The Board of Governors is seeking applicants for the following vacancies to be filled during its December meeting:

Florida Realtor-Attorney Joint Committee: Six lawyers, one from each state appellate district, and one at-large member to serve two-year terms commencing January 1, 2020. The Florida Bar president receives the recommendations of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section for consideration. The committee is composed of 11 lawyers appointed by The Florida Bar and 11 Realtors appointed by the Florida Association of Realtors. The committee promotes cordial relations between Realtors and attorneys and presents educational seminars.

Florida Rural Legal Services: One attorney to serve a three-year term commencing January 1, 2020, on its 20-member board of directors. Other appointing organizations are the NBA, Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter, ACLU, voluntary bar associations, and various other eligible client and community organizations. The mission of Florida Rural Legal Services is to empower low-income individuals, groups, and communities by providing them with access to justice through legal advice, representation, and advocacy.

Eleventh Circuit Judicial Conference: One delegate to represent the Middle District of Florida to serve a four-year term commencing January 1, 2020. The biennial conference consists of educational opportunities and meetings (by state) on matters of mutual concern. The Bar’s three delegates contribute to planning and organizing an event during the conference in every odd numbered year.

Persons interested in applying for these vacancies may download the Application for Special Appointment or should call Bar headquarters at 850-561-5757 to obtain the application form. Completed applications must be received by the Executive Director, The Florida Bar, 651 East Jefferson Street, Tallahassee 32399-2300 or submitted via e-mail to specialapptapp@floridabar.org no later than the close of business on Friday, October 25. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the required application. The Board of Governors will review all applications and may request telephone or personal interviews.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2019
CONTACT: Kristen Wilson, kwilson@floridabar.org
The Florida Bar
TELEPHONE: (850) 561-5757

Judicial Nominating Commissions: One lawyer vacancy for each of the 26 JNCs. The Florida Bar has the opportunity to nominate three lawyers for each JNC to Gov. Ron DeSantis for his appointment. Each appointee will serve a four-year term, commencing July 1, 2020. Applicants must be members of The Florida Bar engaged in the practice of law and a resident of the territorial jurisdiction served by the commission to which the member is applying. Commissioners are not eligible for state judicial office for vacancies filled by the JNC on which they sit for 2 years following completion of their term.

Persons interested in applying for these vacancies may download the JNC application from The Florida Bar’s website, or should call Bar headquarters at (850) 561-5757, to obtain the application form. Completed applications must be received by the executive director, The Florida Bar, 651 East Jefferson Street, Tallahassee, Florida, 32399-2300 or submitted via e-mail to jncform@flabar.org no later than 5:30 p.m. on Monday, December 16. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the required application.  The Board of Governors will review all applications and may request telephone or personal interviews.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2019
CONTACT: Walter J. Harvey, Chair; Walter.Harvey@dadeschools.net
Eleventh Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission
TELEPHONE: 305-995-1304

The Eleventh Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission has been asked to provide Gov. Ron DeSantis with nominees for the circuit court vacancy in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit created by the resignation of Circuit Court Judge John Thornton, Jr. The commission requests that interested candidates submit an application for consideration. If an applicant would like to be considered for this circuit court vacancy in addition to the four county court vacancies, please send correspondence indicating interest in all county and circuit court vacancies to eleventhjnc@dadeschools.net. Applicants must meet the qualifications for county court judges described in Article V, Section 8, of the Florida Constitution. Applicants must submit three copies of their application by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15, as follows:

(1): The original unredacted paper application shall be delivered to:

Walter J. Harvey

School Board Attorney

The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida

1450 N.E 2nd Avenue, Suite 430

Miami, Florida 33132

(2): The original unredacted application shall be emailed  in .pdf format to: Walter.Harvey@dadeschools.net.

(3): A redacted .pdf of the application shall be emailed to eleventhjnc@dadeschools.net. Personal information not subject to public disclosure—such as the social security number—shall be redacted as permitted by Section 119.071 of the Florida Statutes.

Untimely applications will not be considered. The filename for .pdf applications should be as follows “19.09.30 FIRSTNAME LASTNAME Circuit Application (redacted /unredacted).”

