PRESIDENT ’ S MESSAGE
Julia Wyda 2021-22 PBCBA President
Martin Luther King , Jr . once said , “ Life ’ s most persistent and urgent question is ‘ What are you doing for others ?’”
Many of us had the recent pleasure of watching four of our chief judges be recognized and honored by our Bar Association at the recent Pass the Gavel Reception held outdoors at the National Croquet Center . We celebrated Former Chief Judge Spencer Levine of the Fourth District Court of Appeal as he passed the gavel to the new Chief Judge of the Fourth District Court of Appeal , Judge Burton Conner . We also celebrated Former Chief Judge Krista Marx of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit and wished her well as she retired and passed the gavel to our new Chief Judge of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit , Judge Glenn Kelley . These four fantastic judges have shown tremendous bravery and leadership in an uncertain and challenging time . They hear and acknowledge that important question , “ What are you doing for others ?”
I want to give further recognition to these four extraordinary humans as they exemplify my theme for this bar year , We Rise by Lifting Others . Judge Spencer Levine served most of his twoyear term as Chief Judge of the Fourth District Court of Appeal while we were all learning about and responding to COVID-19 . Under his leadership , the Fourth DCA was the first appellate court in the state of Florida to use Zoom to hold oral argument . His leadership was inclusive of our Bar Association and its members . He made updates and education a priority , communicating with all of us through virtual means , including the recent tri-county appellate webinar .
Judge Krista Marx served as Chief Judge of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit from 2017-2021 . She could not have anticipated the challenges this pandemic would bring to our trial courts when she began her tenure as Chief Judge . Prior to COVID , Judge Marx had already reached rockstar status with our female attorneys , who watched her bravely support local efforts to bring lactation rooms to our courthouses . During COVID , she was tireless in her efforts to keep the Bar and its members updated and to keep the courts moving . We all looked on proudly as she pushed to be ahead of the curve technologically , helped us to be one of the first circuits in the state to return to jury trials , and because of her efforts , the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit is expected to have the lowest pending caseload on July 1 , 2021 , when compared to the other large Florida circuits . We are in awe of her and are so grateful for her efforts on our behalf and her commitment to the residents of Palm Beach County .
Chief Judge Burton Conner began his term on July 1 , 2021 , when we thought we were beginning to come out of the pandemic but knew there could be challenges ahead . It takes courage to lead in such a precarious time . Shortly thereafter , we faced a new surge of COVID-19 cases that brought new concerns and fears as the numbers increased dramatically and our youth now seemed at greater risk . He was and is not deterred and will continue to serve the Fourth District Court of Appeal with heart and unyielding commitment .
Chief Judge Glenn Kelley has already begun to show his commitment to our
Bar Association . In June , I watched him interact with our young lawyers at a Young Lawyers Section event as we began our bar year . He was engaged , speaking with our young lawyers not only about their work and careers , but about their personal interests . For our young lawyers , this level of interest from our judges encourages them to become better lawyers and more involved with our Bar Association , which ultimately benefits our profession . Judge Kelley has gladly said yes to every request our Bar Association has asked of him thus far , and we look forward to working with him during this continued time of recovery .
These four judges have taken on incredible responsibility in the most trying of times . They have put our needs and those of the residents of Palm Beach County before their own . They have a remarkable generosity of spirit that allows them to commit their time and talent to something beyond themselves . As they have each taken on these challenging leadership roles , putting others first , we have watched their stars further rising , proving to us that we can and we do rise by lifting others .
Please reach out to me , the Board and our Executive Director with any ideas , comments or concerns . We can be reached at pbcba-bod @ palmbeachbar . org .
PBCBA BAR BULLETIN 3