Florida Bar News articles from June 2003

Florida Bar News archives from June 2003

Courts feel budget ax.
June 1, 2003... As the final 2003-04 state budget took shape, Florida courts were facing drastic budget cuts, according to Sixth Judicial Circuit Judge Susan Schaeffer, chair of the Trial Court Budget Commission. "I'm disappointed. I think our cuts were...

Tampa lawyers process Iraqi prisoners of war.
June 1, 2003... The first tribunals of the Iraq war took place between April 15 and April 20, and for Tampa area attorneys/soldiers, Captains Daryl M. Manning, and Peter J. Molinelli, serving on the, tribunal panel with their British counterparts has been a...

Court sets rules for using senior judge.
June 1, 2003... Retired judges should be screened before they serve and be periodically reviewed, but they should also be allowed to serve anywhere in the state and may sit on complex cases, the Florida Supreme Court has ruled. In a May 1 opinion, the...

Bill expands AG's civil rights power.
June 1, 2003... Attorney General Charlie Crist would welcome expanded power to investigate and take civil action against civil rights discrimination, if a bill revived during the special session becomes law. "I think this is very important, significant...

Letters.
June 1, 2003... Mentoring I believe one of the best ways for us to make a difference is by becoming a mentor. As a city commissioner of Coral Springs I was instrumental in bringing about a policy that allows every city employee to donate an hour a...

Committee appointment process complete.
June 1, 2003... The new system of using only electronic applications to apply for Bar committee appointments worked beautifully this year, according to President-electMiles McGrane, who recently completed the task of appointing some 500 lawyers to the Bar's...

Valdespino wins 2003 ABA Pro Bono Publico Award.
June 1, 2003... Jacqueline Valdespino of Coconut Grove will receive one of the 2003 American Bar Association Pro Bono Publico Awards during the ABA Annual Meeting in San Francisco at a noon luncheon August 11 at the Moscone Center. ABA President Alfred P....

In memoriam.
June 1, 2003... Richard W. Cooney, Sarasota Admitted 1960; Died March 29,2003 Joseph Hal Forbes, Gainesville Admitted 1978; Died September 11,2002 Harvey R. Klein, Ocala Admitted 1949; Died April 14, 2003 Edgar Miller, Coral Gables Admitted 1959;...

Errata.
June 1, 2003... A story in the May 15 News about the Innocence Project at Florida State University misspelled the name of New York's Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, where the program that uses DNA tests to challenge convictions is based.

HIPAA adds steps to obtaining medical records.
June 1, 2003... There's more involved to getting medical records than just serving a subpoena, thanks to privacy regulations under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) that went into effect April 14. The new requirement for...

Paulson applies for Bar readmission.
June 1, 2003... Neil George Paulson, Sr., of Orlando has submitted an application for Bar readmission with the Florida Board of Bar Examiners. Paulson resigned in lieu of disciplinary proceedings under allegations that he appropriated funds from personal...

Evans petitions for Bar reinstatement.
June 1, 2003... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, William Earl Evans, Jr., has petitioned the Florida Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement. Evans was suspended from the practice of law for three years, effective May 2, 1997, for conspiracy to possess and distribute...

Hochman petitions for reinstatement.
June 1, 2003... Pursuant to Rule 3-7 10, Alan R. Hochman has petitioned the Florida Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement from two rehabilitative suspensions. The first suspension, effective July 28, 1997, was for a period of three years and resulted form...

Izquierdo petitions for reinstatement.
June 1, 2003... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, Alexis Izquierdo has petitioned the Florida Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement. Izquierdo was suspended for 18 months pursuant to court order dated May 17, 2001, as a result of a felony conviction. Any persons...

Hunter to lead Florida Board of Bar Examiners.
June 1, 2003... Having started her career in her last year at Florida State University College of Law as a clerk for Justice Ben Overton, Eleanor Hunter, the newly hired executive director of the Florida Board of Bar Examiners, says its feels as though her...

