50-year members of The Florida Bar 1951-2001.

THE FLORIDA BAR

Congratulations to The Florida Bar's 50-Year Members--Class of 1951! Of the 189 lawyers marking their 50th year as a Florida Bar member, 136 of you have chosen to celebrate the occasion and, in your own words, share your stories with us in the following pages.

Among you are former judges, legislators, law professors and 17 past Board of Governors members, including one past Bar president. Also prominent in your numbers are veterans of World War II and the Korean War, as well as founders of prominent law firms.

The entire membership of The Florida Bar celebrates your service to the profession, service to the community and service to individuals by protecting their rights. We collectively thank each of you!

JOHN W. ACHOR, Naples

Family: Wife - Louetta; Children (sons) Roger, John, Jr., Philip, Steve, Earl; (daughters) Sarah Speer, Amy Gardner

Career Highlights: My greatest joy is that I was a trial lawyer for 50 years.

OWEN S. ALLBRITTON, Clearwater

Family: Wife - Peggy; children (sons) David E. and Steve; (daughters) Patti Chatleain and Mary Barnett

Career Highlights: After graduation from law school in 1951, I was in the general practice of law until I was elected to the bench for the 6th Circuit Court, 1984. I served as municipal judge for the City of Clearwater. I also served as assistant city attorney and prosecutor in Clearwater. I later was city attorney for Indian Rocks Beach for 12 years. While I was city judge, I was elected president of the Florida Municipal Judges' Association. I retired in January 1997, after serving 12 years. I am presently a senior circuit judge for the Sixth Circuit, Clearwater.

ZELL H. ALTMAN, Lake Worth

Family: Wife - Benilda L. Altman; children - (daughters) Cherie A. Pagett and Deborah M. Griffith

Career Highlights: Graduated from University of Miami Law School in 1951, began practicing law in Lake Worth and continue at present time. Early in career, became deeply involved in municipal, civic, fraternal and religious affairs of community. Twice appointed attorney for City of Lake Worth and elected as one of the city commissioners. As lieutenant colonel, was commanding officer of Group V of Florida Civil Air Patrol. president of Palm Beach County League of Municipalities and co-founder and past president of Tri-County League, comprised of elected/appointed municipal and county officials in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties which was instrumental in bringing about reapportionment of the Florida Legislature. Co-founder and seven-year president of TempleBeth Sholom in Lake Worth and past president of Palm Beach County B'nai B'rith. Past president of Lake Worth and West Lake Worth Kiwanis clubs. Co-founder and president of Family Counseling Center of Palm Beach County and co-founder and director of Palm Beach County Funeral Society. Co-founder of Planned Parenthood of Palm Beach County and co-founder and director of Palm Beach County Association of Religious Organizations and cofounder and officer of Emergency Medical Assistance of Palm Beach County. Also served on Lake Worth Code Enforcement Board for over eight years. Was six-year member of board of directors of Greater Lake Worth Chamber of Commerce and for several years have served as president of Lake Worth Democratic Club. Further, recently completed two-year term as chair of Salvation Army Advisory Board. Over the years, served on many other committees relating to civic and charitable organizations. Since 1951, have been member of the Palm Beach County Bar Association and The Florida Bar. Admitted to practice before federal courts of the United States.

RICHARD BAIN AUSTIN, Miami

Family: Wife - Gwen; children - Richard, Teresa, Lisa and Earl

Career Highlights: In looking back at 50 years of practicing law, I marvel at the radical changes that have occurred, both in the way the law is practiced and viewed by the public. I am impressed with the way the profession, as a whole, has adopted to the social and economic pressures that have changed the state from a Southern backwater to a major population center. I remember the intense struggle we faced in developing and building the Palmetto Expressway, Florida's first limited access highway. At the time it was created, it was located in the unpopulated regions of West Dade and was attacked as the "road to nowhere." For many years it has been a major north-south artery in Dade County.

The courts have become more sophisticated under the pressure of ever increasing litigation. Sometimes I miss the humor of simpler times. Once at the Florida Supreme Court, in a case preceding mine, a justice sought procedural clarification from a lawyer as to how the case arrived at the court. The lawyer responded that he rode the train to Ocala and then rented a car. The waiting lawyers bolted through every door in the courtroom.

