Florida Bar installs first Black president in 105-year history

Fort Lauderdale attorney Eugene K. Pettis will become the Bar’s first African American leader when he is sworn in as its 65th president during The Florida Bar’s Annual Convention in Boca Raton on June 28, 2013, according to an announcement received by Historic City News today.

West Palm Beach attorney Gregory W. Coleman will become president-elect during the same General Assembly ceremony. Coleman will become president of the Bar in June 2014.

“We owe it to do whatever we can to make the world better,” said Pettis. “I don’t think I’ve ever had an occasion or a platform that is as respected as the Bar presidency to try to enhance our professional canon of doing public good.”

As president, Pettis’ goals include intensifying the Bar’s efforts to make its committees and sections more diverse and inclusive while offering training in leadership skills to a select group of attorneys.

Additionally, he wants attorneys to speak with civic clubs and groups about the fundamentals of the judiciary and courts, using the Bar’s civics education program geared to teaching adults.

And, he wants to position the legal profession for change in the age of the Internet while finding new ways to provide legal aid services.