Join your fellow trial & Litigation section members at the annual Bench Bar conference on october 22nd.
more information is available at hillsbar. com.
focusiNGoNtHeNeedsaNdGoaLsoftriaLattorNeYs trial & litigation section Chair: LilyMcCarty – Hines, McCarty & Pavlidis, PLLC myhopeforthissection intheyear2026-2027 isthatwewillbring support, relevantcLes, andmentorshiptoall.
I am excited and honored to chair the 2026-2027 Trial and Ligation Section of the Hillsborough County Bar Association, a section that truly aims to focus on the needs and goals of trial attorneys.
Being a trial attorney is one of the most overwhelming feelings, a synergistic emotion often created by the never-ending battles of the ups and downs. The constant fear of forgetting an exhibit, worrying that you have failed to read every page of discovery, wanting to be sure you know the facts more than any other person in the courtroom, while consistently wondering how you got here. The fear and panic that sets in can eat at you at night but is often overcome, and is quickly erased, by the sweet trial high accompanying a victory. Trials bring us our highest highs and our lowest lows.
My hope is that trial lawyers, especially those starting their journey in litigation, join the
Trial and Litigation Section, to have a support system while they are in the lows, and a cheering section with the highs. In my career, the Hillsborough County Bar Association and Trial and Litigation Section have introduced me to some of the finest litigators in the nation. Having a lifeline to call for guidance or assistance is one of the most golden gifts we can be provided in this career. We should all have that one mentor we can call at any time, and know they will be there for support, advice, and guidance.
Litigation is often lonely and even those of us who have been through it for many years, still get the anxiety and nervousness that accompanies it. Whether it is civil or criminal, you feel the weight of your clients’ trust and future in your hands. My hope for this section in the year 2026-2027 is that we will bring support, relevant CLEs, and mentorship to all.
I want to extend my appreciation to the Board
Members this year: Jenay Iurato( Immediate Past Chair), Amy Currotto( Chair Elect), Martin Burke( Treasurer), Justin Bennett, Judge Jessica Goodwin Costello, William Daniel, Jaret Fuente, Donald“ Don” Greiwe, Lauren Humphries, Jason Imler, Erin Jackson, Rebeccah LoCascio, Chris Mathena, Michael McLaughlin, Chad Moore, Maria Pavlidis, Paul Punzone John Schifino, Courtney Umberger, and Judge Michael Williams. We also want to recognize the following Board members whose terms ended this past year after years of dedication to the Trial and Litigation Section: Kristin Norse and Ella Shenhav.
If you have any suggestions or requests for CLEs, or if you would like to present a CLE, please contact me at lmccarty @ tampa-litigation. com. Thank you all, and here’ s to a great year! n
Author: Lily McCarty – Hines, McCarty & Pavlidis, PLLC
Join your fellow trial & Litigation section members at the annual Bench Bar conference on october 22nd.
more information is available at hillsbar. com.
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