Florida Bar News articles from April 2004

Florida Bar News archives from April 2004

Children's legal services tag clears hurdles.(Kids Deserve Justice)
April 1, 2004... After assurances that 100 percent of revenues will go toward providing legal representation for disabled, abused, and neglected children, both the House Subcommittee on Highway Safety and the House Transportation Committee unanimously approved...

Court to review amendment to limit fees: contingency fees in medical malpractice cases are at issue.
April 1, 2004... A constitutional amendment that would limit attorneys' fees in medical malpractice cases has gone to the Florida Supreme Court for review to ensure it encompasses only one issue and its ballot summary and title are accurate. The Academy of...

Who gets the last say? Bill would reverse the order of closing arguments.
April 1, 2004... Having the last word in a criminal trial leaves such a lasting impression on the jury that some Republican legislators are ready to scrap a 151-year-old common law rule to give prosecutors a new edge. "What this is about is truly seeking...

Compromise on procedural rules bill in the works.
April 1, 2004... A bill proposing a constitutional amendment to give the Florida Legislature the authority to write all court procedural rules may be dead following a meeting of the bill's sponsor with Florida Bar President Miles McGrane. McGrane,...

Pariente to lead court.
April 1, 2004... In the 1970s, she was one of South Florida's pioneering women trial lawyers in a profession then almost entirely, controlled by men. In 1997, she became only the second woman justice named to the Florida Supreme Court. Barbara J. Pariente,...

Death penalty.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2004... I find myself compelled to respond to the March 1 letter (overly) stressing opposition to the death penalty. The governor of Florida does not have the power to "sign a paper to cause another person's death." He only has authority to grant...

YLD seeks to fill Ninth Circuit seat.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2004... With the election of Jamie Billotte Moses as president-elect designate of the Young Lawyers Division, her former seat on the YLD Board of Governors--Ninth Circuit, Seat 2--will be vacant as of June 25. Anyone interested in being considered...

Rotstein petitions for reinstatement.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2004... Pursuant Rule Bar 3-7.10, Jonathan Isaac Rotstein has petitioned the Florida Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement. The court suspended Rotstein from the practice of law for engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or...

Clarification.(Correction Notice)
April 1, 2004... Aventura lawyer Jeffrey Martin Herman, whose resignation in lieu of disciplinary proceedings notice ran in the Disciplinary Actions column in the March 15 News, should not be confused with Jeffrey Marc Herman, a partner with Herman &...

Appointments to be filled in May.(Notice)
April 1, 2004... The Board of Governors is seeking applicants for the following vacancies to be filled during its May 28 meeting: ABA House of Delegates: Three lawyers (one under 35 delegate) to serve two-year terms commencing August 11 at the conclusion of...

Historical society wants you.(Notice)
April 1, 2004... Dear fellow attorney: I am writing to ask you to join me and many of your associates in the legal profession in a cause that should be a priority for us all--preserving Florida's judicial history and educating the public about the critical...

Court sets arguments on rules amendments.
April 1, 2004... The Florida Supreme Court has set oral arguments in the following procedureal rule amendment cases for June 10: * Re: Amendments to the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure--Case No. SCO4-97. * Re: Amendments to the Florida Rules of...

Annual meeting resolution meeting set.
April 1, 2004... Pursuant to Standing Board Policy 11.21, any member of The Florida Bar may offer for possible consideration at the Annual Meeting any resolution to the Executive Committee of The Florida Bar, acting as the Resolutions Committee. A meeting of...

12th judicial circuit event to dramatize Brown v. Board of Ed.
April 1, 2004... The judges of the 12th Circuit, in a collaborative effort with the Manatee County Bar, the Family Heritage House Museum, and Manatee Community College, will present "Brown'" May 6 at 7 p.m. at Neel Performing Arts Center on the campus of...

Board of bar examiners, commission on Professionalism appointments available.(Notice)
April 1, 2004... The Board of Governors is seeking applicants for the following vacancies to be filled during its May 28 meeting: Florida Board of Bar Examiners Vacancy: Lawyer applicants are being sought to fill two vacancies on the Florida Board of Bar...

Bills to upgrade UPL to felony heard.
April 1, 2004... Members of a Florida House committee have expressed strong support for increasing criminal penalties for the unlicensed practice of law but put off passing a bill to do so to give them time to tinker with the language. At the same time, a...

