Florida Bar News articles from August 2002

Florida Bar News archives from August 2002

Cantero joins the Supreme Court.
August 1, 2002... Miami appellate attorney Raoul G. Cantero III has been named to the Florida Supreme Court by Gov. Jeb Bush to replace Justice Major Harding, who retires August 31. And while he said no "litmus test" questions were asked of Cantero or any...

What can candidates say? Judicial ethics advisory committee says USSC decision means little for Florida.
August 1, 2002... When Florida's newest justice, Raoul Cantero III, was introduced by the governor at a news conference on the Capitol steps, a reporter asked whether he opposes the death penalty. "I have no views," Justice Cantero replied. That many...

Bar enhances online news media center. (Dignity in Law).
August 1, 2002... In an effort to better communicate with journalists throughout the state, The Florida Bar has launched an enhanced bilingual online media center as part of its new Dignity in Law campaign. President Tod Aronovitz said the online media...

Pro bono work on appeal: protecting rights, pursuing justice, promoting professionalism. (Florida Lawyers).
August 1, 2002... For Miami attorney James Blecke, it's no big deal to take a pro bono appeal when he's asked by the Dade County Legal Aid Society or the Put Something Back Pro Bono Project. It's a habit of more than 20 years. And after all, in his view,...

Letters.
August 1, 2002... Dignity in Law I am both astonished and extremely disappointed that President Tod Aronovitz's Dignity in Law campaign has not been met with overwhelming excitement by every single member of The Florida Bar. I say this neither as a...

Board to fill JMC vacancy.
August 1, 2002... Lawyer applicants are being sought to fill a vacancy on the Florida Supreme Court's Judicial Management Council. The Board of Governors will be selecting nominees for this vacancy at its October 25 meeting. The nominations will then be...

Errata.
August 1, 2002... The e-mail address to write for more information about the US/Cuba Legal Forum's August 28-31 conference in Havana, Cuba -- aimed at promoting discussions of different views, exchanges of experience, and necessary reflections on the state of...

Nominations sought for annual pro awards.
August 1, 2002... Lawyers who donate services to the needy are being sought for public recognition by the Florida Supreme Court and The Florida Bar. One lawyer from each judicial circuit and an out-of-state recipient will receive the Bar President's Pro Bono...

Gov. Bush makes appointments to the JNCs.
August 1, 2002... Gov. Jeb Bush has made most of his appointments to two seats on each state judicial nominating commission based on Florida Bar nominations for those seats. He has also made a direct appointment to each of the nine-member commissions. The...

First DCA says some JNC notes are not public records.
August 1, 2002... The public records exemption that applies to judicial nominating commissions' deliberations includes paper records and handwritten notes, according to the First District Court of Appeal. The court also found that JNCs are not subject to...

Court amends evidence code.
August 1, 2002... Amendments to the Florida Evidence Code have been approved by the Supreme Court, including a controversial change affecting the trials involving child molestation charges that was approved by a 4-3 margin. The Bar's Code and Rules of...

Bar fees late after Aug. 15.
August 1, 2002... The Florida Bar's annual membership fee -- $265 for active members and $175 for inactive members -- was payable July 1 and becomes late after August 15. The statements have changed little from last year and members have-the option to...

New justice active in Bar work.
August 1, 2002... Raoul G. Cantero III will bring a strong Florida Bar link with him in his new duties as a justice of the Florida Supreme Court. Cantero is vice chair of the Appellate Law Section and is the immediate past secretary. He has also served as...

Copies of canceled trust account checks should include endorsements. (Ethics Update).
August 1, 2002... Attorneys who get copies instead of originals of their canceled trust account checks should ensure the bank provides copies both of the fronts and backs of the checks in order to comply with Florida Bar rules. Rule 5-1.2(b)(3) of the Rules...

Supreme Court takes questions from the membership.
August 1, 2002... Strip off their black robes, put the justices in a hotel meeting room, relax the atmosphere, open the mike to questions from the audience, and you have the popular event "Discussion with-the Court," sponsored by the Appellate Practice Section....

Rule 4-4.2 to be discussed in September.
August 1, 2002... Recommended changes to Rule Regulating The Florida Bar 4-4.2 will be discussed at a special meeting during the upcoming General Meeting. And that means any amendments, which were originally planned to go to the Board of Governors at its...

Workers' Comp Section monitors rates and benefits study.
August 1, 2002... A busy legislative session tracking a variety of bills has transformed into continued activity for the Bar's Workers' Compensation Section as it monitors a new gubernatorial commission studying rates and benefits. The section had been...

