On July 15, 2022, the Young Lawyers Division hosted the Morning at the Courthouse program for summer associates, interns, and law students, at the federal courthouse. The event was very well attended by close to 100 law students, judges, law clerks, and practitioners.

The attendees were able to hear from Judge McEwen about opportunities for pro bono representation in federal court, observed sentencing hearings before Judge Jung and Judge Mizelle, and had the chance to participate in a Q&A session with the presiding judges and appearing attorneys after the hearings, including Federal Defender Alec Hall. In addition, participants attended a federal practitioners panel featuring Ailen Cruz, Brandon Breslow, Carlton Gammons, Michelle Moretz-Smith, Sara Mieczkowski, and former TBCFBA President, Nicole Newlon, who moderated the panel. The program concluded with a lunch and mingle, attended by federal judges, law clerks, and practicing attorneys.

Thank you to Judge McEwen for her inspiring pro bono presentation, Judge Jung and Judge Mizelle for hosting the group and creating a meaningful experience, to our panelists for an insightful and informative discussion, and to everyone who contributed to this wonderful program, including the judges, law clerks, and practitioners who participated in the networking lunch, the YLD committee, and the Middle District of Florida’s Bench Bar Fund Committee!

On June 30, 2022, the Middle District of Florida welcomed the 2020 and 2021 high school essay contests winners for a day at the courthouse. The winners spent the morning with Judge Covington and watched a sentencing hearing. The winners spoke with the Assistant United States Attorney, the case agent, the Probation Officer, and the criminal defense attorney from that case. At lunch, Judge Covington recognized the winners for their outstanding essays. In the afternoon, the winners viewed part of a bankruptcy hearing in Judge McEwan’s courtroom. Then the Marshals gave the winners a tour of the courthouse. Thank you to the Middle District of Florida Bench Bar for funding the day at the courthouse, Judge Covington for all her hard work, and all the Middle District of Florida judges and practitioners who helped grade the essays. Check out the winning essays from 2020 and 2021 here!

The US District Court for the Middle District of Florida and Tampa Bay Chapter of the Federal Bar Association teamed up to provide high school students in the Middle District with a week-long in-person Summer Law Camp. Campers were chosen from prior year essay contest winners and from students whose schools previously participated in the Civil Discourse and Difficult Conversations or Morning at the Courthouse programs. About 18 students participated. The camp featured presentations from lawyers on the First Amendment and Criminal Law, a presentation from a special agent on K-9 investigations (he brought his working dog), multiple presentations from Middle District Judges on sentencing guidelines, courtroom logistics and a variety of other topics. The students also witnessed a criminal sentencing and took a tour of the courthouse. The students expressed gratitude for being included int this great summer program.

please contact Erik Johanson.