Florida Bar News articles from February 2006

Florida Bar News archives from February 2006

Bar pushes for more civics education: 'Without a strong and vibrant rule of law, our democracy will simply cease to exist'.
February 1, 2006... Ninety percent or more of Florida adult residents say the constitutional concepts of separation of powers and checks and balances are important principles in the federal government, according to a new Bar poll. But when asked "What are the...

Board to look at contingency fee waiver proposal.
February 1, 2006... A Supreme Court-ordered rule on contingency fees in medical malpractice cases and legislative matters are expected to occupy the Bar Board of Governors when it meets in Tallahassee on February 17. (The Bar must get a deadline extension from the...

AJS program to explore judicial selection reform.
February 1, 2006... The American Judicature Society's 2006 Midyear Meeting will present "Rethinking Strategies for Judicial Selection" February 24-25 at the Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham, Alabama. The event, cosponsored by The Florida Bar and others,...

Florida ready for data integration innovation: plan would provide judges with instant access to information from multi-agencies computers.
February 1, 2006... The Article V Technology Board pulled off what it considers a remarkable feat. Techies and policymakers from 17 state agencies forgot about the different logos on their business cards and guarding their own tufts and agreed to work...

Bill says kids must consult lawyer before waiving rights.
February 1, 2006... A bill requiring that juveniles charged with crimes have a meaningful opportunity to consult with a lawyer before waiving their right to counsel has cleared a key Senate committee. The Florida Bar supports the legislation. The Senate...

Frequency of use of the Bar's member benefits programs.
February 1, 2006... CAR RENTAL DISCOUNTS 16 MBNA FINANCIAL 8 LEXIS/NEXIS SERVICES 8 INSURANCE 7 FASTCASE SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES 4 UPS/DHL DELIVERY SERVICES 3 ...

Paralegal regulation.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2006... While I have been only a casual observer of the proposed bill to regulate paralegals, I found that there may already be an impact to the proposal that paralegals be certified and/or have mandatory qualifications. A paralegal, who was...

Dachs petitions for Bar readmission.(Notice)
February 1, 2006... Leonard Mark Dachs of Miami has petitioned the Florida Board of Bar Examiners for readmission to the Bar. Dachs was disbarred from the practice of law in Florida pursuant to a September 12, 2002, Supreme Court order for his felony...

Journal directory errors corrected.(Notice)(Directory)
February 1, 2006... A number of corrections to the 2005 Bar Journal directory have been noted to the editorial staff. To set the record straight: Jerry Zaslow's correct address is 100 N. 17th St., 15th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103 (p. 592). William C....

Errata.(Correction Notice)
February 1, 2006... A CLE course ad and brochure in the January issues of the News for the General Practice, Solo, Small Firm Section's program titled "Discover(y), Professionalism and Ethics in Vancouver!" contained an erroneous phone number for Elsa Cristobal of...

Metadata.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2006... I did not know what metadata was. I saw the article in the January 1 News about lawyers extracting the underlying hidden data in electronically transmitted documents in order to see the way it was edited and what the drafters had to say...

Lawyer needed for Bar admissions panel.(Notice)
February 1, 2006... The Board of Governors is seeking applicants for the following vacancy to be filled during its April 7 meeting: Supreme Court's Bar Admissions Committee: One lawyer to serve a two-year term commencing July 1, 2006. This committee...

17th JNC taking judicial applications.(Notice)
February 1, 2006... The 17th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission is now accepting applications to fill a position on the circuit bench created by the resignation of Judge George Brescher, effective March 31. Applicants must have been members of The Florida...

Jackson petitions for reinstatement.(Notice)
February 1, 2006... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10(b), Marvin Preston Jackson of Brandon has petitioned the Florida Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement. The court suspended Jackson from the practice of law for three years in an October 1, 1998, order in in case...

Schrold petitions for reinstatement.(Notice)
February 1, 2006... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, Jack Schrold of Parkland has petitioned the Florida Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement. Any persons having knowledge bearing upon Schrold's fitness or qualifications to resume the practice of law should contact...

