Florida Bar News articles from July 2008

Florida Bar News archives from July 2008

Board backs access rule for the disabled.
July 1, 2008... A procedural rule clarifying the process for disabled Floridians to gain access to state courts has been endorsed by the Bar Board of Governors and is being forwarded to the Supreme Court. After an extensive discussion, the board lent its...

Court allows judges more fundraising flexibility.
July 1, 2008... The Supreme Court has loosened certain restrictions on fundraising activities by judges. A divided 4-3 court adopted changes put forth by the Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee that maintain the current Florida Code of Judicial Conduct...

A work-of-art courtroom.(Dade County Courthouse)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ELEVENTH CIRCUIT JUDGE SCOTT SILVERMAN, courthouse historian, savors the details of refinished high-beam wood ceilings adorned with carved daisies in Courtroom 6-1 at the Dade County Courthouse. The historic...

Family Law Section often on the cutting edge of emerging issues.
July 1, 2008... Amy Hamlin, member of The Florida Bar's Family Law Section Executive Council, sometimes meets people who don't really understand what it is that family lawyers do. To make things simple, she'll tell them that she does a lot of divorces, and...

Board certification.
July 1, 2008... Board Certification The Bar's Board Certification program is celebrating its 25th anniversary. There are now 22 certification areas in Florida, and more than 4,000 Bar members are board-certified. Here is a look at the top six...

All Bar legislative positions sunset: board told money will again be the big issue next year.
July 1, 2008... Bar, section, and Bar committee legislative positions have expired with the end of the 2007-08 fiscal year, and the Legislation Committee is reminding sections and committees to review which positions they wish to renew for the 2008-10...

Business Law Section to assume lawyer-CPA relations panel duties.(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... A proposal to sunset the Committee on Relations with CPAs and the FICPA (Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants) has been approved by the Board of Governors, and the Business Law Section is setting up a new panel that will assume the...

Soto joins court's JMC.(Alex Soto of the Judicial Management Council)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Miami businessman Alex Soto today was named to the Florida state courts' Judicial Management Council, the chief advisory body created more than a decade ago to allow two-way communication between the third branch of state government and the...

Legal guide for new adults.(Legal Roundup)
July 1, 2008... Legal Guide for New Adults: Seniors at Wolfson High in Jacksonville were recently provided with "Legal Guides for New Adults," a public service of The Florida Bar, made possible through a grant from The Florida Bar Foundation to the Florida Law...

Jax YLS plans reception.(Legal Roundup)
July 1, 2008... Jax YLS Plans Reception: The Young Lawyers Section of the Jacksonville Bar Association is hosting its Annual Meeting and Summer Associate Reception July 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Cummer Museum. To RSVP for the event, contact the Jacksonville...

20 years of pro bono.(Legal Roundup)(The Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... 20 Years of Pro Bono: The Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County celebrated the 20th Anniversary of its Annual Pro Bono Recognition Evening by hosting a "Roaring '20s" event at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. The event raised over...

Goldfarb to lead FIAC.(Legal Roundup)
July 1, 2008... Goldfarb to Lead FIAC: The Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center has named its board of directors for the 2008-09 term, including President Carl Goldfarb, Vice President John de Leon, Treasurer Nancy Audain Allen, and Secretary Jane Herron.

FAMU honors pioneer.(Legal Roundup)(Gwendolyn Sawyer Cherry of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... FAMU Honors Pioneer: The first lecture hall to be dedicated at the Florida A&M College of Law has been named after Gwendolyn Sawyer Cherry, who received both her undergraduate and juris doctor degrees from FAMU. Before attending FAMU's law...

Brevard YLD aids charities.(Legal Roundup)
July 1, 2008... Brevard YLD Aids Charities: The Brevard County Bar Young Lawyers' Division capped off a year of charitable giving by teaming with the Brevard Bar Foundation to benefit two charities. In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the YLD...

Manatee bar and the rule of law.(Legal Roundup)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Manatee Bar and the Rule of Law: 12th Circuit Judge Janette Dunnigan, State Attorney Earl Moreland, Jr., and Public Defender Elliott Metcalfe, Jr., were the keynote speakers for the Manatee County Bar Association's 2008 Law Day observance...

The Orange County Bar.(Brief article)(Photograph)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: THE ORANGE COUNTY BAR recently installed its new officers, including, from the left, Thomas A. Zehnder, secretary; Jessica K. Hew, treasurer; Diego "Woody" Rodriguez, president-elect; Tad A. Yates,...