Harding wins Hoeveler award.
August 1, 2002... Retiring Florida Supreme Court Justice Major B. Harding, long a leader in judicial education, court access, and Professionalism, efforts, has been honored with the Win. M. Hoeveler Judicial Award by the Supreme Court Commission on...

Section draws up model release for civil cases.
August 1, 2002... Probably little is more frustrating for civil lawyers and their clients than to have a case settlement worked out, and then have it bog down over the details of how it will be carried out. The Bar's Trial Lawyers Section, familiar with that...

10th JNC to fill Polk County judgeship.
August 1, 2002... The 10th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission is accepting applications for a vacant Polk County judgeship, created by the elevation of Judge Ellen S. Masters to the circuit bench. Applicants must have been members of The Florida Bar for...

Board to take up technology and practice issues.
August 1, 2002... Final reports and recommendations in two areas that symbolize the changing legal world -- both technological and daily practice -- are scheduled for the Bar Board of Governors meeting August 16 in Sarasota. The Technology Task Force is set...

Klemick petitions for reinstatement.
August 1, 2002... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, Herman Montell Klemick III has petitioned the Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement. Klemick was suspended for 18 months after being convicted of the felony of unlawful compensation. Any persons having knowledge...

Williams petitions for Bar reinstatement.
August 1, 2002... Pursuant to Bar Rule 3-7.10 Julius L. Williams has petitioned the Supreme Court for reinstatement to The Florida Bar. On February 24, 2000, the Supreme Court suspended Williams from practice of law for a period of one year as a result of...

FLREA hosts statewide Law Week celebrations.
August 1, 2002... The Florida Law Related Education Association recently joined with members of the legal community throughout the state to celebrate Law Day by sponsoring activities designed to emphasize how American law related to the equal protection of all...

Ferrero named to education posts.
August 1, 2002... Nova Southeastern University President Ray Ferrero, Jr., has been named vice president-elect of The Florida Association of Colleges and Universities, and vice chair of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida, as elected by the...

New Education Law Committee seeks members, plans seminars.
August 1, 2002... The recently approved Education Law Committee -- with a membership of 100 attorneys -- held its yearly meeting at the Bar's convention in Boca Raton. This new substantive standing committee of the Bar includes attorneys who practice...

Walter J. Harvey. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Walter J. Harvey of Steel, Hector & Davis, LLP, in Miami has been appointed by the Miami-Dade County Commission to serve on the board of trustees for the Public Health Trust.

Eduardo Arista. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Eduardo Arista of Coral Gables has been appointed co-chair of The Florida Bar Tax Section's New Tax Lawyer Committee, Miami-Dade County Chapter.

Piper Rudnick. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Piper Rudnick has recognized National Hunger Awareness Day by making a cash donation to hunger organizations and by sponsoring food drives and volunteer efforts.

James Gustafson. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... James Gustafson, Jr., of Searcy, Denney, Scarola, Barnhart & Shipley, P.A., in West Palm Beach published "Suing the Hospital When Superdoc Fails" in Trial, a publication of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.

Stephen Sawicki. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Stephen Sawicki, executive director of the American College of Civil Trial Mediators, presented a panel discussion on "Negotiating Tactics: Settling the Catastrophic Claim" for the sixth annual Florida Liability Claims Conference.

John Shipley. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... John Shipley of Searcy, Denney, Scarola, Barnhart & Shipley, P.A., in West Palm Beach has joined the board of the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Defray Beach. Abel, Band, Russell, Collier, Pitchford & Gordon in Sarasota recently...

Mitchell Panter. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Mitchell Panter of Panter, Panter & Sampedro, P.A., in Miami was recently installed as president-elect of the Miami Kendall Bar Association.

Jim Rogers. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Assistant Attorney General Jim Rogers of Tallahassee was recently awarded a Department of Defense certificate of appreciation on behalf of the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve for his support of his employees who...

Ira J. Kurzban. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Ira J. Kurzban of Kurzban, Kurzban, Weinger & Tetzeli, P.A., in Miami, released the eighth edition of Kurzban's Immigration Law Sourcebook, published by the American Immigration Law Foundation.

Thomas Ramsberger. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Thomas Ramsberger of Trenam, Kemker, Scharf, Barkin, Frye, O'Neill & Mullis in Tampa was named to the 2001-02 Pinellas Assembly Steering Committee and recently participated in the group's three-day session.

David Sampedro. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... David Sampedro of Panter, Panter & Sampedro, P.A., in Miami has been elected president-elect of the Young Lawyers Section of the Dade County Bar Association.

