Florida Bar News articles from January 2005

Florida Bar News archives from January 2005

Coxe named president-elect.
January 1, 2005... Veteran Board of Governors member Henry M. Coxe III has become president-elect designate of The Florida Bar. Coxe filed unopposed to be president-elect for 2005-06. Filing closed December 15. Coxe will be sworn in at the June Annual...

Board rejects gay adoption lobbying.
January 1, 2005... Although no one defended the law, the Bar Board of Governors has said three sections cannot lobby to repeal a state law banning homosexuals from adopting because it is too divisive among Bar members. The board voted 31-13 at its December 10...

Bar online passwords are in the mail: system will enable members to conduct business online.
January 1, 2005... The Florida Bar will soon increase the security level for access to member services on the Bar's Web site page called the StoreFront. There are about 26,000 members currently registered to use the Bar's online services. The Bar, on December...

Call for new judges comes up short in special session: the effort will be renewed when legislators reconvene in March.
January 1, 2005... A bill touted as a first step toward delivering Desperately needed new trial judges unanimously passed the House Fiscal Council December 16, but went nowhere in the special session when it did not get an audience in the Senate. HB 23A,...

Coming to a bumper near you.
January 1, 2005... THE FLORIDA CABINET recently put its stamp of approval on the new "Kids Deserve Justice" specialty license tag. While it won't be available until March, you may pledge your willingness now to purchase the new $25 plate that will raise funds for...

CLE hours now available online: log on to keep up with hours and reporting date information.
January 1, 2005... Florida Bar members may now log on to www.flabar.org to check their CLE hours and CLER reporting date information. New members can also verify reporting information for compliance with the basic skills course requirement. The on-line...

Wrongful incarceration.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2005... I am an attorney who has been representing indigent clients for the past 14 years. When I read a November 1 letter-to-the-editor titled "Wrongful Incarceration," the writer's logic seemed to make sense. "It is truly unfortunate... and I'm sure...

Gay adoptions.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2005... I write in response to a December 1 letter in which the writer objects--on religious grounds--to The Florida Bar taking a position on the issue of whether the ban on homosexual adoption in Florida should be overturned. In that letter, the...

Amendment 3.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2005... This oftentimes stereotyped and caricatured defense lawyer opposed Amendment 3. Most would be surprised, as so often in our image-driven world what is perceived to be reality may in fact not be. I had three reasons on 3. First, any ills in...

GALs beware.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2005... As a certified volunteer guardian ad litem, I read with interest the article in the December 1 News concerning the Florida Guardian ad Litem Program's call for more attorneys to become volunteer GALs. The article quotes GAL Director Angela...

Board to appoint Foundation members.(Notice)
January 1, 2005... The Board of Governors is seeking applicants for the following vacancies to be filled during its January 28, 2005 meeting: Florida Bar Foundation Board of Directors: Two lawyers to serve three-year terms, commencing July 1,2005, on this...

Time to apply for Bar committees.(Notice)
January 1, 2005... The annual committee preference form for Bar members seeking appointments for the presidential term of President-elect Alan Bookman is now available on The Florida Bar's Web site. The forms can be accessed by logging on to www.flabar.org....

Third Circuit JNC to fill judgeship.(Notice)
January 1, 2005... The Third Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission is now accepting applications to fill a judicial vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Thomas J. Kennon, Jr., effective February 28. Applicants must have been members of the Bar for the...

Franjola petitions for reinstatement.(Notice)
January 1, 2005... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, George Franjola has petitioned the Florida Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement. Franjola's suspension was effective August 24, 1998, and was for a period of three years resulting from a felony conviction for...

Rosenthal petitions for reinstatement.(Notice)
January 1, 2005... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, Joel N. Rosenthal has petitioned the Florida Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement from a rehabilitative suspension. Rosenthal's suspension was effective December 16, 1999, and was for a period of three years...

The Florida Bar's Tallahassee staff again donated hundreds of toys to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program, one of the nation's flagship Christmas charitable endeavors and the U.S. Marine Corps' premier community action program.
January 1, 2005... THE FLORIDA BAR'S Tallahassee staff again donated hundreds of toys to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program, one of the nation's flagship Christmas charitable endeavors and the U.S. Marine Corps' premier community action program....

In memoriam.
January 1, 2005... Clyde Thomas Strickland, Jacksonville Admitted 1982; Died September 25, 2003 Jerry Jackson Thomley, Birmingham, AL Admitted 1976; Died August 8, 2003 Steven Harry Walsh. Houston, TX Admitted 1991; Died July 31, 2004 Gary David...