Administrative Law Judge June C. McKinney.(Brief article)(Photograph)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE JUNE C. MCKINNEY recently received the Richard W. Ervin Equal Justice Award for her lifelong dedication to serving Florida's justice system from the Capital City Bar Presidents'...

Proposed board actions.(Notices)
July 1, 2008... 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 25 meeting in Clearwater Beach on the following items. These matters are...

Proposed traffic court rules.(Notices)(Table)
July 1, 2008... The Traffic Court Rules Committee invites comment on the proposed three-year cycle amendments to the Florida Traffic Court Rules shown below. After reviewing comments received in response to this publication, the committee will make its final...

Bar makes a host of appointments.
July 1, 2008... From the ABA House of Delegates to Florida's Medical Malpractice Joint Underwriting Association, the Bar Board of Governors made a variety of appointments at its May 30 meeting in Key West The board elected outgoing Bar President Frank...

Court funding.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2008... Let's face facts. Legislators, with one hand, continue to criminalize everything they believe will make them shine before their constituents and then, with the other hand, slash the criminal justice system to the bone, for the same reason. ...

Justice scalia.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2008... In his June 1 letter to the editor titled, "Justice Scalia," Randy Ludacer wants to know what constitutional provision grants authority to the U.S. Supreme Court to interpret the Constitution. I believe the answer to his question is found in...

Lungstrum petitions for Bar reinstatement.(Gregory F. Lungstrum)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, Gregory F. Lungstrum of Shalimar has petitioned the Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement. Any persons having knowledge bearing upon Lungstrum's fitness or qualifications to resume the practice of law should contact...

11th Circuit board seat available.
July 1, 2008... Executive Director John F. Harkness, Jr., has announced a vacancy on The Florida Bar Board of Governors created by the resignation of 11th Circuit board member Jennifer Coberly, due to her relocation. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Coberly was...

Kaplan petitions for Bar reinstatement.(Jonathan Russell Kaplan)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, Jonathan Russell Kaplan of West Palm Beach has petitioned the Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement. Pursuant to August 30, 2007, order of the Supreme Court, Kaplan was suspended for six months, effective October 1,...

Steinberg petitions for reinstatement.(Gregg Adam Steinberg)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, Gregg Adam Steinberg has petitioned the Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement. Pursuant to an order from the Supreme Court, Steinberg was suspended from the practice of law for 91 days, effective March 10, 2008, for...

Muelle petitions for Bar reinstatement.(Alejandro Muelle)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, Alejandro Muelle has petitioned the Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement. The Supreme Court suspended Muelle for two years effective June 21, 2004, as a result of shortages in his trust account resulting from his...

Proposed rules for 'Jimmy Ryce' proceedings.(Notice)
July 1, 2008... The Florida Supreme Court's Criminal Court Steering Committee has submitted to the court proposed rules of procedure for "Jimmy Ryce" proceedings, which the committee has titled the "Florida Rules of Civil Procedure for Involuntary Commitment...

Luks Santaniello Perez Petrillo & Gold.(On the Move)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Luks Santaniello Perez Petrillo & Gold announces that six attorneys have joined its South and Central Florida offices. Sherri Bauer has joined the Palm Beach office. Marie Montefusco and John Wein have joined the Ft. Lauderdale office. Michael...

Hunton & Williams.(On the Move)
July 1, 2008... The Miami office of Hunton & Williams has added five associates to the firm, including Adam Deckinger, who focuses on contract disputes, class actions, business torts, securities, and antitrust litigation; Jennifer Kennedy, who practices...

Jim Van has joined Cowden Law in its North Palm Beach office as an associate.(On the Move)
July 1, 2008... Jim Van has joined Cowden Law in its North Palm Beach office as an associate, practicing immigration and family law in addition to assisting in the firm's commercial litigation and personal injury business.

Adorno & Yoss.(On the Move)
July 1, 2008... Osvaldo F. Torres, Fernando M. Socol, and Craig L. Montz have been named partners with Adorno & Yoss. Torres practices corporate, commercial, and entertainment law. Socol concentrates his practice on immigration law and related corporate...

Dustin N. Dailey of Freeport has joined Burke Blue Hutchison Walters and Smith.(On the Move)
July 1, 2008... Dustin N. Dailey of Freeport has joined Burke Blue Hutchison Walters and Smith. He is maintaining office hours in both the Panama City and Sandestin offices. Dailey concentrates in real estate transactions and disputes, contract law, government...

