The_Fundamental_Bobbi_Flowers
When my dear, dear friend asked me if I would write her story for the NAELA News, I first thought I would focus on the important “Fs” in her life: family, faith, and friends. But I then quickly realized that would only tell you part of who Bobbi really is as a person. Instead, I needed to tell you about the fundamental Bobbi Flowers, her family, faith, and friends, but also her courage, her intelligence, her integrity, her dedication, her professionalism, her talents, and her work ethic.
Bobbi will admit that her family, faith, and friends are her true north. Still, like any good leader, she will downplay her courage, intelligence, integrity, dedication, professionalism, talent, and work ethic. As her son described her, “[o]f all the strong, intelligent, and absolutely inspiring women I have met in my life, my mother is leagues above the rest! The grace, dignity, and humility she lives her life is truly an example of a life for which we all should strive.”
Here is an example of Bobbi’s character from her childhood. Few people know that Bobbi rodeoed when she was a teenager. She did not just ride and rope; like everything she does in her life, she loved it. In fact, she was scheduled to go to the National Championship Finals after she graduated, but it would interfere with starting college on time. She chose college, and that path brought her to law school, then to work as a state and federal prosecutor, and then to Stetson University College of Law, where she is today. But although she loved her time as a rodeo participant, she never brags about it.
“My mother is the most inspiring woman you will ever meet. Her drive and grace are inspirations to not only me but many. She never ceases to amaze me.”
Bobbi brings all those same traits to her daily life. She lives her life in faith and is one of the few people I know who truly walks the walk, not just talks the talk. Think I am kidding? How many people do you know who got a commercial license so she can drive elders and youth in her congregation in the church bus to events? How many people do you know who, despite having a full life, take classes to become a lay preacher, so they can fill in as preacher for their church when the pastor is not available?
Bobbi has three marvelous children who are amazing adults. She makes each one feel special and loved. She instilled all the traits one hopes their children will have and serves as an example for them to this day. As her youngest observed, “[m]y mom has always been a role model for all the females in our family. She empowers us to be independent, strong-willed, and hard-working. She is everything I want to be in a woman. She is a steel fist in a velvet glove.”
“Bobbi’s passion for the law is exceeded only by her passion for her family and her faith. She somehow manages to give everything 110% and still have something left in the tank if you ask for her help with a project or for a few minutes to get some advice. ”
If you are lucky enough to be Bobbi’s friend, you have a friend for life who is always there for you no matter what. Her selflessness is not limited to her family and her church but extends to her friends as well. She will stand by your side to fight your battles with you, and if you need a champion, she will be there for you. Her best friend is, of course, the love of her life, her husband Mark, who shares a love of life, faith, and adventure with her.
“What I love about Bobbi (among other/many things) is her desire, as an academic, to know what’s really going on in the real world. Who else would use their sabbatical to visit elder law firms around the country and be the fly on the wall observing what those of us in the trenches do day in and day out?”
Bobbi is a born teacher. She is innovative, supportive, and instructive in her classes. She spends time thinking about ways to best convey the information to her students and gives countless hours outside the classroom with them. For example, even with a class of 90 first-year students, she meets with each of them individually to provide feedback on their mid-term exams. Wonder why Bobbi does it? She will tell you it is the right thing to do.
“Bobbi embodies doing the right thing, helping those in need, and caring with all of her heart. As my former teacher and coach, faculty colleague and mentor, and, most importantly, friend and supporter, Bobbi has helped me be a better person in countless ways, and I’m incredibly thankful.”
Bobbi also teaches her students outside of the classroom. She frequently meets with students during office hours and gives students her cell phone number so they can reach her at any time. Although she is kind and caring, she can hold her students’ feet to the fire in order to help them learn to be the best lawyers they can be.
She teaches her students the importance of preparation, advocacy, and professionalism. The lessons she imparts serve her students well long after they leave Stetson.
“Professor Flowers was absolutely my inspiration in law school for my future career in advocacy. As so many look for ways to do less, Bobbi is always looking to take on new challenges and work harder to make a difference.”
Bobbi also gives to both students and the College of Law by coaching our various advocacy teams and has a record of winning numerous competitions. It is typical for her to work a full day and then coach a team until midnight. She does this for days to ready the team for the competition. Her work with the students to hone their skills shows her commitment and dedication.
Bobbi’s teaching does not stop with law students. She frequently lectures about the law locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. She always finds a way to engage her audience in interactive learning. Considering that she was an early adopter of audience response systems in her classes and presentations, it’s no wonder that she receives incredibly high marks for every presentation.
“Professor Roberta Flowers has been an integral part of Stetson University College of Law’s Elder Law Center for many years. Through her work with the Center, she has trained countless numbers of attorneys in elder law and has inspired numerous students to dedicate their careers to this important field.”
Under Bobbi’s leadership, Stetson’s various elder law programs have flourished. She counsels our elder law students on courses and career choices, chairs Stetson’s annual conference on Special Needs Trusts and Special Needs Planning, oversees Stetson’s LL.M. in Elder Law, and administers Stetson’s Center for Excellence in Elder Law. She has risen in the leadership ranks at NAELA and now leads us as NAELA’s 35th president.
“Professor Bobbi Flowers was invaluable to the drafting and editing of both the first and second editions of the Aspirational Standards for the Practice of Elder and Special Needs Law with Commentaries. She has been a role model for raising the level of professionalism in elder and special needs law to the great benefit of NAELA, our members, and the older persons and persons with disabilities and special needs whom we serve.”
Integrity and professionalism are ingrained in Bobbi, and she shows it in her personal and professional lives. She is a sought-after speaker on ethics and professionalism, and if you do not think a CLE on ethics can be fun, clearly, you have never attended a Bobbi Flowers ethics lecture. She won the Florida Supreme Court award on professionalism both individually and for a project she created at the College of Law. She is the co-author of the only book on ethics in an elder law practice; often is engaged as an expert witness in lawyer malpractice cases; created a series of videos on ethical issues in an elder law practice; and was integral in designing Stetson’s Eleazer courtroom, a model elder-friendly and accessible courtroom.
As Bobbi begins her term as NAELA president, I know she will accomplish great things. “Wherever you fly, you’ll be best of the best. Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.”