Florida Bar News articles from April 2006

Florida Bar News archives from April 2006

Lewis to lead Supreme Court.
April 1, 2006... Justice R. Fred Lewis has been unanimously named by his colleagues on the Florida Supreme Court as chief justice-elect. He will become the state's 52nd chief justice since statehood in a ceremony tentatively scheduled for Friday, June 30....

Plan suggests 'Florida registered paralegals'; recommendation now goes to the Board of Governors.
April 1, 2006... Those wanting to hold themselves out as "Florida registered paralegals" would have to meet certain educational or experience criteria and complete continuing education requirements under a plan put forth by the Special Committee to Study...

New judges bill clears Judiciary.
April 1, 2006... A bill approving all 66 new judgeships certified by the Florida Supreme Court has cleared the House Judiciary Committee. That panel also approved two other bills at its March 15 meeting that affect the court system. Rep. Joe Negron,...

How many lawyers are in your office?
April 1, 2006... How Many Lawyers Are In Your Office? Over 100 5% 51-100 5% 21-50 9% 11-20 11% 6-10 12% ...

Cuban painter rafts to freedom; chosen to create portrait of first Cuban American justice.(Portrait of an Artist)
April 1, 2006... The unveiling of a portrait of Florida Supreme Court Justice Raoul Cantero III was a celebration of the freedom of artist Luis Soler, who escaped from Cuba by raft in 1994, barely surviving the ordeal to become the last Cuban to enter the...

Bill would 'make clear the proper way' to interpret the constitution; critics called it a 'power grab' and say its wording is vague.
April 1, 2006... A proposed constitutional amendment directing how the Florida Constitution should be interpreted has passed the House Judiciary Committee. Committee Chair David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, presented PCB JU 06-06 and began with praise for...

Joint and several liability.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2006... I am concerned with the general misconception that the doctrine of joint and several liability requires a codefendant to pay for damages that were not his fault. For example, Rep. Donald Brown, R-DeFuniak Springs, is quoted in an article on...

The system.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2006... As outsiders looking in, we can only imagine the difficulty of prosecuting some criminal cases. As such, however, we can be sufficiently objective to see what may be wrong with "the system"--or distinguishing between vigorous representation and...

State attorney turnover.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2006... As a former prosecutor, it is hard to understand why legislators continue to ignore the crisis caused by high prosecutor turnover (even in times of surplus in Florida's coffers). In the February 15 edition of News, the article "State Attorneys,...

Ex parte by computer?(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2006... The efforts of the Article V Technology Board to create a computer database that would be used by judges while presiding over cases raises serious concern that the use of such a system would result in institutionalized ex parte fact-finding and...

Gay adoption.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2006... There are compelling child-centered reasons to oppose gay adoption of foster children which were not addressed in the March 1 News story headlined "Bill to allow gay foster parents to adopt dosen't have the votes." Majority viewpoints deserve...

Specialty bars.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2006... Regarding the February 15 News article wherein the Puerto Rican-born lawyer is president of the Cuban-American Bar Association, I appeal to those who support such associations to recognize the resulting harm to them and to America. ...

Statewide advertising grievance committee needs new members.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2006... Nominations are being sought for lawyer and public members of the Statewide Advertising and Solicitation Grievance Committee. The committee investigates and makes recommendations as to the disposition of attorney advertising complaints....

Comments requested on senior judges seeking service renewal.
April 1, 2006... 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...

Davis joins News staff.
April 1, 2006... Theresa Davis, the newest member of The Florida Bar Journal & News team, is an assistant editor who will be in charge of compiling "News and Notes" and "On the Move" columns, writing news stories, and helping proofread both publications. ...

U.S. 11th Circuit seeks rule change comments.
April 1, 2006... Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. [section] 2071(b), notice and opportunity for comment is hereby given of proposed amendments to the Rules of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. A copy of the proposed amendments may be obtained on and...

Mason petitions for reinstatement.
April 1, 2006... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, LeRonnie Mario Mason has petitioned the Florida Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement. Any persons having knowledge bearing upon Mason's fitness or qualifications to resume the practice of law should contact Cheryl L....

