Florida Bar News articles from July 2003

Florida Bar News archives from July 2003

Finding the right way to leave the firm: DPC considers a Bar rule to govern firm breakups.
July 1, 2003... Breaking up is hard to do. Just ask the lawyers who gain enough experience to strike out on their own, hoping to continue positive relationships with their clients, only to face the wrath of partners they leave behind. Just ask...

Refiling fee imposed on civil cases.
July 1, 2003... Although the most funding changes associated with the state taking over more funding of the trial courts won't go into effect until July 1, 2004, one begins this July 1 and will affect parties filing to reopen civil cases. In a move to...

Online CLE registration now available. (Working for you).
July 1, 2003... It just got easier to register for the Bar's continuing legal education courses. Just log on to www.flabar.org, click on the "Storefront" link on the navigation bar on the left, find the course you want to take, fill out the electronic...

Justice in the classroom.
July 1, 2003... GOVERNMENT STUDENTS at St. Edward's School in Vero Beach learned the value of the Florida and U.S. constitutions with the help of 19th Circuit Court Judge Cynthia L. Cox, center, as part of the Florida Law Related Education Association's...

Legal Luminaries.
July 1, 2003... Caption: LEGAL LUMINARIES gathered recently to honor retired Justice Leander J. Shaw, Jr., left, at a special ceremonial session of the Supreme Court. Shaw retired in January. At the Orlando event Shaw's legal colleagues presented highlights of...

Board makes appointments, nominations.
July 1, 2003... Seventy-two lawyers have been nominated to judicial nominating commissions, six to the Florida Board of Bar Examiners, and four have been named to the ABA House of Delegates by The Florida Bar Board of Governors, acting at its May 30 meeting in...

YLD to fill 16th Circuit vacancy.
July 1, 2003... The Young Lawyers Division Board of Governors is seeking those interested in filling a 16th Circuit vacancy created by the resignation of Samuel Kaufman. Anyone wishing to fill the vacancy should send a letter of intent and a resume to...

Alexander petitions for reinstatement.
July 1, 2003... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, Brad Alexander has petitioned the Florida Supreme Court for reinstatement to the Bar from a rehabilitative suspension. This suspension was effective January 27, 2000, and was for a period of one year resulting from...

Court sets arguments.
July 1, 2003... The Florida Supreme Court has set oral arguments in Re: Amendments to the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, SC03-705 for August 29, beginning at 8:30 a.m. A maximum of 15 minutes to each side has been allotted for the arguments.

Errata.
July 1, 2003... A June 1 story about HIPAA erroneously reported that lawyer Elizabeth F. Hodge represents an Orlando hospital, when in fact her firm represents an Ocala hospital. Also, Mark Eiglarsh's name was misspelled n the June 1 News and Notes...

Dr. Badger joins the board.
July 1, 2003... A career educator with a background in counseling and administration is the newest public member of the Bar Board of Governors. Dr. Solomon L. Badger III was recently selected by the Supreme Court from three nominees submitted by the Bar....

Middle District implements fax notice program.
July 1, 2003... Beginning July 1 the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida will implement its Facsimile Noticing Program. Attorneys who have returned the "Authorization for Participation in Facsimile No. icing Program" form will...

Aronovitz: Dignity in Law has made a difference.
July 1, 2003... A year ago, Bar President Tod Aronovitz launched the Dignity in Law program, saying he wanted to tell Floridians the whole story about lawyers and the legal system. At the Board of Governors' May 30 meeting in Key West, he wrote the end to...

Equal Opportunities Law Section seeks more members.
July 1, 2003... The Equal Opportunities Law section has come up with a plan to increase its membership and bring it into conformance with Bar rules. Program Evaluation Committee Chair Richard Tanner told the Bar Board of Governors in May the section has...

Panels study grievance operations, sections.
July 1, 2003... The financial relationship between The Florida Bar and its sections and a review of the Bar's grievance operations will be the focus of two special committees being appointed by President-elect Miles McGrane. Making his last report to the...

U.S. Northern District to launch e-filing system.
July 1, 2003... The United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida has announced its conversion to "Case Management/Electronic Case Files." According to the court, this Internet-based system provides numerous benefits to attorneys and...

