BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

Recently, a Hillsborough County attorney was appointed to serve on the Florida Board of Bar Examiners. The Florida Supreme Court justices selected her to serve on the board.

Attorney Barbara Pittman was chosen to succeed retiring member Alan H. Aronson, of Miami.

Attorney Pittman said she was notified in August that she had been chosen. However, her term did not begin until November 1, 2012 and will end on October 31, 2017.

Attorney Pittman said when an individual applies to become an attorney, he or she must pass the bar exam as well as a background investigation.

Her role as a member of the Florida Board of Bar Examiners kicks in when an issue comes up with a person’s background.

“My board conducts hearing as a quasi-judicial position to determine the necessary fitness and character of the person. We have hearings once a month on the weekends,” she said.

Attorney Pittman stated that a lengthy and detailed investigation is conducted on potential attorneys. The bar examination is held twice a year with thousands of potential attorneys passing the bar. Of those thousands five to six thousand may have issues in their backgrounds that must be examined.

Born in Graceville, Florida, Attorney Pittman was raised in Jacob City, Florida. She graduated from Graceville High School in 1973. She continued her education at Florida State University. During her tenure at FSU, she earned a B. S degree in Communications and her J. D. Degree.

Attorney Pittman was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1986. She worked with the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office for 3 years and with Ricky Williams & Associates for 7 years.

Attorney Pittman then opened a private practice as a sole practitioner. Attorney Pittman is married to Freddie Moore and has two stepsons. She enjoys traveling, music reading, and attending sporting events.