Melissa Byers

Executive Director

St. Petersburg Bar Association

Melissa Byers was recruited to serve as the Executive Director of the St. Petersburg Bar Association (SPBA), a voluntary bar association of 1,200 members, in 2013. During her 12-year tenure she introduced the wellness theme “Healthy, Happy, Holistic Attorneys” to combat the staggering statics associated with the high rates of suicide, depression, and substance abuse in the legal profession. She encouraged members to embrace a cultural shift within the profession. As a result, The Florida Bar presented the first Health & Wellness Award to the SPBA in 2018. The Florida Bar also awarded the Marshall R. Cassedy, Sr. Executive Director of the Year Leadership award to Melissa in 2020 and Splash Maker Award in 2022.