Speaker Series and Events

Maximize your knowledge of the critical issues related to judicial independence in the coming years! This program features a conversation considering the constitutional principles of judicial independence and the judiciary as an equal branch of our government in light of 21st century Political Action Committees, politics and money. 

Speaker:  Judge Michael Weatherby, a thirty-nine year member of the Florida Bar, served on the Circuit Bench of the 4^th Circuit and as Administrative Judge of the Criminal Division and in the Civil and Family Divisions. Prior to taking office Judge Weatherby served as an Assistant State Attorney.

He has been on the faculty of the Florida College of Advanced Judicial Studies, the Florida Prosecutor/Public Defender Trial Training Program, Florida Conference of Circuit Judges, The University of North Florida, The University of Florida and the Florida Coastal School of Law. He received his B.A. and J.D. degrees from The University of Florida. A retired Lieutenant Colonel, Military Police, of the U.S. Army Reserve, Judge Weatherby is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.

Maximize your knowledge of critical issues central to judicial independence in the coming years. This program features a conversation considering the constitutional principles of judicial independence and the judiciary as an equal branch of our government in light of Political Action Committees, politics and money. 

Speaker:  Judge Michael Weatherby, a thirty-nine year member of the Florida Bar, served on the Circuit Bench of the 4^th Circuit and as Administrative Judge of the Criminal Division and in the Civil and Family Divisions. Prior to taking office Judge Weatherby served as an Assistant State Attorney.

He has been on the faculty of the Florida College of Advanced Judicial Studies, the Florida Prosecutor/Public Defender Trial Training Program, Florida Conference of Circuit Judges, The University of North Florida, The University of Florida and the Florida Coastal School of Law. He received his B.A. and J.D. degrees from The University of Florida. A retired Lieutenant Colonel, Military Police, of the U.S. Army Reserve, Judge Weatherby is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.

 This is a remarkable story of a man who has led many lives – bullfighter, Trappist monk, U.S. Army counterintelligence agent, CIA operative, FBI agent and, finally an Episcopal priest.  Reverend Smith will discuss his memoir which highlights his 34 years of government service as a soldier, CIA Operations Officer and a FBI Agent.

What people are saying: “I could not put this book down, reading it in a single sitting…absolutely enthralling in its detail and heartfelt sentiment…touching and authentic…an amazing life!”  James Dyer, M.D.

Speaker: The Rev. J. Perry Smith is an Episcopal priest who presently serves as Canon Pastor at St. John’s Cathedral in Jacksonville.  He wrote a memoir to inspire others to a life of service. It is his first book.  Rev. Smith is currently writing “Adoption Matters” about personal stories from adoptees and parents on both sides of the adoption question.

Maximize your knowledge of critical issues central to judicial independence in the coming years. This program features a conversation considering the constitutional principles of judicial independence and the judiciary as an equal branch of our government in light of Political Action Committees, politics and money. 

Speaker:  Judge Michael Weatherby, a thirty-nine year member of the Florida Bar, served on the Circuit Bench of the 4^th Circuit and as Administrative Judge of the Criminal Division and in the Civil and Family Divisions. Prior to taking office Judge Weatherby served as an Assistant State Attorney.

He has been on the faculty of the Florida College of Advanced Judicial Studies, the Florida Prosecutor/Public Defender Trial Training Program, Florida Conference of Circuit Judges, The University of North Florida, The University of Florida and the Florida Coastal School of Law. He received his B.A. and J.D. degrees from The University of Florida. A retired Lieutenant Colonel, Military Police, of the U.S. Army Reserve, Judge Weatherby is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.

Energize your life! Learn why your feet are a foundation for your good health and the importance of properly sized footwear in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Speakers: Jane Alred is an Occupational Therapist and co-owner of 1^st Place Sports with her husband, Doug.  She has taken many continuing education courses on lower extremity biomechanics and good walking and running form seminars.  Established in 1978, 1^st Place Sports has five stores in northeast Florida and specializes in fitting people with the proper shoe for their foot type. Dr. Eric Shultz, DPM, has been practicing foot and ankle sports medicine in Jacksonville for 28 years. He is board certified with the American Board of Podiatric Orthopedics and has achieved fellowship status by the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine. He has been helping people walk, runners run, ballet dancers dance, and others remain fit and pain free from age eight to eighty.

A booming downtown, growing suburbs, and fantasy movie theaters were an uncanny backdrop to rum running and contraband liquor hawked from backrooms.  The scene was part of the fast life in Jacksonville through much of the 1920’s.  After all, in 1921 the city opened its first bridge for vehicular traffic crossing the St. Johns River.  It was hailed as “Jacksonville’s gift to Florida.”  By the mid-1920’s, the city’s Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant was cranking out autos at a price affordable to the masses, and drivers crowded streets speeding past rattling streetcars.  Flappers danced the night away as the city skyline rose higher and higher.  But suddenly the flush life went bust. These stories from nearly a century past offer a fun, but insightful review focusing on local history dramatically influenced by major national and international events.

Speaker: Emily Retherford Lisska was named the 2010 Outstanding Woman in Florida History and is in her 17^th year as Executive Director of the Jacksonville Historical Society. She led the society through the million dollar restoration of the National Register Old St. Andrew’s, now the organization’s headquarters.  Emily is also curator of the society’s Merrill Museum and a creative force behind the society’s book and film projects. Under her leadership, the 1878 St. Luke’s Hospital and adjoining Florida Casket Factory were acquired in October as repositories for the rare documents and photographs of Jacksonville history.

Energize your life! Learn why your feet are a foundation for your good health and the importance of properly sized footwear in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Speakers: Jane Alred is an Occupational Therapist and co-owner of 1^st Place Sports with her husband, Doug.  She has taken many continuing education courses on lower extremity biomechanics and good walking and running form seminars.  Established in 1978, 1^st Place Sports has five stores in northeast Florida and specializes in fitting people with the proper shoe for their foot type. Dr. Eric Shultz, DPM, has been practicing foot and ankle sports medicine in Jacksonville for 28 years. He is board certified with the American Board of Podiatric Orthopedics and has achieved fellowship status by the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine. He has been helping people walk, runners run, ballet dancers dance, and others remain fit and pain free from age eight to eighty.