Florida Bar News articles from April 2005

Florida Bar News archives from April 2005

Order of the Black Bean.
April 1, 2005... CUBAN AMERICAN BAR members recently traveled to Tallahassee to participate in the Order of the Black Bean Pig Roast in honor of Supreme Court Justice Raoul Cantero. A year ago, Ramon Abadin, then president of CABA, and Raquel Rodriguez, general...

Legislature sets sights on lawyer advertising.
April 1, 2005... A bill requiring advertising lawyers--including out-of-state attorneys who advertise in Florida--to file an affidavit that they are following Florida Bar advertising rules has cleared a Senate committee. SB 192, introduced by Sen. Skip...

Bill would take criminal rulemaking ability from the court.
April 1, 2005... The House Criminal Justice Committee on March 16 moved legislation that would send to voters a constitutional amendment to strip the Supreme Court of its ability to write procedural rules relating to violations of criminal law--including those...

Ad rules, no new fees budget on the agenda: Board of Governors also to take up revenue splits and gay adoptions at its Tallahassee meeting.
April 1, 2005... Proposed new advertising rules and a possible alteration of how revenues are split between the Bar and its sections are on the agenda for the Bar Board of Governors' April 8 meeting. The board is also expected to revisit the gay adoption issue,...

Rubio to lead House: lawyer-legislator takes center stage in 2006.
April 1, 2005... As soon as Marco Rubio graduated from the University of Miami School of Law in 1996, he immersed himself in Republican politics, going to work as a floor manager at the GOP convention in San Diego, California. Ever since, the Republican...

Competent lawyers.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2005... I note in the March 1 News, a spokesman for the Bar told the Supreme Court they must find a way to guarantee citizens that lawyers regularly working in Florida are capable and ethical. The only way to do that, he added, is to have them take the...

Gay adoptions.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2005... The Family Law Section Executive Council voted to show its support for gay adoption via gay foster parenting at the expense of the abused and neglected foster children it claims to be serving. This council is attempting to promote its gay...

Journal directory.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2005... Much to my dismay, the annual Florida Bar Journal Directory I received last September no longer contained the names, addresses, and phone numbers of the courts, clerks, sheriffs statewide; or state and federal officials, and other essential...

Multijurisdictional practice.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2005... The current multijurisdictional debate focusing on pro hac vice rules that appeared in the March 1 News, is par-for-the-course of the way our Florida Bar approaches any and all changes, that they somehow have to reinvent the wheel. As a...

Board to make appointments in June.(Notice)
April 1, 2005... The Board of Governors is seeking applicants for the following vacancies to be filled during its June meeting: ABA House of Delegates: Three lawyers to serve two-year terms and one lawyer to serve one-year term commencing at the conclusion...

Board of Bar Examiners position available.(Notice)
April 1, 2005... Florida Board of Bar Examiners Vacancy: Lawyer applicants are being sought to fill three vacancies on the Florida Board of Bar Examiners. The Board of Governors will be selecting nine nominees for three lawyer vacancies at its June 3 meeting....

Comments requested on senior judges seeking service renewal.(Notice)
April 1, 2005... The following senior judges' current service will expire on September 30, and they are seeking service renewal. Any persons having knowledge bearing upon the fitness or qualifications of any of the senior judges on this list to continue...

Public members needed for Bar Examiners.(Notice)
April 1, 2005... Members of the public are invited to volunteer on or before June 15 for a three-year term on the Florida Board of Board Examiners. The Supreme Court will appoint two public members to serve on the Board of Bar Examiners. A public member...

Registry lawyers defended at committee meeting.
April 1, 2005... A Florida House panel has heard testimony suggesting private attorneys handling death penalty appeals are not doing a poor job as claimed recently by two Supreme Court justices. And Rep. Bruce Kyle, R-Ft. Myers, chair of the House Justice...

Measure restricts constitutional amendments: committee rejects proposals to allow a citizen statutory initiative process.
April 1, 2005... A move to restrict constitutional amendments, particularly those proposed by initiative, is moving forward in the Florida Legislature. The House Judiciary Committee on March 10 approved four proposed amendments, one affecting both initiated...

