E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R ’ S M E S S A G E J o h n F . K y n e s - H i l l s b o r o u g h C o u n t y B a r A s s o c i a t i o n
Karen Buesing named 2020 hCBA Outstanding Lawyer
2020 Liberty Bell Award , yLD Outstanding Jurist , and young Lawyer Awards Also presented at Special Awards event
Karen Buesing has been described as a “ force of nature ” by those who know her best .
Buesing ’ s friends and colleagues praise her considerable legal abilities ; they highlight her longtime dedication to Bar service ; and they talk about her tireless efforts to help the most vulnerable citizens in our community .
So , it was not surprising when the HCBA honored Buesing by naming her the 2020 HCBA Outstanding Lawyer at a special virtual awards event in March .
The criteria for this prestigious HCBA award says it should go to someone , who , over the years , has exhibited superior legal ability ; has demonstrated a high degree of professionalism and ethics ; is widely recognized as a “ mentor ” to other lawyers ; and someone who has been actively involved in HCBA activities .
No doubt , Buesing , who is a partner at Akerman , was an excellent choice .
Attorney Harold Oehler nominated Buesing for the award , and he introduced her at the virtual event .
“ Karen personifies each of the values recognized by the Outstanding Lawyer Award ,” Oehler said .
In his remarks , Oehler said Buesing is one of only 200 Florida lawyers certified by the Florida Bar in labor & employment law .
He said in 2014 Buesing became the first woman to receive the HCBA Trial & Litigation Section ’ s Michael A . Fogarty “ In the Trenches ” Award for civil trial practice , which is presented to a trial lawyer who demonstrates excellence and integrity in civil trial advocacy .
“ if you have an opportunity to use your voice for someone who needs you , do it .” — Karen Buesing
And Oehler highlighted Buesing ’ s many years of voluntary Bar service and her dedication to mentoring young lawyers .
He said Buesing has chaired an HCBA selection committee for the Board of Bay Area Legal Services for the past 35 years , and that she served as director of the HCBA ’ s Law Follies musical revue for 15 years .
Talking about the dozens of young attorneys Buesing has mentored over the past three decades , Oehler said an attorney who Buesing mentored for six years recently told him , “ Mentoring young attorneys is one of the things that ignites Karen ’ s soul as a seasoned attorney .”
Buesing earned both her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Florida .
Additionally , Oehler talked about Buesing ’ s extraordinary efforts to help the most vulnerable members in our community through her extensive pro bono service , noting Buesing was honored by the Florida Supreme Court as the recipient of the statewide Tobias Simon Pro Bono Service Award in 2014 . Oehler also talked about Buesing ’ s extraordinary efforts to help homeless youth and children in need . Oehler said , in the past 14 years , Buesing welcomed seven foster children into her home who were facing desperate personal circumstances and provided them with all the comforts of a loving home .
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