Associations linked by technology.

The advances in electronic communication catapulted continuing legal education seminars to a new level for the federal bar associations in the Middle District of Florida. Four federal courtrooms--Ft. Myers, Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa--were recently linked by the power of technology for its second videoconference.

In May, members of the federal bar associations in the four areas participated in the "Second Annual Media & Law Live Video Conference: Can Due Process and Freedom of the Press Survive the War on Terrorism?" The four chapters conducted a similar seminar by videoconference in September. Planning was also done by videoconference.

"The videoconference is less expensive and more convenient," said Mike Freed, president of the Jacksonville Chapter. "We are sort of a TV generation, so everyone enjoys watching the seminar unfold on the big screen."

From a courtroom in Jacksonville, the registrants participated in a local panel discussion as well as panel discussions in federal courtrooms in Tampa, Ft. Myers, and Orlando. Freed explained that images from the other courtrooms are displayed on the large screen simultaneously so that all attendees can view the other panel discussions in other courtrooms. Each bar association assembles its own panel.

Attorney and television legal analyst Greta Van Susteren of Fox News moderated the panel discussions.

Freed said this use of technology was the brainchild of the district's Chief Judge Elizabeth Kovachevich. He said there have been preliminary discussions to invite judges from other countries to speak about their system of justice by videoconference.

"The seminar was somewhat mindboggling in that you are sitting in one courtroom and seeing courtrooms in other parts of the state," said attorney Jack Helinger, member of the Tampa Chapter.

Helinger further emphasized the importance of the interaction between the legal profession and media. The objective is to bring together the two professions to discuss common issues and improve working relationships and understanding between the legal profession and the local journalists, he said.

"We hope by reaching out to the media that they will better understand the issues facing the Middle District of Florida, and therefore elevate the perception of lawyers by the media, an ultimately to the general public," Helinger said.

For the videoconference, the chief judge made an unprecedented decision by allowing journalists to use cameras in the courtroom.

"We are thrilled down here (Ft. Myers) and have the smallest membership but best turnout for the videoconference," said Bruce Tischler, president of the Southwest Florida Chapter.

Of the three federal district court systems, the Middle District is the largest in size geographically. By using technology to link the courts, the unwieldy size of the district is not a factor in assembling the attorneys to discuss a districtwide topic.

Tischler said the videoconference enables the attorneys in his area to participate in a districtwide seminar without traveling to the larger cities.

Although the federal courts provide the equipment and meeting rooms, there are other expenses associated with coordinating the event such as speaker travel, promotion, luncheon, and reception.

The Florida Bar instituted a grant program more than a year ago to help voluntary bar associations defray the cost of programs that enhance and improve working relationships between the legal profession and local media representatives. The four federal bar associations were granted $3,003 to cover expenses.

In addition to the Voluntary Bar Communications Grant program, the Bar also offers grants to voluntary bar programs that promote public education regarding our system of laws, the constitutional separation of powers, and the importance of an independent judiciary and Bar. More than $6,000 in grants were awarded in May to various voluntary bar associations for Law Week activities.

For more information about either grant program, contact Toyca Williams, voluntary bar liaison, [e-mail] or 850/561-5764. Only one request from a voluntary bar will be considered between July 1 and June 31 in any single year, and the primary program sponsor must be a voluntary bar association in Florida.