2008–2009
Sections & Divisions -- Purposes

Bankruptcy Section
Chair: Steven Fishman, 724-9044, steve.fishman@verizon.net
Provides information to members regarding bankruptcy law and its impact on state law and litigation; provides liaison with bankruptcy court, bankruptcy court clerk's office and federal bankruptcy bar; generates articles for Res Ipsa Loquitur. Meets monthly.

Civil Practice Section
Chair: Brian Guenther, 781-8817, brian@tanneygriffithlaw.com
Initiates and considers suggestions to improve civil trial practice in county and circuit court, generates articles for Res Ipsa Loquitur, and sponsors monthly CLE luncheons and annual 1/2-day civil practice seminar. Meets monthly.

Elder Law Section
Chair: Travis Finchum, 443-7898, travis@khsfllp.com
Keeps practitioners up to date on elder law issues, educates seniors on legal rights, identifies the legal needs of the elderly, analyzes legislation impacting senior citizens, and generates articles for Res Ipsa Loquitur. Sponsors bi-monthly CLE luncheons. Meets bi-monthly.

Family Law Section
Chair: Bridget Heptner, 726-9799, bheptneratty@yahoo.com
Studies matters regarding dissolution of marriage and related litigation, initiates and considers suggestions to improve the family law practice in circuit and county court, and generates articles for Res Ipsa Loquitur. Sponsors bi-monthly CLE luncheons and an annual 1/2-day seminar. Meets bimonthly.

Government & Administrative Law Section
Chair: Carl Brody, 464-3354, cbrody@pinellascounty.org
Co-Chair: Jason Ester, 464-3354, jester@pinellascounty.org
Deals with legal issues of villages, cities, counties, school districts and other local governmental bodies; presents "Law for Public Officials" seminar for appointed and elected public officials; addresses administrative law practice and professional discipline procedures; generates articles for Res Ipsa Loquitur.

Probate & Real Property Section
Chair: William Vinson, 937-6113, bill.vinson@thevinsongroup.com
Initiates and considers suggestions to improve probate, guardianship, trust and real property practice in circuit court, and generates articles for Res Ipsa Loquitur. Sponsors monthly CLE luncheons and an annual 1/2-day seminar. Meets monthly.

Young Lawyers Division
President: Jason Ester, 464-3354, jester@pinellascounty.org
President-elect: Zack Zuroweste, 796-7666, zz@persantelaw.com
Members 36 years of age and younger or in practice five years or less coordinate public service projects, the annual Judicial Reception and activities to assist young and new lawyers. Some of the projects include Christmas in January, Back Pack Project, Legal Eagles and the Great Debate. Generates articles for Res Ipsa Loquitur. Meets monthly.

2008 – 2009
Committees – Purposes

Awards Committee
Chair: Wallace F. Pope, Jr. 461-1818, wallyp@jpfirm.com
Submits nominations for local, state and national awards; suggests new CBA awards and methods of recognition; recommends recipients for Law Day Awards.

Bench/Bar Conference Planning Committee
Co-Chairs: Carolyn & Felix Hill, 538-5297, felix.hill5@verizon.net
Acts as liaison between the Bar and the judiciary; plans, implements and coordinates programs for better understanding and to improve relations between the Bench and the Bar; conducts annual Bench/Bar Conference with the judiciary and the St. Pete Bar.

Continuing Legal Education Committee
Chair: Jennifer Reh, 461-1818, jenniferr@jpfirm.com
Works in cooperation with sections, other CBA entities and other organizations to conduct CLE seminars.

Golf Classic Committee
Chair: Thomas J. Donnelly, 461-4955, tjd1172@hotmail.com
Vice Chair: Kevin Kilgore 441-8383, kevinkilgore@verizon.net
Recruits and solicits participants, sponsors and prizes for annual golf outing.

Law Office Professionals Committee
Chair: Carol Hague, 461-1818, carolh@jpfirm.com
Serves as a liaison between the legal profession and legal support staff such as legal administrators, paralegals, legal assistants, etc. Encourages involvement in CBA by law office staff. Plans and conducts continuing education seminars for law office staff and attorneys.

Law Related Education Committee
Chair: Elise Winters, 442-3888, ewinters@elisekwinters.com
Coordinates high school involvement programs with Pinellas County schools, organizes People's Law School, operates a Speakers Bureau, and conducts annual Law Line program.

Law Week Committee
Co-chair: Stephanie Bolton, 813-223-7000, sbolton@carltonfields.com
Co-chair: Steve Hitchcock, 443-7898, hitchcolaw@verizon.net
Plans, organizes, promotes and coordinates the activities of Law Week, such as essay contest, poster contest, speech contest, Law Line, Great Debate, and Gold E. Locks Trial with assistance from other Clearwater Bar entities.

Membership Committee
Chair: Joseph Corsmeier, 799-1688, jcorsmeier@jac-law.com
Develops, implements and evaluates member recruitment and retention strategies.

Oyster Roast Committee
General Chair: Michael Faehner, 822-2033, mfaehner@fishersauls.com
Immediate Past Chair: Kim Campbell, 461-4955, kimcampbell70@hotmail.com
Plans, conducts and evaluates annual Oyster Roast.

Pro Bono Committee
Co-chair: Hon. Linda Allan, 464-3263, fax 464-3309, lallan@jud6.org
Co-chair: Mary Lou Miller Wagstaff, 584-8182, Marylou@wagstafflawoffice.com
Assesses needs and coordinates programs to provide pro bono legal services in cooperation with Clearwater Bar Association, Clearwater Bar Foundation, Gulfcoast Legal Services, community organizations and others. Works closely with association sections.

Professionalism & Diversity Committee
Co-Chairs: The Board of Directors
Enhances member relations in the areas of professionalism, diversity and inclusivity. Coordinates member to member mentor program.

Program Committee
Co-Chairs: Susan Demers, 791-2501, demers.susan@spcollege.edu
Coordinates programs and speakers for general membership luncheons and Law Day Luncheon.

Res Ipsa Loquitur Committee
Editor: Connie Stephens 446-8899 crstephens@crs-pa.com
Responsible for editorial content and coordinates production of Res Ipsa Loquitur
Asst. Editor: Deborah A’Hearn, 539-6800, deborah@potaxlaw.com

Stetson Liaison Committee
Chair: Scott Schiltz, 734-0662, ses@scotteschiltz.com
Serves as liaison to students at Stetson University School of Law and identifies need and coordinates programs to assist law students with the transition from law school to law practice through mentoring, networking and education.

Strategic Planning Committee
Chair: Jeffrey Albinson, 813-222-0400, Jalbinson@dkdr.com
Coordinates consideration of issues of strategic importance to CBA and makes recommendations to the Board for revisions to the bar's strategic plan. Ensures current strategic plan is followed.