Rencontre avec le premier bâtonnier afro-américain du barreau de Floride
Eugène Pettis, président élu du barreau de Floride en 2013, et premier afro-américain à occuper cette fonction, revient sur le rôle d’un bâtonnier aux Etats-Unis ainsi que sur ses projets durant son mandat.
" What was your professional path that made you be the first Afro-American president of the Florida's bar association? What does it mean to you?
I was very honored to be elected last December 15, 2012 as the President-Elect of The Florida Bar. It is truly an honor to serve my profession at the highest level. On June 28, 2013, when I am sworn in, I will become the first African-American President of The Florida Bar. This accomplishment is more a reflection of how far we have come as a society and the great efforts of many people of color in decades past who have paved the way for me to accomplish this achievement.
It is hoped that my tenure as President will lift our organization toward its goal of greater inclusion of all of its members. I believe if we can stand as one Bar, our strength to accomplish great things for this State and each of our communities will be boundless.
What type of relations does the bar has with the media? Do you have limits to talk about a case in the media? Do you have complete freedom of speech or are you bound by professional secrecy?
The Bar has ongoing relations with the media. Usually, during the course of the year, we attend numerous meetings with the print news media editorial boards and provide all sorts of news releases to the media. As it relates to discipline matters of our members, information regarding those activities are confidential until the investigations are completed. If there is some discipline approved by the Florida Supreme Court, then such ruling is made public.
What are the ties between the bar and the Governor's office? Is the bar consulted by the governor on these issues?
We try to maintain an open relationship with the Governor's office. Throughout the course of the year, there are a number of occasions where there are communications on various matters and occasionally a meeting between the Governor and the President of The Bar. One of our core issues is making sure there is sufficient and permanent funding for the Judicial Branch. This is an issue that we work very closely with the Governor as well as the Legislatures on, who are a part of the budgetary process.
Are Florida's lawyers accountable to the Florida Bar or to the state's justice when it comes to disciplinaries measures?
Members of The Florida Bar have taken an oath to comply with Rules of Ethics. The Florida Supreme Court has allowed The Florida Bar to enforce these Rules of Ethics. When there is a violation of said rules, it is The Bar that investigates and prosecutes those cases. Once discipline has been determined, it is submitted to the court for final approval.
How do you become a lawyer in Florida? Are there differences between states?
In order to become a lawyer in the State of Florida you must attend an accredited institution and then sit and pass The Florida Bar Examination. Florida does not have reciprocity with any other state. While you may be a lawyer in another state, in order for you to become a member of The Florida Bar, you must pass this State's Bar examination. There are some states that allow you reciprocity, meaning that if you pass one state's Bar, you get waived into other states. Florida does not participate in such reciprocal arrangements.
What are your projects during your time in office ?
One of the major initiatives that I will roll out during my year commencing June 28, 2013, will be the establishment of The Florida Bar's Leadership Academy. It is expected to have at least 50 Fellows providing them a year-long curriculum designed to enhance their leadership skills so that they can be better Ambassadors for The Bar, our legal profession and community.
I am also involved now in a "Get Involved" campaign to aid me in the appointment of over 500 committee members. This campaign is throughout The Florida Bar. It is our hope that we will enlarge our applicant pool and establish more diversity and inclusion within committee participants. "
Article publié sur le site du quotidien en ligne Actuel Avocat, dans l'édition du 26 décembre 2012.
" What was your professional path that made you be the first Afro-American president of the Florida's bar association? What does it mean to you?
I was very honored to be elected last December 15, 2012 as the President-Elect of The Florida Bar. It is truly an honor to serve my profession at the highest level. On June 28, 2013, when I am sworn in, I will become the first African-American President of The Florida Bar. This accomplishment is more a reflection of how far we have come as a society and the great efforts of many people of color in decades past who have paved the way for me to accomplish this achievement.
It is hoped that my tenure as President will lift our organization toward its goal of greater inclusion of all of its members. I believe if we can stand as one Bar, our strength to accomplish great things for this State and each of our communities will be boundless.
What type of relations does the bar has with the media? Do you have limits to talk about a case in the media? Do you have complete freedom of speech or are you bound by professional secrecy?
The Bar has ongoing relations with the media. Usually, during the course of the year, we attend numerous meetings with the print news media editorial boards and provide all sorts of news releases to the media. As it relates to discipline matters of our members, information regarding those activities are confidential until the investigations are completed. If there is some discipline approved by the Florida Supreme Court, then such ruling is made public.
What are the ties between the bar and the Governor's office? Is the bar consulted by the governor on these issues?
We try to maintain an open relationship with the Governor's office. Throughout the course of the year, there are a number of occasions where there are communications on various matters and occasionally a meeting between the Governor and the President of The Bar. One of our core issues is making sure there is sufficient and permanent funding for the Judicial Branch. This is an issue that we work very closely with the Governor as well as the Legislatures on, who are a part of the budgetary process.
Are Florida's lawyers accountable to the Florida Bar or to the state's justice when it comes to disciplinaries measures?
Members of The Florida Bar have taken an oath to comply with Rules of Ethics. The Florida Supreme Court has allowed The Florida Bar to enforce these Rules of Ethics. When there is a violation of said rules, it is The Bar that investigates and prosecutes those cases. Once discipline has been determined, it is submitted to the court for final approval.
How do you become a lawyer in Florida? Are there differences between states?
In order to become a lawyer in the State of Florida you must attend an accredited institution and then sit and pass The Florida Bar Examination. Florida does not have reciprocity with any other state. While you may be a lawyer in another state, in order for you to become a member of The Florida Bar, you must pass this State's Bar examination. There are some states that allow you reciprocity, meaning that if you pass one state's Bar, you get waived into other states. Florida does not participate in such reciprocal arrangements.
What are your projects during your time in office ?
One of the major initiatives that I will roll out during my year commencing June 28, 2013, will be the establishment of The Florida Bar's Leadership Academy. It is expected to have at least 50 Fellows providing them a year-long curriculum designed to enhance their leadership skills so that they can be better Ambassadors for The Bar, our legal profession and community.
I am also involved now in a "Get Involved" campaign to aid me in the appointment of over 500 committee members. This campaign is throughout The Florida Bar. It is our hope that we will enlarge our applicant pool and establish more diversity and inclusion within committee participants. "
Article publié sur le site du quotidien en ligne Actuel Avocat, dans l'édition du 26 décembre 2012.