During the early days of relaxation between the U.S. and USSR relations, I participated in an investigation of the legal systems of the USSR. We met with a group of Soviet lawyers there to exchange information on the differences in the courts and legal profession. I remember there were more lawyers in Dade County than in the USSR and, their primary complaint was that all lawyers were paid at the same rate regardless of experience. I returned to the U.S. with a greater appreciation of our system and the role lawyers play in maintaining democracy. My practice areas were general practice with an emphasis on administrative law, transportation law and insurance law, at trial and appellate levels, for both plaintiff and defendant at state and federal courts and agencies. Corporate law and arbitrator with American Arbitration Association, approximately 40 years.

GENE H. (HOOVER) AUVIL, Brooksville

Family: Wife - Shirley Mixson Auvil; Children - Mary Leslie Olive, Gene H. Auvil, Jr., and Jonathan Lee Auvil; a member of The Florida Bar practicing in Dade City

Career Highlights: Most of my career I was engaged in general practice, with emphasis on real property, estate planning and estate administration. Currently, my practice is limited to estate administration and representation of the county tax collector. I am a third generation lawyer. I graduated from Pasco High School in Dade City, where I was born and raised. I served in the U.S. Army in the latter part of WWII, was trained as a parachute demolitionist and saw duty in the Philippines and Japan. I graduated from the University of Florida College of Law in 1951. Upon graduation I began practice in Dade City, was twice elected as county prosecuting attorney, and from most appearances over the next few years was a successful young attorney. In fact, after about eight years I had, without anyone else's help, made a thorough mess of my personal and professional careers. I truly "cratered." Recovery was hard and slow and I could never have accomplished it except that in 1962 I had the good fortune to meet the lady who has now been my wife for 38 years. I owe so much to Shirley for her devotion, dedication and hard work. And during those tough times we had the assistance of some very gracious Bar members. Looking back, I can truthfully say that I have for many years enjoyed professional success about any way it can be measured. My most valued personal achievement is that my peers seem to think that I am very good at the work I do. In the course of my career, I was president of the Pasco County Bar Association, a member of the Fifth Circuit's first professionalism committee and a master in the charter class of the Citrus-Hernando Inn of Court. Probably my most interesting legal work has been my representation of the Hernando County Tax Collector for over 20 years.

JULIAN BENNETT, Panama City

Career Highlights: Born in Panama City, March 3, 1929; admitted to Bar, 1951, Florida. Education: John B. Stetson University (LL.B., 1952). PhiAlpha Delta. Young Man of the Year, Panama City, 1957. Elected State Representative, Florida Legislature, 1960-66. Attorney, Bay County School Board, 1960-79. Recipient: Jaycees, Good Government Award, 1963; Debate Award, Florida Legislature, 1963. Member; Bay Count Bar Association, president, 1953-54; The Florida Bar, member: Committee on Judicial Selection, Tenure and Compensation, 1965-66: Advisory member, Legislation Committee, 1965-66; The Florida Bar member: board of directors, Junior Bar Section, 1954-55; Rotary Club; board of directors, Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce; member, Board of Regents, 1993-99.

RICHARD ANTONIO (DICK) BIANCO, Temple Terrace

Family: Wife - Frances E-Bianco; children - Patricia B. Wilson

Career Highlights: I graduated from John B. Stetson University College of in 1951 and was admitted to the Bar that same year. In 1952 I entered private practice and was a sole practitioner until I retired in 1999. I was admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida in 1953.

WARREN A. (BISH) BISHOP, New Smyrna Beach

Family: Wife-Betty; children-Jessica, Barbara and Warren

Career Highlights: Served as a pilot in World War II in the U.S. Marine Corps. I was discharged with the rank of captain, 1945. Served as special agent in the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington, D.C. Attended the University of Connecticut and later received my J.D. from the University of Miami Law School. I was in general practice, 1959-1990. In Hialeah, I practiced real property and trust law. Served as an organizer, general council and president for 26-years with the Community Federal Savings and Loan. Past president, Hialeah-Miami Springs Chamber of Commerce; past president, Miami International Airport Kiwanis Club; member, Oleeta Lodge and the Scottish Rite Shrine. Have traveled extensively by motor-home, visiting every state of the United States, including Alaska. Additionally, I have visited Mexico and every Province of Canada, including Newfoundland and Labrador, since semi-retirement.

JACK R. BISSELL, Sarasota

Family: Wife -- Suzanne...

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