Applicants are invited to provide the Chair with a one-page sheet listing the date, location and time of hearings or trials that they would want the Commissioners to observe. The one-page disclosure sheet is not mandatory and can be provided to the Chair at any time before the interview day. No information other than the date, location and time should be provided on the one-page sheet.

Applications may be downloaded from The Florida Bar’s website and the Office of the Governor. Applicants should include a recent photograph.

NOTE TO APPLICANTS: To assist the JNC in its review of applications, all questions must be fully and completely answered. Applications must include current contact information, including e-mail addresses, for judges, co-counsel, opposing counsel, and references to facilitate the background investigation that will be conducted by the members of the commission. Please print to .pdf in lieu of scanning where possible.

The Eleventh Circuit JNC will confer at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17, to schedule interviews. A room will be made available to members of the public (The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, Board Attorney’s Office, 1450 N.E. 2nd Avenue, Suite 430, Miami, Florida 33132) who wish to attend.

ELEVENTH CIRCUIT JUDICIAL NOMINATING COMMISSION MEMBERS

Walter James Harvey (Chairman)

School Board Attorney’s Office

1450 NE 2nd Avenue, Suite 400

Miami, FL 33132

Office Tel.: 305-995-1304

Fax: 305-995-1412

walter.harvey@dadeschools.net

Robert H. Fernandez (Vice Chairman)

8440 Grand Canal Drive

Miami, FL 33144

Office Tel.: 305-215-2264

rfernandez@rhflawfirm.com

Scott M. Dimond

Dimond Kaplan & Rothstein, P.A

Offices at Grand Bay Plaza

2665 South Bayshore Dr. PH 2B

Miami, FL 33133

Office Tel.: 305-374-1920

Fax: 305-374-1961

sdimond@dkrpa.com

Daniel S. Fridman

White & Case LLP

Southeast Financial Center

200 So. Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 4900

Miami, FL 33131

Office Tel.: 305-995-5264

Fax: 305-358-5744

daniel.fridman@whitecase.com

Jorge A. Mestre

Rivero Mestre, LLP

2525 Ponce de Leon Blvd. Suite 1000,

Miami, FL 33134

Office Tel: 305-445-2500

Fax: 305-445-2505

Jmestre@riveromestre.com

Hayden P. O’Byrne

K&L Gates

Southeast Financial Center, Suite 3900

200 South Biscayne Blvd.

Miami, FL 33131

Office Tel.: 305-539-3381

Fax: 305-358-7095

hayden.obyrne@gmail.com

Robert R. Pardo

Robert R. Pardo, P.A.

7700 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 512

Miami, FL 33156

Office: Tel.: 305-596-7794

Fax: 305-596-5854

RPardo@Pardolaw.com

Miranda Lundeen Soto

Shutts & Bowen LLP

200 South Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 4100

Miami, Florida 33131

Office Tel.: 305-347-7326

Fax: 305-347-7985

MLundeenSoto@shutts.com

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 17, 2019
CONTACT: Walter J. Harvey, Chair; walter.harvey@dadeschools.net 
Eleventh Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission 
TELEPHONE: 305-995-1304

The Eleventh Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission has been asked to provide Gov. Ron DeSantis with nominees for four county court vacancies in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit created by the elevation of Judges William Altfield, Gina Beovides and Laura Shearon Cruz, and the resignation of Judge Samuel Joseph Slom.1  The commission requests that interested candidates submit an application for consideration. Applicants must meet the qualifications for county court judges described in Article V, Section 8, of the Florida Constitution. Applicants must submit three copies of their application by 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 30, as follows:

(1): The original unredacted paper application shall be delivered to:

Walter J. Harvey

School Board Attorney

The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida

1450 N.E 2nd Avenue, Suite 430

Miami, Florida 33132

(2): The original unredacted application shall be emailed in .pdf format to:  Walter.Harvey@dadeschools.net.

(3): A redacted .pdf of the application shall be emailed to eleventhjnc@dadeschools.net. Personal information not subject to public disclosure—such as the social security number—shall be redacted as permitted by Section 119.071 of the Florida Statutes.