Court system workers may see pay raises.
January 1, 2005... State attorney, public defender, and court system employees got some potentially good news last month during a meeting of the Senate Criminal Justice Appropriations Committee. Committee Chair Sen. Victor Crist, R-Tampa, was outlining his...

Bar takes legislative positions.(Notice)
January 1, 2005... Under Rule 2-9.3 (b)-(e), Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, active members of the Bar may file a specific objection to any legislative position adopted by the Board of Governors. Objections properly filed within 45 days of this News issue...

FAWL program to focus on work-life balance in the legal profession.
January 1, 2005... Award-winning author and lawyer Holly English is the keynote speaker at the Florida Association for Women Lawyer's Midyear luncheon January 21 from noon until 1:30 p.m. at the Miami Hyatt Regency Downtown as part of a joint meeting with the...

Panels to work on amendment process, independence issues.
January 1, 2005... The Bar will be taking a careful look at how the state constitution is amended and judicial independence with two new committees approved by the Board of Governors. The board, at its December 10 meeting, approved the recommendation of the...

Donations allow creation of Children's Rights Fund.
January 1, 2005... Florida's Children First raised $145,000 during a recent awards ceremony and reception at Mellon Bank in Miami. Doug and Amy Halsey donated $50,000 which was matched by his law firm White & Case. FCF will use the $100,000 to create a...

Orta applies for Bar readmission.
January 1, 2005... Miguel Agustine Orta of Hollywood was disbarred from the practice of law in Florida pursuant to a Supreme Court order of March 6, 1997, for allegations of ethical breaches. Orta has submitted an application for readmission to The Florida...

Garel applies for Bar readmission.
January 1, 2005... Arthur M. Garel of Miami resigned from the practice of law in Florida pursuant to a Supreme Court order of January 1995, under allegations of trust account violations. Garel has submitted an application for readmission to The Florida Bar....

Averell applies for Bar readmission.
January 1, 2005... Harry James Averell of Gainesville was disbarred from the practice of law in Florida pursuant to a Supreme Court order of March 14, 1996, for misconduct. Averell has submitted an application for readmission to The Florida Bar. The Florida...

Caught in the act of kindness.
January 1, 2005... Wearing high heels and a suit, coming straight from court, Gainesville lawyer Darby Hertz searched on foot where homeless people hang out. "No, I am not a cop," were the first words out of her mouth to everyone she met. "I'm looking for my...

Annual Bar rules proposals.(Notice)
January 1, 2005... The Board of Governors of The Florida Bar hereby gives notice of filing with the Supreme Court of Florida, on or about January 31, 2005, a petition to amend the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar. The full text of the proposed amendments is...

Fourteen elected to board, seven contested races set.
January 1, 2005... Fourteen lawyers are running in seven races in the 2005 Bar Board of Governors election. Another 16 have been elected or re-elected to the board without opposition. In elections for the Young Lawyers Division Board of Governors, 12...

The Cuban American Bar Foundation recently presented Leonard P. Strickman, dean of Florida International University College of Law, with a check for $30,000 to endow a Cuban American bar merit Scholarship.
January 1, 2005... THE CUBAN AMERICAN BAR FOUNDATION recently presented Leonard P. Strickman, dean of Florida International University College of Law, with a check for $30,000 to endow a Cuban American bar merit Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to Cuban...

Unbundled services panel wants to know how the process is going.
January 1, 2005... After getting dozens of responses to its initial survey, the Bar's Unbundled Legal Services Monitoring Committee has slightly modified its questionnaire and is asking Bar members to take another look at it. The main difference on the...

YLD makes project grants.
January 1, 2005... The Young Lawyers Division Board of Governors will distribute $3,000 to six young lawyer affiliate organizations in Florida in order to help sponsor Holidays in January Projects. "The Holidays in January program recognizes the importance of...

Comments sought on plain English Standard Jury Instruction 6.2 (g)2.(Notice)
January 1, 2005... Although the Florida Standard Jury Instructions (Civil) were celebrated as a major step toward simplified instructions when they were first published in 1967, our language and the theories for instructing lay jurors in the law have evolved...

Annual pro bono award nominations solicited.
January 1, 2005... Lawyers who have freely given their time and expertise in making legal services available to the poor are being sought for public recognition by the Florida Supreme Court and The Florida Bar. The Florida Bar President's Pro Bono Service...

Panel studies offering free basic online legal research.
January 1, 2005... Every Florida Bar member with a computer and online access may soon be about to get free basic legal research, if the plans from the Member Benefits Committee pan out. Frank Walker, chair of the Member Benefits Committee, reported to the...