Hogenmuller to lead the FPAA.
June 1, 2003... John Hogenmuller has been named the executive director of the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association. Hogenmuller, who comes to the FPAA from the Office of the State Courts Administrator where he was with legal affairs and education for...

YLD board to fill 17th Circuit seat.
June 1, 2003... The Young Lawyers Division is now seeking applications to fill a 17th Judicial Circuit seat on its board of governors. Those interested should submit a letter requesting consideration to Austin Newberry, The Florida Bar, 651 E. Jefferson...

Panel studying rules seeks more comments.
June 1, 2003... The Special Committee to Review the ABA Model Rules 2002 has extended the deadline for comments on its interim report with proposed changes to the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar until July 15. The extension was made to allow any group...

Judge Jorgenson to be remembered June 20.
June 1, 2003... The Third District Court of Appeal will meet in ceremonial session June 20 to memorialize Judge James R. Jorgenson, according to Chief Judge Alan R. Schwartz Judge Jorgenson died May 11. The ceremonially session will begin at 3 p.m. at the...

International Law Section reschedules event.
June 1, 2003... The International Law Section program at the European Community Parliament in Brussels and the British Parliament in London has been rescheduled for August. For more information, contact Laurence D. Gore, chair of the International Law...

One-man show chronicles the life of Clarence Darrow.
June 1, 2003... A 48-star flag, three dark wooden chairs, a table, and dramatic flair will bring legendary defense lawyer Clarence Darrow to life at the Bar's Annual Meeting in Orlando. Actor Paul Morella plays Darrow in "A Passion for Justice: The...

Court amends family forms.
June 1, 2003... The Florida Supreme Court has changed several family law forms and approved four new forms on domestic violence issues. Ruling May 15, the court approved changes to the forms to conform with changes the legislature made in '2002 to F.S....

Lawmakers hash out workers' comp plan.
June 1, 2003... If the Florida Legislature managed to reach an agreement on workers' compensation legislation before the May 27 scheduled adjournment of its special session, it will have taken a lot of work. After failing to reach an agreement despite a...

Cancer claims Stetson's Vause.
June 1, 2003... Gary Vause, dean and vice president of Stetson University College of Law and a renowned legal scholar, died of cancer May 9 at his Gulfport home. Vause was 60. In late April, Dean Vause told a campus-wide gathering he would retire July 31...

Prison teaches ex-lawyer the dangers of 'insatiable greed'.
June 1, 2003... Ten months ago, Ed Leinster poured out his "riches to rags" story of going from prosperous Orlando criminal defense attorney to hopeless drunk, doing prison time for his seventh DUI, this time nearly killing a woman in a car crash, and finally...

Law limits homeowners' rights to sue contractors. (In Practice).
June 1, 2003... In the closing days of the 2003 session, the Florida Legislature adopted Senate Bill 1286 to require homeowners to give contractors 60 days written notice before filing a lawsuit for construction defects. If the governor signs the bill into...

Bar bestows awards for good legal journalism.
June 1, 2003... The Florida Bar has selected three media organizations as grand prize winners in the 48th Annual Media Awards competition. Four media organizations were also selected as honorable mentions. This year's grand prize winners are the...

Network Fund Assembly 2003. (News and Notes).
June 1, 2003... Jeffrey A. Grebe, of. Williams, Parker, Harrison, Dietz & Getzen, Sarasota, presented at the Knowledge Network Fund Assembly 2003 on the topic of AS IS and Other Related Disclaimers.

National Legal Aid & Defender Association. (News and Notes).
June 1, 2003... Frank S. Moseley, of Davis Polk & Wardwell, and Jose de Lasa of Abbott Laboratories, are recipients of the 2003 Exemplar Awards, presented by the National Legal Aid & Defender Association.

