It was another great day in the community on October 4, 2023. I was in Ft. Lauderdale (FTL) for another meet and greet with the local bar, judges, and more. It was so encouraging to see another community eager to gather in person again. There were some really pertinent questions and some good criticism. It is healthy to hear how the community perceives the OJCC, the judges, the mediators, and each other.
Special thanks go out to the Section, Chair Paolo Longo, and Broward County Bar Secretary Diana Castrillon. I am so old, I remember her as a "Young Lawyer," and it is shocking to me that she has been in this community for twenty years. Throughout that time, she has been a contributor, organizer, and advocate for the practice, the local bar, and the community. I find her enthusiasm, energy, and longevity inspiring.
A very critical point at FTL came with meeting a first-year associate. With every one of these gatherings (JAX, FTM, TPA, and now FTL), I have met young people. They are new, enthusiastic, and engaging. Let's just agree, we have to look to the next generation to replace us. In the meantime, they can supplement our efforts, learn from our mistakes, and contribute to the community. They bring a new wave of enthusiasm, energy, and ideas.
I have stressed this in a variety of posts. See Positioning Comp (April 2023). That post followed on the heels of the first OJCC Academy, a full day of socializing, skills development, collegiality, questions, and commitment. Another of those is booked full for October 16, 2023, in Tampa. The leadership for this programming has been primarily Judge Margret Kerr, with support from Mediator Ana Gonzalez-Fajardo. That does not discount the who-is-who of judges, mediators, and lawyers who have served as faculty. In all, a great program!
But, it is rewarding to see young lawyers in workers' compensation. They have great energy, but they face challenges. First, they are eager and willing. Unfortunately, some tell me that they are not getting the opportunities to get their feet wet. We have to remember that all briefcase-carrying and no responsibility makes for a dull job. People will not persevere or persist in dull jobs.
We have to remember that learning is critical. It can come from books, lectures, and observation. But, anyone who does much training at all will tell you that the act, the doing, is a critical part of education. These young folks did not go through the law school experience to carry someone else's papers, make coffee, or proofread filings. They want to practice law (so did you). They have the skills and the education (so did you). They respond to opportunity and engagement (so did you).
Next, we will roll into 2024. The coming of November marks some reasonably desirable road signs on the journey. For one, I do not tend to travel in November and December. Responsibilities call and the season can be demanding.
Also, hurricane season officially ends in November. I am sure that many bad storms have come in November before, but I don't recall any. I am told that the aggregate is 35 since 1950. So, it is not unheard of. Only 21 of those strengthened into hurricanes. In my mind, getting through October unscathed, feeling those temperatures drop here in Paradise, and the unworldly displays of Halloween decorations, all signal an end to my least-favorite season of the year.
But November also marks the "end of the beginning" of our planning for the annual OJCC education seminar at the First DCA. So we are now finalizing plans for that. We will be in Tallahassee for this program on Friday, March 1, 2024 (we have to get used to writing that year soon enough). It is going to be a great program and features a panel on emerging leaders in the practice of workers' compensation law. Judge Hedler has been in charge of that program this year and has done admirably.
Next year will also bring the second "annual" OJCC Academy, back in Orlando. The date is TBA, but will be in October.
We will be striving to also visit law schools for the opportunity to speak to young lawyers about this practice, this community, and their place in it. There is so much opportunity here. Do you take opportunities to address law students? Do you have a connection with a Florida law school? Can you facilitate this type of event for the bar?
In the meantime, the Emerging Leaders of The Florida Bar Workers' Compensation Section is springing forward with programming. They are gathering and meeting. The young attorneys are sharing, growing, and interacting. They are building their own community within ours. How else can we support and encourage those Emerging Leaders? We need your suggestions and support in this effort.
We are only about six months from the Forum in April 2024. Will you bring a law clerk or a young associate? How will they break into what's good here if you don't introduce them? In that vein, if you do attend any of these programs, please introduce me to your younger Emerging Lawyers. There is much here, many here, and good here. Let's appreciate it, celebrate it, promote it, and share it!
