including what to expect as I prepare to enter the profession.

Read the full essay

BLS Email Lists

Are you getting the committee emails you want? You can check your subscriptions here.

CLE on Demand

Need CLE? Miss a program? Many of our past programs are available on demand.

Planning a CLE

Do you have an idea for a great CLE? Learn more here.

Florida isn’t just a state—it’s a global economic powerhouse. If it were an independent nation, Florida would rank among the top 15 largest economies in the world, boasting a GDP that rivals many major countries. The Business Law Section of The Florida Bar plays a critical role in shaping the commercial legal landscape of this economic titan. Our members are not only top-tier business lawyers—they’re the very individuals Florida legislators turn to when drafting or revising key commercial statutes. Sponsoring Business Law Section events like the Labor Day Retreat puts your organization directly in front of the thought leaders, power brokers, and policy shapers who influence business law and practice statewide—and often nationally.

This is more than a networking opportunity. It’s your chance to engage with the legal professionals guiding Florida’s economic future. In addition to the Labor Day Retreat, there are plenty of other sponsorship opportunities that provide year-round exposure through our Section’s ongoing programming, communications, and events. If your brand wants to be seen, respected, and remembered by the attorneys who help write the laws that govern business in one of the world’s most dynamic markets, this is where you need to be.

Please reach out to Will Blair and Bob Charbonneau for sponsorship opportunities.