Published quarterly by the Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association as a service to its membership.
Articles appearing in The Summation are not to be construed as official expressions of the views of the Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association. Official positions are expressed only by formal resolutions adopted by a majority of the membership and will be so designated when published. Editorials are expressions of the opinion of the Editor.
Due date for all advertisements, articles and announcements is the first of the month for the issue you wish to advertise in.
Address all editorial correspondence to the Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association office. For all inquiries concerning advertising rates contact Ballinger Publishing. The Summation Committee is dedicated to providing a publication to the legal community which contains articles that are accurate, informative, entertaining, educational, relevant and timely.
Summation Committee
If you have any comments or suggestions about The Summation, please feel free to express them to any of the committee members. If you would like to join the committee, please call the Bar office at
Upcoming Events
November 20th
Monthly Meeting at V.Paul’s
December 11th
Holiday Party at Heritage Hall
February 13th Bench + Bar Professionalism Conference in FWB
January 28th First DCA Panel Luncheon
From the President
Dear Colleagues,
For any of you that know me, personally or through work, the tone of this first message will come as no surprise. As people working in the legal field (whether as attorneys, judges, clerks, or any other law-related job), we take on the stress of others. We take on each other’s stress. We even cause some of each other’s stress. And so, I am a firm believer that a little levity goes a long way. To that end, what you’ll come to expect from me is maybe not one-liners that have you chuckling at your desk, but probably a few dad jokes that elicit eye rolls. I might even throw in a few movie or song quotes just for fun. I am particularly prone to do this in person and without much (if any) forethought. Now, to focus on the purpose of this message: what to expect this year! As I mentioned at the installation banquet, I do not want to develop a new “platform” because I think my predecessors have all done such great jobs in prior years. Instead, I want to reinvigorate those platforms and encourage involvement, amongst our newer and less new members. As we look ahead, my goal is to build upon the strong foundation laid by those before me by fostering deeper connections and encouraging professional growth through connectivity and collegiality.
Our profession thrives when we share ideas, mentor one another, and work together to address the challenges facing our legal system. It is tempting, in the practice of law, to isolate ourselves within our firms (or even further, at our desks). This year, let’s not do that. Make an effort, just once a month, to do something with colleagues that is outside of your office: go for a walk to get some coffee, eat lunch by the water, or go to a Wahoo’s game. It can be co-workers, opposing counsel, or somebody at a firm down the street. But get away from your desk. I invite each of you to get involved—join a committee, attend an event, or simply reach out with your thoughts.
As your newly elected president, I am deeply grateful for the trust you’ve placed in me, and I am excited to serve alongside such a dedicated and talented community of legal professionals. Thank you for the opportunity to serve. I look forward to working with you.
Warm regards,
Rebecca Gilliland
The Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association
Executive Council
Officers
President
Rebecca Gilliland
Vice President
Stephen Luongo
Secretary
Aaron Watson
Treasurer
Andrew Spencer
Immediate Past President
Joe Passeretti
Executive Council
Kristina Cook
Brenton Goodman
Patrick Jennings
Jessica Scholl
Alexis May
Lee Elebash
Shelby Savage
Alex Messmore
Angela Trawick
Haley Hadden
Carllee Godwin
Young Lawyer
Representative
Alexander Shimek
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Stay current on everything going on with the
Escambia – Santa Rosa County Bar Association
Be sure to check out the ESRBA website for all upcoming events.
Announcements
The ESRBA, founded in 1971, comprises approximately 600 members of the bench and bar of Escambia, Santa Rosa, and neighboring counties. Through its activities, the ESRBA serves both its members and the public by promoting the highest standards in the practice of law and the administration of justice.
The ESRBA’s mission is to provide outstanding service to its members, to assist them in serving the profession and the community, to make the association indispensable to the bench and bar, and to preserve and promote Escambia & Santa Rosa counties as a unique place to practice law in a culture of camaraderie, collegiality, competence, and mutual trust. We welcome input from all of our members on how we can better complete our mission.
Some of the benefits of membership are listing below, including some exciting upcoming events!
