A year like no other
My main concern , as I pondered taking over as South County Division President , was that my conference room was too small . I even asked then-President Bryan Kessler if I could continue to use his space , to which he graciously agreed . What a difference this year has made . When the lockdown began , Steve Ledbetter ( my office neighbor ) told me he was all set up on Zoom and ready to see clients . I told him I too was ready to go with “ the Zoom .” I promptly went to my office and googled “ Zoom .” In some ways , I cannot imagine going back .
It was a pleasure seeing many members out at the now treeless Snake Island for our annual picnic and first in-person event since March of 2020 . I want to specifically thank Lance Ball , Mark Creech , and Liz Stamoulis for bringing tents , coolers , tables , etc ., and for helping to provide as much shade as possible during the day . Erin Itts and Jackie
Mack-Majka provided so much food that there was plenty for everyone who showed up , and Lance , Mark , Liz , and I brought
SOUTH COUNTY DIVISION
SOUTH COUNTY PRESIDENT ’ S COLUMN
Anthony G . Mowry , Esq . Mowry Law Office some back with us on the boat . Bob Klingbeil provided transportation from the North Jetty after finishing his short rod fishing tournament in the morning ( he did not win ). Also , a shout out to Patrick Hale and Patrick Iyampillai and their staff for planting a Hale Law flag on the island and bringing a cooler or drinks , food , and tunes . Judge Hunter Carroll and his family joined us on the island , which was particularly brave since I was driving the boat and I ’ m not sure if he has any jurisdiction on the island — it might be an independent republic . All in all , I look forward to next year ’ s island takeover .
Although the past couple years have been extraordinarily difficult , the courts and justice system continued to operate throughout the pandemic . I would like to thank the court staff , including Judges Maria Ruhl and Hunter
Carroll , their judicial assistants , Kaitlyn and Olivia , for ensuring that the lawyers and litigants in South County were able to have their issues heard even during the most restrictive periods of 2020 and 2021 . With regard to the SCBA , however , one person deserves enormous credit for keeping us moving during the pandemic : Holly Lipps , our Executive Director . I can honestly say that without her guidance and ability to adjust to the new world in which we found ourselves , the SCBA would have been in serious trouble . Many organizations folded , but the SCBA remains strong .
With Pat Reilly taking over as President of the South County Division next year , we will be in good hands . I , for one , look forward to a year where we get back to normal , drink some wine at the train station for the train station social , shoot some guns at the sporting clays , and celebrate the opening of a new South County courthouse . I also recognize that this has been an extraordinarily difficult time for some members of our profession and our community . I trust that , in addition to social gatherings , the SCBA will continue to assist our members with any difficulties they may have as well as giving back to our communities so that we all may heal together .
SCBA NEWS
Office supplies drive benefits Cenacle Legal Services
The SCBA ’ s Access To Justice Task Force spearheaded an “ In-Kindness ” Office Supply Drive for Cenacle Legal Services , Inc . this past March as a means to aid Cenacle in fulfilling their mission of providing free legal representation to south Sarasota County ’ s most vulnerable . SCBA members and business partners donated office supplies and equipment and gave monetary donations to the extent that Cenacle ’ s supply cabinets will be stocked well into 2022 . As a part of the drive , SCBA business partner Benchmark Blueprinting and Office Supplies generously agreed to procure future office supplies for Cenacle at cost . Thank you to all who donated and to Benchmark !
Pictured L-R : SCBA Executive Director Holly Lipps ; Evelyn Moya , Esq ., Executive Director , Cenacle Legal Services ; Lynn Hautamaki and Liza Rodriguez of Benchmark ; Bonnie Polk , Esq ., SCBA and Cenacle Legal Services Board Member ; and Tony Mowry , Esq . and Neil Lyons , Esq ., Access To Justice Task Force Committee Members .
THE DOCKET · AUGUST 2021 9