Richard E. Brodsky has joined Tabas, Freedman, Soloff & Miller in Miami as a partner.(On the Move)
July 1, 2008... Richard E. Brodsky has joined Tabas, Freedman, Soloff & Miller in Miami as a partner. The firm focuses on bankruptcy law, creditors' rights, business reorganization, and commercial litigation.

Amy Beller has established The Beller Law Firm, located at 2101 NW Corporate Blvd., Suite 306, in Boca Raton.(On the Move)
July 1, 2008... Amy Beller has established The Beller Law Firm, located at 2101 NW Corporate Blvd., Suite 306, in Boca Raton. The firm handles will, trust, and estate contests; challenges to lifetime gifts; disputes over joint accounts; and nonlitigation...

The Padula Law Firm.(On the Move)
July 1, 2008... The Padula Law Firm has expanded and moved its office to 365 East Palmetto Park Road in Boca Raton. Telephone: (561) 544-8900; Fax (561) 544-8999; Web www. padulalawfirm.com.

Cristina Diaz-Padron and Elizabeth Laffitte-Bailey have joined the Law Offices of Rodriguez, Aronson, Essington & Ross.(On the Move)
July 1, 2008... Cristina Diaz-Padron and Elizabeth Laffitte-Bailey have joined the Law Offices of Rodriguez, Aronson, Essington & Ross. Both Diaz-Padron and Laffitte-Bailey concentrate in the areas of civil litigation including personal injury, wrongful death,...

Boyd & Jenerette, with offices in Jacksonville and Ft. Lauderdale, has opened a new office in Savannah, Georgia.(On the Move)
July 1, 2008... Boyd & Jenerette, with offices in Jacksonville and Ft. Lauderdale, has opened a new office in Savannah, Georgia. Catherine M. Bowman and Paul A. Gilker have joined the firm as of counsel. The Web site is www. boyd-jenerette.com.

Sessums & Sessums has opened new offices in Lakeland and Sebring.(On the Move)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Sessums & Sessums has opened new offices in Lakeland and Sebring. The firm concentrates in personal injury and wrongful death; general civil law; marital and family law; business and banking law; appellate law and representation of professional...

Kristopher Aungst has joined Berger Singerman in Miami as an associate.(On the Move)
July 1, 2008... Kristopher Aungst has joined Berger Singerman in Miami as an associate. He will practice with the firm's business reorganization team.

Andrew M. Bucher has formed Andrew M. Bucher, P.A., in Coral Springs, a general practice firm.(On the Move)
July 1, 2008... Andrew M. Bucher has formed Andrew M. Bucher, P.A., in Coral Springs, a general practice firm. Bucher also has joined The Mediation Group, Inc., as a certified civil circuit mediator. He can be reached at (954) 719-4141 or...

Carlton Fields.(On the Move)
July 1, 2008... Carlton Fields has completed its West Palm Beach office relocation to the CityPlace Tower, located at 525 Okeechobee Blvd.

Hugh E. McGuire has joined Harrison, Kirkland, Pratt & Chulock in Bradenton, which will now be known as Harrison, Kirkland, Pratt, Chulock & McGuire.(On the Move)
July 1, 2008... Hugh E. McGuire has joined Harrison, Kirkland, Pratt & Chulock in Bradenton, which will now be known as Harrison, Kirkland, Pratt, Chulock & McGuire. McGuire practices in the area of governmental affairs, land use and development law,...

Roetzel & Andress.(On the Move)
July 1, 2008... Thomas P. Wert has been made partner-in-charge of the Orlando office of Roetzel & Andress.

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart.(On the Move)
July 1, 2008... Barnett Q. Brooks has assumed the role of managing shareholder for Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart's Tampa office.

Matthew Feil has joined Akerman Senterfitt as of counsel in the firm's policy practice in Tallahassee.(On the Move)
July 1, 2008... Matthew Feil has joined Akerman Senterfitt as of counsel in the firm's policy practice in Tallahassee. His consulting and litigation practice focuses on water, telecommunications, and technology sectors.

Michael T. Haire has joined Kubicki Draper in Orlando as a shareholder.(On the Move)
July 1, 2008... Michael T. Haire has joined Kubicki Draper in Orlando as a shareholder. He practices litigation primarily in the areas ofconstruction, commercial, realtor liability, and personal injury defense.

Mayte C. Cabada has joined Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrere & Denegre.(On the Move)
July 1, 2008... Mayte C. Cabada has joined Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrere & Denegre in Miami as special counsel in the health care industry group within the business and finance practice group.