FAMU sets Brown v. Board program.
April 1, 2004... The Florida A&M University College of Law will convene a panel of students, parents and teachers to discuss the desegregation of Orange County schools as part of an examination and commemoration of the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education U.S....

Budgets a mixed bag for courts, PDs, and state attorneys.
April 1, 2004... With final budget estimates being received shortly after the 2004 Florida Legislature convened, state court system officials have begun getting preliminary 2004-05 budget figures from the House and Senate. It's a very mixed picture. ...

FDLE makes UPL arrest.
April 1, 2004... A South Florida man not licensed to practice law was arrested by Florida Department of Law Enforcement agents on charges he defrauded more than 35 victims who paid him for legal assistance. Jorge Miguel Fernandez, Jr., 28, of Surfside, was...

Tax Section takes steps to counter abusive shelters.
April 1, 2004... The Florida Bar Tax Section recently took a legislative position in opposition to what it calls "abusive tax shelters." Specifically the section's executive council adopted the following position: "The Tax Section of The Florida Bar...

Moses elected to lead the young lawyers.
April 1, 2004... Making a greater effort to reach out to young lawyers across the state and working to strengthen the current efforts of the division are some of the goals Orlando lawyer Jamie Billotte Moses hopes to accomplish when she assumes the presidency...

Free report shows lawyers how to get more clients.
April 1, 2004... CA.-- Why do some lawyers get rich While others struggle to pay their bills? The answer, according to California lawyer David M. Ward, has nothing to do with talent, education, hard work, or even luck. "The lawyers who make the big...

Rape case sparked the bill.
April 1, 2004... It was the outcome of The State of Florida v. Christopher Hiatt, a controversial rape case, that sparked Rep. Carole Green's passion to change the criminal trial process. Green is the sponsor of HB 1149 that would give the prosecutor the...

Bar's diversity symposium set for St. Thomas in April.
April 1, 2004... Bar leaders and educators from across the state will gather at St. Thomas University this month to discuss diversity and develop plans to increase the numbers of minorities in the profession, education, and on the bench. "It is my desire...

GrayRobinson ships cookies to troops.
April 1, 2004... Each year millions of Americans anxiously await for a Girl Scout to knock on their door selling America's favorite cookies. However, for those serving overseas, that opportunity doesn't knock. This year the GrayRobinson law firm has decided to...

The Florida Orchestra.
April 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: THE FLORIDA ORCHESTRA recently presented Frank R. Jakes of Tampa with a platinum recording plaque commemorating the collaboration between the orchestra and Whitney Houston on the platinum-selling CD of The...

Judge works to combat domestic violence.
April 1, 2004... Dade County Judge Bonnie Rippingille, of the 11th Judicial Circuit's Domestic Violence Division, presented "A Day in Domestic Violence Court" for girls in the Sisters of the Heart mentoring program. Sisters of the Heart was founded by...

House Judiciary sends lawyer advertising bill to the floor.
April 1, 2004... A bill imposing a civil fine for lawyer advertisements that "incite" Florida residents to file lawsuits has cleared the House Judiciary Committee and been sent to the House floor. HB 1357, sponsored by Rep. David Simmons, D-Altamonte...

Corrected board action notice.(Notice)(Correction Notice)
April 1, 2004... Pursuant to Standing Board Policy 1.60, the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar hereby publishes this corrected notice of intent to consider or take final action at its April 2 meeting on the following items. These matters are additionally...

PAF seminar set for May 1 in Ft. Myers.
April 1, 2004... The Paralegal Association of Florida, Inc. will hold its 27th Annual Spring Seminar at the Holiday Inn Belltower in Ft. Myers May 1. Double-track seminars will be offered in real estate/land use and litigation. Topics and speakers for the...

Preparing a case for trial.(Tips for the Young Lawyer)
April 1, 2004... When should you start preparing for trial? Days before? Weeks before? The best time to start preparing for trial is at the start of the case. Start every case with the end in mind--the verdict you want--and pursue that end during every...

Equal Opportunities Law Section touts diversity pledge.
April 1, 2004... About a year ago the Equal Opportunities Law Section launched a campaign to raise awareness of the section's goals and objectives by requesting law firms to sign on to its statement of principle. By their signature, law firms and companies...

Homelessness seminar set.
April 1, 2004... "Under Seige--Meeting the Legal Needs of the Homeless," is the title of a day-long seminar sponsored by The Florida Bar Public Interest Law Section's Ad Hoc Committee on Homelessness, and Ninth Judicial Circuit Public Defender Bob Wesley. ...