Claude Pepper Award nominees needed.
April 1, 2005... The Government Lawyer Section is now accepting nominations for its Claude Pepper Outstanding Government Lawyer Award, which recognizes "an outstanding lawyer who has made an extraordinary and exemplary contribution as a practicing government...

Nominations sought for Tradition of Excellence Award.
April 1, 2005... Nomination are now being accepted for the General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section's Tradition of Excellence Award, which honors a lawyer for exceptional contributions to, or an exemplary career in, general, solo, or small firm practice. ...

Former Bar President Henry dies.
April 1, 2005... William O. E. Henry--former president of both The Florida Bar and Florida Bar Foundation, a Holland & Knight lawyer for more than half a century, a champion of the poor, and an Eagle Scout extraordinaire--died March 11 after complications from...

Proposed judicial code amendments.(Notice)
April 1, 2005... The Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee has filed with the Supreme Court a report proposing amendments to the Florida Code of Judicial Conduct. The proposed amendments are in response to the August 2003 revisions to the ABA Model Code of...

17th Circuit Board candidates platform statements.
April 1, 2005... Ballots will be mailed on April 1 in a special election to replace 17th Circuit Board of Governors Henry Latimer, who was killed in a car crash earlier this year. Four candidates have filed, and their platform statements are below. ...

In memory of Henry Latimer.
April 1, 2005... IN MEMORY OF HENRY LATIMER, a former member of the Bar's Board of Governors, Broward County Bar President Steve E. Moody recently presented a $2,500 check from the association to Deana Holiday, president of the T.J. Reddick Bar Association, to...

Jury instruction committee seeks members.
April 1, 2005... The Florida Supreme Court's Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases currently has vacancies on the panel. Any member of the Bar or Florida's judiciary may apply for appointment. An application form may be obtained at...

Civil jury instruction amendment.(Notice)
April 1, 2005... The Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Civil Cases proposes amendments to instruction 6.13 Collateral Source Rule. After reviewing the comments received in response to this publication, the committee may submit its...

Judicial candidates can't comment on pending cases: the canons already prohibit sitting judges from commenting, but now apply to all judicial candidates.
April 1, 2005... The Florida Supreme Court has amended the judicial canons to prohibit judicial candidates from commenting on pending cases where such comments could affect their future outcomes. Acting on a recommendation from the Judicial Ethics Advisory...

Bill would regulate paralegals: provides disbarred attorneys can't be paralegals either.
April 1, 2005... A bill to set up a state board to regulate paralegals has been filed by Sen. Nancy Argenziano, R-Crystal River. SB 2054, filed early in March, would also define paralegals mostly as those working for lawyers or government offices and make...

House works on med mal amendment implementation.
April 1, 2005... "It's like there is a food fight in Florida between the doctors and lawyers and we're the custodians in the cafeteria cleaning up." That's how Rep. Jack Seiler, D-Pompano Beach, summed up disagreements over bills in the House Judiciary...

Wm. Reece Smith, Jr., professorship endowed.(Legal Roundup)
April 1, 2005... Wm. Reece Smith, Jr., Professorship Endowed: The Joy McCann Foundation donated $500,000 to Stetson University to endow the Wm. Reece Smith, Jr., Distinguished Professorship to celebrate the work of Smith, a former ABA and Florida Bar president....

Money raised in fight against AIDS.(Legal Roundup)
April 1, 2005... Money Raised in Fight Against AIDS: The Central Florida Gay & Lesbian Law Association raised $2,050 for Hope & Help, Inc., at the 2005 Orlando AIDS Walk. Eleven attorneys participated in the fundraising activities.

Stetson students win.(Legal Roundup)
April 1, 2005... Stetson Students Win: A Stetson University trial team won the Southeast Regional Competition of the National Trial Competition in Jacksonville. With the win, Stetson advances to the national finals in San Antonio, Texas, at the end of March as...

Ruden McClosky aids tsunami relief.(Legal Roundup)
April 1, 2005... Ruden McClosky Aids Tsunami Relief: The Ruden McClosky firm has donated $40,000 to AmeriCares for the Tsunami Relief fund. Firm Executive Director David Lane said the firm's partners challenged all attorneys and staff to contribute what they...

