Connection
The FAWL Monthly E-Newsletter
September 2019
Michelle Coughlin, Susan Warner, Jennifer Shoaf Richardson, Lara Bach, and Kyleen Hinkle presented Oral Argument to The Florida Supreme Court on August 27, 2019
Message From Your FAWL Leadership Team
Hello, FAWL! I am Tiffany Love McElheran and I am very honored to serve as your Public Relations Director this year. have been an attorney with Bush Ross, P.A. since 2011 in our Community Associations Practice Group and am a long time FAWL member. I previously served as co-chair of the webinar committee as well as a member of the Awards Committee and Development Committee.
I have immensely enjoyed learning and sharing with so many wonderful women across the State. FAWL has helped me to become more confident, to be inspired to make a bigger difference by pursing more leadership opportunities, and become a better mentor to other young attorneys. I am very passionate about uplifting one another and promoting confidence and skills to help others discover their value. To achieve success, it is imperative that individuals feel that they are supported, valued, recognized for their contributions, and connected. Therefore, I am very excited to share in all of your success and accomplishments over the next year and highlight the amazing members of this incredible organization. If you have events, updates, and content to share and promote, please email me at admin@fawl.org   or tmcelheran@bushross.com  so we can recognize and appreciate our accomplishments and stay connected, focus on leadership opportunities and continued mentorship to help empower our lawyers and to encourage early involvement. On behalf of all of the FAWL Leadership Team, we appreciate your support and commitment, and are looking forward to an incredible year!
FAWL Addresses The Florida Supreme Court by Oral Argument in Support of Parental Leave Rule
On August 27, 2019, the Florida Supreme Court considered oral argument in support of proposed Rule 2.570 to the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration which would allow for mandatory continuances, with client consent, for timely filed requests from lead counsel, unless substantial prejudice may be demonstrated and with exception provided for criminal, juvenile, and cases involving sexually violent predators. Jennifer Shoaf Richardson, former president of FAWL, along with The Florida Bar President, John M. Stewart, Susan Warner, Lara Bach, and Michelle Coughlin, artfully presented argument to The Florida Supreme Court in support of the proposed rule and addressed questions raised by the Justices regarding the need for a formal rule on parental leave. FAWL maintains that, the rule is necessary to provide certainty, confidence, and promote efficiency. Absent substantial prejudice, parents should not have to forego lead counsel opportunities or risk losing clients; spouses should not have to risk not being present for the birth of a child; clients should not have to be unduly burdened or have to pay for a new attorney to learn their case; the role of women lawyers should not be diminished; and protections must exist to prevent an inequitable result when addressing parental leave. Mrs. Richardson asserted in argument that “The advancement of women as professionals is directly implicated by this rule and by these denials.”
 
Interestingly, those opposed provided comment that the rule forces delay based on an “individual decision of one attorney to take time away from work.” Opponents also argue that the system is not broken and “works already.” They assert that a mandate unfairly shifts the burden to the nonmoving side and takes discretion away from trial courts. However, numerous examples were presented to the Court identifying the significant obstacles that exist for many seeking parental leave and indicate that solutions should be considered to offer remedies not solely based on equality, but on equitable factors. While opponents appear to overlook the professional adversity faced by many parents with regard to parental leave and family planning, including: the undervaluing of contributions, underrepresentation in firm leadership, unconscious bias, and gender pay gaps, the proposed rule would provide an equitable remedy for those negatively impacted. There is no question that parental leave affects women lawyers vastly different from their male counterparts and yet, ensuring equity in these matters continues to be debated.

