Florida Bar News articles from January 2007

Florida Bar News archives from January 2007

White named president-elect.(John G. White III elected at The Florida Bar)
January 1, 2007... John G. "Jay" White III, a veteran member of The Board of Governors, has become president-elect designate of The Florida Bar. White filed unopposed to be president-elect for 2007-08. Filing closed December 15. White, a shareholder at...

Rule allowing judges to fine lawyers nixed.(Florida. Bar. Board of Governors opposes)
January 1, 2007... The Florida Bar Board of Governors is supporting a call to withdraw from Supreme Court consideration a controversial proposed rule giving trial judges the right to fine and send to professionalism school lawyers who act badly in their...

Cha-ching?(bonus given to lawyers)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... The Bar's latest economic survey found that 46% of respondents say they get no bonuses (which could have something to do with 29% of the Bar practicing solo). Support staffs, however, do better. Seventy-two percent say staff in their offices...

Making the grade: Barry U., FIU granted full ABA accreditation.(Barry University, Florida International University get license from American Bar Association)
January 1, 2007... Delivering doubly good news to a pair of Florida law schools, the ABA granted full accreditation to both Miami's Florida International University and Orlando's Barry University in December. The achievement was especially gratifying for...

Court calls for 37 new judges.
January 1, 2007... While grateful for 110 new trial court judges over the past two years, Chief Justice Fred Lewis' message to the legislature is Florida still needs 37 more judges if the courts are to operate efficiently and to be accessible to all. On...

Board moves closer to Web site ad rules.(Florida. Bar. Board of Governors)
January 1, 2007... The Bar Board of Governors came close but failed to reach agreement on a proposed advertising rule regulating lawyer and law firm Web sites. The board rejected a proposed rule from the Special Committee on Website Advertising Rules and then...

Attorney General Bill Mccollum.(recieves advice during his transition)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Caption: ATTORNEY GENERAL BILL MCCOLLUM was recently offered advice from three former attorneys general during his transition into office. Pictured from the left are Attorneys General Richard Doran, McCollum, Jim Smith, and Bob Butterworth. ...

Jacksonville Area Bar Leadership.(Paul C. Doyle of Florida Bar Foundation honored)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Caption: JACKSONVILLE AREA BAR LEADERSHIP recently gathered in that city to honor Paul C. Doyle, longtime Jacksonville resident and director of The Florida Bar Foundation's Legal Assistance for the Poor/Law Student Assistance grant programs,...

Proposed board actions.(Notice)(Florida. Bar. Board of Governors)
January 1, 2007... 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 26 meeting in Tallahassee on the following items. These matters are...

Nova Southeastern University.(Notice)(donates food)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Caption: NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY law students collected 5,300 canned goods--equating to over 2.5 tons of food or 7,500 meals--in support of the Daily Bread Food Bank through its Canned Immunity Program. The Public Interest Law Society...

Journal directory errors corrected.(Notice)(Correction notice)
January 1, 2007... A number of corrections to the 2006 Bar Journal directory have been noted to the editorial staff. To set the record straight: Marvin E. Barkin's e-mail address is mbarkin@trenam.com (p.60). Richard D. Cimino's phone number is 239)...

1,500 sign up for Justice Teaching initiative: training sessions scheduled.(JUSTICE TEACHING)(The Florida Bar )
January 1, 2007... Thanks to a Bar e-mail to its members, several hundred additional lawyers have volunteered for Chief Justice Fred Lewis' Justice Teaching initiative, bringing the total number who have offered their services to more than 1,500. ...

Coxe calls for more mentoring: new lawyers need the counsel of seasoned practitioners.(JUSTICE TEACHING)(Hank Coxeof The Florida Bar )(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... The continuing rapid growth of The Florida Bar is underscoring the need for mentoring for new lawyers, according to Bar President Hank Coxe. Coxe, at the December Board of Governors meeting, reported that with the new admissions following...

South Asian Bar goes statewide.(South Asian Bar Association of Florida)
January 1, 2007... The South Asian Bar Association of Florida, which was established in 2004 in South Florida, has been expanded statewide with the development of new chapters. A group of attorneys of South Asian descent based in Miami and Ft. Lauderdale had...

FAWL program looks at what it takes to become a judge.
January 1, 2007... The Florida Association for Women Lawyers, in cooperation with Miami-Dade FAWL, will sponsor a program addressing primary issues in a judicial campaign or appointment process. The CLE seminar will be held in conjunction with The Florida...