Suzannah Gilman has opened the The Law Office of Suzannah Gilman.(On the Move)
July 1, 2008... Suzannah Gilman has opened the The Law Office of Suzannah Gilman, located at 283 Cranes Roost Boulevard, Suite 111, Altamonte Springs 32701, phone (407) 339-2300, fax: (407) 834-7558, Web site www.gilmanlaw. net, and e-mail...

Brandon J. Douglas, formerly a partner at Sachs & Sax, has opened his solo practice, Brandon J. Douglas, P.A.(On the Move)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Brandon J. Douglas, formerly a partner at Sachs & Sax, has opened his solo practice, Brandon J. Douglas, P.A., located at Boca Palm Professional Plaza, 6971 North Federal Highway, Suite 105, Boca Raton 33487, phone (561) 994-5583, fax (561)...

Christy Montoto has joined Kubicki Draper in Tampa as an associate.(On the Move)
July 1, 2008... Christy Montoto has joined Kubicki Draper in Tampa as an associate. She practices in the areas of automobile and premises liability, construction defects, mold, trucking, products liability, and medical malpractice.

Peter J. Porcaro joined Kubicki Draper's Fort Lauderdale office.(On the Move)
July 1, 2008... Peter J. Porcaro joined Kubicki Draper's Fort Lauderdale office as an associate concentrating in both workers' compensation and general defense litigation.

Rick C. Nutter, Jr., has joined Kubicki Draper as an associate in the Tampa office.(On the Move)
July 1, 2008... Rick C. Nutter, Jr., has joined Kubicki Draper as an associate in the Tampa office. His practice consists of civil trial and litigation defense.

Nicole V. Hessen has joined Rosenthal, Levy & Simon in West Palm Beach.(On the Move)
July 1, 2008... Nicole V. Hessen has joined Rosenthal, Levy & Simon in West Palm Beach. She concentrates her practice on the representation of injured workers and their families.

Paul Shorstein and Jeremy Lasnetski have opened up the Jacksonville law firm of Shorstein & Lasnetski, which will focus its practice in the areas of state and federal criminal defense, family law, and personal injury.(On the Move)
July 1, 2008... Paul Shorstein and Jeremy Lasnetski have opened up the Jacksonville law firm of Shorstein & Lasnetski, which will focus its practice in the areas of state and federal criminal defense, family law, and personal injury. Shorstein is also licensed...

Colleen M. Fitzgerald has joined Carlton Fields in Tampa.(On the Move)
July 1, 2008... Colleen M. Fitzgerald has joined Carlton Fields in Tampa as an associate in the government law and consulting and real property litigation practice groups.

Veniese A. Wilkinson has joined Rosenthal, Levy & Simon in West Palm Beach.(On the Move)
July 1, 2008... Veniese A. Wilkinson has joined Rosenthal, Levy & Simon in West Palm Beach. She concentrates her practice on the representation of injured workers and their families.

Angela Lipscomb has joined Broad and Cassel in Ft. Lauderdale.(On the Move)
July 1, 2008... Angela Lipscomb has joined Broad and Cassel in Ft. Lauderdale as an associate in the commercial litigation practice group.

Michael C. Marsh has rejoined Akerman Senterfitt in Miami as a shareholder.(On the Move)
July 1, 2008... Michael C. Marsh has rejoined Akerman Senterfitt in Miami as a shareholder. Marsh's practice focuses on commercial and employment litigation.

Christine Lamia has joined the Tallahassee office of Bryant Miller Olive.(On the Move)
July 1, 2008... Christine Lamia has joined the Tallahassee office of Bryant Miller Olive as the chair of the firm's statewide litigation practice group.

Adam S. Tanenbaum has joined the Lauro Law Firm in Tampa as senior counsel.(On the Move)
July 1, 2008... Adam S. Tanenbaum has joined the Lauro Law Firm in Tampa as senior counsel. Tanenbaum will practice in the areas of white collar criminal defense, and appellate and commercial litigation.

H. Scott Fingerhut.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] H. Scott Fingerhut was named "Professor of the Year" at Florida International University College of Law, where he serves as assistant director of the trial advocacy program.

Rebecca C. Morgan.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2008... Rebecca C. Morgan, director of the Center for Excellence in Elder Law at Stetson University College of Law, received a 14th Annual Theresa Award.