Untimely applications will not be considered. The filename for .pdf applications should be as follows “19.09.30 FIRSTNAME LASTNAME Circuit Application (redacted /unredacted).”

Applicants are invited to provide the chair with a one-page sheet listing the date, location and time of hearings or trials that they would want the commissioners to observe. The one-page disclosure sheet is not mandatory and can be provided to the chair at any time before the interview day. No information other than the date, location and time should be provided on the one-page sheet.

Applications may be downloaded from The Florida Bar’s website at www.floridabar.org and the Office of the Governor at www.flgov.com. Applicants should include a recent photograph.

_________________________________

1 This vacancy notice supersedes the September 10, 2019 notice related to Judges Altfield, Beovides and Shearon-Cruz. All applications submitted pursuant to that notice will be considered for all four vacancies without the need to re-apply.

NOTE TO APPLICANTS: To assist the JNC in its review of applications, all questions must be fully and completely answered. Applications must include current contact information, including e-mail addresses, for judges, co-counsel, opposing counsel, and references to facilitate the background investigation that will be conducted by the members of the commission. Please print to .pdf in lieu of scanning where possible.

The Eleventh Circuit JNC will confer at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 3, to schedule interviews. A room will be made available to members of the public (The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Board Attorney’s Office, 1450 N.E. 2nd Avenue, Suite 430, Miami, Florida 33132) who wish to attend.

ELEVENTH CIRCUIT JUDICIAL NOMINATING COMMISSION MEMBERS

Walter James Harvey (Chairman)

School Board Attorney’s Office

1450 NE 2nd Avenue, Suite 400

Miami, FL 33132

Office Tel.: 305-995-1304

Fax: 305-995-1412

walter.harvey@dadeschools.net

Robert H. Fernandez (Vice Chairman)

8440 Grand Canal Drive

Miami, FL 33144

Office Tel.: 305-215-2264

rfernandez@rhflawfirm.com

Scott M. Dimond

Dimond Kaplan & Rothstein, P.A

Offices at Grand Bay Plaza

2665 South Bayshore Dr. PH 2B

Miami, FL 33133

Office Tel.: 305-374-1920

Fax: 305-374-1961

sdimond@dkrpa.com

Daniel S. Fridman

White & Case LLP

Southeast Financial Center

200 So. Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 4900

Miami, FL 33131

Office Tel.: 305-995-5264

Fax: 305-358-5744

daniel.fridman@whitecase.com

Jorge A. Mestre

Rivero Mestre, LLP

2525 Ponce de Leon Blvd. Suite 1000

Miami, FL 33134

Office Tel: 305-445-2500

Fax: 305-445-2505

Jmestre@riveromestre.com

Hayden P. O’Byrne

K&L Gates

Southeast Financial Center, Suite 3900

200 South Biscayne Blvd.

Miami, FL 33131

Office Tel.: 305-539-3381

Fax: 305-358-7095

hayden.obyrne@gmail.com

Robert R. Pardo

Robert R. Pardo, P.A.

7700 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 512

Miami, FL 33156

Office: Tel.: 305-596-7794

Fax: 305-596-5854

RPardo@Pardolaw.com

Miranda Lundeen Soto

Shutts & Bowen LLP

200 South Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 4100

Miami, Florida 33131

Office Tel.: 305-347-7326

Fax: 305-347-7985

MLundeenSoto@shutts.com

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As Hurricane Dorian continues to cause catastrophic damage in the Northern Bahamas for what has now been roughly more than 48 hours, many have reached out seeking ways to help.
Below is a list of community partners and stakeholders to support relief efforts in collaboration with the Government of The Bahamas, Consulate General of The Bahamas in Miami. 
As of Monday, September 2, 12:00pm, the Consulate General of The Bahamas in Miami shared the following list of supplies that will be needed in the relief and recovery period:
Water, ice, non-perishable food, family hygiene kits (tissue, toothpaste, tooth brushes, towels, sanitary napkins), cleaning supplies (bleach, mops, brooms, disinfectants, garbage bags, sponges), baby items/supplies, plastic water bottles, cots, blankets, portal potty, flashlights, batteries, repellents (deet free), cooking utensils, temporary housing, tarpaulin, plastic sheeting, plywood, shingles, generators, chain saws, shovels, disposable utensils, power banks, solar powered chargers, portable radios, cloth bags, biodegradable bags, first aid kits, and first-aid items (bandages, gauges, tape).
DROP-OFF LOCATIONS: Locations are being identified for drop off and packaging centers for appropriate transportation and shipping.
MIAMI-DADE DROP-OFF LOCATIONS

