Florida Bar News articles from June 2006

Florida Bar News archives from June 2006

More emphasis to be placed on civics education.
June 1, 2006... It was a simple line in the 160-page massive education bill that passed the Florida Legislature in its just-ended regular session. On page 40 of HB 7087, in the midst of a list of courses that middle school students must take, is this...

Court technology integration plan comes up short.
June 1, 2006... Recommendations for integrating court technology with instant access to multi-agency computers largely failed in the Florida Legislature this year. The House included $1 million to implement recommendations from the Article V Technology...

Board certification.
June 1, 2006... There are currently 20 areas of Board Certification in Florida and 6 percent of all members are board certified. Here is a look at the top six certification areas by the number of lawyers certified in that area of the law. Civil Trial ...

Court funding boosted: the $1.2 billion total represents a 6.5% increase for the courts: Guardian ad Litem Program comes up big.
June 1, 2006... There was more money for new employees (especially for the Florida Guardian ad Litem Program), for some pay raises, and quite a bit for capital improvements, but Florida's courts and related agencies didn't get the funding they wanted to...

41 contested judicial races on the ballot: seventeen DCA judges file for retention and three S.C. justices to face the voters.
June 1, 2006... Three Supreme Court justices and 17 district court of appeal judges have filed for merit retention in the fall statewide judicial elections. In addition, there are 17 contested circuit judge races around the state, while 134 circuit...

Child support guidelines.(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2006... When considering that the "purpose" of Chapter 61 of the Florida Statutes is to "mitigate the potential harm to spouses and their children," one must be utterly stupefied to learn that the Family Law Section supports amending F.S. [section]...

Law Day/illegal aliens day.(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2006... Think of the irony: May 1 was originally commemorated as the Worker's Day, a celebration in the communist world. The U.S. responded by designating May 1 as Law Day, a celebration of the importance of the rule of law in American society. On Law...

Blawgs.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2006... I read with interest the article, "Committee wrestles with regulations for attorneys' Web sites," in the April 30 News. It would not surprise me, as the article suggests, that up to 40,000 Bar members have their own business Internet sites. ...

Dade judgeships are now available.(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2006... The 11th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission is now accepting applications to fill two vacancies on the Dade County bench resulting from the elevation of Judge Roger Silver to the circuit bench and the death of Judge Linda Dakis. Applicants...

Errata.(Letters)(Correction notice)
June 1, 2006... A story in the April 30 Bar News misspelled the name Scott Rubin, the member of the Special Committee to Study Paralegal Regulation, who presented the committee's finding to the Bar Board of Governors. The News regrets the error.

It's USDC-MDFL Bar renewal time.(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2006... The 2006-2008 renewal period for the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida opened June 1. Renewal forms were mailed to all members of the Bar of the USDC-MDFL Bar who were in good standing as of May 1. Effective this...

Nonlawyer member needed for bar examiners.
June 1, 2006... The Florida Board of Bar Examiners is now accepting applications for a nonlawyer to serve a three-year term on its board. The Supreme Court will appoint the public member. A volunteer public member should possess education or work-related...

Darville petitions for Bar reinstatement.(Notice)
June 1, 2006... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, Lionel C. Darville of Belle Glade has petitioned the Supreme Court for reinstatement to The Florida Bar. The Supreme Court suspended Darville for a period of two years for trust accounting improprieties, pursuant to a...

Fee statements are in the mail.(bar members recieving their fee statements)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Florida Bar members are now receiving their 2006-07 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...

Lawyers needed as mentors.(Donald Wiliford and Adam Hutchinson honored)
June 1, 2006... Gov. Jeb Bush recently applauded the efforts of Jacksonville mentor Donald Wiliford and mentee Adam Hutchinson. The pair was one of six awarded the first annual Spotlight Award by MENTOR, the National Mentoring Partnership in Washington, D.C.,...

Northern District Bankruptcy Court to amend its rules.(United States. Bankruptcy Court )(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Florida has proposed changes to its local rules. Beginning June 5, the text of these changes may be found on the court's Web site at www.flnb.uscourts.gov. Comments from...

The occasion was an awards.(Florida Board of Bar Examiners being appreciated)(Brandi Cawthon Alvarado Award distributed)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: THE OCCASION WAS AN AWARDS luncheon in Tallahassee to show appreciation for employees and board members of the Florida Board of Bar Examiners. Florida Supreme Court Justice Fred Lewis was among the...

