H C B A
P R E S I D E N T ’ S
M E S S A G E
Go rd o n Hi l l - Hi l l Wa rd He n d e r s o n
“Cornhole for a Cause” benefiting
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa
Bay. In short, our Association’s
world. In other words, it is our duty
lawyers are definitely “paying their
to give back to the society that has
rent,” and the HCBA is playing an
given us so much. He lived this
important role in helping them do so.
motto by leading and serving our
One of my goals as President is to
local community in a wide variety
tell
that story, in order to combat the
of ways, including serving as a
negative reputation our profession
member of the Hillsborough
often has in society. We need to
County School Board for over 20
change the narrative from lawyer
years, leading the effort to change
jokes and snide remarks to one of
the Tampa City Charter, helping to
respect for the profession and an
establish the “Crime Commission”
understanding of all the great things
to fight gambling and organized
lawyers have done and do every day
crime, and helping to lead the City’s
in our society.
efforts to annex the Wellswood and
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As part of this initiative, in each
Palma Ceia neighborhoods and
of my articles, I will highlight
much of North Tampa.
lawyers who have been giving back to the community in
As I think of my grandfather’s words, it strikes me that
abundance, starting with my friend and fellow attorney
lawyers as a profession definitely “pay their rent” —
Stephen Koch. Stephen served as Chairman of the Board
perhaps more than any other profession. Consider the
of the local Big Brothers Big Sisters chapter when the
historical impact that lawyers in our country have had,
agency was desperately searching for its next CEO. In
from John Adams to Abraham Lincoln to Franklin D.
response, Stephen agreed to step in on a temporary basis.
Roosevelt to Thurgood Marshall to Sandra Day
That was 15 years ago, and he has been serving since
O’Connor. And that legacy has continued right here in
then. During his tenure, Stephen has been instrumental
Hillsborough County with the likes of Reece Smith, Sam
in expanding the agency’s outreach to thousands more
Gibbons, Chester Ferguson, Doyle Carlton, Cody Fowler,
underprivileged kids and has been named both the
George Edgecomb, Josephine Stafford, Arthenia Joyner,
Florida and National “Big Brother of the Year” for the
E.J. Salcines, and John Germany – all of whom played
mentoring relationships he established with his “little
(and some of whom continue to play) significant roles in
brothers.” The Tampa Bay agency is now the fifth largest
shaping our local community.
in the nation. Like so many lawyers in Hillsborough
That tradition carries on today with so many lawyers
County, Stephen Koch has paid more than his fair share
doing so much in our community. We provide countless
of rent.
hours of pro bono service each year; serve on virtually
every charitable board in the area; are active in public
service as judges, government attorneys, and military
officers; and donate and raise millions of dollars for
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the Hillsborough County Bar Foundation and other
Please help me to tell our story by
charitable organizations.
providing
the names of other attorneys
I am particularly proud of the role the HCBA has
who have gone above and beyond in their
played in facilitating community involvement. Through
civic involvement. I may not be able to
the HCBA, lawyers have launched and participated in
include everyone in my articles, but I
several incredible programs, such as “Adopt A Veteran,”
think it is important to recognize at least
“Elves for Elders,” “Dining with Dignity” at the Trinity
some of you who have done so much to
Café, the “Pirate Plunder Party” at A Kid’s Place, the
make our community a better place for
many events related to Law Week, and of course last year’s
everyone. Thank you, and I look forward
“Read to Dream” program (just to name a few). And our
to a great Bar year!
next generation of lawyers — the Young Lawyers Division
— also has many community service projects, such as
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“Steak & Sports Day,” “Holidays in January,” and
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