ORLANDO, FL / Storyteller / May 21, 2026 /
Longtime FJA portrait artist Trevor Goring joined host Rene Perras at the Four Seasons Orlando to recap the 2025 Florida Justice Association Founders Luncheon, which included a first-ever award for lifetime support of the civil justice system.
Coffee with Q has released a new Masters of Justice episode featuring Trevor Goring, Executive Director of the Trial Lawyer National Portrait Gallery and the resident portrait artist for the Florida Justice Association (FJA) for more than 25 years. Host Rene Perras, legal news reporter for Coffee with Q, recorded the conversation at the Four Seasons in Orlando as the FJA Masters of Justice event closed.
Watch or read the full episode here: https://www.coffeewithq.org/masters-of-justice-trevor-goring-on-fja-awards-legal-legacy-coffee-with-q/
What the episode covers
- A first-look recap of the 2025 FJA Founders Luncheon and every honoree on stage.
- The unprecedented Legate Award was presented to Chris Searcy of West Palm Beach for over $1 million in lifetime giving to FJA and decades of leadership.
- Goring’s 25-year role producing the museum-quality founder portraits awarded each year to FJA honorees.
- The story behind the Perry Nichols Award and why John Morgan returned to a conference stage to present the honor to his longtime partner, Xander Clem.
A historic new honor: the Legate Award
Goring describes the Legate Award as one of the most significant moments in FJA history. The award draws its name from the legates of ancient Rome, who served as generals appointed by the emperor or the Senate. Chris Searcy of West Palm Beach was the inaugural recipient, recognized for personal lifetime giving exceeding $1 million to the organization, along with decades of leadership and mentorship inside the Florida trial bar. The presentation included a ceremonial sword.
The Perry Nichols Award and a return appearance by John Morgan
This year’s Perry Nichols Award, FJA’s highest honor for selfless sacrifice and inspirational leadership, went to Alexander “Xander” Murphy Clem, managing partner at Morgan & Morgan and a past FJA president. The award was presented by his partner and longtime friend John Morgan, marking a rare conference appearance as one of the most influential figures in plaintiffs’ law.
Goring tells Perras the moment landed with the audience because of Morgan’s question to Clem about whether he stands more for justice or mercy. Clem chose mercy, a response Goring connects to the larger character of the night and to Clem’s record of defeating tort reform efforts in Florida.
A family moment for the Romanos
The Romano family received two awards. Eric Romano, a past FJA president, received the Al J. Cohn Lifetime Achievement Award, following in the footsteps of his father, John Romano, who led the association in 1989 and 1990. His mother, Nancy Romano, received the Joan Williams Award, which recognizes a non-lawyer for protecting the Florida civil justice system. Goring describes the moment as deeply moving, with the full Romano family present in the room.
Goring also offered context on Al J. Cohn himself, a decorated Second World War veteran who received the British Military Cross alongside American honors, and who brought dignity and humor to the early years of the organization.
Other honorees recognized
- BJ and Tom Masterson Award: Alex Arteaga-Gomez, partner at Miami’s Grossman Roth, recognized for ethical professionalism across both civil justice and public defense. Arteaga-Gomez used his speech to name every female member of FJA and credit them as the backbone of the organization.
- Victor Tipton Award: Kristen Norse, honored for clarity and ethical rigor in legal writing. The Tipton Award is named for the founding editor of the FJA journal and frequently recognizes appellate practitioners.
- Jon E. Krupnick Award: Michael Trentalange of Trentalange & Kelley, recognized for perseverance, in part for litigating a catastrophic injury case on behalf of a young child for more than 15 years.
Quote from Trevor Goring
“The Florida Justice Association is truly the best state-run trial lawyer organization in the country,” Goring said. “To see Chris Searcy receive the first Legate Award, to see the Romano family on stage together, and to watch Xander Clem accept the Perry Nichols Award from John Morgan in the same room, those are the moments people in this profession will remember for years.”
Quote from host Rene Perras
“Trevor has been documenting Florida’s trial lawyer history through his portraits for 25 years, so there is no one better to walk our audience through what this year’s awards meant,” said Rene Perras, host of Coffee with Q. “This episode is a record of an exceptional night for the Florida civil justice community.”
Watch the full episode
The full interview is available on the Coffee with Q website: https://www.coffeewithq.org/masters-of-justice-trevor-goring-on-fja-awards-legal-legacy-coffee-with-q/
About Coffee with Q
Coffee with Q is a legal news show hosted by reporter Rene Perras. The program features subject matter experts in law, civil justice, and public policy through long-form interviews designed to inform a general audience. Episodes are published at coffeewithq.org.
About the Trial Lawyer National Portrait Gallery
The Trial Lawyer National Portrait Gallery documents the leaders of the American trial bar in fine art portraiture. Trevor Goring serves as Executive Director and has provided founder portraits to the Florida Justice Association for more than two decades.
Media Contact
Coffee with Q, Legal News Reporter, Rene Perras
rp@coffeewirhQ.org
Email: Web: coffeewithq.org
