Sanchez-Medina bids farewell with a call to service and unity
Roland Sanchez-Medina, Jr.: 'Engagement with The Florida Bar, its sections, and local bars is not a duty, but an opportunity,” he said. “An opportunity to practice law more effectively and joyously. When we all come together, we can tackle the many challenges facing our profession and serve our communities much more effectively.'
Outgoing Florida Bar President Roland Sanchez-Medina, Jr., used his final address to celebrate a year of professional growth, service, and transformation, urging lawyers across the state to say "yes" to involvement, and to embrace the ever-evolving future of law.
“Every journey has a beginning — and mine started with a simple step: saying yes to getting involved,” Sanchez-Medina told attendees of the General Assembly during The Florida Bar’s Annual Convention in Boca Raton June 27. “What I didn’t realize then was that one ‘yes’ would lead to a lifetime of profound relationships, opportunities to serve, and a deeper connection to our profession than I ever imagined.”
Reflecting on his early involvement with the Cuban American Bar Association, Sanchez-Medina credited organized bar work with shaping not only his career, but also his character.
“Being part of The Florida Bar and organizations like [CABA] didn’t just make me a better lawyer — they made me a better leader, a better colleague, and, most importantly, a better person,” he said. “That’s the power of coming together. That’s the power of saying yes.”
Throughout his presidency, Sanchez-Medina championed engagement as a path toward professional fulfillment and community impact.
“Engagement with The Florida Bar, its sections, and local bars is not a duty, but an opportunity,” he said. “An opportunity to practice law more effectively and joyously. When we all come together, we can tackle the many challenges facing our profession and serve our communities much more effectively.”
He highlighted the value of service, particularly in areas like pro bono work, mentoring, and leadership. Last year alone, he said, Florida attorneys donated more than 1.7 million hours of pro bono service and contributed over $11.6 million to legal aid organizations — a testament, he said, to the profession’s enduring commitment to justice.
“Your voice matters — and so does your participation,” Sanchez-Medina said. “Together, they have the power to create meaningful change. I invite each of you, whether you are a seasoned attorney or newer lawyer, to explore the wide array of ways to get involved — be it through mentoring, access-to-justice initiatives, or organized bar leadership roles. The journey may seem daunting at first and quite possibly intimidating, but the rewards — the friendships, the professional growth, and the profound sense of purpose — are all well worth the effort. And I can assure you the Bar junkies all will welcome you with open arms.”
Sanchez-Medina also acknowledged the profession’s fast-changing technological landscape, and the Bar’s work in preparing members for the future.
“Although some of us may not like it, AI is here to stay and it is changing the practice of law,” Sanchez-Medina said, noting the progress made by the Special Committee on AI Tools & Resources, including the release of Florida Bar Ethics Opinion 24-1, which offers practical guidance for responsible AI use.
A new AI guide — released through LegalFuel: The Practice Resource Center of The Florida Bar — offers practical advice on using AI tools ethically and effectively, including strategies for maintaining client confidentiality; best practices for reviewing AI-generated work; ethical considerations for avoiding common pitfalls; and steps for selecting secure and compliant AI platforms.
“The Bar continued the work started by past President Scott Westheimer in the area of AI and Technology during my term,” Sanchez-Medina noted.
He also commended the Cybersecurity and Privacy Law Committee for its efforts in developing voluntary “Model Incident Response Plans” — a practical framework designed to help Florida lawyers improve cyber resilience.
Sanchez-Medina also reminded members that amid innovation, the Bar’s core purpose remains unchanged.
“The most important thing we did this year… is to be true to our purpose as a mandatory Bar which is to regulate the practice of law in Florida and protect the public,” he said. “It is particularly important with the legal challenges we have to stay in our lane.”
Sanchez-Medina expressed deep appreciation for the colleagues, mentors, and loved ones who supported him throughout his term.
“I reflect with gratitude and pride on a wonderful year — one made possible by the dedication and hard work of so many individuals that I have grown to admire and appreciate and adore,” he said.
He extended special thanks to the Board of Governors, Bar staff, and Executive Director Josh Doyle, who he called “a dear friend” and praised for his guidance and expertise.
Sanchez-Medina also recognized the Florida Supreme Court justices for their support and leadership, calling his frequent conversations with Chief Justice Carlos Muñiz a source of wisdom, guidance, and humor.
“Thank you Justice Canady, Justice Labarga, Justice Couriel, Justice Grosshans, Justice Francis, and Justice Sasso,” he added.
Looking ahead, he voiced confidence in his successors, incoming President Rosalyn Sia Baker-Barnes of West Palm Beach and President-elect Michael Fox Orr of Jacksonville.
“Sia’s preternatural poise, her intelligence and her ability to connect with people will help raise The Florida Bar to new heights,” he said. “Mike has an elite work ethic and has an incredible ability to connect with people. Also, and I think this is important, they are very talented attorneys ranking among the best in the State of Florida.”
In closing, Sanchez-Medina offered a heartfelt thank you to his wife Johanna and son Christian.
“In particular, I want to thank my son for being so gracious in a year that I just was not home as often as I would have liked,” he said. “I am, however, comforted by some profound and beautiful words from my wife, ‘he’s 18 years old, I’m not sure he wants to spend much time with you.’”
He left the audience with one final message: “God speed in your individual journeys and thank you for bestowing me this special opportunity.”