Ellen S. Malasky. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Ellen S. Malasky of Ellen S. Malasky & Associates, P.A., in West Palm Beach was a featured speaker and author on "Basic Wage and Hour Law in Florida" at the annual National Business Institute seminar in West Palm Beach.

Richard M. Zelman. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Richard M. Zelman of Sacher, Zelman, Van Sant, Paul, Beiley, Hartman, Terzo & Waldman, P.A., in Miami has been named to the executive committee of the Florida International Bankers Association.

Marie Lefere. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Marie Lefere of Holland & Knight, LLP, in Ft. Lauderdale has been named chair of the Holland & Knight Charitable Foundation.

Donna Brookes DeVaney. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Donna Brookes DeVaney of Carlton Fields in Tampa has been re-elected to the Hillsborough County Bar Association's Young Lawyers Division board of directors for a two-year term.

Rafael Suarez-Rivas. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Rafael Suarez-Rivas of the Miami City Attorney's Office presented "Ethics in Purchasing" at the recent Purchasing Law in Florida seminar in Ft. Lauderdale.

Heather C. Keith. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Heather C. Keith of Holland & Knight, LLP, in Ft. Lauderdale has been appointed to the Broward County Marine Advisory Committee by Commissioner John E. Rodstrom.

Carlton Fields. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Carlton Fields in Tampa was recently ranked as one of the best law firms to do business with in Tampa in a survey in Corporate Board Member magazine.

Patricia Redmond. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Patricia Redmond of Stearns, Weaver, Miller, Weissler, Alhadeff & Sitterson, P.A., in Miami has been named vice chair of the American Bar Association's Business Bankruptcy Committee's Secured Creditors' Subcommittee.

Suzanne Singer. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Suzanne Singer of Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell in Miami recently published "Will Florida's New Law Stop a Dangerous Game?" in Nursing Homes -- Long Term care Management magazine.

Elliott Wilcox. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Elliott Wilcox of the Ninth Judicial Circuit Office of the State Attorney in Orlando presented "Convince'em to Convict -- Improving Closing Arguments," a two-hour CLE program in Sanford and Tampa, and he spoke and served as master of ceremonies...

Broad & Cassel. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Broad & Cassel in Miami was selected as one of the best firms in the Miami Metropolitan Area by Corporate Board Member magazine.

Kenneth M. Swartz. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Kenneth M. Swartz of the Law Offices of Kenneth M. Swartz, P.A., in Miami has been elected to serve as a Miami chapter representative to the board of directors for the statewide Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers for 2002-03.

Robert B. Lamm. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Robert B. Lamm of Gunster Yoakley in West Palm Beach has been elected president of the Alzheimer's Association Southeast Florida chapter.

Steven Uhlfelder. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Steven Uhlfelder of Uhlfelder & Associates, P.A., in Tallahassee recently received the 2002 College Summit Florida "Let Talent Shine" award.

Daniel J. Stermer. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Daniel J. Stermer of Lewis B. Freeman & Partners, Inc., in Plantation was recently named founding director of the Weston Business Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

Allen, Dyer, Doppelt, Milbrath & Gilchrist, P.A. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Allen, Dyer, Doppelt, Milbrath & Gilchrist, P.A., in Orlando has been listed among the top 100 patent firms and top 100 trademark firms by Intellectual Property Today, and the firm was listed as a top 100 trademark firm in- the annual Listing...

Kimberly Kolback. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Kimberly Kolback of Miami lectured about international licensing at the Russian Consulate in New York City during the "New York Seminar on the World of the Russian Federation and United States Entertain-merit Industries." She also served as...

David M. Garten. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... David M. Garten of West Palm Beach recently spoke on "Undue Influence" at the recent Palm Beach Guardianship Association meeting.

Michael Dribin. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Michael Dribin of Broad & Cassel in Miami moderated a panel discussing "Administering Old Documents Under New Law" at the annual Attorney/Trust Officer Liaison Meeting, sponsored by The Florida Bar Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section.

David Willis. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... David Willis of Mateer & Harbert, P.A., in Orlando was recently appointed as a commissioner for the city of Edgewood.

Michael Mopsick. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Michael Mopsick of Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLP, in Boca Raton has been selected to serve on the board of directors of the South Palm Beach County Bar Association.

Donald R. Kirk. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Donald R. Kirk of Fowler White Boggs Banker in Tampa has been elected to the board of directors of the Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association.

Michael Mitrione. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Michael Mitrione of Gunster Yoakley in West Palm Beach has been elected president of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Greater Palm Beach County chapter.