• Monthly Luncheons with guest speakers
• Annual Holiday Party, December 11th at Heritage Hall
• Lawyer Referral Service
• Court Access ID Badge
• Exclusive Partner Discounts and Benefits on good and services
• Live CLE Programs on Zoom and our Recorded Library
• News Direct from the Courts
• Annual Membership Directory
Renew by November 15th to be Included in the 2026 Directory!
If you have questions about your membership status, please call Stephen Hayward at 850-434-8135 ext. 1.
Sincerely,
Jeff Nall Executive Director
The Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Foundation Board of Directors
Officers
President
D. Steve Traylor, Jr
Vice President
Jodi Dubose
Secretary & Treasurer
Cameron Gore
Directors
Jeremy Branning
Shekka Drayton
Heather Lindsay
Patrick Martin
Aaron McCurdy
Adrianna Spain
Warren Todd
Kasey Watson
John “Buz” Windham
Mikaela Ziko
Chris Kelly
ESRBA President
Rebecca Gilliland
Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Board of Directors
Officers
President
Alexander Shimek
Vice President
Madison Stacey
Treasurer
Craig Wood
Secretary
Rebecca Radd
Directors
Alex Messmore (Immediate Past President)
Marilee Butler
Savannah Green
Margaret Lovelock
Lexie Fuller
Will Hahn
Brooke DiSalvo
Hannah McDonough
Joseph Seidler
Gabe Mueller
Madison Leonard
Katharine Wu
Carllee Godwin
On the Move
Moorhead Law Group is proud to welcome Ethan Gibson as our newest Associate Attorney in the Litigation Practice Group. His dedication to excellence makes him a great addition to our team and an asset for our clients.
Ethan graduated cum laude from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where he distinguished himself both academically and professionally. He served as a general editor for the Florida Journal of International Law, and his paper, “Locating Bitcoin: Jurisdictional Challenges and Solutions in Digital Asset Law,” was published in the journal. In addition, Ethan gained invaluable experience as a judicial intern for the Honorable Philip R. Lammens of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
Carver Darden is pleased to announce that Travis Morock will serve as an Adjunct Professor at the University of West Florida, where he will be teaching Bankruptcy as part of the Legal Studies Program.
Congratulations to Jewelia Bradley Robinson, daughter of Attorney Brent Bradley of Walborsky, Bradley & Fleming, who was recently sworn in as an attorney! She will be gaining valuable trial experience with the State Attorney’s Office for the First Judicial Circuit.
Emmanuel Sheppard and Condon are proud to announce that attorney and past ESRBA President, Christine Kelly has officially become licensed to practice law in the state of Alabama! Christine has been a valued member of the legal community since becoming licensed in Florida in 2010. She also holds an LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Washington, further strengthening her expertise in complex tax matters.
Florida Association for Women Lawyers Uplift Conference in Sandestin
From left to right: FAWL President Jennifer Cornella, Judge Lacey Powell Clark, Sally Fox (ESC Shareholder), Wanda Radcliffe (ESC Shareholder), State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden. Also attending were Shekka Drayton (Attorney, Wilson Harrell), and Sara Davis (Attorney, Clark Partington).
News from the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
Emergency Filings in Family Law
Pam Childers
The Escambia County Clerk’s Office, in close partnership with the judiciary, has long been dedicated to ensuring that all filings, particularly emergency pleadings, are handled with the highest level of diligence and efficiency. Within the Family Law division, attorneys and self-represented litigants frequently submit emergency petitions or motions that require immediate attention from the Court. Emergency filings in Family Law are generally petitions or motions requesting urgent relief where delay would cause irreparable harm such as Petitions to Modify Timesharing or Motions or Petitions for Child Pick-Up Orders. While there is not a timeframe for the Court to review and rule on motions and petitions labeled as an emergency, these types of filings are escalated and given priority consideration by the Courts.
