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Lawyers Out on the Town in Jacksonville

Check out the latest event galleries from Jacksonville, featuring the latest association and law firm events. Would you like to see your event featured? Submit your event for consideration.

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2026 Florida Bar Convention

June 19, 2026

The Florida Bar held its Annual Convention at the Signia by Hilton in Orlando, Florida. Jacksonville attorney Michael Fox Orr was sworn in as the 78th president. 

Braxton Gilliam, Judge Tyrie W. Boyer and Chris Searcy at the 50-Year Members/Senior Counselors Awards
David Thompson, Venessa Fox and Kimano Edwards at the Leadership Academy Graduation
Jacob S. Mayer and Julia K. Maddalena
Judge Tatiana R. Salvador presenting at the Criminal Law Section Selig I. Goldin
Geddes Anderson and Braxton Gilliam at the Trial Lawyers Section Executive Council Meeting
Katelyn Knaak Johnston at the Rules of General Practice & Judicial Administration Committee Meeting
Sarah Morris at the Criminal Law Section Selig I. Goldin Luncheon
Peter Sobota and Ed Booth at the Aviation Law Committee meeting
David Thompson awarded the Presidents Award of Merit

Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association Hosts Judicial Reception

June 3, 2026

Over 500 attorneys, judges and legal professionals attended the Judicial Reception on June 3 at Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront in support of gender equality in the legal profession, the judiciary and the community. The theme this year was Decisions That Define Us.

Micheal Orr, Judge Marianne Aho, Geddes Anderson and Matthew Kachergus
Judge Michael Kalil and Brian Coughlin
Ashlea Edwards and Paige Cham
Braxton Gillian and Penny Schmidt
Judge Patricia Barksdale and Chief Judge Marcia Morales Howard
Lisa Nommensen and Ariel Spires
Keith Maynard and Nate Evans
Kathrynn Stanfill and Scott Costantino
Chief Judge Lance Day and Dean Nick Allard
Sydney Schmidt and Morgan Minner

JWLA Founder Barbara Bost McGriff Lifetime Member Award

May, 2026

Barbara Bost McGriff has received the lifetime membership award from the Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association. She helped found the organization in 1982 and served as president in 1985-1986.

“When I entered UF law school in 1965, I was one of six women (and 294 men). Classes were split into 98 men and two women each,” McGriff recalls.

After her first semester, she’d earned a 2.5 GPA and left to care for her 5-year-old. She returned in 1978. By then, almost half the students were women. “I ran for VP of the law school student body in 1980 and was the first woman elected.”

Two years later, McGriff decided to start the JWLA. “I wanted to meet other women lawyers,” she said.

Coker Law Hosts 50th Anniversary Celebration

January 30, 2026

On January 30, against the backdrop of The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardents, guests enjoyed an evening celebrating the 50th anniversary of Coker Law serving the Jacksonville community.

Chris Searcy, Michelle Searcy, Sherry Coker and Howard Coker
Attorneys of Coker Law
W. Tucker Norton and Howard Coker
Arthur Chin, Lindsay Tygart Ahmed, Robert Spohrer,
Joel Harris, WC Gentry, and Celeste Krueger
Robert Spohrer, Pat Hogan, and Wayne Hogan
Trevor Hawes and Thomas Edwards
Chelsea Harris, Tracy Hawes, and Amy Iracki
Fraz Ahmed and Shea Moser
Stefano Portigliatti, Kim Kelly and Stephen B. Kelly, Jr.

The All Bar Celebration

January 27, 2026

The All Bar Celebration was held January 27 at the Duval County Courthouse in the Daniel Webster Perkins Jury Assembly Room. The free event was open to all attorneys, promoting networking and open dialogue. The event was hosted by the local voluntary bar organizations.

Members of the D.W. Perkins Bar Association
The Honorable Waddell Wallace, Paul Healy and Jon McGowan
Jineane Rae McMinn, Penny Schmidt and Sydney Schmidt
The Honorable Michael Kalil, Marissa, and Kathryn Stanfill
Members of the Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association
Members of Three Rivers Legal Services

JWLA Founder Barbara Bost McGriff Lifetime Member Award

May, 2026

Barbara Bost McGriff has received the lifetime membership award from the Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association. She helped found the organization in 1982 and served as president in 1985-1986.

