Lee County Bar Association invests in the future by investing in kids
Lee County Bar Association invests in the future by investing in kids
As the Lee County Bar Association (LCBA) celebrates 66 years of service, its lawyers have reaffirmed their commitment to the younger members of the community by offering scholarships, hands-on learning activities, team building, civics education, recognition of educational excellence, career shadowing experience, mentorship and fundraising on behalf of young people throughout the year.
LCBA President Anne Dalton declared 2015 to be the LCBA Year of Professionalism and Ethics, saying that “our American way of life is rapidly changing to a global perspective. American youth, in many ways, are in the forefront of that development, both technologically and culturally. Our traditional concepts of ethics and professionalism also need to change to fit current mores. However, the underpinnings of these concepts stay the same and the Bar must convey that perspective to our children through actions, not words.”
Opportunities for children through the Bar and its members include the Annual Charity Golf Tournament. As an arts-focused professional, Bar President Anne Dalton selected the Alliance for the Arts as this year’s charity recipient and Golf Chair Amanda Bartley spearheaded the event. The Bar and Judiciary raised $20,500 for the Alliance’s youth scholarship programs to open arts educational opportunities to children of limited financial means.
Other initiatives include a youth scholarship through the Uncommon Friends Foundation; Law Shadow Day, hosted in association with Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida; Speakers in the Schools as part of Constitution Week; youth observation of oral arguments with the Second District Court of Appeal; and a local high school Mock Trial competition with member attorneys serving as coaches and members of the judiciary serving as judges.
An outstanding educator is recognized every year as part of the LCBA’s Law Week activities with the Dr. James A. Adams Lee County Teacher of the Year Award for Law-Related Education. The LCBA’s Young Lawyers Division’s (YLD) has been working all year to raise funds for the Guardian ad Litem Foundation, and secured a grant to help fund its Beds for Kids program. The YLD also hosts a Holidays in January program, providing a holiday experience with presents and a visit from Santa for children in the foster care system.
Looking ahead to 2016 and future years, Executive Board members Scott Atwood, Kelly Fayer and Daniel Endrizal have committed to further expanding the LCBA’s youth focus, while scheduling social and fundraising events that will encourage the participation of members and their children.
About the Lee County Bar Association
The Lee County Bar Association, a 501c6 not-for-profit organization, has served the citizens and legal community of Lee County since 1949 and has a current membership of almost 800. For more information, visit www.leebar.org or contact President Anne Dalton, Esquire at (239) 337-7900 or Executive Director Sharon Brotherton at (239) 334-0047.
