On July 13, 2023, the Young Lawyers Division hosted the Morning at the Courthouse program for approximately 60 law students and attorneys at the Sam Gibbons United States Courthouse. The attendees were first able to hear from Judge McEwen about the importance of pro bono work and opportunities for pro bono representation in federal court. Next, they observed court proceedings on a variety of topics in front of Judge Barber, Judge Flynn, and Judge Scriven. Participants then attended a federal practitioners’ panel featuring Soma Nwokolo, Michelle Moretz-Smith, Sara Mieczkowski, and Chance Lyman, moderated by Brandon Breslow. The program concluded with a networking lunch that was attended by federal judges and law clerks.

Many thanks to Judge McEwen for her inspiring pro bono presentation, to Judge Barber, Judge Flynn, and Judge Scriven for hosting participants in their courtrooms, to our panelists for an insightful and engaging discussion, and to everyone who contributed to this wonderful program, including the judges and law clerks who participated in the networking lunch, the YLD committee, and the Middle District of Florida’s Bench Bar Fund Committee!

On July 20th, the Mentoring Committee hosted a judicial panel on mentoring, titled “Mentoring from the Judicial Perspective.” The Chapter was honored to host Circuit Judge Robert Luck of the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, District Judge Marcia Morales Howard of the Middle District of Florida (Jacksonville Division), and Magistrate Judge Robert Norway of the Middle District of Florida (Orlando Division). The panel was moderated by Jon Philipson of Thomas & LoCicero and judicial intern and rising second year law student at the University of Florida Tyler Kendrick.

The panelists shared how mentors shaped their experiences and introduced them to a legal career—whether it was neighbor, a family friend, or a presiding officer. Besides sharing their experiences, the panelists imparted advice for law students and senior lawyers to consider inside and outside the courtroom. The Committee thanks the panelists for their candid and insightful discussion.

please contact Erik Johanson.