PRESIDENT ’ S MESSAGE
Julia Wyda 2021-22 PBCBA President
On April 8 , 2022 , the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit and the Professionalism Committee of the Palm Beach County Bar Association (“ PBCBA ”) welcomed new attorneys and attorneys new to our area as they begin their careers here in Palm Beach County . After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic , Lawonda Warren and Cindy Crawford co-chaired and brought back our New Attorney Breakfast , which brings together judges , attorneys , and voluntary bar associations to provide advice , guidance , and support from our local legal community .
The New Attorney Breakfast was once again held at the main courthouse .
The morning started with breakfast and networking with over fifteen local voluntary bar associations . Breakfast was followed by opening remarks from Chief Judge Glenn Kelley ; myself on behalf of the PBCBA ; Sia Baker-Barnes , our Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Representative for the Florida Bar Board of Governors ; Kelly Schulz on behalf of the PBCBA Young Lawyers Section (“ YLS ”); and Masimba Mutamba , one of our Fifteenth Circuit Representatives for the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division (“ YLD ”).
The opening remarks were followed by a panel discussion , moderated by one of our PBCBA Professionalism Committee Chairs , Kalinthia Dillard . The panelists included Judge G . Joseph Curley ; Judge Cymonie Rowe ; Judge Daliah Weiss ; myself ; Sia Baker-Barnes ; Lauren Johnson , our YLS President ; and Stephanie Cagnet Myron , another one of our YLD representatives . Best practices , ethics , professionalism , and challenges in the early years of practicing law were just some of the topics addressed . It was a lively and informative panel discussion , which provided invaluable and practical advice that we hope will form a foundation for new attorneys as they embark upon their journeys as lawyers in our legal community .
The panel discussion was followed by a behind-the-scenes tour of the courthouse , led by Michael Bonan , General Counsel of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit . The tour concluded at one of our ceremonial courtrooms , where our new attorneys were treated to an outstanding presentation of mock closing arguments by David Prather and Craig Williams , with Judge Daliah Weiss presiding . The program concluded with an interactive and often laugh-out-loud funny exchange of questions , answers , thoughts , and tips . It was a gift to watch these three superstars in our legal community teaching the next generation of lawyers in such an engaging and personal way .
We thank all of the judges , attorneys , and voluntary bar associations who volunteered to make our New Attorney Breakfast possible . I know that Palm Beach County is a special place to practice law , and in this year as President of the PBCBA , I am seeing firsthand and understanding more and more that it is the willingness of our judges , attorneys , and voluntary bar associations to work together and continue to selflessly volunteer their time and talent to our legal community that creates this special environment .
PBCBA BAR BULLETIN 3