If you remember the movie “The Candidate” with Robert Redford, you’ll recall that Redford, as the idealistic novice Senate candidate, pulls a surprise victory. Finally elected, he turns to his aide and asks: “Well, what do we do now?” Good question, and, fortunately, the Executive Council has come up with some answers.

     First up on the agenda: We want to capitalize on the tremendous effort that Michelle Diffenderfer has made in establishing a relationship between our Section and the ABA Section on Environment, Energy, and Resources. This should ultimately be of great benefit to both groups, particularly with respect to enhancing CLE programs and publications. For the first time, we will hold an Executive Council meeting in conjunction with a SEER meeting, which will provide us with an opportunity to develop this relationship. We will report back after our October 7-10 meeting in San Antonio.

     Next, we want to continue to enhance our Affiliates’ programs. The “Mixers” which we held for Affiliates around the state over the past year were a resounding success. Our plan is to continue to host these gatherings and to try to hold as many as possible in conjunction with CLE programs or other Section activities. For example, our plan is to hold a workshop in South Florida, probably in February 2005, on issues that will be of interest to Professional Engineers and Professional Geologists. Holding an Affiliates Mixer in conjunction with the workshop is a natural fit. We also want to provide more opportunities for Affiliates to participate in CLE programs and publications.

     Speaking of CLE, that brings me to our next item. The cornerstone of our CLE efforts has always been the Treatise. From a substantive standpoint, we are extremely proud of this work, and we believe that it is the finest publicaqtion of its kind. That being said, we face the same set of questions that the publisher of any legal periodical faces today: are we providing the information in the most convenient, cost-effective manner possible? We will address that question over the coming year.

     Law schools. This year, we will establish two or three liaisons between the Section and each law school in the state. We will ask the deans to designate a student at each school to serve as the school’s liaison. The idea here is to provide for regular interaction between the Section and the law schools. The proceeds of this relationship may include “Brown Bag” seminars, an environmental law lectures series (such as the recent program on Northwest Florida development at FSU), and increased student participation in CLE programs and publications.

     Finally, we want to enhance the breadth of the Public Interest Representation Committee. Traditionally, the main focus of this Committee’s activities has been the annual Public Interest Conference in Gainesville, and that should continue to be the case. However, we want to look for opportunities to involve other law schools in Public Interest activities. An obvious fit would be a program or other type of outreach activity at Nova in association with Richard Grosso’s fine program there.

     So in answer to Senator McKay (“All the Way with McKay” if I recall the bumper sticker) nee Redford: pick a few worthy things you would like to accomplish, work with great people, and try not to screw it up.
 

Robert D. Fingar, of the law firm Frank and Gramling, can be reached at fingar@frankandgramling.com