STATE FAWL SEPTEMBER 2015 E-NEWS
In This Issue:
Jennifer Shoaf Richardson State FAWL Treasurer 
visiting VFAWL Chapter.
Wendy Mara President of VFAWL presenting Senator Dorothy Hukill with Honorary Membership Award at VFAWL's Homecoming celebrating 20 years of VFAWL!
Membership 
Renewals
Don't miss out-make sure you've renewed your FAWL membership!  Did you know the FAWL membership year runs from July 1 to June 30?  If you haven't renewed your membership yet for the 2015 to 2016 membership year, please do so today!  You can renew on the FAWL website by clicking on www.fawl.org.
Special Thanks To Our Sponsors!!!!







Super Lawyers 
Nomination Deadline
The deadline for peer nominations for Florida Super Lawyers is November 2 .  FAWL's Membership Advancement and Promotion committee has found recognition from peers through Super Lawyers, Legal Elite, and Martindale Hubbell to be a part of the criteria considered for judicial appointments, promotion to partnership within law firms, and increased rainmaking ability.  Nominate your peers and qualified fellow members today.
Chapter Spotlight
The Broward County Women Lawyers Association celebrated the installation of the 2015-2016 Directors and Board with a luncheon at the Renaissance Hotel on Tuesday, August 25, 2015.  They had the honor of having Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz give the keynote address and then administer the oath of office to the new board.  Over 200 lawyers, judges, dignitaries, family members, and guests, as well as FAWL President Kristin Norse, President-Elect Leora Freire and other FAWL officers joined us in celebration. 
 
BCWLA is a diverse group of lawyers and judges who reside, work, and socialize in Broward County.  While BCWLA members vary in terms of experience, areas of practice, gender, age, and ethnicity, we share the common vision that a successful legal community thrives on the commitment of its lawyers and judges to the legal and civic community. Throughout the year, BCWLA hosts monthly luncheons aimed at helping lawyers to achieve their personal and professional goals.  BCWLA members have the opportunity to socialize, enjoy lunch, and earn CLE credits while talented speakers share their knowledge, skills, and experiences. For more information, visit  www.browardwomenlawyers.com


Incoming Board of Directors, Officers, FAWL President Kristin Norse, and Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz, Immediate Past President Ninowtzka Mier (left) and President Jennifer Erdelyi (right), BCWLA President Jennifer Erdelyi and her husband, Alex, children Dylan and Olivia, with Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz. Photograph  courtesy of michaelmurphy.com.

Where is Kristin?
Our President, Kristin Norse, has been busy visiting chapters around Florida. Since taking office in July, she has attended a lunch meeting in Marion County and the installation ceremony for Broward County Women Lawyers Association. This month, she will host FAWL's Leadership Retreat in her hometown of Tampa. Next month, she will speak at the Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association's lunch meeting on October 8. You can follow Kristin and her travels by following her on Twitter - @FloridaAppeals. 

Welcome to St. John's 
County Chapter!
At the last Executive Board meeting, the Board voted to approve the new chapter request from St. John's County. We are thrilled to add another chapter to our organization! For information about the chapter's activities, please contact President Jane West.
Call for Advertisers for FAWL Journal
We have great issues planned for the upcoming editions of the FAWL Journal, and we still have spots available for advertisers! If you, your firm, or your Chapter or organization is interested in advertising in the FAWL Journal, or you know someone who might be, please contact Katherine Yanes or Kate Mesic.
President's Message
Kristin A. Norse State FAWL President
Leadership retreat
 
It is with great expectation that I look forward to welcoming FAWL members and leaders this month to FAWL's Leadership Retreat in Tampa:  Cigar City Nights.  We've got the perfect mix of fun and work planned.  We've got a free member CLE, a chapter roundtable for chapters to share best practices, and we will be working together to actively shape the future of FAWL with some strategic planning.  Then there's food, fellowship, drink, and even bowling!  It isn't too late to join us!
 
Reciprocity, technology, and LLLTs, oh my!
 
Unless you've been locked in a warehouse digging through boxes of paper produced in a discovery request, you've probably heard some vigorous debate about the future of the practice of law. Vision 2016, a commission of around 65 lawyers from across the state, has been performing an in-depth study of the future of the profession in the areas of technology, access to civil legal services, bar admissions, and legal education.  Now in its third and final year, the commission is releasing (or more accurately, continues to release) reports and recommendations based on its studies.  A recent report that recommends Florida adopt a reciprocity policy for bar admissions has garnered the most attention.  And President Ramon Abadin hasn't shied away from talking about these difficult issues.  He has spent the first months of his presidency challenging lawyers to educate themselves about how the rapidly-changing world affects our profession, to consider whether the profession needs to adapt to these changes, and to provide the Bar with comments on these important issues.
 