Foundation pushes plate: local bars can win grants by selling the license tag.
February 1, 2006... In an effort to support children's legal services, the Kids Deserve Justice specialty license plate was created by the Florida Legislature in 2004. Now The Florida Bar Foundation has put up $100,000 in "prize" grants for the voluntary bar...

S.C. Historical Society sets dinner.
February 1, 2006... The Florida Supreme Court Historical Society will hold its annual dinner on Thursday, February 16, at the University Center Club in Tallahassee. Chief Justice Barbara Pariente will deliver the keynote address. Special guest for the...

Florida Bar President Alan Bookman, was recently in the Tampa area and attended a reception by the Hillsborough County Bar Association.
February 1, 2006... FLORIDA BAR PRESIDENT Alan Bookman, center, was recently in the Tampa area and attended a reception by the Hillsborough County Bar Association. Pictured with Bookman are HCBA member Clint Paris, left, and Lanse Scriven, president of the...

Lawyers must designate an inventory attorney: comply with the new rule now by visiting www.floridabar.org.
February 1, 2006... To protect clients of an attorney who unexpectedly dies or otherwise becomes unable to practice, the Florida Supreme Court recently amended Bar rules--at the Bar's request--to provide that members who practice in-state must designate an...

Certification area in the works: State and Federal Government and Administrative Practice.
February 1, 2006... Acting on the recommendation of the Program Evaluation Committee, the Bar Board of Governors has approved seeking a new certification area, State and Federal Government and Administrative Practice. The board at its December meeting okayed...

South Palm Beach FAWL sets reception.
February 1, 2006... The South Palm Beach County Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers will hold its annual judicial reception for February 16 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Muvico Theaters in Boca Raton. The event will celebrate the contributions of...

'Marsicano Award nominations sought.
February 1, 2006... The City, County and Local Government Law Section is nominations for its Ralph A. Award. The award is given to a lawyer who has made a significant contribution to the practice of local government law. The award honors Marsicano, who...

Kottkamp follows Lincoln's lead.(Lawyers in the Legislature)
February 1, 2006... Growing up in Indiana and hearing all those stories about Abraham Lincoln's boyhood in the Hoosier state left its mark on Jeff Kottkamp. "It left an impression on me since I was five that I not only wanted to be a lawyer, but I wanted to...

Benson enjoys bipartisan praise.(Lawyers in the Legislature)
February 1, 2006... Ask Rep. Holly Benson, R-Pensacola, if she's been sailing lately, and she'll give a rueful and wistful laugh. She notes the questioner must be reading her member page on the Florida House of Representatives Web site which, among other things,...

Notice.
February 1, 2006... Pursuant to Standing Board Policy 1.60, the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar hereby publishes this notice of intent to consider or take final action at its February 17, 2006, meeting on the following items. These matters are additionally...

Court orders Judge Woodard to be publicly reprimanded.
February 1, 2006... The Supreme Court has ordered Charlotte County Judge W. Wayne Woodard be publicly reprimanded for improperly trying to discourage an opponent from running against him, providing false information in his campaign literature, and repeatedly...

At its 40th anniversary campaign kickoff event January 5, Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc.
February 1, 2006... AT ITS 40TH ANNIVERSARY CAMPAIGN kickoff event January 5, Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc., announced two campaign initiatives-the Chesterfield Smith Society for Equal Justice and the Circle of Support. "As we approach our 40th anniversary...

Privacy and Court Records--Group Two recommendations.(Notice)
February 1, 2006... Supreme Court of Florida Request for Comments Privacy and Court Records--Group Two Recommendations In response to a request by the Florida Supreme Court, the Committee on Privacy and Court Records has submitted to the Court a report and...

Dedge prosecutor details decision-making process: 'I am truly sorry that he got convicted wrongly and he spent 22 years in prison'.
February 1, 2006... The prosecutor who sent Wilton Dedge to prison for two life terms for a rape he didn't commit said he is sorry for the injustice done to an innocent man, but he doesn't know how to avoid making the same mistakes again. "You know, there's...

Rule would waive fees for reservists.
February 1, 2006... The Bar Board of Governors has received a rule change that would waive annual membership fees for Bar members who serve in the military reserves and are called up for more than 30 days of active service in a year. Budget Committee Chair...

