Florida Bar News articles from January 2009

Florida Bar News archives from January 2009

Downs named president-elect.(Mayanne Downs)
January 1, 2009... Mayanne Downs of Orlando has become president-elect designate of The Florida Bar after being elected without opposition. Her election became official December 15 with the close of filing. Downs will be sworn in as president-elect in June...

Pro bono goes stagnant: report sets goals to revitalize the profession's provision of free services to the poor.
January 1, 2009... On starting a new career in the law, every Florida attorney takes an oath that includes the following: "I will never reject, from any consideration personal to myself, the cause of the defenseless or oppressed, or delay anyone's cause for...

Quince briefs legislators on the impact of budget cuts.(Peggy Quince)
January 1, 2009... Florida's court system has already seen its budget reduced by $44 million over the past two years and the elimination of 282 positions. Having to absorb another 10 percent cut would cost hundreds of more jobs and seriously compromise the...

Lawyers sound off on impact of budget cuts: 'the public is angry. Very angry'.
January 1, 2009... "People used to say that justice delayed was justice denied. Now they say that justice delayed is exactly what we expect." That's the message Tanner Andrews of DeLand left on the bulletin board created on the Bar's Web site where Florida...

Economic downturn hits the Bar.
January 1, 2009... The national recession has reached The Florida Bar. Stock market turmoil has impacted the Bar's investments and President-elect Jesse Diner said after several years of budgetary surpluses, the Bar may run a deficit in its 2009-10 budget....

Board defers action on ad rules survey.(Florida Bar)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... The Bar's Budget Committee wants to check with more polling companies before authorizing $50,000 for a survey, as part of a new study on advertising rules requested by the Supreme Court. At the December 12 Board of Governors meeting in...

Court's ADR committee floats proposals aimed at increasing the use of alternative dispute resolution.(Notice)(Florida Supreme Court Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules and Policy )
January 1, 2009... The Florida Supreme Court Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules and Policy has been working on a proposal to increase the use of alternative dispute resolution. As part of this project, the committee has been examining ways to...

IBA sets real estate conference for Miami.(Conference news)
January 1, 2009... The International Bar Association will hold its Annual Global Investments in Real Estate Conference in February 5-6 in Miami. Participants will discuss the full cycle of real estate investment and obtain information and forecasts from key...

Proposed board actions.(Notice)
January 1, 2009... 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 30 meeting in Tallahassee on the following items. These matters are...

Amendments to the criminal rules relating to counsel for indigents.(Notice)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... The Florida Supreme Court is considering amending Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.111(d)(3), in light of Indiana v. Edwards, 128 S. Ct. 2379 (2008) The court requests that The Florida Bar Criminal Procedure Rules Committee file a comment...

Board takes legislative positions.(Notice)
January 1, 2009... Under Rule 2 9.3 (b)-(e), Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, active members of the Bar may file a specific written objection to particular legislative positions adopted by the Bar. Objections properly filed within 45 days of this News issue will...

Hillsborough paralegals to meet Janaury 13.(Hillsborough Chapter of the Paralegal Association of Florida)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... The Hillsborough Chapter of the Paralegal Association of Florida will meet January 13 at noon. Leroy Moore, senior vice president/chief operating officer, and Robert A. Shimberg, vice chair of the Board of Commissioners of the Tampa...

[Cartoon].(Cartoon)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As an attorney, 20 percent of my time is spent in court. The rest is evenly split between sitting at my computer and looking for parking.

Justyn Eastling.
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: JUSTYN EASTLING, a fourth-grade student in the varied exceptionality program at Grove Park Elementary School in Palm Beach Gardens, created the winning artwork for this year's holiday greeting card contest...

Four Florida lawyers.
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: FOUR FLORIDA LAWYERS were among 16 men recently ordained as deacons in the Roman Catholic Church after five years of discernment and formation, which included academic study in a variety of areas, including...

Melanson to lead Lee County Women Lawyers.
January 1, 2009... Noelle M. Melanson has become president of the Lee County Association for Women Lawyers. The Lee County FAWL chapter recentlly held its meet and greet at Bennett's Fresh Roast in Ft. Myers. Other new Lee County Association for Women...

God-given inalienable rights.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2009... I would like to write to support Burke Chester's recent letter regarding Dean Koh's "human rights" speech. Those who have criticized Mr. Chester's letter have proven his point. Americans are in grave danger of losing their public liberties...

Court cost-saving ideas.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2009... It is time for our court system to quit trying to be the end all and cure all of all society's problems. To start, the courts need to quit giving people charged with misdemeanors jury trials. Just about half of all the money spent is on...

The purpose of courts.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2009... Recent reports in connection with the sentencing of an individual convicted of a crime reflected the prosecution had urged a harsh or maximum sentence in order to "send a message" to the community. As a retired attorney who practiced law for 50...