Lawyers are a diverse group, and significant changes affect us in different ways.  Women lawyers from corporate counsel to experienced litigators are no exception, and may offer other unique insights.  That makes our reasoned participation in these discussions critical.  I urge you to join in the discussions and share your thoughts and experiences with others and the Florida Bar Board of Governors.

YOUR FAWL PROFILE

FAWL has 34 chapters around the State of Florida and more than  3,000 members. With those numbers, it is important to maintain and update your profile on the FAWL website. Members like to refer cases to other FAWL members in their own county or around the State. Please take a moment to upload a photograph or edit your profile to make sure your contact and firm information is correct. To do this, visit www.fawl.org and click on the "Member Login" box on the right side. Your username is your email. If you do not remember your password, simply click on "Forgot My Password."

 

State FAWL Retreat

HAVE YOU MADE YOUR RESERVATIONS FOR THE STATE FAWL RETREAT?  
All members are welcome to join FAWL at its Leadership Retreat in Tampa, Florida.  The deadline to register for all events is September 18, 2015.   To register for the FAWL Ledership Retreat click here.  The deadline for reserving a hotel room in the FAWL block has passed.  The hotel may still have rooms available or you can email Kristin Norse for ideas on other accomodations. Board members (including chapter representatives) and commitee leaders traveling more than 350 miles to this meeting may qualify for a travel stipend.  Those interested should contact  Kristin Norse before August 31, 2015 for details.  If you would like to share a room and expenses you may also contact Kristin Norse before August 31, 2015.  Law student representatives who may not be able to afford a room should also contact  Kristin Norse .


Upcoming Dates & Deadlines

Save the Date:   FAWL Leadership Retreat:  Cigar City Nightsl  Marriott Waterside Hotel, Tampa

Thursday evening, September 24, 2015, to Saturday early afternoon, September 26, 2015

 

Save the Date: Lobby Days: Networking, Mentoring, and Advocacy;  Hotel Duval, Tallahassee

Sunday evening, January 10, 2016, to Tuesday evening, January 12, 2016.  Lobby Days Hotel Reservations Click Here.  FAWL has a Lobby Days Promo Video which is also displayed on our website!  For information on events State FAWL will be hosting during the 2016 Lobby Days Click Here.

 

Save the Date: Spring meeting: Work-Life Balance

Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club, Naples

Thursday evening, April 21, 2016, to Saturday early afternoon, April 23, 2016

 

Save the Date: Annual Meeting and Gala: A New Year Begins; Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, Orlando

June 15, 2016, to June 18, 2016

 

 

Chapter News
Collier County - 15 of the CCWBA's past presidents recently gathered to welcome the CCWBA's new President, Kelly Davis, to the helm. One of the organization's founders, Sharon Hanlon, hosted a dinner at her home on August 19th. Sharon asked each guest to write down one piece of advice for Kelly. The advice was read aloud (anonymously), and the group then discussed the advice. The gathering was a wonderful forum for the past presidents to offer their leadership expertise and for the incoming president to gain ideas for the upcoming year. Another past president has already offered to host next year's dinner!
 
Pinellas - PFAWL was honored to have Judge Patrice Moore install the new board members and officers at their monthly social on July 7. The chapter also hosted a Judicial Roundtable with the Honorable Mark Shames on August 20.
 
Jacksonville - October is a busy month for JWLA. President Kristin Norse will be the guest speaker at their monthly lunch meeting on October 8. On October 14, the chapter will host a Happy Hour and later that month they will participate at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk on October 24, 2015.
 
Volusia-Flagler - T he Volusia-Flagler Association for Women Lawyers will host a special lunch meeting where   the Florida Bar President Ramón Abadin will be the guest speaker. 

Informed Voters Project
The Informed Voters Project (IVP) is a non-partisan project of The National Association of Women Judges. Florida Supreme Court Justice Barbara J. Pariente is spearheading the project in Florida and working with FAWL to develop a strong civics education program so that all Floridians understand the importance of a fair and impartial judiciary. For more information on IVP, please visit ivp.nawj.org.

IVP will be relying on local chapters to reach out to judicial circuits across the state to air the "Fair and Free" video introduced by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor in jury rooms. IVP will also be planning presentations across the state this year. If you want to be involved in the planning or as a presenter, please contact FAWL IVP Co-Chairs Olivia Liggio  and Jamie Karpman .
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