In a notable development, the Florida Bar has elected Rosalyn Sia Baker-Barnes, a distinguished personal injury lawyer, as its next president, as announced on Monday. Baker-Barnes is best known for her significant victory in a lawsuit against a tobacco company, where she secured a $20 million verdict.
Baker-Barnes is a shareholder at the West Palm Beach personal injury firm Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A.. Her appointment as the president of The Florida Bar for the 2024-2025 term occurred by default, as no other candidates came forward to contest for this role.
Previous roles held by Baker-Barnes include serving as the president of the Palm Beach County Bar Association. She will be stepping into her new role as president of the Florida Bar next summer, where she will replace outgoing president F. Scott Westheimer.
This appointment follows on the back of her representation of a client in a substantial punitive damages case against RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co. It is worth noting that her verdict, which totalled $20 million, stands as a testament to her capabilities as a lawyer, and underscores the strength she brings into her new role.
The election took place in uncontested races where almost all leadership positions were selected.
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