To help make this year's holiday season a little brighter for deserving families in Palm Beach County, Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart made a donation to the Town of Palm Beach United Way that will be used to help feed the hungry throughout the community.(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Caption: TO HELP MAKE THIS YEAR'S holiday season a little brighter for deserving families in Palm Beach County, Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart made a donation to the Town of Palm Beach United Way that will be used to help feed the hungry throughout...

What they are saying ...(new regulation on lawyers )(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Board member Ervin Gonzalez, who argued the proposed rule would be a disadvantage for Florida lawyers in competing with national law firms: "You're hurting the consumer who can't make an educated decision on a lawyer and you're hurting Florida...

Court removes Judge Sloop.(Judge John Sloop )
January 1, 2007... Amid confusion of a new Seminole County Courthouse, 11 citizens were directed to sit in the wrong courtroom to respond to traffic citations. Next door in an adjoining courtroom, an angry Judge John Sloop signed warrants for their arrest for...

Examining the exam.(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... How can it be argued, with any intellectual honesty, that there is justification for lowering a standard so that a greater percentage of one particular group can pass the bar exam? That argument is an affront to the members of that group deemed...

Member benefits.(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... I note in a recent News that The Florida Bar has provided members with an opportunity to buy WordPerfect Office X3 standard edition at a significantly discounted price of $125. Let me add my kudos to The Florida Bar for making this offer. I...

Justice Administrative Commission.(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... Regarding your December 1 article on the problems the Justice Administrative Commission has paying conflict counsel in criminal and dependency cases, I believe the problem is much larger than conflict counsel not getting paid on time; the very...

Cindy Lenoff Zatzman.(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... Rarely does an article in The Florida Bar News capture my attention so completely as did the December 15 Stresslines column by Cindy Lenoff Zatzman on her battle with cancer. That one of our own can be both so courageous and yet resigned to...

Slanted journalism?(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... The December 1 News article "Florida voters have spoken," made me skeptical. The article raved about the great electoral victory of the Supreme Court justices. Conversely, suspected that the judiciary was getting less popular. The article was...

Lawyer referral service.(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service supposedly operates under the aegis of a nonprofit entity, and therefore is entitled to share in the lawyers' fees collected by its members. A panel member pays a $125 yearly fee and prior to 2004, 10...

Nonlawyer needed for Bar board.(Notices)(The Florida Bar)
January 1, 2007... Continuing its practice of public involvement, The Florida Bar seeks a new member of the public to serve on its governing board. The board member will replace Solomon L. Badger, III, Ed.D., Jacksonville, whose second two-year term expires...

Bar recognizes excellence in legal reporting.(The Florida Bar)
January 1, 2007... The Florida Bar has selected five media organizations as grand prize winners in the 51st Annual Media Awards competition to recognize excellence in legal reporting. Two other media organizations were also selected as honorable mentions. Each...

Bar investments showing a profit.(Florida. Bar. Board of Governors)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... The Bar's investment portfolio has risen by $1.2 million since the start of October as the Investment Committee works to further diversify the portfolio to protect earnings should the market turn downward. Committee Chair Ian Comisky...

Capital case jury instructions.(Notice)
January 1, 2007... The Florida Supreme Court's Criminal Court Steering Committee has submitted to the court an amended report proposing revised amendments to Florida Standard Jury Instruction (Crim.) 7.11, Penalty Proceedings--Capital Cases and a new verdict form...

Bar takes legislative positions.(Notice)(Florida Bar Foundation )
January 1, 2007... 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...

Medal of honor nominees sought.(Notice)
January 1, 2007... The Florida Bar Foundation is seeking nominees for its Medal of Honor Awards, the highest honor given by the organization. Recipients of the Medal of Honor award will fall into one of two categories, either a member of The Florida Bar,...

Clearwater bar members recently donated 138 pounds of new toys to the Religious Community Services Food Pantry for distribution to less fortunate North Pinellas County families.(Notice)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CLEARWATER BAR MEMBERS recently donated 138 pounds of new toys to the Religious Community Services Food Pantry for distribution to less fortunate North Pinellas County families. Pictured from the left are Jerry...

Daniel J. Santaniello of Luks, Santaniello, Perez, Petrillo & Gold lectured on Florida Toxic Torts to in-house counsel in Philadelphia.(News and Notes)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Daniel J. Santaniello of Luks, Santaniello, Perez, Petrillo & Gold lectured on Florida Toxic Torts to in-house counsel in Philadelphia. Jack D. Luks and Paul S. Jones, also with the firm, addressed a group of claims professionals, insurance...

