FAWL CHRONICLES FAWL Members Don’t Have to Look Far for a Top-shelf Mentor!

AWL President Deborah speak from experience. I was taken into her sphere when Magid has made it one of we worked together on the First 150 Women Lawyers herF goals to develop a Project, and through her assistance and support, we were wise women’s network in able to publish Celebrating ’s First 150 Women FAWL, which she plans to ac- Lawyers, which was released at a gala banquet celebra- complish through encouraging tion attended by over 900 lawyers from around the state. experienced women lawyers to I would be remiss if I did not mention that Edith also has be mentors for young women a knack for showing her appreciation for hard work. She by and through educating women rewarded me with the President’s Award of Merit at The Wendy Loquasto to look at the experienced Florida Bar annual meeting in June 2000. Historian women as an opportunity for Judge Winifred J. Sharp, of the Fifth District Court mutual career growth. of Appeal, became the second recipient of FAWL’s FAWL has plenty of experienced members who Outstanding Achievement Award in have risen to high office and continue to mentor others. June 1998. Judge Sharp knows the strides women law- Consider, for example, the recipients of FAWL’s Rose- yers have made over the last forty years, because she has mary Barkett Outstanding Achievement Award. The first lived them. She graduated from Stanford Law School in recipient was former Florida Bar President, Edith G. 1961, worked in private practice for many years, and then Osman, who received the award in June 1997. Edith, who became one of Florida’s first three female appellate judges is a shareholder in the Miami office of Carlton Fields, is a when she was appointed to the Fifth DCA in 1979. Judge born leader, having become President of the Miami-Dade Sharp was President of FAWL in 1971-72, and you can FAWL Chapter in 1987, only four years after she graduat- still find her attending FAWL meetings over thirty years ed from the University of Miami School of Law, and then later! She is quick to share her history and experience, as becoming FAWL President in 1989 and Florida Bar Presi- evidenced by the fact that I just received a letter from her dent in 1999. To know Edith is to realize that she is quick in which she shared some personal history, as well as an to offer opportunities for career growth to other women. I item about other early women judges. Through her stead-

FAWL Awards Mayor Lois Frankel the 2004 Rosemary Barkett Outstanding Achievement Award ayor Lois J. Frankel joined The purpose of the Rosemary as an assistant public defender. Four the exclusive list of recipi- Barkett Award is to recognize FAWL years later, Lois began practicing in entsM of FAWL’s Rosemary Barkett members from all walks of life who the male-dominated field of person- Outstanding Achievement Award have been particularly successful in al injury law with Searcy, Denney, in June. The award was presented overcoming ste- Scarola, Barnhart by FAWL President Dinita James reotypes and mak- and Shipley (1978- at the June 10, 2004, meeting of ing their marks as 1994), and later the Palm Beach County FAWL women attorneys. with Ricci Leopold Chapter. The presentation was Lois epitomizes P.A. (1994-2003). videotaped, because Lois would the award. Upon moving to be attending the U.S. Conference Lois was born West Palm Beach, of Mayors being held in Boston in New York. She Lois immediately when FAWL would have ordinar- graduated Phi immersed herself ily been presenting the award at Beta Kappa from in the fabric of the its annual luncheon on June 25. To Boston University local community. the complete surprise and delight and earned a law degree from George- She was a founder of West Palm of everyone, Lois altered her plans town University Law Center in 1973. Beach’s first domestic assault shelter just so she could be present at the She moved to West Palm Beach in now known as Harmony House, and luncheon in Boca. 1974, where she began her law practice she has served as an active member