Streamlining bill fails.(Florida Constitution to be streamlined)
June 1, 2006... In the end, a proposed constitutional amendment to "streamline" the Florida Constitution wound up streamlined itself by the Florida Senate, and then buried when the House failed to take it up on the last day of the 2006 Regular Session. At...

The Orange/Osceola public defender's.(Orange County Bar Association teaches the method of working of government by middle school students)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: THE ORANGE/OSCEOLA PUBLIC DEFENDER'S Office participated in a mock bill passage recently at the Orange County Courthouse to teach middle school students how the three branches of government work. This event...

Allen, Norton & Blue wins Tallahassee Smoke-off.(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Allen, Norton & Blue's staff was all smiles after competing in the Second Annual Tallahassee Smoke-off to benefit the Girls and Boys Town of North Florida. The firm's Tallahassee office competed with 17 other teams and took home first...

Foundation funds Innocence Initiative, education programs.
June 1, 2006... The Florida Bar Foundation recently approved a $214,841 grant to the Florida Innocence Initiative, Inc., the nonprofit legal clinic that uses DNA tests to challenge convictions. And to Jennifer Greenberg, director of the Tallahassee office...

Disciplinary actions.
June 1, 2006... The Florida Supreme Court in recent court orders suspended 15, repremanded seven, and disbarred one attorneys. The following lawyers are disciplined: Margaret M. Anderson, 1707 20th St., Vero Beach, reprimanded for professional misconduct...

Douglass wins Medal of Honor: foundation to celebrate its 50th anniversary.(W. Dexter Douglass )(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... The Florida Bar Foundation will celebrate its 50th anniversary and honor Tallahassee attorney W. Dexter Douglass at its annual reception and dinner June 22, in conjunction with The Florida Bar's Annual Convention at the Boca Raton Resort and...

The Bankruptcy Bar Association.(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: THE BANKRUPTCY BAR ASSOCIATION of the Southern District and the 11th Circuit's Put Something Back program recently presented a pro bono bankruptcy seminar titled, "Bankruptcy: A View from the Bench, Bar &...

Business Law Section helps pass trademark legislation.
June 1, 2006... Individuals and companies in Florida will find it easier to protect their proprietary trademarks, thanks to a bill passed by the Florida Legislature with help from the Business Law Section. HB 7017 was the first change to the state's 1964...

Pilot project for personal care attendants funded: the plight of wheelchair-reliant Aaron Bates put the need in the spotlight.(Editorial)
June 1, 2006... Aaron Bates, the young lawyer with muscular dystrophy who needs a personal care attendant to work, wheeled his way through the halls of the Capitol lobbying for change. At his side was lawyer Steve Uhlfelder, who volunteered as a pro bono...

Elder Law Section promotes advance directives, helpline.(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... In recognition of Elder Law Month and Older American's Month, the Elder Law Section, along with Department of Elder Affairs Secretary Carole Green and the Statewide Public Guardianship Office, in May hosted advance directives workshops...

Adcock, Silverstein honored for their public service work.
June 1, 2006... This year's winners of the Wm. Reece Smith, Jr., Public Service Award were honored during a recent ceremony in the Great Hall at Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport. The award honored outstanding contributions to public service, the...

Nova Southeastern University.(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY Law School's alumni chapter in Palm Beach County honored members of the judiciary and magistrates in Palm Beach County who are NSU graduates at a recent dinner. Seated from the...

Youth workshops.(Legal Roundup)
June 1, 2006... Youth Workshops: In an effort to educate area youth of their rights, and how safely to avoid unwarranted arrests, the Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr., Bar Foundation recently launched a series of free police stop workshops in Miami. Participants engage...

Judge Rodgers wins award.(Legal Roundup)(Edward Rodgers )(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Judge Rodgers Wins Award: The Episcopal Lawyers of Palm Beach County recently honored retired Judge Edward Rodgers with the organization's inaugural Servant of Justice Award, presented to a member of the Palm Beach County Bar who has...

Pariente picks up an award.(Legal Roundup)(Barbara J. Pariente)(American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers )(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Pariente Picks up an Award: Chief Justice Barbara J. Pariente was recently named Jurist of the Year Award by the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers during its 28th Annual Institute Conference. Chief Justice Pariente...

