Florida Bar News articles from December 2003

Florida Bar News archives from December 2003

Pledging to teach, promising to learn: St. Thomas uses 'The Wall' as motivation to set new standards: Butterworth works to inspire his students to succeed.
December 1, 2003... Think Pink Floyd, and "The Wall" is a 1982 film of a troubled rock star plunging into madness. Think West Berlin, and "The Wall" is 96 miles of barbed wire and concrete symbolizing the Cold War's beginning in 1961 and its end in 1989 when...

Bar president.
December 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: BAR PRESIDENT Miles McGrane, on the left in both photos, recently presented Florida Senate President Jim King, R-Jacksonville, left, and Sen. Dan Webster, R-Winter Garden, right, with Florida Bar...

Supreme Court sets unbundled services criteria for family cases.
December 1, 2003... Beginning January 1, family law lawyers may offer limited assistance to pro se litigants in family law cases, following Florida Supreme Court approval of amendments to Bar and family law rules. Acting November 13, in Amendments to the Rules...

Want to serve on a Bar committee? Preference forms available online.
December 1, 2003... The annual committee preference form for Bar members seeking appointments for the presidential term of President-elect Kelly Overstreet Johnson are now available on The Florida Bar's Web site. The forms are posted at www.flabar.org. If you...

Justice Pariente.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2003... I read the November 1 News article on Barbara Pariente's battle with breast cancer with mixed emotions. On the one hand, no one who knows anything about the process of being given a diagnosis of breast cancer and then going through treatment...

TV advertising.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2003... There is a new advertising rule within the Federal Campaign Finance Law that requires TV advertisers to read a disclaimer and actually appear in the ad themselves. The advertisers are complying reluctantly, but opponents of the rule have hired...

Living wills.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2003... I am disheartened by the article regarding living wills in the November 15 News. My disappointment stems from the fact that in choosing experts to consult, you omitted the Elder Law Section members. Of all of the sections involved in this...

Errata.(Correction Notice)
December 1, 2003... The caption accompanying a picture in the November 15 News, about the Lee County Women Lawyers and the Collier County Women Lawyers' Voices For Kids Project identified those pictured--Judge Lauren Miller, Laurie Anton, Carolyn Delizia, and...

Board to fill Foundation vacancies.(Notice)
December 1, 2003... The Board of Governors is seeking applicants for the following vacancies to be filled at its January 31, 2004, meeting: Florida Bar Foundation Board of Directors: Two lawyers to serve three-year terms, commencing July 1, 2004, on this...

Public hearing on UPL issues set.(Notice)
December 1, 2003... Rule 10-9.1(f)(1) Notice, Appearance and Service. At least 30 days in advance of the committee meeting at which a hearing is to be held with respect to a potential advisory opinion, the committee shall give public notice of the date, time, and...

U.S. 11th Circuit to amends its rules.(Notice)
December 1, 2003... Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. [section] 2071(b), notice and opportunity for comment is hereby given of proposed amendments to the Rules and Internal Operating Procedures of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. A copy of the proposed...

Northern District sets e-filing criteria.(Notice)
December 1, 2003... The United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida accepts electronically filed pleadings and makes the content of these pleadings available on the court's Web site via the Case Management/Electronic Case Files system and/or...

Commission to poll lawyers about the grievance system.
December 1, 2003... Already the recipient of a lot of advice and comments, the Bar's Special Commission on Lawyer Regulation has decided to poll those involved--both nonlawyers and lawyers--in the grievance process. The commission, which met October 22 in...

20th JNC to fill circuit bench opening.
December 1, 2003... The 20th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission is now accepting applications to fill an opening on the circuit bench created by the death of Judge William J. Nelson. Applicants must be registered Florida voters, members of The Florida Bar...

Moses petitions for Bar reinstatement.
December 1, 2003... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, Donald Tony Moses of Jacksonville has petitioned the Florida Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement. Any person having knowledge bearing upon Moses' fitness or qualifications to resume the practice of law should...

Jury instruction panel seeks new members.
December 1, 2003... The Florida Supreme Court's Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases currently has several vacancies. Any lawyer licensed to practice law in Florida and any member of the Florida judiciary may apply for appointment. An...

Supreme Court is looking for a few good tour guides: plans are underway to expand and enhance the program in anticipation of an increasing number of visitors which will require additional volunteer docents to handle tours.
December 1, 2003... Chief Justice Harry Lee Anstead is inviting attorneys and Florida Supreme Court Historical Society members in the Tallahassee area, as well as faculty and students at Florida State University College of Law and other interested persons, to...

