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Senior Counsel Section Co-Chairs: ThomasNewcombHyde – AttorneyatLaw & DonSmith – Smith, Tozian, Daniel & Davis, PA
Thistrulyis oneofthe best-keptsecrets inhillsborough County.
For years now, I have been faithfully attending the Senior Counsel Luncheon hosted by the Hillsborough County Bar Association. And for just as many years, I have endured the goodnatured ribbing that comes with it, namely, that I am not, in fact,“ Senior Counsel.”
At this point, I’ ve come to believe that if I keep showing up long enough, I may be granted honorary status by sheer persistence alone. Until then, I remain what I suppose you could call an“ aspiring senior counsel.”
Titles aside, I keep coming back for one simple reason: it is, without question, the best luncheon in Hillsborough County.
First, let’ s clear up a common misconception. You do not have to be a member of the Senior Counsel Section or even qualify as“ senior” to attend. If you’ re an attorney and you can find your way to the venue, you’ re in. No secret handshake required.
What you will find, however, is something increasingly rare in our profession: the opportunity to sit elbow to elbow with some of the most experienced and respected lawyers in Tampa. These are attorneys who have seen it all, tried it all, and, if you’ re lucky, are willing to share a story or two that didn’ t make it into any CLE materials.
And that’ s another thing! There’ s no forced participation. No coldcalling. No pressure to raise your hand and analyze a hypothetical under the watchful eye of your peers. You get to enjoy a quality meal, listen to a compelling speaker, and engage at your own pace.
The real strength of the luncheon, though, is its remarkable variety and consistency of highquality speakers. Every time you attend, you hear from someone new, and without fail, the presentations are thoughtful, engaging, and worth your time. Whether the topic is legal, historical, or something entirely unexpected, you walk away having learned something and enjoyed doing it.
Which brings me to perhaps the most remarkable part: the cost. For $ 25, you get lunch and a highquality program. In today’ s world, that barely covers parking in some places, yet here it gets you a seat in one of the most valuable rooms in the local legal community. This truly is one of the best-kept secrets in Hillsborough County.
And credit where it is due: this does not happen by accident. Thomas Newcomb Hyde has been the driving force behind this luncheon for years, now alongside co-chair Donald Smith. Their dedication has created something special, and their only ask ever, at least of me, has been simple: encourage others to attend. So here it is. I challenge every attorney reading this to come to the next luncheon. Try it once. Sit down, have a meal, listen, and take it in. I am confident you will walk out thinking the same thing I did years ago:“ Why didn’ t I start coming sooner?”
And as to the esteemed members of the Judiciary, you should be there too. The room is better when you’ re in it, and I suspect you might even enjoy yourselves.
Let’ s fill the hall. Let’ s turn this“ best-kept secret” into something a little less secret.
As for me, I’ ll be there, still not Senior Counsel, but still showing up. And who knows? Maybe this is the year they finally let me sit at the grown-ups’ table.
Come on by for lunch and conversation. You won’ t regret it. n
Author: Paul S. Maney – Paul S. Maney, P. A.
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