Sarasota County Bar Association

Join us as we celebrate a new year of leadership at the Sarasota County Bar Association's Annual Installation Dinner & Awards Ceremony.

During this special evening, Alan Perez will be inducted as the SCBA’s 79th President, and the 2026–2027 Officers and Directors will be installed. The event will also recognize outstanding members of our legal community for their contributions and service.

📅 September 24
📍 Sarasota Yacht Club

Register by September 20 at sarasotabar.com.

Congratulations to Dr. Sherika Evans, recipient of the 2026 Richard Garland Scholarship.

Through her summer internship with MCTLaw, Dr. Evans gained hands-on experience in litigation, strengthened her legal writing skills, built confidence in her abilities, and formed meaningful connections within Sarasota's legal community.

Reflecting on the experience, Dr. Evans shared that the internship helped confirm her place in the legal profession and reinforced her passion for serving clients with professionalism, compassion, and integrity.

Her journey is a powerful reminder of the impact the Richard Garland Scholarship has on future attorneys by providing opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom.

Read more about Dr. Evans and her summer experience in the latest issue of The Docket: https://www.sarasotabar.com/page/Thedocketnewletter

A New Bar Year Begins!

As we kick off the 2026–2027 bar year, we want to pause and say THANK YOU! 🙏

To our outgoing Board of Directors: your time, dedication, and leadership helped make the Sarasota County Bar Association what it is today. We are deeply grateful for your service.

To our past presidents and the boards who served alongside them: thank you for building the foundation we stand on. Your legacy continues to shape everything we do.

And to our Executive Director, Holly Lipps: your tireless work behind the scenes keeps this organization running strong, year after year. We simply couldn’t do it without you. Thank you, Holly!

Words cannot describe how proud I am to be taking the helm of this truly amazing organization. Now, as we look ahead, we’re excited for what’s next. This year’s theme says it all: we’re moving , together.

New initiatives. New energy. Same commitment to our members and our profession.

Here’s to a great year ahead! 👏

Join the SCBA South County Division as we kick off the new bar year with an evening of connection, conversation, and community.

📅 Wednesday, September 9
⏰ 5:30 PM
📍 Plantation Golf & Country Club, Venice

Reconnect with colleagues, meet new members, and hear what's ahead for the South County Division in the year to come.

Registration is open through September 3. Visit sarasotabar.com to register.

In his latest President’s Column, South County Division President Mark Creech reflects on seven years of involvement with the Sarasota County Bar Association.

From the attorneys he’s gotten to know to the local organizations, events, and behind-the-scenes work that come with bar leadership, Mark shares a few lessons from his time with the SCBA—with plenty of humor along the way.

As he wraps up this chapter of bar leadership, his message to the next generation is simple: get involved.

Read Mark’s full column in the August issue of The Docket:https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.sarasotabar.com/resource/resmgr/docket_pdfs/2026/august/scba_thedocket_august2026.pdf

Mark your calendars for a busy fall with the Sarasota County Bar Association.

From networking socials and kickoff events to the Annual Installation Dinner and educational programming, there are plenty of opportunities to connect with colleagues, get involved, and make the most of your SCBA membership this season. Upcoming events include the YLD Second Thursday Social, SCD Kickoff Dinner, YLD Kickoff, Annual Installation Dinner, and a CLE on charitable giving strategies.

Visit the SCBA website to learn more and register for upcoming events.

In her final YLD President’s Column, Jill Bowen reflects on a year of growth, leadership, and plenty of group chats.

From strengthening leadership skills behind the scenes to building connections through YLD events, Jill shares what made this year so rewarding and why she’s excited about the next generation of Bar leaders.

Read Jill’s full column in the August issue of The Docket.

As part of our Centennial Voices series, former SCBA President John Patterson reflects on the relationships, leadership opportunities, and spirit of service that have defined the Sarasota County Bar Association for generations.

From fostering connections within the legal community to supporting initiatives that expanded access to legal services, Patterson’s reflections highlight the lasting impact of involvement in the Bar.

Read more from John Patterson and other past leaders in The Docket as we celebrate 100 years of the SCBA.

The Sarasota County Bar Association is proud of the many members who give their time and talents in service to local nonprofit organizations.

If you currently serve on a nonprofit board, we'd love to feature you in an upcoming issue of The Docket and on SCBA social media channels.

To be considered, please email:
• Your name and firm
• The name of the nonprofit organization(s) you serve
• Your role on the board
• A brief description of the organization's mission
• A headshot and/or photo representing the organization

Submissions may be sent to the SCBA office at [email protected].

We look forward to highlighting the many ways our members are making a difference throughout the community.