Gerald Bennett trial scholarship now available.
July 1, 2003... For the third year, the South Eastern Bar Circuit (England and Wales) is sponsoring the Gerald T. Bennett Scholarship for the Advanced International Trial Advocacy Course at Keble College, Oxford University, England. The course offers...

The Palm Beach County Bar.
July 1, 2003... Caption: THE PALM BEACH COUNTY BAR recently honored Judge Mary Elisabeth Lupo, center, with its first "Jurist of the Year" award. The-award was presented by the association's North County Section during its annual dinner at Ruth's Chris Steak...

Communications panel wants to promote public participation in the Bar's grievance process.
July 1, 2003... Expanding ways to recruit public members for Bar grievance committees, monitoring the Dignity in Law program, and continuing the Bar's outreach program with local bars has been occupying the Communications Committee's time. Chair David...

Public records guide available.
July 1, 2003... The revised second edition of The Florida Public Records Handbook is now available with profiles on more than 150 of Florida's most useful state and local public records. The handbook is published by the First Amendment Foundation in...

The Dade County Trial Lawyers Association.
July 1, 2003... Caption: THE DADE COUNTY TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION recently awarded 11th Circuit Judge Thomas Wilson, left, with its Judge Steve Levine Award, given annually to the judge who best exemplifies the integrity and dedication of Judge Levine who...

Departing governors reminisce, offer advice.
July 1, 2003... "Don't never give up." Outgoing Bar President Tod Aronovitz ended his final Board of Governors meeting May30 with those words, a theme he picked up in college from a golf course groundskeeper who became his friend. The occasion was the...

Certification appeal process undergoes review.
July 1, 2003... A revamped certification appeals process and several certification rule amendments have been presented to the Board of Governors. The Board of Legal Specialization and Education and the board's Certification Plan Appeals Committee presented...

Florida Bar member becomes NY Bar leader.
July 1, 2003... A. Thomas Levin took office on June 1 as president of the 70,000-member New York State Bar Association. Officially elected this past January by the House of Delegates, the House of Delegates, the association's decision and policy-making...

Perfectionism prevents practitioner from progressing in the profession. (Stresslines).
July 1, 2003... Diane sat at her desk staring bleakly at the ominous-looking manila folder left there by a partner. "Prepare for this trial immediately," read the attached note. When she discovered this file on her desk she had managed a cursory reading, but...

Conference of County Court judges celebrates 30th year.
July 1, 2003... In 1973, the Florida Supreme Court issued a rule forming the' Conference of County Court Judges of Florida. The conference was initially formed with three goals in mind: * To better the judicial system in the state. * To improve the...

Tallahassee lawyer fights for the rights of the homeless.
July 1, 2003... It's against the law to fall asleep on the beach in Brevard County--if it's later than 10 p.m. or earlier than 5 a.m. Other local ordinances around Florida deal with eating, sitting, and walking, making it difficult to sleep, dress, or fix...

The 'Zen' of taking depositions. (Practice Tips).
July 1, 2003... When I was a new-be lawyer, I searched for articles to help explain the art of taking depositions. Certainly, there are excellent articles about the procedures of depositions. However, absent are those about the "zen" of depositions--where your...

Guardian ad Litem Program transferred to JAC.
July 1, 2003... The Guardian ad Litem Program has a new home. Since 1980, the network of volunteers who represent children in dependency court was part of the judicial branch. Beginning January 1, 2004, it will be become part of the Justice Administrative...

Chief Judge Richard G. Payne of the 16th Circuit welcomed the Bar Board of Governors to Key West recently.
July 1, 2003... Caption: CHIEF JUDGE RICHARD G. PAYNE of the 16th Circuit welcomed the Bar Board of Governors to Key West recently. He used the opportunity to talk about Article V funding and representation on the state's district courts of appeal. Payne...

Nonlawyer judge rules in Holmes County for 25 years. (In the County Courts).
July 1, 2003... The Conference of County Court Judges is proud to celebrate the 25th anniversary of service of Holmes County Judge Robert Earl Brown, a disappearing breed of Florida's nonattorney judges serving the citizens of the 14th Judicial Circuit. ...

