Circuit: 6th Judicial Circuit for Pinellas County
Governor: Dane Heptner; Paul Silvestri

Board Highlights

The Sixth Circuit enjoys a long tradition of strong YLD leadership at the statewide level, the most recent example being past-president Zack Zuroweste. Governors Dane Heptner and Paul Silvestri plan on continuing that tradition this year by bringing the Affiliate Outreach Conference home to the sandy shores of St. Petersburg from January 8 – 11, 2020. In addition to organizing and hosting the YLD’s largest event and meeting of the year, our governors also serve on the Communications Committee for the Florida Bar YLD and will be communicating with our constituents across the state about upcoming projects and events, new initiatives and rules, and how to apply for grants and funding from the Florida Bar.

Section Highlights

The Sixth Circuit boasts four outstanding local YLD affiliates: The Clearwater Bar YLD; The St. Petersburg Bar YLS; The Pinellas Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers (PFAWL); and the Fred G. Minnis Sr. Bar Association. Last year, the Clearwater Bar YLD partnered with PFAWL to organize and furnish a new lactation room in the downtown St. Pete civil courthouse, a project they hope to expand to the Clearwater courthouse this year. The Minnis Bar Association also partnered with the Clearwater YLD to organize and host a diversity symposium which they hope will continue and expand this year. Meanwhile the St. Petersburg Bar YLS secured funding to build a food pantry for a local not-for-profit, Ready for Life. The pantry-build was recently completed on July 20, 2019, and the St. Pete YLS looks forward to keeping it well-stocked throughout the year.

Member Spotlight

The Sixth Circuit is proud to highlight past president of the Fred G. Minnis Bar Association, Charis A. Campbell. A local champion of diversity & inclusion, Charis has organized county-wide events and panels such as last year’s Diversity Symposium in Clearwater.  Ms. Campbell spent the early years of her career defending indigent clients in foreclosure actions as an attorney for Gulf Coast Legal Services, a local not-for-profit. She now focuses her practice on family law and real estate defense while continuing her charitable and pro-bono work.