Why have we never heard of this? I heard that in early February, and the question was a bit disheartening. More troubling though, I was without a sound answer. In response, I could muster only conjecture, discomfiture, and perhaps even regret. Not regret in facing the question, but perhaps in the absence of any rational or logical answer.
From another perspective, there’s plenty of room to complain about generations. The old one complains about the new, the new about the old, and in the end, it’s likely largely misunderstanding or misinterpretation. It seems that in our generational cycles, there is less friction between the adjacent generations. But the older and the younger seem persistently inclined toward misapprehension.
In that regard and others, the only way that we can attack any form of preconception or bias is through interpersonal relationships and experience. We must grasp the disconnect(s) and appreciate that while generations exist, they are made up of people. We must push aside the bias of aggregating "them" or "those" based on age, experience, or our perceptions. Because "them" are not a conglomerate and our efforts must be with each.
I got the opportunity for just that, with the next generation of law students at the University of Florida. One Monday morning, I hit the highway around 3 AM and drove to Gainesville. The Workers' Compensation Section of The Florida Bar, under the leadership of Paolo Longo, Has made outreach a special effort over the last 14 months. I think many had their doubts about the magnitude of this effort. See Let's Get Together (May 2023).
We have seen the Section host meet and greets in Orlando, Jacksonville, Ft. Myers, Tampa, and Tallahassee. We will be in Miami (03.28.24) and West Palm Beach (03.29.24) next. The leadership of the Section will change in June, and in less than 18 months, we will have been live in all the regions of Florida, with the sole exception of here in the state capital, Paradise (well, Paradise was the capital once, or one of them).
I am gobsmacked at the dedication to collegiality and professionalism exhibited by bar leadership, section members, Judges, mediators, and more.
As an outgrowth of the recognition that recruiting lawyers has been challenging, someone said "Why not talk with law students?" The Section engaged, first to be at St. Thomas. A scheduling glitch put that one off, and the first was at Florida State. Thirty students there met a panel of speakers last year. More recently it was UF, and Ave Maria is scheduled.
I shared the panel stage in Gainesville with Stuart Suskin, who did not come to Florida with Ponce de Leon (as has been rumored). No Stuart did not sail with Ponce, but in fairness, he remembers speaking to him often. Also present was Mr. Longo, on behalf of the section, Mr. Hesser, on behalf of injured workers, and Sean O'Connor behalf of the employer carrier practice. Judge Sancerni, a product of the UF experience, made the trip from Orlando. It was a well-rounded set of perspectives on why the practice of Worker’s Compensation law is an attractive avenue for new lawyers.
My readers won’t find the talking points new or surprising. (1) Workers comp affords a great opportunity to practice law as opposed to supporting others who do. (2) There’s a great deal of exposure to legal and medical challenges, that will both stimulate an attorney’s mind and afford ample growth opportunities. (3) The medical puzzles are the beginning, there are a raft of complexities and intricacies here that periodically need analysis, explanation, and expertise. (4) Florida workers' compensation offers unparalleled, collegiality, and mentor opportunities, which are simply unheard of in other practice areas. (5) Lawyers are either seeking and hiring new practitioners and Clerks, or they know someone who is.
Did some of the students show up just for the free Chick-fil-A? Undoubtedly. I often lament my mandated avoidance of fast food. While I can usually drive past it, life is more difficult when someone brings those smells into the room. Sure, the food is a draw. I might like it to be about the chicken, but somehow that place's draw is the pasta. Who knew?
Whatever drew them, these students were engaged and engaging. They had the opportunity to scoff or challenge our comp references. There could have been doubts or incredulity. But, in the end, there was the "why have we never heard of this." The answer to that one is pretty easy actually.
We are failing. No, not economically, or functionally, or professionally. But we are failing in that the next generation has never heard of us. We can all say it was the same for us. To a person, we all fell into this community by accident. Once here, we all seem to have found opportunities, mentors, and success. But we did not set out to come here, and upon arrival, we were likely all a bit disoriented and challenged. Why did no one teach us about workers' compensation in college, law school, or beyond?
Yes, why did no one come to seek us? Turn that about. Why are you not out seeking them?
Each of us, at some point, could validly ask "Why have we never heard of this?" One of the panelists responded we are the "best-kept secret." There were humorous retorts and conjectures. But in the end, we are failing. That other generations before us fell short and the community nonetheless survived (thrived) is no excuse or explanation. That we are now approaching our Golden Years, and the unfamiliarity remains is on us. Gone are the days when this community can thrive on the accident of great youth just showing up. Now come the days that youth must be informed, sought, recruited, and nurtured.
We stand on the edge of a precipice. See The Donut Hole (February 2023). In the J.R.R. Tolkien masterwork The Lord of the Rings, a wise advisor warns the intrepid adventurer "Your Quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail, to the ruin of all." So it is here, and so it is now. Not for lawyers alone, though that is an area in which I can readily effect information and perhaps make headway. But the need for young people in this community crosses all professional boundaries.
Young people are needed in claims management, risk management, programming, accounting, nursing, doctoring, and so much more.
"Why have we never heard of this?"
That is on us folks. What are you doing to awaken those around you to the truth of the potential in this billion-dollar, life-restoring community? Are you finding ways to speak to the younger generations? Are you even looking?
