The Hon. Henry Latimer 1938-2005
In July 1996, the Supreme Court of Florida created the Center for Professionalism by administrative order.
In 2005, the Board of Governors renamed The Center for Professionalism as The Henry Latimer Center for Professionalism in honor of Judge Henry Latimer. Judge Latimer served as one of the first African-American judges in Florida, and had a 30-year career as a lawyer and judge, marked by passion, excellence, wisdom, and diplomacy. Henry Latimer served as a mentor to thousands, instilling in them his passion for equality, excellence, respect, and professionalism.
Mission
To promote the fundamental ideals and values of the justice system within the legal system, and to instill those ideals of character, civility, competence, and commitment in all those persons serving therein.
What Does the Center Do?
- Staffs the Standing Committee on Professionalism, Student Education and Admission to the Bar Committee, Mentoring New Lawyers Committee, and the Wm. Reese Smith, Jr. Leadership Academy Committee
- Creates curriculum for and plans and hosts Leadership Academy meetings
- Follows Chapter 19, Rules Regulating The Florida Bar
- Produces the two-hour mandatory professionalism CLE required of members pursuant to SC2023-0884
- Produces and hosts free on-demand professionalism CLE courses located in an ever-expanding catalog
- Partners with The Florida Bar’s Young Lawyers Division to produce content for the professionalism and ethics website, Decorum.law
- Hosts three engaging CLE podcasts that focus on leadership, professionalism, civility, and mentoring: Never Contemplated, On Civility with Magie Ozarowski, and The Lawyer/Leader Podcast
- Serves as a clearinghouse for professionalism research and information
- Provides resources and information regarding professionalism to members of the judiciary, the bar, law schools, local bar associations and other state bars
- Publishes The Professional, a blog that promotes and encourages professionalism in Florida
- Manages the Counsel to Counsel mentoring program
Programs and Seminars presented by the Center
- Interactive multimedia professionalism presentation for the professionalism segment of Practicing with Professionalism seminar
- Professionalism Workshop (a diversion program)
- Ethics School (a diversion program)
- DiSC personal development learning experiences (Email Katie Jones, certified DiSC trainer)
- In-person and virtual professionalism presentations, symposiums, and seminars upon request on topics ranging from general professionalism/civility expectations to emotional intelligence and communication strategies