Schifino steps into the role of president-elect.

A lawyer's lawyer.

A successful business person.

A team leader sensitive to sole and small-firm practitioners who may feel isolated among Florida's 100,000 lawyers.

That's how Board of Governors member Jay Cohen described Tampa lawyer Bill Schifino, Jr., before he was sworn in as president-elect of The Florida Bar on June 26.

Cohen said he bonded easily with Schifino on the BoG, where Schifino has served since 2008, because they share compassion about "the many lawyers who struggle in their respective practices throughout the state."

That shared compassion may be expressed for a "single mother with a disciplinary matter" and whether it "justifies some consideration as she copes with a disabled child," Cohen said.

That shared compassion is also felt for the "85 percent of those Florida licensed lawyers who are disaffected and unconnected sole or small firm practitioners that still ask every day: What does the Bar do for me?"

Cohen said he feels strongly about the profession of law versus the business of law, and especially the need to consider the impact and effect of the business of law on sole or small-firm practitioners.

He challenged Schifino to lead in that regard, and predicted he will succeed.

Schifino has the "ability to cobble together and unify a board of supporters to tackle and solve issues.

"There isn't a better or harder working man. When he sets out to achieve, losing isn't an option," Cohen said. "You've got to love that about this man. We, his fellow Board of Governors, know these qualities, and soon you will all find out."

The profession of law is competing with the business of law, Cohen said.

"We have some very serious issues facing our profession and the judicial system in Florida and the delivery of legal services to all," Cohen said.

"We need some serious people to tackle these issues and work through to resolutions. Bill Schifino will follow in the strong leadership this Bar has had in the past.

"He will truly make you proud as Florida Bar president. Bill, like a true lawyer, can bring a sense of order to what may be chaos."

Schifino's accomplishments "start in his world with his family."

"He comes from a family rooted in the practice of law. His father and early mentor, Bill, Sr., established a work ethic and reputation of high regard," Cohen said, as he also introduced his supportive family that includes wife, Paula, and children, Amanda, Julia, and Will.

A successful managing partner of his firm, Schifino...