“When I entered UF law school in 1965, I was one of six women (and 294 men). Classes were split into 98 men and two women each,” McGriff recalls.

After her first semester, she’d earned a 2.5 GPA and left to care for her 5-year-old. She returned in 1978. By then, almost half the students were women. “I ran for VP of the law school student body in 1980 and was the first woman elected.”

Two years later, McGriff decided to start the JWLA. “I wanted to meet other women lawyers,” she said.

Coker Law Hosts 50th Anniversary Celebration

January 30, 2026

On January 30, against the backdrop of The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardents, guests enjoyed an evening celebrating the 50th anniversary of Coker Law serving the Jacksonville community.

Chris Searcy, Michelle Searcy, Sherry Coker and Howard Coker
Attorneys of Coker Law
W. Tucker Norton and Howard Coker
Arthur Chin, Lindsay Tygart Ahmed, Robert Spohrer,
Joel Harris, WC Gentry, and Celeste Krueger
Robert Spohrer, Pat Hogan, and Wayne Hogan
Trevor Hawes and Thomas Edwards
Chelsea Harris, Tracy Hawes, and Amy Iracki
Fraz Ahmed and Shea Moser
Stefano Portigliatti, Kim Kelly and Stephen B. Kelly, Jr.

The All Bar Celebration

January 27, 2026

The All Bar Celebration was held January 27 at the Duval County Courthouse in the Daniel Webster Perkins Jury Assembly Room. The free event was open to all attorneys, promoting networking and open dialogue. The event was hosted by the local voluntary bar organizations.

Members of the D.W. Perkins Bar Association
The Honorable Waddell Wallace, Paul Healy and Jon McGowan
Jineane Rae McMinn, Penny Schmidt and Sydney Schmidt
The Honorable Michael Kalil, Marissa, and Kathryn Stanfill
Members of the Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association
Members of Three Rivers Legal Services

23rd Annual Robert J. Beckham Equal Justice Awards Celebration

September 18, 2025

On September 18, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid honored the Jacksonville Eviction Diversion Program as the Equal Justice Honoree.

The Jacksonville Eviction Diversion Program is a community-driven initiative that promotes housing stability and seeks to prevent evictions across Duval County. Launched in 2024, the program is a collaboration between the City of Jacksonville, United Way of Northeast Florida, The Fourth Judicial Circuit Court, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid and The LDJ Jewish Family & Community Services.

Keith Maynard, Robert Spohrer and Steve Browning
Alison DeBelder and Adam Thoresen
Judge Hugh Carithers (Ret.) and Judge Michelle Kalil
Alice Morris and Kathryn Stanfill
Chief Judge Lance Day, Michelle Broyles and Aaron Irving
Mike Freed, Samantha Freed, James Poindexter and Katherine Poindexter
Latoya Williams Shelton and Kathy Para

Freed to Run Has Raised Nearly $3 Million for Jacksonville Area Legal Aid

Nov 22-23, 2025

Since 2017, the Freed to Run events started by Gunster Shareholder Mike Freed have raised nearly $3 million for Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, including $220,000 raised in 2025 through the Nov. 22-23 Freed to Run Challenge.
“Who would have thought that in less than a decade an effort by one man who ran all the way from Tallahassee to Jacksonville would turn into an event involving dozens of runners and bikers who together have had such an enormous impact?” said JALA President & CEO Jim Kowalski. “The new format of a run around the Duval County Courthouse has enabled more people to get involved, and we want to thank the many law firms, companies, institutions and individuals who have stepped up. As amazing as Mike Freed is, it is the wide-ranging support he has galvanized that has brought us this far.”
 

Of the $2,915,000 raised to date, $2.25 million has endowed JALA’s Northeast Florida Medical Legal Partnership, perpetually funding an initiative through which lawyers, doctors and health-care institutions work together to better the lives of children in Northeast Florida.

The $665,000 raised since 2023 is earmarked for JALA’s Shelter for Elders endowment, which has set a $2.25 million goal to guarantee that JALA can always address the needs of local seniors with housing-related legal issues. An increasing number of resident over 60 seek help from JALA for civil legal matters including reverse mortgage foreclosures, door-to-door scams, wrongful evictions, substandard living conditions, and discriminatory practices.