4 Autumn 2004 • FAWL JOURNAL fast presence, Judge Sharp continues to encourage FAWL tioning that had been occurring at JNC interviews. to be a voice for women lawyers. Speaking of Justice Barbara J. Pariente, she was the The third Rosemary Barkett Outstanding Achieve- 2000 recipient of the FAWL Rosemary Barkett Outstand- ment Award was presented to Ellen C. Freidin in June ing Achievement Award. Ask anyone in the Palm Beach 1999. Ellen is an unparalleled leader who has brought County Chapter about Justice Pariente and you will concrete improvements to all Florida women. From her discover that she was a founding member of that chapter position on Florida’s Constitution Revision Commission and that she keeps coming back year after year to sup- in 1997-98, she became the prime sponsor of the success- port and encourage its members. Like Judge Sharp, Justice ful effort to add women’s rights to the Florida Constitu- Pariente has experienced the strides women lawyers have tion. FAWL worked hand-in-hand with Ellen, providing made. She graduated from George Washington University the legal research and speakers to ensure passage of the Law School in 1973 as one of 20 women in a class of 400 Basic Rights Amendment. and she chose to enter a field dominated by male lawyers Prior to her work on the Commission, Ellen chaired civil trial practice. In 1975, she became the first woman The Florida Bar Special Committee for Gender Equality associate and in 1977 she became the first woman partner in the Profession from its inception in 1991 through 1995, at the prestigious Cone, Wagner and Nugent law firm in and through her efforts the Rules of Professional Conduct West Palm Beach. She formed her own law firm in 1983, were amended to prohibit discriminatory conduct, eth- but then was appointed to the Fourth District Court ics credit was made available for programs that address of Appeal in 1993 and to the Florida Supreme Court in avoiding biased behavior, and diversity became a consid- 1997. As Chief Justice, she is a woman who has reached eration in Bar committee and leadership programs. Ellen, the pinnacle of our profession in Florida, yet she remains a 1978 graduate of the University of Miami School of Law accessible and is generous with her time and advice to who works in the Miami office of Akerman Senterfitt, is a up-and-coming women lawyers. I know because Justice long-time member of FAWL, and you can always depend Pariente always inquires about how my new law practice on seeing her at the FAWL lunches. You can also depend is going and congratulates me on the move. She believes on Ellen to speak up and encourage FAWL to combat gen- that the camaraderie and mentorship that FAWL provides der bias in the profession. In fact, FAWL’s JNC Selection is necessary to discuss the unique issues that face women Committee, which monitors JNC interviews, is a project lawyers. Her brave act, during her recovery from chemo- recommended by Ellen on the eve of Justice Pariente’s therapy, of appearing on the bench without her wig speaks appointment to the Florida Supreme Court. I know that volumes for the support she willingly extends to other because I was there at the FAWL Board Meeting when women, not only in the legal profession, but in all profes- she and Judge Sharp alerted FAWL to the improper ques- £ CHRONICLES, Continued on Page 6

of the Palm Beach County Ameri- legislation creating a memory disorder family as well. Her son Benjamin, of can Cancer Society and the Actors clinic at St. Mary’s Hospital. whom she is very proud, is currently Workshop and Repertory Company. Lois left the House as the result serving as a 1st Lieutenant in the She has continued her community of term limits in 2002 and she made United States Marines. involvement over the years, which an unsuccessful run for governor in a Chief Justice Barbara J. Pari- includes mentoring 15-year-old Ca- crowded field of Democrats seeking to ente, recipient of the 2000 Rose- melia through the Take Stock in Chil- replace Governor . Florida’s mary Barkett Award, had this to say dren Program for the last six years. loss was West Palm Beach’s gain in about Lois receiving the award: In 1986, Lois was elected to the 2003, when Lois was elected mayor “I have known Lois since our Florida House of Representatives. She of the largest and busiest city in Palm college days over 36 years ago. represented District 85 in the House for Beach County. Our paths crossed often during 14 years (1986-92 and 1994-2002), ris- Those in FAWL have also benefited our years of practice in West ing to the position of Minority Leader, from Lois’s involvement and advo- Palm Beach and as mothers the first Democratic woman so desig- cacy. As a young lawyer in Palm Beach to sons who are less than six nated in Florida’s history. As a legislator, County in the mid-1970s, there were months apart. Lois has always Lois earned a reputation for being an few female mentors for Lois. She and been passionate in her beliefs energetic champion of Florida’s chil- others, including Rosemary Barkett and in her dedication to public dren, seniors, and working families. She and Barbara Pariente, began meeting service. She was an outstanding led efforts to reduce family violence and informally and then officially organized advocate as a trial lawyer and tackle the tobacco industry’s targeting the Palm Beach County Association of throughout her career has used of minors, and, after heading an Al- Women Lawyers in 1982, of which she her intelligence, passion and de- zheimer’s task force, Lois worked with later served as president in 1985-86. termination to make a difference community leaders and spear-headed Lois has done all this and had a £ FRANKEL, Continued on Page 7

