TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Justice Association (FJA) Convention is just around the corner.
The annual event, scheduled at The Breakers in Palm Beach from June 22 to 25, provides the opportunity for Florida lawyers to acquire continuing education credits, network with their peers and socialize.
Several registration options are available, including individual seminars or social events, Social Pass only or the Justice Pass, which includes two seminars and tickets to the Justice Luncheon, the President's Big Bash and the Presidential Luncheon.
The FJA began after the end of World War II when Miami attorney Perry Nichols organized a small group of Florida attorneys who represented accident victims. The organization started out as the Negligence and Compensation Lawyers of Florida (NACLAF). The goals of the group were to communicate, provide educational opportunities and support each other as they worked to represent injured clients in the courtroom and in the Florida Legislature. At that time, the civil justice system was skewed in favor of businesses rather than injured persons.
The NACLAF reorganized in 1961, becoming the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers. The group was still small, with less than 50 members. The organization was renamed the Florida Justice Association in 2007 to better reflect its mission as a protector of Florida's consumers. Included in FJA membership is the Journal, which keeps plaintiff lawyers updated on legal trends, case law and solutions to everyday challenges faced by lawyers in their practices.
The 2016 FJA Convention features a wide range of events for lawyers and legal professionals. FJA members can select from the Advanced Trial Skills: Perfecting Your Competitive Edge, Young Lawyers or mediation seminars. The seminars will be led by top professionals in the legal profession.
The FJA Justice Luncheon on June 23 features retired Army Gen. Hugh Shelton, who was the 14th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. His 38 years of military services plus four years, from 1997 to 2001, as the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, gives him a unique view of the issues that beset service members, their families and military retirees. Shelton advised President Bush during and after the events of 9/11. He will also share his accounts of the White House and National Security Council decision-making process and the national security threats, both current and imminent.
Shelton, who is the author of "Secrets of Success, Value-Based Leaders" and "Without Hesitation," has served as director for public and private company boards. He is also the executive director of the General Hugh Shelton Leadership Center at North Carolina State University and director of the Hugh and Carolyn Shelton Military Neurotrauma Foundation.
The general membership meeting and elections for the 2016 board of directors are also on the convention agenda. The President's Big Bash will see the 2015 FJA President Todd Copeland off in style with dinner, dessert and dancing to The Jeff Clemens All-Stars.
Friday afternoon includes the Women's Caucus Retreat, a complimentary event that provides the female FJA members an opportunity to interact and explore a variety of issues that female lawyers face in the workplace and current legal landscape.
The convention closes out on Saturday morning with a meeting of the 2016 board of directors. All FJA members are welcome to attend.