History in the Making – The Florida Bar poised to install Eugene K. Pettis, the first African American to lead the distinguished organization

History in the Making – The Florida Bar poised to install Eugene K. Pettis, the first African American to lead the distinguished organization

By Anthony Jackson

     FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, — The Florida Bar will make history on Friday June 28, 2013 when it installs Eugene K. Pettis, Esq., as the first African American to lead the 63-year-old organization.

A founding partner of Haliczer Pettis & Schwamm, Pettis is a native of Fort Lauderdale. He considers the appointment to the highest office of the Florida Bar an honor and a privilege to lead this organization at a time it faces great challenges but in-credible opportunities to advance its core mission as the Guardian of the integrity of the legal profession.

During his tenure as President-elect, Pettis hit the ground canvassing the state with his “Get Involved” campaign and establishing the Wm. Reece Smith, Jr. Leadership Academy for the organization.  His desire is to advance the Bar’s efforts of diversity and inclusion. The Leadership Academy is a one-year training program designed to enhance the leadership skills of a diverse group of lawyers through a curriculum tailored for professional development.

“The Bar’s greatest strength is recognized when we stand as one Bar, representative of all members and communities,” Pettis said.

As part of his presidency, he is also establishing the 2016 Commission, which will study the future practice of law in four specific areas that are critical to the profession. These areas are Legal Education, Bar Admissions, Pro Bono Services and Technology, all of which are areas undergoing significant change.

This three-year commission study will hopefully develop the blueprint for the legal profession as a whole to move forward into the future with purpose and focus.

Pettis started his career in 1985 with Conrad, Scherer & James, where he focused his practice in medical malpractice and personal injury litigation.

He later went on to create Cooney, Haliczer, Mattsen, et al., where he continued to hone his legal skills for several successful years in partnership with his former colleagues from Conrad, Scherer & James.  In 1996, he and Jim Haliczer founded what is now known as Haliczer Pettis & Schwamm, with offices in Fort Lauderdale and Orlando. The practice has grown tremendously, focusing on litigation areas of medical malpractice, personal injury, commercial litigation, employment litigation, workers’ compensation and professional liability.

Pettis and his lovely wife of 25 years, Sheila, are the proud parents of two daughters, Shenele, a second-year law student at University of Florida, and Sharde, second year undergrad at UF.  Pettis and Sheila both are heavily involved in community charities throughout Broward County, and recently established an endowment for minority students attending his alma mater, University of Florida’s Levin College of Law.  He currently serves on the University of Florida Foundation Board, a Trustee for UF’s Levin College of Law, a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and a past member of the Broward College Foundation Board of Directors, and other organizations throughout the state of Florida.

For media inquiries or more information, contact Anthony Jackson at (954) 765-1995 or anthony@maromeagency.com.