Endorsement Forum set.(Legal Roundup)
June 1, 2006... Endorsement Forum Set: The League of Prosecutors will hold its 2006 Judicial Endorsement Forum June 14. The LOP will be sending all candidates for contested circuit and county court judicial seats invitations to meet informally with the...

Journalist Law School.(Legal Roundup)
June 1, 2006... Journalist Law School: Sixth Circuit Judge George W. Greer will serve on the faculty of the inaugural Journalist Law School at Loyola Law School of Los Angeles June 15-17. Judge Greer's participation is being sponsored by the Florida chapters...

Drug Court Graduation.(Legal Roundup)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Drug Court Graduation: Gov. Jeb Bush and Chief Justice Barbara J. Pariente addressed nearly 200 drug court graduates from 27 programs across Florida in the Seventh Annual Statewide Drug Court Graduation in Jacksonville. The ceremony was...

Happy 40th anniversary.(Legal Roundup)(Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc., )(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Happy 40th Anniversary: On June 9, Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc., will celebrate 40 years of dedication to equal justice at its anniversary celebration luncheon. At the event, LSGMI's first executive director, Howard W. Dixon, will be...

Cole to lead in Clearwater.(appointments )(Jewel White Cole)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Cole to Lead in Clearwater: Jewel White Cole, managing assistant county attorney, was inducted as Clearwater Bar Association president May 19 at the association's 45th annual Law Day Luncheon. Other new officers and directors include...

The Palm Beach County bar.(Legal Roundup)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: THE PALM BEACH COUNTY BAR, along with the Palm Beach County Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators, recently collected men's and ladies' business suits, shoes, and ties for the benefit of The...

Winners of the Palm Beach.(Legal Roundup)
June 1, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: WINNERS OF THE PALM BEACH County Bar Association's Eighth Annual Professionalism Awards included, from the left, David Ackerman, winner of the individual award; Barry Krischer, accepting the organizational...

Group organizes to help stem prosecutor turnover.(Friends of Florida Assistant State Attorneys)
June 1, 2006... The Friends of Florida Assistant State Attorneys--a new grassroots organization--has dedicated itself to educating the public about the detrimental effect high prosecutor turnover has on public safety. Juan Carlos Arias, president and...

Lashawnda Jackson.
June 1, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: LASHAWNDA JACKSON, right, an associate with Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell in Orlando, recently received The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division's Diversity Award, which recognizes Jackson's efforts and...

I want to probate a will in federal court.(In Practice)
June 1, 2006... The U.S. Supreme Court gave me a great idea: probate a will in federal court. The primary advantage over state court is that federal courts have nationwide jurisdiction. But can I really file an action in U.S. District Court in Tampa to...

Brian H. Rieber.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2006... Brian H. Rieber of Hirschhorn & Bieber in Miami spoke on "Effective Opening Statements at the NBI seminar, The Criminal Defense Trial from Start to Finish.

Bruce A. Blitman.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2006... Bruce A. Blitman of Ft. Lauderdale published "Ten Tips to Increase Your Edge in a Competitive Marketplace. Blitman also volunteered as a career day speaker at Sea Castle Elementary School in Miramar.

Rebecca Leah Berger Tuberous Sclerosis Foundation.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2006... Evan Klinek of Greenspoon Marder in Ft. Lauderdale was appointed to the board of directors of the Rebecca Leah Berger Tuberous Sclerosis Foundation.

Robert J. Cousins, Charles Andrew Tharp, and Gregory S. Glasser of Stephens Lynn in Ft. Lauderdale spoke at the Broward County Bench and Bar Conference.(News and Notes)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Robert J. Cousins, Charles Andrew Tharp, and Gregory S. Glasser of Stephens Lynn in Ft. Lauderdale spoke at the Broward County Bench and Bar Conference on "Risk Management for Lawyers and the Defense of Legal Malpractice Claims."

Law Society of England and Wales.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2006... Malcolm J. Pitchford of Abel Band's Sarasota office has been qualified as a solicitor by the Law Society of England and Wales.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2006... Neil B. Shoter of Shutt & Bowen was elected treasurer for the Greater Palm Beach County Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Melanie Emmons Damian.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2006... Melanie Emmons Damian of Damian and Valori in Miami participated in a three-part program for the ABA's Business Law Section's spring meeting in Tampa.

St. Petersburg Bar Association.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2006... Lee H. Rightmyer of Carlton Fields' St. Petersburg office was elected president of the St. Petersburg Bar Association.