Shalloway & Shalloway. (News and Notes).
June 1, 2003... G. Mark Shalloway, of Shalloway & Shalloway, P.A., West Palm Beach, presented Why Every Senior Needs to Consult an Elder Law Attorney, at the third annual Interdisciplinary Gerontology Conference, hosted by Florida Atlantic University.

Florida Defense Lawyer Association. (News and Notes).
June 1, 2003... Lloyd Monroe, of Coppins & Monroe, P.A., Tallahassee, has been named chair of the labor/employment committee of the Florida Defense Lawyer Association.

Professional Association of Health Care Office Managers. (News and Notes).
June 1, 2003... Bruce D. Lamb, of Ruden, McClosky, Smith, Schuster & Russell, P.A., made three presentations to health care professionals in May. He spoke at the Professional Association of Health Care Office Managers annual meeting in New Port Richey, about...

Legacy. (News and Notes).
June 1, 2003... Richard Milstein, of Akerman Senterfitt, has been awarded The Professional Advisor of the Year Award by Leave a Legacy, a program of the Planned Giving Council of Miami-Dade County.

Suzanne Barto Hill. (News and Notes).
June 1, 2003... Suzanne Barto Hill, of Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell, PA, was named a member of the board of directors at the Downtown Orlando YMCA.

Geneva Companies Investment Bank. (News and Notes).
June 1, 2003... Carlos J. Deupi, of Akerman Senterfitt; was a faculty speaker in Miami at a conference titled Selling Your Business for the Most Profit: How... When... and Why, co-sponsored by the Geneva Companies Investment Bank and Clemson University. He...

National Business Institute seminar in Tampa. (News and Notes).
June 1, 2003... Mark D. Hildreth, a share holder with Abel Band, conducted a presentation on the topic of Bankruptcy and the Secured Creditor, at a National Business Institute seminar in Tampa.

Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International. (News and Notes).
June 1, 2003... William Shepherd, of Richman Greer Weil Brumbaugh Mirabito & Christensen, P.A., was a featured speaker at the annual meeting of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International in New Orleans. He presented on Business...

American Bar Associations. (News and Notes).
June 1, 2003... Dennis G. Kainen, of Weisberg and Kainen, Miami, was honored by the Ronald McDonald House of Miami as one of its. "Twelve Good Men" for 2003 for his service to the community. Additionally his article, "When the IRS Comes Knocking," was...

U.S. District Court. (News and Notes).
June 1, 2003... Manuel Dobrinsky, a partner of Freidin & Brown, P.A., Miami, has been appointed to the Ad Hoc Committee on Attorney Admissions, Peer Review, and Attorney Grievance for the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Florida.

University of Central Florida Technology. (News and Notes).
June 1, 2003... Christine Q. McLeod, a shareholder with Beusse Brownlee Bowdoin & Wolter, P.A., Orlando, presented Top Ten Misconceptions About Patents: What Every Entrepreneur Should Know, as part of the University of Central Florida Technology Incubator...

Conquering Complex Legal Writing. (News and Notes).
June 1, 2003... Daniella Friedman, of Astigarraga Davis, addressed paralegals, legal assistants, legal secretaries, and other support staff providing information on advanced legal drafting. The seminar, held in Miami, covered topics ranging from Conquering...

Palm Beach County Bar Association. (News and Notes).
June 1, 2003... Scott Murray, a partner of Ricci Leopold, West Palm Beach, was elected to the board of directors of the Palm Beach County Bar Association.

Malpractice Liability Risk. (News and Notes).
June 1, 2003... Brett Alan Panter, of Panter, Panter & Saxnpedro, PA., Miami, spoke to doctors from the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists on the topic of Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia: The Number One Malpractice Liability Risk in Cardiac Surgery....

Aventura Hospital and Medical Center. (News and Notes).
June 1, 2003... Norman Leopold, a partner of Leopold, Korn & Leopold, P.A., has been appointed chair of the board of trustees of Aventura Hospital and Medical Center.

Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners. (News and Notes).
June 1, 2003... David M. Caldevilla, shareholder at de In Parte and Gilbert, P.A., Tampa, was appointed by the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners to serve as hearing officer to preside over administrative hearings concerning water and wastewater...

Liberty Fund colloquium Environmental Problems. (News and Notes).
June 1, 2003... Harvey E. Oyer III, of Gunster Yoakley, West Palm Beach, participated in the Liberty Fund colloquium Environmental Problems, Human Nature, and Liberty.

Orlando's Working Committee on Homelessness. (News and Notes).
June 1, 2003... Terry Delahunty, of Foley & Lardner, Orlando, was appointed co-chair for the City of Orlando's Working Committee on Homelessness.

Fowler White Boggs Banker. (On the Move).
June 1, 2003... Andrea E. Zelman has joined Fowler White Boggs Banker, with offices at 501 E. Kennedy Blvd., Ste. 1700, Tampa 33602, telephone (813) 228-7411. She concentrates in the areas of land use and environmental law.

Leonard & Morrison. (On the Move).
June 1, 2003... William F. Leonard, Richard W. Morrison, and C. Glenn Leonard announce the relocation of the Law Offices of Leonard & Morrison to 1995 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Ste. 105, Ft. Lauderdale 33306, telephone (954) 776-3600.

McClain & Alfonso. (On the Move).
June 1, 2003... R. Elliott Dunn, Jr., formerly of Wesley Chapel, Tampa, has become associated with McClain & Alfonso, with offices at 37908 Church Ave., P.O. Box 4, Dade City 33526, telephone (352) 567-5636.

Waldman Feluren & Trigoboff P.A. (On the Move).
June 1, 2003... Scott M. Behren has been named a partner of Waldman Feluren & Trigoboff P.A., with offices located at 2200 North Commerce Parkway, Suite 202, Weston 33326, telephone (954) 467-8600. He practices in the areas of commercial, franchise,...

Immigration & Naturalizanon Service. (On the Move).
June 1, 2003... Karin Guttormsen-Compitiello, former assistant district counsel for the U.S. Department of Justice, Immigration & Naturalizanon Service, announces the formation of the Law Offices of Karin GuttormsenCompitiello, P.A., with offices at 600 N....

12th Judicial Circuit. (On the Move).
June 1, 2003... S. Mathew Whyte, former assistant state attorney in the 12th Judicial Circuit, has joined The Law Offices of Steven G. Lavely, with offices at 101 Riverfront Blvd., Ste. 120, Bradenton 34205, telephone (941) 747-7994. He concentrates in the...

Broad and Cassel. (On the Move).
June 1, 2003... Michael P. Infanti has joined Broad and Cassel with offices at 390 N. Orange Ave., Ste. 1100, Orlando 32801, telephone (407) 839-4200. He joins the firm's real estate practice group. Maureen McCarthy Daughton has joined Broad and Cassel...

Kaplan & Berlin. (On the Move).
June 1, 2003... Michael Nearing, Peter Shapiro, and Robyn Spalter have been named members of Kiuger, Peretz, Kaplan & Berlin, P.L., with offices at The Miami Center, 201 5. Biscayne Blvd., 17th Floor, Miami 33131, telephone (305) 379-9000. Nearing concentrates...

Lewis & Cabrera. (On the Move).
June 1, 2003... Raul M. Cabrera, Cedric E. Lewis, and Karen I. Meeks announce the opening of Meeks, Lewis & Cabrera, P.A., with offices in Winter Haven and at 1125 E. Main St., Bartow 33830, telephone (863) 534-8300. Cabrera practices in workers' compensation,...

Wicker Law Firm. (On the Move).
June 1, 2003... Vivianne A. Wicker announces the formation of Wicker Law Firm, P.A., with offices located at Alhambra International Center, 255 Alhambra Circle, Ste. 560, Coral Gables 33134, telephone (305) 446-5152. Jaime A. Pozo, Peter J. Egan, and Julie L....