Proposed board actions.(Notice)
January 1, 2005... 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 January 28, 2005 meeting on the following items. These matters are additionally...

E-mentoring is a way to connect with the future.
January 1, 2005... By participating in the new e-mentoring program, lawyers can be "the spark of change you want to see in the Bar" by assisting future lawyers while they are still in school, according to Katherine Silverglate of the Bar's Standing Committee on...

Hillsborough Bar gets $1.5 million gift.
January 1, 2005... The family of Chester H. Ferguson has contributed $1.5 million to help fund a permanent home for the Hillsborough County Bar Association and HCBA Foundation. The two-story Mediterranean-revival building will be located on North Tampa...

FSU gets $700,000 endowment gift.
January 1, 2005... Florida State University College of Law alum Jeff Stoops and his wife Aggie Stoops have made a commitment of $700,000 to fund the Jeffrey A. Stoops and Agnes Flaherty Stoops Endowment at the school. Once the commitment is fulfilled, the...

Jacksonville Legal Aid gets $50,000.
January 1, 2005... Jacksonville Area Legal Aid has received a $50,000 grant from Wayne and Patricia Hogan through The Hogan Foundation to fund the Hogan Fellowship in Children's Advocacy and Mental Health. The fellowship provides salary, benefits, and related...

St. Thomas U. law school to honor Chief Judge Levy.
January 1, 2005... St. Thomas University School of Law will host a reception January 7 honoring Third District Court of Appeal Chief Judge-elect David L. Levy, beginning at 3 p.m. at the Third DCA's Miami courthouse at 2001 S.W. 117th Ave. Judge Levy is also...

Capt. Richard M. Sudder.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2005... Capt. Richard M. Sudder, a University of Miami law graduate, recently completed four years of service in the U.S. Army JAG Corps, which included a stint in Afghanistan where he was the sole defense attorney for more than 10,000 U.S. service...

Federal Bar Association's National Criminal Law Section.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2005... Seth Rodner of Fowler White Boggs Banker was named chair of the Federal Bar Association's National Criminal Law Section for 2004-2005.

Seth Marmor.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2005... Seth Marmor of Greenspoon, Marder, Hirschfeld, Rafkin, Ross & Berger, in Ft. Lauderdale was the keynote speaker at the Strengthening Broward Families Symposium. He spoke on advanced healthcare directives.

Eric A. Gordon of Arnstein & Lehr, LLP was elected membership chair for a one-year term for The Human Resource Association of Palm Beach County beginning in 2005.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2005... Eric A. Gordon of Arnstein & Lehr, LLP was elected membership chair for a one-year term for The Human Resource Association of Palm Beach County beginning in 2005. Additionally Gordon and Harry N. Turk presented an employment law and human...

Supreme Court of Florida.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2005... Gregory A. Richards, Jr., of Fowler White Boggs Banker was appointed by the Supreme Court of Florida to the 13th Judicial Circuit's Unlicensed Practice of Law Committee.

Tom Regnier.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2005... Tom Regnier of the Miami-Dade Public Defender's Office was the recent keynote speaker at the annual conference of the Shakespeare Fellowship in Baltimore. Regnier spoke on "Shakespeare's Law" and also received the Fellowship's annual award for...

David D'Agata.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2005... David D'Agata, federal judicial law clerk for the Middle District of Florida, recently gave a presentation addressing legal issues arising from Alternative Education Programs at the Education Law Association's 50th Annual Conference in Tucson,...

Gary D. Wilson.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2005... Gary D. Wilson of Jill Schwartz & Associates, P.A. in Winter Park recently lectured on "A Practical Approach To Workplace Laws & Their Impact On Your Practice" before the Dental Society of Greater Orlando, and on "Discover The Inside Scoop From...

James K. Rubin.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2005... James K. Rubin of The Law Offices of James K. Rubin, P.A., in North Miami Beach, was a guest speaker before members of the City of Hollywood Police Department and the City of Hollywood Code Enforcement Division. Rubin's topic was "The Role of...

The Audubon Society of Florida.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2005... John F. Flanigan of Moyle, Flanigan, Katz, Raymond & Sheehan, P.A., in West Palm Beach was elected to a two-year term as chair of the board of directors of The Audubon Society of Florida.

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

Ed Mullins.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2005... Ed Mullins was selected to be featured in a "Special Tribute to America's Best Lawyers" that will be broadcast on the Forbes Radio Channel in-flight broadcast.