Proposed criminal jury instructions.(Notice)
December 1, 2003... The Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases invites comment on the proposed changes shown below. After reviewing comments received in response to this publication, the committee will make its final proposal to...

Roughly 100 participants from the Dade County Bar Young Lawyers eMentoring Program recently attended a luncheon at the Hard Rock Cafe in Miami.
December 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: ROUGHLY 100 PARTICIPANTS from the Dade County Bar Young Lawyers eMentoring Program recently attended a luncheon at the Hard Rock Cafe in Miami. The DCBA YLS eMentoring Program matches 50 young lawyers with...

The association of retarded citizens.
December 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: THE ASSOCIATION OF RETARDED CITIZENS South Florida recently bestowed its Lifetime Achievement Award on Miami-Dade's Public Defender Bennett Brummer, left. Brummer established a specialized civil mental...

Hall to lead Florida Board of Bar Examiners.
December 1, 2003... Evaluating the validity of the Florida bar exam as a measurement tool for Bar applicants and expediting background investigations are the goals Gloretta H. Hall has set for her year as chair of the Florida Board of Bar Examiners. Hall, who...

Court hears DNA testing extension arguments.
December 1, 2003... DNA is a scientific tool holding the power to free the innocent and convict the guilty. So, it was no big surprise that all the lawyers gathered at the Florida Supreme Court November 7 for oral arguments (in case no. 03-1630) agreed the...

Board to work on MJP, certification issues.
December 1, 2003... The final recommendations from its Multijurisdictional Practice Commission, a revamped certification appeals plan, and a potential end to the exemption of government lawyers attending the Young Lawyers Division's Practicing with Professionalism...

An independent judiciary must be properly funded.
December 1, 2003... Editor's Note: Second Circuit Judge William L. Gary earned second place in the ABA's national Judge Edward R. Finch Law Day Speech Awards contest. Judge Gary's speech titled "Law for All in the Courthouse" was given May 1 at the Tallahassee...

Ethics panel deals with fundraising, JNC contact.
December 1, 2003... As a general rule, judges are barred from soliciting funds for charitable and nonprofit groups. However, the Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee has held that judges may hit up their fellow judges for donations, so long as they don't exercise...

Leadership training develops superstars.(Stresslines)
December 1, 2003... "We need to figure out how to hire more Karens and Robs," a hiring partner of a major law firm told us. "They are our superstars!" He was chagrined by our answer when we told him that superstars are made, not born. Success in any human...

Young lawyers seek pro bono award nominations.
December 1, 2003... The Bar's Young Lawyers Division is now accepting nominations for its Legal Aid Public Service Award. The award recognizes the outstanding contributions by a public sector attorney to those in need of free legal services. To qualify as a...

Dade County Bar to fill LSGM seats.
December 1, 2003... The Dade County Bar Association will soon make three appointments to the Legal Services of Greater Miami Board of Directors. Applicants must have an interest in, and knowledge of, the delivery of quality legal services to the poor. The...

FSU seminar explores law, medicine, and ethics.
December 1, 2003... While politicians, lawyers, and judges continue to wrangle with the life-or-death controversy of Terri Schiavo's case, more than a hundred students gathered at Florida State University's College of Law to hear perspectives from professors of...

Quarles & Brady, L.L.P.(On the Move)
December 1, 2003... James T. Demarest has been promoted to partner of Quarles & Brady, L.L.P., with relocated offices at 1395 Panther Lane, Ste. 300, Naples 34109, telephone (239) 262-5959. He concentrates in commercial litigation, business law, and bankruptcy.

Banks & Morris, P.A.(On the Move)
December 1, 2003... Jennifer Sweeting has become an associate of Banks & Morris, P.A., with offices at 103 N. Gadsden St., Tallahassee 32301, telephone (850) 681-1010. She concentrates in marital and family law.

Paul Freedman and Joel A. Kaplan of Kaplan & Freedman, P.A., and Cindy Niad Hannah announce the formation of MediationOne.(On the Move)
December 1, 2003... Paul Freedman and Joel A. Kaplan of Kaplan & Freedman, P.A., and Cindy Niad Hannah announce the formation of MediationOne, with offices in Ft. Lauderdale, Aventura, Dadeland, and at 44 W. Flagler St., Ste. 900, Miami 33130, telephone (305)...

Arnstein & Lehr, L.L.P.(On the Move)
December 1, 2003... Melissa G. Thorn has become a partner with Arnstein & Lehr, L.L.P., with offices located at 201 S. Bicayne Blvd., Ste. 400, Miami 33131, telephone (305) 374-3330. She concentrates in the areas of environmental law, land use, real estate,...

