President of The Florida Bar and University of Florida Levin College of Law graduate Scott Hawkins spoke Nov. 8 to students in the Martin H. Levin Advocacy Center courtroom. (Photo by Nicole Safker)

President of The Florida Bar Scott Hawkins (JD 83) let UF Law students in on a secret.

“I have a confession,” Hawkins said as he stepped to the lectern in the Martin H. Levin Advocacy Center courtroom. “I didn’t like to go to law school, but I love being a lawyer; I really, really love it.”

Hawkins spoke Nov. 8 on what it means to be a lawyer and offered advice for law students after they graduate. The event was presented by the UF Chapter of The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division, Law Student Division.

Hawkins explained that as he progressed through law school, he began to appreciate the experience when he realized that being a law student was about more than just acquiring knowledge from textbooks.

“Law school is a lot more than knowledge; (in) law school you’re learning how to solve problems and learning how to work with language and different rules within different disciplines to solve problems that will be entrusted to you when you become a lawyer,” Hawkins told the near-capacity crowd.

He also emphasized the value of the opportunity to attend law school and to become a lawyer.

“To be a lawyer in America is one of the most important privileges that you could ever have,” Hawkins said.

And while the privilege comes with benefits, it also comes with certain obligations, he said. People will expect lawyers to live up to certain expectations regarding their behavior, character and ethics.

Hawkins also stated the importance of remembering to give back so others can have the same opportunities.

“I hope for those of you who do particularly well, that you will invest back into the law school, and I hope you’ll be thinking about that today,” he said, “because the privilege is being given to you now to go off and serve others and serve communities in the coming years in a way that you could not do without the juris doctor.”

Hawkins went on to offer advice for starting out in the legal profession, saying that a lawyer’s reputation starts right now in law school.

“How you’re remembered by your class will be carried on for the rest of your career,” he said, mentioning how he still remembers what his former classmates were like for better and worse in law school.

“I stress three Cs when I’m talking to young lawyers: You want to be a person of character, you want to be competent, you want to be committed,” Hawkins said. “If you put those values at the forefront of your mind as you’re starting out, it will serve you well.”

Hawkins closed by urging law students to begin considering becoming certified by The Florida Bar. He said it takes a lot of focus and discipline to become certified, but it benefits lawyers throughout their career.

“It’s a very tough standard but it’s a very worthwhile goal.”

The event was made possible by The Florida Bar YLD Law Student Division, which is comprised of law students around the state. The division works on creating a smooth transition between law school and practicing law. The group works with The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division, local bar associations and practicing lawyers to provide opportunities for networking, mentoring, legal education and community service opportunities for members.

UF representatives of The Florida Bar YLD Law Student Division include Ryan Gilbert (2L), Margaret Good (3L), Allie Menegakis (2L and division secretary) and Laura Thayer (3L).

All students are encouraged to apply for membership. For more information about the division, visit www.flayld.org/students/signup.php or contact Allie Menegakis at allieem@ufl.edu.

In the intimate setting of a small classroom, about 25 students enjoyed Diner’s brief presentation followed by a 40-minute question and answer session. Diner, a shareholder of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., firm Atkinson, Diner, Stone, Mankuta & Ploucha, P.A., spoke on a variety of subjects, but lingered on the Florida Legislature’s responsibility to properly fund the state’s judicial system.

“Court funding is a new and extremely important initiative of The Florida Bar. The state’s judicial system is being treated like a state agency,” Diner said. “Everyone recognizes our three-branch system of government and the separation of powers, yet everywhere we turn we run into a brick wall in terms of funding.”

The Florida Bar and the Florida Supreme Court have been working to raise public and legislative awareness of the negative effects of under-funding on the state’s judicial system, which Diner said suffered a 10 percent cut in funding last year. The reduced funding resulted in layoffs and reduced court services during a time of skyrocketing foreclosure actions, which has restricted citizens’ access to the courts.

“People have a difficult time getting their disputes resolved in a timely manner,” he said. “The courts are absolutely clogged.”

Though the dramatic increase in foreclosure filings provided an unexpected boost to the courts’ income through filing fees, Diner said he expects the legislature to raid that money from the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund to pay for other state budget items that are not related to the judiciary — even as the courts remain overwhelmed and courthouse buildings and paper-based filing systems grow more archaic.

During the Q&A session, one law student asked what responsibility the Bar has in assisting its members in job searches, especially as it applies to young lawyers.

“I think it is The Florida Bar’s responsibility to help young lawyers find jobs whenever and wherever,” Diner said. “The Bar’s Career Center Web site to help young lawyers connect with employers debuted in October, and we offer discounted business services as member benefits. … I remember when I graduated from law school, how hard it was to get that first job, and you feel, ‘If I could just get that first interview, I could get that job.’ ”

Once young lawyers have that first job, Diner recommends they go the distance to prepare for every case, to put themselves into the shoes of their opponents to understand every angle and every argument that could be used against them. During his 37 years of practice, he said he’s never found a short cut for preparation.

“Don’t ever become satisfied with being good. Don’t ever stop digging deeper to be better,” he said. “When they tell you the law is a jealous mistress, they’re not kidding.”