Edward S. Jaffry.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2005... Edward S. Jaffry of Akerman Senterfitt in Tallahassee spoke in Ft. Lauderdale as part of Nova Southeastern University's Fall Classic. His presentation, "Crossfire: Taking on Your Florida Law Issue Challenges" was a question-answer session on...

American Bar Association's Section of Litigation's International Litigation Committee.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2005... Donald J. Hayden of Baker & McKenzie in Miami was recently reappointed to serve as the co-chair of the American Bar Association's Section of Litigation's International Litigation Committee.

Karen L. Goldsmith.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2005... Karen L. Goldsmith of Goldsmith, Grout & Lewis, P. A. in Winter Park and Tallahassee recently received the highest honor awarded in long term care by the Florida Health Care Association, the Walter M. Johnson Circle of Excellence Award.

Commercial Real Estate Women of Tampa Bay.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2005... Jeanette M. Flores of GrayRobinson in Tampa was elected to serve as president of the Commercial Real Estate Women of Tampa Bay for 2005.

Carmen Johnson.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2005... Carmen Johnson of Akerman Senterfitt in Miami spoke in Orlando as part of a joint meeting between the Association of Florida Healthcare Auxiliaries and the Florida Association of Directors of Volunteer Services. Her seminar was titled,...

Eric D. Rapkin.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2005... Eric D. Rapkin of Akerman Senterfitt in Ft. Lauderdale recently spoke at the ICSC U.S. Shopping Center Law Conference on "Construction Work Letters: Achieving What Both Sides Want," an interactive workshop regarding construction issues in...

James, Hoyer, Newcomer & Smiljanich, P.A.(On the Move)
January 1, 2005... Jill Bowman and J. Andrew Meyer joined James, Hoyer, Newcomer & Smiljanich, P.A., as partners, and Tamra Carsten, Dawn Woolweaver, Jesse Ray, and Rachel Wagoner joined the firm as associates. Bowman and Meyer handle class actions and general...

Akerman Senterfitt.(On the Move)
January 1, 2005... Robert A. Zinn was named chief operating shareholder of Akerman Senterfitt in Miami. Zinn focuses his practice on corporate and international law, mergers, acquisitions and securities. Additionally, James A. Bramnick was chosen to lead the...

Law Offices of Hagen and Hagen, P.A.(On the Move)
January 1, 2005... Jacob Mitrani joined the Law Offices of Hagen and Hagen, P.A., at 3531 Griffin Road, Ft. Lauderdale, and handles commercial litigation and real estate and corporate transactions. Mitrani may be contacted at (954)987-0515 or jmitrani@...

Smith Hulsey & Busey.(On the Move)
January 1, 2005... Charles A. Beard joined the environmental law practice of Smith Hulsey & Busey in Jacksonville.

Ruden McClosky.(On the Move)
January 1, 2005... Steven Holtzman joined Ruden McClosky in Tampa. Holtzman joined the firm's corporate practice group located at 2700 SunTrust Financial Center, Tampa.

Akerman Senterfitt.(On the Move)
January 1, 2005... Jennifer L. Kane joined Akerman Senterfitt as an associate in the litigation practice group in Ft. Lauderdale. Additionally, Paul B. Bernstein joined the firm as an associate in the real estate practice group.

Simon, Schindler & Sandberg.(On the Move)
January 1, 2005... Marci A. Rubin joined Simon, Schindler & Sandberg, L.L.P., in Miami and concentrates her practice in the areas of commercial transactions and real estate.

Addie Albareda, Scott Rosso, C. Carolina Maluje, and Timothy Nies announce the formation of Albareda, Rosso, Maluje & Nies, P.A.(On the Move)
January 1, 2005... Addie Albareda, Scott Rosso, C. Carolina Maluje, and Timothy Nies announce the formation of Albareda, Rosso, Maluje & Nies, P.A., located at the International Building, 2455 East Sunrise Blvd., Suite 813, Ft. Lauderdale 33304; phone (954)...

Lewis, Longman & Walker, P.A.(On the Move)
January 1, 2005... Dan Richardson joined Lewis, Longman & Walker, P.A., in Jacksonville. Richardson concentrates his practice on environmental law.

Steel Hector & Davis LLP.(On the Move)
January 1, 2005... Lorenzo Moll Parron joined Steel Hector & Davis LLP, as an associate with the firm's real estate practice. Moll Parron represents clients in the purchase, sale, and development of real estate.