Kirwin Norris, P.A.(On the Move)
December 1, 2003... April West has joined Kirwin Norris, P.A., with offices at 338 W. Morse Blvd., Ste. 150, Winter Park 32789, telephone (407) 740-6600. She concentrates in construction law.

Whelan, DeMaio & Kiszkiel, P.A.(On the Move)
December 1, 2003... Kelly S. Hughes has joined Whelan, DeMaio & Kiszkiel, P.A., with offices at 1401 Brickell Ave., Ste. 500, Miami 33131, telephone (305) 374-0506.

Akerman Senterfitt.(On the Move)
December 1, 2003... Jill Ellen Kelso has joined Akerman Senterfitt, with offices at 255 S. Orange Ave., 17th Fl., Orlando 32801, telephone (407) 843-7861. She joins the firm's bankruptcy group.

ARC Mediation.(On the Move)
December 1, 2003... Robert Sellars has joined ARC Mediation, with offices at 777 S. Flagler Dr., Ste. 800, West Palm Beach 33401, telephone (561) 515-6044.

Law Office of Murray B. Silverstein, P.A.(On the Move)
December 1, 2003... Monique A. Parker has joined the Law Office of Murray B. Silverstein, P.A., with offices located at Bank of America Tower, One Progress Plaza, Ste. 2200, St. Petersburg 33701, telephone (727) 822-7750.

Knopic Varner Moore.(On the Move)
December 1, 2003... Charles T. Moore has become a shareholder with the newly named Knopik Varner Moore; Offices are located at 406 S. Morgan St., Tampa 33602, telephone (813) 221-3131. The firm practices in medical malpractice, personal injury, wrongful death,...

Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A.(On the Move)
December 1, 2003... David M. Platt has joined Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., with offices at 1715 Monroe St., Ft. Myers 33902, telephone (941) 334-4121. He practices in the areas of estate planning, estate and trust administration, and elder law.

Steel, Hector & Davis, L.L.P.(On the Move)
December 1, 2003... Amelia "Mel" Rea Maguire has become a partner with Steel, Hector & Davis, L.L.P., with offices at 200 S. Biscayne Blvd., Ste. 4000, Miami 33131-2398, telephone (305) 577-7000. She practices in the firm's corporate and securities finance group.

John C. Hanson II and Luis A. Espino have joined Arnstein & Lehr, L.L.P., with offices located at 201 S. Biscayne Blvd., Ste. 400, Miami 33131, telephone (305) 374-3330. Hanson practices in complex civil litigation, eminent domain, commercial contracts, and sexual torts.(On the Move)
December 1, 2003... John C. Hanson II and Luis A. Espino have joined Arnstein & Lehr, L.L.P., with offices located at 201 S. Biscayne Blvd., Ste. 400, Miami 33131, telephone (305) 374-3330. Hanson practices in complex civil litigation, eminent domain, commercial...

Ross L. Bilbrey and J. Tracy Cowan, both formerly of the Naval Legal Service Office Central at Naval Air Station Pensacola, announce the formation of Bilbrey & Cowan, P.A., with offices at 200 E. Government St., Ste. 210, Pensacola 32502, telephone (850) 438-3338.(On the Move)
December 1, 2003... Ross L. Bilbrey and J. Tracy Cowan, both formerly of the Naval Legal Service Office Central at Naval Air Station Pensacola, announce the formation of Bilbrey & Cowan, P.A., with offices at 200 E. Government St., Ste. 210, Pensacola 32502,...

Lash & Goldberg, L.L.P.(On the Move)
December 1, 2003... Kathryn M. Fried has been named a partner with Lash & Goldberg, L.L.P., with offices at the Bank of America Tower, 100 S.E. Second St., Ste. 1200, Miami 33131, telephone (305) 347-4040. She practices in the areas of commercial litigation,...

Hagen & Hagen.(On the Move)
December 1, 2003... Audrey Kaplan Brisgel, formerly with the National Association of Securities Dealers, has become an associate at Hagen & Hagen, with offices at 3531 Griffin Road, Ft. Lauderdale 33312, phone (954) 987-0515. She concentrates in commercial and...

Hogan & Hartson, L.L.P.(On the Move)
December 1, 2003... Brian L. Lerner, Allyson Renee duLac, Jeffrey R. Geldens, and Javier A. Reyes have become associates at Hogan & Hartson, L.L.P., Miami Office, Mellon Financial Center, 1111 Brickell Ave., Suite 1900, Miami 33131, phone (305) 439-6500. Lerner...

DeanMead.(On the Move)
December 1, 2003... Nichole M. Mooney, Joseph "Jay" Van Heyde II, Stephen R. Looney, David A. Gunter, and Mark R. Leavitt have become shareholders of DeanMead. Mooney, Van Heyde, Looney, and Leavitt practice in the firm's Orlando office at 800 N. Magnolia Ave.,...