How a UPL complaint is investigated. (UPL Update).
July 1, 2003... In the last column I discussed filing an unlicensed practice of law complaint. This column will discuss what happens once the complaint is received. Of course, each case is different--this discussion is generally what takes place. ...

Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar will now make Okaloosa and Walton referrals. (UPL Update).
July 1, 2003... The Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service is now serving Okaloosa and Walton counties, which previously were covered by The Florida Bar's Lawyer Referral Service. In 2002, the Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association Lawyer...

Young lawyers want to revamp PWP program: Seeks to do away with government lawyer deferral.
July 1, 2003... The Young Lawyers Division has voted to overhaul and shorten its Practicing with Professionalism program (PWP) and has recommended that government lawyers no longer be able to defer taking the Supreme Court mandated course designed for new...

Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhardt & Shipley, P.A. (On the Move).
July 1, 2003... Sean C. Domnick and Darryl L. Lewis have become shareholders with Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhardt & Shipley, P.A., with offices at P.O. Drawer 3626, West Palm Beach 33402, telephone (561) 686-6300. Domnick practices in products liability,...

Rigell, Ring & Ardman, P.A. (On the Move).
July 1, 2003... Rigell, Ring & Ardman, P.A., announces the opening of new offices at 12995 S. Cleveland Ave., Ste. 30, Ft. Myers, 33907, telephone (239) 931-9899. The firm concentrates in workers' compensation defense.

The Law Offices of Henry E. Gare, P.A., Accident & Injury Attorneys. (On the Move).
July 1, 2003... Henry E. Gare, formerly of The Law Offices of Nooney & Gare, announces the opening of The Law Offices of Henry E. Gare, P.A., Accident & Injury Attorneys, with offices at 2064 Park St., Jacksonville 32204, telephone (904) 387-6101.

Marks Gray, P.A. (On the Move).
July 1, 2003... Paul E. Bueker has joined Marks Gray, P.A., with offices at 1200 Riverplace Blvd., Ste. 800, Jacksonville 32207, telephone (904) 398-0900. He concentrates in civil litigation, including malpractice.

Hodgson Russ, LLP. (On the Move).
July 1, 2003... Jaana T. Moisio has joined Hodgson Russ, LLP, with offices at 1801 N. Military Trail, Ste. 200, Boca Raton 33431, telephone (561) 394-0500. She concentrates in family law.

Carlton Fields. (On the Move).
July 1, 2003... Meredith J. Gussin has joined Carlton Fields, with offices at 4000 International Place, 100 S.E. Second St., Miami 33131, telephone (305) 530-0050. She joins the firm's litigation and dispute resolution practice group.

Michael C. Marsh, formerly of Akerman Senterfitt, has become a shareholder with Littler Mendelson. (On the Move).
July 1, 2003... Michael C. Marsh, formerly of Akerman Senterfitt, has become a shareholder with Littler Mendelson, with offices at One Biscayne Tower, 2 S. Biscayne Blvd., Ste. 1500, Miami 33131, (305) 400-7500. The firm concentrates in labor and employment...

Law Office of Davis & Giardino, P.A. (On the Move).
July 1, 2003... Wayne T. Hrivnak has become associated with the Law Office of Davis & Giardino, PA., with offices located at 201 Arkona Court, West Palm Beach 33401, telephone (561) 514-0305. He concentrates in the areas of civil and commercial litigation and...

Broad and Cassel. (On the Move).
July 1, 2003... Kalinthia R. Dullard and C. Craig Eller have joined Broad and Cassel, with offices at One N. Clematis St., Ste. 500, West Palm Beach 33401, telephone (561) 832-3300. Dillard joins the firm's commercial litigation, bankruptcy and creditors'...

Wohlsifer & Associates, P.A. (On the Move).
July 1, 2003... Amy M. Scharf and Sean C. Selk have joined Wobisifer & Associates, P.A., with offices at 319 Clematis St., Ste. 811, West Palm Beach 33401, telephone (561) 655-5114. Both practice in the areas of condominium law and commercial litigation.