Board candidates platform statements.
February 1, 2006... Here are the platform statements for the 2006 candidates for The Florida Bar Board of Governors' Ballots for the election will be mailed on March 1, and must be returned no later than midnight March 21. Bar members will have the choice of...

Court amends evidence code on admissibility issue.
February 1, 2006... Lawyers do not have to make a trial objection to preserve a judge's evidentiary ruling for appeal when the judge has made a definitive ruling on the admissibility of evidence. The Supreme Court made that change to [section] 90.104(1)(b) of...

RPPTL authorized for five new positions for upcoming session.
February 1, 2006... The Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section has been authorized by the Bar Board of Governors to add five items to its legislative lobbying platform for the upcoming 2006 Regular Session of the Florida Legislature. Under Bar rules,...

The 10 most common mistakes of first year associates.(Tips for the Young Lawyer)
February 1, 2006... For first year associates in law firms, mistakes are a fact of life. And nothing--not law review, not moot court, not even a prestigious judicial clerkship--can prevent them. But because being forewarned means being forearmed, what follows is a...

Dunlap & Moran.(On the Move)
February 1, 2006... Ryan A. Featherstone joined Dunlap & Moran in Sarasota. Featherstone practices primarily in the area of business and real estate transactions.

Abbey, Adams, Byelick, Kiernan, Mueller & Lancaster.(On the Move)
February 1, 2006... Tara J. Scott joined Abbey, Adams, Byelick, Kiernan, Mueller & Lancaster in St. Petersburg as an associate.

Justus W. Reid and Craig R. Zobel, formerly of Reid, Metzger & Bernhardt, P.A., are pleased to announce the formation of Reid & Zobel, P.A.(On the Move)
February 1, 2006... Justus W. Reid and Craig R. Zobel, formerly of Reid, Metzger & Bernhardt, P.A, are pleased to announce the formation of Reid & Zobel, P.A., a civil litigation trial practice, located in the Esperante Building, 222 Lakeview Avenue, Suite 1160,...

Merlin Law Group is pleased to announce the opening of its new office located at 12515 Orange Dr., Suite 810, Davie 33330; phone (954) 916-1733; fax (954) 9161735; Web site www.merlinlawgroup.com.(On the Move)
February 1, 2006... Merlin Law Group is pleased to announce the opening of its new office located at 12515 Orange Dr., Suite 810, Davie 33330; phone (954) 916-1733; fax (954) 9161735; Web site www.merlinlawgroup.com. In addition, the firm announces the addition of...

Abel Band.(On the Move)
February 1, 2006... Daniel J. De Leo joined Abel Band in Sarasota as an associate. De Leo focuses his practice on all aspects of business litigation, civil litigation, professional liability, and products liability.

Boyd & Jenerette.(On the Move)
February 1, 2006... Kacie L. Kelly, Adam P. Bourque, Andrew N. Feldman, and Seth W. Goettleman have joined Boyd & Jenerette as associates.

Michael Romm.(On the Move)
February 1, 2006... Michael Romm has relocated his office to 5815 S.W. 21st St., Hollywood 33023; phone (954) 557-8002; alternate phone (954) 964-2906; fax (954) 986-4334; e-mail: rommlaw@comcast.net and mromm@rommlaw.com.

Roetzel & Andress.(On the Move)
February 1, 2006... K'Shana Haynie joined Roetzel & Andress in Ft. Myers as an associate with an emphasis on real estate and land use.

Becker & Poliakoff.(On the Move)
February 1, 2006... David S. Romanik joined Becker & Poliakoff in Ft. Lauderdale. Romanik was appointed to the firm's entertainment, sports, and gaming law practice.

Evan M. Ostfeld, P.A.(On the Move)
February 1, 2006... Evan M. Ostfeld, P.A. has relocated their office to The Coral Springs Professional Campus, 5421 N. University Drive, Suite 102, Coral Springs 33067-4638; phone (954) 227-7529; fax (954) 227-1243.

Wasserstrom Weinreb & Wealcatch.(On the Move)
February 1, 2006... Keith Wasserstrom, Dvora Weinreb, and Matthew Wealcatch have formed Wasserstrom Weinreb & Wealcatch with offices located at 1909 Tyler Street in the Wachovia Center in Hollywood and at 1900 N.W. Corporate Blvd., Suite 400 East, Boca Raton. The...

