Florida Bar News articles from February 2005

Florida Bar News archives from February 2005

Senator wants to clean up Florida Constitution.
February 1, 2005... The chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee is launching a two-year program aimed at streamlining the Florida Constitution, although the panel has been warned that will be a difficult task and could have unintended consequences. Sen....

Court hears PWP arguments: YLD wants all new lawyers to take the professionalism course.
February 1, 2005... Requiring all lawyers, including government attorneys, to take the Practicing With Professionalism course, would establish a basic level of professionalism with all Bar members, according to the Young Lawyers Division. The YLD presented...

Judge writes to honor unforgettable children.
February 1, 2005... When Laura Melvin was a First Judicial Circuit judge, she winced at the tortured faces of damaged children who appeared in her courtroom. She grappled with how best to deal with their cruel abusers, while deep down feeling like tearing their...

This could be the year for lots of new judges: bills filed to create as many as 108 new jurists.
February 1, 2005... There are optimistic signs in both the Florida House and Senate that much of the Supreme Court's request for new judges will be met by lawmakers this year. Certification bills have been filed in both chambers and key appropriations...

Foundation works out deal to increase IOTA revenues.
February 1, 2005... The Florida Bar Foundation has reached an agreement with Florida banks that has reduced the expenses charged on IOTA accounts and boosts the Foundation's income. Foundation President Terry Russell reported to the Bar Board of Governors...

Gay adoptions.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... In fight of Florida Rule of Professional Conduct 4-8.4(d), which prohibits all forms of bias against an individual on the basis of sexual orientation, how can any Florida lawyer seriously argue that it is now "divisive" for our organization to...

The mandatory Bar.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... Proposals that The Florida Bar endorse legitimation of gay adoptions have highlighted the serious moral, if not legal, flaw in the status of the organization in its present configuration as an arm of government. Many correspondents to the News...

Electronic court records.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... For a brief, shining moment, practicing small town law in Charlotte County was like living out a Jetsons episode. As members of the public, we lawyers had virtually unlimited Internet access to local court files. When a potential criminal...

The Bar's origins.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... I would have sought to be Florida Bar president-elect, if I had known that the only one seeking the post would be Henry M. Coxe III. I do not know Mr. Coxe. But he has made a lasting impression on me, if he has been quoted accurately here....

Fifty-year member?(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... I had set aside my copy of the June 15, 2004, News and picked it up yesterday and reread the article titled "50 year members of The Florida Bar." It seems strange to me that an organization that is dedicated to equal protection under the...

Spittler petitions for Bar reinstatement.(Letters)
February 1, 2005... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, John Joseph Spittler, Jr., has petitioned the Florida Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement from a rehabilitative suspension. Spittler's suspension was effective July 17, 2001, and was for a period of nine months...

Pena petitions for Bar reinstatement.(Letters)
February 1, 2005... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, Guillermo E. Pena has petitioned the Florida Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement from a disciplinary suspension. This suspension was effective November 24, 2003, and was for a period of one year as a result of...

Webster applies for Bar readmission.(Letters)
February 1, 2005... David B. Webster of Tampa has submitted an application for Bar readmission. Webster was disbarred pursuant to a November 16, 1995, Supreme Court order for engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation. ...

Comments sought on Bar convention, midyear meetings.(Letters)
February 1, 2005... The Program Evaluation Committee of The Florida bar's Board of Governors is seeking member input regarding the meeting structure of The Florida Bar. If you have any comments or suggestions regarding the bar's Annual Meetings or Midyear...

Bar President Kelly Overstreet Johnson.(Notice)
February 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: BAR PRESIDENT KELLY OVERSTREET JOHNSON recently hosted a holiday reception for Board of Governors members, local lawyers, and area legislators when the board met in Naples. Pictured from the left are Don and...

Seventh JNC seeks applicants.(Notice)
February 1, 2005... The Seventh Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission is now accepting application to fill a circuit court vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Robert K. Mathis. Applicants must be registered voters, members of the Bar in good standing...

