switch supposed to magically flip and we ’ d be back to pre-pandemic life ?! Unfortunately , that hasn ’ t happened , so we are still trying to balance our health and safety with our desire to be with friends and family , take off our masks , travel , and get back to whatever our new normal becomes . For many of us , myself included , this year has allowed us a chance to reset and evaluate how we spend our time . We have realized what activities we miss , and what activities we don ’ t miss at all . Some of us may be looking forward to returning to large events , while others are perfectly content with staying close to home . We have adapted and we will continue to adapt as we enter 2021 .

The same is true of our Association . We have adapted to a virtual platform and our programming hasn ’ t missed a beat . In the short term , the SCBA is remaining virtual as this is what our members want right now . In one of the SCBA ’ s most-responded-to surveys , our members overwhelming indicated they are not comfortable returning to in-person events at this time . Over 87 % of the respondents are either mostly self-isolating or are only socializing in small groups with physical distancing . There is not a desire to return to in-person events , and over 55 % of the respondents

SCBA PRESIDENT ’ S COLUMN

Jennifer Grosso , Esq . Bentley Law , P . A .

SCBA NEWS

said they don ’ t know when they will be comfortable , or it won ’ t be until things improve . Many are waiting on the vaccine , others want the new cases and deaths to slow considerably , and some want to wait until given the green light from medical experts . We will see what 2021 brings .

That said , in looking back to 2020 , I wanted to take some of this column to express my appreciation for our Executive Director , Holly

Lipps . Holly celebrated her five-year anniversary as our Executive Director on December 1 , 2020 , and will celebrate her ten-year anniversary

with the SCBA on January 10 , 2021 . Holly serves as the point person for our organization , navigates countless issues and personalities , and does it all with grace , professionalism , and a sense of humor . I know I speak for the Board of Directors , our leadership , and our members when I say “ thank you ” to her for everything she has done to move our organization forward during a challenging year . I am lucky to work with her as we navigate through these unprecedented times . Thank you , Holly , and congratulations on your milestones with the SCBA ! Time to work through 2021 !

n Beth Levine : University of Mississippi ; 1988 ; Lancaster & Eure , P . A . n Christy Madrid : Stetson University ; Expected Graduation 2021 n Edward Principe : Suffolk Law School ; 2007 ; The Law Place n Adam Shapiro : Stetson University ; 2017 ; Shapiro Delgado n Kaitlyn Sibson : University of Florida ; Expected Graduation 2021 n Mark Tomlinson : Barry University ; 2014 ; Dickinson & Gibbons , P . A .

n Dalton Tritschler : Florida International University ; Expected Graduation 2021

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The Docket · January 2021 5