Dear BBA Members,

Hola! I am honored and privileged to serve as your President. I am the fourth BBA member of Hispanic origin to hold this office and the very first one of Venezuelan origin! Talk about the BBA’s diversity, equity, and inclusion!

On behalf of our Board of Directors, welcome to our 2023-24 term. We are looking forward to an incredible year ahead with our annual programming including brown bag lunches, happy hours, health and wellness, Table of 8, and other networking events and CLE opportunities for our members.

Like past presidents, I intend to continue the legacy of core programs and put resources to good use by seeking creative ways to expand opportunities for our members. As lawyers, we are privileged to be able to make a difference in our communities. In that regard, we are committed to continue our commitment to pro bono services, our pro bono helpdesk and other outreach initiatives, including, a robust and revamped financial literacy programming throughout the year targeted principally for our young students in our community.

We also intend to continue the BBA’s work on expanding our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. These will include continuing our educational programming to our members, the successful scholars program and creation of young lawyers’ mentoring program to open doors to all and make room at the table of opportunity within the bankruptcy practice without distinction whatsoever. By doing this, I believe that we all rise as an organization to greater heights!

None of the BBA’s work gets accomplished by one person. So, I invite you to lend a hand, join any of our committees, and support our many initiatives and programs. Get involved! Take on a pro bono case. Join us for happy hours and catch up with your colleagues. Become part of our financial literacy efforts. In this way, we will continue to maintain the BBA’s traditional role in delivering value-added to our members not only in their legal work but also to be actively assisting the BBA to improve the bankruptcy system for our community in South Florida.

Take advantage of all the benefits the BBA has to offer! We look forward to seeing you at our events throughout the year, and, particularly, the 35th Annual Weekend Retreat to be held at the JW Marriott, Marco Island, Florida from Thursday, May 30, 2024 to Sunday, June 2, 2024. Save the date!! We look forward to seeing you all there!

Thank you again to our members, sponsors, judges and court staff for affording the Board and I the opportunity to serve you and make a difference.

Muchas gracias, y un fuerte abrazo!

Carlos E. Sardi
2023-2024 BBA President