3 minute read
Past Presidents Q&A
by holly cosby, esq.
When I was asked if I would be willing to interview Past President (1992), the Honorable Kathy Sturgis, I don’t think I even blinked before saying, “YES!!” Judge Sturgis has led by example in showing women that they can do it all. She balanced being a wonderful mother and wife, maintaining a busy and fulfilling career in law and on the bench, while still finding time to volunteer in the community and do the things she loves, like competing in national ballroom dance competitions. As the second female to ever hold the position of LCBA President, Judge Sturgis has been someone I’ve looked up to and learned from, and it is an honor to write about her and the ways she has impacted our legal community.
What were your goals for the LCBA, and why did you feel it was important to serve as a member of the LCBA?
Judge Sturgis wanted to bring respect back to the legal profession by promoting service to others and encouraging attorneys to help others by taking cases pro bono. She wanted to show the community that attorneys do good things. Judge Sturgis grew up watching her mother and grandmother volunteer and wanted to follow in those footsteps and give back to the profession and the community.
What were your accomplishments during your tenure, and what was your most memorable LCBA experience?
In keeping with her goal of service, Judge Sturgis organized a group of attorneys to travel to Homestead after Hurricane Andrew to provide legal services to those in need, especially in the areas of housing and insurance. She also developed the LCBA Member at Large Board positions. During her year as LCBA Vice President, Judge Sturgis developed a program where attorneys could present on topics of interest. She fondly reflected on the time that attorneys Kim Hart and Jeff Garvin, who many of us know and respect, gave an animated “point and counterpoint” presentation on attorney advertising during the time when The Florida Bar was just starting to allow it.
What community leadership positions have you held since?
Judge Sturgis is a Founding Member of the Imaginarium, a Founding Member of and a Chair of the Women’s Legacy Fund of the Southwest Florida Community Foundation. She has also served as President for the Calusa Chapter of the Inns of Court. Currently, Judge Sturgis is the Secretary for the Rotary Club of Fort Myers Board of Directors.
What made you choose a career in law, what are the highlights of your Curriculum Vitae?
Judge Sturgis’ husband is also a judge: The Honorable Radford “Rad” Sturgis. Anyone who knows “The Judges Sturgi”, as many affectionately refer to them, will understand when I share that Judge Sturgis says she went to law school to learn how to hold her own in an argument with Rad. During her career, Judge Sturgis practiced as an attorney for many years, and then took a sabbatical to raise their son, Skye. After her sabbatical, she became a private mediator and then a state mediator for ten years for the Fort Myers Judge of Compensation Claims. She then rose to the Bench and sat as Judge of Compensation Claims for the State of Florida for almost ten years. After serving with the Office of the Judges of Compensation Claims for nearly two decades, Judge Sturgis returned to mediation for a few years, and eventually retired from the practice of law. She is now a Certified GYROKINESIS® Trainer. What’s GYROKINESIS®? It is a movement method that addresses the entire body, increasing range of motion and creating functional strength, that coordinates movement, breath, and mental focus.
What do you see as the most pressing issues currently facing the Lee County legal community, what should law firms and attorneys focus on, and how can the LCBA take on that/those issues?
Judge Sturgis truly believes that the legal community faces difficulty balancing work with quality of life, mental health, and physical health. The work-life balance is an issue that many are constantly struggling with. The LCBA could take on those issues by providing an open forum where people can share, grow, and learn from one another.
Author's note: While Judge Sturgis is my friend and someone I hold dear to my heart, I used her appropriate title in this article out of respect for her accomplishments and the bench.