In memoriam.
April 1, 2004... James David Acosta, Tampa Admitted 1971; Died September 12, 2003 Lewis Ansbacher, Jacksonville Admitted 1951; Died February 7, 2004 Martin Bergman, Boynton Beach Admitted 1984; Died October 4, 2003 Charles W. Burke, St. Petersburg...

Stephen H. Siegel.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2004... Stephen H. Siegel of Ruden, Mcclosky, Smith, Schuster & Russell, P.A., in Miami, presented "Privacy Regulations and Requirements: Correcting Myths and Urban legends" and "Florida Pre-emption and HIPAA," to an audience of physicians and hospital...

Ward, Rovell & Van Eepoel.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2004... Charles H. Carver of Ward, Rovell & Van Eepoel in Tampa, has been appointed co-vice president of public affairs for the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties of Florida for 2004.

Doris Goldstein.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2004... Doris Goldstein of Jacksonville received the 2003 Excellence in Writing Award for the Best Cutting Edge Article from the ABA's "Probate & Property" magazine. The article, "New Urbanism: Planning and Structure of the Traditional Neighborhood...

Benjamine Reid.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2004... Benjamine Reid of Carlton Fields in Miami, recently planned and moderated the program, "Punitive Damages: Did Campbell Finally Kill the Goose that Laid the Golden Egg?" at the Defense Research Institute National Annual Products Liability...

Theodore A. Deckert.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2004... Theodore A. Deckert, a mediator with ARC Mediation in West Palm Beach, presented, "Key to a Successful Mediation: Help Me Help You," at a seminar on alternative dispute resolution sponsored by the Palm Beach County Bar Association.

Mildred Beam .(News and Notes)
April 1, 2004... Mildred Beam of Mateer Harbert, recently presented a workshop titled "Practice Management: Contracting Aspects" at the National Medical Association's Region VI meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Gregory A. Hearing.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2004... Gregory A. Hearing of Thompson, Sizemore & Gonzalez, P.A., presented "Wage and Hour Claims--The New Biggest Area of Concern," at a labor and employment law seminar in Tampa.

Roger Rovell.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2004... Roger Rovell of Tampa, spoke about 401(k) plan design issues at the 401 (k) summit, sponsored by the American Society of Pension Actuaries, in Orlando.

Henry Ruffolo.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2004... Henry Ruffolo, a mediator with ARC Mediation in West Palm Beach, recently presented at the County Mediation Continuing Education Training, sponsored by the Palm Beach County Alternative Dispute Resolution Office.

Andrea M. Fair.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2004... Andrea M. Fair of Wetherington, Hamilton & Harrison, P.A., presented "Construction Liens: Good Faith vs. Willful Exaggeration," to Tampa Building Suppliers Trade Group Members of NACM in Tampa.

ACLU.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2004... Terry Coble of Miami has recently been named the president of the Greater Miami Chapter of the ACLU of Florida.

Joseph B. Landy.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2004... Joseph B. Landy of Palm Beach, has achieved board certification as a civil trial advocate through the NBTA.

The Foundation of The American Board of Trial Advocates.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2004... Joseph P. Milton of Jacksonville has been elected treasurer of The Foundation of The American Board of Trial Advocates in Dallas. The foundation sponsors nationwide, school programs for 59th graders on the 7th Amendment of the U.S....

Ronald L. Weaver.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2004... Ronald L. Weaver of Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson, P.A., in Tampa, spoke about a proposed statewide ballot initiative to require voter approval of changes to local growth plans in Florida, to the Tampa Bay Chapter of...

Fowler White Boggs Banker.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2004... Ted Afield of Fowler White Boggs Banker in Tampa, has been elected president of the Harvard Club of the West Coast of Florida.

Bruce A. Blitman.(New and Notes)
April 1, 2004... Bruce A. Blitman of Ft. Lauderdale presented "The Benefits of Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution," at the 2004 meeting of Northern Trust Bank's Attorney/ CPA Roundatable Seminar in Weston.

Dennis J. Wall.(New and Notes)
April 1, 2004... Dennis J. Wall of Orlando, spoke about insurance related matters at the American Bar Association's midyear meeting and seminar in Tucson, AZ.

Merchant and Gould.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2004... Brent E. Routman of Merchant and Gould, P.C., in Minneapolis, Minnesota, recently became president-elect of the Hennepin County Bar Association.