Historically, in Escambia County, the Clerk’s Office has played a central role in the intake and transmitting of these emergency pleadings to the Court. When an emergency motion or petition is filed, the Clerk prioritizes its processing and notifies the assigned judge or duty judge via email and the Court’s case management system. This long-standing practice was designed to support the judiciary’s ability to respond quickly to urgent requests, while also ensuring the pleadings were properly recorded in the Clerk’s case maintenance system.
In recent months, the Escambia County Clerk’s Office has implemented enhancements to the integration between the Florida E-filing Portal (Portal) and the Clerk’s case maintenance system (CMS). These improvements enable documents to be automatically accepted without manual review at the Portal level. While this configuration streamlines the process by removing redundant review steps both at the Portal and within the CMS, it also results in the loss of the visual queue displaying document titles at the Portal. Consequently, identifying emergency filings has become more challenging for Clerk staff, necessitating a review of current procedures.
Through collaboration with the judiciary, the process of notifying the court when an emergency motion or petition is filed has changed. The new process is more aligned with established practices for other filings submitted by attorneys. When an emergency pleading is filed by an attorney, the attorney is now solely responsible for notifying the Court of the submission. This can be accomplished by email or phone call to the assigned judge’s office, but remember to refer to the judge’s preference page for notification preferences. When the assigned judge is not available to review the filing, the attorney should notify the Duty Judge to request review. Additionally, when uploading the document on the Portal, the filer should be sure to mark the filing as an emergency. This selection, shown below, can be made in the Review and Submit Tab on the Portal, just below the PDF/A advisory and the Confidentiality warning.
When this selection is made, the document is flagged in the Clerk’s CMS as urgent and will allow for the document to be added to the case docket more expeditiously. This is important because the addition of the filing on the case docket is normally required by the Court prior to ruling on the emergency request.
This procedural update represents a meaningful step toward efficiency and responsiveness. By placing responsibility for notification of emergency filings into the hands of attorneys – professionals who are intimately familiar with the urgency of their clients’ circumstances- the system reduces reliance on intermediary steps and ensures that emergency requests reach the judiciary for review as promptly as possible.
For the Clerk’s Office, this adjustment also allows resources to be more effectively directed towards ensuring the accuracy, timeliness, and integrity of case docketing. Under the new process, emergency pleadings filed by attorneys will be reviewed, accepted and processed by the Clerk as usual for docketing purposes. However, the crucial step of ensuring immediate judicial awareness now lies with the attorney.
This change does not affect self-represented litigants, whose filings are most frequently received in paper form. Emergency motions and petitions filed by self-represented parties will continue to be reviewed, processed, and forwarded by the Clerk’s Office to the judiciary.
Authored by Cheri High, Director of Court Services, and Sam Watkins, Manager of Family Law, on behalf of Pam Childers, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
It is with great humility and enthusiasm that I write to you as the new Chief Judge of the First Judicial Circuit. I am honored to take on this responsibility and deeply aware of the trust placed in me by my colleagues, the judiciary, and the broader legal community. I am especially mindful of the significance of this role—not just in administering our courts, but in shaping how justice is delivered in our communities.
As I begin this new chapter, I want to share a few thoughts about the path ahead and invite your partnership as we work together to strengthen the administration of justice.
News from the Bench
Chief Judge John F. Simon, Jr., First Judicial Circuit of Florida
Our circuit is built on a strong foundation, thanks to the dedicated service of my predecessors, our judges, court staff, and, of course, members of the Bar like yourselves. Yet, we must continue to evolve. The needs of the public are changing. Expectations around access, efficiency, transparency, and accountability are higher than ever. I believe this moment presents an important opportunity—not simply to maintain what we have, but to modernize and improve how we serve the public.
We are serving a community that is growing in size, complexity, and diversity. These shifts across our region bring with them new challenges—and new opportunities. We must ensure our courts are responsive to the varied and evolving needs of the people we serve, and we must remain keenly aware of how our decisions affect individuals from all walks of life.
Likewise, the legal profession itself is undergoing transformation. New generations of attorneys are entering practice with different expectations around work-life balance, technology, and how justice should function in a modern world. At the same time, seasoned practitioners bring a wealth of institutional knowledge and perspective that is vital to our shared mission. Our courts must be able to meet these changes with openness, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace innovation while preserving the best of our traditions.
