Florida Bar News articles from June 2005

Florida Bar News archives from June 2005

Supreme Court adopts new MJP standards; the rules limit pro hac vice appearances to three in a 365-day period.
June 1, 2005... A Florida Bar and judicial administration rules package covering the multijurisdictional practice of law, including a limitation that out-of-state lawyers may not make more than three pro hac vice appearances in a 365-day period, has been...

Bar launches new look Web site; Floridabar.org also now has improved navigation and search facilities.
June 1, 2005... It only took three clicks to get Dorothy from Oz back to Kansas. A similar goal was set while undertaking the redesign of the Bar's Web site: The user should be able to reach most destinations on the Bar's Web site in three clicks or less. ...

Reactions mixed to court system funding plan.
June 1, 2005... Court system employees are getting a raise; county court judges are getting an even bigger raise; an information system for judges got funding, but state attorneys and public defenders say they didn't get enough money for new staff or to adjust...

After nearly 40 years.
June 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: AFTER NEARLY 40 YEARS, Florida A&M once again bestowed law degrees when the university held its recent commencement. The last class of the FAMU College of Law graduated in 1968 after the state failed to...

When it was all said and done, legislators add 55 new judges; that's half the number wanted and they all will be appointed.
June 1, 2005... Florida's courts will get 35 new circuit judges and 20 new county judges following action by the Florida Legislature in the closing days of its 2005 regular session. That is half of the 110 new judges certifled as needed by the Florida...

House honors Henry Latimer.
June 1, 2005... The Florida House of Representatives passed a resolution honoring the memory of Henry Latimer, a former circuit judge in Broward County and a member of The Florida Bar Board of Governors, who died in a car crash in January. HR 9075,...

Comp Claims JNC taking applications.
June 1, 2005... The Statewide Nominating Commission for Compensation Claims Judges is now accepting applications for one attorney from the territorial jurisdiction of the Fourth District Court of Appeal to serve a four-year term commencing July l. All...

Goodlette, Fischler to receive Foundation Medals of Honor.
June 1, 2005... Rep. Dudley Goodlette and Dr. Abraham Fischler will receive The Florida Bar Foundation Medal of Honor Awards at its annual dinner June 23 at the Orlando World Center Marriott in conjunction with the Bar's Annual Meeting. The Foundation...

Workers' comp judges up for reappointment.
June 1, 2005... The Statewide Nominating Commission for Judges of Compensation Claims will meet June 13 at 9 a.m. at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport at 9300 Airport Blvd. for the purpose of interviewing the following workers' compensation...

Fee statements are in the mail.
June 1, 2005... Florida Bar members are now receiving their 2005-06 fee statements, reflecting no increase in annual fees and only minor modifications to the form. The fees are payable July 1 and are late after August 15. Members will receive one of...

In memoriam.
June 1, 2005... Fred C. Barksdale, West Palm Beach Admitted 1954; Died February 5, 2005 James John Boczar, Moultrie, GA Admitted 1972; Died January 7, 2002 C. A. Boswell, Barrow Admitted 1924; Died February 22, 2005 Richard Wells Bonehill, Jr.,...

Second Circuit judge Tom Bateman.(Notice)
June 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: SECOND CIRCUIT JUDGE TOM BATEMAN addresses the jury pool in a special ceremony in the Leon County Commission Chambers last month as part of Juror Appreciation Month in Florida. Chief Justice Barbara J....

Government lawyers honor Tedcastle for lifetime achievement.(Notice)
June 1, 2005... Thomas R. Tedcastle, general counsel for the House of Representatives, has been honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Bar's Government Lawyers Section. "Tom Tedcastle has dedicated his professional life to the betterment of...

Proposed Rules of Evidence amendment.(Notice)
June 1, 2005... The Florida Bar's Code and Rules of Evidence Committee has submitted to the Florida Supreme Court a supplemental report regarding its 2004 recommendation that the court adopt, to the extent it is procedural, chapter 2003-259, [section] 1, Laws...

The George Edgcomb Bar Association.
June 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: THE GEORGE EDGCOMB BAR ASSOCIATION recently held its annual scholarship banquet. The GEBA has provided more than $100,000 over the years to African American students to pursue college educations. Pictured...

Dogs and the constitution help kids learn the appellate process.
June 1, 2005... Pinellas Park High School won the first Florida Appellate Competition, which involved writing briefs and presenting oral arguments at the Supreme Court in a hypothetical canine search case. Serving as an extension of the high school mock...

Applicants sought for jury instructions panel.
June 1, 2005... The Florida Supreme Court's Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Civil Cases will have up to eight vacancies at the end of 2005. Any lawyer licensed to practice law in Florida and any member of the Florida judiciary may apply for...