FAWL JOURNAL • Autumn 2004 5 £ CHRONICLES, From Page 5 the problem of increased violence by apply for committees and other Bar sions and walks of life. young girls during her ABA presi- positions, and, as President, Kelly has Representative Arthenia L. Joyner dency. Although Martha’s work with made increasing diversity in the Bar received the FAWL Rosemary Barkett the ABA has caused her to travel far leadership one of her primary goals. Outstanding Achievement Award dur- and wide, to Beijing, China, when she So, if you want to work your way into ing FAWL’s 50th anniversary celebra- attended the United Nations Fourth Bar leadership, give Kelly a call. I am tion in June 2001. Arthenia personi- World Conference on Women in confident she will help you, as she did fies the experience of female African 1995, those in Tallahassee find her to me when she secured my appointment Americans in The Florida Bar. She be an accessible mentor. She is part of this year to the Florida Bar Journal was one of Florida’s first five African- Holland & Knight’s Women’s Initia- and News Editorial Board. American women lawyers, having tive and believes women’s groups, like The HonorableLois Frankel, graduated from FAMU School of Law FAWL, are necessary to mentor and Mayor of West Palm Beach, was in 1968. She became the first black provide outreach to other women. As the 2004 recipient of the Rosemary woman lawyer in Hillsborough County for me, she’s the only person I have in- Barkett Award. Lois graduated from and has practiced successfully there for terviewed for newsletter articles who Georgetown University Law Center over 30 years. She was the first female has insisted on paying for my lunch and moved to West Palm Beach in president of the Virgil Hawkins Florida not once, but twice! Therein lies a tip 1974, where she practiced law and Chapter of the National Bar Associa- for getting good press. associated with the other women law- tion (1977) and the second woman The Florida Bar’s current presi- yers in the community, including Bar- president of the National Bar Asso- dent, Kelly Overstreet Johnson, was bara Pariente and Rosemary Barkett. ciation (1984). If you need to know presented with the FAWL Rosemary Lois served 14 years in the House of anything about the history of Afri- Barkett Outstanding Achievement Representatives, eventually becoming can-American lawyers in Florida, ask Award in June 2003, just Arthenia. She was an activist before minutes after she was she was an advocate, having fought sworn in as President- vociferously for women and African- Elect. Kelly’s entrance into Americans to be fairly allowed access the legal profession does and opportunity during the civil rights not date back as far as the movement. This is a fight she continues prior recipients, but she today in her private and public life as shares with them the same Florida House Representative from great leadership attributes, District 59. I recall standing on the as evidenced by how steps of the Capitol during the Equal quickly she has climbed Rights Amendment rally on April 28, the ladder of success. In 2003, when Arthenia gave an impas- only two years after gradu- sioned speech about the continuing ating from FSU College of need for the federal ERA. Law in 1982, she was elect- Former American Bar Associa- ed President of Tallahassee tion President Martha W. Barnett Women Lawyers in 1984, Mayor Lois Frankel and received the Rosemary Barkett Award and she went on to serve Supreme Court Justice at the 2004 Awards Luncheon in Boca Raton in June 2002, just as she was wind- on the Young Lawyers Di- ing down her year as ABA President. vision Board of Governors (1986-90), Minority Leader, the first Democratic Like the recipients who came before as Treasurer of FAWL (1988-89), and woman so designated in Florida’s her, Martha is a trailblazer in Florida’s she became the first woman president history. While in the legislature, Lois legal profession. She graduated from of the Tallahassee Bar Association in earned a reputation as an energetic the University of Florida College of 1990. Kelly, who is a partner in the champion of Florida’s children, seniors Law in 1973 and was the first woman Tallahassee office of Broad & Cassel, and working families. Like Justice employed by the Holland & Knight also served two terms on the Board Pariente, Lois is a founding member law firm. Martha has used her voice of Governors before becoming the of the Palm Beach County FAWL to aid women in many ways, including third woman Bar President. Although Chapter and she continues to show her support of the ABA’s Commission Kelly’s role as Bar President requires up at chapter events these many years on Women in the Profession, which her to travel, you will always find her later. She has also been a stalwart published The Unfinished Agenda: at Tallahassee Women Lawyers and supporter of FAWL, ever-willing to Women and the Legal Profession Tallahassee Bar Association meetings. lend her hand to aid the organiza- while she was ABA President. She While on the Board of Governors, she tion. I recall that when Justice Rosalie also focused the national spotlight on was constantly soliciting women to Abella’s delayed flight from Canada 6 Autumn 2004 • FAWL JOURNAL caused her to be late for the keynote address at the FAWL luncheon in WOMEN PROGRESS, BUT FEW QUEENS OF TORTS June 2001, Lois volunteered to fill the void by speaking of current legislative omen have made great strides in the legal profession. Nearly issues and encouraging FAWL mem- half of last year’s law school students were women, and nearly a bers to get involved. To know Lois is thirdW of their teachers were too, according to statistics compiled by the to realize that her voice is never silent American Bar Association’s Commission on Women in the Profession. and that she will do whatever she can But there is one area in which this rising tide is still at low ebb: Women to help you. have been slow to enter the plaintiffs’ bar. Women make up nearly 30% As you can see, I have been fortu- of the lawyers in the United States, but only 13% of the membership nate to be mentored by all of FAWL’s of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA), a national bar Rosemary Barkett Award winners. group for plaintiffs’ lawyers. In fact, a greater percentage of women I’ve even been mentored by Judge (15%) have risen to the rarified rank of general counsel at Fortune 500 Rosemary Barkett, who has assisted in companies than have joined ATLA. In interviews, prominent plaintiffs’ presenting almost every award. How lawyers, men and women, offered several explanations. They ranged have I been so lucky, you may ask. The from the obvious — the competing pull of work and family — to the answer is simple. I show up for FAWL more subtle, such as the reluctance of many women to engage in self- events and I make it a practice to meet promotion. And while some asserted there are no longer gender-based the experienced women lawyers who obstacles, most agreed that women still face challenges that men do not. show up too. You can do the same, and I encourage you to do by mark- a a a ing your calendar to attend FAWL’s midyear meeting in Miami in January. David Hechler, The National Law Journal, 08/09/2004 The exact date is not yet confirmed, For complete story, search http://www.law.com/jsp/nlj/index.jsp but it will likely be on January 20 or 21, 2005. e