Frank A. Luceri has joined Broad and Cassel. (On the Move).
July 1, 2003... Frank A. Luceri has joined Broad and Cassel, with offices at Corporate Center of Boca Raton, 7777 Glades Rd., Ste. 300, Boca Raton 33434, telephone (561) 483-7000. He practices in real estate, corporate transactions, contracts, and commercial...

Joseph B. Donnelly has joined Broad and Cassel. (On the Move).
July 1, 2003... Joseph B. Donnelly has joined Broad and Cassel, with offices at the AmSouth Bldg., 100 N. Tampa St., Ste. 3500, Tampa 33602, telephone (813) 225-3020. He practices in commercial litigation and labor and employment law.

Fisher, Rushmer, Werrenrath, Dickson, Talley & Dunlap, P.A. (On the Move).
July 1, 2003... Maria E. DiBlasio has joined Fisher, Rushmer, Werrenrath, Dickson, Talley & Dunlap, P.A., with offices located at 20 N. Orange Ave., Ste. 1500, Orlando 32802, telephone (407) 843-2111.

Holland & Knight, LLP. (On the Move).
July 1, 2003... Marili Blanco has become an associate with Holland & Knight, LLP, with offices at 2000 S. Orange Ave., Ste. 2600, Orlando 32801, telephone (407) 425-8500. She practices in corporate, banking, real estate, and international business law.

Edward F. Zwick has joined Berger Singerman. (On the Move).
July 1, 2003... Edward F. Zwick has joined Berger Singerman, with offices at 450 E. Las Olas Blvd., Ste. 1000, Ft. Lauderdale 33301, telephone (954) 525-9900. He joins the firm's transactions team.

Wendy R. Anderson, formerly a partner with Baker & Hostettler, has joined Fisher, Rushmer, Werrenrath, Dickson, Talley & Dunlap, P.A. (On the Move).
July 1, 2003... Wendy R. Anderson, formerly a partner with Baker & Hostettler, has joined Fisher, Rushmer, Werrenrath, Dickson, Talley & Dunlap, P.A., with offices located at 20 N. Orange Ave., Ste. 1500, Orlando 32802, telephone (407) 843-2111. She...

McDonnell, Conley, Arslanian, & Neveux, P.C. (On the Move).
July 1, 2003... Robert J. Connelly has become of counsel to McDonnell, Conley, Arslanian, & Neveux, P.C., with offices at 38500 Woodward Ave., Ste. 300, Bloomfield Hills, Michigun 48304, telephone (248) 540-7500. He practices in employment law, commercial law,...

Hunton & Williams. (On the Move).
July 1, 2003... Craig V. Rasile, Jeffrey P. Bast, and Andrew D. Zaron have joined Hunton & Williams, with offices at 1111 Brickell Ave., Ste. 2500, Miami 33131, telephone (305) 810-2500. They have joined the firm's bankruptcy and creditors' rights practice...

Adorno & Yoss, P.A. (On the Move).
July 1, 2003... Andrew Peretz, formerly of Boies, Schiller & Flexner, has joined Adorno & Yoss, P.A., with offices located 2601 S. Bayshore Dr., Ste. 1600, Miami 33133, telephone (305) 858-5555. He practices in commercial litigation and entertainment law.

Jack C. Wolff, P.A. (On the Move).
July 1, 2003... Jack C. Wolff, formerly with the Division of State Lands, Department of Environmental Protection, announces the opening of Jack C. Wolff, P.A., with offices at 265 Ross Rd., Tallahassee 32305, telephone (850) 656-9656. He concentrates on the...

Christine D. Hanley & Associates. (On the Move).
July 1, 2003... Ellen D'Arcangelo has joined Christine D. Hanley & Associates, with offices at 1000 Southern Blvd., Second Fl., West Palm Beach 33405, telephone (561) 659-5646. She practices in the areas of labor and employment law.

Attorneys' Title Insurance Fund. (On the Move).
July 1, 2003... Nancy Stuparich has joined Attorneys' Title Insurance Fund, with offices at 6445 Corporate Center Blvd., Orlando 32822, telephone (407) 240-3863.