Noey & Fannin. (On the Move).
June 1, 2003... John F. "Buck" Fannin has retired from Dore, Lanier, Noey & Fannin, changing the firm's name to Dore, Lanier & Noey, with offices at 76 5. Laura St., Ste. 1701, Jacksonville 32202, telephone (904) 358-7881.

McGee & Powers. (On the Move).
June 1, 2003... Joshua C. Canton, formerly of Bussey, White, McDonough & Freeman, P.A., has become associated with McGee & Powers, P.A., with offices at 201 E. Pine St., Ste. 700, Orlando 32801, telephone (407) 422-5742. He concentrates in the area of...

Armbrecht Jackson. (On the Move).
June 1, 2003... David E. Hudgens, formerly with Armbrecht Jackson in Mobile, Alabama, announces the opening of David E. Hudgens, LLC, with offices at P.O. Box, 1574, 28311 N. Main St., Ste. B-200, Daphne, Alabama 36526, telephone (251) 625-3011.

Title First Agency. (On the Move).
June 1, 2003... Susan M. Quinlan, formerly of Fowler White Boggs Banker, Tampa, has joined Title First Agency, Inc., with offices at 555 5. Front St., #400, Columbus, Ohio 43215, telephone (614) 224-9207. She concentrates in corporate law.

Angela Bucci Weekes. (On the Move).
June 1, 2003... Angela Bucci Weekes announces the opening of Angela Bucci Weekes, P.A., with offices at One E. Broward Blvd., Ste. 609, Ft. Lauderdale 33301, telephone (954)4635550. She concentrates in bankruptcy, immigration,,criminal, and tax and estate...

Upchurch Watson White & Max. (On the Move).
June 1, 2003... Warren H. Cobb and Charles M. Harris, formerly Fifth District Court of Appeals judges, have been appointed to the mediation panel of Upchurch Watson White & Max, with offices in Miami, Daytona Beach, and Maitland.

Starnes & Holt. (On the Move).
June 1, 2003... L. David Sims has joined Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., with offices at 1715 Monroe St., P.O. Box 280, Ft. Myers 33902, telephone (239) 334-4121. He concentrates in marital and family law.

Steel Hector & Davis. (On the Move).
June 1, 2003... Richard B. Celler and D. Daniel Sokol have joined Steel Hector & Davis, with offices at 200 5. Biscayne Blvd, 41st Floor, Miami 33131, telephone (305) 577-7000. Celler joins the labor and employment group and Sokol joins the international trade...

Carlton Fields. (On the Move).
June 1, 2003... Beth A. Vecchioli has joined Carlton Fields, with offices at 215 5. Monroe St., Ste. 500, Tallahassee 32302, telephone (850) 224-1585. She joins the government law and consulting practice group.

Holland & Knight LLP. (On the Move).
June 1, 2003... Lawrence N. Curtin has been appointed to serve as executive partner of Holland & Knight LLP, with offices at 315S. Calhoun St., Ste. 600, Tallahassee 32301, telephone (850) 224-7000. He practices in the finn's real estate, environmental and...

Akerman Senterfitt. (On the Move).
June 1, 2003... Brian J. Gavsie has joined Akerman Senterfitt, with offices at One S.E. Third Ave., 28th Floor, Miami 33131, telephone (305) 374-5600. He practices in mergers and acquisitions, securities, and general corporate matters.

Morrison & Mills. (On the Move).
June 1, 2003... Brian D. Treby, former attorney-advisor in the U.S. Tax Court in Washington, D.C., has joined Morrison & Mills, P.A. with offices at 1200 W. Platt St., Ste. 100, Tampa 33606, telephone (813) 258-3311. The firm concentrates in the areas of...

Gunster Yoakley. (On the Move).
June 1, 2003... David C. Scileppi has become an associate of Gunster Yoakley, with offices at Broward Financial Centre, 500 E. Broward Blvd., Ste. 1400, Ft. Lauderdale 33394, telephone (954) 462-2000. He joins the firm's corporate department.