“So many of our elderly neighbors are falling prey to scammers, shady contractors, predatory lenders, and sometimes even family members who take advantage of them,” Kowalski said. “They are among the most vulnerable members of our community, which is why we are trying to make sure we will always be able to respond to their needs.”

The Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund has provided a $25,000 match for funds raised each year since 2023, while the Florida Justice Association and the Jacksonville Justice Association have contributed the proceeds from their annual holiday wine reception, which raised $60,000 this year and still has donations coming in.
Other major sponsors include Gunster, Florida Blue, Harrell & Harrell, and the Community Foundation of Northeast Florida.
 
“The great thing about Jacksonville and the Northeast Florida region as a whole is the spirit of community and generosity we have here,” Freed said. “This event may bear my name, but it depends on the community as a whole, and we invite more firms and companies to join us for the 2026 Freed to Run Challenge. We still have a little over $1.5 million to go to meet our goal for the Shelter for Elders endowment.”

2025 JWLA Opening Reception

August 19, 2025

The Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association hosted its Opening Reception at the Pour Taproom on August 19. This year’s program, “Decisions that Define Us” was focused on the decisions we make at home, work, in the community and for ourselves. The 2025-2026 board was excited to welcome new members to a new year of exciting events. 

Front Row: Alice Morris, Sydney Schmidt, Kathryn E. Stanfill, Marquita Green and Jessica Goldsborough. Back Row: Ariel R. Spires, Judge Gary Flower, Sarah K. Morris, Lisa Nommensen, Penny Schmidt, Michele Waddell and Katelyn Johnston
Katelyn Johnston and Marquita Green
Judge Gary Flower and Judge Eric Roberson
Ariel Spires and Lisa Nommensen
JWLA President Kathryn Stanfill and Merryl Haber, president of the St. Johns Association for Women Lawyers
Sydney Schmidt, Kathy Para and Aaron Irving
Judge Michael Kalil, Janeen Mira and Sarah Allen

Unique but United: JWLA’s 2025 Judicial Reception

June 4, 2025

On June 4, over 500 judges, attorneys and legal professionals came together at the Hyatt Riverfront in attendance of the annual Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association Judicial Reception. This year’s theme was Unique but United.

Janeen Kirch, Judge Michael Kalil and Judge Lindsay Tygart
Paula Brice and Aaron Irving
Lauren Prater, Alan Pickert and Cassie Smith
Gabrielle Radcliffe and Alina Fernandez
Kathryn Stanfill, Judge Michelle Kalil and Katelyn Johnston
Judge John Guy, Ashley Myer and Timothy Miller
Bryce S. McColskey and Molly Sasso

2025 Jacksonville Bar Association YLS Chili Cook-Off

February 22, 2025

On February 22 over a thousand people attended the Jacksonville Bar Association YLS Chili Cook-Off at Riverside Arts Market.

Since 2009, the YLS has hosted a Charity Chili Cook-Off to bring the legal community together for an afternoon of live music and delicious competition. This annual event has become a staple in the community and inspired some firms to hold their own internal cook-offs leading up to the big day. In fact, the cook-off became so popular that it outgrew its location. This prompted a new partnership in 2015 with the renowned Riverside Arts Market. The move inspired tremendous turnout and community participation. Each year, YLS raises thousands of dollars for a local charity.

Rivkin Radler Team
Craig Shoup, Howard Coker, Matthew Posgay, David Rottmann, April Tapp and Tucker Norton
Orr|Cook Team
Serrano Cagan Team
Susan Haag 
Thomas Edwards

2025 All Bar Celebration

February 19

The Jacksonville Women’s Lawyers Association hosted the 2025 All Bar Celebration on February 19 at the Daniel Webster Perkins Jury Assembly Room.

Exhibitors included ABOTA, DW Perkins Bar Association, Jacksonville Bar Association, Clay County Bar Association, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Jacksonville Federal Court Bar Association, Florida Association Diocese of St. Augustine Catholic Lawyers Guild of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Florida Defense Lawyers Association, Chester Bedell American Inn of Courts and the Diocese of St. Augustine Catholic Lawyers Guild.