John Upchurch.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2008... John Upchurch of Upchurch Watson White & Max in Daytona Beach was a guest lecturer at Warsaw University's law school, addressing case preparation negotiations and mediation skills. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Neil Rambana of Rambana & Ricci Immigration Attorneys in Tallahassee was elected vice president of the St. Maarten Foundation.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2008... Neil Rambana of Rambana & Ricci Immigration Attorneys in Tallahassee was elected vice president of the St. Maarten Foundation and appointed to the board of the Girl Scout Council of the Apalachee Bend.

James B. Baldinger.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] James B. Baldinger of Carlton Fields in West Palm Beach served as moderator of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County's breakfast program, "The Florida Legislature: How the 2008 Legislative Session Impacts Real...

Hunton & Williams.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2008... Thomas Julin of Hunton & Williams in Miami has been named the firm's pro bono chair and will lead the office in all of its pro bono legal efforts. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Bennett H. Brummer.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2008... Retiring Public Defender Bennett H. Brummer was recently honored by the Miami-Dade County Commission by having the 11th Circuit Public Defender Office named the "Bennett H. Brummer Building."

Jason D. Lazarus.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2008... Jason D. Lazarus of Holland & Knight in West Palm Beach received the And Justice for All Award from the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County in recognition of his pro bono work. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Brian Pabian.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2008... Brian Pabian of Luks Santaniello Perez Petrillo & Gold recently lectured on 2008 PIP Statutory changes to insurance adjusters in South Florida.

University of South Florida Center.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2008... Jason Liu, with Fowler White Boggs Banker, has been appointed to the University of South Florida Center for Entrepreneurship's Advisory Board. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Michael S. O'Neal.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2008... Michael S. O'Neal of Howell & O'Neal in Jacksonville has become a certified mediator.

Twyla Sketchley.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2008... Twyla Sketchley, a board certified elder law attorney, spoke to senior citizens attending Emancipation Day Celebration activities at Wakulla Springs State Park in May about advance directives and elder law issues to celebrate National Elder Law...

Thomas R. (Rob) Shahady II.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2008... Thomas R. (Rob) Shahady II, of Adorno & Yoss in Ft. Lauderdale was n a m e d the 2008 Man of the Year by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

American Board of Trial Advocates.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2008... Samuel P. King of Dellecker, Wilson, King, McKenna & Ruffier has been elected secretary of the Central Florida Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates.

Sandy D'Alemberte.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sandy D'Alemberte was honored by the International Academy of Mediators with its Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in developing the alternative dispute resolution movement. He also delivered the commencement...

David M. Caldevilla.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2008... David M. Caldevilla of de la Parte & Gilbert in Tampa was presented with the "Chair Service Award" for outstanding service to the City, County, and Local Government Law Section of The Florida Bar. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

H.T. Smith.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2008... H.T. Smith of Miami was recently presented the Award of Excellence by the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund. The award was presented at the fund's first annual banquet, held in South Florida.

Historical Museum of Southern Florida Board of Trustees.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Leslie J. Lott of Lott & Friedland in Coral Gables and Ft. Lauderdale has been appointed to the Historical Museum of Southern Florida Board of Trustees.

Daniel J. Santaniello and Paul Jones of Luks Santaniello Perez Petrillo & Gold recently spoke to members of the Insurance Society of Philadelphia.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2008... Daniel J. Santaniello and Paul Jones of Luks Santaniello Perez Petrillo & Gold recently spoke to members of the Insurance Society of Philadelphia on Florida claims legal and ethical updates.

South Palm Beach County Bar Association.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2008... Michael D. Mopsick of Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs' Boca Raton office was installed as president of the South Palm Beach County Bar Association. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Mark Eiglarsh.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Mark Eiglarsh of Miami emceed the Big Brothers Big Sisters "Big Impact Breakfast" on South Beach. Eiglarsh has served on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters for the past decade. He was also recently reelected to...

Joel B. Rothman.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2008... Joel B. Rothman of Boca Raton recently spoke at "E-Discovery, an A-Z Workshop" in Miami on the topics of electronic discovery "Meet and Confer" conferences and the use of computer forensics in litigation. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Erin Berger of Snell Legal in Ormond Beach has been elected to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Volusia/Flagler counties advisory board.(News and Notes)
July 1, 2008... Erin Berger of Snell Legal in Ormond Beach has been elected to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Volusia/Flagler counties advisory board. Berger has also joined the Volusia/ Flagler Association for Women Lawyers Board of Directors. ...