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 continuedfrompage12
Susan Bucklew broke barriers as Hillsborough County’ s first female county judge. And, in 1991, Marsha Rydberg stepped into the role of the HCBA’ s first female president.
The 1980s and 1990s also ushered in beloved member traditions, including the Law Follies— a popular musical comedy production— and the Barrister Charity Ball, which raised crucial funds for local legal aid. In 1990, the HCBA began publishing the Lawyer magazine, replacing its longtime newsletter, The Bulletin.
In 1997, the association introduced another hallmark tradition: the HCBA’ s annual Bench Bar Conference. Now one of our most anticipated signature events, this day-long gathering brings together hundreds of lawyers and judges for timely CLE sessions and candid conversations on issues vital to the legal profession.
A New Century: Building a Home and Expanding the Mission
To commemorate its centennial in 1996, the HCBA published In Pursuit of Justice, a hardcover book chronicling the history of Tampa Bay’ s legal community and the Bar’ s first century— a milestone reached as membership surpassed 2,000. A link to the In Pursuit of Justice book is on the HCBA website at: www. hillsbar. com / page / About.
That same year brought another major milestone: the creation of the Hillsborough County Bar Foundation as a charitable organization working in tandem with the HCBA. The Foundation focuses its mission on expanding legal assistance and access to the justice system for poor, disabled, and disadvantaged members of our community. In 2005, the Bar Foundation hosted its inaugural Law & Liberty Dinner. Since its inception, proceeds from this signature event have provided local legal-related charities with more than $ 1 million in grants.
As the HCBA entered its second century, a longstanding dream of Bar leaders came to fruition: a permanent home for Tampa Bay’ s legal community. The effort began in the mid-1990s with a blue-ribbon committee exploring the possibility of a dedicated facility. William A. Gillen Jr. chaired the Bar Foundation’ s capital campaign to help fund the building on North Tampa Street in downtown Tampa. Ground was broken in June 2006, and in February 2008, nearly 1,000 members of the legal and civic community celebrated the grand opening of the 17,000-square-foot Chester H. Ferguson Law Center. Today, the Ferguson Law Center serves as the hub for hundreds of annual section meetings, continuing legal education seminars, luncheons, and community gatherings.
Alongside a permanent home came other new traditions. Launched in 2004 as a modest cookout with a single black smoker, the“ Judicial Pig Roast”( now the Judicial Food Festival) evolved into a spirited competition among law firms, courts, and legal groups. Paired in 2009 with the“ Judicial Race to the Courthouse”( now the 5K Pro Bono River Run), the joint spring event draws hundreds of attendees each year while generating thousands of pledged pro bono hours for those in need of legal assistance.
130 Years— and Still Evolving
Today, as one of Florida’ s largest voluntary bar associations, the HCBA encompasses more than 30 specialized sections and committees, offering robust programming and annual signature events for its approximately 3,500 members.
Reflecting on this rich history, HCBA President Amanda Uliano noted:“ Buildings, programs, and traditions matter, but ultimately the HCBA’ s 130-year story is about people— the generations of lawyers, judges, staff members, and community partners who have volunteered their time and worked together to strengthen both the legal profession and the community.”
The Tampa of 2026 would be virtually unrecognizable to the pioneer attorneys who gathered in 1896. Yet, as President Uliano emphasizes:“ The way we practice law changes every day, yet the HCBA continues to be the steadying anchor where judges and attorneys come together to support one another, grow professionally, and ensure equal access to justice.”
As the HCBA begins its next chapter, its mission“ to inspire and promote respect for the law and justice system through service to the legal profession and community” remains as vital as ever. n
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