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April 2025 Bulletin
- chopkins37
- Apr 21
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 22
Chairs Message
Where has the year gone! Believe it or not, planning for the annual convention is well underway, and I’m happy to report that the Section is heading into it with the wind at our backs. This edition of the bulletin not only highlights some of what we accomplished these past few months – most notably public service panels at Nova Law School, Saint Thomas Law School and Stetson – but also what is right around the corner. We have an excellent line-up of CLEs that are free to members, including a second program focused on mental health and wellness (a topic that remains a priority of the Section), two ethics programs in July and an upcoming presentation on the status of the public service loan forgiveness program (PSLF). In fact, the Section will be putting the PSLF at the forefront of our efforts, and the upcoming CLE is just the beginning. We have created an ad hoc committee that is tasked with monitoring any PSLF developments, informing Section members of these developments and recommending to the Executive Council ways in which the Section can advocate for the PSLF. If you are interested in serving on this important committee, please reach out and let us know.
Finally, we want to remind everyone that Spring is membership drive time! Please encourage your friends and colleagues in public service to join our Section. Be on the lookout for social events near you where prospective members can mingle with current members.
On behalf of the Section’s Executive Council, thank you in advance for your help in achieving our membership goals and for all that you do to serve the public.
Upcoming CLE Opportunities
April 24 - 25, 2025
2025 Pat Dore Conference
April 29, 2025
9102 Government Lawyers & Student Loans Forgiveness Options and Policy Updates
May 8, 2025
9125 Substance Use, Mental Health, and the Stress of Legal Practice
May 14, 2025
9040 SALT Bridge: Insights from the Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office
June 3, 2025
9139 Master Your Form 1: Essential Ethics CLE on Financial Disclosure
Lunch & Learns
Thank you to all of the Law Schools that partnered with the Government Lawyer Section over the last few months.
The goal for these partnerships is to discuss practicing government law, the benefits of becoming a government lawyer, mentorship, and even ways to manage stress and challenges unique to government lawyers.
NSU Shepard Broad College of Law
District Representative Cary High moderated a panel of Government Lawyers to law students at Nova University on February 12th.
The panel played to a warm and engaged group of 1L students (and one service dog).
The panel consisted of four lawyers from the Fourth District Region (WPB/Ft. Lauderdale) with experience in both state and local government law including: Palm Beach County School District, City of Delray Beach, Palm Beach County Attorney, Department of Children and Families, OAG (civil litigation/statewide prosecution), SAOs, PD, and Fifteenth Judicial Circuit...The hour-long informal discussion covered the panelists' experiences practicing government law, the benefits of becoming a government lawyer, mentorship, and even ways to manage stress and challenges unique to government lawyers. And pizza was served.
In response to our thanks for Nova's hospitality and fantastic student attendance, Nova Law School Assistant Dean for Career and Professional Development Laura Varela emailed to say, "It was wonderful to have the panel here! The students really enjoyed it and I hope it sparked interest as well. You all are welcome back anytime"
Stetson University College of Law
What draws talented lawyers to government work, and what keeps them there? Students at Stetson University College of Law explored these questions during a recent enlightening lunch-and-learn session hosted by the Government Lawyer Section of the Florida Bar. A panel of dedicated lawyers from state and local government shared their stories, revealing the unique career pathways available and the compelling reasons behind their commitment to public service.
From the strong sense of community to the ability to make a real difference, the panelists offered a compelling perspective on the rewards of working in the public sector. The event was thoughtfully moderated by Jessica Schwieterman, a GLS District Representative from the Florida Attorney General’s Office.
St. Thomas University College of Law
The Florida Bar Government Lawyers Section provided St. Thomas University Law students with a valuable opportunity to learn about careers in public service during an interactive Lunch and Learn session on Tuesday.
Co-hosted by the Office for Career Development and the Public Interest Law Society, the event featured insights from our esteemed members: Yaneth Baez, Esq. (Miami Dade State Attorney’s Office), Cassandra N. Milnes, Esq. (Assistant City Attorney for the City of Miami), Allana Robinson Woods, Esq. (17th Judicial Circuit, Family Division), and Jennifer Davis, Esq. (Assistant Attorney General for the State of Florida). These panelists offered a comprehensive look into the practice of law within various government sectors, drawing on their own experiences.
Call for Volunteers: Ad Hoc Committee on Public Service Loan Forgiveness
The Government Lawyer Section is seeking volunteers to serve on a newly established Ad Hoc Committee on Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). This committee will examine ways to support Section members in navigating the PSLF program, increase awareness of eligibility requirements, and advocate for greater transparency and accessibility in the administration of loan forgiveness for government attorneys.
PSLF remains a critical tool in recruiting and retaining talented attorneys in public service roles. Your participation will help ensure that our members have the resources, information, and institutional support necessary to benefit from this important program.
If you are interested in serving or would like more information, please let us know!
You can reach GLS Chair-Elect Maria Pecoraro-McCorkle at mccorklem@flcourts.org.
Stay on Track for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
If you are pursuing Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), now is a good time to check in on your student loan status. Borrowers should:
Confirm that their contact information is current with their loan servicer;
Review whether they are in repayment, deferment, or forbearance and understand how this affects PSLF eligibility;
Check their qualifying payment count toward the required 120 payments;
Certify employment for any eligible public service periods that have not yet been verified; and
Use the PSLF Help Tool to identify any missing steps and ensure they remain on track for forgiveness.
The U.S. Department of Education continues to update PSLF and related student loan programs, so staying informed is essential. Visit the following official pages for tools and updates:
Networking Opportunities
Brunch With the Bosses
MAY 2 • 11:00AM - 12:30PM
HCBA BUILDING
Join the Hillsborough County Bar Association and The Florida Bar Government Lawyers Section for this fun event. enjoy a free brunch with our local government bosses while talking with them about their respective roles, how they got there, and different positions within their offices.
Other Tampa, Tallahassee, and South Florida networking opportunities coming very soon!
The Florida Bar Annual Convention
This years festivities will take place at The Boca Raton in Boca Raton, FL June 25 - 27.
We invite you to attend our Section's scheduled events:
Executive Council Meeting
Thursday, June 26 10am-noon
GLS Reception
Thursday, June 26 7pm-8pm
To ensure we have proper seating, refreshments, and beverages please complete the below link form. We look forward to seeing you there!
Call to Action
The Publications Committee invites article submissions for The Voice, The Bulletin, and other Bar publications. Submit yours for consideration here.
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