H C B A P r E s I D E n T ’ s M E s s A g E J a c q u e l i n e A . s i m m s - P e t r e d i s –
B u r r & F o r m a n , L L P
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I wanted to be a lawyer ever since I can remember growing up . Perhaps it was because I had a lawyer role model in my father , the late Judge robert J . simms . I was lucky to see him come home energized and enthusiastic from work every day – always finding ways to be a better lawyer and a better member of the community . He never lost sight of the big picture and he knew that being a good lawyer was more than just winning .
With the pandemic and everything moving so fast around us , my goal for our HCBA Community this year is to take a step back from our daily tasks of lawyering and really focus on what makes us good humans and not just good lawyers — what my Father endeavored to do every day . our members have so much treasure and talent they can put to work in upholding some of the more specific HCBA goals .
With that in mind , we will continue our focus on the goal of strengthening diversity , equality and inclusion in our profession and in the HCBA . our differences are what makes our HCBA Community strong and we still have a long way to go . You will note that the Bench Bar Conference this year has a baseball and a diversity theme — in honor of the 75th anniversary of Jackie robinson breaking the color barrier to become the first African American player in Major League Baseball . We are especially excited that Fred Hearns , the curator of Black history at the Tampa Bay History Museum , will be our luncheon speaker during the Conference . He will tell us all about robinson ’ s connection to Tampa , the nAACP and how baseball players were involved in the civil rights movement .
We will also focus on the goal of volunteerism , the importance of pro bono efforts , professionalism and being better ambassadors for lawyers through mentoring — things that make our community better and also ensure the community has a respectful opinion of lawyers .
It is my hope that you will follow me and the HCBA in promoting and strengthening these goals , so that we are even more known across the country for our efforts to advance the legal profession !
Welcome to the new Bar year ! I look forward to seeing old and new faces in the months to come . n
S E P T - O C T 2 0 2 2 | H C B A L A W Y E R
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