In this episode of The Lawyer/Leader Podcast, Class XIII Fellow Sean Mendez-Catlin interviews Past Florida Bar President and Founder of the Leadership Academy, Eugene Pettis. The two have an in-depth discussion about how to effectively network, being authentic, and building relationships over time that allow you to do public good.
The Professional Expectations: https://www.floridabar.org/prof/regulating-professionalism/professionalism-expectations-2/ (https://www.floridabar.org/prof/regulating-professionalism/professionalism-expectations-2/) (https://www.floridabar.org/prof/regulating-professionalism/professionalism-expectations-2/)
Eugene K. Pettis
Eugene K. Pettis is a Partner in the Fort Lauderdale office of Osborne Francis & Pettis. For nearly 40 years, Eugene has represented an impressive number of individual clients in civil trial matters. He handles a range of complex cases, with a primary focus on representing plaintiffs in the areas of medical malpractice, personal injury and commercial litigation.
Eugene has the historic and laudable designation as the first African American President of The Florida Bar (https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-journal/eugene-k-pettis-first-african-american-president-of-the-florida-bar/#:~:text=Now%20the%2052%2Dyear%2Dold,whatever%20he%20chose%20to%20be.) . In his role at the helm of The Florida Bar, which governs more than 100,000 attorneys, he provided visionary leadership and brought a passion for giving back to his profession and his community. Eugene spearheaded an assortment of initiatives while President, including the conceptualization of the still active William Reece Smith Leadership Academy (https://www.floridabar.org/about/academy/) , a multi-session training program designed to help a diverse and inclusive group of lawyers become better leaders.
Eugene is a highly sought-after speaker who uses his engaging and enthusiastic style to raise the concerns and issues that are confronting our communities. He fights to speak for those that have no voice and has dedicated his life advocating for justice and equality for all people. Eugene is also the host of the Can We Talk? 360° podcast (https://canwetalk360.blubrry.net/) . His “Can We Talk 360°” interview sessions and “Motivational Moments” solo sessions focus on topics that seek to embody what the late John Lewis stated, “if you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have a moral obligation to do something about it.”
Eugene currently serves as a member of the Board of Regents for the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers (https://www.actl.com/) . He represents Region 7, which includes Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, for a four-year term.
Eugene and his wife Pam, who is also a lawyer, live in beautiful Fort Lauderdale. Together they have 4 daughters, the oldest is a 3rd Grade school teacher, next is an in-house corporate lawyer, the third is a Doctor of Child Psychology, and the youngest is a medical doctor in her Family Medicine Residency.
Contributors: Sean Mendez-Catlin, Jennifer Blackmon, Brian Goldenberg, Kathelyn Jacques-Adams, & Yasha Osby
This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit, 1.0 hour of Professionalism credit. Course #9613.
