Prather, Schifino vie for Bar presidency.

Both are veteran Board of Governors members who have chaired key committees and understand the inner workings of The Florida Bar.

Both are seasoned, board-certified lawyers rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell, who have given back to their communities.

And both want your vote for president-elect of The Florida Bar.

Vying for the opportunity to lead Florida's more than 100,000 lawyers in 2016-17 are 49-year-old David C. Prather, of West Palm Beach, and 54-year-old Bill Schifino, Jr., of Tampa.

When qualifying for Bar elections ended December 15, 20 lawyers were also elected to the Board of Governors without opposition, while four others are running for two seats (see story, page 6).

In addition, 16 lawyers have been elected to the Young Lawyers Division Board of Governors without opposition, while 17 others are contesting for seats in five circuits (see story, page 10).

Ballots for all the races will be mailed on or before March 2, and must be returned prior to midnight, March 23. Voters will have the option of voting online in lieu of returning their paper ballot.

Here's a look at Prather and Schifino, who hope to be sworn in as president of the Bar, following President-elect Ramon Abadin's 2015-16 term.

David C. Prather

David Prather's seven years serving on the Board of Governors has given him "an insider's perspective of how the Bar operates, where it is meeting the needs of its diverse membership, and how it can improve to become the finest Bar in the country."

"I have had the experience of serving on the Bar's Executive Committee for the last six of those seven years, chairing some of the most important committees, such as the Budget Committee and Program Evaluation Committee," Prather said. "That experience has given me a practical understanding of the Bar's policies, procedures, and budgetary processes.

"I have also come to understand the important role that the Bar's sections, divisions, and committees play in the overall operation and the critical importance of members who are engaged and involved. Having had the experience of working with many of these members throughout my service to the Bar, I understand the Bar's diverse membership and the issues that complicate the daily practice of law."

Prather's daily practice of law takes place at Clark, Fountain, La Vista, Prather, Keen & Littky-Rubin, where he is a board certified civil trial attorney specializing in the areas of personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and auto...