17th JNC to fill circuit vacancy.(Public notice)
January 1, 2009... The 17th Circuit JNC is now accepting applications to fill a vacancy created by the death of Judge Charles Kaplan. Applicants must have been members of the Bar for the preceding five years, registered voters, and must reside in the...

First Circuit JNC to fill a circuit vacancy.(Public notice)
January 1, 2009... The First Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission is now accepting applications for a circuit judge position in Shalimar, Okaloosa County. Applicants must be registered voters, members of The Florida Bar for the past five years, and reside...

SNCJCC to reconvene February 2.(Statewide Nominating Commission for Judges of Compensation Claims)(Public notice)
January 1, 2009... The Statewide Nominating Commission for Judges of Compensation Claims announces that it will reconvene its August 18 meeting which adjourned early due to Tropical Storm Fay. The meeting will reconvene on Monday, February 2, at 9 a.m. at the...

Broward County needs a new judge.(Public notice)
January 1, 2009... The 17th Circuit JNC is now accepting applications to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Broward County Judge Robert S. Zack. Applicants must have been members of the Bar for the preceding five years, registered voters, and must...

St. Johns County Legal Aid's.(Photograph)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: ST. JOHNS COUNTY LEGAL AID'S Megan Wall and the St. Johns County judges recently presented the 2008 Pro Bono Awards. Pictured in the front row from the left are Tania Schmidt-Alpers, Rebeccah Beller, and...

H.T. Smith.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... H.T. Smith of Miami was recently presented with a Legal Legend Award by the 11th Judicial Circuit Historical Society for his contributions to the South Florida legal system over a period of 35 years. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Paul D. Bain.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Paul D. Bain of Gaylord Merlin Ludovici Diaz & Bain in Tampa was honored as a distinguished alumni at Broward College's Lyceum Awards and Gala.

Gary A. Forster.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Gary A. Forster of Pohl & Short presented an overview of asset protection law in Florida at the monthly FICPA breakfast meeting in Orlando. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Carlos A. Somoza.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Carlos A. Somoza of BDO Seidman presented "Conducting Operations Outside the United States" to the Florida Gold Coast Alumni Chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity in Miami.

17th Circuit's Juvenile Justice Board.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Johanna Saxton Shields of Klauber, Hurtig & Shields in Plantation was recently appointed to the 17th Circuit's Juvenile Justice Board.

Susan B. Anthony Recovery Center Board of Directors.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Sheryl A. Moore of Chorowski & Moore in Ft. Lauderdale, has been appointed to serve on the Susan B. Anthony Recovery Center Board of Directors.

Louise B. Zeuli.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Louise B. Zeuli of Louise B. Zeuli, P.A., recently was approved for admission to the American Arbitration Association's Commercial Panel, an alternative dispute resolution provider. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Defense Research Institute.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Lee Craig of Butler Pappas Weihmuller Katz Craig in Tampa was appointed insurance law chair of the Defense Research Institute, at the organization's recent Annual Meeting in New Orleans.

Lee County Bar.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Andrew Bokan of Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt has been elected to Lee County Bar's executive counsel.

Terence J. Watterson of Watterson & Zappolo in Palm Beach Gardens has been certified by the Supreme Court of Florida.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Terence J. Watterson of Watterson & Zappolo in Palm Beach Gardens has been certified by the Supreme Court of Florida as a circuit court mediator.

Charles R. Gallagher III.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Charles R. Gallagher III of Gallagher & Associates Law Firm was selected for the 2009 Class of Leadership St. Petersburg.

Mary Sue Donohue.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Mary Sue Donohue of Buckingham Doolittle & Burroughs has become a member of Florida Atlantic University's Horizon Society.

Jennifer Junker.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Jennifer Junker of ShuffieldLowman in Orlando presented a talk at a gathering held at SunTrust on the topic, "Administration Issues, Retirement Benefits and Litigation Issues" to a large group of financial planners. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Lou LaCava.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Lou LaCava of Stephens, Lynn, Klein, LaCava, Hoffman & Puya in Ft. Lauderdale presented a seminar for attending surgeons, residents, and fellows at the University of South Florida Medical School titled: "Documentation, the Good, the Bad and the...

Habitat for Humanity of Palm Beach County Board of Directors.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] John C. Strickroot, Jr., of Shutts & Bowen in West Palm Beach has been named to the Habitat for Humanity of Palm Beach County Board of Directors.

ABA's Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Michelle Diffenderfer of Lewis, Longman & Walker has recently been appointed by the ABA's Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources as vice chair of the Special Committee on Foundation Fundraising.

