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Why should you join BLS?

The BLS is an extraordinary organization. We in leadership are committed to delivering you value and helping you as a business lawyer. Take a quick look at what the BLS offers you:

Strengthening Connections and Building Deeper Relationships Between Our Members.

Whether you’re a seasoned attorney or just starting your legal journey, the value of networking and learning from one another cannot be overstated. Take a look below; I encourage each of you to actively participate in our events, share your expertise, and be open to new perspectives. Contact Membership Committee Christina Taylor if you want to know more or if you want to help.

Championing Professional Development

Our profession is constantly evolving, and we are committed to ensuring that our members have access to the latest tools and knowledge. Scroll down you’ll see enriching CLE programs and initiatives that keep you at the forefront of legal practice. Contact Kathleen DiSanto if you want to know more or want to help.

Promoting Service and Impact

Our community needs us now more than ever. We have an extraordinary network that provides the opportunity to use our collective expertise to make a meaningful difference. Our pro bono work is second to none but we always want to do more. Contact Pro Bono Committee Chair Tara Trevorrow if you want to know more or if you want to help.

Fostering Innovation

In a world rapidly transformed by technology, we will focus on embracing innovation in the legal field. AI is at the top of everyone’s mind and BLS is leading the way on this new technology and how it affects your practice. Contact Computer Law and Technology Chair Michael Bittner if you want to know more or if you want to help.

Join the BLS

#WhyBLS

Michele Suarez values the relationships she’s developed by attending Business Law Section meetings

Kimra Major-Morris likes the CLE’s and the fellowship

Fellow Cole Gale likes the relationships with more experienced attorneys and judiciary

Fellow Giacomo Bosso loves the mentoring that comes as part of being a Fellow

Bart Valdez loves the networking opportunities

Mark Stein loves being part of influencing business-friendly legislation

If you want to know more about the value of joining, here are just some of the tremendous benefits of active membership in The Business Law Section

Log in to the Florida Bar here to Join the Business Law Section.

Learn about the Business Law Section’s Mentoring Program

1. Network / Improve Your Issue Perception / Maintain or Develop a Broader Perspective:

The Business Law Section is the primary resource for Florida business lawyers who network with other business lawyers from around the State, and who seek practical information about business law developments in Florida, within their needs and areas of interest in business law. If you are interested in any areas of business law, you should join and become active in the BLS.

2. Become Part of a Unique Professional Community with Shared Interests:

Over time, a strong sense of community has developed among BLS members through shared experiences and interests. These include in-person meetings of the Section and its Committees, between meeting teleconferences , many exceptional CLE programs (including the annual View From The Bench bankruptcy program, Intellectual Property Law Symposium, and Securities Institute, as well as specialized programs on many areas of business law, some of which are free streaming webcasts), listserv participation, e-mails, social media contacts, content creation projects, legislative initiatives, and social activities, to name a few. Younger lawyers and law students who may appreciate contacts with potential mentors especially will benefit from observing and interacting with many of the very top business lawyers in Florida; some nationally prominent. Numerous past Chairs of the Business Law Section built on their leadership capabilities and subsequently became a President of The Florida Bar. In short, the Section is exceptionally inclusive: all members are encouraged to participate. Being active in the Section and participating in meetings provides numerous opportunities to develop or improve the key indicators for success: presentation, networking, and leadership skills; and to benchmark yourself with respect to your peers.

3. Get Published in The Florida Bar Journal or The BLS Business Law Journal:

The BLS is privileged to sponsor an article in the Florida Bar Journal every month. Your involvement in the Section would facilitate your ability to publish with the BLS imprimatur. The BLS also has its own electronically published Business Law Journal that covers trends and important Florida Court decisions. This Journal would be available for you to contribute a case note or an article if you have an interest in being an author, and it would help you create content you can repurpose for your own blog postings.

4. Provide Your Input for Future Legislation:

The Business Law Section is a highly regarded incubator for sound policy-driven business law legislation in Florida. It has very effective lobbyists in Tallahassee and a well-respected, outsized reputation in the Florida Legislature. Legislators frequently seek to sponsor legislation conceived and written by the BLS. Last year, for example, a Task Force of the Section – which had been working for four years writing a completely new LLC Act – accomplished a complete re-write of the law, passed unanimously by the Legislature, and signed by the Governor in June 2013. That is not by any means our only legislative achievement. Numerous Bills have been passed during this and prior year’s Legislative Sessions because of the Section’s sustained contributions. In fact, the Section’s prominence within the Bar is in part due to its well-attended meetings, especially at the annual Labor Day Weekend Retreat where proposed legislation for the Legislative Sessions are considered. Younger lawyers and law students who join the BLS are invited to participate in these legislative activities, and related research initiatives and CLE programs, as ways to increase their exposure to the entire BLS membership. Joining the BLS enables you to be aware of potential future legislation on areas of business law, ahead of your peers who are not involved, and it may provide an opportunity to share your insights and possibly participate in presenting at CLE programs, as well as alert your clients to impending potential changes in the Florida statutes.

5. Access to Business Law Section Newsstand

The Florida Bar Business Law Section Newsstand is a member benefit that enables us to get timely updates from around the US and the world about subjects that matter to your practice. I strongly encourage you to give this a try as I think you will find it extremely helpful.

Newsstand is powered by innovative newsfeed service Lexology, which utilizes its global legal knowledge base to deliver essential know-how and market intelligence in concise digestible form to keep you informed across legal issues in your area.

Please  activate your free account with Lexology to select the work areas and/or jurisdictions you would like to be kept up to date on. Please note: You will not receive any emails from Lexology until you activate your account.

6. Enjoy a Spectacular Labor Day Weekend Retreat:

For the past 25 years the BLS has sponsored a members-only “Retreat” each year that is positioned to meet between the Annual Meeting in the summer, and the Mid-Year Meeting in the winter. 

BUT THAT’S NOT ALL! If you have not previously come to a Business Law Section Retreat, and you are a BLS member or you join the Business Law Section, your Retreat registration fee and your hotel room will be heavily discounted. Included CLE opportunities abound. Networking and socializing opportunities are important; ample time will be set aside for these activities. Most importantly, you will be taking a giant step towards advancing your career. A new Task Force is forming to consider legislative proposals to rectify constitutional and procedural tensions because of splits in the case law interpreting and applying Florida’s statutory “Proceedings Supplementary.” You can be part of the new Task Force or join others in progress. Now is the best time to join or to become active. Participate in the inclusive BLS Labor Day Weekend Retreat.

As a member in good standing of The Florida Bar, you are invited to join the Business Law Section (BLS). Registration is limited to current members of The Florida Bar and persons who qualify as “Affiliates” including Law Professors and Students (students receive the benefit of a reduced rate). Click on the following links to submit an application today.

The Business Law Section of The Florida Bar, organized in 1970, serves Florida lawyers, law students, and the faculty of its law schools. BLS members share a common interest in the laws affecting Florida’s businesses, including corporate, contract, bankruptcy, franchise, antitrust, securities, and intellectual property law. The BLS serves an important role in shaping commercial law policy from commercial litigation to alternative dispute resolution.