Brady and Associates.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2004... Sonja K. Knighton of Brady & Associates in Ft. Lauderdale, has been appointed as the first permanent city attorney for the City of Miami Gardens. The City of Miami Gardens is the third largest city in Miami-Dade County.

Spencer Aronfeld.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2004... Spencer Aronfeld of Aronfeld Trial Lawyers recently spoke at the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers Winter Seminar in Beaver Creek, CO., on plastic surgery cases, and at The Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers Workhorse Seminar on "Deposing the...

Rambana & Ricci.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2004... Neil Rambana of Rambaba & Ricci in Tallahassee, has become president of the International Chamber of Commerce, and was recently nominated for an atlarge position on the Tallahassee Bar Association board.

Stephen H. Siegel.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2004... Stephen H. Siegel of Ruden, Mcclosky Smith, Schuster & Russell, P.A., in Miami, presented "Privacy Regulations and Requirements: Correcting Myths and Urban legends" and "Florida Pre-emption and HIPAA," to and audience of physicians and hospital...

The Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.(New and Notes)
April 1, 2004... Ralph Behr of Ft. Lauderdale, has been elected to the Board of Directors of The Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Gunster Yoakley.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2004... Neisen O. Kasdin of Gunster Yoakley in Miami, has been appointed to the Urban Land Institute's Committee for Regional Cooperation for Florida's Future.

Galego & Fuentes.(On the Move)
April 1, 2004... Galego & Fuentes has relocated its office to Coral Gables at 232 Andalusia Ave., Ste. 202, phone (305) 444-9000. The firm concentrates its practice in residential and commercial real estate law.

Koch Harrington & Smith.(On the Move)
April 1, 2004... Susan Hoffman has joined Koch Harrington & Smith. The firm concentrates in matters of divorce, custody, and related appeals.

Sachs Sax Klein.(On the Move)
April 1, 2004... Brian M. McKell, formerly of Douberley and Cicero, and Henry N. Porter have joined Sachs Sax Klein in Boca Raton. McKell concentrates in community association law, professional liability, and insurance coverage defense. Porter focuses on...

Rogers Towers P.A.(On the Move)
April 1, 2004... Fred D. Franklin has joined Rogers Towers, P.A., in Jacksonville. He concentrates in complex litigation and negligence litigation, including personal injury, and wrongful death.

Greenburg Traurig's.(On the Move)
April 1, 2004... James Bacchus, former chief judge of World Trade Court, has become chair of Greenberg Traurig's global trade practice group in Orlando. He provides trade advice to multinational corporations, trade associations, and businesses regarding WTO...

Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster Kantor & Reed.(On the Move)
April 1, 2004... Gina Steffens and Stephanie Begy have become associated with Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster Kantor & Reed in Orlando. Both concentrate in real estate transactions, development, and finance.

Henderson Franklin.(On the Move)
April 1, 2004... Carlos A. Kelly has become a stockholder in Henderson Franklin in Ft. Myers. He concentrates in matters of real property disputes, business torts, construction claims, creditors' rights, and contract-based disputes.

Knight & Dwyer.(On the Move)
April 1, 2004... Stephen R.A. Knight, formerly a solo practitioner in Tallahassee, and Marc E. Dwyer announce the opening of Knight & Dwyer, the first African-American law firm in the city of Palm Coast. The firm focuses on estate planning, real estate, and...

GrayRobinson.(On the Move)
April 1, 2004... Michael Nolan, formerly of Carlton Fields, has become a shareholder with GrayRobinson in Tampa. He practices in health care, taxation, estate planning, trusts, and probate Offices are located at 201 N. Franklin St., Ste. 2200, Tampa, 33602.

Schell, Quillin, Mitchel & Cooley.(On the Move)
April 1, 2004... Schell, Quillin, Mitchel & Cooley, has relocated it offices to 1830 Main St., Ste. 100, in Weston Town Center. The firm focuses in the defense of claims in matters of healthcare, medical services, professional negligence, insurance litigation,...

Macfarlane Ferguson & McMullen.(On the Move)
April 1, 2004... Noel P. McDonell has joined Macfarlane Ferguson & McMullen in Tampa. She concentrates on eminent domain litigation. Offices are located at 400 N. Tampa St., Ste. 850, Tampa, 33602.

