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OCBA Committees
The OCBA has 24 committees designed to provide you with current and timely information in your legal specialty area, develop CLE seminars, submit articles for The Briefs magazine and participate in a wide variety of community service projects and OCBA-sponsored social events. We encourage you to become involved with one or more of these committees.
Committees
Select a committee name below to learn more.
Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee
Purpose
The newly established Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee provides a forum for members who are mediators and arbitrators, as well as the practitioners whose clients utilize these processes in resolving cases.
2012-2013 meeting time and location TBD. Contact chair.
Committee Chair
- Gloria A. Carr
- Dean, Ringers, Morgan & Lawton, P.A.
- 201 E. Pine St., Ste. 1200
- Orlando, FL 32801
- 407-422-4310
- Contact by email
Appellate Practice Committee
4th Wednesday of every month, 12:00 -1:00 p.m., OCBA Center.
Committee Chair
- Thomas Wade Young
- Thomas Wade Young, P.L.
- P.O. Box 540087
- Orlando, FL 32854-0087
- 407-219-4745
- Contact by email
Committee Co-Chair
- Michael T. D'Lugo
- Wicker, Smith, O'Hara, McCoy & Ford, P.A.
- 390 N. Orange Ave., Ste. 1000
- Orlando, FL 32801
- 407-317-2160
- Contact by email
Bankruptcy Law Committee
Purpose
This committee is generally oriented toward the consumer bankruptcy practitioner, who is usually a solo or smaller firm.
Meeting time and location
Last Friday of the month, 12:00-1:00 p.m., OCBA
Committee Chair
- Jeffrey S. Ainsworth
- Mangum & Associates, P.A.
- 5100 Hwy. 17-92, Ste. 300
- Casselberry, FL 32707
- 407-478-1555
- Contact by email
Business Law Committee
Purpose
The objective of this committee is to enhance the professional development of lawyers who practice business law in Orange County by providing a forum for the exchange of ideas and issues of mutual interest. The Business Law Committee includes litigators and transactional attorneys serving corporations and other businesses. The attorneys in this committee practice in a wide range of areas ranging from commercial and construction litigation; intellectual property; ERISA; franchise law; corporate governance; securities; commercial real estate; mergers and acquisitions and many other disciplines.
Meeting time and location
1st Wednesday of every month, 12:00-1:00 p.m., OCBA Center.
Committee Chair
- Drew Sorrell
- Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, P.A.
- 450 S. Orange Ave., Ste. 800
- Orlando, FL 32801
- 407-843-4600
- Contact by email
Construction Law Committee
Purpose
The committee is dedicated to enhancing the legal representation of property owners; architects; engineers; contractors; subcontractors and other individuals involved in the construction industry.
Meeting time and location
Last Thursday of each month beginning October 2010 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the OCBA Center
Committee Chair
- Brent C. Bell
- Shutts & Bowen, LLP
- 300 S. Orange Ave., Ste. 1000
- Orlando, FL 32801
- 407-835-6725
- Contact by email
Criminal Law Committee
Purpose
The goal of the committee is to facilitate interaction and promote goodwill among members of the OCBA who practice in the area of criminal law. Each year, the Committee undertakes a number of projects and activities that are designed to be of benefit to criminal law practitioners. The three principal projects and activities of the Committee are (1) to prepare and maintain a directory of the judges of the criminal law bench in Orange County, (2) to sponsor continuing legal education seminars, and (3) to present the Gary L. Formet, Sr. Award. The Criminal Law Committee has a diverse membership that includes judges, public defenders, private defense lawyers, and prosecutors. We are always looking for new members.
Meeting time and location
September 14. October 5. November 2. Beginning 2013: 2nd Friday of every month: 12:00-1:00 p.m. Location: TBA.
Committee Chair
- Keith A. Carsten
- Carsten & Ladan, P.A.
- 121 S. Orange Ave., Ste. 1420
- Orlando, FL 32801
- 407-657-1555
- Contact by email
Committee Co-Chair
- Jaya K. Balani
- Nejame, LaFay, Jancha, et al.
- 189 S. Orange Ave., Ste. 1800
- Orlando, FL 32801
- 407-245-1232
- Contact by email
Diversity Committee
Meeting time and location
Please contact chair
Committee Chair
- Paul C. Perkins, Jr.
- Paul & Perkins, P.A.
- 3117 Edgewater Dr.
- Orlando, FL 32804
- 407-540-0122
- Contact by email
Elder Law Committee
Purpose
The purpose of this committee is to provide attorneys practicing and/or interested in the field of elder law a means to further their knowledge in the area of elder law and enhance their ability to counsel clients.
