Family Law Section names first nonprofit attorney chair for 2026-27

Legal Aid attorney Tenesia C. Hall was sworn in June 17 as chair of The Florida Bar Family Law Section for the 2026-27 cycle, becoming the first attorney from a 501(c)(3) and the first Black lawyer to lead the 53-year-old section. The move sets up a year of statewide events, leadership development and CLE programming focused on Florida families.

Why it matters: - Tenesia C. Hall’s election marks two firsts for The Florida Bar Family Law Section: the first chair from a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and the first Black chair in the section’s 53-year history. - Hall’s leadership comes as the section prepares a full slate of events, training and advocacy programming for Florida family law practitioners. - The chair role helps shape the section’s policy priorities, professional development and statewide networking for the 2026-27 Bar cycle.

What happened: - Hall was sworn in as chair during the Family Law Section’s Annual Membership Awards and Installation Banquet on June 17, 2026, alongside The Florida Bar’s Annual Convention. - Hall serves as Family Law Litigation Director for Legal Aid Society of the OCBA, Inc. in Orlando. - Hall began her career as an FFLA Summer Fellow more than two decades ago while studying at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. - Hall graduated from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 2001.

The details: - Hall chose “Empower. Elevate. Excel.” as the theme for the 2026-27 Bar cycle. - The theme calls for giving members the tools and training to strengthen their practice and better serve Florida families. - The theme also emphasizes collaboration with the judiciary, leadership development and innovative CLEs to raise the standard of family law statewide. - Hall said the theme will also celebrate excellence in advocacy, professionalism and service to Florida families. - Scheduled section events include the Leadership Retreat & Fall Meetings in Charlotte Harbor from August 25-30. - The section plans an Out-of-State Retreat in New Orleans from October 13-16. - The Marital & Family Law Review Course with AAML is set for January 20-23 in Kissimmee. - A Live Guardian ad Litem CLE is scheduled for February 18-19 in Fort Lauderdale. - The In-State Retreat is planned for March 17-21 in Islamorada. - The 2026-27 Executive Committee includes Chair-Elect Andrea Reid of The Reid Law Group in Boca Raton. - The committee also includes Treasurer Michelle Klinger Smith of Florida Keys Family Law. - Secretary Trisha P. Armstrong serves as senior counsel at Sasser, Cestero & Roy, P.A. in West Palm Beach. - Immediate Past Chair Aimee C. Gross is managing partner of Law Offices of Aimee Gross, P.A. in Fort Lauderdale.

Between the lines: - Hall’s selection signals a broader shift toward leadership that reflects the section’s changing membership and the growing visibility of nonprofit legal aid attorneys. - The theme suggests an emphasis on practical skill-building rather than internal administration alone. - The event calendar shows the section leaning on both in-state and out-of-state gatherings to keep members connected across the year.

What’s next: - The section will move through its 2026-27 program calendar beginning with the August Leadership Retreat & Fall Meetings. - Members can find more information at familylawfla.org or by calling (850) 561-5624. - The Family Law Section also maintains social channels on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok.

The bottom line: - Hall’s chairmanship combines historic firsts with a year focused on training, collaboration and service to Florida families.