Red Mass set for Tallahassee.(Notice)
February 1, 2005... A 700-year-old tradition will be observed in Tallahassee March 9 when the Catholic Bishops of Florida will gather with area judges, lawyers, as well as others serving in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government to...

U.S. district court fees are going up.(Notice)
February 1, 2005... President George W. Bush recently signed the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2005, which includes a provision raising the district court filing fee by $100--from $150 to $250. The new fee will become effective on February 7, 2005. Copies...

Board to make appointments.(Notice)
February 1, 2005... The Board of Governors is seeking applicants for the following vacancy to be filled during its April 8, 2005 meeting: Supreme Court's Bar Admissions Committee: One lawyer to serve a two-year term commencing July 1, 2005. This committee...

Ninth Circuit judges set African American Town Hall Meeting.(Notice)
February 1, 2005... The judges of the Ninth Judicial Circuit will continue their outreach program by holding an African American Judicial Town Hall Meeting in honor of February being Black History Month. The Town Hall will be held at the St. Mark A.M.E....

Serving up justice in the desert.(Dispatches from Iraq)
February 1, 2005... (Editor's Note: Capt. Greg Weiss, in his last dispatch to The Florida Bar News, published in the January 15 paper, began telling us the story about one of his cases involving an altercation between a couple of soldiers. We pick up the story...

Bar sections take legislative positions.
February 1, 2005... Three sections have received authorization from the Bar Board of Governors to lobby the Florida Legislature on six different legislative positions. The board acted at its December meeting on issues ranging from international contract...

Campaign to promote certification.
February 1, 2005... The Bar's Board of Legal Specialization & Education recently launched a statewide strategic communication plan to raise public and lawyer awareness of the Bar's board-certification program. The campaign, using certification program funds,...

The Paul C. Perkins Bar Association.
February 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: THE PAUL C, PERKINS BAR ASSOCIATION recently partnered with the Caribbean Bar Association and the Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers to host a Las Vegas Night in Orlando to raise money for its...

Committee appointments made in the Florida House and Senate.
February 1, 2005... Committee and council appointments have been made for 2004-2006 in both the House and the Senate. There are 10 councils in the House, containing 35 committees. Additionally, there are four joint committees that are shared by both the House and...

Disciplinary actions.
February 1, 2005... The Florida Supreme Court in recent court orders suspended six, disbarred four, and reprimanded three attorneys. The following lawyers are disciplined: Eduardo Cantera, 801 Brickell Ave., Floor 9, Miami, suspended from practicing law...

Bar board OKs funds for diversity program.
February 1, 2005... Funding for a second diversity symposium and possibly for a survey that may be needed with new advertising rules has been approved by the Bar Board of Governors. Budget Committee Chair Jerald Beer, at the board's recent meeting, also won...

Technology Board prepares for the future: 'it could be a fingerprint today, a retinal scan tomorrow, or a face-recognition algorithm in three years'.
February 1, 2005... Future shock jolted the Article V Technology Board when the group met in Tallahassee January 10 to fine-tune its interim report to the legislature and chief justice. At one point, the discussion focused on the need for "unique personal...

Hourly rates continue to climb.
February 1, 2005... Seventy-eight percent of Florida lawyers who bill by the hour say their rate is $150 an hour or higher and the percentage of Florida lawyers who report they charge in excess of $200 has been steadily increasing, according to The Florida Bar's...

The Nova Southeastern University.
February 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Law Center has established a Palm Beach County chapter, which includes five judges. Pictured from the left are Judge Jeffrey Colbath; Joanna Rivera, secretary; Mark Walters; Eunice Baros, president; and...

House panel reminded of its impeachment powers.
February 1, 2005... You have the power to remove bad judges from the bench, Rep. Bruce Kyle reminded fellow legislators serving on the House Justice Council. The Republican prosecutor from Ft. Myers said January 12 that he was inspired by the Judge Charles W....

House panel considers initiative process.
February 1, 2005... Protecting pregnant pigs, banning certain kinds of fishing nets, creating expensive high-speed trains have all found their way into the Florida Constitution through the initiative process--and sparked controversy along the way. That was...