Meeting time and location
3rd Wed. of the month, 12:00-1:00 p.m., OCBA
Committee Chair
- Patricia T. Fuller
- The Elder Law Center of Kirson & Fuller
- 801 N. Magnolia Ave., Ste. 204
- Orlando, FL 32803
- 407-422-3017
- Contact by email
Committee Co-Chair
- Heather Kirson
- The Elder Law Center of Kirson & Fuller
- 801 N. Magnolia Ave., Ste. 204
- Orlando, FL 32803
- 407-422-3017
- Contact by email
Estate, Guardianship & Trust Committee
Purpose
This committee meets each month to discuss changes in our areas of law and procedures in the local court system. At each meeting, we provide encouragement, information and assistance in our areas of practice; to better one another in our field of law. The committee also conducts seminars and participates in OCBA activities. We also have subcommittees to deal with pertinent issues affecting committee members.
Meeting time and location
Second Wednesday of every month from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the OCBA Center.
Committee Chair
- Amber Jade F. Johnson
- Amber Jade F. Johnson, P.A.
- 1201 S. Orlando Ave., Ste. 350
- Winter Park, FL. 32789-1755
- 407-786-2388
- Contact by email
Committee Co-Chair
- Thomas P. Moss
- Sawyer & Sawyer, P.A.
- 8913 Conroy Windermere Rd.
- Orlando, FL 32835
- 407-909-1900
- Contact by email
Family Law Committee
Purpose
Family Law Committee: The purpose of the Family Law Committee is to provide attorneys practicing and/or interested in the field of family law a means to further their knowledge in this specialty area and enhance their ability to counsel clients. The committee holds monthly meetings at which accountants, mental health experts, judges, attorneys, and others present information of importance to family law practitioners. The committee also sponsors an annual Family Law JA Appreciation Luncheon and other events.
Meeting time and location
Third Friday of the month from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the OCBA Center.
Committee Chair
- Camy B. Schwam Wilcox
- Camy B. Schwam Wilcox, P.A.
- 425 W. Colonial Dr., Ste. 201
- Orlando, FL 32804
- 407-245-7700
- Contact by email
Committee Co-Chair
- Lori M. Caldwell Carr
- InFocus Family Law Firm, PL
- 720 N. Maitland Ave., Ste. 104
- Maitland, FL 32751
- 407-388-0700
- Contact by email
Federal Judicial Relations Committee
Meeting time and location
Committee Chair
There is not committee chair at this time. For information, please contact Nicholas A. Shannin at by email.
Gala Committee
Meeting time and location
For information about the Gala Committee, please contact Brant Bittner by email.
Committee Chair
- Kimberly D. Webb
- Jill S. Schwartz & Associates, P.A.
- 655 W. Morse Blvd., Ste. 212
- Winter Park, FL 32789
- 407-647-8911
- Contact by email
Committee Co-Chair
- Esther M. Whitehead
- 112 E. Concord St.
- Orlando, FL 32801
- 407-422-6116
- Contact by email
Insurance Law Committee
Meeting time and location
3rd Wed. every other month, 12:00-1:15 p.m., OCBA (beginning Sept.)
Committee Co-Chair
- Caryn N. Diamond
- Cole, Scott & Kissane, P.A.
- 1900 Summit Tower Blvd., Ste. 750
- Orlando, FL 32801
- 321-972-0000
- Contact by email
Intellectual Property Law Committee
Meeting time and location
2nd Tues. every other month, 12:00-1:00 p.m., OCBA
Committee Chair
- Amber N. Davis
- Beusse, Wolter, Sanks, et al.
- 390 N. Orange Ave., Ste. 2500
- Orlando, FL 32801
- 407-926-7716
- Contact by email
Committee Co-Chair
- Cian O'Brien
- Beusse Wolter Sanks Mora & Maire P. A.
- 390 N. Orange Ave., Ste. 2500
- Orlando, FL 32801
- 407-926-7700
- Contact by email
Judicial Relations Committee
Meeting time and location
2nd Wed. every other month, 12:15-1:15 p.m., Courthouse 21st Floor Conference Room (beginning Sept.)
Committee Chair
- Jamie Billotte Moses
- Fisher, Rushmer, et al.
- 20 N. Orange Ave., Ste. 1500
- Orlando, FL 32801
- 407-843-2111
- Contact by email
Labor & Employment Law Committee
Purpose
The committee's purpose is to encourage shared learning, collegiality, and networking among labor and employment practitioners.
Meeting time and location
4th Wed. of every other month, 12:00-1:00 p.m., OCBA (beginning Sept.)
Committee Chair
- Sarah P.L. Reiner
- GrayRobinson, P.A.
