Hawkins in line to become Bar president: Gonzalez ends his campaign, citing the needs of his clients.

West Palm Beach attorney Scott G. Hawkins has become president-elect designate of The Florida Bar after Coral Gables attorney Ervin A. Gonzalez withdrew from the race.

Hawkins will become the Bar's 2010-11 president-elect when he is sworn in at the Bar's Annual Convention in June.

Gonzalez is one of the lead plaintiffs' attorneys in the class action lawsuits over defective Chinese drywall used to build thousands of homes in Florida and other parts of the country. He said his duties to his clients had a greater claim on his time.

In a January 22 letter to the Bar, Gonzalez said, "I find that my clients' current needs are overwhelming and that I must focus on their needs rather than my goal to become president-elect of The Florida Bar. Given the current status of the Chinese drywall litigation, it is difficult for me to give the campaign and my clients my full attention. I believe that as professionals our duty requires us to protect our clients' interests first and foremost."

He added, "I am sure the Bar will excel under the excellent leadership and guidance of Governor Scott Hawkins. I wish him continued success. I will continue serving the Bar and my community and will make sure to assist the Bar, the profession, and my fellow lawyers on matters of great importance.

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"I thank all of my supporters and all of you for your consideration and for the opportunity to have qualified as a candidate for the office of president-elect."

Had Gonzalez stayed in the race, it would have been the first contested Bar presidential election in 11 years.

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Hawkins said he had spoken to Gonzalez after the announcement, and learned of the decision on his way to a campaign event.

"I was very surprised and understood that Ervin was making the decision because of the large client burdens he has, and I think he was making the right decision in placing client matters first," Hawkins said. "It was an unexpected way to appreciate the great privilege that we had both been working so hard to seek."

When he first heard he would be president-elect designate, Hawkins said, "My first thought was to call the Bar and stop the election machine and we could save the money, and second of all to thank everyone who had gotten behind the campaign. I received a lot of support."

He said he plans to work closely with current President Jesse Diner and President-Elect Mayanne Downs.

"They've been extremely welcoming and my goal is to assimilate...