Lawrence D. Silverman.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2006... Lawrence D. Silverman of Akerman Senterfitt received the Richard C. Milstein Pro Bono Award from the Put Something Back program, a joint pro bono project of the Dade County Bar and 11th Judicial Circuit.

David Pratt.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2006... David Pratt of Proskauer Rose in Boca Raton spoke at the Estate and Gift Taxes Committee meeting of the ABA Tax Section in Washington, D.C. Pratt's topic was "Migrating Clients--What It Takes to Establish Residency."

TerraLex Real Estate Practice Group.(appoints Richard M. Zelman )(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Richard M. Zelman of Sacher Zelman in Miami was named co-chair of the TerraLex Real Estate Practice Group and will focus on foreign investors and business entities investing in the U.S. real estate market.

Florida International University Athletic Association.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2006... Alberto M. Hernandez of Hunton & Williams in Miami was elected to the board of directors of the Florida International University Athletic Association.

Nathaniel L. Doliner.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2006... Nathaniel L. Doliner of Carlton Fields Tampa office spoke about director and officer liability at the ABA Section of Business Law spring meeting in Tampa and participated in a mock negotiation of a corporate acquisition at Stanford Law School...

YMCA.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2006... Jennifer Estrella of Gunster Yoakley's Miami office has been named as one of three U.S. delegates on the executive committee of the international umbrella organization of the YMCA.

Lisa Marie Macci.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2006... Lisa Marie Macci of Boca Raton was recognized by the Christian Women's Club of the Palm Beaches as "A Woman Who Makes a Difference" for her work in the twirl of family and divorce law.

Betty L. Dunkum.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2006... Betty L. Dunkum of Trial Practices in West Palm Beach was the program co-chair and moderator for "Options for the Opt-Out Revolution: Strategies for Lawyers and Employers to Address Leave-Taking and Re-entry in the Legal Workforce," held at the...

Stephen R. Looney.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2006... Stephen R. Looney of Dean Mead in Orlando presented a seminar on 'Redemptions and Purchases of S Corporation Stock at the ABA's Tax Section s 2006 May meeting in Washington, D.C.

Julie S. Sneed and Rena Upshaw-Frazier of Fowler White Boggs Banker have become officers of the George Edgecomb Bar Association.(News and Notes)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Julie S. Sneed and Rena Upshaw-Frazier of Fowler White Boggs Banker have become officers of the George Edgecomb Bar Association; Sneed as president and Upshaw-Frazier as press secretary.

Mark A. Brown, Dianne Triplett, and Mac Richard McCoy of Carlton Fields' Tampa office were recognized by the Florida Supreme Court.(News and Notes)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Mark A. Brown, Dianne Triplett, and Mac Richard McCoy of Carlton Fields' Tampa office were recognized by the Florida Supreme Court, the Bar's Young Lawyers Division, the 13th Judicial Circuit's Pro Bono Program Committee, and the Florida Pro...

ABA.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2006... Wilhelmina Kightlinger of Florida Commercial Underwriting Counsel of Stewart Title Guaranty Company in Tampa was appointed to the Property Preservation Task Force for the Real Property Probate & Trust Section of the ABA.

Lewis S. Eidson, Jr.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2006... Lewis S. Eidson, Jr., of Colson Hicks Eidson in Coral Gables accepted a Pursuit of Justice Award from the ABA's Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section.

Thomas A. Sadaka.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2006... Thomas A. Sadaka, of counsel to Berger Singerman in Ft. Lauderdale, spoke at the National Association of Attorneys General, Advanced Cyber Crime Training Course at the Ole Miss Law School.

Edward W. Gerecke, E. Kelly Bittick, and David J. Walz of Carlton Fields' Tampa office co-wrote.(Section 6(c) of the Third Restatement: Design Defects in Prescription Medical Products)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Edward W. Gerecke, E. Kelly Bittick, and David J. Walz of Carlton Fields' Tampa office co-wrote "Section 6(c) of the Third Restatement: Design Defects in Prescription Medical Products," published in the April edition of the DRI's For the...

Leonard G. Rubin formed Leonard G. Rubin, P.A., at 701 Northpoint Pkwy, Ste. 209 in West Palm Beach 33401.(On the Move)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Leonard G. Rubin formed Leonard G. Rubin, P.A., at 701 Northpoint Pkwy, Ste. 209 in West Palm Beach 33401. The phone number is (561) 721-1683. The firm represents municipalities and private individuals in all aspects of local government.