- 301 E. Pine St., Ste. 1400
- Orlando, FL 32801
- 407-843-8880
- Contact by email
Committee Co-Chair
- Ryan Morgan
Law Week Committee
Purpose
Our ABA award-winning Law Week program, now spanning several months of activities, has been a way for the OCBA to recognize and showcase outstanding citizens in central Florida as well as demonstrate its community commitment, high degree of civic interest and active participation in promoting legal education throughout our schools. Among a variety of activities, the OCBA will present the Liberty Bell Award to an outstanding citizen; present the Student Law Awareness Award to a deserving high school student; hold a county-wide poster and essay contest; hold a DUI Prevention Program; provide live mock courtroom demonstrations to school children across Orange County; arrange for the naturalization of several hundred new citizens at the Orange County Convention Center; and arrange for students from the Migrant Farm Worker Ministry to job shadow members of the judiciary as well as attorneys in the Ninth Judicial Circuit.
Meeting time and location
Please contact chair
Committee Chair
- Catrina M. Chapin
- Roetzel & Andress
- 420 S. Orange Ave
- CNL Center II, 7th Floor
- Orlando, FL 32801
- 407-245-2422
- Contact by email
Lawyers Literary Society
Meeting time and location
2nd Wed. each month (Sept.-June), 12:00-1:00 p.m., OCBA.
Committee Chair
- Dorothy E. Green
- Latham, Shuker, Eden & Beaudine, LLP
- 111 N. Magnolia Ave., Ste. 1400
- Orlando, FL 32801
- 407-481-5800
- Contact by email
Professionalism Committee
Meeting time and location
3rd Tues. every month, 12:00-1:00 p.m., OCBA
Committee Chair
- Michael M. Kest
- Kest Law, LLC
- 1150 Louisiana Ave., Ste. 4
- Winter Park, FL 32789
- 407-490-2889
- Contact by email
Committee Co-Chair
- Matthew G. Brenner
- Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, P.A.
- 215 N. Eola Dr.
- Orlando, FL 32801
- 407-843-4600
- Contact by email
Real Property Law Committee
Meeting time and location
Please contact chair
Committee Chair
- Jaisen J. Stango
- Jaisen J. Stango, Esq. LLC
- 37 N. Orange Ave., Ste., Ste. 500
- Orlando, FL 32801
- 407-835-8688
- Contact by email
Social Committee
Purpose
The committee's purpose is to provide networking opportunities for OCBA members, and encourage camaraderie and professionalism among attorneys, the judiciary and the legal community.
Meeting time and location
First Tuesday of each even month; 11:45 a.m.; The Rusty Spoon, 55 W. Church St. Orlando, FL 32801. You must RSVP for meetings. Please email committee@floridabusinesslaw.com. Meeting dates: Aug. 7; Oct. 2; Dec. 4; Feb. 5; Apr. 2. Proceeds from all social events benefit the OCBA Foundation.
Committee Chair
- Amy M. Guy
- Calandrino Law Firm, P.A.
- 301 E. Pine St., Ste. 950
- Orlando, FL 32801
- 407-601-4905
- Contact by email
Social Security Law Committee
Meeting time and location
2nd Thurs. of the month, 12:00-1:00 p.m., OCBA
Committee Chair
- Richard A. Culbertson
- Law Office of Richard A. Culbertson
- 3222 Corrine Dr., Ste. E
- Orlando, FL 32803
- 407-894-0888
- Contact by email
Solo & Small Firm Committee
Meeting time and location
Third Tues. of the month, 12:00-1:00 p.m., OCBA
Committee Chair
- Shane E. Fischer
- Shane E. Fischer, P.A.
- 1350 Orange Ave., Ste. 266
- Winter Park, FL 32789
- 407-650-5509
- Contact by email
Tax Law Committee
Meeting time and location
Noon to 1:00 p.m. at the OCBA (Nov. 29; Dec. 21; Jan. 31; Feb. 28; Mar. 27; Apr. 24; May 29)
Committee Chair
- Justin R. Infurna, Esq., LL.M. in Taxation
- The Infurna Law Firm, P.A.
- P.O. Box 3386
- Orlando, Florida 32802
- 407-774-1560
- Contact by email
Social Committee
Purpose
The committee provides a forum to share ideas and provide information regarding best practices for utilizing technology to enhance the practice of law and to better understand the impact of technology on litigation and the courts.
Meeting time and location
3rd Thurs. of every other month, 12:00-1:00 p.m., OCBA (beginning Sept, excluding Nov.'s meeting, which will be held on Fri.)
Committee Chair
- Todd C. Smith
- Earle & Smith
- 120 E. Robinson St.
- Orlando, FL 32801
- 407-841-8294
- Contact by email
Workers' Compensation Law Committee
There is no chair at this time.