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Judge wins award honoring man he learned from
By LORRI HELFAND, Times Staff Writer Judge Joseph G. Donahey Jr. remembers what is was like to be a shaky-legged, squeaky-voiced trial lawyer. It was 40 years ago, when he first appeared before Judge John U. Bird, who cut him little slack. "I was absolutely convinced that my legal career had begun and ended all in one day," the Pinellas-Pasco Circuit judge told a packed house Friday at the 41st annual Law Day Luncheon. Bird went on to teach him a wealth of lessons, Donahey said. So it seemed like poetic justice that Donahey received the John U. Bird Distinguished Jurist Award, which recognizes judicial competence and service, high ideals and personal character. Donahey, 68, who will not seek re-election when his term expires this year, was blinded during back surgery in 1999. He returned to the bench and volunteered for the juvenile division. He has no plans to retire. "I'm not built to just sit around and do nothing, he said. He hasn't made formal plans for his future but said he's casting about a number of ideas, including teaching and service to the Watson Center, which offers classes and services to the blind. Donahey was one of four community members honored at the luncheon Friday. Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Palm Harbor, received the Liberty Bell Award. Clearwater Police Sgt. Sheila Waters received the Allen G. Moore Gold Badge Award and Louis Kwall received the Ralph Richards Award. The Liberty Bell Award recognizes an ongoing commitment to community service. In addition to this honor, Latvala has received numerous awards from environmental, educational, health and professional organizations. Latvala was first elected to the Senate in 1994. He was re-elected and served as Senate majority leader from 1998 to 2000. In 1999 he served as chairman for the Pinellas County Legislative Delegation and in 2000 as chairman of the Pasco County Legislative Delegation. "Wouldn't all of my Republican friends in Tallahassee be happy to see me get one of the last awards of my career from a bunch of lawyers," said Latvala, who is leaving office this year because of term limits. The Allen G. Moore Gold Badge Award honors a person in law enforcement who creates a greater respect for the law and stimulates a sense of community awareness. Waters leads a community-oriented policing team. She was recommended by Chief Sid Klein for bringing "an appreciation and understanding of the law, and a respect for the law to residents from all walks of life." Her hands-on commitment has been demonstrated in neighborhoods such as Wood Valley. When members of that community complained of profanity etched in the pavement, she brought patch cement and smoothed over the offending words herself. The Ralph Richards Award goes to Clearwater Bar members who have demonstrated excellent leadership. Kwall's career spans 32 years as an attorney in Florida and Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Florida Bar Board of Governors and is past president of the Clearwater Bar. He is the Pro Bono Chairman of the Cardozo Society and has mediated pro bono between Pinellas County and billboard companies. Michael J. Faehner of McFarland, Gould, Lyons, Sullivan & Hogan was inducted as Clearwater Bar Association president and Pinellas Park High School students Benjamin Kanoski and Crystal Kelly received $150 awards and a trophy for finishing first in the annual Great Debate. Runners-up from their school, Maria Forlivio and Jamie Varney, took home $50 prizes. The Law Day Luncheon is part of Law Week, a series of events sponsored by the Clearwater Bar. "It's a time when when attorneys celebrate the fact that they're able to have such an active role in protecting people's rights. And it's a time for the public to celebrate their freedom," said Karen France, executive director of the Clearwater Bar Association.
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From the Times North Pinellas desks |
