PRESIDENT ’ S MESSAGE
Vision 20 / 20 – Focused on Recovery Step 4 – Starting to return to normal – work and play
Dean T . Xenick 2020-21 PBCBA President
As I write this , the Palm Beach County Courthouse is just entering Phase 2 of re-opening and the rest of Florida is entering into Phase 3 . Pilot jury trials ( two criminal and two civil ) in the 15th Judicial Circuit are set to take place in October and November 2020 in the hopes that jury trials can resume fully in early 2021 . The grand jury will also be convening , starting October 14th . Hopefully by the time this message is printed we will still be moving forward with those plans . These pilot jury trials are scheduled to be live streamed so that everyone can see how they are proceeding ; we will be posting how to watch these pilot trials , please check our social media and website for more information .
According to Chief Judge Krista Marx ’ s recent count , 8,000 people visit the courthouse per week . That number is of course expected to rise as jurors are slowing getting called back to jury duty . So , Chief Judge Krista Marx , the Judges , Judicial Assistants , Clerks , and the entire courthouse staff have gone above and beyond to make the courthouse safe for all those who enter by enacting various procedures and protocols and by purchasing state of the art safety equipment including thermal cameras to take visitors ’ temperatures remotely .
During our recent town hall discussion with Chief Judge Marx on September 25 , 2020 , she laid out some the following protocols that will be in effect as the courthouse reopens :
• Once they enter the courthouse , jurors will assemble in three separate places to maintain social distancing guidelines : the jury assembly room , the cafeteria , and courtroom 2D ;
• Jurors will be given clear masks so that attorneys and judges can see facial expressions ;
• Witness boxes will be enclosed in Plexiglas so that witnesses can testify without masks ;
• Jurors will deliberate in the main courtrooms rather than the traditional jury deliberation rooms ; and
• The courthouse has purchased temperature-reading machines , air sanitizing equipment , and air purifiers to keep the courthouse , courtrooms and common areas as clean as possible .
Please consult the newest Administrative Orders relative to the courthouse re-opening for up to date guidelines . We will have these AO posted on our website , www . palmbeachbar . org .
As we move forward with “ work ” starting to return to normal , the Palm Beach County Bar Association also wants “ play ” to return to normal . One of the best benefits of the PBCBA is the many networking and marketing opportunities we provide , so that you can socialize with fellow lawyers in the community . We have taken great steps to start the process of resuming our social activities safely .
To that end , we will host a mixture of live and virtual events over the coming weeks and months and we hope that you can attend all , or at least some , of them . These events include :
• Virtual Coffee Talk on Networking – November 5th
• Virtual Chef Taught Cooking Class – November 5th
• Webinar on How our Thoughts Create our Experience – November 9
• Virtual Wine Tasting with Master Sommelier George Miliotes – November 10th
• Virtual Mental Health First Aid – November 13th
• Holiday Party ( IN PERSON !) – PGA National Resort – December 8 , 2020
• ( party will be held outside on the Honda Pavilion with 6,000 square feet of open-air )
• Webinar Trial by Zoom – December 9
• Webinar on Destigmatizing Mental Illness - December 11
• Virtual Simplify Your Trust Accounting – January 13 , 2021
• Young Lawyer Golf Tournament – Spring 2021
• Bench Bar Conference – April 2021
For times , further information and registration , go to our Calendar of Events at www . palmbeachbar . org .
We realize not everyone is ready for these in person events , but many are , so we are going to proceed with caution and if you are comfortable attending , we would love to see you there ! But we will continue with virtual events , as well , so that we are including all our members .
With the hopes of a Covid-19 vaccine on the near horizon , we are cautiously optimistic that 2021 will be a more productive and social year than 2020 . No matter what happens though , the Palm Beach County Bar Association will be here to support you and your practices to help you “ Focus on Recovery .” We will continue to be your “ go to ” source for information about the courthouse , to provide valuable CLE programming , and education to benefit you and your clients , and to help you network and market your practices so that we are all successful .
As we enter fall , I wish you and your families a happy and safe holiday season . And as always , I encourage you to drop me a line at dtx @ reidburmanlaw . com with any suggestions as to how we can do better , whether that be for “ work ” or “ play .” I hope to see you at one of our many planned events soon !
PBCBA BAR BULLETIN 3