FSU, St. Thomas team up to go hi-tech.
February 1, 2005... The familiar sound of pens and pencils feverishly scratching notebook paper is a thing of the past at most law schools. The clicking of swift keystrokes and the soft glow of individual laptop screens fill today's lecture halls. Law schools...

Nancy Wear.
February 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: NANCY WEAR of Coral Gables is shown here with a plaque presented to her in recognition of her 20 years of service as a volunteer reader of lawbooks for the Miami Unit of Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic....

Hank Jackson.
February 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: HANK JACKSON, from the left, Pat Lowry, and Judge James Hopkins gather at The Governor's Club in West Palm Beach to celebrate the close of The Florida Bar Foundation's Fellows Campaign for Palm Beach County....

North County Section assists kids.
February 1, 2005... The Palm Beach County Bar's North County Section recently hosted a holiday party for more than 125 abused and neglected children in the guardian ad litem program. The party included an afternoon of bowling, lunch, and gifts. "It's...

Hardy to lead Scheb American Inn of Court.
February 1, 2005... Arthur M. Hardy of Sarasota will serve as the new president of the Judge John M. Scheb American Inn of Court. Other officers include Judge Barbara Briggs, president-elect; W. Russell Snyder, counselor; Bonnie Polk, secretary; and Kate...

Rosenthal & Levy raise money for needy children.
February 1, 2005... Rosenthal & Levy recently donated $5,000 to the Love Doctors Charities, Inc., Love Doctors' Marathon Toy Drive. For the second consecutive year, Rosenthal & Levy have served as the signature supporting sponsor of the event, which benefits...

Jacksonville Chapter of the Federal Bar Association.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2005... Thomas Bishop of Holland & Knight was elected president of the Jacksonville Chapter of the Federal Bar Association.

Enterprise Florida, Inc.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2005... Fred Leonhardt of Gray Robinson in Orlando was reappointed by Governor Job Bush to the Board of Directors for Enterprise Florida, Inc.

Alliance for Human Services.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2005... Mark Buchbinder of Miami was named executive director of the board of the Alliance for Human Services.

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2005... Scott M. Solkoff of Solkoff & Zellen, P.A., was elected to the board of directors of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.

Center for a Free Cuba.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2005... Albert Tellechea of Akerman Senterfitt in Orlando was appointed director of the Center for a Free Cuba in Washington, D.C.

Robert L. Parks.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2005... Robert L. Parks of Haggard, Parks, Haggard & Lewis in Coral Gables participated in a workshop in Beijing, China, addressing the Central Party School. Parks served on a panel discussing, "Judiciary and Its Role in a Country with Rule of Law."

Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr., Bar Association.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2005... Mia A. Burroughs of Steel, Hector & Davis in Miami was honored by the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr., Bar Association as "Newcomer of the Year."

Children's Home Society.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2005... Marjorie A. Baron of Miami was elected chair of the board of the Children's Home Society in Miami.

The Youth Law Center.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2005... Richard Rosenbaum of Ft. Lauderdale was recently awarded the "Loren Warboys Unsung Hero" Award by The Youth Law Center.

Joan Nelson Hook.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2005... Joan Nelson Hook of New Port Richey attended a joint conference of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the National Guardianship Association, and the National College of Probate Judges.

National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2005... Spencer Levine, of the Florida Attorney General's Office, was named to the Executive Committee of the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units representing the Southern region of the United States.

Florida A&M University College of Law.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2005... Nicola BoothePerry of Zimmerman, Kiser & Sutcliffe, P.A., is teaching at Florida A&M University College of Law for 2004-2005.

Goldberg Inns of Court.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2005... Anthony Battaglia of Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & Wein, P.A., was awarded the Jack Edmonds Award for Civility and Professionalism in the practice of criminal law, presented by the Goldberg Inns of Court.

University of Miami Law School Graduate Program in Taxation.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2005... Barry Nelson of Nelson & Levine, P.A., in North Miami Beach presented, "Current Trends & Traps in Estate Planning 2004/2005--Estate Planning and Asset Protection Techniques to Consider and Traps to Avoid" at the Florida Institute of Certified...

