Florida Bar News articles from February 2007

Florida Bar News archives from February 2007

Justice teaching: 'lawyers will get just as much out of this as the kids'.(Fred Lewis )
February 1, 2007... Chief Justice Fred Lewis walked into courtroom 1C in the Leon County Courthouse January 11, weaving between the chairs placed along the walls to accommodate all the volunteers for the Justice Teaching initiative. Lewis stopped several times on...

Coxe denounces comments suggesting boycott of firms representing detainees.(The Florida Bar's Hank Coxe)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Florida Bar President Hank Coxe recently applauded the efforts of lawyers representing Guantanamo detainees and condemned the remarks of the Defense Department's Charles "Cully" Stimson suggesting that their law firms be boycotted. In a...

House considers offers of judgment statute overhaul.
February 1, 2007... Florida does not need a "loser pays" law for civil litigation, but overhauling its offer of judgment statute could help reduce unnecessary litigation. The Florida House Committee on Constitution and Civil Law also indicated it may look at...

Pay equity tops court's priorities: compensation disparities hinder judicial branch hiring, drive good employees away.
February 1, 2007... The court system's top legislative priority this year is to bring judicial branch employees' salary and benefits in line with those paid executive and legislative staffers. Ninth Circuit Chief Judge Belvin Perry, Jr., chair of the Trial...

CLE records are now available on the Web: news' mailing label will no longer keep a running total.(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... With CLE records now available on the Bar's Web site, often outdated CLE information on the News' label has met its match. "Every member can now access their CLE records and post approved courses through the online system," said Mike...

ABA set to revise Model Code of Judicial Conduct.(American Bar Association )
February 1, 2007... The ABA Joint Commission to Evaluate the Model Code of Judicial Conduct has filed its final report for consideration by the ABA House of Delegates at its February midyear meeting in Miami. The proposals are intended to provide guidance for...

Falling into the 'poverty gap': for every person who shows up for help at legal services, another is turned away.
February 1, 2007... In a strong, experienced voice, Chris Delmarco asks judges for emergency injunctions to keep her clients' abusers away. At her side, clients nearly whisper details of domestic violence ripping their lives apart, trembling as they tell...

Legal needs going unmet.(Legal Services Corp.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... When Legal Services Corp. released a report in October 2005, called "Documenting the Justice Gap in America: The Current Unmet Civil Legal Needs of Low-Income Americans," it concluded that "at least 80 percent" of the civil legal needs of...

Matthews teaches arbitration to Mongolians.(Joseph M. Matthews)
February 1, 2007... Mr. Matthews goes to Mongolia. The title may not be quite the way you remember it, but it's a slight variation on a theme. Coral Gables attorney Joseph M. Matthews went to Mongolia as part of a program that sends experienced attorneys to former...

13th Circuit opens business court.
February 1, 2007... The march toward specialized courts for complex business litigation in major metropolitan areas moved forward with the recent creation of a new division in the 13th Circuit. Joining the Ninth and 11th circuits, 13th Circuit Chief Judge...

The Carrollwood Community Bar.(donations to Ward's Gift Fund)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: THE CARROLLWOOD COMMUNITY BAR Association recently presented a check for $500 to the Ward's Gift Fund. Pictured are immeidate past President Paul Riffel presenting the check to Debra Johnson. At its recent...

Program encourages minorities to take up environmental law.(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... The Florida Bar's Environmental and Land Use Law Section is partnering with the ABA Section of Environment, Energy and Resources to create and fund a Minority Fellowship Program in Florida designed to encourage first- and second-year minority...

J.A.I.L4Judges.( )(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2007... The January 15 "article" which appeared under headline "Despite SD loss, J.A.I.L.4Judges targets Florida"--beginning on page one no less--is not an article at all. It is a thinly veiled editorial against the amendment known as J.A.I.L.4Judges....

Lawyers' web sites.( )(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2007... The proposed changes to the lawyer Web site advertising rules are bad for Florida lawyers and do nothing to protect consumers from any perceived harm. If they are adopted, The Florida Bar will become a laughingstock of the technology world. ...

Breaking with the past.( )(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2007... As a lawyer, as a secular Jew, as a 70-year-old, as a civil rights advocate since 1964, and as an admitted practitioner since 1969, (in New York), I take exception to this Florida Bar honoring those lawyers and judges who were admitted to...