10th Circuit Public Defender's Office. (On the Move).
June 1, 2003... D. Tracy Thornhill, Jr., formerly with Hardin & Murphy, P.A., Lakeland, has joined the 10th Circuit Public Defender's Office, with offices in Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties.

William Wohlsifer, P.A. (On the Move).
June 1, 2003... Amy Meredith Scharf has become associated with William Wohlsifer, P.A., with offices at 319 Clematis St., Ste. 811, West Palm Beach 33401, telephone (561) 655- - 5144. She concentrates in the areas of condominium law and commercial litigation.

Buchanan Ingersoll. (On the Move).
June 1, 2003... Dale S. Bergman, formerly of Broad and Cassel, has joined Buchanan Ingersoll, with offices at Bank of America Tower, 100 S.E. Second St., Ste. 2100, Miami 33131, telephone (305) 933-2391. He practices in corporate finance and commercial...

Kirkpatrick & Lockhart. (On the Move).
June 1, 2003... Elizabeth Ynigo and Michael Moore have joined Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, LLP, with offices at Miami Center, 20th Floor, 201 S. Biscayne Blvd., Miami 33131, telephone (305) 539-3300. Ynigo practices in commercial litigation, banking litigation,...

American Bar Association's Business Law Section. (News and Notes).
June 1, 2003... Robert C. Brighton, Jr., and Theresa Van Vliet, partners with Ruden, McCloskyf, Smith, Schuster & Russell, P.A., participated in a one-day program for accountants and attorneys with clients in the financial services and/or health care industry....

Hebrew College. (News and Notes).
June 1, 2003... Mitchell B. Kirschner, a partner with Hodgson Russ, LLP, has been elected chair of the board of Hebrew College South.

Dade County Bar Young Lawyers Section. (News and Notes).
June 1, 2003... Mike Eiglarsh, a partner with Robbins, Tunkey, Ross, Amsel, Raben, Waxman & Eiglarsh, P.A., Miami, and Brian Tannenbaum, of Tannenbaum, Planas and Weiss, LLP, presented the third annual What Every Civil Attorney Should Know About Criminal Law...

Wellington Village Council. (News and Notes).
June 1, 2003... Laurie Stilwell Cohen, of Becker & Poliakoff, P.A., was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Wellington Village Council.

American College of Construction Lawyers. (News and Notes).
June 1, 2003... J. Bert Grandoff was elected president-elect of the American College of Construction Lawyers at its meeting in Carlsbad, California.

American Arbitration Association's Advanced Mediation Skills. (News and Notes).
June 1, 2003... Tom Scarritt, president of Scarritt Law Group, Tampa, participated in the American Arbitration Association's Advanced Mediation Skills Seminar to teach lawyers, arbitrators, and mediators about What Trial Lawyers Hate About Mediators. He...

OSI Portfolio Services, Inc. (News and Notes).
June 1, 2003... Don Fitzgerald, senior vice president and division counsel of OSI Portfolio Services, Inc., in Duluth, Georgia, gave a seminar at the Annual Debt Buyers Conference in Las Vegas. His topic was contractual issues in the purchase and sale of...

Stetson University College of Law. (News and Notes).
June 1, 2003... Peter L. Fitzgerald, professor of law at Stetson University College of Law, has been awarded a Fulbright Scholar grant to lecture at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland during the 2003-04 academic year.

Palm Beach. (News and Notes).
June 1, 2003... Michael McAuliffe, of Rosenberg & McAuliffe, PL, West Palm Beach, was elected as a member of the board of directors of the Palm Beach Fellowship of Christians and Jews.

Public Accommodations Under the Americans with Disabilities Act. (News and Notes).
June 1, 2003... Ann Marie Estevez, of Morgan Lewis, Miami, has authored the 2003 edition of Public Accommodations Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, a compliance and litigation manual.