Snell Legal.(On the Move)
January 1, 2005... Christine Miele Ertl and Erum Siddiqui joined Snell Legal as associates at 700 W. Granada Boulevard, Suite 107, Ormond Beach. Ertl concentrates in the area of business transactions and Siddiqui focuses on business litigation.

Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman, P.S.C.(On the Move)
January 1, 2005... David B. Honig joined Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman, P.S.C., as a shareholder.

Brant, Abraham, Reiter, McCormick, P.A.(On the Move)
January 1, 2005... Christopher J. Greene joined Brant, Abraham, Reiter, McCormick, P.A. as a shareholder. Greene will continue his practice in complex commercial litigation in state and federal courts, shareholder and partnership disputes, and litigation...

Dean J. Merten has opened The Merten Law Office, P.A.(On the Move)
January 1, 2005... Dean J. Merten has opened The Merten Law Office, P.A., at 1520 10th Avenue North, Suite E in Lake Worth. Merten concentrates his practice in the area of criminal defense.

Jorge M. Abril, P.A.(On the Move)
January 1, 2005... Suzette L. Benitez joined Jorge M. Abril, P.A. as an associate. She concentrates her practice in the areas of building and construction litigation, commercial collections and healthcare reimbursement.

Baker & Hostetler, L.L.P.(On the Move)
January 1, 2005... Kevin W. Shaughnessy, Joyee Ackerbaum Cox, and Patrick Muldoney joined Baker & Hostetler, L.L.P., in Orlando as partners. Shaughnessy is board certified in labor and employment law. Ackerbaum Cox concentrates her practice in defense of...

Marjorie Baron has become a panel mediator.(On the Move)
January 1, 2005... Marjorie Baron has become a panel mediator with Salmon & Dulberg Mediation Services, Inc.

Kozyak, Tropin & Throckmorton.(On the Move)
January 1, 2005... Kozyak, Tropin & Throckmorton announces the relocation of their offices to 2525 Ponce de Leon, 9th Floor, Coral Gables 33134; phone (305) 372-1800; fax (305) 372-3508; www.kttlaw.com.

Carlton Fields.(On the Move)
January 1, 2005... Min K. Cho and Dianne M. Triplett joined Carlton Fields as associates in the Tampa office. Cho is a member of the construction practice group. Triplett is a member of the products and toxic tort liability practice group.

Rosenthal & Levy, P.A.(On the Move)
January 1, 2005... Steven L. Frankl joined Rosenthal & Levy, P.A., in West Palm Beach. Frankl concentrates his practice in representing injured individuals in workers' compensation and personal injury law.

Berman, Kean & Riguera, P.A.(On the Move)
January 1, 2005... Berman, Kean & Riguera, P.A., announces the relocation of its office to 2101 W. Commercial Blvd., Suite 2800, Ft. Lauderdale 33309; phone (954) 735-0000; fax (954) 735-3636; e-mail: reb@bermankean.com, mik@bermakean.com; jrr@bermankean.com. The...

Abbey, Adams, Byelick, Kiernan, Mueller & Lancaster, L.L.P.(On the Move)
January 1, 2005... Kelly M. Fisher has become a partner in Abbey, Adams, Byelick, Kiernan, Mueller & Lancaster, L.L.P., in St. Petersburg and Tampa. The firm concentrates in the defense areas of liability, malpractice, workers' compensation, employment claims and...

Lee Friedland announces the establishment of Friedland & Associates.(On the Move)
January 1, 2005... Lee Friedland announces the establishment of Friedland & Associates in Davie at 4486 SW 64th Avenue; phone (954)321-8810. The firm will continue to offer legal representation in state and federal corals in relation to medical malpractice,...

Gordon Hargrove & James, P.A.(On the Move)
January 1, 2005... Gordon Hargrove & James, P.A., announced the relocation of its offices from downtown Ft. Lauderdale to 2400 East Commercial Boulevard, Suite 1100, Ft. Lauderdale 33308.

Roberta Kohn and Cindy Sarsen announced the formation of Kohn & Sarsen, L.L.P.(On the Move)
January 1, 2005... Roberta Kohn and Cindy Sarsen announced the formation of Kohn & Sarsen, L.L.P., with offices located at 1535 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Suite 102, Lutz 33548. The firm concentrates on the full service representation of business entities.

Akerman Seaterfitt.(On the Move)
January 1, 2005... Terrence R. Holihen, Erie B. Marks and Matthew S. Smith of the real estate practice group of Akerman Seaterfitt in Orlando, W. Glenn Jensen of the insolvency and creditors' rights practice group, Michael W. McNatt of the banking practice group...