Broward County Attorney Joni Armstrong Coffey is Florida Bar Board Certified Lawyer of the Year

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., July 16 -- The Florida Bar issued the following news release:

Broward County attorney Joni Armstrong Coffey received the 2014 Justice Harry Lee Anstead Award for The Florida Bar Board Certified Lawyer of the Year.

Jack Pelzer, chair of the Board of Legal Specialization & Education, presented the award to Coffey on June 26 in Orlando at the BLSE's Board Certified Lawyers' Reception and Awards co-sponsored by Florida Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company. Coffey's nomination highlights her 30-year career exemplifying The Florida Bar Creed of Professionalism's call to further the profession's devotion to public service and public good.

"The BLSE is pleased to recognize and honor Joni Armstrong Coffey for her professionalism and commitment to excellence," Pelzer said. "She is an example for all board certified attorneys and sets an inspirational goal for all members of the Bar."

Board certified lawyers are "evaluated for professionalism and tested for expertise." They are the only group of Florida lawyers who may use the terms "specialist," "expert" or "B.C.S." for Board Certified Specialist when referring to their legal credentials. Florida offers 24 specialty areas for board certification, more than any other state. Of the lawyers eligible, 7 percent - 4,600 Florida lawyers - have earned board certification.

Coffey is board certified in City, County and Local Government Law since 1996. She is a past chair of the BLSE and a past chair of the Bar's City, County and Local Government Law Section. She has served on Florida Bar grievance committees, has held multiple roles with the Continuing Legal Education Committee and the Environmental and Land Use Law Section, and the Dade County Bar Association.

"Congratulations to Broward County Attorney Joni Armstrong Coffey," said BLSE Vice Chair Cynthia Johnson-Stacks. "Chosen from an outstanding and distinguished field of nominees, Ms. Coffey exemplifies the ideals of proven excellence and professionalism possessed by board certified lawyers."

Coffey has received the Paul S. Buchman and Ralph A. Marsicano Awards for public law service from the City, County and Local Government Law Section. In 2010, she received the Robert L. Shevin Public Service Award from the Dade County Bar Association. The Florida Law Related Education Association also recognized her for her help in establishing the initial high school mock trial competition in Miami-Dade County.

Coffey has taught as an adjunct professor at Florida International University Law School, St. Thomas University Law School, and the University of Miami Law School. She lectures frequently in continuing education courses. She received her B.A. summa cum laude from Florida State University, and graduated with honors from the University of Florida Law School.

The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education created the Anstead Award in 2005 to recognize "exemplary professionalism and excellence in the practice of law and character and commitment to The Florida Bar's certification program." The BLSE annually presents the award to a Florida board certified lawyer or judge. For more information, please visit FloridaBar.org/certification.

[Category: Law/Legal]

TNS 24HariCha-140717-30FurigayJane-4799636 30FurigayJane