Brian Rich and Kelly O'Keefe of Berger Singerman spoke at a seminar on landlord-tenant law in Tallahassee.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2007... Brian Rich and Kelly O'Keefe of Berger Singerman spoke at a seminar on landlord-tenant law in Tallahassee.

Intellectual Property Law Association of Florida.(News and Notes)(Adam Underwood )(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Adam Underwood of Christopher & Weisberg was elected secretary of the Intellectual Property Law Association of Florida for 2007 and will preside over the organization in 2010.

National Association of Consumer Advocates' annual convention.(News and Notes)(April Charney honored)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... April Charney of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid was selected as the National Consumer Lawyer of The Year at the National Association of Consumer Advocates' annual convention in Miami for her leadership in battling illegal home foreclosures in...

Daniel E. Gonzalez.(News and Notes)(speaks at ABA meetings )(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Daniel E. Gonzalez of Hogan & Hartson's Miami office spoke on "International Arbitration in Latin America: Are Regional Legislatures and Institutions Stepping Up to the Plate?" during the ABA Section of International Law meetings in Miami.

Kenneth J. McKenna.(News and Notes)(speaks at National Business Institute's seminar )(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Kenneth J. McKenna of Dellecker, Wilson, King, McKenna & Ruffier served as a faculty presenter for the National Business Institute's seminar on "Plaintiff's Personal Injury: Practice Tips and Application," in Orlando.

Alan Weisberg.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2007... Alan Weisberg of Christopher & Weisberg was quoted in the Wall Street Journal in an article on the value of copyright notices.

The Florida Breast Cancer Coalition Research Foundation.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2007... Karen Crew of Ruden McClosky's Miami office was unanimously elected to the board of directors of The Florida Breast Cancer Coalition Research Foundation.

Miami Shores Village.(News and Notes)(D. Samuel P. King and Cesar A. Sastre appointed)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... D. Samuel P. King and Cesar A. Sastre of Bass Underwriters in Plantation was appointed to a fourth term as a member of the planning and zoning board for Miami Shores Village.

Christene M. Eertl.(News and Notes)(speaks at Daytona Beach Area Association of Realtor's meeting )(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Christene M. Ertl of Snell Legal in Ormond Beach spoke at the Daytona Beach Area Association of Realtor's Annual Legal Forum about differences between the FAR/BAR and FAR real estate transaction forms and other related real estate transaction...

Deloitte Financial Advisory Services.(News and Notes)(David P. Bloch appointed at American Red Cross )(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... David P. Bloch of Deloitte Financial Advisory Services in Washington, D.C., was appointed to the board of directors of the American Red Cross of the National Capital Area.

Ron Weaver.(News and Notes)(delivers speech on land use law)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Ron Weaver of Stearns Weaver Miller's Tampa office addressed three major problems plaguing Florida's new "proportionate fair share" law and other growth management issues in a keynote speech in Tampa titled, "The Direction of Land Use Law and...

Federal Regulations of Securities Committee.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2007... Richard A. Denmon of Carlton Fields' Tampa office was appointed chair of the Disclosure and Continuous Reporting Subcommittee of the Federal Regulations of Securities Committee.

Glenn M. Cooper & Associates.(News and Notes)(Glenn Cooper appointed)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Glenn Cooper of Glenn M. Cooper & Associates was named to the boards of the Beacon Council Miami-Dade County Economic Development Agency, the French American Chamber of Commerce of Florida, and the Florida International University Transnational...

Christopher Kise.(News and Notes)(appointed legal counselor to Charlie Crist )(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Christopher Kise will serve as counselor to Gov.-elect Charlie Crist in his administration, where he will serve as a senior advisor to the governor on legal and policy matters and assist in implementation of the governor's agenda.

Chuck Baumberger.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2007... Chuck Baumberger of Rossman, Baumberger, Reboso & Spier in Miami received the Jon Krupnick Award from the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers.

South Florida Construction Financial Managers Association.(News and Notes)(Lee Weintraub from Becker and Poliakoff appointed)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Lee Weintraub of Becker & Poliakoff was elected to the board of directors of the South Florida Construction Financial Managers Association. Weintraub spoke to the group on "Hidden Legal Strategies for Increasing Your Accounts Receivables."

Epstein Becker & Green.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2007... Douglas A. Hastings of Epstein Becker & Green was appointed chair of the firm's board of directors.

