Summer 2021 | 5
From the President Reflecting on the past year, I am struck by how much we have been challenged to be flexible, adaptable, determined and resilient. We have experienced multiple shocks as our expectations have had to adjust to unfolding events. Often, I hear frustration, sadness and anxiety in response to those conflicts happening across our nation and, on a smaller scale, here in this beautiful area we call home. I have also had the gift of being among people who maintain a joyful appreciation of what we can experience in the present regardless of the unknowns.
by Heather Lindsay
The challenges of this past year no doubt have influenced the approval by the Board of Governors in May of the Special Committee for the Review of Professionalism in Florida. Florida Bar President Mike Tanner has indicated that the committee will study all facets of how we teach professionalism, how we define it, how we enforce it and its relationship to mental health and wellness. Promoting collegiality, the foundation of professionalism, has been especially challenged in recent times. We have experienced communication breakdowns and frayed friendships. Nothing beats face-to-face interactions for true understanding of one another. Deepening our appreciation of professionalism and how it impacts us will help us be better colleagues and better servant-leaders in our communities. As never before in my lifetime, I believe we are at a crossroads on how we, as educated professionals, can positively influence the conflicts challenging our society today. People are under pressures that create a lack of trust in government, including our branch and our profession. We may see this worsen in times to come. Just taking the opportunity to listen, in a patient way that respects differences, may be what is necessary to maintaining an orderly society. We are well-trained in this skill and can use it to help our colleagues and neighbors be resilient in response to the pressures confronting us today. To that end, I look forward to continuing in-person meetings in September for our book club that began via Zoom. Some topics may be controversial, but we are wellsuited to remaining collegial as we debate our disagreements. As an association, we are excited to return to in-person meetings to rebuild old friendships. Let’s recommit to doing our parts in fulfilling ESRBA’s mission as we together maintain a superior environment for the practice of law and the administration of justice.
