Award Presented to Jane Muir

President’s Award Salutes Jane Muir’s Tenacity

Award presented to Jane Muir On September 27, 2014, Kayla Riera-Gomez, outgoing president of the Coral Gables Bar Association, presented Jane Muir with the President’s Award at the organization’s annual Installation Gala. This year’s award was unusual – a bronze statue of a bull – intended as a tongue-in-cheek illustration of the diligence, determination, and tenacity with which Muir has served the organization. “I knew you would either love it or hate it,” Ms. Riera-Gomez laughed after she presented the award, “I am so glad you love it.”

Riera-Gomez surprised Muir with the award, commenting that Muir was an “unsung hero.” Muir, she said, had been responsible for recruiting her, along with many other members. Riera-Gomez recognized that Muir helped build and grow the organization “from fifteen or twenty members to nearly three hundred.” Muir joined the fifty-year-old organization in 2009. At that time, it was weak and the board of directors had even considered dissolving. When Muir joined the board, she began restoring systems that had been long neglected. Known for her computer technology skills, she volunteered for the task of updating the organization’s website, began sending email invitations to the organization’s events regularly, and recruited new members and participants. The organization grew and became stronger with the addition of new board members, such as John P. Murray, former Dade County Bar Association president, Heidi Roth, preeminent attorney and mediator, and Laura Russo, a leader in the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce.

The 2014 annual Installation was held at the elegant and historical Venetian Pool. Nearly twenty officers and directors were sworn into office by the Honorable Don Cohn. Coral Gables Mayor Jim Cason and City Attorney Craig Leen presented certificates of appreciation to all officers and directors, and also proclaimed September 27, 2014, Coral Gables Bar Association Day. Muir will return to the board of directors as a member. New officers serving on the executive committee include Blake Sando, 2014-2015 President, Andres Correa, President-Elect, William “Bill” Sussman, Treasurer, and Jorge Fors Jr., Secretary.