Harrell & Johnson.(On the Move)
December 1, 2003... Kevin J. Vander Kolk has joined Harrell & Johnson, 4735 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville 32257. He concentrates in represention of individual plaintiffs in personal injury cases.

Rene L. Arbuckle.(On the Move)
December 1, 2003... Rene L. Arbuckle has opened an office at 677 N. Washington Blvd., #110, Sarasota 34236, phone (941) 952-5810. She concentrates in arts and entertainment law.

Schumaker, Loop & Kendrick, L.L.P.(On the Move)
December 1, 2003... Ryan M. Cardoso and Sarah E. Spector have become associates at Schumaker, Loop & Kendrick, L.L.P. Cardoso will work in the firm's commercial litigation practice, while Spector will be in the firm's real estate practice.

Markowitz, Davis, Ringel & Trusty, P.A.(On the Move)
December 1, 2003... Christopher J. O'Rand has become an associate with Markowitz, Davis, Ringel & Trusty, P.A., Two Datran Center, Suite 1225, 2130 S. Dadeland Blvd., Miami 33156-7849, phone (305) 670-5000. He concentrates in commercial litigation, assignment of...

Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann, L.L.C.(On the Move)
December 1, 2003... Caria Burgess Diaz has become special counsel with Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann, L.L.C., 546 Carondelet St., New Orleans, LA 70130-3588, phone (504) 593-0953. She joins the firm's litigation section.

Judge Thomas E. Stringer, Sr.(Benchmarks)
December 1, 2003... Judge Thomas E. Stringer, Sr., of the Second District Court of Appeal, the first African-American to graduate from Stetson University College of Law, was recently honored by Stetson University for his contributions to minority students. The...

Legal Studies Institute's Advisory Council.(Benchmarks)
December 1, 2003... Judge David L. Levey of the Third DCA has been reappointed to Florida International University's Legal Studies Institute's Advisory Council. He also serves as an instructor in the paralegal program.

Pinellas County Court.(Benchmarks)
December 1, 2003... Donald E. Horrox was appointed by Gov. Jeb Bush to the Pinellas County Court, and is assigned to criminal court in Clearwater.

Judge Cathleen B. Clarke.(Benchmarks)
December 1, 2003... Brevard County Judge Cathleen B. Clarke recently received the Outstanding Leadership and Advocacy Award from the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill--Florida, which recognized her "tireless advocacy efforts" on behalf of people with mental...

Florida Local Advocacy Council.(News and Notes)
December 1, 2003... Catherine B. Parks of Quintairus, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A., Miami, has been elected vice chair of the Florida Local Advocacy Council, Mental Health Committee, District 11.

Alex Villamanan.(News and Notes)
December 1, 2003... Alex Villamanan of Villamanan & Babinsky, P.A., Miami, presented "Protecting Your Criminal Rights" at E.F. International School of English, in Miami Beach.

Robert D. Pritt.(News and Notes)
December 1, 2003... Robert D. Pritt of Roetzel & Andress, Naples, has been named outstanding municipal attorney of the year by The Florida Municipal Attorney's Association.

Dennis J. Wall.(News and Notes)
December 1, 2003... Dennis J. Wall of Orlando has written the 2003 supplement to Litigation and Prevention of Insurer Bad Faith, Second Edition, published by WestGroup.

Joseph A. Napoli.(News and Notes)
December 1, 2003... Joseph A. Napoli was named Outstanding Volunteer Attorney for 2003 by the board of the Executive Service Corps of Western Pennsylvania.

Stranahan House.(News and Notes)
December 1, 2003... Christopher R. Eck, Broward County historic preservation officer and historical commission administrator, has been elected to serve as a board member for the Stranahan House historic site in Ft. Lauderdale.

David C. Goodwin.(News and Notes)
December 1, 2003... David C. Goodwin, of counsel with Akerman Senterfitt, spoke at the "Practical Guide to Federal Court Rules and Procedure" seminar in Miami.

Edgewood City Council.(News and Notes)
December 1, 2003... David C. Willis of Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell, P.A., has been elected president of the Edgewood City Council.

Allison R. Day.(News and Notes)
December 1, 2003... Allison R. Day of Genovese, Joblove & Battista, recently spoke at the ABC seminar, sponsored by The Florida Bar Business Law Section Bankruptcy UCC Committee.

