As we celebrate this year ’ s theme , Party Like It ’ s 1999 – BYB - “ Build Your Brand , Build Your Business , Build Your Bar ,” we want to get to know you , our members . We want to pull back the curtain and learn how you identify yourself separate from the law . For this issue , we invited St . Petersburg Bar Association ( SPBA ) board member , Bea McConnell , to share with us more about her “ inner rockstar .” If you would like to share your “ inner rockstar ” story , please email SPBA Executive Director Melissa Byers at Mbyers @ stpetebar . com .
By Bea McConnell
For those who have litigated with me and felt tempted to call me a name , here are some you can use without compromising your professionalism : “ cork dork ,” “ wine snob ,” and “ sommelier wannabe .” After years of appreciating wine , I realized that I didn ’ t just enjoy its social and relaxing aspects , I liked that it made me curious about learning . First , I wanted to understand what I liked . Then , I wanted to pick the right bottle and win praise for my impeccable taste . Finally , like other lawyers collecting degrees , I wanted a formal education to legitimize my wine snobbery .
Consequently , I enrolled in a course to prepare for The Wine & Spirit Education Trust ’ s Level 2 certification exam . I immediately entered nerd mode — reading and highlighting all course materials before the first day of class and obnoxiously raising my hand in class . After passing the exam , I decided that my learning had just begun , and I was ready for more . Given my preference for French wines , I visited the Bordeaux
and Champagne regions . I learned more about wine , but I also experienced beauty and culture that you can ’ t find in a glass . This taught me that my passion for wine isn ’ t about collecting certifications or an excuse for binge drinking , it ’ s about finding and embracing something that grows my curiosity .
“ A person with increasing knowledge and sensory education may derive infinite enjoyment from wine .” – Ernest Hemingway . I agree with Mr . Hemingway and will continue my journey . Whether it includes Level 3 certification or not , as long as it leads me to enriching experiences , I will keep going .
Beatriz “ Bea ” McConnell is the co-managing partner at Englander Fischer , where she focuses her practice on Business Litigation . Bea is a board member of the St . Petersburg Bar Association and Enriching Escapes , a local non-profit dedicated to serving special needs families .
Recovery of Investors ' Losses
Representing individuals and entities that have suffered losses as a result of the negligence , fraud or other wrongdoing of their stockbroker , investment advisor , or other financial professional .
Scott C . Ilgenfritz
Board Certified Business Litigation Attorney
scotti @ jpfirm . com www . floridasecuritiesfraudlawyer . com
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2023
401 E . Jackson St ., Suite 3100 Tampa , FL 33602 n ( 813 ) 225-2500
Member of the Public Investors Arbitration Bar Association ( PIABA ) since 1997 . Past President of PIABA . Member of PIABA ’ s Board of Directors 2008-2017 .
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