Wrongly incarcerated bills go nowhere; next step for Wilton Dedge is court.
June 1, 2005... Clashing philosophies in the Senate and House on how best to compensate the wrongfully incarcerated ended in zip. for Wilton Dedge, the 43-year-old Florida man who spent more than half his life in prison for a rape he did not commit. So...

Efforts to extend DNA testing deadline fail.
June 1, 2005... Innocence has a deadline. Last-ditch efforts to sunset the October 1 deadline for prisoners convicted more than four years ago to file petitions for DNA testing of evidence failed in the last two days of the legislative session. ...

Innocence project on verge of collapse.
June 1, 2005... An October 1 deadline looms on testing DNA evidence to prove innocence. More than 700 cases from inmates asking for DNA testing are piled high. One overwhelmed lawyer at the Florida Innocence Initiative in Tallahassee struggles to...

Rules of Judicial Administration amendments.(Notice)
June 1, 2005... Notice Rules of Judicial Administration amendments The Florida Rules of Judicial Administration Committee invites comment on a proposal for the reorganization of the Rules of Judicial Administration shown below. The proposal will be...

Animal law program set.
June 1, 2005... The Florida Bar's new Animal Law Committee will hold its inaugural seminar June 24 at the Annual Meeting in Orlando. The seminar is titled "Animal Law Issues Affecting Florida Practitioners" and is intended to educate members of the...

New legislation makes hazing a criminal act.
June 1, 2005... Florida lawmakers passed what many consider one the toughest anti-hazing statutes in the nation this year. The Chad Meredith Act, now awaiting the governor's signature, makes hazing in high schools and colleges a crime--even if the victim...

Sublette to lead Orange County Bar Association.
June 1, 2005... William E. Sublette has become president of the Orange County Bar Association for 2005 -2006. Other new Orange County Bar officers include Thomas P. Wert, president-elect; C. Gene Shipley, treasurer; and Jamie B. Moses, secretary.

Jax Women Lawyers set judicial reception.
June 1, 2005... The Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association will hold its annual judicial reception, themed "An Evening of Judicial Jazz" June 2 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Hyatt--formerly the Adam's Mark--in Jacksonville. The cost is $25 for individual...

Court retools professionalism program course requirements.
June 1, 2005... To establish a basic level of professionalism, the Supreme Court has amended Bar rules to require new Bar members even those in government service to take the Young Lawyers Division's Practicing With Professionalism program. Originally set...

U.S. Supreme Court Justice.
June 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: U.S. SUPREME COURT JUSTICE Anthony Kennedy attended the U.S. 11th Circuit's recent judicial conference in Hollywood. Pictured from the left are U.S. Southern District of Florida Judge Pat Seitz, a former...

Proposed new voir dire instruction.(Notice)
June 1, 2005... The Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Civil Cases is presently considering a revised Preliminary Instruction 1.0 (prior to voir dire) and a revised Preliminary Instruction 1.1 (after jury selection). The committee's...

The law must govern our courts.(Viewpoint)
June 1, 2005... In the spirit of Law Day it is timely to address the most unfortunate venom that has recently been directed at the federal and state judiciaries arising out of the Terri Schiavo sadness. The current attack on judges reflects a serious lack of...

Lewis B. Freeman.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... Lewis B. Freeman received the 2005 Henry King Stanford Alumnus of the Year Award from the University of Miami.

Barbara A. Eagan.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... Barbara A. Eagan of Broussard, Cullen, DeGailler & Eagan spoke at the Orange County Medical Society/Florida Medical Association, Environmental Section Annual Earth Day Symposium: The Environment and Our Community.

Make-A-Wish Foundation.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... Bradley P. Blystone of Mateer Harbert was named chair of the board of directors of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and Northern Florida for 2005-2006.

United Bible Societies.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... John A. Grant, Jr., with Akerman Senterfitt was elected chair to America's Board of the United Bible Societies.

Glen J. Torcivia.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... Glen J. Torcivia presented information regarding the Sunshine Law, the Public Records Law, and the Code of Ethics For Public Officials, to a group of elected officials and advisory committee members at the Florida League of Cities/Institute of...

Tammy de Soto Cicchetti.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... Tammy de Soto Cicchetti was selected Business Woman of the Year for 2004 by the National Republican Congressional Committee. She was also selected to participate in President Bush's 2005 Tax Reform Workshop and join members of Congress for...

Christopher M. Shulman.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... Christopher M. Shulman of Tampa was awarded diplomate status in The Florida Academy of Professional Mediators.

