BLI TEaCHEs THE ImporTanCE oF BaTTLE BuDDIEs In THE LEgaL proFEssIon
Bar leadership Institute
Chairs: Nicole Gehringer – Harris, Hunt & Derr, P.A.; Donald C. Greiwe – de la Parte & Gilbert, P.A.; and Sara R. Lui – Hill Ward Henderson
T
he Bar Leadership
Institute offers more
than just leadership
lessons. It offers lessons
that will help us be more effective
lawyers and members of our
community. It is these valuable
lessons that encourage us to
become leaders, so that we may
pass on the knowledge we gain.
It is a task that we no longer just
feel the desire to accomplish, but
also the need to accomplish.
Our first learning module was
at the Veterans Treatment Court
and I found myself in awe of
the program that Judge Michael
Scionti was running. It offers a
second chance for veterans in
the criminal justice system by
providing them with the support
and guidance they need to cope
with re-assimilating into society,
while also struggling with issues
such as post-traumatic stress
disorder. While court was in session,
Judge Scionti spoke about how
during service, everyone is paired
with a “battle buddy,” but that the
need for battle buddies transcends
one’s time in service, which is why
his program pairs mentors with
participating veterans: “The men
and women of the VTC Mentor
Corps serve as “battle buddies”
for participating veterans and are
the heartbeat of the court. Their
compassion, dedication, and tireless
efforts help save the lives of countless
24
veterans at
a time when
they face
some of their
BLI visiting the Veterans Treatment Court.
most difficult
challenges.”
I am
sometimes we do not suffer from lack
embarrassed
of opportunities, but rather lack of
to admit that
awareness of such opportunities.
before the first
module, all
I knew about
the Veterans
Treatment Court was the mere
We have also had the incredible
fact that it existed. When I found
opportunity to visit Moffitt Cancer
myself excitedly talking about my
Center and the Port of Tampa.
learning module with colleagues
I am so excited to see what the
immediately after wards, I learned
rest of the year has in store for
that I was not alone in my lack of
our BLI Class. But, what I am
knowledge about the program.
most excited about is the newfound
But, it is such an important
knowledge that I will be able to
program that attorneys need to
share with my colleagues and
know about, because their clients
others in the legal community.
may have their cases transferred
I guess that is why we have
to the Veterans Treatment Court.
chosen to go through this program
As such, I now feel compelled to
— not only so that we can become
discuss the program with every
leaders in this profession, but
attorney I encounter. Being a
so that we can enlighten our
regular volunteer at Project HELP,
colleagues about the programs and
a free legal clinic for Tampa’s home-
opportunities
less population, I noticed that there
that we have
was a question on the intake form
learned about.
regarding whether the client was a
After all, we
veteran, but until now, I never under -
all need battle
stood its gravity and importance.
buddies.
Sometimes we do not suffer
Author: Natasha
from lack of opportunities, but
Khoyi - Booth &
rather lack of awareness of such
Cook, P.A.
opportunities.
JAN - FEB 2019
|
HCBA LAWYER