E D I T O R ’ S
M E S S A G E
Di n e e n Pa s h o u k o s Wa s y l i k – DP W Le g a l
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steps do you need to take to accomplish those goals?
Remember, “a goal is a dream with a deadline,” as
Napoleon Hill once wrote. Find your vision, then figure
out what it takes to get there, step by step. Then put
those goals on paper and get them on your calendar.
Even if you don’t get to set the course for your employer,
create your own personal business plan and set the
course for your life.
With the ever-growing number of attorneys in
Florida, having a strong vision for your future is more
important than ever. In 1980, there were only
approximately 27,000 lawyers in Florida, but by 2000
that number had grown to 60,900 and by December
2019, there were 89,407 attorneys eligible to practice in
Florida. 1 That is a lot of lawyers, but there is a lot of
need to be met. Find your niche and work toward it.
This issue of Lawyer magazine is chock full of both
reflection and vision. Our Executive Director’s article
explores the growth and changing demographics of our
profession (p. 14), and President Grace Yang also
explores the changing face of the HCBA (p. 8). Don’t
miss the State Attorney’s column discussing progress
toward justice reform and implementation of Marsy’s
Law (p. 16). Join us in celebrating the vision and
professionalism of the 2019 Thirteenth Judicial Circuit
Professionalism Award winners, Jennie Granahan Tarr
and John Schifino (p. 62).
Explore the future of virtual mediation with the Solo
Section (p. 68). And be sure you know the way the law
JAN - FEB 2020
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HCBA LAWYER
is developing in your area — the Appellate, Intellectual
Property, Real Property, Securities, Military and
Veterans Affairs, and Worker’s Compensation articles
this issue all explore important developments in their
respective areas of the law.
Mentorship is always key to bringing forward the next
generation of lawyers, and the Diversity & Inclusion
Committee article this issue (p. 48) brings with it a
wonderful story of mentorship and the benefits of the
Diversity Access Pipeline program.
And finally, don’t forget that part of the magazine’s
self-reflection relies on you to help us identify our most
popular and moving covers for the past 30 years. Be sure
to check out this issue’s selection of best covers from
2001-2005 (p.76).
As Napoleon Hill also said, “[s]et your mind on a
definite goal and observe how quickly the world stands
aside to let you pass.” Wishing all of our readers success
in 2020 and beyond. n
See Susan Taylor Martin, “Florida’s swollen ranks of
lawyers scrap for a piece of a shrinking legal pie,” Tampa
Bay Times (published July 26, 2014), found at https://
www.tampabay.com/news/business/floridas-swollen-ranks-
of-lawyers-scrap-for-piece-of-a-shrinking-legal-pie/2190047/
(last visited 12/20/2019); https://www.floridabar.org/about/
faq/#members (last visited 12/20/2019).
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