Family Law Section bestows annual awards
The Family Law Section presented its annual membership awards when it met June 21 at the Annual Florida Bar Convention in Boca Raton.
Attended by nearly 200 Family Law Section members from across the state, outgoing Chair Philip Wartenberg of Tampa announced the recipients, including:
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Kristin Kirkner
The Chair’s Award of Extraordinary Service was presented to Kristin R. Kirkner, in recognition of her “outstanding service, unwavering dedication, and continued commitment” to the Family Law Section. Most notably, Kirkner chaired the 2023 Marital & Family Law Review Course, which saw record-breaking attendance at the Gaylord Palms in Orlando. Kirkner was additionally a keynote speaker at the section’s all-day seminar on financial issues held in Miramar Beach in February, where she presented on the topic of “Military Issues.” Kirkner is managing partner at Kirkner Family Law Group.
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David Manz
The Alberto Romero “Making a Difference” Award was presented to David L. Manz, in recognition of his “dedication in making a difference for Florida’s children and families through tireless service to the disadvantaged and underserved members of our community.” Manz is with The Manz Law firm in Marathon.
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Robin Scher
The Chair’s Keeper of the Flame Award was presented to Robin J. Scher, in recognition of her “extraordinary and selfless service” to the Family Law Section. Scher is with The Law Offices of Robin J. Scher, P.A., in North Palm Beach.
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Sonja Jean
The Jorge M. Cestero Distinguished Member Service Award was presented to Sonja A. Jean, for her years of “dedication, devotion to improving the section on all fronts, and for her never-ending desire to be at the top of our profession.” Cestero served as a co-chair of the section’s biennial Leadership Retreat held in August 2022. Cestero is a partner at Davis Smith & Jean in Coral Gables.
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Barbara Goiran
The Honorable Raymond T. McNeal Professionalism Award was presented to Judge Barbara C. Goiran, for her “passionate service” to the executive council of the Family Law Section, performed with “exemplary professionalism and courtesy” toward those with whom she served. Goiran is a general magistrate in the family law division of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Dade City, Pasco County.
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Phil Schipani
The Section’s Trailblazer Award was presented to Philip J Schipani, in recognition of his “valued leadership” in service of the Family Law Section. Schipani is a partner at Schipani, Norman & McLain in Sarasota.
- The 2023 Executive Council Service Awards were presented to David L. Hirschberg, Sonja A. Jean, and Bonnie Sockel-Stone, in recognition of “and with appreciation for their dedication, commitment, and enthusiasm they demonstrated throughout their service on the executive council.” Hirschberg is a partner at Gladstone, Weissman, Hirschberg & Schneider in Boca Raton; Jean is a partner at Davis Smith & Jean in Coral Gables; and Sockel-Stone is the managing partner at Sockel-Stone Family Law in Miami.
The Membership Awards and Installation Presentation also marked the “passing of the gavel’” from outgoing Chair Wartenberg to incoming Chair Sarah E. Kay of Tampa, who was presented with the section’s traditional crystal gavel to signify the commencement of her term. The section will celebrate its 50th anniversary this Bar year, to be capped with an anniversary gala to be held in conjunction with the section’s Fall meetings in August at the Naples Ritz-Carlton Resort, Naples.