Terence G. "Terry" Connor joined Hunton & Williams' Miami office.(On the Move)
June 1, 2006... Terence G. "Terry" Connor joined Hunton & Williams' Miami office as partner and co-head of the labor and employment practice.

Michael D. Crosbie joined American Leisure Holdings, Inc.(On the Move)
June 1, 2006... Michael D. Crosbie joined American Leisure Holdings, Inc., as executive vice president, general counsel, and secretary.

Tina Dunsford joined Fowler White Boggs Banker as a shareholder.(On the Move)
June 1, 2006... Tina Dunsford joined Fowler White Boggs Banker as a shareholder. Dunsford's practice includes corporate representation of hospital systems and physician practices.

The Rosenthal Law Firm.(relocated to Orlando)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... The Rosenthal Law Firm relocated to 212 Pasadena Place, Ste. A, Orlando 32803. The phone number is (407) 488-1220 and the fax number is (407) 488-1221.

Scott Leeds, J.B. Spence, Jack Paris, and Jonathan Colby have all joined The Cochran Firm-Miami.(On the Move)
June 1, 2006... Scott Leeds, J.B. Spence, Jack Paris, and Jonathan Colby have all joined The Cochran Firm-Miami as partners.

Daniel P. Osterndorf was made partner in Gronek & Latham's commercial litigation practice group.(On the Move)
June 1, 2006... Daniel P. Osterndorf was made partner in Gronek & Latham's commercial litigation practice group in Orlando.

Sharon Calix Tiffany joined Fowler White Boggs Banker.(On the Move)
June 1, 2006... Sharon Calix Tiffany joined Fowler White Boggs Banker as an associate practicing all areas of insurance coverage litigation.

Robert E. Johnson joined GrayRobinson's Tampa office as a shareholder.(On the Move)
June 1, 2006... Robert E. Johnson joined GrayRobinson's Tampa office as a shareholder and will focus his practice in the areas of complex civil and probate litigation.

Emmanuel, Sheppard & Condon.(On the Move)
June 1, 2006... H. Wesley Reeder and T. Shane Rowe were appointed as directors of Emmanuel, Sheppard & Condon in Pensacola. Page,

Brett A. Marlowe joined Page, Eichenblatt, Bernbaum & Bennett.(On the Move)
June 1, 2006... Brett A. Marlowe joined Page, Eichenblatt, Bernbaum & Bennett in Orlando as an associate and will focus on construction and commercial litigation.

Robert M. Mitchell joined Bush Graziano & Rice.(On the Move)
June 1, 2006... Robert M. Mitchell joined Bush Graziano & Rice in Tampa as of counsel.

Andres Rivero, Eduardo Palmer, and Jorge A. Mestre formed Rivero Palmer & Mestre.(On the Move)
June 1, 2006... Andres Rivero, Eduardo Palmer, and Jorge A. Mestre formed Rivero Palmer & Mestre. They will focus on representing corporate and institutional clients in complex commercial disputes.

Alan B. Fields joined the First American Title Insurance Company as state counsel for the state of Florida.(On the Move)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Alan B. Fields joined the First American Title Insurance Company as state counsel for the state of Florida. Fields will be responsible for underwriting and special projects.

Robert A. Segal.(On the Move)
June 1, 2006... Robert A. Segal moved his practice to 2955 Pineda Causeway, Ste. 209 in Melbourne 32940. The phone number is (321) 757-6906 and the fax number is (321) 242-1350. Segal will continue to accept referrals in all family law related cases.

Bass Underwriters.(On the Move)
June 1, 2006... Cesar A. Sastre was named general counsel for Bass Underwriters in Plantation.

Price & Anthony.(On the Move)
June 1, 2006... Neil P. Anthony was promoted to partner at the law office of William W. Price. Subsequently, the firm's name changed to Price & Anthony.

Amanda L. Brock joined Henderson Franklin as an associate in the Ft. Myers office.(On the Move)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Amanda L. Brock joined Henderson Franklin as an associate in the Ft. Myers office and will concentrate her practice on environmental and land use law and coastal construction law.

Scott L. McMullen, Joanne O'Connor, and Mark Dahlmeier have advanced at Jones Foster.(On the Move)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Scott L. McMullen, Joanne O'Connor, and Mark Dahlmeier have advanced at Jones Foster. McMullen was selected as firm officer and O'Connor and Dahlmier have been made shareholders.