Gregory Mitchell.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... Gregory Mitchell was named The Florida State University College of Law's Sheila M. McDevitt Professor of Law.

Andrew P. Rock.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... Andrew P. Rock of Kingsford & Rock presented a workshop titled, "Appraisal Provisions in Property Policies" at the PLRB/LIRB 2005 Claims Conference in San Antonio, TX.

Hernando County Fine Arts Council.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... Former Judge Steve Rushing was appointed by the Hernando County Commission to the Hernando County Fine Arts Council.

The Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... Brian L. Tannebaum of Miami was elected president of the Miami Chapter of The Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Michael Goldstein.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... Michael Goldstein of Akerman Senterfitt addressed members of the Georgia Black Mayors organization on the topic of brownfields restoration and reuse.

H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute Hospital Board.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... Beth Houghton was reelected chair of the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute Hospital Board.

Sidney A. Stubbs.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... Sidney A. Stubbs of Jones, Foster, Johnston & Stubbs was the recent recipient of the Palm Beach County Bar Association's Professionalism Award.

Janet C. Moreira.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... Janet C. Moreira of Lott & Friedland was a panelist at the 20th annual Winter Music Conference. Moreira discussed copyright issues in the digital age, including peer-to-peer technology, copy protection technology, licensing preferences, fair...

Darin I. Zenov.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... Darin I. Zenov of Buchanan Ingersoll received the "Put Something Back" Pro Bono Service Award from the 11th Judicial Circuit and the Dade County Bar Association.

Paul Steven Singerman.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... Paul Steven Singerman of Berger Singerman in Miami served on the faculty of the 31st Annual Southeastern Bankruptcy Law Institute Seminar held in Atlanta, GA.

Donald Slesnick II.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... Donald Slesnick II, mayor of Coral Gables, was awarded the University of Florida College Of Design, Construction and Planning's Beinecke-Reeves Distinguished Achievement Award.

John W. Kunberger.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... John W. Kunberger was honored by the Unemployment Appeals Commission under the Agency for Workforce Administration for his 15 years of service with the organization and his dedication to community service.

Robert Rhodes, Audrey McKibbin Moran, and Barbara "Babs" Suddath Strickland.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... Robert Rhodes, Audrey McKibbin Moran, and Barbara "Babs" Suddath Strickland are members of the inaugural board of trustees for Florida Coastal School of Law, part of the InfiLaw consortium of law schools.

Coastal Conservation Associaton.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... Paul A. Giordano of Fowler White Boggs Banker in Ft. Myers was recently elected the president of the Ft. Myers chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association.

George W. Bush, Jr..(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... George W. Bush, Jr., of Fox, Wackeen, Dungey, Beard, Sobel and McCluskey was notified by the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach, The Florida Supreme Court, and the Florida Pro Bono Coordinators Association that he is the recipient of a special...

Unicorn Children's Foundation.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... Juliette E. Lippman of Brinkley, McNerney, Morgan, Soloman & Tatum was appointed to the board of dill rectors of the Unicorn Children's Foundation.

Florida Atlantic University's Small Business Development Center.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... Bruce A. Blitman of Ft. Lauderdale was approved as a volunteer instructor for Florida Atlantic University's Small Business Development Center. He presented "The Mediation Advantage: Getting Ahead by Getting Along in Business."...

Martin E. Segal.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... Martin E. Segal of Sacher, Martini & Sacher wrote a book titled Preventative Law for Business Professionals published by the Thomson / South-Western Company.

J.B. Harris.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... J.B. Harris of Motley Rice met in Dallas with business managers from the Southwest Regional Council of the Sheet Metal Workers International Association to discuss Vioxx pricing and welding rod litigation.

Baptist Medical Center Downtown.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... Christine Rieger Milton of Jacksonville was recently elected to the HARRIS board of directors of Baptist Medical Center Downtown.

American College of Construction Lawyers.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... Patricia H. Thompson of Carlton Fields in Tampa was elected to the board of directors of the American College of Construction Lawyers.

Bob Panoff.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... Bob Panoff of Miami was an invited guest and private sector conferee at the three-day U. S. Tax Court Judicial Conference in Farmington, PA.

David Pratt.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... David Pratt of Pratt & Bucher in Boca Raton spoke at the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County Professional Advisory Committee Roundtable; his topic was "Estate Planning in the Current Environment." Additionally, Pratt was die speaker at...

Bob Wesley.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... Bob Wesley of Orlando was named the 2005 recipient of the Orange County Bar Association's Liberty Bell Award.