George, Hartz, Lundeen, Fulmer, Johnstone, King & Stevens.(On the Move)
February 1, 2006... Lisa M. Spader was named a partner of George, Hartz, Lundeen, Fulmer, Johnstone, King & Stevens in Ft. Myers. Spader practices personal injury defense and employment law. Additionally, Robert F. Cooke was named a partner in the firm's Coral...

Katz Barron.(On the Move)
February 1, 2006... Cortney R. Kaiserman joined Katz Barron as an associate in Ft. Lauderdale. Kaiserman practices in the areas of complex and general commercial litigation, real estate litigation, employment practices litigation, contract disputes, and commercial...

Shutts & Bowen.(On the Move)
February 1, 2006... William Bernard McCarthy joined Shutts & Bowen as a partner in Miami. McCarthy practices in the area of tax law.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools.(On the Move)
February 1, 2006... Marylin Batista-McNamara was appointed deputy board attorney to the Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

Michael D. Weinstein announces the opening of the Law Office of Michael D. Weinstein.(On the Move)
February 1, 2006... Michael D. Weinstein announces the opening of the Law Office of Michael D. Weinstein at 350 East Las Olas Blvd., Suite 1700, Ft. Lauderdale 33301; phone (954) 761-1420; fax (954) 761-1421. The firm concentrates in criminal trial practice.

Upchurch Watson White & Max.(On the Move)
February 1, 2006... A. Michelle Jernigan, Richard B. Lord, Kimberly Sands, and Michael B. Walls have become shareholders of Upchurch Watson White & Max.

McGuire Woods.(On the Move)
February 1, 2006... Neera Mahajan Shetty was elected a partner of McGnireWoods in Jacksonville.

Matthew L. Kahl announces the opening of Matthew L. Kahl, P.A., focusing on residential and commercial real estate transactions, wills, and probate.(On the Move)
February 1, 2006... Matthew L. Kahl announces the opening of Matthew L. Kahl, P.A., focusing on residential and commercial real estate transactions, wills, and probate. The firm is located at 2929 E. Commercial Blvd., Suite 507, Ft. Lauderdale 33308; phone: (954)...

White & Case.(On the Move)
February 1, 2006... T. Neal McAliley, Steven J. Vainder, and Carlos Viana were named partners of White & Case in Miami.

Stroock, Stroock & Lavan.(On the Move)
February 1, 2006... Pablo A. Alvarez joined Stroock, Stroock & Lavan in Miami as special counsel in the firm's real estate practice group.

IP/Grants.(On the Move)
February 1, 2006... Veronica S. Prostko of the Johnnie B. Byrd, Sr., Alzheimer's Center & Research Institute in Tampa was promoted to assistant director of IP/CJrants.

McDermott Will & Emery.(On the Move)
February 1, 2006... Joshua M. Kaye of McDermott Will & Emery in Miami was promoted to partner.

Miller, Kagan, Rodriguez & Silver.(On the Move)
February 1, 2006... Omar Perez of Miller, Kagan, Rodriguez & Silver was promoted to partner. Additionally, Miller, Kagan, Rodriguez & Silver announces the expansion of two of its seven Florida locations. The firm's headquarters in Miami relocated to 201 Alhambra...

Shook, Hardy & Bacon.(On the Move)
February 1, 2006... Geri E. Howell and Tara L. Effering have joined Shook, Hardy & Bacon in Miami in the firm's tort section.

Zimmerman, Kiser & Sutcliffe.(On the Move)
February 1, 2006... Ginnette Childs of Zimmerman, Kiser & Sutcliffe in Orlando was named a shareholder.

Hopping, Green & Sams.(On the Move)
February 1, 2006... Brian A. Crumbaker and Michael C. Eckert of Hopping, Green & Sams in Tallahassee were named shareholders.

Wohlsifer & Associates.(On the Move)
February 1, 2006... David B. Goulfine joined Wohlsifer & Associates in West Palm Beach as an associate in the firm's homeowners and condominium association, contract dispute, and commercial litigation division.

