Each year, the Florida Justice Association recognizes those who have dedicated their lives to their profession and FJA’s mission to preserve and protect Florida’s civil justice system.
The Founders’ Awards allow us to commemorate the legacy of the Founders of the FJA and the admirable characteristics they demonstrated.
At the FJA Annual Convention, we honor the leadership of members who have dedicated themselves to defending the rights of Florida citizens, and carrying out the mission of the organization. Thank you to those who continue to help guide the future of the Florida Justice Association.
2019 Recipient: Sen. Gary Farmer | District 34
The Perry Nichols Award is the highest honor the FJA bestows and gives recognition to an individual who has dedicated a lifetime to the pursuit of justice through extended and distinguished service to the cause of justice in Florida and in the nation.
2019 Recipient: Stuart Grossman | Grossman Roth Yaffa Cohen, P.A. | Coral Gables
The Al J. Cone Lifetime Achievement Award honors Al J. Cone who lived a life of the following:
- A career of leadership
- A career of example setting
- A career of devotion
- A career of courage
2019 Recipient: Edward H. Zebersky | Zebersky Payne, LLP | Ft. Lauderdale
In honor of B.J. Masterson, former FJA President, and Thomas Masterson, son of B.J. and FJA member since 1975. This award is presented to an attorney who, like B.J. and Tom, epitomizes ethical professionalism and is a model to which all lawyers should aspire.”
2019 Recipient(s): Fred A. Cunningham & Gregory M. Yaffa | Domnick Cunningham & Whalen, PLLC | Palm Beach Gardens
The Jon E. Krupnick Award is awarded for efforts on behalf of a particular client reflecting relentless commitment, perseverance and fortitude to seek justice and achieve success through all obstacles and legal roadblocks encountered.
2019 Recipient: Wayne Hogan | Terrell Hogan | Jacksonville
The S. Victor Tipton Award is awarded for superior achievement in legal writing. This award is given in honor of S. Victor Tipton, Founder and Editor of the FJA’s Journal. Victor is also a founding member and former President of the Florida Justice Association®. Victor has been a valuable voice and guiding spirit for the FJA since its inception.
2019 Recipient: | Michelle DeLong | Domnick Cunningham & Whalen, PLLC | Palm Beach Gardens
The Rising Star Award (created in 2012) recipient should show exemplary promise as a future leader of the Florida Justice Association®; who demonstrates a commitment to developing legal, legislative, and civic responsibility in themselves and others; whose work reflects a strong emphasis on defending the civil justice system.
2019 Recipient:
Jamie Holland | Harrell & Harrell, P.A. | Jacksonville
This award is presented by the Young Lawyers’ Section to an FJA member who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to help Young Lawyers improve their legal skills and become great professionals.
2019 Recipients:
Laurie Briggs, Tom Carey, Richard Chait, Tiffany Faddis, Jim Guarnieri, Matthew Kaplan, Leslie Kroeger
In 2014, the FJA created the “Cornerstone Award” to recognize our leaders’ efforts in recruiting members. This award recognizes the members who have worked tirelessly to set the Cornerstones upon which our great association is built and maintained.
2019 Recipients:
Dale Swope | Swope, Rodante P.A. | Tampa
Richard Chait | Touby, Chait & Sicking, P.L. | Coral Gables
This award, presented by the outgoing FJA President, recognizes an individual who has supported and assisted the President tremendously during their term.
2019 Recipient:
Mark Clark | Clark, Fountain, La Vista, Prather & Littky-Rubin, LLP | West Palm Beach
The Centurion level of giving is comprised of an elite group of members who have contributed a quarter of a million dollars or more to the FJA over their participation in EAGLE. The Centurion was a leader who was disciplined, well-trained and valiant, who led the legionnaires into battle. They lead from the front and inspire their troops by example. The Florida Justice Association recognizes and honors its own Centurion for their leadership and sacrifice for a great cause.
2019 Recipient:
Trey Lytal | Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath, LLP | West Palm Beach
This award recognizes the efforts of one individual who enables the growth of the FJA EAGLE program through tireless recruitment of new contributors to the FJA, and encourages new leadership into our organization. Each year, Trevor Goring of the Trial Lawyer National Portrait Gallery provides a limited edition print on canvas to the recipient. This year’s print is titled “The Holdout Juror”, and depicts a lone holdout juror in a room of others pushing for a quick guilty verdict.
2019 Recipients:
Mike McLeod, Edwin Walborsky, Jeanmarie Whalen, Robson Forensic
Becoming an EAGLE Legend means that you have given $100,000 or more over a lifetime to the Florida Justice Association. It demonstrates a great degree of commitment to the organization and the preservation of the civil justice system. EAGLEs at this level have emerged as true legacies in their craft.
Gold EAGLE
2019 Recipients:
Tiffany Faddis, Betsey Herd, Curry Pajcic, Tony Soto, Robert Rubenstein
The FJA Gold EAGLE Award winners set a standard for leadership in their region by donating their time to raise EAGLE pledges as well as making their own generous contributions. They gain distinction at the highest level of EAGLE recruiting and fundraising.
Silver EAGLE
2019 Recipients:
Brett Findler, Leslie Kroeger, Eric Romano
The Silver EAGLE recipients are those members who go above and beyond the call of duty and contribute immensely to our EAGLE efforts. They have stepped up in a big way to meet the needs of our organization.
Bronze EAGLE
2019 Recipients:
Tom Carey, Richard Chait, Scot Goldberg, Jamie Holland, Todd Michaels, Matt Powell, Bruce Scheiner, Greg Yaffa
The Bronze EAGLE recipients are those members who go to great lengths by contributing time and money to our cause. Many of these members have been very involved in EAGLE over the years and continue to be active in EAGLE. Other recipients recognized here are the up & coming fundraisers of our association and we deeply appreciate them.