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December 2025 Bulletin
- chopkins37
- 1 hour ago
- 7 min read
Chairs Message
Greetings once again. I hope everyone enjoyed a happy Thanksgiving. It is remarkable that we are already entering the final weeks of 2025. As the saying goes, we have reached the “should we circle back after the holidays?” part of the year.
Humor aside, your Government Lawyer Section leadership continues to work diligently as we close out 2025. We hope you have enjoyed our monthly CLEs and publications, including The Bulletin and The Voice, which are provided as part of your Section membership. As a Section dedicated to government lawyers, it is important to me, as your Chair, that your dues are used to provide the maximum benefit to our membership. With that goal in mind, what else can our Section do for you? If you have suggestions or feedback, please do not hesitate to contact me at mccorklem@flcourts.org. If you would like to learn more about leadership opportunities within the Section, please let us know. Section service is primarily completed remotely by Zoom or Teams, and we remain flexible because, as Jeff Goldblum famously observed in Jurassic Park, “Life… finds a way.” Please consider this a personal invitation to learn more about how you can become involved in the work of our Section.
At our last Executive Council meeting, we voted to create an ad hoc committee dedicated to encouraging law student participation in the Section. Following final approval by the Board of Governors in September, we are pleased to offer free Section membership to current law students. If you know any law students, please encourage them to join our Section and our law student outreach committee. If you are interested in supporting our efforts to increase law student engagement and to promote government service, please let us know.
We have also submitted our budget for the next Bar year, which begins in July. I am pleased to report that our financial outlook is strong. As we look to the future, we will continue to focus on growing our membership and exploring opportunities to offer additional CLE programs beyond our monthly offerings to support the long-term success of the Section.
Finally, please save the date. On Friday, June 5, our Section will meet in person in Tallahassee to celebrate the 30th anniversary of our Section. Our Section began in the 1995–1996 Bar year, so it is certainly time to celebrate. We have not met in person as a Section in many years, and this will be a special occasion. We will meet at The Florida Bar headquarters for our Executive Council meeting, followed by CLE programs in the afternoon. We will conclude with a happy hour at a local restaurant featuring awards and recognitions. A hotel block will be available for those traveling from outside the Tallahassee area. Additional details will be forthcoming, but if you are as excited as I am and would like to learn more, please reach out at any time.
As always, thank you for your commitment to government service and to our Section. If I can be of any assistance, or if you simply wish to say hello, please email me or text me at 407-222-0463.
-Maria P. McCorkle
Networking Events
Yappy Hour
Our Howl-o-ween event was a hit! Attorneys, friends, and dog lovers from across the Animal Law, Government Lawyer, and Administrative Law Sections came together at Amicus Brewing Ventures for an evening full of wagging tails, cold pints, and great company.
This event brought tons of smiles and helped shine a spotlight on the incredible work of the Tallahassee Animal Shelter Foundation. Several adoptable pets stole the show—and our hearts!
We’re so grateful to everyone who came out, mingled, supported the cause, and helped make this such a fun and meaningful night. If you couldn’t attend—or if you’d still like to help—donations to the Foundation are always appreciated.
Check out some of our favorite moments below! Want to support the animals? Scan the QR code to donate:
Law Student Membership Is Now Free!
The Section is excited to announce excited to announce that law student membership is now completely free. It’s a great time to get involved!
Joining the Section connects you with fellow law students, government attorneys, and Section leadership, giving you a supportive network as you explore careers in public service.
Benefits of Membership
As a student member, you’ll receive:
Networking opportunities with students and attorneys who share your interests
Email updates with the latest Section news and events
Access to CLE programs and networking events
You'll also stay informed about developments in government law that may shape your future career.
If you're considering a path in public service, don’t miss this chance to connect, learn, and grow.
Legacy and Leadership Symposium - Save the Date!
Celebrate 30 years with us!
We are thrilled to announce the first-ever Legacy and Leadership Symposium to celebrate 30 years as a Section! This special event brings together our members for a day of connection, learning, and recognition of the leadership and impact that defines our section.
Event Highlights:
Executive Council Meeting – Engage with leadership and gain insights into the section’s initiatives.
Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Sessions:
Ethics in Government Law – Explore ethical considerations and best practices. This CLE will feature The Florida Bar Ethics Counsel, Jonathan Grabb
Lessons from Experienced Government Lawyers – Hear from seasoned professionals sharing real-world insights and advice.
Reception – Network with peers in a relaxed, celebratory setting following the sessions.
Location: The Florida Bar in Tallahassee!
Date: June 5, 2026
This symposium is more than an event—it’s an opportunity to honor our past, learn from today’s leaders, and shape the future of government law. Whether you’re a law student, seasoned member or considering government law, this is an event you won’t want to miss.
Registration and additional detail to come!
PSLF Update - Winter 2025
What Government Lawyers Need to Know About Public Service Loan Forgiveness Changes
As 2025 concludes, several important regulatory developments are shaping the future of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. These updates are especially relevant for government lawyers with federal undergraduate or law school loans. Below is a concise summary of key updates, important deadlines, and recommended action steps.
New Rule on Employer Eligibility — Effective July 1, 2026
On October 31, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education finalized regulations clarifying which employers qualify for PSLF. While government entities generally remain eligible, the Department will have the authority to disqualify employers engaged in “substantial illegal purposes,” including violations of immigration law, civil rights, or other federally defined misconduct.
Key Takeaways:
If your employer is later deemed ineligible, you will keep PSLF credit for prior qualifying employment.
No new PSLF credit will accrue after the date of disqualification unless eligibility is restored.
Effective Date: July 1, 2026
The SAVE repayment plan was blocked by court order earlier this year. Borrowers in SAVE were placed in administrative forbearance, and interest resumed accruing on August 1, 2025. Time spent in SAVE forbearance does not count toward PSLF.
Looking ahead:
All current income-driven repayment (IDR) plans (including SAVE, PAYE, and ICR) will be phased out by July 1, 2028.
New borrowers (as of July 1, 2026) will only have access to:
Standard Repayment (10–25 years), or
Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) — a new 30-year plan that qualifies for PSLF.
Borrowers wishing to resume PSLF progress should speak with their loan servicer about switching to an eligible plan as soon as possible.
To ensure continued progress toward loan forgiveness, we encourage all borrowers to:
Submit an Employment Certification Form (ECF) annually or whenever your employer changes
Ensure on-time monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan
Track your payment count via your Federal Student Aid dashboard
Retain copies of all ECFs, payment records, and communications with your servicer
Confirm your employer's eligibility annually, especially if employed by a nonprofit or quasi-public entity
This update is intended for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Please consult your loan servicer or the U.S. Department of Education for borrower-specific guidance.
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.
CLE Opportunities
One of the biggest benefits of Section membership is monthly free CLE that include specialty CLE credits. Our CLE committee is always looking for topics and speakers, so please let us know if you have any idea for a topic! Reach out to the CLE Committee Chairs Steven Zuilkowski and Kathy Savor.
Don't forget, Section member's can access previous recording here.
Job Announcement
Florida House of Representatives - Tallahassee
This office is hiring an attorney to advise in the justice, finance, and taxation subject areas. The position will be open until filled. However, given upcoming committee weeks, they are looking to fill the vacancy quickly.
A link to the position can be found here.
Share Your Insights
The Publications Committee invites article submissions for The Voice, The Bulletin, and other Bar publications.
Submissions for the Winter edition on The Voice must be submitted by January 19th for consideration.
Submit yours here.
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