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There is still time to apply for the Bar’s Wm. Reese Smith, Jr., Leadership Academy

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David Thompson

“The experience is once in a lifetime,” said David Thompson, referring to the access he was given to judges, senators, state attorneys, and public defenders ­­– some of whom gave out their personal numbers in case any of the fellows wanted to “bounce an idea off.”

David Thompson, co-chair of the Bar’s Wm. Reese Smith, Jr., Leadership Academy Committee, knows firsthand how transformative academy participation can be for emerging legal leaders.

More experienced practitioners should encourage younger associates with leadership potential to apply, he says, adding it benefits both the individual and the firm, creating invaluable connections and opportunities across the state.

The Henry Latimer Center for Professionalism has extended the deadline to apply to join the 2025-2026 Class XIII to January 31.

Thompson also encourages former applicants to apply again.

“There were people in my class that didn’t make it until their fourth time applying because it is so competitive, but they loved that they made it and they really enjoyed the process, once they got [in], and they were happy that they continued applying,” he said.

“The experience is once in a lifetime,” said Thompson, referring to the access he was given to judges, senators, state attorneys, and public defenders ­­– some of whom gave out their personal numbers in case any of the fellows wanted to “bounce an idea off.”

He recalled one fellow received a job offer from a state attorney during the Annual Florida Bar Convention that coincides with the academy’s graduation.

“There’s so much opportunity being put in front of you,” he said.

One of Thompson’s biggest takeaways from his time as a fellow in Class VIII were the relationships he developed with classmates and the session presenters, even though the academy was conducted almost entirely by Zoom because of COVID restrictions.

“In our class we have some members getting into politics or getting into judgeship roles and things of that nature, so it’s good supporting everybody,” said Thompson. “If you did need to raise money for a campaign, or something like that, you have resources all throughout the state, which is pretty awesome.”

Thompson says his class was comprised of a wide array of fellows from different practice areas and circuits, a resource he and his classmates lean on.

“I’ve had defense attorneys in my class from different circuits say, ‘Hey, I just got a case up there. How does this judge do this?’ or ‘Is there an expert up there that can help me with this?’ So even if you’re on the other side, the connections you make, you can leverage those to help your own practice.”

The academy afforded him the opportunity to connect with figures he may not have met otherwise, such as U.S. District Judge Mary Scriven and her husband Lanse Scriven of Trenam Kemker.

“They stuck out. It was such a powerful conversation with them,” Thompson says. “She tells people, ‘If you’re in the Leadership Academy, you let me know,’ and you can call if you have a question – she’s very open, very helpful in that regard.”

Seventeenth Circuit Judge Elijah Williams is another academy presenter whom Thompson says “gave a presentation that was absolutely outstanding on work/life balance, on being a leader in the community, the principles of law, and always doing the right thing. If someone is treating you poorly or someone is doing something you don’t like, whatever it is, never stoop down to their level. Always keep high ethics and you’ll always come out on top.”

Thompson’s most personally encouraging moment came from a talk given by former Board of Governors member Renée Thompson (no relation).

“She said at times in life there’s going to be moments when something happens – a breakup, losing a job, something like that. In the moment, you think it’s the worst thing that happened to you and you don’t know how you’re going to pick yourself out of it, but at some point later down the road, you’ll look back at that moment as a turning point in your life or your career, and you’ll realize you are where you’re at because of that moment,” he recalls.

“I personally went through something two years ago, and I remembered that statement that she said,” Thompson said. “It actually ended up being the best thing in my career, [but] at the time it was the worst.”

Thompson also said academy participation sparked his leadership growth and professional journey from being a prosecutor to participating in Bar committees, voluntary bars, and local civic boards.

He believes his academy involvement also benefits his firm.

“I’m in my fifth or sixth year on the Civil Procedures Rules Committee,” Thompson said. “Obviously, big changes in that this year…and because I’m on the committee and we’ve been doing the changes, I got to sit down with my firm – which is over 100 people – and give a presentation on how this is going to affect the practice and how we need to be ahead of the game. So, it has really helped put me in more leadership positions within my firm, the community, and the Bar. And I can’t thank the Leadership Academy enough for giving me that opportunity and that growth. It has changed my career.”

Thompson serves as Leadership Academy Committee co-chair with Mirza Komal, who offered her perspective on the academy in a December 2024 News article.

Know Before You Apply:

  • The Leadership Academy is open to all Florida Bar members in good standing.
  • Academy Fellows follow a tailored, one-year curriculum designed to enhance their professional development, knowledge, and experience; it includes Florida Bar events and special educational programs that explore the inner workings of the Bar and their role in the legal profession, while enhancing their personal leadership skills.
  • There will be seven required meetings, totaling up to 14 business days throughout the year, including graduation at The Florida Bar Annual Convention. Continuing legal education credits are awarded for most sessions.
  • Academy Fellows are required to pay a $550 tuition/participation fee, due in full prior to the first session in June. Fellows are also responsible for their travel expenses and accommodations during meetings. Limited financial assistance is available based on demonstrated need upon completion of a scholarship application. A request for financial assistance will not affect an applicant’s eligibility for the program. Email the program administrator for a scholarship application.

 

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