In the coming months, I hope to work closely with all stakeholders to identify practical, meaningful ways to make our courts more responsive and accessible. This includes continuing to leverage technology where appropriate, improving case management practices, and
streamlining procedures that may be outdated or unnecessarily burdensome. We must always strive for a system that is not only fair and impartial but also understandable and navigable for the people it exists to serve.
Accountability will also be a key focus. I am committed to ensuring that our courts operate with the highest levels of integrity and professionalism. This means fostering a culture where all voices—especially those of litigants, attorneys, and court personnel—are heard and respected. We must continue to uphold the public’s trust by being transparent in our processes and consistent in our commitment to justice.
As members of the Bar, you are on the front lines of our legal system. You see, firsthand, the successes and shortcomings of our processes. Your insights are invaluable, and the courts welcome your feedback on how we can do better—whether that relates to courtroom procedures, access to justice initiatives, or broader concerns about fairness and efficiency. Thank you for the work you do every day in service of the law and the people we are all here to serve. I look forward to working with each of you.
PRESIDENT GILLILAND: DUTY, DISCIPLINE, AND DECISIVENESS
by Shekka Drayton
Rebecca Gilliland, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, has risen to the ranks of President of The Escambia Santa Rosa Bar Association. As a Marine, she trained in celestial navigation on C-130s. The stars have aligned; she now serves the very community she grew up in. President Gilliland brings to the role a sense of duty, discipline, and decisiveness.
President Gilliland, a proud Pensacolian, was actually born in Charlotte, North Carolina. Her parents, Andy and Kathy White, transitioned the family from the Queen City to the crown jewel of the Emerald Coast. Having lived here from a young age, she invariably calls Pensacola home. President Gilliland attended public schools with her sisters, Krissy and Ashley, where she took an interest in music. She started piano at five years old and violin at ten. Like a gravitational pull, her love of symphonies deepened her love for strings. She eventually picked up the viola as well. Her passion and musical talent would lead her to many places, including the grand stage of Carnegie Hall. President Gilliland performed at Carnegie Hall with the First Baptist Church Choir thanks to the efforts of guest conductor Bob Morrison in securing special permission for Gilliland to join the New England Symphonic Ensemble. Her military service would also take her to many places. Exercising great discipline, President Gilliland pursed her bachelor’s degree while on active duty. She attended a few junior colleges and The Florida State University. Ultimately, she returned home after finishing enlistment, graduating from The University of West Florida with a bachelor’s in criminal justice.
President Gilliland married and moved to Montgomery, Alabama. At the time, Gilliland was charting a career in law enforcement. Her professional path would change course after a conversation with her husband, Keith Gilliland. She recalled her husband casually saying, “Did you know we have a law school here?” From there, she took the LSAT and enrolled. She went on the graduate magna cum laude from Faulkner University’s Thomas Goode School of Law. She also graduated with honors from the University of Connecticut with an LL.M. in Insurance Law. Throughout law school, Gilliland received several awards for her advocacy skills, including best advocate in the preliminary rounds of the National Moot Court Competition. However, she considers among her greatest accomplishments the life and family she has built with her husband, Keith. The Gililands have four children: Will, Scott, Lilly, and Kaden.
President Gilliland’s legal career, much like her military service and education, has come full circle. Gilliland joined Beasley Allen, a powerhouse civil litigation law firm, as a law clerk and stayed on with the firm after graduating. In 2017, Gilliland moved home, working for local firms as well as in house. Gilliland returned to Beasley Allen in 2021. She is currently a Principal in Beasley Allen’s Mobile office where she practices insurance law, antitrust, auto class actions, and Attorney General representation. “I can’t imagine doing anything else. I just love the intricacy of the law, the rules, and the ever-changing nature of what we do.” President Gilliland finds the practice of law rewarding, a profession she shares with her brother-in-law, Attorney Codey Leigh of the Escambia Clerk of Court and Comptroller.
