Michael Fox Orr sworn in as Florida Bar president-elect
Michael Fox Orr is sworn in as president-elect at the Annual Florida Bar Convention in Boca Raton as his family looks on. “He’s experienced, he cares, he’s brilliant, and he can see multiple points of view. He’s compassionate, he’s always prepared, if not over prepared, and he’s committed to the law,” said his partner Kevin Cook.
Veteran Jacksonville trial attorney Michael Fox Orr was sworn in Friday as president-elect of The Florida Bar, after listening to a glowing tribute laced with a few good-natured barbs.
A board-certified civil trial lawyer with a military bearing, slight North Florida drawl, and easy-going charm, Orr received a traditional “introduction” by Orr/Cook Managing Partner Kevin Cook.
The General Assembly of the 2025 Annual Florida Bar Convention roared with laughter when Cook announced that he was about to read from a script that was ghost-written by Orr.
“He’s an abstract artist, a concrete analyst, and a ruthless litigator,” Cook deadpanned. “He’s good at things, excellent at others.”
Setting aside the script, Cook said “the real” Michael Orr is a loving husband, devoted father, and exceptional lawyer.
“He’s experienced, he cares, he’s brilliant, and he can see multiple points of view,” Cook said. “He’s compassionate, he’s always prepared, if not over prepared, and he’s committed to the law.”
The Florida Bar will be in good hands as Orr helps newly sworn President Rosalyn Sia Baker-Barnes implement her initiatives, and then succeeds her in June 2026, Cook assured.
“As his law partner and friend of 20 years I’ve witnessed first-hand how hard Michael works, not just for our clients, but for the Bar, and for the judiciary,” Cook said. “He does that because he cares about people, he seeks justice, and he loves The Florida Bar.”
A member of the invitation-only American Board of Trial Advocates, Orr’s Bar service is extensive.
Elected to the Board of Governors Executive Committee multiple times, Orr has chaired the Budget Committee, the Board Review Committee on Professional Ethics, and the Program Evaluation Committee, which provides the guidelines and standards by which Bar programs are reviewed and evaluated.
Prior to his election to the Board of Governors, Orr served for eight years on The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division Board of Governors. He was elected YLD president in 2014.
Orr completed a term as Jacksonville Bar Association president in 2022 after more than 15 years of service in JBA leadership positions.
This year, Orr is co-leader of one of Baker-Barnes’ top priorities — a sweeping “sustainability” review that was prompted by a concern about dissatisfied lawyers exiting the profession.
The review will include, “integrating sustainability principles” into all aspects of the legal profession, from firm operations to client engagements.
Orr was mentored by Carl Dawson, the firm’s retired founding partner, now 99, and a North Florida legend, Cook said.
Cook recalled how just before a major summary judgment hearing in the 1990s, Dawson discovered a “devastating” adverse appellate ruling, but didn’t fail to disclose it.
“Carl Dawson was the epitome of professionalism, integrity, and preparedness, and that’s who trained Michael Orr,” Cook said. “The Bar is in strong and capable hands.”