Carlton Fields.(On the Move)
February 1, 2006... H. Ray Allen H joined Carlton Fields in Tampa as a shareholder in the government law and consulting practice group as well as the real estate and mortgage financing practice group.

Zinober & McCrea.(On the Move)
February 1, 2006... Jaimi L. Kerr and Michelle N. Boyd have become associates with Zinober & McCrea in Tampa.

Phelps Dunbar.(On the Move)
February 1, 2006... Patricia A. McLean was named a partner of Phelps Dunbar in Tampa.

Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2006... Derek Bruce of GrayRobinson in Orlando was appointed to the 2006 board of governors and executive board for the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Barbara Anne Eagan.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2006... Barbara Anne Eagan spoke at the 2005 Community Collaborative Planning Conference in Orlando. Her topic was "High Priority Measures for Environmental Protection in the Rapidly Growing Community."

Southern District of Florida.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2006... Martin Alexander of Holland & Knight in West Palm Beach was appointed to the Rules Committee of the Southern District of Florida, and elected chair of the board of directors of Children s Harbor.

Kimberly Kolback.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2006... Kimberly Kolback moderated the panel "Sports Collective Bargaining Agreements and Government's New Role" during the 17th Annual Southern Regional Entertainment and Sports Law Conference and the 11th Annual Intellectual Property Law Institute...

Harvey V. Cohen.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2006... Harvey V. Cohen of Cohen Battisti was interviewed by Danny Ramos on Hispanic Achievers TV on Orange TV channel 9 about his volunteer efforts to assist juveniles who are being prosecuted.

David C. Goodwin.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2006... David C. Goodwin of Akerman Senterfitt in Miami was the featured speaker at a seminar on the topic of "Succeeding in Federal Court: What You Need to Know About Rules and Procedures."

AMI.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2006... Judge Frank Orlando of Tampa was named chair of the board for AMI, which operates over 54 schools nationally for adjudicated teens.

East Orlando Chamber.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2006... David B. Canning of GrayRobinson in Orlando was appointed to the 2006 board of directors for the East Orlando Chamber of Commerce.

Bruce Charles King.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2006... Bruce Charles King of Carlton Fields in Miami spoke at the "Averting Chaos on the Job Site: Proactively Understanding Components of a Good Contract" seminar for the National Business Institute. His topic was "Identifying Key Contractual Issues,...

Tom Edwards.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2006... Tom Edwards of Peek, Cobb, Edwards & Ashton was inducted president of the Jacksonville chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates.

Bruce J. Berman.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2006... Bruce J. Berman, a partner in the Miami office of McDermott Will & Emery LLP, recently completed the 2006 edition of Florida Civil Procedure, published by West Group and released in December.

Rep. Dorothy L. Hukill.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2006... Rep. Dorothy L. Hukill, R-Port Orange, was awarded the President's BERMAN Award from the Florida Prosecuting Attorney's Association.

Mark K. Eckels.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2006... Mark K. Eekels of Boyd & Jenerette in Jacksonville was admitted to the Georgia Bar.

Ruden McClosky.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2006... Ruden MeClosky has established the Ruden McClosky Diversity Scholarship Program to encourage racial and ethnic minority students to attend law school and to provide financial assistance to these students.

Central Florida Bankruptcy Law Association.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2006... Douglas A. Kelly of Holland & Knight in Orlando was elected vice president of the board of directors of the Central Florida Bankruptcy Law Association for 2006.

Seagull Industries.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2006... Jason C. Hill of Arnstein & Lehr in West Beach was named to the board of directors for Seagull Industries for the Disabled.

Environmental Regulation Commission.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2006... Cari L. Roth of Bryant Miller Olive was appointed to a four-year term on the state's Environmental Regulation Commission by Gov. Jeb Bush.

Richard McAlpin.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2006... Richard McAlpin of McAlpin & Brais presented "Product Liability for Yacht Designers and Marine Engineers" at the IBEX 2005 Conference.

American Board of Trial Advocates.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2006... Mitchell L. Lundeen of George, Hartz, Lundeen, Fulmer, Johnstone, King & Stevens was elected president of the Miami-Dade chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates.