Florida Bar News articles from July 2006

Florida Bar News archives from July 2006

Med mal fee waiver procedures argued: the debate involved whether a judicial hearing should be required to give up amendment 3 rights.
July 1, 2006... A mandatory judicial review when a client wants to waive the right to a reduced contingency fee in medical malpractice cases would protect those clients, supporters of the constitutional provision limiting such fees have argued to the Supreme...

Court takes up lawyer ad rules: justices grapple with how to deal with more than 40,000 lawyer Web sites.
July 1, 2006... Holding up a law firm's mailed brochure bragging about multi-million-dollar recoveries in products liability cases, complete with color pictures of crashed automobiles, Justice Charles Wells asked: "Are the rules presently, and as amended,...

Board takes a look at lawyer discipline study: commission makes two dozen recommendations.(Bar Board of Governors)
July 1, 2006... A long-awaited report on the Bar's disciplinary system has been delivered to the Bar Board of Governors, which could begin acting on the recommendations at its July 28 meeting. The Special Commission on Lawyer Regulation, chaired by...

Minority panel chairs doubled.(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... Thanks to the diversity efforts of past Bar presidents, The Florida Bar has more than doubled the number of minorities who will be leading Bar committees in the 2006-07 fiscal year. Incoming Bar President Hank Coxe reported to the Bar Board...

Civil Legal Assistance Act cleared to go statewide.
July 1, 2006... Now that The Florida Bar Foundation has the governor's blessing, they will take the Florida Access to Civil Legal Assistance Act statewide. As soon as Gov. Jeb Bush approved $2.5 million, the largest appropriation from the state ever, that...

Civics education.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2006... Kudos to Alan Bookman, Rep. Curtis Richardson, Sen. Ron Klein, and all the concerned citizens of Florida for their support of civics education. Before I became an attorney, I was a social studies teacher in Florida middle schools for...

Mr. Ethics.(Thomas Cook MacDonald Jr.)(Obituary)(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... On Monday, May 26, 2006, I lost a great friend, the Judicial Qualifications Commission lost a great advisor, and the Florida Bar lost one of its most valuable members. Thomas Cook MacDonald, Jr., was the long-time general counsel of the Florida...

Joint and several liability.(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2006... Having read attorney Joe Little's letter in the May 15 News, I felt I should make my own contribution and state my view of the issues involving the most recent legislation eliminating joint and several liability in tort actions. The real...

Page remembered.(Ernest Page Jr.)(Obituary)(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... Longtime Madison County attorney Ernest Page, Jr., passed away recently. At the time of his death, Page was a practicing attorney logging 58 total years of practice. A graduate of UF law school, he was the past president of the Third...

Workers' comp judges needed.
July 1, 2006... The Statewide Nominating Commission for Judges of Compensation Claims is now accepting applications for two vacancies in the Ft. Myers district and one each in the Ft. Lauderdale and Pensacola districts. Qualified applicants must submit one...

Lee County judgeship available.(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2006... The 20th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission is now accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the Lee County bench, created by the elevation of Judge Edward J. Volz, Jr., to the circuit bench. Applicants must have been members of the...

18th Circuit needs a new judge.
July 1, 2006... The 18th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission is now accepting applications to fill an opening on the circuit bench created by the appointment of Judge Kerry I. Evander to the Fifth District Court of Appeal. Applicants must have been a...

Brown seeks Bar reinstatement.(Letters)
July 1, 2006... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, Daryl James Brown of Bradenton has petitioned the Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement. Brown was suspended from the practice of law for six months pursuant to a June 9, 2005, order of the Supreme Court, effective...

Torres seeks Bar reinstatement.
July 1, 2006... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, Ronald Robert Torres has petitioned the Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement. On December 20, 2004, the court suspended Torres for one year due to trust account violations. Any persons having knowledge bearing...

Last chance for candidates to learn the campaign rules: those who do not participate in this training can and will be judged by what they may refuse to learn.
July 1, 2006... Judicial candidates qualifying in July will need to set one more important date on their campaign calendars: July 20. That's the day the last of 20 judicial campaign conduct forums will be held. The one-hour forum will begin at 2 p.m. in...

Appellate Practice and Advocacy Section to meet with DCA judges.(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... The Appellate Practice and Advocacy Section has grown almost tenfold since it was founded and is pursuing a variety of activities, including a joint retreat with appellate judges and monitoring judicial nominating commissions. Supreme...

Board makes appointments: Downs, Rothman, Tanner to serve on Executive Committee.(Bar Board of Governors, Mayanne Downs, David Rothman, and Richard Tanner)
July 1, 2006... Bar Board of Governors members Mayanne Downs, David Rothman, and Richard Tanner have been chosen by fellow board members to serve on the Bar's Executive Committee for the 2006-07 fiscal year. Those were among a number of nominations and...

Debate over 'doctor of law' title continues.
July 1, 2006... Reversing an earlier decision, the Bar Board of Governors has said it is alright for a lawyer who has a juris doctor degree to say in a Spanish-language ad that he is a "doctor en leyes," or doctor of laws. But board members said they...

'Rock, paper, scissors' order garners worldwide attention.
July 1, 2006... Dutifully following a playful, but pointed, federal court order, Tampa lawyers David Pettinato, of the Merlin Law Group, and D. Lee Craig, of Butler Pappas, will meet June 20 and engage in one game of "rock, paper, scissors" to solve a dispute...

Minor MJP rules changes offered.(multijurisdictional )(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... The Bar Board of Governors has received two minor amendments to its rules on the multijurisdictional practice of law. Bar Unlicensed Practice of Law Counsel Lori Holcomb said, at the board's recent meeting, that the changes were needed to...

50-year Members of The Florida Bar 1956-2006.
July 1, 2006... Congratulations to The Florida Bar's 50-year Members--Class of 1956. Among you are a former governor, judges, politicians, professors, and Florida Bar leaders. Also prominent in your numbers are veterans of World War II and the Korean War, as...

Cannon was drawn to politics early in life.(Lawyers in the Legislature)(Dean Cannon)(Editorial)(Biography)
July 1, 2006... When Dean Cannon was just a kid growing up in Lakeland, the YMCA's youth legislator program gave him his first taste of politics. Who knew then that when he grew up he'd be invited to the full banquet of power and influence, in line to serve as...

Metadata, e-records ethics opinions still in the works: another dealing with representing public officials being redrafted.
July 1, 2006... The Bar Board of Governors has gotten updates on two pending proposed ethics opinions--on metadata and transferring paper documents to electronic records--and asked Bar staff to redraft an older ethics opinion on public attorneys representing...

Bar policy shifts will assist law school faculties and sections.(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... At the urging of the Budget Committee, the Bar Board of Governors has amended two standing board policies, one to help sections and the other to help law school fatuity who want to become affiliate Bar members. Outgoing Budget Committee...

Judges bill becomes law without Bush's signature: Governor contends the 55 newly created judges should be appointed, not elected.(Jeb Bush)
July 1, 2006... The bill creating 55 new county and circuit judgeships for Florida has become law without the signature of Gov. Jeb Bush. In a June 9 letter to Secretary of State Sue Cobb, Bush said he was allowing the bill to become law because the state...

Site billed as Florida's 'go to' place for all things pro bono: FLS's www.floridaprobono.org comes online July 1.(Florida Legal Services )(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... Thinking of doing some pro bono work, but aren't quite sure how to get started? Florida Legal Services has launched a comprehensive pro bono Web site to provide all the answers. The site is billed as a pro bono resource center to help guide...

Bar, FMA consider a joint committee.(Florida Medical Association, The Florida Bar)(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... The Florida Bar Board of Governors has given conceptual approval to a committee to improve relations between lawyers and doctors. Acting at the recommendation of the Program Evaluation Committee, the board at its June meeting approved the...

Legislation of Interest to the Legal Profession: The Florida Bar Governmental Affairs Office.
July 1, 2006... 2006 REGULAR SESSION Included in this report is a brief summary, by subject, of bills that passed the House and Senate during the 2006 Regular Session (March 7 - May 5, 2006) that may be of interest to Florida Bar members. During the 2006...

Bookman's quest for civics education leads him overseas.(Alan Bookman )
July 1, 2006... What do Bar President Alan Bookman and Zsa Zsa Gabor have in common? Both have seen and experienced the "Pearl of the Danube." Gabor was born in The Pearl of the Danube--or Budapest, Hungary. Bookman's passion for civics education led him...

Board rules on lawyer advertising appeal.(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... It is permissible for a lawyer to say he is "working" to get a recovery for clients who have been injured in boating accidents. The Bar Board of Governors, acting on the recommendation of the Board Review Committee on Professional Ethics,...

Proposed board actions.(Notice)
July 1, 2006... 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 July 28 meeting in Orlando on the following items. These matters are additionally...

Board reviews Bar's investment options.(Bar associations)(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... After a highly successful year with Bar investments, the Investment Committee is looking at potential ways to diversify the Bar's portfolio, with a goal of reducing risk while still getting good returns. Investment Committee Chair Ian...

Certified lawyers may soon be able to use BCS after their names.(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... Florida Bar board certified lawyers may soon be able to use the initials BCS after their names on letterheads, business cards, legal pleadings, and in ads. The Bar Board of Governors approved at its June meeting a rule amendment proposed...

Registered paralegal program rules.(Notice)
July 1, 2006... The Board of Governors of The Florida Bar hereby gives notice of filing with the Supreme Court of Florida, on or about August 15, a petition to amend the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar. Rule 1-12.1, Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, governs...

Joel Stewart.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2006... Joel Stewart of Fowler White Burnett in Miami spoke to the Dade County Bar Association on new trends in immigration. The program focused on how to prepare and file an application for alien labor certificates.

Michael Rosenberg.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2006... Michael Rosenberg of Packman, Neuwahl & Rosenberg in Coral Gables STEWART spoke at the Georgia Society o of CPAs 2006 Real Estate Conference in Atlanta and at the Pennsylvania Bar Institute CLE Conference in Philadelphia.

Thomas O. Wells.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2006... Thomas O. Wells of Berger Singerman's Miami office spoke at a 2006 Annual Wealth Protection Conference about asset protection after the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act.

Howard S. Krooks.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2006... Howard S. Krooks of Boca Raton received the 2006 Outstanding Achievement Award from the New York Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.

Stuart R. Morris.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2006... Stuart R. Morris of Morris Law Group in Boca Raton presented "Advanced Uses of Life Insurance in Estate Planning" at the UBS Financial, Inc. Regional Insurance Educational Forum in Orlando.

Ellen Wasserstrom.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2006... Ellen Wasserstrom of Greenspoon Marder in Ft. Lauderdale graduated from the Leadership Ft. Lauderdale Class XII.

Diana Santa Maria.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2006... Diana Santa Maria spoke at the National Crime Victim Bar Association's National Conference on Civil Actions for Criminal Acts at the George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C. Santa Maria's topic was "Handling Sex Abuse Cases...

Douglas M. McIntosh.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2006... Douglas M. McIntosh of McIntosh, Sawran, Peltz & Cartaya in Ft. Lauderdale received the 2006 Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy Award from the South Florida Chapter of the St. Thomas More Society. St. Thomas More is the patron saint of lawyers.

Walton Lantaff Schroeder & Carson.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2006... Luis Viera of Walton Lantaff Schroeder & Carson in Tampa was appointed to the Tampa Tribune board of community columnists.

Robert E. Banker.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2006... Robert E. Banker of Fowler White Boggs Banker's Tampa office was honored by the Trial Lawyers Section of the Hillsborough County Bar Association with the Herbert G. Goldburg Award.

Darlene, Corey.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2006... Darlene Corey of the 11th Judicial Circuit Domestic Violence Court Case Management Unit received the 2006 Female Mentor of the Year Award from the Dade County Bar Young Lawyers Section's e-Mentoring Program.

Jose "Pepi" Diaz.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2006... Jose "Pepi" Diaz of Akerman Senterfitt was appointed to represent lawyers under the age of 35 in the ABA's House of Delegates.

The American Red Cross of Greater Miami and The Keys.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2006... Harold E. Patricoff, Jr., of Shutts & Bowen's Miami office was elected to the board of directors of The American Red Cross of Greater Miami and The Keys. Patricoff will serve a three-year term.

Evett Simmons.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2006... Evett Simmons of Ruden McClosky s Port St. Lucie office was named chair of the ABA's Presidential Advisory Council on Diversity in the Profession.

Boca Raton Museum of Art.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2006... Mike Gora of Shapiro, Blasi, Wasserman & Gora in Boca Raton was named executive vice president of the board of trustees for the Boca Raton Museum of Art.

Brett Alan Panter.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2006... Brett Alan Panter of Panter, Panter & Sampedro in Miami spoke at a National Business Institute seminar in West Palm Beach on "Handling the Auto Injury Claim."

Life Path Hospice.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2006... Cathy R. LeBeau of Fowler White Boggs Banker in Tampa was elected vice chair of the board of directors of Life Path Hospice.