Applicants needed for bar examiners.(Notice)
April 1, 2006... Florida Board of Bar Examiners Vacancy: Lawyer applicants are being sought to fill two vacancies on the Florida Board of Bar Examiners. The Board of Governors will be selecting six nominees for two lawyer vacancies at its June 2 meeting. The...

It's USDC-MDFL Bar renewal time.(Notice)
April 1, 2006... Notice is hereby given that on or about May 30, annual renewal forms will be provided by U.S. mail to all active members of the Bar of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. In anticipation of that mailing, the...

Board to make June appointments.(Notice)
April 1, 2006... The Board of Governors is seeking applicants for the following vacancies to be filled during its June 2 meeting: ABA House of Delegates: Three lawyers (one under 35 delegate) to serve two-year terms commencing in August at the conclusion of...

Proposed jury instructions (criminal).(Notice)
April 1, 2006... The Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases submits the following new instructions to the Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases and invites all persons to comment to the Committee on the proposals. The...

Quinones works for compromise.(Lawyers in the Legislature)
April 1, 2006... Culture shock jolted 14-year-old John Quinones when his family moved from Puerto Rico to the Orlando area in 1979 searching for a better quality of life and education opportunities. "While I could read and understand English, I still had...

What they said ...
April 1, 2006... "As I listen to you and read this, it appears to me your intent is not to attack the Supreme Court or undo the Bush v. Holmes case, but merely have a policy statement restoring the balance among the three branches of government." --Rep....

Bar's had a good investment year.
April 1, 2006... The Bar had a good year in 2005 on its investments and has had a strong start to 2006. Investment Committee member Jay White told the Board of Governors recently that the Bar for all of 2005 had a 6.59 percent rate of return on its...

Two join Foundation.
April 1, 2006... The Bar Board of Governors has appointed Miami attorney George F. Knox and reappointed Sarasota attorney and former Young Lawyers Division President Michael Faehner to seats on The Florida Bar Foundation Board of Directors. The two will...

Court sets out procedures for adding DCAs; plan relies less on raw case numbers and more on performance.
April 1, 2006... The Supreme Court has adopted a new rule of judicial administration to be used in helping to determine the need to increase, decrease, or redefine appellate districts. The new Rule of Judicial Administration 2.036 relies less on raw...

Bar Web site to be upgraded; plan would allow more member information to be included.
April 1, 2006... Bar members may soon be able to list more information about themselves on the Bar Web site's information pages about individual members. Communications Committee Chair Kim Bald recently reported to the Board of Governors the committee...

PEC moves three items; including a diversity survey, a new award, and expanded referral service.
April 1, 2006... An expanded local lawyer referral service, a disability survey, and a new Bar award were all recommended by the Bar's Program Evaluation Committee and approved by the Board of Governors at its Tallahassee meeting. The survey is intended to...

Smith gives address to the Board of Governors.
April 1, 2006... Being considered a long-shot candidate for Florida governor is no reason to lose your sense of humor. At least that was the view of state Sen. Rod Smith, D-Gainesville, as related to the Bar Board of Governors at its February 17 meeting....

Panel not sold on unanimous verdicts.
April 1, 2006... Rep. Bruce Kyle, R-Ft. Myers, has filed a resolution declaring that Florida's public policy should not require unanimous jury recommendations for death sentences. As chair of the House Justice Council, Kyle had conducted a workshop on the...

Promoting democracy--one e-mail at a time: Florida Coastal professor lends his constitutional know-how to the Iraqis.
April 1, 2006... Hundreds of thousands of people use the Internet every day. They complete mundane tasks like paying bills, purchasing items, and conducting tedious research. They also use the Internet to communicate with many different people in far-flung...

Foundation grants to provide legal aid to children and families.
April 1, 2006... Children with disabilities. Children ensnared in custody battles. Children denied proper medical care or special education. Children stuck in foster care. Families ravaged by domestic violence. All are clients at the Children's Advocacy Center...

