Florida Bar president headlines Lee County Bar diversity luncheon

One of America’s most prominent voices for gender equality is coming to the Lee County Bar Association’s next meeting. Michelle Suskauer, president of The Florida Bar and regular contributor to CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, NBC and CNBC, will be the keynote speaker for the bar’s Third Annual Diversity Workshop and Luncheon. RSVPs are required at leebar.org or 239-334-0047 for the Friday, June 7 event that runs from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center on 2301 First St. in Fort Myers.

Suskauer is one of only six women to serve as President in the 70-year history of The Florida Bar, and she’s made leveling the playing field for women in the legal profession a cornerstone of her time in office. She’s worked this year to raise awareness of the gender pay gap and the Florida Bar’s grievance system for victims of gender-related misconduct, and she’s supported a proposal before the Florida Supreme Court that would provide parental leave for attorneys during trial.

“As the sixth female President, I know that women need to see other women rising in the ranks successfully and without sacrificing personal or family obligations so they know they can too,” Suskauer said to the Lee County Bar Association’s Res Gestae magazine. “It is my privilege and commitment to lift others and make sure the door is open for many more women to walk through, so that we lose count as to how many women have been president of The Florida Bar.”

Other speakers include local LGBTQ activist Arlene Goldberg and family law attorney Brian Kruger. The event is a function of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the Lee County Bar Association, which includes attorneys Kelly L. Fayer and Henry Lee Paul, the Hon. Judge Devin George, Lee County Chief Deputy Tax Collector R. Noelle Branning, Lee County Bar Association President John Webb, and Ita Neymotin, regional conflict counsel for Florida’s Second District Court of Appeal.

“The presentations are sure to be very instructive and provide outstanding perspective

about the importance of continuing to attain greater appreciation of the diversity around us as well as the promotion of inclusiveness,” said Lee County Bar Association President John Webb.

The cost to attend is $25 for Lee County Bar Association members and $35 for non-members. Information about membership is available at leebar.org and by calling Executive Director Lisa Poulin at 239-334-0047.

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