About:blank > Recent Events
DECEMBER LUNCHEON: December 2, 2011. CFAWL hosted its Annual Holiday Luncheon. As in years past, CFAWL collected gifts for its Angel Tree Project and were treated to a delightful performance by the children of Rock Lake Elementary School. The children gave an adorable performance causing laughter in the crowd, and were so pleased to perform for CFAWL members as a way of saying thank you for all that CFAWL does for the students through the Back Pack and Angel Tree Projects throughout the year. CFAWL also made a donation of $12,655.89 to A Place for Children (the daycare center in the Orange County Courthouse that provides free childcare to all persons with business at the courthouse, including jurors), which were the proceeds CFAWL raised in 2011 for the non-profit through its Professional Women's Exchange and Fall Into Fashion events. Lastly, CFAWL hosted a Gift Mart, consisting of products from Thirty-One, Stella and Dot, Pampered Chef, PartyLite, and Selenia Breads, to raise funds for the Legal Aid Society. The afternoon got CFAWL members in the holiday spirit, and everyone had a wonderful time enjoying the festivities and helping those in our local community who need it most.
CHOCOLATE MAKING PARTY: November 17, 2011. CFAWL hosted its ever-popular Annual Chocolate Making Party the evening of Thursday, November 17! CFAWL members had a fun girls'-night-out at Farris & Foster's in Baldwin Park. Attendees had the chance to combine white, milk and dark chocolate with an array of gourmet fillings and mix-ins while sampling some of Farris & Foster's own to-die-for creations and treats provided by CFAWL. The creations made were divine, only outshined by the wonderful fellowship between CFAWL's members.
JOINT VOLUNTARY BAR HAPPY HOUR: November 16, 2011. CFAWL participated in the Annual Joint Voluntary Bar Association Happy Hour at Mojo Bar and Grill, which as in past years, raised money and non-perishable food donations for the Second Harvest Food Bank. CFAWL had a great showing at the event, which was chaired by CFAWL member Karen Persis. Karen and her committee put a fun spin on the event, giving it a Touchdown for Hunger theme and asking all attendees to wear their favorite college colors. CFAWL President Melanie Griffin won best dressed for the evening, donning a brightly colored garnet and gold dress with matching FSU accessories.
NOVEMBER LUNCHEON: November 11, 2011. Immediate Past President of The Florida Bar, Mayanne Downs, addressed CFAWL luncheon attendees on the value of servant leadership, how community involvement and helping others makes us better lawyers and sets us apart from other attorneys. She also gave a fabulous update from her perspective as City Attorney regarding the state of the City of Orlando, highlighting how well our fantastic city is doing, especially in comparison to other cities across the state and nation. In addition to hearing from Mayanne, luncheon attendees wore red, white and blue and honored America’s veterans.
LEGAL AID SOCIETY’S BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS: November 9, 2011. CFAWL hosted two tables of 10 at the Legal Aid Society's Annual Breakfast of Champions to raise funds for the Society. CFAWL thanks Amanda Green for organizing these tables, and the following people for attending this important event on behalf of CFAWL: Amanda Green, Dorothy Green, Melanie Griffin, David Hopstetter, Amy Iennaco, Camy Schwam-Wilcox, Monica Varando, Tina Terry, Heather Juster, Cheri Hobbs, Suzanne Magee Fleming, Martha “Lee” Lombardy, Megan Malec, Ava Doppelt, Christine Lomas, Elizabeth Starr, Denise Kim, France Lopez, Shannon Gridley Hetz and Kyle Shephard.
TABLE FOR EIGHT: November 8, 2011. Megan Malec, CFAWL Young Lawyers Chair, and Amanda Perry, CFAWL Membership Director, co-hosted the second Young Lawyers Table for Eight. The fall-themed menu featured cape cod chopped salad, bird-shaped rolls, individual turkey pot pies topped with parmesan chive mashed potatoes, roasted squash, and cranberries. It was a fantastic evening with conversations ranging from Florida football to boy bands of the past!