Anthony Cammarata.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Anthony Cammarata of deBeaubien, Knight, Simmons, Mantzaris & Neal in Tallahassee was presented the 2008 Legal Shield Award at the Pre-Paid Legal, Inc., Provider Attorney Conference in Long Beach, California. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Cindy Lerner.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Cindy Lerner was elected mayor of the Village of Pinecrest, in Miami-Dade County.

Kimberly Kolback.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Kimberly Kolback of Miami participated as a panelist at the seminar titled "From Hollywood To Hollywood: EASL at the Emmys" sponsored by The Florida Bar Entertainment, Arts & Sports Law Section held in Beverly Hills,...

Miami-Dade County Community Council.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Nelson Diaz of Becker & Poliakoff has been appointed to the Miami-Dade County Community Council of West Kendall.

Judge Michael Hanuszczak.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Judge Michael Hanuszczak has recently commenced presiding over the Integrated Domestic Violence Court in Syracuse, New York. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

John Leighton.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... John Leighton of Leesfield Leighton & Partners in Miami took part in the National Crime Victim Bar Association's annual conference titled, "Civil Actions for Criminal Acts" in Chicago.

Michelle Suskauer.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Michelle Suskauer of the Suskauer Law Firm in West Palm Beach spoke with groups of students enrolled in Palm Beach Atlantic University's Communications Program on issues of gender and the media and radio production.

Carol L. Finklehoffe, of McIntosh Sawran Peltz & Cartaya in Miami, gave a presentation on "Handling the Sexual Assault Claim" and Robert D. Peltz gave a presentation on "Medicine on the Seas After Carlisle".(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Carol L. Finklehoffe, of McIntosh Sawran Peltz & Cartaya in Miami, gave a presentation on "Handling the Sexual Assault Claim" and Robert D. Peltz gave a presentation on "Medicine on the Seas After Carlisle" at the recent Maritime Law...

Kellie Symons.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Kellie Symons of ShuffieldLowman now serves on the planning committee for the Professional Women's Exchange, a Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers-sponsored event, which will bring together hundreds of professional women from across...

Joseph H. Serota.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Joseph H. Serota of Weiss Serota Helfman Pastoriza Cole & Boniske in Miami was honored by the Historical Museum of Southern Florida with its Silverman Award for his efforts in helping to restore the lobby and...

National Elder Law Foundation.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Leonard E. Mondschein of Mondschein and Mondschein in Miami has been designated a certified elder law attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Association of American Law Schools Section on Balance in Legal Education.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Bruce J. Winick, a law professor at the University of Miami, has been named chair of the Association of American Law Schools Section on Balance in Legal Education.

Benjamine Reid.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Benjamine Reid of Carlton Fields in Miami received the Thomas W. Watkins Humanitarian Award at the 25th Anniversary Conference of the Product Liability Advisory Council. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Lori V. Vaughan and Lara R. Fernandez of Trenam Kemker recently spoke at the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce Tampa Bay.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Lori V. Vaughan and Lara R. Fernandez of Trenam Kemker recently spoke at the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce Tampa Bay, regarding buying distressed real estate, foreclosure, and bankruptcy.

Lawyers Committee of The National Center for State Courts.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Cristina Alonso of Carlton Fields in Miami was named co-chair of the newly formed Young Lawyers Committee of The National Center for State Courts.

William J. Spratt, Jr.(News and Notes)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... William J. Spratt, Jr., of K&L Gates in Miami recently moderated a panel discussion on due diligence in healthcare financial transactions at the Fifth Annual Physicians and Ventures Conference in Chicago. The presentation examined topics such...

Patrick Barthet.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Patrick Barthet has been appointed Honorary Consul for the State of Florida for the Republic of Malta, an island nation south of Italy in the Mediterranean Sea. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Gregory C. Yadley.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Gregory C. Yadley of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick in Palm Beach moderated a discussion panel for the Securities and Exchange Commission's Government-Business Forum on Small Business Capital Formation in Washington. Yadley also moderated the...

Edwin A. Steinmeyer and M. Christopher Lyon with Lewis, Longman & Walker presented at the Marine Shoreline Development & Permitting Workshop in December.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Edwin A. Steinmeyer and M. Christopher Lyon with Lewis, Longman & Walker presented at the Marine Shoreline Development & Permitting Workshop in December. Steinmeyer presented "Sovereign Lands, Aquatic Preserves and Outstanding Florida Waters"...

Arthur J. Furia and John Mariani of Gunster Yoakley spoke to the internationalization of Italian marine enterprises.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Arthur J. Furia and John Mariani of Gunster Yoakley spoke to the group about the internationalization of Italian marine enterprises in the U.S. and Latin American markets at a workshop at the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show.