Daniel T. O'Keefe. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Daniel T. O'Keefe of Shutts & Bowen in Orlando was appointed by Gov. Jeb Bush to the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council.

James M. Russ. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... James M. Russ of Orlando was awarded the 2002 Steven M. Goldstein Criminal Justice Award at the annual meeting of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in Clearwater.

Kathryn L. Tignor. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Kathryn L. Tignor of Adams, Coogler, Watson, Merkel, Barry & Kellner, P.A. has recently been elected to the board of directors of Quantum House.

Taylor D. Ward. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Taylor D. Ward of Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, P.A., in Orlando has been elected to the Duke Law Alumni Association board of directors for a. three-year term.

Corporate board member. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... A survey in Corporate Board Member magazine listed the following firms as the top five firms to do business with in Orlando: Akerman Senterfitt, P.A., and Holland & Knight, LLP, (tied for first); Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, P.A.;...

Elizabeth "Lisa" Kelley. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Elizabeth "Lisa" Kelley of Trentalange & Kelley, P.A., in Tampa was appointed to the board of directors of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers at its annual convention.

John H. "Jack" Hickey. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... John H. "Jack" Hickey of Hickey Law Firm, P.A., in Miami was recently sworn in as president-elect of the Dade County Bar Association.

Denis deVlaming. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Denis deVlaming of Clearwater was recently elected president of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers for a one-year term.

Robert R. Hendry. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Robert R. Hendry of Hendry, Stoner, DeLancett & Brown, P.A., in Orlando has been re-elected to the National Steering Committee of the District Export Councils.

Jeffrey Thomas Coleman. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Jeffrey Thomas Coleman of Saunders, Walker & Coleman in Pinellas Park was elected to the board of directors of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers Young Lawyers Section for a two-year term. He also presented "Economically Handling the Smaller...

William Whitacre. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... William Whitacre of Orlando was recently honored when the Orlando Palm restaurant added his caricature to the "living mural" on its walls, which honors local notables.

Susan Johnson-Velez. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Susan Johnson-Velez of Fowler White Boggs Banker in Tampa has been elected to the board of directors of the Hillsborough County Bar Association.

Rep. Arthenia L. Joyner. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... State Rep. Arthenia L. Joyner of Tampa was recently named the 2002 Consumer Champion by the Florida Consumer Action Network for her hard work on behalf of Florida consumers in the Florida Legislature.

Bruce A. Blitman. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Bruce A. Blitman of Ft. Lauderdale received the Outstanding Service Award from the Broward County Bar Association board of directors for his service as co-chair of the Young Diplomats, a collaborative program between the School Board of Broward...

Daniel P. Mitchell. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Daniel P. Mitchell of GrayHarris in Orlando recently presented "1999 Tort Reform Update" at the Florida Liability Claims Conference in Lake Buena Vista.

Kristen Jackson. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Kristen Jackson of Orlando has been elected president of the Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers for 2002-03.

Thomas S. Harmon. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Thomas S. Harmon of Davis & Harmon, P.A., was re-elected to the board of directors of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers and received the Silver Eagle Award from AFTL.

Jose E. Latour. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Jose E. Latour of Gainesville spoke recently at the annual American Immigration Lawyers Association convention in San Francisco, and the firm's Web site was named "One of America's Top Ten Internet/Virtual Companies" by Inc. magazine and Sysco...

Fowler White Boggs Banker. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Fowler White Boggs Banker in Tampa was recently named one of the best corporate law firms in the Tampa Bay area by a survey in Corporate Board Member magazine.

Dan Gelber. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... State Rep. Dan Gelber of Zuckerman Spaeder, LLP, in Miami was honored at the Greater Miami Israel Bonds 2002 New Leadership Dinner for his support of the Jewish community.

William R. Clayton. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... William R. Clayton of Fowler, White, Burnett, P.A., in Ft. Lauderdale lectured at the 2002 Litigation Management College at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and he served as a faculty member of the college and as assistant dean of...

Edward Ricci. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Edward Ricci of Ricci, Leopold, Farmer & McAfee in West Palm Beach received the Jon E. Krupnick award from the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers for his 17 years of work without compensation to secure the rights of a Cuban American and his small...

David Blattner. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... David Blattner of Ruden, McClosky, Smith, Schuster & Russell, P.A., in Ft. Lauderdale was named chair of the board of directors of the United Way of Broward County at the organization's recent annual meeting.

Edward Paul Kreiling. (News and Notes).
August 1, 2002... Edward Paul Kreiling of Weston was recently presented with the Harold G. Martin award for distinguished service as attorney for the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Ft. Lauderdale.