PRESIDENT’ S MESSAGE
PRESIDENT’ S MESSAGE
Jean Marie Middleton 2025-26 PBCBA President
It is an absolute privilege to be writing this article as your 103 rd President!
I want to begin with a very simple but very important phrase- THANK YOU! Thank you to all of the lawyers, judges, and legal support personnel who make Palm Beach the best county in Florida to practice law.
Having spent the majority of my 40 + years as a government attorney, I have seen firsthand the power of public service. I know how tirelessly dedicated legal professionals defend our system of justice and serve those who often have nowhere else to turn. I have also enjoyed the rewards of giving back to our community through monthly serving as a volunteer Youth Court Judge, service at a food bank, and feeding families during the holidays.
I appreciate all of the members who have given their time, their energy, and their expertise to help further the mission of our bar association. Thank you for showing up, not just when it’ s convenient, but when it matters most.
The Mission“ The mission of the Palm Beach County Bar Association is to serve it’ s members, foster professionalism and enhance the public’ s understanding and awareness of the legal system. We are very active in providing numerous public service activities and giving back to the community.”
As the first government attorney to lead our amazing association, my theme for this year is“ Honoring Public Service, Expanding Our Mission to Enhance the Public’ s Understanding and Awareness of the Legal System."
The Power of Public Service Attorneys and our Judiciary During this bar year we want to enlighten the public as to the incredible services provided by our judges, attorneys employed by government agencies such as the offices of the U. S. Attorney, Attorney General, State Attorney, Public Defender, DCF, Criminal and Civil Regional Conflict Counsel, County Attorney, City Attorney, and School Board Attorney, as well as non-profit agencies such as the Legal Aid Society and Florida Rural Legal Services.
Day in and day out— the attorneys working for government agencies demonstrate the incredible power of public service. They show that the legal profession is not only about statutes and courtrooms— it’ s about people. People who are trying to navigate some of the most difficult moments of their lives. People who may not speak the language, may not understand the system, and may not think they have a voice.
The Role of Voluntary Bar Associations As our mission states, this bar year we will emphasize the role of voluntary bar associations like ours and how we can provide community awareness and understanding of our legal system.
Bar associations lay the foundation for sustainable volunteer service through programs that directly benefit our community. This year we will find meaningful ways to give back of our time, talents, and resources.
Looking Ahead: Expanding Programs and Public Awareness Because we know that the need is great, our goal is to expand our lawyer referral program by reaching deeper into underserved communities. That means investing in education and outreach. And it means making sure the public knows just how valuable volunteer legal service is— not just to individual clients, but to our society as a whole. By the end of this bar year, we aim to have increased our outreach to at least three underserved communities, providing them with not only legal assistance, but also educational resources that empower individuals to navigate the legal system with confidence.
Our future legal leaders— young attorneys— are the ones who will carry this mission forward. I want to make sure they understand that a fulfilling career isn’ t just about career advancement, but about giving back to the community. As we expand our programs this year, we’ ll be actively engaging with law students and young lawyers to make sure they see public service as a cornerstone of their professional identity.
Call to Action I ask you to please continue being ambassadors— not just for justice, but for the idea that volunteering through bar associations strengthens the fabric of our communities. I urge each of you to consider how you can contribute— whether that’ s by mentoring a young lawyer, volunteering for one of our upcoming community legal aid events, or simply spreading the word about our lawyer referral program to those who need it most. Every action, no matter how small, helps move us closer to our goal of creating a more accessible and inclusive legal system.
We have the momentum. We have the commitment. And most importantly, we have each other.
Together, we have the tools, the dedication, and the support to make a meaningful impact. This year, let ' s set a new standard for what it means to serve. I look forward to all we will accomplish together— and to the positive change we’ ll create for the communities that need us most.
Yours in Service, Jean Marie Middleton
PBCBA BAR BULLETIN 3