TABLE FOR EIGHT: November 4, 2011. Orange County Judges Antoinette D. Plogstedt and Faye Allen were thrilled to host a dynamic group on November 4, 2011. The Table for Eight turned out to be a Table for 14 to the Judges' delight. The group enjoyed a "Jump Into Fall" Theme with lunch in Chambers at the Orange County Courthouse. The more seasoned attorneys and Judges shared advice with younger attorneys and law students. They discussed developing clients, improving client satisfaction, and improving billing practices. They shared advice about professional practices and community service. The students were eager to learn about the job search, as well as long term career planning. The more seasoned attorneys and Judges enjoyed hearing the perspectives from the younger law students. A good time was had by all, so good that Judges Plogstedt and Allen will host a second luncheon on Friday, February 3, 2012, at the Orange County Courthouse beginning at 11:45 a.m. Be sure to RSVP early to CFAWL's Director of Programs, Jacquelynne Regan, at reganjj@lowndes-law.com, as seats to this fabulous luncheon will go quickly!
MENTORING LUNCHEON: November 3, 2011. John Finnigan and Joyce Fuller treated mentors and mentees in CFAWL's mentoring program to a presentation on the topic of Opening a Solo Law Practice. Ever prepared, John and Joyce had informative handouts and gave great practical information. For example, did you know that the cost for a monthly subscription to Westlaw is $350? Such insight was invaluable, as to the solo practitioner, every dollar matters. John and Joyce also stressed the importance of finding good office support at a fair salary. Finally, they gave sound advice regarding keeping overhead low. Several mentors and mentees purchased a lunch next door at Virgin Olive Market to enjoy during the presentation, and the luncheon venue, Urban ReThink in trendy Thornton Park, was unique and creative. Be sure to join us for the third quarterly mentoring luncheon on January 24, 2012, when Jamie Billotte Moses addresses CFAWL mentors and mentees regarding Climbing the Ladder: Steps to Making Partner. CFAWL's last quarterly mentoring luncheon of the 2011-2012 year will be held later in the spring and focus on Moving On: What Other Career Options Are Available to a J.D.?
BREAST CANCER WALK: October 29, 2011. CFAWL called upon all of its members to put on their pink bras and support Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Orlando Metro on Saturday, October 29, 2011, at Lake Eola Park! This year's honorary breast cancer survivor was N. Diane Holmes, two time breast cancer survivor and fellow CFAWL member. The event included live music at Lake Eola and all along the walk through downtown Orlando, a VIP area and goodies for breast cancer survivors, a Kidz Zone and a very special closing ceremony which involved all of the breast cancer survivors who attend the event. CFAWL partnered with the Barry Women Lawyers Association and the FAMU Womens Law Caucus on this event, and thanks all of its members who joined the teams created by these students and supported them in this wonderful endeavor! CFAWL also thanks Executive Board Member Megan Malec who served as CFAWL's Liaison for this special event.
GLORIA STEINAM: October 28, 2011. Rollins College hosted this dynamic speaker and CFAWL attended! The Winter Park Institute of Rollins College hosted Women Today: An Evening with Gloria Steinem on Friday, October 28, 2011. Writer and feminist organizer Gloria Steinem offered insight on what the women's movement should prioritize today in order to effectively transform tomorrow. A pay-for-your-own dinner was hosted beforehand at Eola Wine Company. CFAWL members who attended this event commented on how remarkable the evening was, and how they left feeling inspired, motivated, refreshed and energized.
FALL FESTIVAL PARTY: October 26, 2011. CFAWL welcomed its members to bring significant others and family to introduce them to CFAWL friends. Food and wine was served in the beautiful garden back porch setting of Palmer's Nursery. Children enjoyed activities such as pumpkin-carving, coloring and face-painting! The event was very well attended, and everyone left raving about how much they enjoyed the opportunity to bring their family members with them to a CFAWL event.
EXTREME MAKEOVER: HARBOR HOUSE PART II: October 22, 2011. CFAWL Young Lawyers and Barry Women Lawyers Association visited Harbor House of Central Florida, a comprehensive domestic violence services agency, for the second time this year to makeover two bedrooms and two bathrooms. This visit wrapped up Extreme Makeover: Harbor House, a one-year service project benefitting Harbor House and the hundreds of women and children who seek emergency shelter there each year. Throughout 2011, CFAWL Young Lawyers had the opportunity to makeover the common living room, children's playroom, computer room, and 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. With each visit, the group collected in-kind donations, shopped for room decor and furnishings, painted, deep-cleaned, and formed friendships while serving the community. The CFAWL Young Lawyers sincerely thank the CFAWL membership, Barry Women Lawyers Association, the local legal community, The Florida Bar Foundation, and The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division for all of their support with this project!