Carlton Fields.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2006... Carlton Fields' West Palm Beach office co-sponsored the 2006 EIPF Emerging Issues Policy/ Communications Forum: Innovation and Convergence in the Communications Industry. The keynote speaker was Gov. Jeb Bush.

Robert W. Barron.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2006... Robert W. Barron of Berger Singerman's Ft. Lauderdale office served as an advisory chair for Leadership Ft. Lauderdale's Class XII and spoke at a luncheon honoring the graduating class.

Julia Luyster.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2006... Julia Luyster of Bernstein Chackman & Liss in Hollywood spoke at the 10th Annual Florida Liability Claims Conference in Orlando on the topic of "Frye and Daubert Challenges: How to Get Rid of the Other Sides' Expert."

Ronda Ellis.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2006... Ronda Ellis co-chaired the St. Andrew's School Parents' Association and Friends of the Arts annual fundraising event, "Mediterraenean Magic."

Richard A. Greenberg.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2006... Richard A. Greenberg of Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell's Tallahassee office spoke about "Ethics for the Pro Bono Representative at the Volusia County Association for Women Lawyers Consumer Law Training for Pro Bono Service seminar.

Bill Ricker.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2006... Bill Ricker recently received the 2006 Isaac Hecht Law Client Protection Award from the National Client Protection Organization, Inc. Ricker, a former president of NCPO, who praticed in Ft. Lauderdale before his recent retirement and move to...

Justice Major B. Harding Inn of Court.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2006... Nina L. Ferraro of Fox Wackeen Dungey in Stuart was elected vice president of the Justice Major B. Harding Inn of Court for 2006-07.

Gary I. Resnick and Frank A. Rullan joined GrayRobinson's Ft. Lauderdale office.(On the Move)
July 1, 2006... Gary I. Resnick and Frank A. Rullan joined Gray Robinson's Ft. Lauderdale office. Resnick, a shareholder, and Rullan, of-counsel, bring with them more than 25 years combined experience in communications, cellular, cable, and broadcast...

Cypen & Cypen.(On the Move)
July 1, 2006... Cypen & Cypen moved to 777 Arthur Godfrey Rd., Miami Beach 33140. The mailing address is P.O. Box 402099 and the telephone number is (305) 532-3200. The fax number is (305) 535-0050 and the Web site is www.cypen.com.

Frank M. Mock joined Ruden McClosky's Orlando office as a partner.(On the Move)
July 1, 2006... Frank M. Mock joined Ruden McClosky's Orlando office as a partner. Mock will focus his practice on commercial law and finance.

Brad R. Weiss became a partner at Benson, Mucci & Associates.(On the Move)
July 1, 2006... Brad R. Weiss became a partner at Benson, Mucci & Associates in Coral Springs where he will continue to practice in the areas of commercial litigation and construction law.

Eric M. Thorn and Marcus S. Lawrence, Jr., formed the law firm Thorn Lawrence, P.L. at 402 East Oak Ave., Ste 101 Tampa 33602.(On the Move)
July 1, 2006... Eric M. Thorn and Marcus S. Lawrence, Jr., formed the law firm Thorn Lawrence, P.L. at 402 East Oak Ave., Ste 101 Tampa 33602. The phone number is (813) 514-8355 and the fax number is (813) 223-1867. The firm specializes in civil litigation and...

Michael Shelley joined Alvarez, Sambol, Winthrop, & Madsen in Miami.(On the Move)
July 1, 2006... Michael Shelley joined Alvarez, Sambol, Winthrop, & Madsen in Miami. Shelley's practice areas include commercial litigation, insurance, health care, and construction law.

R. Frank Myers and Fred E. Pearson, Jr., formed Pearson & Myers P.A. at 703 N. Monroe St., in Tallahassee.(On the Move)
July 1, 2006... R. Frank Myers and Fred E. Pearson, Jr., formed Pearson & Myers P.A. at 703 N. Monroe St., in Tallahassee. Mark Tucker joins the firm as of-counsel. The telephone number is (850) 222-9840.

The Law Office of Laurie H. Anton, Esquire.(On the Move)
July 1, 2006... The Law Office of Laurie H. Anton, Esquire moved to 5100 S. Cleveland Ave., PMB 318-161 in Ft. Myers 33907. Anton's practice will focus on mediation, entertainment law, and the defense of employers and carriers in workers' compensation.

Juan R. Garcia joined the Rojas Law Firm.(On the Move)
July 1, 2006... Juan R. Garcia joined the Rojas Law Firm in Miami as of-counsel.