First circuit board member needed.(Notices)
February 1, 2007... Executive Director John F. Harkness, Jr., has announced a vacancy on The Florida Bar Board of Governors due to the resignation of First Circuit board member Ross Goodman, who was recently elected to the circuit bench. Goodman was finishing a...

15th circuit board member needed.(Notices)
February 1, 2007... Executive Director John F. Harkness, Jr., has announced a vacancy on The Florida Bar Board of Governors to replace 15th Circuit board member John G. White III, who will be sworn in as president-elect of The Florida Bar on June 29. White was...

Bradley M. Saxton.(Winderweedle, Haines, Ward and Woodman L.P.)(Central Florida Bankruptcy Law Association's annual seminar)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Bradley M. Saxton, of Winderweedle, Haines, Ward & Woodman moderated a panel on "Commercial Issues Under the New Bankruptcy Reform Act," at the Central Florida Bankruptcy Law Association's annual seminar.

Jack R. Reiter.(Adorno and Yoss, St. Thomas University School of Law)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Jack R. Reiter of Adorno & Yoss addressed students at the St. Thomas University School of Law on "Legal Board Certification--How to Be Known as a Legal 'Expert' or 'Specialist.'"

Loring N. Spolter.(spoke at St. Thomas University School of Law'sAssociation for Women Lawyers chapter)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Loring N. Spolter of Ft. Lauderdale spoke on pregnancy discrimination, the Family & Medical Leave Act, and the Pregnancy Act at a "Gender, Sexuality and the Law" symposium hosted by the St. Thomas University School of Law's Florida Association...

Jason Maughan.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2007... The National Republican Congressional Committee chose Jason Maughan as its "2006 Florida Businessman of the Year."

Brett Alan Panter.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2007... Brett Alan Panter of Panter, Panter & Sampedro was invited to become a fellow in the American Academy of Trial Counsel.

David P. Broome.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2007... David P. Broome of Mobile achieved board certification as a family trial advocate through the National Board of Trial Advocacy.

Lawrence Moncrief.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2007... Lawrence Moncrief of West Palm Beach received the 15th Circuit Pro Bono Committee's Pro Bono Attorney of the Month award in December.

William D. Matthewman.(speaks at federal capital defense strategy session )(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... William D. Matthewman of Miami spoke on federal death penalty notice requirements and other issues relating to capital cases at the 2006 Federal Capital Defense Strategy Session in San Antonio.

Leonard E. Mondschein.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2007... Leonard E. Mondschein of Miami presented "Special Needs Trusts--Fundamentals and Practice" at the FICPA's Estate and Financial Planning Conference in Ft. Lauderdale.

John P. Cardillo.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2007... John P. Cardillo of Cardillo, Keith & Bonaquist in Naples was certified as a circuit court and county court mediator.

Harry A. Johnston.(Jones, Foster, Johnston and Stubbs)(International Republican Institute)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Harry A. Johnston of Jones, Foster, Johnston & Stubbs in West Palm Beach was invited to participate in a pre-election assessment in Nigeria by the International Republican Institute.

Fowler White Boggs Banker.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2007... Terry S. Ford of Fowler White Boggs Banker was elected to the Tampa Bay Regional Board of Directors of Easter Seals Florida.

NationsHealth, Inc.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2007... Joshua B. Weingard of Sunrise has been appointed executive vice president, chief legal officer, and secretary of NationsHealth, Inc.

Sanibel Island.(Board of Bar Examiners appoints Steven Robert Maxwell)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Steven Robert Maxwell of Sanibel Island was appointed to membership on the Florida Board of Bar Examiners by the Supreme Court of Florida to succeed a retiring member.

Felix J. Medigutia.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2007... Felix J. Medigutia of Miami was certified by the Florida Supreme Court as a circuit and county court mediatior.

Eugene J. LaNeve became partner at E. Scott Golden & Associates, and the firm will be known as Golden & LaNeve.(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Eugene J. LaNeve became partner at E. Scott Golden & Associates, and the firm will be known as Golden & LaNeve, with offices at 644 SE 4th Ave., Ft. Lauderdale 33324, phone (954) 764-6766.

