Young Lawyers Division bestows its annual achievement awards
During its “Passing the Gavel” ceremony at the 2024 Annual Florida Bar Convention in Orlando June 20, the Young Lawyers Division presented its annual awards.
YLD Outstanding Woman Lawyer of Achievement Award — Lorna Brown-Burton
Anisha Patel, Lorna Brown-Burton, and Reno Pierre
Brown-Burton has been a member of The Florida Bar Board of Governors since 2012 and is a former member of the Young Lawyers Division. She has practiced law for over 35 years, primarily in the area of workers’ compensation defense and also labor and employment law, Social Security disability law, and bankruptcy matters.
She has been involved in numerous bar organizations throughout her career and is a recent recipient of the Russell E. Carlisle Advocacy Award, which is awarded to a lawyer who exemplifies a commitment to the poor and disadvantaged.
“This recognition is especially meaningful to me as the Young Lawyers Division is where I got my start in statewide Florida Bar service,” Brown-Burton said. “As a woman lawyer, I have seen so much progress in our profession and the Young Lawyers Division has always been at the forefront of it all. My ask is that you continue to make a difference by empowering, educating, and encouraging the next generation of leaders like yourselves.”
Michael K. Reese Quality of Life Award — Narinah P. Jean-Baptiste
Anisha Patel, Narinah Jean-Baptiste, and Reno Pierre
Jean-Baptiste is an associate at Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman in Ft. Lauderdale and is a director on the Haitian Lawyers Association.
Outgoing YLD President Anisha Patel said Jean-Baptiste spends much of her time promoting self-care routines, healthy work habits, and championing a lifestyle that prioritizes mental and physical health.
YLD Outstanding Government Lawyer Award — Marcus L. Isom
Anisha Patel, Marcus Isom, and Reno Pierre
Isom has served the Jacksonville community since 2018 as an assistant state attorney in the Fourth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office. He also volunteers in his community, and is highly involved with the Jacksonville Bar Association Young Lawyers Section and serves as president of the D.W. Perkins Bar Association.
“He is a phenomenal person and was recently a recipient of our first ever set of 36 Under 36 Professionalism Awards,” said outgoing YLD President Anisha Patel.
Meenu T. Sasser Outstanding Jurist Award — Judge Stephen M. Walker
Anisha Patel, Judge Stephen Walker, and Reno Pierre
Judge Walker serves in the 12th Circuit.
Patel said since 2016, Walker has served as a mentor judge for new judges. He has served the circuit in several divisions and currently presides over one of Sarasota’s Circuit Civil Divisions. Prior to taking the bench, he was board certified in criminal trial law and has been a member of The Florida Bar for almost 35 years.
“Just this past year, he volunteered to speak at the YLD’s inaugural Virtual Summit, a new half-day conference offering over 30 free CLEs to young lawyers,” Patel said.
Judge Walker said knowing the late Judge Sasser, winning this award comes with great responsibility.
“A responsibility to honor Judge Sasser’s legacy as a model of judicial excellence; a responsibility to advance the causes she so capably supported — particularly those causes as they relate to young lawyers,” Walker said. “To those of you…who so generously thought that I was somehow the person that should be standing here today I say two things — first, the success or good fortune that I’ve had as a judge is a reflection on that team of very fine judges [I work with] and their unfailing and unwavering support and guidance they give me on a daily basis…. Second, I see this award as an inspiration; an inspiration to strive toward that model, that standard, that Judge Sasser set.”
Cynthia Henry Duval Outreach Award — Travis and Theresa Jean-Pierre Coy
Anisha Patel, Travis Coy, and Reno Pierre
The joint recipients were nominated by the Hillsborough County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division for their career-long dedication to promoting engagement and outreach within the legal profession.
Both served as presidents of the George Edgecomb Bar Association, and both have spent countless hours mentoring and presenting to students, law students, and young lawyers about the profession, Patel said.
“A 17-year criminal defense attorney, and an exemplary wife and mother, Theresa Jean-Pierre Coy passed away in April 2022 at the age of 41,” Patel said. “She met her co-recipient, her husband Travis Coy, at Stetson University College of Law, where they earned their law degrees. Travis Coy is a seasoned assistant state attorney with the Office of the State Attorney in the 13th Judicial Circuit where he is the Juvenile Division chief.
As their nomination packet stated: “The footprint that Theresa Jean-Pierre Coy has left, and that Travis Coy continues to make on the legal community are an inspiration to us all.”
YLD board members Brittany Dix and Reno Pierre served as co-chairs the YLD Awards Committee. Originally published at https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-news/young-lawyers-division-bestows-its-annual-achievement-awards/