Elizabeth Ricci.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2005... Elizabeth Ricci of & Ricci, P.A. in Tallahassee presented, "America: Nation of Immigrants" to American history students at Leon High School.

John V. Tucker.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2005... John V. Tucker of The Law Offices of Anderson & Tucker in St Petersburg recently presented, "Social Security, Long Term Disability Insurance, and Other Disability Benefit Issues" at a seminar sponsored by the National Multiple Sclerosis...

Lex Mundi Board of Directors.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2005... Rebekah Poston of Steel Hector & Davis LLP, has been elected chair for the business crimes and compliance practice group by the Lex Mundi Board of Directors.

Nova Southeastern University's Shepard Broad Law Center.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2005... Martin Press of Gunster Yoakley in Ft. Lauderdale was appointed chair of the board of governors for Nova Southeastern University's Shepard Broad Law Center.

Big Brothers, Big Sisters.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2005... Gregory A. Hearing of Thompson, Sizemore & Gonzalez, P.A., was elected president of the board of directors for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Tampa Bay for 2005.

Sterling Bank.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2005... Jeffrey Ostrow of Taylor, Hodkin, Kopelowitz & Ostrow, P.A., in Ft. Lauderdale was named to the board of directors of Sterling Bank.

David J. Lillesand.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2005... David J. Lillesand of Lillesand & Associates, P.A., in Miami spoke at two national conferences: the SocialSecurity Disability Law Conference in Philadelphia sponsored by the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives;...

Jordi Guso.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2005... Jordi Guso of Berger Singerman in Miami participated in a panel discussion titled, "Who is Driving the Chapter 11 Bus?" at a meeting of the ABA Business Law Section's business bankruptcy committee held in conjunction with the National...

Rebecca Morgan.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2005... Rebecca Morgan of Stetson University was presented with the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys' 2004 UnAward for her contribution to the advancement of elder law.

Commercial Law League.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2005... Ivan J. Reich with Becker & Poliakoff, P.A was appointed chair of the young members' section of the Commercial Law League and a member of the executive council of the bankruptcy section.

Rochelle A. Reback.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2005... Rochelle A. Reback was recently presented a 2004 Human Rights Award by the Tampa-Hillsborough Human Rights Council, Inc.

Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2005... John W. Merting was recently elected chair of the Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute at the group's annual meeting held at Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.

Robert S. Reiff.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2005... Robert S. Reiff of the Law Offices of Robert S. Reiff, P.A., in Miami, recently lectured at the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers/ National College for DUI Defense's Eighth Annual "DWI Means: Defending with Ingenuity" seminar....

Midway Fire District.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2005... Bob Murphy, senior vice president and administrator of Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, was elected chair of the board of commissioners for the Midway Fire District for 2004-2005.

Nason, Yeager, Gerson, White & Lioce, P.A.(On the Move)
February 1, 2005... Eric Light, Jessica Goler, William Kelly, and Dana Strong joined Nason, Yeager, Gerson, White & Lioce, P.A., in West Palm Beach as associates. Light practices in the areas of estate planning, probate, taxation, and corporate law. Goler and...

The law firm of McClosky.(On the Move)
February 1, 2005... The law firm of McClosky, D'Anna, Ioannou & Dieterle, L.L.P., will be known as McClosky, D'Anna & Dieterle, L.L.P., and will continue its practice at 2300 Glades Rd., Suite 400 East, Boca Raton 33431; phone (561) 368-9200; fax (561) 395-7050.

Cohen Battisti.(On the Move)
February 1, 2005... Cohen Battisti, Attorneys at Law, has relocated to 1211 Orange Ave., Suite 200, Winter Park 32789. The firm's practice is limited to auto accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, insurance claims, and criminal defense.

Office of the Public Defender.(On the Move)
February 1, 2005... James W. Stein joined the trial division of the Office of the Public Defender in Sebring.

Fowler White Boggs Banker.(On the Move)
February 1, 2005... David F. Pope joined Fowler White Boggs Banker in Tampa. Pope practices in the firm's admiralty practice group and concentrates his practice in the areas of cargo claims, injury and death claims, collisions, passenger claims, recreational water...

