Business Law Section Weekly Newsletter
Special Double Edition - Black History Month
Message from the Chair, February 2021
February 1st marked the start of Black History Month, a month dedicated to pay tribute to the vast contributions African Americans have made to history and society and to acknowledge the challenges they faced in their diaspora. The Business Law Section remembers groundbreaking black lawyers such as Thurgood Marshall and his immeasurable strides for the civil rights movement throughout his lifetime; Macon Bolling Allen, who became the first black male attorney in the United States in 1844; Charlotte Ray, who became the first black female attorney in 1872; and Jane Bolin, the first African American judge in the United States in 1939, to name a few.

In 2020, the world unveiled a plethora of lessons around diversity and inclusion; most markedly, were those surrounding racial equality. Leaders and communities are called to wake up, re-evaluate and put an end to structural inequalities and underlying racism. This year, 2021, is a time to reflect on the continued struggle for racial justice and equality, as well as a year of rectification where actions are a priority, and transparency, a requirement. At the cusp of featuring Harriett Tubman on the $20 bill, and with our first female Black-Asian Vice President in office, as lawyers, sworn to uphold our Constitution, it is our job to continue to challenge the status quo, to make changes, and stand up against prejudice.

The theme of Black History Month for 2021 is The Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity. In these unprecedented times, this year’s theme is fitting since family is more important than ever. Let us also stop to celebrate Black families, their historic identities and their impact on the world. As we reflect upon this year’s theme, let us continue to strive to create a culture of diversity, inclusion and belonging in the practice of law, in our workplaces, and in our communities. Consider attending our BLS events aimed to foster diversity and inclusion: Racism in the Workplace, which took place yesterday, February 24, 2021, and will soon be available on demand, and Leadership in the Bar, taking place today February 25, 2021 at 12 p.m.

I look forward to seeing you in person very soon. In the meantime, stay safe and healthy!
Best regards,
Leyza
A Reminder to Always Stay in the Game: A profile on the Honorable Mary S. Scriven, U.S. District Court Judge for the Middle District of Florida

Judge Mary S. Scriven’s mother forecasted her success. On the weekend Judge Scriven graduated from law school in 1987, her mother wrote her a letter, which expressed pride in her daughter’s accomplishments and stated, “a federal judgeship is not out of the question.” In 1997, Judge Scriven
fulfilled her mother’s dream when she was appointed to serve as a Magistrate Judge at the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, making her the first African American woman to
serve as a federal judge in the state of Florida. Judge Scriven served as a Magistrate Judge until September 30, 2008, when she was appointed to serve as a District Court Judge at the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
Reflections on the Extraordinary Life of Judge Stephan P. Mickle
On January 26, 2021, Judge Stephan P. Mickle, Sr. died at the age of 76, having lived an extraordinary and historically significant life, by any definition. I did not have the honor of meeting Judge Mickle, but Judge Karen Specie (Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Florida) had a unique friendship with Judge Mickle that began in 2012 by happenstance after her own appointment to the bench. Without an office or chambers to call her own in Gainesville, Judge Specie spent about three years working from the reception desks in the Gainesville District Court judges’ chambers, including Judge Mickle’s, in between hearings. Yes, you read that correctly. From 2012 to 2015, a United States Bankruptcy Judge spent multiple days a month sitting at and working from a reception area in the District Court Judges’ chambers in Gainesville.
Honoring the Contributions of African American Scientists, Mathematicians, Inventors and Engineers
This article discusses just a few of the many skilled African American scientists, mathematicians, inventors and engineers whose inventions and achievements still touch our everyday lives. Despite their prodigious achievements, their names remain hidden and largely unknown by most Americans. These African Americans, and countless more, should be celebrated and honored for their extraordinary contributions to this country and to the world. To this day, part of the struggle of African Americans in this country is to be seen as Americans and given proper credit for our accomplishments. These inventors and their amazing achievements are a part of American history. Let us shine a light on the achievements of these great Americans not only during Black History month, but all year round.
Diversifying the Bankruptcy Bench

By Chief Judge Laurel M. Isicoff, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida
We have long recognized that people who appear in court feel more comfortable if the person sitting on the bench is someone who looks like them. While in recent years more awareness has developed about diversifying the bench, that process is still in its nascent stages. Historically, the Bankruptcy bench is recognized as the least diverse of the federal benches. The reasons (none scientifically analyzed) are probably many – the legal profession in the years when bankruptcy judge candidates would have been “coming up in the ranks” was not diverse; bankruptcy wasn’t considered one of the “interesting fields of law” (how is that possible!?!?!?!?); the circuits appointing the bankruptcy judges were not sensitive to diversity and inclusion issues.


FSU School of Law is seeking an Executive Director of Business Law Programs. Accepting applications until March 1, 2021. Learn more at https://jobs.fsu.edu/, opening 48051.