Kim Acuna joined The Law Office of Glen J. Torcivia and Associates as an associate.(On the Move)
July 1, 2006... Kim Acuna joined The Law Office of Glen J. Torcivia and Associates as an associate. Acuna will focus on representing management in employment law matters.

Eugene P. Samuels joined the Envision group of healthcare companies as vice president and general counsel.(On the Move)
July 1, 2006... Eugene P. Samuels joined the Envision group of healthcare companies as vice president and general counsel. Samuels can be reached at (305) 418-7512 or Gsamuels@envision.com.

Akerman Denterfitt's.(On the Move)
July 1, 2006... Wesley A. Lauer was appointed to business manager at Akerman Senterfitt's West Palm Beach office.

Marc Nurik, Thomas Messana, and Theresa Van Vliet opened a Ft. Lauderdale branch of Genovese Joblove & Battista.(On the Move)
July 1, 2006... Marc Nurik, Thomas Messana, and Theresa Van Vliet opened a Ft. Lauderdale branch of Genovese Joblove & Battista at 200 E. Broward Blvd., Ste. 1110 in Ft. Lauderdale 33301.

Scott R. Distasio, Donna K. Hanes, Linda G. Moreno, and Geoffrey E. Parmer joined Wilkes & McHugh.(On the Move)
July 1, 2006... Scott R. Distasio, Donna K. Hanes, Linda G. Moreno, and Geoffrey E. Parmer joined Wilkes & McHugh in Tallahassee.

Felice A. Dizon.(On the Move)
July 1, 2006... Felice A. Dizon joined de Beaubien, Knight, Simmons, Mantzaris & Neal.

Elizabeth Ann Morgan joined Epstein Becker & Green's Atlanta office.(On the Move)
July 1, 2006... Elizabeth Ann Morgan joined Epstein Becker & Green's Atlanta office. Morgan will practice as part of the firm's national litigation practice.

Julie Siefkas-Marin has joined Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.(On the Move)
July 1, 2006... Julie Siefkas-Marin has joined Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., as associate counsel and will represent the sales and marketing departments of Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises.

Patrick J. Lannon joined White & Case as counsel in its private clients practice in Miami.(On the Move)
July 1, 2006... Patrick J. Lannon joined White & Case as counsel in its private clients practice in Miami. Lannon focuses on trusts and estates law and is board certified by The Florida Bar in wills, trusts & estates.

Christy L. Hertz opened Christy L. Hertz, P.A., at 90 Almeria Ave., Ste 201, Coral Gables 33134.(On the Move)
July 1, 2006... Christy L. Hertz opened Christy L. Hertz, P.A., at 90 Almeria Ave., Ste 201, Coral Gables 33134. The telephone number is (305) 444-3323. Hertz concentrates in complex marital and family law litigation and mediation.

Equity Land Title.(On the Move)
July 1, 2006... Equity Land Title a full service corporate title insurance company founded by principals in the law firm of Greenspoon Marder announced the opening of an Aventura office located at 18851 NE 29th Ave.

Srinivas R. Dantuluri joined Bovay, Cook & Ossi as an associate.(On the Move)
July 1, 2006... Srinivas R. Dantuluri joined Bovay, Cook & Ossi as an associate. Srinivas will focus his practice on estate, tax, and business planning.

Rebecca G. DiStefano joined Blank Rome's Boca Raton office.(On the Move)
July 1, 2006... Rebecca G. DiStefano joined Blank Rome's Boca Raton office as an associate in the business department.

Matthew Coglianese joined Peckar & Abramson's Miami office.(On the Move)
July 1, 2006... Matthew Coglianese joined Peckar & Abramson's Miami office and the head the firm's environmental law practice.

Kathleen E. Petersen joined Middleberg Riddle & Gianna's Baton Rouge office.(On the Move)
July 1, 2006... Kathleen E. Petersen joined Middleberg Riddle & Gianna's Baton Rouge office. Petersen's practice will focus on white collar and criminal defense of healthcare investigations and prosecutions.

Homer Duvall III.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2006... Homer Duvall HI of Holland & Knight's Tampa Office was recently named chair of the Title Insurance Committee of the Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section.

Brigham Young University's Utah Education Law Institute in Provo.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2006... Ronald G. Meyer of Tallahassee gave the keynote address to Brigham Young University's Utah Education Law Institute in Provo. Meyer's address was titled "The Florida Voucher Story," which addressed issues raised by Bush v. Holmes.