ABA.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Hilarie Bass of Greenberg Traurig in Miami has been selected as vice chair of the Litigation Section of the ABA. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Volusia County Cultural Alliance.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Timothy Daniel of Ormond Beach has been appointed to the board of directors of the Volusia County Cultural Alliance.

Shelly Wald.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Shelly Wald of Shutts & Bowen in West Palm Beach discussed key issues under the Florida Trust Code at a recent West Palm Beach Chapter of the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants seminar. Wald also...

Craig Smith.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Craig Smith of Hogan & Hartson spoke about trends in certificate of need laws at the Second Annual Southeastern Health Planning Symposium in Orlando.

The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Adam Shapiro of Pathman Lewis in Miami has been appointed ABA Young Lawyers Division District Representative for Florida by The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Thomas Woolsey and Wanda Whigham of Hogan and Hartson in Miami spoke.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Thomas Woolsey and Wanda Whigham of Hogan and Hartson in Miami spoke at the Florida Renewable Energy Producers Association's Renewable Energy Federal Grant, Loan, and Finance Workshop.

Beth Shankle-Anderson.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Beth Shankle-Anderson served as director of the Judicial Reception hosted by the Tallahassee Women Lawyers.

Carlos A. Somoza.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Carlos A. Somoza of BDO Seidman presented on the recent changes to expatriation tax law at the 2008 BDO Seidman LLP National Tax Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Florida Council of 100.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Rhea F. Law of Fowler White Boggs has been reelected to the board of directors of the Florida Council of 100. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Stewart D. Fried.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Stewart D. Fried has been re-appointed co-chair of the Air and Climate Change Subcommittee of the ABA's Environmental Litigation Section.

John Thomas Cardillo.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] John Thomas Cardillo has been accepted into the Fellowship Program of the Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section.

David Pratt.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... David Pratt of Proskauer Rose spoke at the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants Estate and Financial Planning Conference in Ft. Lauderdaleon estate planning during turbulent times.

Robert W. Gross.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Robert W. Gross has been elected chief judge of the Fourth District Court of Appeal. Chief Judge Gross was appointed to the Fourth DCA by Gov. Lawton Chiles in 1995. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Cuban American Bar Association.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Annie Hernandez of Pathman Lewis in Miami was re-elected for a two-year term to the board of directors for the Cuban American Bar Association.

Joshua A. Whitman.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Joshua A. Whitman of Milton, Leach, Whitman, D'Andrea & Milton in Jacksonville was named the 2008 "Lawyer of the Year" by the Jacksonville Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates.

Ronald McDonald House Charities, Inc.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Michael D. Crosbie of Carlton Fields in Miami was named to the Ronald McDonald House Charities, Inc., Board of Directors. Crosbie also was recently reappointed to the 2008-2009 Historical Society Executive Committee. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Melanie E. Damian.(News and Notes)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Melanie E. Damian of Damian & Valori in Miami recently participated in the Miami-Dade Chapter, Florida Association for Women Lawyers' panel discussion titled "Be Your Own Boss--Women Opening Their Own Law Firms" at...

Broward County Justice Association.(News and Notes)
January 1, 2009... Andrew Y. Winston of Lawlor Winston & Justice has become president of the Broward County Justice Association.

Charles Wachter has joined Holland & Knight in Tampa as a partner.(On the Move)
January 1, 2009... Charles Wachter has joined Holland & Knight in Tampa as a partner. Wachter focuses his practice on class actions and complex commercial litigation.

Nancy Beyer Benton has joined McGuire-Woods in Jacksonville as an associate.(On the Move)
January 1, 2009... Nancy Beyer Benton has joined McGuire-Woods in Jacksonville as an associate in the firm's labor and employment department.

McMichen, Cinami & Demps.(On the Move)
January 1, 2009... Dorothy J. McMichen, P.A., is now McMichen, Cinami & Demps, PLLC, practicing exclusively in marital and family law in all areas of Central Florida.

John F. Eversole III has joined the law firm of Mase & Lara.(On the Move)
January 1, 2009... John F. Eversole III has joined the law firm of Mase & Lara. The firm will now be known as Mase, Lara, Eversole, P.A. Eversole's practice focuses in the representation of plaintiff's personal injury/wrongful death, products liability,...

Santucci, Priore & Long.(On the Move)
January 1, 2009... The firm of Santucci, Priore & Long has opened new offices in downtown Ft. Lauderdale at 200 South Andrews Avenue, Suite 100, Ft. Lauderdale 33301. The firm's focus includes intellectual property, commercial litigation, business transactions,...

Dori K. Stibolt and Christopher A. Roach have joined Ruden McClosky's litigation practice group.(On the Move)
January 1, 2009... Dori K. Stibolt and Christopher A. Roach have joined Ruden McClosky's litigation practice group as associates.