The Florida Bar Board of Governors unanimously recommended adoption of the rule as proposed twice. Mr. Stewart explained that the enactment of the rule “advances the Bar’s mission one, in promoting diversity and advancement of the diverse professionals in our profession, and second, as the rule, as proposed, advances the bars mission to encourage health and wellness and to encourage work life integration as physically and mentally healthy lawyers better serve their clients.” Justice Alan Lawson commented that “Everybody recognizes that we have a serious problem that causes serious problems for practitioners in this State” and that this issue has “already been punted once”, he posed the suggestion that a “sunset provision” be implemented to allow an opportunity to reevaluate after gaining experience under the rule. While various arguments in support and in opposition to the proposed rule were presented at oral argument this morning, parties on both sides acknowledged that cause for concern and address of parental leave within the legal profession is crucial. In the meantime, The Florida Bar, FAWL, as well as many voluntary bar associations, will be anxiously awaiting the response from The Florida Supreme Court.
HAWL Kicks Off Its Diversity & Leadership Breakfast Series with Melanie Griffin!
The Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers launched its first session of its Diversity & Leadership Breakfast Series, sponsored by The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division. This session featured advice and tips from Melanie Griffin of Spread Your Sunshine on networking and mentoring in a way to help build your brand and expand your network. The event was well attended and offered invaluable guidance for young lawyers and senior lawyers alike!
FAWL Past President Jeanmarie Whalen Named Chair of the AAJ National Trucking Litigation Group
Jeanmarie Whalen has been elected Chair of the American Association for Justice Trucking Litigation Group (AAJ TLG). She is the second woman in the history of AAJ (a 20,000-member national organization) to lead this prestigious group of attorneys who handle complex and catastrophic cases arising from trucking accidents. Ms. Whalen also holds numerous other leadership positions within AAJ including service as a member of the Board of Governors, Public Affairs Committee, Business Litigation Group Executive Board and Co-Chair of the Election Committee. 
ABA Passes Equity Resolutions!
FACT: an average male partner's compensation is still 53% higher than a female's.
Unbelievable!
Have you experienced inequiality in the workplace?
The ABA has had a policy since 1972 that addresses gender inequalities. Despite almost 40 years of efforts, inequalities continue to exist and solutions are regularly proposed and debated to help resolve ongoing issues. At the ABA annual meeting in San Francisco last month, two resolutions passed that provide employers with suggestions and best practices to ensure fair compensation and seek stronger repercussion for discrimination. Employers are urged to implement practices to close the gender pay gap, promote diversity in leadership roles, and eliminate bias. Additionally, the Civil Rights and Social Justice Section is encouraging legislation that will provide stronger remedies and protections for those that experience discrimination based on sex, race, ethnicity, and for employees with disabilities. For more information from the ABA,  click here .
Congratulations GAL!!
Congratulations to Thomasina Moore and the Florida Guardian ad Litem Foundation for being honored with the Productivity Award for efficiency in government by Florida TaxWatch for the second year in a row! The partnership between Guardian ad Litem and FAWL in Love with GAL continues to be a success! Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to GAL and FAWL. We are extremely proud!!
Save the Dates
Pinellas County Law Library's 2019 Annual Open House - October 2, 2020
  • 324 South Fort Harrison Avenue, Clearwater, FL - 8:30 a.m.

Leadership Retreat - October 4-5, 2020

Lobby Days - January 29-31, 2020
  • Host Hotel: DoubleTree by Hilton Tallahassee
  • Agenda and Registration TBA

Annual Summit - April 23-25, 2020
  • Host Hotel: Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront
  • Agenda and Registration TBA
Featured Annual Sponsor
Clark Fountain Logo
Few firms boast the legal expertise and precision demonstrated by Clark, Fountain, La Vista, Prather & Littky-Rubin. The firm has a collective 200+ years of legal experience, has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for past clients, and has been recognized by countless legal organizations. Above all else, they are committed to providing highly individualized representation to each person who walks through their doors. Their injury and accident lawyers strive to address the unique and specific needs of every client, immersing themselves in the case from start to finish.

Clark, Fountain, La Vista, Prather & Littky-Rubin is a proud Silver Annual Sponsor of FAWL.
FAWL Annual Sponsors
Please send your news and direct press inquiries to Public Relations Director Tiffany Love McElheran and Executive Director Kevin Hudson at news@fawl.org .
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Florida Association for Women Lawyers
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