1. Miami-Dade County Government locations: (1) Miami-Dade County Main Library, 101 W. Flagler St. Miami; (2) Stephen P. Clark Center, 111 N.W. 1st Street, Miami, FL; (3) Joseph Caleb Center, 5400 N.W. 22nd Avenue, Miami, FL; (4) Office of Emergency Management Warehouse, 8008 N.W. 14th Street, Doral (Parking validation for those making donations at the Stephen P. Clark Center in Downtown Miami; Free parking available in other locations)
2. #BahamaStrong City of Miami Fire Stations and Coconut Grove churches: www.miamigov.com/government/BAHAMASTRONG
3. Christ Episcopal Church, 3481 Hibiscus Street, Coconut Grove, Fl , Rev. Jonathan Archer,(www.chrepch.org) (Sanctioned by Consulate of The Bahamas)
4. Make The Homeless Smile (www.MTHSmile.com), Dr. Dorothy Bendross Mindingall Social and Economic Institute, 5120 N.W. 24th Avenue, Miami, FL (Contact - Valencia Gunder, 786-877-7826
5. Global Empowerment Mission, 340 N.W. 59th Terrace, Miami, FL (10am to 7pm) (Sanctioned by Consulate of The Bahamas)
6. Lifestyle Miami: 5161 NW 79th Street, Miami; 6001 NW 153rd Street, Miami Lakes; 4090 E. 6th Avenue, Hialeah, FL.
7. Le Luxe Beauty Bar, 10597 S.W. 40th Street, Miami, FL.
8. (North Miami Beach) Sapoznik Insurance, 1100 N.E. 163rd Street, North Miami Beach, FL (Contact person: Sonless Martin, 305-748-3973)
9. (North Miami) Law Offices of Andre Pierre, P.A., 550 N.E. 124th Street, North Miami, FL
10. (Miami Gardens) CMS International, 3333 N.W. 168th Street, Miami Gardens, FL
11. (Miami Gardens/Hialeah) All Weather Patio, 4940 NW 167th Street, Miami Gardens, Contact: Gaby Pacheco, 305-978-4126
12. (South Miami-Dade) Chopsticks Miami, 20553 Old Cutler Road, Cutler Bay, FL
13. (South Miami-Dade) Josh Jones Law, 14707 South Dixie Highway, Miami, FL, 404-446-5649
14. (South Miami-Dade) High Praise and Workshop Center, 6610 SW 59th Place, South Miami (South Dade Democratic Black Caucus Ron Brown Chapter)
15. (South Miami-Dade) Richmond Heights Resource Center, 11203 SW 152nd Street, Miami (South Dade Democratic Black Caucus Ron Brown Chapter)
16. (South Miami-Dade) Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church, 11591 SW 220th Street, Miami, FL (South Dade Democratic Black Caucus Ron Brown Chapter)
17. (South Miami-Dade) The Purple Church, 14700 Lincoln Blvd., Miami
18. (South Miami-Dade) Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church, 10701 SW 184th Street, Miami
19. (South Miami-Dade) HGT Ministries, 10711 SW 216th Street, Goulds, FL
20. (South Miami-Dade) Florida City Police Department, 404 West Palm Drive, Florida City
21. (South Miami-Dade) Nation of Life Ministries, 1055 Redland Road, Florida City
22. (South Miami-Dade) Gasca Auto Care, 205 N.E. 2nd Road, Homestead
23. (South Miami-Dade) Keyes Company, 692 N. Homestead Blvd., Suite 104, Homestead
24. (South Miami-Dade) Goulds Park, 11350 SW 216th Street, Miami
25. (South Miami-Dade) Air Base K-8 PTSA, 12829 SW 272 Street, Homestead
26. (South Miami-Dade) Office of State Rep. Kionne McGhee, 10720 Caribbean Blvd., Suite 435, Cutler Bay

