16 | The Summation
Report from the Board of Governors from Jeremy Branning
T
he Florida Bar Board of Governors met in person for the first time since January 2020 (with some members attending via Zoom video conference) on May 21, 2021. The major actions of the Board and reports received included:
The board voted unanimously to approve a proposed budget for the fiscal year of 2021–2022 that continues a 20-year trend of no membership fee increases. The proposed budget provides for $44.2 million in spending and projects an ending general fund balance of $27.5 million. The proposal now goes to the Supreme Court for final approval. The board heard the final report of the COVID-19 Pandemic Recovery Task Force for 2021, which acted as the Bar’s central clearinghouse for COVIDrelated information and issues, and the creation of the COVID-19 Information and Resources webpage was vital to their effort. The Florida Bar Tech Support Helpline’s three-month “beta test” promoted to solo and small firm practitioners is more than halfway through, and excellent feedback is being received. The proposed
member service would provide free non-emergency, remote computer, software and related technology support to members in good standing. In other action, the board approved the following: • A recommendation to find a law firm’s TV advertising slogan was generally permissible.
• A proposal to amend Bar rules to slightly ease some advertising restrictions, including eliminating the need for some disclaimers when using reenactments and the need to review advertisements merely because they feature social media icons. • Updates to the bylaws of the International Law, Health Law and Public Interest Law sections.
Passing the Gavel It has been the great honor of my life to serve the citizens of Escambia County on the bench of the First Judicial Circuit for more than 20 years. The trust that voters placed in me to treat every case with fairness and respect will never be forgotten.
The Honorable Pat Kinsey
As age restrictions would prevent me from completing another full term, I have decided to retire by not seeking re-election when my current term expires.
Announcing my retirement now gives potential candidates time to consider their future. Voters will decide my successor in the primary election to take place on August 23, 2022. I look forward to passing the gavel to a candidate whose commitment to fairness and justice is as deeply felt as my own. – Judge Pat Kinsey