Willard Hurley.(On the Move)( )(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Lisa M. Hurley and Matthew R. Willard opened Willard Hurley, LLC at 517 E. College Ave., in Tallahassee. The phone number is (850) 224-2001, and the fax is (850) 224-2030. The firm will concentrate in the areas of criminal defense, professional...

G. William "Bill" Bissett joined Kubicki Draper's Miami office.(On the Move)
February 1, 2007... G. William "Bill" Bissett joined Kubicki Draper's Miami office as a shareholder where he will practice in the appellate and insurance coverage division.

Maria C. Montenegro joined Carlton Fields' Miami office.(On the Move)
February 1, 2007... Maria C. Montenegro joined Carlton Fields' Miami office where she will practice in the insurance and business litigation and trade regulation practice groups.

Jolee Land was made partner in Phelps Dunbar.(On the Move)
February 1, 2007... Jolee Land was made partner in Phelps Dunbar's employment law regional practice group in Tampa.

Michael J. Rosenbaum became a partner at Fieldstone Lester Shear & Denberg.(On the Move)
February 1, 2007... Michael J. Rosenbaum became a partner at Fieldstone Lester Shear & Denberg in Miami.

Javier Banos joined Fieldstone Lester Shear & Denberg.(On the Move)
February 1, 2007... Javier Banos joined Fieldstone Lester Shear & Denberg in Miami as an associate in the international tax department.

Law Office of Silverman & Vorhis.(Joshua Silverman, Adam Vorhis)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Joshua Silverman and Adam Vorhis formed the Law Office of Silverman & Vorhis at 20 W. University Ave., Ste. 202, Gainesville 32601. The phone number is (352) 337-8373. The firm is a general practice and will focus on criminal defense and civil...

Upchurch Watson White and Max Mediation Group.(Stephen G. Fischer)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Stephen G. Fischer of Upchurch Watson White & Max Mediation Group relocated to 5500 Military Trail, #22-372, Jupiter 33458. The phone number is (561) 630-7761; the Miami number is (305) 670-0033, and the fax number is (888) 866-5687.

Jason Himschoot joined Becker & Poliakoff.(On the Move)
February 1, 2007... Jason Himschoot joined Becker & Poliakoff in Ft. Myers.

Trenam Kemker.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2007... Marie Tomassi of Trenam Kemker's St. Petersburg office was elected to the firm's management committee.

ABA Section Officers Conference Meritorious Service Award Committee.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2007... Eugene G. Beckham of Miami was appointed chair of the ABA Section Officers Conference Meritorious Service Award Committee for 2006-07.

Florida Board of Bar Examiners.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2007... Suzanne Meyer Judas of Holland & Knight was elected vice chair of the Florida Board of Bar Examiners.

Lee County Association for Women Lawyers.(Denise Wheeler of Fowler White Boggs Banker P.A. elected president)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Denise Wheeler of Fowler White Boggs Banker's Ft. Myers office was elected president of the Lee County Association for Women Lawyers. Wheeler was also elected as an at-large member of the Horizon Council.

Bruce A. Blitman of Ft. Lauderdale presented "Dealing with Different Negotiation Styles and Conflict Resolution Strategies.(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Bruce A. Blitman of Ft. Lauderdale presented "Dealing with Different Negotiation Styles and Conflict Resolution Strategies at Mediation" at the January meeting of the Association of South Florida Mediators and Arbitrators in Ft. Lauderdale.

Packman, Neuwahl and Rosenberg.(Michael Rosenberg )(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Michael Rosenberg of Packman, Neuwahl & Rosenberg served as a discussion leader for "Foreign Investment in the United States--Tax and Related Matters," and "Estate & Gift Taxation of Nonresident Aliens in the United States."

Broward County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.(Quentin E. Morgan elected)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Quentin E. Morgan of Brinkley, Morgan, Solomon, Tatum, Stanley, Lunny & Crosby was elected chair of the Broward County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and the board of directors of the Broward County Gator Club and spoke to the Plantation...

Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2007... Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida spoke at Stetson's commencement in Gulfport.

Tampa Bay Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2007... James J. Evangelista of Fowler White Boggs Banker was elected president of the Tampa Bay Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates.

Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases.(Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit appoints Carole Y. Taylor )(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Judge Carole Y. Taylor of the Fourth District Court of Appeal was appointed to a three-year term on the Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases by Chief Justice Fred Lewis.