BROWARD LOCATIONS

1. Tropix Shipping, 5610 N.W. 12th Avenue, Suite 203, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 (info@tropixshipping.com)
2. Shelter Aviation, 1100 SW 41st Ct., Ft. Lauderdale, FL (Sanctioned by the Consulate of The Bahamas)
3. Feet to Faith Family Services (in partnership with Glory Seekers Church), North Lauderdale, feettofaithfamilyservices@gmail.com, 954-439-0760
4. Koinonia Worship Center & Village, 4900 West Hallandale Beach Blvd., Pembroke Park, FL, Janice Minnis, 954-980-1030 or Rep. Shevrin Jones, 754--581-2646 (9am-5pm)
5. Riverside Markets: (Plantation) 6900 Cypress Road; (Fort Lauderdale) 608 S.W. 12th Avenue; (South FTL) 3218 S.E. 6th Street.
6. Jetscape Alpha FBO Hangar, 350 SW 34th Street, Fort Lauderdale
7. Elnet Maritime Agency, 2818 Centerport Circle, Pompano Beach, FL, 954-592-3332

PALM BEACH LOCATIONS

1. Palm Beach Outlets, 1751 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL (Drop-off at Customer Service in the food pavilion), Mall Hours, Monday-Saturday, 10am to 9pm and Sundays, 11am to 7pm, Contact: Pamela Rada, 561-515-4405, prada@nedevelopment.com
2. Cafe Sweets Bakery, 519 25th Street, West Palm Beach, FL, Contact: Sharlyn Davis-Powery, 561-319-1478, sharlyndavis@icloud.com
3. Judge Rodgers Community Center, 251 West 11th Street, Riviera Beach, FL, Contact: Alan Bottorff, abottorff@teledactyl.com, 301-332-9025 (Accepting only generators, wet vacs, chainsaws, and water pumps)
4. Plantation Boat Mart, 2359 PGA Blvd, Palm Beach Gardens, Contact: Gaby Pacheco, 305-978-4126

MONROE COUNTY LOCATIONS

1. Plantation Boat Mart & Marina, 90400 Overseas Highway, Tavernier, Contact: Gaby Pacheco, 305-978-4126

Other locations are being identified and confirmed. In addition, transportation for the pickup and delivery of items for shipment is being coordinated in real time. A central warehousing location is being prepared in Fort Lauderdale.
HOW TO DONATE or SUPPORT:

1. National Association of The Bahamas (NAB) Hurricane Relief Fund: http://www.nabmiami.org/donate (sanctioned by Consulate of The Bahamas)
2. United Way Operation Helping Hands: http://www.unitedwaymiami.org
3. Make the Homeless Smile: http://www.mthsmile.com
4. Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA): http://www.caribbeanhotelandtourism.com/hurricane-resources
5. Miami-Dade Fair & Exposition Dorian Relief Fund: https://www.gofundme.com/f/be-ther-with-the-fair-dorian-relief-fund

Other platforms are being confirmed and verified.
OTHER NOTICES

1. Location of Family Members: For persons looking to locate family members, NEMA-Bahamas is recommending the completion of this survey application: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/88VYQMZ?fbclid=IwAR04S3LeuB6IInWzORcRdlltU_hJeaBehg_ZXYkJrCZ-7obDinqyWZw6PME
2. Rescue efforts are underway in Grand Bahama. Those who are in life-threatening situations are asked to call 351-4902, 351-4903 or 351-4904. Residents in severely flooded areas are urged to send their locations to 557-5202.
3. BahamasAir: BahamasAir wishes to advise the traveling public that the Lynden Pindling International Airport is open and as a result they wish to confirm that they will operate the following flights:
   1. Tuesday, September 3: Miami flights will begin at 2:45pm
   2. For more information or inquiries, contact Selvin Basden, sbasden@bahamasair.com or Stephen Gay, stephen@bahamasair.com, 242-702-4113