President Gilliland also enjoys working with law c lerks. Her passion for developing their skills is based on the motto “teach, advise, support.” Gilliland reflects, “I have always loved working with the law clerks my firm, Beasley Allen, hires. From that, I’ve gained a great passion for teaching the law—not just the law, but the process. And so I try to lead by teaching, first. I want to make sure people know the why and the how of what we do, not just performance of tasks. Then, I’m a big fan of standing back and
serving in an advisory role to watch people take steps on their own.”
President Gilliland has carried this model into bar leadership. Having served on the Executive Council since 2018, served in every officer position, and lead the CLE committee, President Gilliland wants to empower ESRBA leadership and membership. Gilliland reflected on her growth from joining the Executive Council under the leadership of Past President Jodi Dubose through serving as Vice President under Immediate Past President Joseph “Joe” Passeretti. When asked about her initiatives this year, she jokingly but candidly noted that her predecessors made it hard with their great initiatives. Building on the momentum and intent of past initiatives, she decisively stated, “[M]y goal is to support the bar and our community.” President Gilliland seeks to reinvigorate past initiatives like community service. The recent success of ESRBA’s sold out community event with former U.S. Attorney and U.S. Senator Doug Jones demonstrates the renewed commitment to community engagement.
While Rebecca Gilliland is a person of many talents, she has assumed the role of ESRBA President with one mission: supporting the bar and community. The Escambia Santa Rosa Bar Association salutes our 2025-2026 bar leadership.
Rebecca Gilliland
Stephen Luongo
Aaron Watson
Andrew Spencer
Thank You Annual Sponsors
Bronze
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Clio®
CPC Office Technologies
Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon
Henr y Chiropractic
Hixardt ™ Technologies, Inc
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The Kelly Group at Morgan Stanley Rimkus
It’s never too late for truth; never too late for justice: The prosecutions of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing
by Jeff Nall
More than 250 members of the EscambiaSanta Rosa Bar Association and the greater Pensacola community gathered at Brownsville Community Center in Pensacola on September 19 in remembrance of the anniversary of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama. The community event was presented by the Innisfree Hive Foundation & Equity Project Alliance and Joe Morris & Son Funeral Home in collaboration with the Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association.
On the morning of Sunday, September 15, 1963, four young girls, Denise McNair, 11, Addie Mae Collins, 14, Carole Robertson, 14, and Cynthia Wesley, 14, died as a result of a bomb placed under the church by members of the Ku Klux Klan. Of the four alleged perpetrators, Robert Chambliss was convicted for the murder of Carol Denise McNair in 1977. Two of the others, Thomas Edwin Blanton and Bobby Frank Cherry, were tried and convicted in separate trials in 2001 and 2002. The fourth was deceased by that time.
The attendees listened intently as guest speaker Former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama at the time, Doug Jones, later U.S. Senator Doug Jones, gave a presentation that provided background on tensions in the city of Birmingham at the time, why the church was targeted and the challenges of preserving evidence and his experience successfully prosecuting two of the perpetrators nearly 40 years after the bombing in 2001 and 2002. His presentation included photographs, videos and undercover recordings related to the bombing to underscore the need for attorneys to pursue justice in every case; to pursue truth in every matter and to do so while upholding ethical obligations to the court and in their relationship with opposing counsel.
Unbeknownst to both the attendees and our guest speaker, we were also joined by a surprise guest, Circuit Judge James Garrett, who presided over the 2001 trial of Blanton and the 2002 trial of Cherry. Both Jones and Garrett later took photographs with attendees.
“We were pleased to have Senator Jones present to our members and the community about his experience prosecuting this historic and horrendous crime,” said Rebecca Gilliland, Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association president. “I had been looking forward to his personal and legal perspective and was thrilled to have so many of our community members in attendance. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive. We hope to have more events and opportunities to engage with the community in the future.
PROFESSIONALISM
NOV 21ST @ GULF COAST KIDS HOUSE
6.0 CLE CREDITS
Join us for our next installment of our CLE Symposium series!
Focusing on the benefits and perils of artificial intelligence, including the intersections of AI, ethics and professionalism.