“TakingA CLE AND Charge LUNCHEON of COSPONSORED Your Career: WITH THE Best NATIONAL Practices ASSOCIATION for Women OF WOMEN Lawyers”LAWYERS Friday, January 21, 2005 • 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. In conjunction with The Florida Bar’s Midyear Meeting at the Miami Hyatt Regency

£ FRANKEL, From Page 6 she continues to be recognized and thanked.” in the lives of others — especially those less fortunate. At the FAWL luncheon in Boca Raton, Lois ex- As student body vice president at Boston University plained that she chose to cancel her trip to the mayors in the 60’s, as President of Palm Beach County FAWL conference, because she believed it was more impor- in the 70’s, as state legislator in the 80’s and 90’s, and tant to honor her roots. In commenting on the impor- now as Mayor of West Palm Beach, she has been a tance of FAWL in her life, she said: true public servant and a pioneering woman. I can “Over the years, FAWL has provided the venue for think of no more deserving recipient of the Rosemary women attorneys to develop their leadership skills. Barkett award than my friend Lois Frankel.” Both myself and Chief Justice Barbara Pariente Judge Rosemary Barkett echoes these sentiments: lost races for our local bar associations in the early “I could not be more pleased to have Lois Frankel 1980’s, during a time when no women ever served on be the recipient of the RB award. She has spent her the board of local bar associations.” entire life dedicated to public service, from her early Past recipients of the award include former Florida days as a public defender, when I first knew her in Bar President Edith G. Osman, Fifth District Court of Palm Beach County. She was an exemplary legisla- Appeal Judge Winifred J. Sharp, former Constitution tor who worked extremely hard for the people of Revision Commissioner Ellen C. Friedin, Supreme Florida. (And I must add, it was a real treat to have Court Chief Justice Barbara J. Pariente, Representative had her in Tallahassee while I was there as well. I Arthenia L. Joyner, former American Bar Association have fond recollections of Lois at many great women President Martha W. Barnett, and current Florida Bar in government gatherings!) Lois is a great example President Kelly Overstreet Johnson. of an extremely smart, caring, conscientious person Nomination forms for the 2005 Rosemary Barkett who has indefatigably fought for the rights of all Flo- Award are due March 1, 2005, and are available at the ridians. We are lucky to have her. I am delighted that FAWL website at www.fawl.org. e

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