JLR In-Person | The Future of the Jax Lawyers Roundtable

The topic for this month’s discussion is “The Future of the Round Table.”  The first JLR was on April 2, 2004, so as we start our 18th year in May 2021, let us discuss what would be an ideal meeting to provide the most value for the lawyers of Jacksonville.  At this meeting we will look at: Times and agenda:  We have been networking from 11:45 to noon and then at noon we do self-introductions, announcements, and the topic discussion.  It has been suggested that the formal part of the meeting go from noon to 1:00 PM. This would change the length of the meeting from 1 hour and 45 minutes to 1 hour. We understand the value the meeting brings to you should be more important than the length of the meeting. Help us understand the right balance. Day(s) of the month:  We have been meeting on the 1st Fridays forever.  When Covid came, we explored hybrid meetings, and we finally settled on 1st Fridays for In-Person and the Thursday before on Zoom.  What would be ideal going forward? (a) how many days, (b) in-person or Zoom, and (c) what day(s)? Location:  All our meetings have been held at Athens café, in both private and semi-private spaces. Should we move locations or stay at Athens?  Suggested alternative meeting places have included First Coast School of Law, Village Bread Café in the Riverplace Tower or on Philips Hwy, the Athenian Owl Café on Baymeadows (by Georgia, the former owner of Athens Café), the new Blue Bamboo, a law office’s conference room with catered lunches, hotels, other restaurants, etc. Convenience to attend meetings plays an important role if there is not a strong pull to attend because of networking or the topic. Topics/speakers:  We have had a variety of topics and speakers, for example, judges, attorneys, panels of attorneys, a neurologist, authors, bankers, bookkeepers, financial advisors, marketers, an HR consultant, and a coach for lawyers.  What topic or speaker would you find so compelling you would not want to miss? If you have ideas on what we might continue to do and what we could do differently to have you fully engaged, please come to share your ideas.  If you cannot attend this meeting but would like to weigh in with your thoughts, please fill out this survey.  The future of the JLR is in your hands; we are eager to see its next chapter.