Becker & Poliakoff, P.A. (On the Move).
July 1, 2003... Gary L. Blum has been appointed head of the bankruptcy and financial restructuring group of Becker & Poliakoff, P.A., which has offices located at Emerald Lake Corporate Park, 3111 Stirling Rd., Ft. Lauderdale 33312, telephone (954) 987-7550.

Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLP. (On the Move).
July 1, 2003... Jeffrey D. Weinstock has joined Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLP, with offices at 2500 N. Military Trail, Ste. 480, Boca Raton 33431, telephone (561) 241-0414. He joins the firm's business law, health law, and taxation and employee...

Comiter & Singer. (On the Move).
July 1, 2003... Alan Baseman and Mark Wisniewski have joined Comiter & Singer, with offices at Gardens Corporate Center, 3801 PGA Blvd., Ste. 604, Palm Beach Gardens 33410, telephone (561) 842-9219.

10th Circuit Public Defender's Office. (On the Move).
July 1, 2003... Deborah A. Carroll, Justin S. Gaines, and Brian D. Toreky have joined the 10th Circuit Public Defender's Office, with offices located in Highlands, Polk, and Hardee counties. They join the office's trial division.

Gunster Yoakley. (On the Move).
July 1, 2003... Scott E. Mitchell and Jennifer H. Estrella have joined Gunster Yoakley, with offices at One Biscayne Tower, Ste. 3400, 2 S. Biscayne Blvd., Miami 33131, telephone (305) 376-6000. Mitchell concentrates in environmental and land use matters, and...

Gilbride, Hefler & Brown, P.A. (On the Move).
July 1, 2003... Douglas, J. Jeffrey has been named a partner at Gilbride, Hefler & Brown, P.A., with offices at One Biscayne Tower, 2 S. Biscayne Blvd., 15th Fl., Miami 33131, telephone (305) 358-3580. He practices in complex civil and commercial litigation.

Tew, Cardenas, Rebak, Kellogg, Lehman, DeMaria, Tague, Raymond & Levine, L.L.P. (On the Move).
July 1, 2003... Barbara D. Auger has joined Tew, Cardenas, Rebak, Kellogg, Lehman, DeMaria, Tague, Raymond & Levine, L.L.P., with offices located in Miami and Tallahassee. She joins the firm's regulatory and advocacy practice in the Tallahassee office.

Blank Rome LLP. (On the Move).
July 1, 2003... Bruce C. Rosetto has joined Blank Rome LLP, with offices at 1200 N. Federal Hwy., Ste. 417, Boca Raton 33432, telephone (561) 417-8100. He concentrates in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, securities, intellectual property, employment law,...

Jackson Lewis. (On the Move).
July 1, 2003... Lori Brown, formerly of Jackson Lewis, has been named managing shareholder of the Miami office of Littler Mendelson, with offices at One Biscayne Tower, 2 S. Biscayne Blvd., Ste. 1500, Miami 33131, telephone (305) 400-7500. The firm...

Scott Forman, formerly with Vernis & Bowling, and Michael Marsh, Carol Lumpkin, and Dave Sukhdeo, formerly with Akerman Senterfitt, have become shareholders with Littler Mendelson. (On the Move).
July 1, 2003... Scott Forman, formerly with Vernis & Bowling, and Michael Marsh, Carol Lumpkin, and Dave Sukhdeo, formerly with Akerman Senterfitt, have become shareholders with Littler Mendelson, with offices at One Biscayne Tower, 2 S. Biscayne Blvd., Ste....

DRI's Mold/IAQ subcommittee. (News and Notes).
July 1, 2003... Charles Reynolds, of Butler Pappas, Tampa, was named chair of DRI's Mold/IAQ subcommittee.

Progressive Insurance Company. (News and Notes).
July 1, 2003... Daniel P. Mitchell, of Gray Harris, spoke about defending causation cases with orthopedic damages, at a statewide specialty claims conference for Progressive Insurance Company.

Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers' Founders Award. (News and Notes).
July 1, 2003... Daniel S. Pearson, a partner at Holland & Knight LLP, was presented the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers' Founders Award in Miami.

Conrad & Scherer. (News and Notes).
July 1, 2003... Linda Spaulding White, a partner with Conrad & Scherer, Ft. Lauderdale, has been elected to serve on the board of directors and appointed vice chair of the appellate practice section of the Broward County Bar Association.

