Adverse Witness
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE Continued from page 3
The mission of the AAA-CPA has been important over the years in confirming and preserving the right of attorney/ CPAs to disclose their credentials in both professions and to practice in either or both professions. This work included the support of Florida Attorney/CPA, Sylvia Ibanez, in her United States Supreme Court Case, Ibanez v. Fla. Dept. of Business and Professional Regulation, 512 U.S. 136, 114 S. Ct. 2084, 129 L.Ed. 118 (1994), which upheld her right to publish her credential as a Florida CPA while operating a law practice. My Story It just so happens that the Ibanez case was decided while I was in law school, but I cannot say that I recall the case having any impact upon my course of study. Prior to attending university, I already had formed my interests in business and law. I have continued to maintain the CPA license, although I do not practice public accounting, because I believe maintaining the CPA credential is complementary to my practice as an attorney. I have found that the studies required to maintain the Florida CPA credential, as well as continued interaction with other CPAs and attorney/CPAs, both locally and around the country, are worthwhile in adding to effective representation in my legal practice. On occasion, I have even had the opportunity to use some of these fellow attorney/CPAs as experts in litigation matters. Conclusion In conclusion, I hope you found this article “interesting” in the positive sense of the word. If instead, you have concluded that the word “strange” would be a better adjective for the attorney/CPA, please be reminded that, for at least some of us, we did not initially set out to be this way. AW The “INTERESTING” ATTORNEY/CPA Continued from page 16 #
AW
And the future looks bright for continued female leadership in our Bar Association, as we have one female officer (Rachel Kerlek) and four female directors (Hilda Cenecharles, Donna Marshall, Jamie Schwinghamer, and Rebecca Vaccariello) serving on the Collier County Bar board of directors, and three of our Section chairs are women. I believe that one of the reasons that we have such strong female leadership is the Collier County Women’s Bar Association, whose mission, in part, is to encourage “the contributions of women within the legal profession and judiciary.” I would put our Women’s Bar Association up against any in the state. And the ability of the Collier County Women’s Bar Association to get their members out to vote in the CCBA elections is second-to-none and would put Chicago Democrats to shame – a fitting tribute in light of this year’s Law Week theme. But the Collier County legal community’s history of women leaders of the law is not limited to just the Collier County Bar Association. We also have a strong history of outstanding female jurists on the bench. From Judge Hixon-Holley, to Judge Cindy Pivacek, to our current female judges, the Honorable Lauren Brodie, the Honorable Elizabeth Krier, the Honorable Janeice Martin, and the Honorable Tamara Nicola, we have been and continue to be very fortunate to have such admirable female leaders on the bench and serving our legal community. I’m sure we all agree that we would take our female judges over any other jurists in the state (regardless of gender). While Law Week was canceled this year, I am glad that I had this opportunity to acknowledge the history of women leadership in our legal community. In the words of Aretha Franklin, I have nothing but R-E-S-P-E-C-T for all of our past, current and future leaders. You all would make Susan B. Anthony (and Chris Donovan in his role as Alice Paul) proud!
September 2020 Vol. 192
31
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