Barry takes the title.(Legal Roundup)
April 1, 2005... Barry Takes the Title: Barry University's School of Law in Orlando defeated a 16-team field to capture the recent Southeastern Regional Championship of the American Trial Lawyers Association Mock Trial Competition. The team, led by Professor...

Presidents honored.(Legal Roundup)
April 1, 2005... Presidents Honored: The West Pasco Bar Association board officers, directors and members held a special recognition luncheon recently to acknowledge the organization's former presidents. The West Pasco Bar was originally formed in 1965. Today...

Lawyers honored for service.(Legal Roundup)
April 1, 2005... Lawyers Honored for Service: The St. Petersburg Bar Foundation recently honored three attorneys who have volunteered their time and talents in the service of the community and the world: Louie Adcock, Danell DeBerg, and the late Jim Fischer....

Why lawyers can't hear.(Stresslines)
April 1, 2005... "My lawyer doesn't listen to me!" "She doesn't care!" "He isn't interested in me, he just keeps telling me what to do!" I hope you've never heard these comments directed to you, but the odds are you have, even if you are a very good...

Dade County Trial Lawyers Association.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2005... Jonathan R. Friedland of Jonathan R. Friedland, P.A., in Miami was inducted as president of the Dade County Trial Lawyers Association.

Michael Andrew Haggard.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2005... Michael Andrew Haggard of Haggard, Parks, Haggard & Lewis in Coral FRIEDLAND Gables served as guest speaker at a Dade County Bar Association seminar and spoke on the topic of, "Damages in Record Verdicts--Compensatory Damages and Punitive...

Thomas A. Dye.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2005... Thomas A. Dye of Carlton Fields in Tampa spoke at the American Intellectual Property Law Association Mid-Winter Institute in Lake Buena Vista.

Eric A. Gordon.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2005... Eric A. Gordon of Arnstein & Lehr in Boca Raton has published an article in the South Palm Beach County Bar Association's winter issue of The South County Advocate. The article is titled, "How to Get Sued in Business Without Really Trying:...

The Suncoast Tiger Bay Club.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2005... Jack A. Weiss of Fowler White Boggs Banker in St. Petersburg was elected to the board of directors of The Suncoast Tiger Bay Club.

Florida Board of Bar Examiners.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2005... R. Terry Rigsby of Carlton Fields in Tampa was named vice chair of the Florida Board of Bar Examiners.

Pinellas Association for Retarded Children.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2005... Bruce C. Crawford of Crawford, Owen & Hines in St. Petersburg was named chair of the Pinellas Association for Retarded Children.

Paul Steven Singerman and Thomas O. Wells of Berger Singerman in Miami were featured speakers at the Northern Trust Annual Bankers' Sales Conference.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2005... Paul Steven Singerman and Thomas O. Wells of Berger Singerman in Miami were featured speakers at the Northern Trust Annual Bankers Sales Conference. Their topic was, "Asset Planning for CRAWFORD Physicians and the Defensive Rabbi Trust Loan."

William W. Corry.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2005... William W. Corry of Tallahassee received the 2004 Trial Lawyer of the Year Award from the Tallahassee Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates.

Legal Services of Greater Miami honored John Little, Barbara Lanshe, and Lashan Fagan.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2005... Legal Services of Greater Miami honored John Little, Barbara Lanshe, and Lashan Fagan. Little was honored for 20 years of service. Lanshe was honored for 15 years of service. Fagan received the Alfred Feinberg Memorial Award for her aggressive...

Toni L. Wortherly.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2005... Toni L. Wortherly of Jacksonville started a publishing company, Artistic Esquire Publishing, LLC and published her first book, Pray While You're Prey.

Broward County Trial Lawyers.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2005... Steven Jaffe of Aronovitz Trial Lawyers in Miami was named to the executive board of the Broward County Trial Lawyers.

Cynthia Crofoot Rignanese.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2005... Cynthia Crofoot Rignanese was recognized by the ABA for "Outstanding Community Service During National Health Care Decisions Week."

Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr., Bar Association.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2005... Christina McKinnon of the Law Office of Christina A. McKinnon was named the "Newcomer of the Year" by the Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr., Bar Association in Miami.

Gold Coast Region B'nai B'rith Youth Organization Adult Commission.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2005... Morri I. Levine of Hollywood was elected chair of the recently formed Gold Coast Region B'nai B'rith Youth Organization Adult Commission. Levine was also installed as vice-president of membership for B'nai B'rith Justice Unit #5207.

2005 Palm Beach County Trial Lawyers Association.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2005... Richard M. Benrubi of Liggio, Benrubi & Williams was elected treasurer of the 2005 Palm Beach County Trial Lawyers Association.

Michael G. Whelan.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2005... Michael G. Whelan of Ogletree Deakins presented, "The Dark Side v. The Force" at the Florida Public Employer Labor Relations Association's 31st Annual Training Conference.

Sarasota Association of Realtors/ Sarasota County Bar Association.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2005... Julie A. Horstkamp of Kirk-Pinkerton was appointed chair for the Sarasota Realtor Attorney Joint Committee of the Sarasota Association of Realtors/ Sarasota County Bar Association for a term of one year.

Richard Doran.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2005... Richard Doran of Ausley & McMullen EA. in Tallahassee co-presented about the unique ethical obligations and challenges faced by a state attorney general at the winter meeting of the National Association of Attorneys General in Ft. Lauderdale.

J.B. Harris.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2005... J.B. Harris of Motley Rice addressed the Trial Lawyers Marketing Roundtable in Palm Springs, CA, about marketing opportunities in emerging areas of liability, including tax resolution fraud, port crane accidents, vehicle defects, and Vioxx...

H. Steven Vogel.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2005... H. Steven Vogel was the featured speaker at a continuing education program for the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountant's and also at Florida International University, the lecture was titled, "Selected Topics in Accounting...

Kevin E. Packman.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2005... Kevin E. Packman of Nelson & Levine in North Miami Beach spoke at the Aventura Roundtable Luncheon hosted by Northern Trust Bank. Packman spoke on, "The Florida Homestead Exemption."

A. Brian Phillips.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2005... A. Brian Phillips of Ruden McClosky in Orlando presented at the annual Louisiana State Bar Association Retreat. Phillips presentation was titled, "The Rigors of the Interdisciplinary Practice."

Southeast Legal Marketing Association.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2005... Karen Plunkett of Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed in Orlando was elected to the board of directors for the Southeast Legal Marketing Association.

Council of ABA Trial, Tort, and Insurance Practice.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2005... Pamela Beckham of Beckham & Beckham in Miami was elected to serve a three-year term on the Council of ABA Trial, Tort, and Insurance Practice section.

First District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2005... Jason Gonzalez of Ausley & McMullen in Tallahassee was appointed by Gov. Jeb Bush to a four-year term on the First District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission.

Palm Beach County Trial Lawyers Association.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2005... David C. Prather of Lytal, Reiter, Clark, Fountain & Williams in West Palm Beach was elected president of the Palm Beach County Trial Lawyers Association for 2005.

Community Association Institute.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2005... Michael S. Bender of Robert Kaye & Associates in Ft. Lauderdale was elected president of the Southeast Florida PRATHER Chapter of Community Association Institute.

Coralee G. Penabad.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2005... Coralee G. Penabad of Meland, Russia, Hellinger & Budwick in Miami will speak at a one day Lorman seminar on the subject of bankruptcy in Florida.

Brian H. Pollock opened the Law Office of Brian H. Pollock at 3550 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 400, Miami 33139.(On the Move)
April 1, 2005... Brian H. Pollock opened the Law Office of Brian H. Pollock at 3550 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 400, Miami 33139. The firm practices civil litigation, and provides personalized legal representation, advice, and counseling to individuals and growing...

Michael Ufferman.(On the Move)
April 1, 2005... Michael Ufferman announces the opening of the Michael Ufferman Law Firm. The firm concetrates on state and federal criminal appeals, criminal postconviction motions, and family law appeals. The office is located at 660 East Jefferson Street,...