Matthew R. Danahy and David C. Murray announce the formation of Danahy & Murray, P.A.(On the Move)
February 1, 2005... Matthew R. Danahy and David C. Murray announce the formation of Danahy & Murray, P.A. The firm concentrates on representing insureds in first party claims against their insurers, including claims resulting from hurricane damage, sinkhole, fire,...

Craig Shapiro has become a partner in Aran, Correa, Guarch & Shapiro, P.A.(On the Move)
February 1, 2005... Craig Shapiro has become a partner in Aran, Correa, Guarch & Shapiro, P.A., with offices located at 710 S. Dixie Highway, Coral Gables 33146; phone (305) 665-3400.

David Shiner was made a partner in Osherow, Shiner & Associates, P.A.(On the Move)
February 1, 2005... David Shiner was made a partner in Osherow, Shiner & Associates, P.A. The firm continues to concentrate in the areas of commercial and business litigation, personal injury, professional liability, insurance claims, and real estate disputes.

Holland & Knight.(On the Move)
February 1, 2005... Michael Abel joined Holland & Knight in Jacksonville as a partner. Abel concentrates his practice in the area of complex litigation.

The Law Office of Philip S. Wartenberg, P.A.(On the Move)
February 1, 2005... The Law Office of Philip S. Wartenberg, P.A., has relocated to 501 South Boulevard, Tampa 33606; phone (813) 258-3113; fax (813) 254-8473.

Greenspoon, Marder, Hirschfeld, Rafkin, Ross & Berger.(On the Move)
February 1, 2005... Greenspoon, Marder, Hirschfeld, Rafkin, Ross & Berger announced a merger with Abrams Anton. The new firm will be known as Greenspoon, Marder, Hirschfeld Rafkin, Ross, Berger, Abrams & Anton, P.A.

Ravi Seepersad, Rena J. UpshawFrazier, and Gary S. Weisman joined Fowler White Boggs Banker as associates.(On the Move)
February 1, 2005... Ravi Seepersad, Rena J. UpshawFrazier, and Gary S. Weisman joined Fowler White Boggs Banker as associates. Seepersad practices in the firm's St. Petersburg office in the health care practice group. Upshaw-Frazier practices in the firm's...

Fox, Wackeen, Dungey, Sweet, Beard, Sobel & McCluskey, L.L.P., in Stuart has changed the name of the firm to Fox.(On the Move)
February 1, 2005... Fox, Wackeen, Dungey, Sweet, Beard, Sobel & McCluskey, L.L.P., in Stuart has changed the name of the firm to Fox, Wackeen, Dungey, Beard, Sobel & McCluskey.

Volpe, Bajalia, Wickes, Rogerson & Galloway.(On the Move)
February 1, 2005... Brett A. Mearkle joined Volpe, Bajalia, Wickes, Rogerson & Galloway as an associate. Mearkle practices in the firm's business and commercial litigation groups.

GrayRobinson.(On the Move)
February 1, 2005... Ashley N. Calhoun joined the Lakeland office of Gray Robinson as an associate. Additionally, L. Robin McKinney and Clinton Paris joined the Tampa office as associates. Calhoun focuses in the areas of taxation, corporate, wealth transfer, estate...

Fowler White Boggs Banker.(On the Move)
February 1, 2005... Scott P. Andrew, James G. Biggart, Patrick A. Burson, Tirso M. Carreja, Barry N. Heisler, Heather H. Jones, Stephen R. Kanzer, Donald R. Kirk, and Monica B. Mason were named shareholders of Fowler White Boggs Banker.

Neill, Griffin, Tierney, Neill & Marquis.(On the Move)
February 1, 2005... Michael Kurth joined Neill, Griffin, Tierney, Neill & Marquis in Ft. Pierce as an associate.

Dickinson & Gibbons, P.A.(On the Move)
February 1, 2005... Shelli Freeland Eddie joined Dickinson & Gibbons, P.A., as an associate. Eddie practices in the areas of personal injury defense, family law, and criminal litigation.