PlatformScott's Guiding Principles

Practicing law is a demanding job that challenges even seasoned, well-established attorneys because of the mental pressure of the profession. The pandemic exacerbated these challenges, but there is help available. While serving on the Board of Governors, I’ve championed the availability of tangible resources for members to help them with the daily practice of law; including free practice management tools, business resources, and technology assistance. Innovation and leadership are what we need to tackle the demands of the future.

As most courthouses were closed to live proceedings for such a lengthy time-period, the fundamental right to a jury trial has been impacted. We serve the public by supporting the judicial branch in any manner possible, including working with the legislature to ensure courts have adequate funding for new technological advances, alternate facilities, and whatever else is necessary to open courts and address the huge backlog. Access to our legal system by ALL Floridians is a fundamental right granted by our forefathers and people’s lives in many cases hang in the balance.

The Florida Bar must always maintain as its core function that our judiciary remains a co-equal and independent branch of government. The independence of the judicial branch and our profession is paramount in defending the rule of the law. Maintaining and defending the independence of the Judiciary, as a co-equal and independent branch of government, the independence of our profession, and the Bar’s ability to self-regulate under its current administrative structure, is paramount in defending the rule of law. This includes promoting professionalism, education, and accountability for our members in concert with our discipline system, and vigorously opposing ideas that would harm the public like non-lawyer ownership of law firms and fee splitting with non-lawyers. As an arm of the Florida Supreme Court, we reinforce this through serving as a mandatory Bar, maintaining the Bar’s role in the JNC process, and protecting citizens through our lawyer regulation and discipline system. As your President, I will work to maintain a strong and independent judiciary that is properly funded, which is vital to the functioning of our society and the rule of law.

“Equal Justice Under Law” is inscribed on the front of the U.S. Supreme Court and challenges us to actively make certain there is equal opportunity for all of our members, including those who are racially, ethnically and culturally diverse, women, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and persons with disabilities. A more diverse and inclusive profession and justice system enhances the public trust of lawyers which is critical for society. Since I began practicing law, and years before I even thought about the Bar presidency, true diversity and inclusion for our profession has been one of my passions and is part of the true fabric of who I am. The Bar must create and foster pipelines from our local Voluntary Bars, FAWL, CABA, Virgil Hawkins, the Florida Hispanic Bar Association, the Leadership Academy, the YLD, and Sections to increase diversity and equity within the Board of Governors, the Bar’s Committees, and the Committees’ leadership positions. We must intentionally bring everyone to the table to truly succeed as an organization. I believe developing these concrete, definite pipelines to Bar service and leadership are critical to our path forward.

The pandemic confirmed that collaboration between our local and statewide bar associations benefits all of our members. During these unprecedented times, the synergy between our Voluntary Bars, the Sections, and the Divisions, and their excellence has been on full display which benefits all of our members and truly exemplifies the very best in Florida’s legal profession. Our Voluntary Bars, Sections and Divisions pivoted quickly during the pandemic to join together and organize virtual webinars, happy hours, and PPP seminars all to help their members.

As shown by these organizations, collaboration is crucial to help our members, especially while recovering from COVID-19. By partnering with our local Voluntary Bars, Sections and Divisions, The Florida Bar can reach more of its members and truly help ALL our members.