Masters joins the Board of Governors; Bopp, Greenlee in 13th Circuit runoff
Masters joins the Board of Governors; Bopp, Greenlee in 13th Circuit runoff
Daytona Beach attorney Sam Masters has won the runoff for a seat on the Bar Board of Governors representing the Seventh Circuit while Thomas R. Bopp and Paige A. Greenlee will be in a runoff to finish President-elect Designate Bill Schifino’s 13th Circuit term on the board.
April runoff elections also settled two seats on the Young Lawyers Division Board of Directors.
In the race to finish the final year of Schifino’s term on the board, Bopp received 581 votes and Greenlee garnered 577. They eliminated John D. Emmanuel who got 315 votes.
Ballots for the runoff were to be mailed around April 30 and must be returned by 11:59 pm on May 21. Recipients will have the choice of returning the paper ballot or voting online and instructions will be included with the ballot.
The winner of the runoff will be sworn in at the Bar’s June Annual Convention.
Masters won the Seventh Circuit race by defeating Philip J. Bonamo 275 to 229. He immediately fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Sandra Upchurch, who has become a circuit judge.
In the YLD runoffs, in the Ninth Circuit, Jennifer A. Smith bested John David William Beamer 210 to 179 to win Seat 1. In the 17th Circuit, Seat 1, Estefania Nasielski outpolled Alison Smith 149 to 111.
They will be sworn in at the Annual Convention with other new and returning members of the YLD Board of Governors.
Here are the platform statements for the runoff candidates:
13th Circuit, Seat 1
Thomas R. Bopp
I have placed my name in nomination to be a representative of the 13th Judicial Circuit on The Florida Bar Board of Governors.
I have greatly enjoyed the practice of law over the past 34 years. Some of the most enjoyable and fulfilling years were those when I served on the YLD Board of Governors, 10 years as a member on the board of directors of the Hillsborough County Bar Association, and finally as president of the Hillsborough County Bar Association. While on the YLD Board of Governors, I served as chair of the Budget, Bridge the GAP, and Long Range Planning committees. Prior to serving as the president of the Hillsborough County Bar Association, I chaired several committees of the HCBA, including the CLE Committee, Long Range Planning, Law Day, and as chair of the HCBA Standards of Professionalism. While on the YLD Board of Governors and as president of the Hillsborough County Bar Association, I took on the responsibility of abolishing committees which were no longer effective or useful to the members of the HCBA and Young Lawyers Division. The Florida Bar needs to be fluid, and ensure that programs and committees continue to evolve with the changes that our members encounter. I would now like to have the opportunity to accomplish a similar goal and serve the lawyers of the 13th Judicial Circuit as a member of The Florida Bar Board of Governors.
In going into my 34th year as a lawyer, I remain very proud of my profession. I started the practice of law as an assistant state attorney for Hillsborough County and then joined Fowler, White, Boggs, Villareal and Banker, P.A., where I remained until 2008, at which time I was a founding partner of Banker Lopez Gassler, P.A. I believe I have the experience to provide diverse opinions in the formulation of the policy issues brought for consideration before The Florida Bar Board of Governors. Particular issues which I would hope to promote as your representative would be: (1) The continued protection of the judiciary’s independence to ensure adequate funding for the courts; (2) Enhancing professionalism and civility throughout the Bar; (3) Ensuring that The Florida Bar’s programs continue to focus on serving and benefiting its members; and (4) Increasing funding for government attorneys.
I believe that the Bar can do more in providing assistance to its members, and needs to listen to its members on a variety of issues that they encounter in their day-to-day practice. I am a native of Hillsborough County, Florida, and have been around the legal profession from a very young age. I believe that it is a lawyer’s obligation to give back to the profession and to be involved in Bar activities. I am certain that being a member of the Board of Governors would be an honor and an opportunity to continue to help my community, the profession, and the lawyers of Hillsborough County.
Paige A. Greenlee
I am honored to run for the open seat for the 13th Judicial Circuit on the Board of Governors. It is important for our circuit to have a strong, innovative leader on the Board of Governors to continue and to build on the 13th Circuit’s tradition of Bar leadership. I believe my service at the local and statewide level, including as past president of The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division (YLD) and as a member of The Florida Bar Board of Governors, make me uniquely qualified to serve as your representative, and it would be a privilege to earn your vote.
Following a judicial clerkship after law school, I moved to Tampa and have spent my entire career practicing here, primarily in the areas of business litigation and bankruptcy. I recently founded my own firm, have also practiced with a small firm, and prior to that was a partner with one of Tampa’s largest firms. These experiences will allow me to represent the diversity of interests in our circuit.
After moving to Tampa, I immediately got involved in local bar work, serving on the boards of directors of the Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers and the Hillsborough County Bar Association (HCBA) YLD, and was elected to represent our circuit on The Florida Bar YLD Board of Governors. I currently serve on the HCBA Board of Directors and was recently elected president of The Pearl Society, a women’s giving circle which raises funds for Bay Area Legal Services.
Statewide, I served as Florida Bar YLD president in 2012-13, which included serving on The Florida Bar Board of Governors for two years and as a member of board’s Executive Committee. I also serve on the Executive Council of the Business Law Section and was selected by the Board of Governors to the board of directors of The Florida Bar Foundation.
These leadership positions have given me tremendous insight into all aspects of the Bar, from lawyers’ ethics and discipline, to interaction with the legislative and executive branches, to overseeing the Bar’s more than $41 million budget. I also understand the important dynamic between the board, Bar sections, divisions, and committees, and the voluntary bar associations devoted to improving our profession.
Recent years have brought many changes to our profession. During my term as YLD president, we implemented projects to adapt to these challenges, including helping the Bar respond to evolving technology and assisting young lawyers with career development, mentorship, and practice assistance. As a member of the board, my priorities will include:
* Ensuring that the Bar continues to help both young and seasoned lawyers adapt to constantly changing technology through education and practice enhancement programs;
* Increasing access to justice, and expanding the role of the business community in this important initiative; and
* Improving professionalism, ethics, and civility among our membership.
It would be my privilege to represent and advocate for you on the Board of Governors, and I ask for your vote.
