Interview by EDWIN FORD , Esq . Edwin L . Ford , P . A .
It is hard to believe that it has been
over a decade since the ever-gregarious Morgan Ray Bentley was President of the Sarasota County Bar Association . He presided during the 2007 – 2008 Bar year and after his term of office concluded he valiantly ( but alas unsuccessfully ) attempted to organize past presidents of the SCBA into a functioning body .
During Morgan ’ s term of office , Barack Obama ran for president of the United States and we were engaged in what is now known as the “ Gulf War .” He faced none of the social justice issues to which the SCBA is now responding . However , Morgan recalled that as long ago as when he was in the Young Lawyers Division they were talking about summer clerkships for minority law students , an endeavor which continues to this day .
Morgan had his own share of challenges during his term . In
SCBA PAST PRESIDENTS
Morgan Bentley , SCBA President 2007 – 2008
particular , Morgan was proud to have overseen the Bar ’ s reaction to the economic recession . The SCBA fulfilled its function as an “ arm of the court ” during what is now fading from our collective memories as the great foreclosure crisis which began in 2008 . “ The Bar came to the rescue ” in Morgan ’ s words , “ it didn ’ t fall apart at the seams .”
When discussing today ’ s SCBA , Morgan was impressed with the work the South County Division has done to reach attorneys all across
Morgan Ray Bentley as president of the SCBA ( left photo ) and today ( right photo ) the county . He noted that as those outer reaches of the county , such as in Englewood and North Port , continue to develop , those efforts will be useful in extending the SCBA to our ever-growing legal community . Morgan also pointed out that many of the firms in town with large associate classes have not encouraged the same investment of time to SCBA leadership as he remembers when he was an associate .
Morgan notes that the sections are “ way more vigorous ” than they used to be and the YLD “ has always been great .” As for staffing , during his year as president , Morgan remarked that Jan Jung was “ uniquely gifted ” and that Holly Lipps seems to be following in her footsteps . “ Maybe it ’ s genetic .”
As to the legal practice in general , Morgan sees the rise of D-I-Y programs such as Legal Zoom as posing an “ existential threat ” to some of the “ bread and butter ” work that lawyers have traditionally
See BENTLEY , Page 17
FLORIDA ASSOCIATION FOR WOMEN LAWYERS
Dean Laura Rosenbury to give presentation on gender and leadership
By JESSICA M . FARRELLY , Esq . Immediate Past President , Sarasota FAWL
It has been an interesting year ! 2020
and all of its pandemic-related challenges have taught all of us to pivot and rise up to meet the novel obstacles we have faced .
Sarasota FAWL is keenly aware that female professionals have been uniquely impacted by the various demands placed upon them in 2020 . In a profoundly more demanding way , women have been called upon to balance the workload of a professional career while simultaneously managing the domestic challenges of home / remote schooling and family caretaking . Studies show that one in four women are considering dropping out of the workforce because of stress , anxiety , and pandemic-related “ burnout .” Also , the new virtual landscape at work can make it harder to establish and maintain relationships with
Jessica M . Farrelly , Esq . Immediate Past President , Sarasota FAWL
mentors , sponsors , and colleagues resulting in greater fractionalization . Now , more than ever , the honing of leadership skills for women is critical so we cannot simply survive , but thrive ! As Sheryl Sanberg stated , “ Women need to shift from thinking , ‘ I ’ m not ready to do that ’ to thinking , ‘ I want to do that and I ’ ll learn by doing it .’” In 2020 , we ARE learning , and we ARE doing it !
For all of these reasons , the
Dean Laura A . Rosenbury
Sarasota Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers ( FAWL ) is is collaborating with Manatee FAWL to present Laura A . Rosenbury , the Dean and Levin , Mabie & Levin Professor of Law at University of Florida Levin College of Law , who will give an interactive , virtual presentation on gender and leadership themes on February 10 . Dean Rosenbury ’ s many areas of expertise include Employment Law ; Women , Gender , and the Law ; and exploring legal strategies for gender equality that focus on the ways gender is constructed in and out of law at home , work , and beyond .
So , save the date of February 10 to participate in Dean Rosenbury ’ s interesting and empowering virtual presentation brought to the members of the Sarasota and Manatee County Bar Associations by Sarasota and Manatee FAWL .
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