Recent Blog Posts
2026 Summer Series for Law Students
It’s that time of the year! Law students are arriving in Jacksonville for the summer to participate in internships and summer associate programs in our local legal community. Through its annual Summer Series, the Bench Bar Fund of the Middle District of Florida and the Jacksonville Federal Court Bar Association will welcome these students… Read More »
Election Nuts and Bolts
Wednesday, October 21, 2026 Noon – 1pm Have you ever wondered what happens to your ballot once you feed it into that machine at your polling place? What if you vote early or by mail? Likewise, what does the Canvassing Board do? And, what if on election day there is a hurricane or the… Read More »
Induction Ceremony for the Swearing in of New Lawyers to the Florida Bar
September 24, 2026 4:00 p.m. (ceremony)/4:45 p.m. (reception) Courtroom 13A Byran Simpson United States Courthouse 300 N. Hogan Street Jacksonville Florida 32202 The Jacksonville Federal Court Bar Association is hosting an induction ceremony for the swearing in of new lawyers to The Florida Bar. The ceremony will be held in the ceremonial courtroom on… Read More »
Illuminating Legal Limericks: Conflicts of Interest
Please join us for our ethics breakfast with Thomas E. Spahn, Counsel with McGuireWoods. This interactive program uses limericks (the last word of which the audience will have to guess) to explore ethics issues involving lawyers’ conflicts of interest rules. Among other things, the program will address: identifying the client (in the corporate and… Read More »
SCOTUS 2026-27 Preview: A Docket with Something for Everyone
September 30, 2026 Noon – 1pm Jury Assembly Room Bryan Simpson U.S. Courthouse SCOTUS 2026-27 Preview: A Docket with Something for Everyone – JU Law Professor Vanessa Zboreak joins us again to highlight cases set for the Supreme Court’s Fall 2026 term. Whether you care about sentencing guidelines, pleading standards for civil defendants, immigrant… Read More »
2026 Summer Series – Magistrate Judge Event
Location: Courtroom TBD & 13th Floor July 28, 11am-1pm From search warrants to social security appeals, from grand jury returns to civil trials, the work of a U.S. Magistrate Judge is never boring. Watch a proceeding before Judge Samuel Horovitz and then join magistrate judges for a lunchtime discussion of the vast scope of… Read More »
2026 Summer Series – Grand Jury Event
Location: Grand Jury Room and U.S. Attorney’s Office July 21, 3-5pm Grand juries are mentioned in the news, but their work is shrouded in secrecy. This event will give you an opportunity to learn about what occurs during grand jury proceedings, why they are outside the public eye, the important role of a grand… Read More »
2026 Summer Series – Naturalization Ceremony Event
Location: Ceremonial Courtroom, Eleventh Circuit Courtroom, and 13th Floor July 16, 10am-1pm Witnessing people take the Oath of Allegiance and become United States citizens is a moving and inspiring experience. Join an immigration officer for a discussion about the naturalization process, take a sample citizenship examination, observe a naturalization ceremony, and welcome some of… Read More »
2026 Summer Series – District Judge Event
Location: Courtroom 10D & 13th Floor July 7, 10:30am-1pm The Middle District of Florida is one of the busiest federal courts in the country. Attend an oral argument in a civil action before the Honorable Marica Morales Howard, U.S. District Judge, and then join Judge Howard for lunch and a discussion about the work… Read More »