Judge Katie Dearing, Chief Judge Marcia Howard and Chief Judge Lance Day
JALA Jacksonville Area Legal Aid
JWLA President Brittany Ford and JWLA Immediate Past President Kimberly Woods
Trevor Hawes, Amber Donley, James Poindexter and Fraz Ahmed
DW Perkins Bar Association
Trevor Hawes, Amber Donley, James Poindexter and Fraz Ahmed

JWLA January Luncheon

January 9, 2025

On January 9, the Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association hosted its luncheon at the River Club. They spotlighted Foster Closet, collecting donations for families in need.

Kathleen Griggs, Judge Michelle Kalil and Aaron Irving
Brittany Ford, Kimbery Woods and Sarah Morris
Paige Cham and Ashlea Edwards
Hannah Anderson and Kayla Herrin

Baker-Barnes to Serve as Florida Bar President in 2025

2025

Rosalyn “Sia” Baker-Barnes is the president-elect of The Florida Bar, the first African American female to serve in this role in The Florida Bar’s history, dating back to 1889. Baker-Barnes will begin her term as president in 2025. She is a shareholder at Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A., and the chairperson of the firm’s diversity, equity & inclusion committee. Baker-Barnes is board-certified in civil trial law by the Florida Bar.

Michael Orr, Rosalyn “Sia" Baker-Barnes and Craig Gibbs

ALA Jacksonville Hosts Annual Business Partner & Managing Attorney Expo

November 7, 2024

The Jacksonville Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators hosted its Annual Business Partner and Managing Attorney Expo at The River Club on November 7, 2024. Over 60 attendees, including JaxALA members, managing attorneys, and business partners enjoyed a jam-packed evening of Networking, casino games and prizes.

ALA JAX Board (from the bottom stair up): President-Elect Kayla Gothier (Akerman), President Caroline Giannone (Rivkin Radler), Past President Juleana Piper (McGlinchey Stafford), Vice President Amanda Hall (McGlinchey Stafford), Secretary Tammy Meierdierck (Rivkin Radler) and Treasurer Gaylene Coover (Marshall Dennehey)
Charles Phelps, Lyon Goultiex and Brian Pastorin
Brian McManus, Chris Higgins, Tiffany Henson and Richard Harley
Carlone Giannone, Skye Gibson and Kayla Gothier
Tammy Melerdierck, Angella Locke and Lisa Parker

22nd Annual Robert J. Beckham Equal Justice Awards Celebration

September 18, 2024

On September 18, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid hosted the 22nd Annual Robert J. Beckham Equal Justice Awards Celebration at the Marriott Jacksonville Downtown. Attorney at Law Magazine was a proud sponsor.

2024 Honoree – The Law Firm of Pajcic and Pajcic 
JALA proudly presented the Robert J. Beckham Equal Justice Award to The Law Firm of Pajcic & Pajcic. The firm has raised over $1 million for JALA since 2012 through its Annual Yard Golf & Lawn Party. Their event is a testament to the firm and their commitment to justice and the community.
Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Awards  
Fourth Judicial Circuit Michael E. Lockamy  
Seventh Judicial Circuit Vincent L. Sullivan  

Kathy Para Outstanding
Pro Bono Service Honorees: 
Melina Buncome  
Ericka C. Curran  
Ashley I. Goggins  
Nancy E. Hale  
James C. Poindexter  
Clyde M. Taylor III 
Alexandra E. Underkofler  
Bradley A. Waldrop  
Mcguire Woods

The law firm of Pajcic & Pajcic was honored with the 2024 Robert J. Beckham Award
Nate Evans, Keith Maynard and Judge Hugh Carithers
Michelle Broyles, Aaron Irving and Jacalyn Crecelius
Duke Regan and Bob Spohrer
Judge Eric Robertson and Artis Gilmore
Greg Schlax, Holt Harrell and Jessie Harrell
Jay Henderlite, Dimitri Peteves and Michael Korn
Andrew Underkofler and Alex Underkofler 
Councilman Michael Boylan and Judge Howard McGillin
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