On January 31, our Chapter hosted its first CLE program of the year: “Advanced Mediation & Settlement Strategies for Handling the Toughest Situations.” President-Elect Ashley Gallagher moderated the panel discussion that featured Judge Elizabeth Jenkins, Judge Kyle Dudek, Peter King, and Harold Oehler. The panelists shared their wisdom and experience on a variety of topics, including successfully navigating tough adversaries who use difficult bargaining tactics, handling challenges when the wishes of clients and their lawyers no longer align, and diffusing adversaries that test the ethical bounds in negotiating spaces. Our Chapter is thankful for the Middle District of Florida’s Bench Bar Fund for its generous support for this event.

On February 28our Chapter hosted a Judicial Reception. We celebrated our local Eleventh Circuit and Middle District of Florida judges and welcomed the newest United States Magistrate Judges from across the country. Everyone enjoyed the heavy hors d’oeuvres and stunning views from the Tampa Club. The Planning Committee, comprised of Board Members Michelle Moretz-Smith, David Wright, and Anitra Clement, thank Judge Porcelli for providing our Chapter with the opportunity to welcome the newest United States Magistrate Judges to Tampa. The Planning Committee would also like to thank the Federal Magistrate Judge’s Association and the entire Chapter Board’s for their generosity in supporting this event.

On February 16 and 17, YLD Chair Ali Preston and Secretary Soma Nwokolo attended the Florida Bar YLD’s Affiliate Outreach Conference at Walt Disney World, where they presented a grant application for the YLD’s anticipated Civil Discovery and Writing Workshop planned for October and met with YLD affiliate representatives from across the state. Communications Chair Kyle Robisch also attended the conference as a sponsor with the Florida Bar Foundation.

On February 7, the Criminal & Government Investigations Committee co-hosted with Stetson Law School an event featuring Leslie Caldwell, the former Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division of the United States Department of Justice. Ms. Caldwell spoke on current trends in federal prosecution. Former U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida Lee Bentley provided introductory remarks. Also in attendance were former U.S. Attorneys Robert O’Neill and Maria Chapa Lopez as well as former Acting U.S. Attorney Karin Hoppman. The Committee would like to thank everyone who attended and Professor Ellen Podgor for spearheading this great event.

On March 12th, the FBA Mentoring Program kicked off its program with a fun night of food, camaraderie and of course, shuffle boarding. Mentoring pairs gathered at Shuffle to connect, share experiences, and test their skills among Tampa’s best shuffle boarders. The informal gathering gave mentors and mentees a chance to get know each other better in a relaxed setting.

Stay tuned for our upcoming mentoring panel on June 12th via Zoom. You will hear from three dynamic leaders and how mentoring shaped their experiences---former U.S. Congressman Jim Davis, former ABA President Martha Barnett, and U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg.

The mentoring program also looks forward to its new annual tradition of laser tag and Dairy Joy later in the year.

Executive Board Members: Anitra Raiford Clement, President, Shook Hardy & Bacon LLP; Ashley Gallagher, President-Elect, Johnson Jackson PLLC; Gus Centrone, Vice President, Kynes Markman & Felman PA; Sarah Gottlieb, Treasurer, Smith Gambrell Russell LLP; Soma Nwokolo, Secretary, United States Attorney’s Office; Jason Stearns, Immediate Past President, Smith Gambrell Russell LLP.

Judicial Board Members: United States District Judge Virginia Covington, Middle District of Florida; United States District Judge Julie S. Sneed; Chief Bankruptcy Judge Caryl E. Delano, Middle District of Florida; United States Magistrate Judge Anthony Porcelli, Middle District of Florida.

Emeritus Board Members: Jim Felman, Kynes Markman & Felman PA; Erin Jackson, Johnson Jackson PLLC; Kevin Johnson, Johnson Jackson PLLC; Peter King, Peter B. King Mediation; Jordan Maglich, Raymond James; Kevin Napper, Kevin J. Napper PA; Lauren Pilkington-Rich, Raymond James; Jacqueline Simms-Peterdis, Burr Forman; Eddie Suarez, The Suarez Law Firm PA; Katherine Yanes, Kynes Markman & Felman PA.

Board Members: Erica Bartimmo, Awards Chair, Citibank, NA; Brandon Breslow, Civil Seminar Chair, Kynes Markman & Felman PA; Thomas A. Burns, Appellate Chair, Burns PA; Alec Hall, Government Attorneys Liaison, Federal Defender; Casey Hampton, Judicial Law Clerks Chair, Carlton Fields; Joseline Hardrick, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Chair, WMU Cooley Law School; Erik Johanson, Bankruptcy Co-Chair, Newsletter Chair, Erik Johanson PLLC; Scott McLaren, Pro Bono Chair, Hill Ward Henderson; Jason Mehta, Judicial Recognitions Vice Chair, Foley & Lardner; Beatriz Miranda, Membership Chair, Gunster; Michelle Moretz-Smith, Staying in the Game Chair, United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit; Diego Pestana, Criminal & Government Investigations Chair, The Suarez Law Firm PA, Greg Pierson, Social Media Chair, Gunster; Alison Preston, Younger Lawyers Division Chair, Florida Office of the Attorney General; Jon Philipson, Mentoring Chair, Gunster; Mindi Richter, Intellectual Property Chair, Shumaker Loop & Kendrick LLP; Dana Robbins, Bankruptcy Co-Chair, Burr Forman; Kyle Robisch, Communications Chair, Latitude Legal; Latasha Scott, Appellate Vice Chair, Butler Weilhmuller Katz Craig LLP; Libby Shaw, Judicial Law Clerk Vice Chair, United States District Court of the Middle District of Florida; Mamie Wise, Press Secretary, United States Attorney’s Office; David Wright, High School Essay Contest Chair, Carlton Fields; Rachel Zysk, Judicial Recognitions Chair, The Suarez Law Firm PA.

please contact Erik Johanson.