For more information, please follow the Consulate General of The Bahamas on Facebook and on Instagram @bahamasconmiami #BahamaStrong #HurricaneDorian #HurricaneReliefBahamas. Consul General, Linda Mackey Phone 305-373-6295, www.bahamasconmiami.com
**A special thank you to Marlon Hill, Esq. for compiling much of the information listed above.**

The Young Lawyers Division (YLD) of The Florida Bar encourages young lawyers in Florida to freely contribute their time and expertise in providing legal services to those in need.  If you know a young lawyer—younger than 36 or one who has not practiced for more than five years in any jurisdiction—who performs public service or provides legal aid to those in need, the Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association encourages you to submit a letter or statement by Friday, August 30, 2019 at 5:00 pm, explaining why the nominee deserves to receive the YLD Pro Bono Award.

Please apply here.

The application can be found here. Thank you!

Since its formation in 1985, Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association has been committed to investing in the future of the legal profession and addressing the concerns of the community at-large with an emphasis on the black community and black women lawyers. The 2018-2019 Board furthered the Association’s mission and purpose by donating, sponsoring, volunteering, or hosting the following programs.

Hosted Programs

The Rainmakers Academy: An intensive four session workshop dedicated to assisting those who are interested in a solo practice by teaching how to successfully build, run, and manage a law practice.

Women of Color Conference: A gathering of black female lawyers and community leaders to impart wisdom and experiences upon the lawyers and community leaders of the future.

Leadership Brunch: Permitted an intimate discussion with past presidents and founders of the Association.

Day at the Races: Provided a relaxed environment in which lawyers and the judiciary had an opportunity to break bread together and participate in roundtable discussions on professionalism in the legal community.

Attorney General Roundtable: Afforded the candidates an opportunity to have a face to face interaction with the community.

Broward County Outreach: An informal gathering of minority lawyers practicing in Broward County to connect and learn through fellowship.

Sip & Shop with Dragonfly: Fundraiser to support the Dragonfly Thrift Boutique which gives 100% of its proceeds to support LEAP’s mission in empowering incarcerated women.

CLE Earning Membership Meetings: Provided members with the benefit of continuing education in various areas of the legal practice coupled with organizational formalities and updates.

Money Moves Webinar: Created a convenient way for members to gain valuable knowledge on the importance of developing financial prowess in the legal field.

Lobby Day: Trip to Tallahassee to sit in legislative sessions, advocate for various bills, and discuss the issues of importance with political leaders.

Dine & Dish: A member benefit centered program designed to provide an intimate and candid mentoring session in which seasoned attorneys counsel young attorneys on how to navigate the practice of law.

Judicial Candidates Forum: Judicial candidates are given the opportunity to connect with the public and discuss their stance on a myriad of issues related to the justice system.

Reading with Heart: Members of the Board read to first and second graders as well as serve donuts to the children and provide coffee to the staff.

Supported Programs & Organizations

Miami Girls Foundation’s #Nevernotworking Campaign  ·  Christa Cares’ Domestic Violence Event

Women of the Bench   ·  VBA Summer Networking Event  ·  HT Smith FIU BLSA Chapter

South Florida Legal Mentoring Picnic

  DCBA: Immigration Training  ·  Black Professional Networking Summit

DCBA: The Art of Building Your Brand  ·  Carlton Field’s Mentoring Reception   ·  Tech Roadshow

 VBA Holiday Networking Event

Elizabeth Kaplan’s Overtown Art Exhibit  ·  Honey Shine Law Day  ·  Affiliate Outreach Conference

Miami Dade County Work Internship Program  ·  National Association of Women Lawyers

North Dade Law Day  ·  Disparities in Justice  ·  Women in the Law

Judicial Diversity Initiative's 2019 Judicial Reception  ·  Chapman Partnership

Carol City Park Voter Registration Drive  ·  Thelma Gibson Health Initiative Legacy Celebration

Brownsville Community Day

Ms. Amber Mannings is an extraordinary young lady. She overcame many extreme obstacles including abuse and homelessness in the pursuit of higher education; yet she rose above it all. She received a scholarship for her undergraduate studies and is a recent graduate of FIU. Ms. Mannings will be starting law school at FIU this fall. Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association is proud to announce her as our Book Award recipient for 2019.