PRESENTERS
Michael Hicks, Jr., CEO Hixardt Technologies
Garrett LaBorde LaBorde Legal Group
A Judicial Panel
First Judicial Circuit Court
9AM TO 3PM
Amelia Beard Moorhead Law Group
Brandon Williams JusB Solutions
Mike Badon + John Gentry First Judicial Circuit Court
JOIN US FOR A FULL DAY OF LEARNING AND NETWORKING
Cost to Attend:
$125 for Members
$150 for non-members
Lunch Included!
LSNF’S LIVING THE OATH FALL TIME FUN
by Melissa Condon Onacki
Welcome to another installment of LSNF’s Living the Oath: Fall Time Fun.
Reintroduction: Legal Services of North Florida (LSNF) is a nonprofit law firm that provides no cost civil legal help to residents who qualify, mostly low-income and at-risk individuals across 16 counties, from Escambia all the way to Jefferson County.
LSNF does more than just slog away in the office. We have all kinds of fun planned this Fall, and we would love for you to be part of it!
October 21, 2025: Pro Bono Celebration, 6:00-8:30 p.m., at Grand Marlin
We could not do the work we do without pro bono attorneys. On October 21, 2025, as part of the American Bar Association’s pro bono celebration week, we will be treating Pro Bono Honorees and one guest of their choice to a full dinner at the Grand Marlin. Bonus: Florida Bar President, Rosalyn Sia Baker-Barnes, Esq., will be here celebrating with us. If you are not a Pro Bono Honoree, and would like to celebrate with us, tickets cost a mere $35.00 (this includes the cost of dinner). For more details, please contact Rashel Johnson at RJohnson@LSNF.org or go to probono.lsnf.org.
Jazz
for
Justice: Lead Up and Event
As one of Foo Foo Fest’s signature events, Jazz for Justice brings together talented jazz musicians, family-friendly activities, great food from local restaurants and food trucks, along with local vendors. Jazz for Justice is one of LSNF’s major fundraising events for our area, and we would love to have your support.
Saturday, November 1, 2025: Jazz for Justice kick off, Second Line Procession Parade, 6:00 p.m. at Ferdinand Plaza
To kick things off, please join us for a Second Line Procession Parade on Saturday, November 1, at 6:00 PM. Starting at Plaza Ferdinand, our local 9th Ave. Brass Band will lead the way through downtown Pensacola in the spirit of New Orleans’ most iconic tradition Everyone is invited to join the strolling street party—bring a parasol, wave a handkerchief, and celebrate with our staff, sponsors, and neighbors! (Please keep in mind downtown parking and Halloween festivities when planning your arrival.)
Sunday, November 2, 2025: Jazz for Justice, 1:00-5:00 pm at Museum Plaza in Downtown Pensacola
Drum roll, please . . . here we are at the main event, Jazz for Justice! Your participation supports Legal Services of North Florida in their mission to make justice accessible for all. Free and open to the public, Jazz for Justice is music with meaning.
And y’all, this is going to be a do-not-miss event. Because this year, we have THE Preservation Hall Jazz Band from New Orleans headlining this event! Yes, the New Orleans Jazz Band that is revered and prized the world over will be sharing their NOLA flair with Pensacola!
Guests can enjoy a special VIP Experience inside the Voices of Pensacola Museum (adjacent to Museum Plaza), with a catered jazz brunch, limited bar, and a solo jazz performance in a comfortable, air-conditioned setting. Sponsorships, which include VIP tickets, are also available. Be sure to visit www.jazzforjustice.org for more information.
Winter Preview
Tuesday, December 2, 2025: Giving Tuesday, LSNF’s Advanced Directives Clinic
After we have all (hopefully) recovered from turkey day-induced comas, LSNF is taking part in Giving Tuesday by hosting a free Advanced Directives Legal Clinic for our community. Come give back with us and help members of our community leave a legacy, through preparing themselves and their family. For more information, please contact Rashel Johnson at RJohnson@LSNF.org
I hope to see you soon!
