Bedell Director Brian Coughlin is seeking re-election to the Jacksonville Bar Association Board of Governors. Brian’s goals for the year include supporting Northeast Florida lawyers personally and professionally, keeping in high esteem the judiciary, preserving the system of justice, leading on major issues affecting the profession, and helping maintain strong membership and financial infrastructure for the organization.
“We will be a Board of Governors that insists on professional and ethical standards that instill public confidence in our profession,” Brian said. “And because bringing lawyers together is a major function of the JBA, I will push for a wide range of opportunities for networking and legal education.”
Brian has served on the Board of Governors since 2017 and has risen through leadership to sit on the executive board as secretary. His approach to leadership is a commitment to showing up and staying involved, ensuring that programming is helpful, informative and enjoyable. In addition, he remains receptive to member input as he and the board work to increase JBA membership and membership diversity.
Through his years of service, one of Brian’s proudest accomplishments is his involvement in the administration of a Jacksonville city program to assist local individuals facing foreclosures. The JBA board sourced government funds and hired temporary staff to launch a software program to accept applications for assistance. The program was then passed on to United Way to continue the work, ensuring that the community’s highest needs were met.
“We made it through COVID, and while we had to change things significantly not being able to gather for a while, we’re hitting our stride again,” Brian said. “We have a full calendar of events that make membership in the organization very worthwhile.”
The online election for the Jacksonville Bar Association Board of Governors begins April 12 and will close at noon May 4 at the JBA’s annual Law Day luncheon. A president-elect and five board members will be elected. Members in good standing may view more information about each candidate and vote at jaxbar.org.