Fisher, Rushmer, Werrenrath, Dickson, Talley & Dunlap, P.A. (News and Notes).
July 1, 2003... Francis X. Rapprich III, of Fisher, Rushmer, Werrenrath, Dickson, Talley & Dunlap, P.A., has received the Legal Aid Orange County Bar Association's New Lawyer Award.

Tamarac Community Center and the Broward County Bar Association. (News and Notes).
July 1, 2003... Alice Reiter Feld presented on Elder Law at the Tamarac Community Center and the Broward County Bar Association.

Circle of Gold Award. (News and Notes).
July 1, 2003... William Andrew Haggard, partner with Haggard, Parks, Haggard & Bologna, Coral Gables, was presented the Circle of Gold Award from the Florida State University Alumni Association. He also served as a guest speaker at the Academy of Florida Trial...

National Institute for Trial Advocacy. (News and Notes).
July 1, 2003... Ervin A. Gonzalez, of Colson Hicks Eidson et al, Coral Gables, has been elected to the board of trustees for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy.

Life Path Hospice. (News and Notes).
July 1, 2003... Cathy R. LeBeau, of Fowler White Boggs Banker, has been elected to the board of directors of Life Path Hospice.

Goldfarb, Gold, Gonzalez & Wald, P.A. (News and Notes).
July 1, 2003... Garrett J. Biondo, of Goldfarb, Gold, Gonzalez & Wald, P.A., was awarded the 2003 Hon. Marvin H. Gillman Small Claims Clinic Award by Put Something Back, a joint pro bono project of the 11th Judicial Circuit and the Dade County Bar Association....

Elk, Bankier, Christu and Bakst, LLP. (News and Notes).
July 1, 2003... Kristen M. Lynch, of Elk, Bankier, Christu and Bakst, LLP, spoke at the annual probate seminar for the Broward County Bar Association, titled Practical Problems for the Probate Lawyer. She presented a lecture titled Avoiding Common Mistakes in...

Ruden, McClosky, Smith, Schuster & Russell, P.A. (News and Notes).
July 1, 2003... Theresa M.B. Van Vliet, a partner with Ruden, McClosky, Smith, Schuster & Russell, P.A., Ft. Lauderdale, has been appointed the representative on the Task Force on Professional Services by the ABA Section of Taxation, Committee on Civil and...

Judge J.C. Stone Distinguished Service Award. (News and Notes).
July 1, 2003... Chris M. Ballentine, of Fisher, Rushmer, Werrenrath, Dickson, Talley & Dunlap, PA., has received the Judge J.C. Stone Distinguished Service Award presented by the Legal Aid Orange County Bar Association for demonstrating a career to pro bono...

Naval Education and Training Command. (News and Notes).
July 1, 2003... Carol M. Lynch, assistant counsel for the Naval Education and Training Command, has been selected for promotion to the rank of captain in the Judge Advocate General Corps, U.S. Naval Reserve.

White & Case, LLP. (News and Notes).
July 1, 2003... Jorge L. Freeland, of White & Case, LLP, Miami, spoke on Due Diligence in Mergers and Acquisitions to a local education forum for Financial Executives International, held in Ft. Lauderdale.

William S. Belcher Lifetime Professionalism Award. (News and Notes).
July 1, 2003... John Arthur Jones, of Holland & Knight, LLP, was presented the first William S. Belcher Lifetime Professionalism Award at the annual luncheon of the Real Property, Probate, & Trust Law section of The Florida Bar.

Carlton Fields. (News and Notes).
July 1, 2003... Thomas A. Snow, president and CEO of Carlton Fields, has been elected to the board of regents and as secretary of the American College of Commercial Finance Lawyers at the college's spring meeting.

Pat Muldowney, of Akerman Senterfitt, Orlando, spoke on recent developments under the Fair Labor Standards Act. (News and Notes).
July 1, 2003... Pat Muldowney, of Akerman Senterfitt, Orlando, spoke on recent developments under the Fair Labor Standards Act at the Orange County Bar Association Labor and Employment Law Committee's seminar on Trends in Employment Law and a View from the...