Melissa
Young Lawyer’s Division
by Ander Shimek, YLD President
As we welcome the fall season, I am honored to share that I have been appointed President of the Young Lawyers Division (YLD) of the Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association for 2025–2026. This year’s Board of Directors represents attorneys from a wide range of practice areas and firms. We are a diverse and dynamic group that truly reflects the strength and breadth of our local legal community.
I want to take a moment to recognize Alex Messmore for her outstanding leadership and successful term as past president. Building upon the strong foundation she established, I look forward to continuing to grow our membership, expand our outreach, and strengthen the success of our YLD in the year ahead.
This past spring, we hosted a Professionalism Panel Event featuring local attorneys and judges, which was an incredible success. The discussion provided invaluable insight on maintaining professionalism as we navigate our careers, develop our practices, and strive to make a meaningful impact within our community.
As we move into the fall, I would like to congratulate our newest members of both the YLD and the Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association who recently passed the Florida Bar Exam. We celebrated their achievement at our new member and bar-passing reception at the Pensacola Country Club, which was a wonderful evening of connection and encouragement.
We recently hosted a wonderful joint happy hour with the Northwest Florida Paralegal Association (NWFPA), sponsored by Uniti Fiber which featured a taco stand.
Looking ahead, we have an exciting lineup of events planned for the coming months. On November 19, 2025, join us at The Wine Bar at 5:30 p.m. for a happy hour networking event sponsored by Rimkus.
Finally, we’re already gearing up for this year’s Christmas event, where we’ll once again come together to support underprivileged children in our community. This year’s celebration will be held at Odd Colony on December 9, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., and is generously sponsored by Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz, PLLC.
We encourage everyone to join us for great food, drinks, and holiday cheer, and to bring a Christmas gift from the registry provided by the YLD Board via QR code. Together, we can help fulfill as many children’s Christmas wishes as possible. More details will be shared as the holiday season approaches, and we hope to see you there!
Thank you all for your continued support of the YLD and for your dedication to our profession and community. I look forward to a year of growth, service, and connection.
Bottom Line
National Paralegal Day moved to August 6
By: April L. Swift 2nd Vice President, Northwest Florida Paralegal Association
National Paralegal Day is more than a celebration— it’s a call to recognize, support, and elevate a profession that is fundamental to the pursuit of justice.
Like many of us, you may have missed (or almost missed)
National Paralegal Day which was officially moved to August 6th from October 23rd this year. The new date, now recognized in the Congressional Record, was chosen based on the date the American Bar Association created a standing committee on paralegals-then called “lay assistants” in 1968, which was the first formal recognition of paralegals in the legal profession and one of the first major steps in professionalizing the paralegal role.
This recognition was made possible by a collaborative effort of the following organizations who advocate for paralegal excellence through certification, education, and professional development:
• American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE)
• NALA – The Paralegal Association
• National Association for Legal Support Professionals (NALS)
• National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc. (NFPA)
Since 1967, the American Bar Association (ABA) has endorsed paralegals as essential members of the legal field. Defined by their education, training, or work experience, paralegals perform substantive legal work under attorney supervision. Their duties range from conducting legal research and managing case files to drafting legal documents and assisting during trials. By handling these responsibilities, paralegals free attorneys to focus on strategy and client advocacy.
Paralegals adhere to strict ethical guidelines in fact–the very ethical guidelines that lawyers must adhere to – and often pursue certification through professional organizations. Many complete
continuing legal education (CLE) and earn credentials in specialized areas of law. Their professional discipline, ethical conduct, and ongoing education distinguish them from administrative support roles.
Paralegals offer cost-saving advantages to clients and employers alike. Their lower billing rates and ability to handle complex legal tasks efficiently make them essential in law firms, corporations, and government agencies. Moreover, they serve as critical liaisons between attorneys and clients, improving communication and case management.
So if you missed celebrating your paralegal on August 6th, remind them now for they are the indispensable contributors to the legal system, providing the vital support that enables attorneys to deliver justice efficiently and ethically.
With that being said, THAT’S THE BOTTOM LINE.
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