H C B A P r E S I D E n T’ S M E S S A g E A n t h o n y“ n i n o” M a r t i n o – O l d e r L u n d y K o c h & M a r t i n o
aFarewellmessage: gratitude, growth, andlookingahead
thestrengthofthehcBahasalwaysbeenitsmembers— theattorneys, judges, lawstudents, andstaffwhobringthis organizationtolife.
As I sit down to write this final message as President of the Hillsborough County Bar Association, I’ m filled with both pride and humility. It has been an extraordinary honor to serve this organization and our legal community over the past year. When I first took on this role, I knew it would be meaningful— but I could not have anticipated just how impactful this experience would be, both personally and professionally.
This past year has been a testament to the strength, resilience, and spirit of our membership. Together, we navigated challenges, celebrated milestones, launched new initiatives, and reinforced what makes the HCBA not just a professional association, but a true community.
A Year of Engagement and Purpose
From day one, I set out to promote professionalism, service, and development. I’ m proud of the steps we’ ve taken to bring people together— across practice areas, generations, and backgrounds. We prioritized
mentorship, opened doors to leadership opportunities, and found new ways to support each other.
One of the highlights of this year was watching our committees, sections, and volunteer groups reinvigorate their programming with purpose and energy. Whether it was CLEs, judicial receptions, community outreach projects, or social gatherings, the level of engagement was inspiring. We saw record attendance at many events, including our 5K Pro Bono run, the Diversity & Inclusion Summit, and the annual Bench Bar Conference. Each event reaffirmed the power of collective commitment and collaboration.
The Heart of the Bar: Our Members
What has made this year most special, though, is the people. The strength of the HCBA has always been its members— the attorneys, judges, law students, and staff
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