Walter H. Palmer was admitted to the Brazilian Bar, Rio de Janeiro Division. (On the Move.
April 1, 2005... Walter H. Palmer was admitted to the Brazilian Bar, Rio de Janeiro Division. Palmer and Cristina Pinheiro Palmer announce the opening of their firm Pinheiro Palmer Advogados in Rio de Janeiro. Palmer continues to practice in the area of...

Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart.(On the Move)
April 1, 2005... Jeffrey T. Donner joined Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart in Miami as an associate. Donner concentrates in the areas of environmental and land use law and administrative law.

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart.(On the Move)
April 1, 2005... Christopher W. Deering joined Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart in Birmingham, AL.

Nason, Yeager, Gerson, White & Lioce.(On the Move)
April 1, 2005... Eric Light, Jessica Goler, William Kelly, and Dana Strong joined Nason, Yeager, Gerson, White & Lioce in West Palm Beach. Light concentrates in the areas of estate planning, probate, taxation, and corporate law. Goler and Strong focus on real...

Gardner, Wadsworth, Duggar, Bist & Wiener.(On the Move)
April 1, 2005... Garvin B. Bowden has become shareholder with Gardner, Wads-worth, Duggar, Bist & Wiener in Tallahassee.

Smith, Currie & Hancock.(On the Move)
April 1, 2005... Leonardo Ortiz joined Smith, Currie & Hancock in Ft. Lauderdale as an associate. Ortiz concentrates in the area of construction litigation.

Quarles & Brady.(On the Move)
April 1, 2005... Amy Garrard joined Quarles & Brady in Naples. Garrard joined the labor and employment practice group.

A. Duda & Sons.(On the Move)
April 1, 2005... Tracy Duda Chapman was appointed corporate vice president and general counsel to A. Duda & Sons in Oviedo.

Zinober & McCrea.(On the Move)
April 1, 2005... Liz Gierbolini was named partner at Zinober & McCrea in Tampa.

Conrad & Scherer.(On the Move)
April 1, 2005... Conrad & Scherer opened a new Tallahassee office and announced Mark Casteel, Jack B. Tuter, and Bill Wichmann as partners in the firm. Additionally, David E. Irwin, Sara Waiters, Albert "Chip" Hutzler, and Jacqueline A. Taylor joined the firm...

St. Thomas University School of Law.(On the Move)
April 1, 2005... Richard E. Brodsky was named adjunct professor at St. Thomas University School of Law to teach securities regulation.

The Law Offices of Christian Dunham.(On the Move)
April 1, 2005... Christian Dunham announced the opening of The Law Offices of Christian Dunham located at The White Building, One NE 2nd Ave., Suite 200, Miami 33132. The firm focuses on state and federal criminal defense.

Holland & Knight.(On the Move)
April 1, 2005... Richard "Rick" Stephens of Holland & Knight in Lakeland was named national practice group leader for public finance, a practice area within the firm's business law section.

Schwarzberg & Associates.(On the Move)
April 1, 2005... Lorraine O'Hanlon Rogers attorney with Schwarzberg & Associates in West Palm Beach was appointed head of the firm's employment law practice group.

Lytal, Reiter, Clark, Fountain & Williams.(On the Move)
April 1, 2005... Barry N. Heisler II joined Lytal, Reiter; Clark, Fountain & Williams in West Palm Beach as an associate. Heisler concentrates in the areas of medical malpractice and product liability.

Beasley, Hauser, Kramer & Leonard.(On the Move)
April 1, 2005... Raymond E. Kramer III and Patricia A. Leonard were named shareholders in Beasley & Hauser. The firm will now be called Beasley, Hauser, Kramer & Leonard.

Hill, Ward & Henderson.(On the Move)
April 1, 2005... Benjamin H. Hill IV and S. Gordon Hill joined Hill, Ward & Henderson in Tampa as associates. Benjamin Hill practices in the real estate related litigation group and Gordon Hill works in both the general commercial litigation and employment law...

Jones Walker.(On the Move)
April 1, 2005... Laurie M. Chess was made a partner in Jones Walker in Miami.

Trenam Kemker.(On the Move)
April 1, 2005... Laura E. Prather was appointed to lead the employment law practice of Trenam Kemker in Tampa.