Robin I. Cohen.(News and Notes)
December 1, 2003... Robin I. Cohen of Shapiro, Blasi & Wasserman, P.A., Boca Raton, spoke on behalf of newly appointed attorneys at an induction ceremony at the Fourth District Court of Appeal.

Steven M. Ziegler.(News and Notes)
December 1, 2003... Steven M. Ziegler of Hollywood recently spoke about the new medical malpractice tort reform bill and its expected effect on managed care liability in Florida at the Marsh Healthcare Forum in Colorado Springs.

Dale R. Hightower.(News and Notes)
December 1, 2003... Dale R. Hightower of Hightower, Weiser & Pozo, P.A., spoke in Orlando on the topic of trial and settlement of uninsured motorist actions.

Wm. Reece Smith, Jr.(News and Notes)
December 1, 2003... Wm. Reece Smith, Jr., of Carlton Fields, P.A., was honored with The Spirit of Philanthropy Award at a reception given by Bay Area Legal Services in Tampa.

Judge John M. Scheb American Inn of Court.(News and Notes)
December 1, 2003... Roy E. Dean, of counsel to Judd, Shea, Ulrich, Oravec, Wood & Dean, P.A., Sarasota, has been installed as president of the Judge John M. Scheb American Inn of Court, which promotes legal excellence, civility, professionalism, and ethics in the...

Greg Snell.(News and Notes)
December 1, 2003... Greg Snell of Rice, Rose & Snell, Daytona Beach, was a guest on the television show "Legal Hotline" on WCEU Channel 15. He answered employment law questions from callers and members of the studio audience.

James Spoonhour and John Wettach of Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, Orlando, presented a seminar.(News and Notes)
December 1, 2003... James Spoonhour and John Wettach of Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, Orlando, presented a seminar to chief financial officers, property managers, CPAs, and attorneys on Florida property taxes.

Alan C. Kauffman.(News and Notes)
December 1, 2003... Alan C. Kauffman of Boca Raton has been honored as one of the "Leading Men 2003" by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Jonathan T. Levy.(News and Notes)
December 1, 2003... Jonathan T. Levy of Rosenthal & Weissman, P.A., West Palm Beach, recently addressed the Institute for Paralegal Education in West Palm Beach on advanced civil discovery for the litigation paralegal in Florida.

Art Serve.(News and Notes)
December 1, 2003... Deborah T. Berkowitz, of Ruden, McClosky, Smith, Schuster & Russell, P.A., was elected to the board of trustees of Art Serve, a provider of training programs, resources, and state-of-the-art facilities to the arts and culture community of South...

Karen E. Guito.(News and Notes)
December 1, 2003... Karen E. Guito of Guito & Guito, Tampa, recently received the James M. "Red" McEwen Memorial Award for outstanding service and support to the Hillsborough County Bar Association.

Free report shows lawyers how to get more clients.(News and Notes)
December 1, 2003... 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...

Association for Conflict Resolution.(News and Notes)
December 1, 2003... Lynn E. Wagner, president of Litigation Alternatives, Inc., Winter Park, was recently named president-elect of the Florida Chapter of the Association for Conflict Resolution.

Jerald David August.(News and Notes)
December 1, 2003... Jerald David August of August & Kulunas, P.A., West Palm Beach, has been selected to speak on "S Corporation Hot Topics" at the 38th Annual Southern Federal Tax Institute in Atlanta.

Adam Hodkin.(News and Notes)
December 1, 2003... Adam Hodkin of Gelch Taylor Hodkin Kopelowitz & Ostrow, P.A., recently presented "Properties on the Brink: Find Out How to Work with Lenders While Positioning Your Property for a Turnaround" at the Lodging Conference 2003 in Arizona.

Marshall Kapp.(News and Notes)
December 1, 2003... Marshall Kapp of the Office of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, has been awarded the 2003 Donald P. Kent Award from The Gerontological Society of America. The award recognizes a person who...

John F. Kennedy School of Government.(News and Notes)
December 1, 2003... Mikki Canton of Gunster Yoakley in Miami has been selected to serve on the Women's Leadership Board at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Buckingham Doolittle & Burroughs, L.L.P.(On the Move)
December 1, 2003... L.A. Perkins has become an associate with Buckingham Doolittle & Burroughs, L.L.P., 2500 North Military Trail, Suite 480, Boca Raton 33431, phone (561) 241-0414. She concentrates in commercial litigation, employment law, creditors' rights, and...

Cynthia I. Rice.(On the Move)
December 1, 2003... Cynthia I. Rice announces the opening of Cynthia I. Rice, P.A., at 23201 Northeast Coachman Road, Suite 102, Clearwater 33765, phone (727) 799-1277. The firm concentrates in estate planning, wills, trust, probate and trust administration,...