Randy Brown.(News and Notes)(speaks on wage and hour fundamentals)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Randy Brown of the Law Office of Randy Brown in Mount Dora recently presented "Wage and Hour Fundamentals" at the 28th Annual HR Florida Conference and Expo at Disney's Contemporary Resort.

Big Brothers Big Sisters.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2007... Thomas C. Dearing of Flowler White Boggs Banker's Jacksonville office was elected chair of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida's Board of Directors.

Peggy Smith Bush.(News and Notes)(Central Florida Association of Women Lawyers)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Peggy Smith Bush of Cabaniss, Smith, Toole & Wiggins Maitland recently participated in the Orange County Public Schools Teach-In 2006 at Rock Lake Elementary School as a representative of the Central Florida Association of Women Lawyers.

Judicial Management Council.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2007... H.T. Smith of Miami was appointed to the Judicial Management Council as a member-at-large by Chief Justice Fred Lewis.

Scott P. Chitoff.(News and Notes)(speaks to Nova Southeastern University's undergraduate legal profession class )(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Scott P. Chitoff of Brinkley, Morgan, Solomon, Tatum, Stanley, Lunny & Crosby's Ft. Lauderdale office spoke to students from Nova Southeastern University's undergraduate legal profession class about law school admissions, the rigors of law...

17th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2007... Jamie Finizio-Bascombe of Finizio & Finizio in Ft. Lauderdale was appointed to the 17th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission by Gov. Jeb Bush.

Bruce A. Blitman of Ft. Lauderdale and Dave Yewman of Vancouver, Washington, co-presented a workshop titled "Ten Ways to Promote Your Mediation Practice Ethically and Inexpensively".(News and Notes)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Bruce A. Blitman of Ft. Lauderdale and Dave Yewman of Vancouver, Washington, co-presented a workshop titled "Ten Ways to Promote Your Mediation Practice Ethically and Inexpensively," at the 18th Annual Conference for the Southern California...

John F. Bradley.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2007... John F. Bradley of Bradley & Robinson in Ft. Lauderdale was certified as a National Football League player advisor.

Business Law Section of the ABA.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2007... Nathaniel L. Doliner of Carlton Fields' Tampa office was elected secretary of the Business Law Section of the ABA.

Mary Greenwood.(News and Notes)(wins best author award at DIY Book Festival)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Mary Greenwood of Miami won the award for best "How To" book from the DIY Book Festival in Los Angeles for her book How to Negotiate Like a Pro; 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, which is based on Greenwood's experience as a union negotiator.

Chief Judge Matthew Stevenson.(News and Notes )(named Outstanding Youth Volunteer)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Chief Judge Matthew Stevenson of the Fourth District Court of Appeal received an "Outstanding Youth Volunteer" award from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office because of his work as a volunteer amateur boxing referee in the Police Athletic...

Mark Eiglarsh.(News and Notes)(conducts mock trial with students)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Mark Eiglarsh conducted a mock trial with students from Miami Beach Senior High School on behalf of the Dade County Bar Association, the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Miami Beach Bar Association.

Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation.(News and Notes)(Stephen G. Vogelsang appointed)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Stephen G. Vogelsang of Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart's West Palm Beach office was elected to the board of directors for the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation, which provides support for activities that advance and enhance the diagnosis,...

Richard H. Levenstein.(News and Notes)(speaks at Seminole County Bar Association's meeting)
January 1, 2007... Richard H. Levenstein of Kramer, Sopko & Levenstein of Stuart spoke to the Seminole County Bar Association on the importance of preserving and protecting a fair, impartial, and independent judiciary.

Peter Koziol joined Assouline & Berlowe.(On the Move)
January 1, 2007... Peter Koziol joined Assouline & Berlowe's Broward office where he will focus on intellectual property including trademarks and copyrights and other commercial litigation matters.

Robby Birnbaum, Mark Chmielarski, Richard Gaines, and Chad Tamaroff were admitted as shareholders at Greenspoon Marder.(On the Move)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Robby Birnbaum, Mark Chmielarski, Richard Gaines, and Chad Tamaroff were admitted as shareholders at Greenspoon Marder. Birnbaum, Gaines, and Tamaroff practice in the firm's Ft. Lauderdale office, and Chmielarski practices in the firm's Orlando...

Leslie Schultz-Kin joined Carlton Fields' Tampa office as an associate in the firm's real property litigation and labor and employment practice groups.(On the Move)
January 1, 2007... Leslie Schultz-Kin joined Carlton Fields' Tampa office as an associate in the firm's real property litigation and labor and employment practice groups.