William W. Corry.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2007... William W. Corry of Tallahassee received the 2006 Political Leadership Award from the Florida Lawyers Action Group.

Central Florida Bankruptcy Law Association.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2007... Anne-Marie L. Bowen of Orlando was elected president of the Central Florida Bankruptcy Law Association.

Department of Community Affairs.(News and Notes)
February 1, 2007... Tom Pelham, of counsel at Fowler White Boggs Banker, was appointed secretary of the Department of Community Affairs by Gov. Charlie Crist.

Board to make March appointments.(Notices)
February 1, 2007... The Board of Governors is seeking applicants for the following vacancies to be filled during its March 30 meeting. Supreme Court's Bar Admissions Committee: One lawyer to serve a two-year term commencing July 1. This committee coordinates...

18th JNC taking judicial applicants.
February 1, 2007... The 18th Circuit JNC is now accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the Seminole County bench. Applicants must have been a member of the Bar for the preceding five years, registered voters, and reside in the jurisdictional territory of...

Workers' comp judges seek reappointment.
February 1, 2007... The Statewide Nominating Commission for Judges of Compensation Claims will meet April 2, beginning at 9 a.m., at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport at 9300 Airport Blvd., for the purpose of interviewing the following workers'...

Panel seeks input before drafting e-discovery rules.
February 1, 2007... The Civil Procedure Rules Subcommittee on Electronic Discovery is studying the application of the recently amended federal rules--and those being created in other jurisdictions--before engaging in drafting changes to Florida's rules. The...

Ambler advocates for court information technology system.(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Florida's court system won't be truly unified until a statewide information technology system is in place allowing computers in various state agencies that supply information to the courts to communicate directly. That would give judges...

18 elected to the YLD, five more vying for two seats.(Young Lawyers Division)
February 1, 2007... Eighteen young lawyers were elected without opposition to the Young Lawyers Division Board of Governors while five others are contesting for two seats following the close of qualification for 2007 board races. Three candidates filed for...

In memoriam.(lawyers)(Obituary)
February 1, 2007... Glenn Keith Allen, Jacksonville Admitted 1974; Died September 27, 2006 Dean Boggs, Jacksonville Admitted 1928; Died July 1, 1976 Alan P. Buchmann, St. Petersburg Admitted 1996; Died September 28, 2005 Edward J. Bush,...

MacQuarrie petitions for Bar reinstatement.
February 1, 2007... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, Christopher John MacQuarrie has petitioned the Florida Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement. Pursuant to an order of the Supreme Court, MacQuarrie was placed in inactive status as a result of his hospitalization...

Marsicano Award nominations sought.(Ralph A. Marsicano Award)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... The City, County, and Local Government Law Section is now accepting nominations for its Ralph A. Marsicano Award. The award is given to a lawyer who has made a significant contribution to the practice of local government law. The award...

Liberty's last champion.(Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Liberty's Last Champion: The Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers has donated $10,000 to the Florida Innocence Initiative to help defray costs of representing falsely accused and convicted prisoners. The gift will help support...

Judicial reception planned.(Florida Association for Women Lawyers)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Judicial Reception Planned: The South Palm Beach County Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers will host a judicial reception February 22 at the Old Calypso Restaurant in Delray Beach from 5:30-7:30 p.m. For reservations call...

Frank recognized.(Pat Frank awarded)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Frank Recognized: Pat Frank, clerk of the circuit court/comptroller for Hillsborough County, received the Chief Judge's Award from Chief Judge Manual Menendez at the Annual Employee Recognition Ceremony for the 13th Judicial Circuit. In...

Leadership Shumaker.(Shumaker, Loop and Kendrick donates to charities)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Leadership Shumaker: Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick's Leadership Shumaker, a charitable organization within the firm, recently raised and distributed over $12,000 for charities in the Tampa Bay Area. Some of the charitable organizations and projects...

Scholarship announced.(St. Thomas University's Christina Anderson funded)(Leesfield Family Foundation, Florida Association for Women Lawyers' )(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Scholarship Announced: The Leesfield Family Foundation, in conjunction with The Florida Association for Women Lawyers' Miami-Dade Chapter, recently granted a $1,000 scholarship to Christina Anderson, a third-year law student at St. Thomas...

