By: Betsy Campo, Partner, Gainesville

‘Tis the season of giving, and it also is a time for us to be thankful and reflect upon those who made a difference in our lives this year. Without a doubt, our friends, families, clients and colleagues have all contributed to who we are this December, 2016.  In that vein, as I enter my eighth year with the Eraclides family, I continue to be inspired by the members of this firm who give so selflessly of their time and talents.  Although social media depicts some of the work our staff and attorneys perform for charitable causes, what we publish really only scratches the surface of the amount of giving that is done.  From coaching youth sports teams to sponsoring Special Olympics, volunteering in classrooms to fundraising for the Ronald McDonald House, or from building a women’s shelter to just lending a hand to a friend in need or providing pro bono legal services, I am awestruck by the generosity and kindness of my colleagues and co-workers.  They give because they feel very blessed to be able to work in unison with you, our clients, who have helped build the firm family through your support.  Without you, none of us would be who we are today, so, for that – thank you!

Not only do many of my Eraclides’ colleagues give of their time and talents in a charitable way, but, at any given time you will also find any number of firm members serving important roles in a variety of legal organizations. Such involvement enhances our growth as lawyers and the firm’s stature within the legal community, and our clients benefit from that professional growth.  Birmingham associate, Alicia Jett recently stated, “lawyers are a community of people. The best way to help our community grow and thrive is to take an active interest.” Many, many of our attorneys adhere to that principle – too many to honor here; but, as we wrap up 2016, I thought it would be nice to provide you with just a snapshot of some of this type of service work our folks are currently involved in within their respective legal communities.

One of our most visibly active attorneys is well known to many of you; that is, of course,   Dawn Traverso.  Not only is Dawn the managing partner of our Miami office, Dawn also proudly serves as a Member of the Executive Counsel of the Workers’ Compensation Section of The Florida Bar.  She is the Chair of Continuing Legal Education of the Workers’ Compensation Section of The Florida Bar and is President of the South Florida Chapter of the Friends of 440.

In Jacksonville, you will find partner Chris Niemiec, serving as a Captain in Air Force Reserves Judge Advocate General Corps assigned to 23 Wing, Moody AFB, Georgia. Just down the hall from Chris, also in Jacksonville, sits Ed Williamson. Ed spends much of his spare time serving as the General Counsel for the Jacksonville Claims Association.  Likewise, he sits on the Association’s Board of Directors.  Additionally, Ed and Liana Mette – another of our Jacksonville attorneys – have the honor of being co-chairs of the North Florida Friends of 440 Chapter.  The North Florida Chapter is known for being a large, active and very fun group of attorneys and others involved in workers’ compensation whose mission is furthered by the hard work and creativity of folks like Ed and Liana.  Their annual fundraising kickball game among local legal friends and foes is a fun and much anticipated gathering that finds even the most litigious sorts showing good sportsmanship in the interest of a good cause.

On the Gulf Coast, Russ Young in our Sarasota office just completed his assignment as a member of the Grade Review Panel for the WC Board Certification program for Florida attorneys. In this role, Russ was charged with the important task of ascertaining one’s aptitude to be board certified in workers’ compensation.  Specifically, the panel is the determining body in the review process.  It consists of three board-certified attorneys and a Florida Bar Staff Member.  When an attorney takes the Board Certification Test and does not pass, they go through an appeal process.  The Grade Review Panel makes the final determination of whether the scores assigned to the tests are correct or should be changed.  It takes someone with great integrity and esteem to be chosen for the panel, and those of you that know Russ know that he fits that bill perfectly.

As we move beyond Florida’s borders, you will find many of our Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama attorneys involved within their jurisdictions, as well. For instance, Alicia Jett of our Alabama office actively participates with the Probate and Young Lawyers sections for her local bar and she serves as Chair of the Community Education Committee. The group’s main project is Law Day.  For Law Day, Alicia is spearheading activities such as a mock trial, community outreach at area high schools to introduce teens to the practice of law, and presentations at Cumberland School of Law. This year, her committee is teaming up with the Birmingham Bar Foundation and the Federal Public Defender’s office to volunteer for the Birmingham Public Library’s after school program.  Under Alicia’s guidance, her committee of lawyers will coach children in the after school program through a 7- week mock trial program for an unmatched life-like legal experience.  Alicia also was recently accepted into the Birmingham Chapter Inn of Court, which is an exclusive group of hand-picked lawyers and members of the judiciary.  Most large venues have Inn of Court chapters, and it is quite an honor to be invited to join.

As I mentioned, this is just a snapshot of some of the leadership roles and professional/legal organizations in our attorneys are currently involved. Their commitment and service is inspiring to me, and I hope at least some of you reading this are similarly moved.  As we continue to pass through this Season of Giving, and as we set our goals for 2017, I hope we all remain encouraged that we can make the most of our time and talents in as many ways possible so we can continue to lead full, happy and rewarding lives.  Happy Holidays to you all, and an early Happy New Year!