Myron Shapiro joined Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell.(On the Move)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Myron Shapiro joined Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell's Miami office as a partner, where his practice concentrates on complex products liability litigation, including class actions and commercial litigation.

The George Hartz Firm.(On the Move)(Deborah M. Martin appointed )(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Deborah M. Martin was named of counsel at The George Hartz Firm's Coral Gables office. Martin's practice areas include real estate law, civil litigation, personal injury law, motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death and medical malpractice.

Gordon Hargrove & James.(On the Move)
January 1, 2007... Mark Blumstein was named a shareholder at Gordon Hargrove & James.

Keith A. Pierro joined Hirschhorn & Bieber.(On the Move)
January 1, 2007... Keith A. Pierro joined Hirschhorn & Bieber in Miami as an associate focusing in criminal defense and complex civil litigation.

Christina S. Woods joins Roetzel & Andress as an associate in the Naples office and W. Glenn Jensen joins the Orlando office of Roetzel & Andress.(On the Move)
January 1, 2007... Christina S. Woods joins Roetzel & Andress as an associate in the Naples office and W. Glenn Jensen joins the Orlando office of Roetzel & Andress.

Betsy K. Silverstine joined Alvarez, Sambol, Winthrop & Madson.(On the Move)
January 1, 2007... Betsy K. Silverstine joined Alvarez, Sambol, Winthrop & Madson.

Kristen Foslid joined Hogan & Hartson's Miami office as an associate in the commercial litigation practice group.(On the Move)
January 1, 2007... Kristen Foslid joined Hogan & Hartson's Miami office as an associate in the commercial litigation practice group.

Brett A. Elam joined Pineiro, Wortman & Byrd as an associate.(On the Move)
January 1, 2007... Brett A. Elam joined Pineiro, Wortman & Byrd as an associate, and will focus his practice on commercial litigation and bankruptcy.

Sachs Sax Klein has added two new associates, Jennifer Kane Waterway and Brett A. Duker.(On the Move)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Sachs Sax Klein has added two new associates, Jennifer Kane Waterway and Brett A. Duker. Waterway's practice includes family law and general civil litigation, and Duker will practice with the fi rm's commercial law group.

Isabelle C. Lopez joined Lewis, Longman & Walker's Jacksonville office.(On the Move)
January 1, 2007... Isabelle C. Lopez joined Lewis, Longman & Walker's Jacksonville office.

Philip Josephson formed The Law Office of Philip Josephson at 2000 South Dixie Hwy., Ste 104, Miami 33133.(On the Move)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Philip Josephson formed The Law Office of Philip Josephson at 2000 South Dixie Hwy., Ste 104, Miami 33133. The firm will focus on business law and corporate transactions, serve as an outsourced general counsel to entrepreneurial and emerging...

Shubham V. Arora joined Hill, Ward & Henderson as an associate in the corporate and tax and real estate development and finance groups.(On the Move)
January 1, 2007... Shubham V. Arora joined Hill, Ward & Henderson as an associate in the corporate and tax and real estate development and finance groups.

Kimberly A. Sandefer opened Kimberly A. Sandefer, P.A.(On the Move)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Kimberly A. Sandefer opened Kimberly A. Sandefer, P.A. at 7901 4th St. N., Ste. 311, St. Petersburg. The telephone number is (727) 329-9467 and the fax number is (727) 329-9468. Sandefer's practice includes personal injury protection, family...

Hal B. Anderson joined The Shavitz Law Group.(On the Move)
January 1, 2007... Hal B. Anderson joined The Shavitz Law Group.

Alexander S. Bokor joined the litigation practice at Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton in Miami.(On the Move)
January 1, 2007... Alexander S. Bokor joined the litigation practice at Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton in Miami.

S. Joseph Modric and Hae J. Kim both joined Alvarez, Sambol, Winthrop & Madson as associates.(On the Move)
January 1, 2007... S. Joseph Modric and Hae J. Kim both joined Alvarez, Sambol, Winthrop & Madson as associates.

JNC applications being accepted.
January 1, 2007... Judicial Nominating Commissions: One lawyer vacancy for each of the 26 JNCs. The Florida Bar must nominate three lawyers for each vacancy to the governor for his appointment. Each appointee will serve a four-year term, commencing July 1, 2007....

Ninth JNC is now taking applications.
January 1, 2007... The Ninth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission is now accepting applicants to fill a circuit vacancy due to the resignation of Judge William C. Gridley. Applicants must have been members of the Bar for the preceding five years, must be...