Oral argument set.
April 1, 2006... The Supreme Court has set oral arguments for In Re: Amerndments to the Rules Regulation The Florida Bar Re: Chapter 11 Task Force for May 4, beginning at 9 a.m. For more information, check the online docket at http://jweb.flcourts.org/pls/...

D'Alemberte recognized for work to promote democracy.
April 1, 2006... Sandy D'Alemberte, president emeritus of Florida State University and a professor in the FSU College of Law, was presented with the International Bar Association's Rule of Law Award, which honors individuals who have made "a significant and...

Board moves to exempt Bar dues for lawyers called to active military duty.
April 1, 2006... The Board of Governors has given final approval to an exemption on annual dues for Bar members who are called to active duty. The board reviewed the proposal in December, and gave final approval at its February meeting in Tallahassee. The...

Board to work on Bar budget: no membership fee increase planned.
April 1, 2006... A 2006-07 Bar budget that produces a surplus and requires no increase in annual membership fees will be presented to the Board of Governors at its April 7 meeting in Coral Gables. The board will approve next year's spending plan but will...

License plate contest to benefit local bars.
April 1, 2006... The Florida Bar Foundation, in conjunction with Florida's voluntary bar associations, is hosting a contest to drive sales of the "Kids Deserve Justice" specialty license plates, which raises money to provide free legal services to low-income...

Bar Diversity Symposium set for April.
April 1, 2006... "A Progress Report on Diversity in Florida's Legal Profession" will be the theme of The Florida Bar's Annual Diversity Symposium at the Florida A&M University College of Law in Orlando on April 28. The event will highlight actions taken by...

FSU takes national crown.(Legal Roundup)
April 1, 2006... FSU Takes National Crown: The Florida State University College of Law's mock trial team took first place in the recent Lone Star Classic National Mock Trial competition in San Antonio, Texas. The FSU team advanced undefeated through six rounds...

PILS honors Doering.(Legal Roundup)
April 1, 2006... PILS Honors Doering: Karen Doering, senior counsel with the National Center for Lesbian Rights, received the Public Interest Law Section Allan Terl Award at the section's membership luncheon in January.

Kennedy visits St. Thomas.(Legal Roundup)
April 1, 2006... Kennedy Visits St. Thomas: St. Thomas University School of Law kicked off its 2006 Distinguished Speaker Series with a speech by author and political activist Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who discussed the role politics plays in preserving the...

UF gets $2 million gift.(Legal Roundup)
April 1, 2006... UF Gets $2 million Gift: Pensacola's Fred Levin has contributed $2 million as the lead gift to the University of Florida Levin College of Law to build a $5.2 million complex that will include a large, modern courtroom and faculty offices. Along...

Sentencing guidelines seminar.(Legal Roundup)
April 1, 2006... Sentencing Guidelines Seminar: The Tampa Bay Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, in conjunction with the United States Sentencing Commission, will sponsor the 15th Annual Federal Sentencing Guidelines Seminar at the Wyndham Miami Beach...

Carlton fields creates award.(Legal Roundup)
April 1, 2006... Carlton Fields Creates Award: Carlton Fields has established the Snow Community Service Award that recognizes attorneys at the firm who provide exemplary service to charitable or civic organizations within their community. The award is named in...

Southern Legal Counsel, Inc.(Legal Roundup)
April 1, 2006... SOUTHERN LEGAL COUNSEL, Inc., held a legislative reception in Tallahassee on March 9. Pictured are Joseph Hatchett, who co-chaired the event, and Second Circuit Judge Nikki Clark.

The Fred G. Minnis, Sr., BAR Association.(Legal Roundup)
April 1, 2006... THE FRED G. MINNIS, SR., BAR Association recently held its Third Annual Scholarship Awards banquet at Stetson University School of Law. More than 250 guests, members of the judiciary, and Bar leaders--including Florida Bar President Alan...

The Florida Bar Citizens Forum.(Legal Roundup)
April 1, 2006... THE FLORIDA BAR CITIZENS FORUM, an advisory group to the Bar that meets three times per year, participated in a law-related education workshop presented by Justice Fred Lewis and FLREA Executive Director Annette Pitts on February 1 6 in...

