A Year of Connections with the Appellate Practice Section
Welcome to the 2025-26 Bar year! It is a true honor to serve as your Chair. I look forward to connecting with many of you in the months ahead.
This year, our focus is connection—in every sense of the word. Together with our incredible leadership team, I’m excited to strengthen:
Connections Among Members. Camaraderie is our hallmark. Some of my closest friends in the Section have also been opposing counsel, and I’ve both given and received referrals from Section colleagues. Fostering these meaningful relationships remains a top priority.
Equally important is maintaining our Section’s special tradition of engagement between appellate lawyers and judges. That tradition continues in February 2026, when APS members will again join the educational conference of Florida’s District Court of Appeal Judges. We’re fortunate to count among our ranks many dedicated jurists, including recent Past Chairs Judge Carrie Ann Wozniak and Judge Kansas Gooden. There’s no better way to connect with and learn from the appellate bench than by attending a Section event.
Connections Through Legal Education. Our CLE programming is second-to-none. From favorites like the monthly webinar series led by CLE Co-Chair Allen Bonner (special bundle pricing still available!), to innovative new programs like Bench Briefs (moderated by Executive Council member Ali Preston), we’re committed to bringing you high-quality, accessible education.
Mark your calendars for these signature events:
•Write Like a Supreme Court Justice
October 16, 5:30-7:30pm, University of Miami School of Law
Featuring Professor Jill Barton | Chaired by Kimberly Berman
•The Art of Objecting
October 7 & November 4 (two-part webinar)
Chaired by Judge Eric Netcher & Dan Nordby
• Board Certification Review Course
January 2026
Chaired by Judge Andrew Manko
•William A. Van Nortwick Advanced Appellate Advocacy Workshop
Spring 2026
Chaired by Professor Courtney Brewer & Judge Wozniak
•Practicing Before the Florida Supreme Court
June 2026
Organized by CLE Co-Chair Garrett Tozier
Connections Through Communication. We’ll be sharing updates more regularly this year—so if you’re enjoying this message, there’re more where that came from. You can also explore our new website at flabarappellate.org, where you’ll find committee information, leadership contacts, and ways to get involved.
Prefer social media? Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram for Section news and member highlights. Special thanks to Communications Co-Chairs Dineen Wasylik and Dimitri Peteves—and to communications trailblazers Duane Daiker and Chris Donovan (Past APS Chairs both)—for always keeping us connected.
Connections to Opportunities. The Section offers something for everyone, and our goal is to help you find what excites you most:
• Want to take a pro bono appeal? Due to the dedication of Past Chairs Sarah Lahlou-Amine, Kristin Norse, and Nick Shannin, our Pro Bono Committee—chaired by Jamie Moses and Bailey Howard—has a steady stream of cases from the Guardian ad Litem Program (as the appellee!), the Injunction for Protection Project, legal aid groups, and appellate courts.
• Like to write? (Of course you do, you’re an appellate lawyer!) Connect with Publications Committee gurus Sarah Roberge and Eleanor Sills to pitch a topic or claim a ready-made article assignment. Judicial profiles, “conflict certified” features for The Record, or Florida Bar Journal pieces—we have opportunities waiting.
• Prefer a meet-and-greet with other appellate lawyers and appellate judges? Outreach Chair Brandon Breslow and Vice Chair Ali Preston are spearheading initiatives like our popular Table of Authorities, virtual trivia nights, the board certification town hall, and creative ways to enhance participation by judicial law clerks (shout-out to subcommittee chair Evan Dix!).
•Always wanted to be an event planner? Programs Chair Alyssa Cory and past Committee Chairs Diane DeWolf, Judge Lindsey Lawton, and Judge Wozniak are gearing up for next year’s dessert reception and more—and would love your help.
Connecting With You. Soon, you’ll receive a short survey about the Section. Before you roll your eyes, I promise it’s quick (less than 10 minutes), anonymous if you prefer, and genuinely impactful. Your responses will help guide everything from CLE topics and retreat locations to budget priorities.
Your voice matters. Our leadership team—including Chair-Elect Elaine Walter, Treasurer Mary Walter, Secretary Chance Lyman, and Bar administrator Amy Walker—is committed to listening and using your feedback to shape the future of the Section.
Please reach out to me directly with questions, suggestions, or interest in getting more involved. As Immediate Past Chair Courtney Brewer recently said: you—our nearly 2,000 APS members—are the lifeblood of this organization.
Thank you for your support of the Section and for sharing your ideas. Here’s to a year filled with meaningful connections.