Gifts for kids.(Young Lawyers' International Association gifts to Child Advocacy Center)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Gifts for Kids: The members of the Young Lawyer's Division of the Eighth Judicial Circuit collected children's books for distribution to the Child Advocacy Center in Gainesville, which provides a child friendly, safe, and supportive environment...

$1 million gift.(College of Law has anonymous gifter)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... $1 Million Gift: A Florida State University College of Law graduate and his wife, who have asked to remain anonymous, have made a commitment to the law school of $1 million to be paid over four years, to create an Endowment for Excellence. The...

Florida housing and human rights training.(Legal Roundup)
February 1, 2007... Florida Housing and Human Rights Training: The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty and Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions are holding a training on the human right to housing February 9 at Holland & Knight's seven Florida offices,...

Gould-Feldman to serve as clerk.(Bankruptcy Court appoints Katherine Gould-Feldman)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Gould-Feldman to Serve as Clerk: Katherine Gould-Feldman will succeed Karen Eddy as clerk of the court for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court Southern District of Florida. Prior to her appointment as clerk, Feldman served as the chief deputy clerk for...

JWLA to meet.(Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... JWLA to Meet: The Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association will meet at noon, February 7, at the River City Brewing Company. The keynote speaker will be Justice Peggy Quince. The cost is $18 for members and $23 for nonmembers. RSVP by February 2...

PBCBA raises funds.(Palm Beach County Bar Association)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: PBCBA RAISES FUNDS: The Palm Beach County Bar Association recently raised $13,728 for charity during its annual holiday party. More than 100 auction items were donated for the event, including a week's...

D'Alemberte wins Simon Pro Bono Award.(Sandy D'Alemberte)
February 15, 2007... Reeling off a 45-year litany of public service achievements, Chief Justice Fred Lewis presented Sandy D'Alemberte with the Tobias Simon Pro Bono Service Award, the Supreme Court's highest honor for providing pro bono services. "His...

One governor to another: 'your opinions matter to me'.(Charlie Crist)
February 15, 2007... When it comes to selecting judges, Gov. Charlie Crist will look to Florida's legal community to help him find the very best. "Your opinions matter to me," Gov. Crist told hundreds of lawyers and judges gathered at the Supreme Court...

When the Bill comes due: a look at Florida Lawyers' 2005 accounts receivable.(Brief article)
February 15, 2007... When asked what percentage of billed fees for 2005 their firm will fail to collect, 17 percent of Bar members said none; 32 percent said less than 5%; 26 percent said 5-9%; 20 percent said 10-20% and 5 percent said more than 20%. Current...

Board takes new tack on lawyer Web sites: proposal includes some lawyer ad rules exemptions with disclaimers.
February 15, 2007... With an admonition from President Hank Coxe that their actions will affect every Florida Bar member, the Board of Governors has tentatively approved an advertising rule amendment regulating attorney Web sites. The board is soliciting input...

The public must be involved in any judicial evaluation plan: court panel hears how other states do it.(Discussion)
February 15, 2007... Any public judicial evaluation system must have heavy participation from nonlawyers if it's to have credibility with the public, according to an Arizona judge who serves on that state's judicial evaluation board. Arizona Court of Appeals...

Attorney-client privilege task force gets down to work.(Discussion)
February 15, 2007... Asking corporations to waive attorney-client privilege as a demonstration of cooperation with a federal criminal investigation isn't that big a deal and can even be seen as something in the public's interest, according to University of Florida...

Bar looks at stricter rule on sex with clients: it would shift the burden of proof to the lawyers to show it is not exploitive'.(Florida Bar Board of Governors)
February 15, 2007... The Bar Board of Governors has received a revised amendment for the Bar rule governing attorneys who engage in sexual conduct with clients and which generally shifts the burden to lawyers to show that conduct is not exploitive. The...

Board backs pro bono effort for detainees.
February 15, 2007... Saying it is part of the legal profession's core value to represent those who have no lawyers, the Board of Governors has voted to co-sponsor a resolution at the ABA House of Delegates expressing support for lawyers representing Guantanamo Bay...

Florida providers receive LSC grants.(Legal Services Corporation)(Brief article)
February 15, 2007... Seven Florida legal service providers will receive more than $16 million of the $303.8 in grants awarded by the Legal Services Corporation in 2007. In all, LSC will distribute grants to 138 programs with 900 offices that provide civil...