North American Butterfly Association.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2006... Dennis J. Olle of Adorno & Yoss was re-elected president of the Miami Blue Chapter of the North American Butterfly Association.

Elizabeth M. Hernandez of Coral Gables and Rafael E. Suarez-Rivas of Miami presented the "What You Need to Know about Public Records and Open Meeting Laws".(News and Notes)
April 1, 2006... Elizabeth M. Hernandez of Coral Gables and Rafael E. Suarez-Rivas of Miami presented the. "What You Need to Know about Public Records and Open Meeting Laws" in a legal seminar held in Miami.

Foundation for Comprehensive Community Care.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2006... W. Trent Steele of West Palm Beach was named chair of the Foundation for Comprehensive Community Care's "Share the Health" campaign to establish a private, nonprofit community health center in Palm Beach County.

Palm Beach County Zoning Commission.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2006... Peter M. Feaman of Hodgson Russ in Boca Raton was appointed to a three-year term as a member of the Palm Beach County Zoning Commission.

International Franchise Association's Council of Forum Suppliers.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2006... Michael Joblove of Genovese Joblove & Battista in Miami was appointed to the board of the International Franchise Association's Council of Forum Suppliers.

Renee Goldenberg.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2006... Renee Goldenberg has written a two-volume book, Florida Family Law & Practice, published by James Publishing, Inc.

Wilkes Honors College Advisory Board.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2006... Jennifer A. Geiser of Fowler White Boggs Banker in West Palm Beach was invited to serve on the Wilkes Honors College Advisory Board as an alumni representative. Geiser also founded the Wilkes Honors College Alumni Society

Tom Scarritt.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2006... Tom Scarritt of Scarritt Law Group in Tampa was a featured speaker at an ethics seminar in Tampa. His topic was the purpose and function of the Florida Commission on Ethics and Hillsborough County Judicial Campaign Practices Committee.

Melanie Emmons Damian.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2006... Melanie Emmons Damian of Damian Valori in Miami is scheduled to lecture at the ABA's third annual "Institute for the Young Business Lawyer" at the Marriott Waterside Hotel in Tampa.

Temple Beth Am.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2006... Robert A. Schatzman of Adorno & Yoss in Coral Gables was elected president of Temple Beth Am.

Stephen G. Charpentier.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2006... Stephen G. Charpentier of Childress & Charpentier in Melbourne presented remarks at the dedication ceremony of the historic Titusville courthouse named in honor of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Vasser B. Carlton.

U.S. District Court.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2006... Michael J. Higer was reappointed to serve as a member of the Advisory Committee on Rules and Procedures for the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida.

University of Miami School of Law.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2006... Brian F. Spector of Kenny Nachwalter's Miami office has become firm counsel and adjunct professor at the University of Miami School of Law, and is devoting his practice to serving as a mediator, arbitrator and expert witness in professional...

Phi Beta Kappa Alumni Association of Austin.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2006... Margaret Ioannides of Austin, TX, and Jacksonville was elected to a three-year term on the board of directors of the Phi Beta Kappa Alumni Association of Austin.

Miami Beach Latin Chamber of Commerce Advisory Board.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2006... Michael C. Gongora of Becker & Poliakoff in Miami has been elected president of the Miami Beach Latin Chamber of Commerce Advisory Board for 2006. Gongora was also appointed to the City of Miami Beach condominium Reform Task Force.

Debora J. Turner.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2006... Debora J. Turner of the Miami Beach City Attorney's Office spoke at the Real Estate Law, Negotiations, and Approvals course at the University of Miami's School of Architecture. The topic was Property Rights Law (Bert J. Harris Act).

Michele D. Morales.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2006... Michele D. Morales of Cole, Scott & Kissane served as a faculty presenter in Orlando and Miami for a seminar on nursing home negligence in Florida offered by Lorman Education Services.

Jeffrey S. Badgley.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2006... Jeffrey S. Badgley was a speaker at a seminar called "Jury Selection in Florida" hosted by Lorman Education Services. His topic was "Jury Selection: What You Can and Can't Do."

National Conference of Bar Examiners.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2006... Franklin R. Harrison of Panama City was elected to the board of trustees of the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

Snow Community Service Award.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2006... Carlton Fields has established the Snow Community Service Award which recognizes attorneys at Carlton Fields who provide exemplary service to charitable or civic organizations within their community. The award is named in honor of former...

ABA Board of Governors.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2006... Anthony "Tony" Upshaw, a partner in Adorno & Yoss' Miami office, has been elected to the ABA Board of Governors; his three-year term will begin in August.

Health Care Corporate Compliance.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2006... Latour "LT" Lafferty, a shareholder at Fowler White Boggs Banker's Tampa office, has been certified in Health Care Corporate Compliance by the Health Care Compliance Association. Lafferty practices in the firm's health care and white collar...

Glen J. Torcivia.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2006... Glen J. Torcivia of Glen J. Torcivia and Associates in West Palm Beach presented a case study of local government law for Barry University's Master s in Public Administration course.

Lara Donlon.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2006... Lara Donlon of Glen J. Torcivia & Associates in West Palm Beach earned certification as a senior professional in human resources awarded by the human resource certification institute.

Somebody Cares Tampa Bay.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2006... Hugh A. Richeson, Jr., of Florin Roebig in Palm Harbor was elected to the board of directors of Somebody Cares Tampa Bay.

Christine D. Hanley.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2006... Christine D. Hanley of Christine D. Hanley & Associates in West Palm Beach presented "Employment Law: Boys & Girls Club Work in this Generation of Litigation" at a conference in Destin.

Christian D. "Chris" Searcy.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2006... Christian D. "Chris" Searcy of Searcy Denny Scarola Barnhart & Shipley received the 2006 War Horse Award by the Southern Trial Lawyers Association. The award was presented to Searcy and another recipient at the organization's annual banquet in...

S. Brent Spain.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2006... S. Brent Spain of Theriaque Vorbeck & Spain's Orlando office presented "Basic Foundational Principles of Easements" and "Enforcement of Easements and Effectively Resolving Easement Disputes" at a seminar hosted by the National Business...

Michael J. Keller.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2006... Michael J. Keller of Lott & Friedland's Ft. Lauderdale office chaired the Biodeals/ Licensing Executives Society track of the Annual BioFlorida meeting in West Palm Beach and spoke on "Identifying Partners."

Citizens Property Insurance Corporation.(News and Notes)
April 1, 2006... Carlos A. Lacasa of Ruden McCloskey's Miami office was recently appointed by Comptroller Tom Gallagher to serve on the Board of Governors for Citizens Property Insurance Corporation. Lacasa is a member of the firm's Administrative and...

Judd, Ulrich, Scarlett & Dean.(On the Move)
April 1, 2006... Jonathan P. Whitney was hired by Judd, Ulrich, Scarlett & Dean as an associate. The firm practices in the areas of real estate, condominium law, civil litigation, estate planning and probate.

Sachs Sax Klein.(On the Move)
April 1, 2006... Robert J. Boyd joined Sachs Sax Klein to head the Government Relations Practice Group in the firm's Tallahassee office.

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.(On the Move)
April 1, 2006... C. Kathryn "Kaycie" Preston was appointed as a United States bankruptcy judge for the Southern District of Ohio by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Fowler White Boggs Banker.(On the Move)
April 1, 2006... Carolyn C. Coukos joined Fowler White Boggs Banker as a shareholder.

Brinkley, McNerney, Morgan, Solomon & Tatum.(On the Move)
April 1, 2006... Jeffrey S. Kurtz, Mark A. Levy, and Juliette E. Lippman, associates, became partners of Brinkley, McNerney, Morgan, Solomon & Tatum.

Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & Wein.(On the Move)
April 1, 2006... Sean K. McQuaid became a shareholder with Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & Wein. Brian P. Battaglia was appointed to Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & Wein's executive committee.

Sessums Masonand Black.(On the Move)
April 1, 2006... Alberto Romero Jr. joined Sessums Masonand Black as an associate.