Carlos A. Kelly.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... Carlos A. Kelly of Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt was published in Opposing Viewpoints--Censorship. The article is and excerpt from Kelly's previously published article, The Pen is Mightier than the Sword or Why the Media Should Exercise...

Dorothy Sims.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... Dorothy Sims of Sims, Amat, Stakenborg, and Henry has recently presented lectures on cross-examining medical experts to organizations throughout the U.S. Additionally, Sims was honored in the Workers First Watch 10th Anniversary Special Edition...

Connor Moran Children's Cancer Foundation.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... Jeff Vastola of The Law Offices of Vastola & Associates in West Palm Beach was re-elected to serve a third term as president of the Connor Moran Children's Cancer Foundation in Palm Beach County.

St. Pete Beach.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... Deborah Martohue of Hayes & Martohue in St. Petersburg was elected vice mayor of St. Pete Beach.

Jason R. Maughan.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... Jason R. Maughan of Sanibel Island was voted by the readers of the Island Reporter as the best attorney on Sanibel and Captiva Islands for 2005.

J. Thomas Cookson, Daniel Jacobson, and William P. Heller of Akerman Senterfitt in Miami were honored.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... J. Thomas Cookson, Daniel Jacobson, and William P. Heller of Akerman Senterfitt in Miami were honored at the 2005 "Best of the Bar" Breakfast hosted by The South Florida Business Journal.

Michelee Puppets, Inc.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... Robert L. Case of Stovash, Case & Tingley in Orlando was elected to the board of directors of Michelee Puppets, Inc.

Broward County Bar Association.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... Tim Bailey will be installed as president of the Broward County Bar Association later this month.

Robert Josefsberg.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... Robert Josefsberg spoke to the members and administrative assistants of the South Miami Kendall Bar Association on "Civility and Professionalism."

Dolores Henriquez.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... Dolores Henriquez co-coached the Henry W. Grady High School Mock Trial Team to win the Georgia State High School Mock Trial Championship at the Gwinnett Justice and Administrative Center.

John D. Emmanuel.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... John D. Emmanuel of Fowler White Boggs Banker in Tampa was recertified by the American Board of Certification in business bankruptcy law.

Cynthia Crofoot Rignanese.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2005... Cynthia Crofoot Rignanese of Polk County presented "Advance Directives in Light of Terri" to the Florida Gulf Coast chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

Volusia County Court.(Benchmarks)
June 1, 2005... Belle B. Schumann was appointed by Gov. Jeb Bush to the position of Volusia County Court judge.

Miami-Dade County.(Benchmarks)
June 1, 2005... Miami-Dade County Judge Shelly K. Kravitz was named one of three 2005 "Women Worth Knowing" by the Miami Beach Commission on the Status of Women.

National Judicial College.(Benchmarks)
June 1, 2005... Judge Kevin Emas of the 11th Judicial Circuit was invited to join the faculty of the National Judicial College in Reno, NV. He teaches postconviction proceedings in capital cases.

Fourth Judicial Circuit.(Benchmarks)
June 1, 2005... Judge Donald R. Moran, Jr., Fourth Judicial Circuit, was re-elected as chief judge.

Fourth District Court of Appeal.(Benchmarks)
June 1, 2005... Judge W. Matthew Stevenson was elected to serve as chief judge of the Fourth District Court of Appeal for a two-year term.

First District Court of Appeal.(Benchmarks)
June 1, 2005... Judge Charles J. Kahn, Jr., was elected chief judge of the First District Court of Appeal. Judge Kahn was also elected president of the William H. Stafford Inn of Court in Tallahassee.

Houston, TX.(Benchmarks)
June 1, 2005... Gary J. Suttles was appointed a U.S. administrative law judge in Houston, TX.

Judge Susan F. Schaeffer.(Benchmarks)
June 1, 2005... Judge Susan F. Schaeffer was inducted by Stetson University College of Law as a member of its Hall of Fame.

Carlton Fields.(On the Move)
June 1, 2005... Danet Rodriguez Figg joined Carlton Fields in West Palm Beach as an associate in the firm's litigation and dispute resolution practice group,

Ring Power Corporation.(On the Move)
June 1, 2005... Stephanie J. Young joined the Ring Power Corporation in Jacksonville as corporate counsel.

Taylor Hodkin Kopelowitz & Ostrow.(On the Move)
June 1, 2005... Robert C. Buschel joined Taylor Hodkin Kopelowitz & Ostrow as a partner. Buschel practices in the areas of complex civil and criminal litigation on both the trial and appellate levels.

Akerman Senterfitt.(On the Move)
June 1, 2005... Joel E. Maxwell joined Akerman Senterfitt in Miami as a shareholder in the real estate and land use practice.