Elder, Kurzman, & Vaccarella, Lewis, Miles & Rembold, P.A.(On the Move)
April 1, 2004... Kerry H. Lewis, Joseph A. Miles, and Scott D. Rembold have become partners with the firm of Elder, Kurzman & Vaccarella, P.A. The firm name has changed to Elder, Vaccarella, Lewis, Miles & Rembold, P.A. the firm concentrates in construction law...

The Office of the Chief Counsel, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.(On the Move)
April 1, 2004... The Office of the Chief Counsel, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has relocated to One Riverview Sq., Ste. 200, 333 S. Miami Ave., Miami, 33138, phone: (305)400-6160, fax: (305)536-7225.

Michael J. Reppas P.A.(On the Move)
April 1, 2004... Michael J. Reppas, II, announces the opening of the Law Office of Michael J. Reppas, P.A., with an office on Coral Way at 3135 S.W. Third Ave., Miami, 33129, phone: 305-854-5029. Reppas concentrates in Commercial Litigation and Admiralty &...

McConnaughhay, Duffy, Coonrod, Pope & Weaver, P.A.(On the Move)
April 1, 2004... Timothy R. Whitney has become shareholder of McConnaughhay, Duffy, Coonrod, Pope & Weaver, P.A., and will become the managing partner of the firm's Pensacola office. He practices in the defense of insurance companies, and matters of employers...

Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster Kantor & Reed.(On the Move)
April 1, 2004... Donna Kirk and Clay Deatherage have become associated with Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster Kantor & Reed in Orlando. Kirk concentrates in real estate transactions, development, and finance. Deatherage focuses on commercial and bankruptcy litigation.

Lennar Corporation.(On the Move)
April 1, 2004... Benjamin P. Butterfield, formerly general counsel and secretary of Hughes Supply, Inc., in Orlando, has become general counsel and secretary for Lennar Corporation (NYSE: LEN) in Miami. Christian Marlin, formerly of Foley & Lardner in Orlando...

Luhrsen-Walsh-Kleinberg.(On the Move)
April 1, 2004... Bruce M. Kleinberg has become a shareholder of Luhrsen, Walsh & Associates in Sarasota, and the firm name has changed to Luhrsen-Walsh-Kleinberg.

Dean, Mead, Minton & Zwemer.(On the Move)
April 1, 2004... Dean, Mead, Egerton, Bloodworth, Capuauno & Bozarth, P.A., has renamed their Treasure Coast Office to Dean, Mead, Minton & Zwemer. The Ft. Pierce office handles matters concerning bankruptcy issues, commercial litigation, and mediation.

Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster Kantor & Reed.(On the Move)
April 1, 2004... Lauren Heatwole has become associated with Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster Kantor & Reed in Orlando. She practices in commercial litigation, family and marital law, and labor and employment law.

Aronfeld Trial Lawyers.(On the Move)
April 1, 2004... Cynthia Strickland has joined the firm of Aronfeld Trial Lawyers. She focuses on plaintiff's personal injury and medical malpractice.

Montoya and Flavell.(On the Move)
April 1, 2004... Edward Montoya and Robert Flavell have formed Montoya and Flavell, in Coral Gables. The firm will continue to handle personal injury, real estate, and commercial litigation cases.

Rambana & Ricci.(On the Move)
April 1, 2004... Elizabeth Ricci of Rambana & Ricci, P.A., immigration attorneys in Tallahassee, has become an adjunct professor at Barry University.

Page, Eichenblatt, Bernbaum & Bennett.(On the Move)
April 1, 2004... Brian W. Bennett, formerly of Gronek & Latham, has become a partner with Page & Eichenblatt in Orlando. The firm name has changed to Page, Eichenblatt, Bernbaum & Bennett. He has expanded his civil trial practice to include the prosecution of...

Sandra I. Murado.(On the Move)
April 1, 2004... Sandra I. Murado announces the opening of her practice, Sandra I. Murado, P.A., concentrating in the areas of immigration, nationality, and consular law. Office is located at 4100 S.W. 57 Ave., Miami, 33155, phone: (305) 740-5800, fax (305)...

Gould, Cooksey, Fennell, O'Neill, Marine, Carter, & Hafner.(On the Move)
April 1, 2004... Jennifer H. VanHoose has joined the litigation team of Gould, Cooksey, Fennell, O'Neill, Marine, Carter, & Hafner in Vero Beach. She focuses on plaintiff's personal injury and medical malpractice litigation.