Florida Bar News articles from June 2007

Florida Bar News archives from June 2007

What passed, and what didn't: a rundown of bills of interest to attorneys.
June 1, 2007... No student loan help for state-employed lawyers, no reinstatement of one of the regional death penalty appeal offices, no change in the Fabre doctrine, and no requirement that folks testifying in legislative committees must swear, on pain of...

'Shoe bomber' judge, Duke lacrosse lawyers to speak at convention.(William G. Young )
June 1, 2007... Probably best known for his passionate defense of the American way when sentencing "shoe bomber" Richard Reid to prison, U.S. Judge William G. Young will deliver the keynote address during the Judicial Luncheon June 28 at The Florida Bar Annual...

It's off to work we go.(florida lawyers)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... It's Off To Work We Go How many work hours Florida lawyers report they averaged per week last year, broken down by age group: 35 years and under 53 36 to 49 years 50 50 to 65 years 48 Over 65 years 39 ...

More than 35 elementary.(Liberty Under Law: Empowering Youth, Assuring Democracy)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: MORE THAN 35 ELEMENTARY, middle, and high schools recently participated in the Palm Beach County Bar Association's Annual Law Week program, which included mock trials in the classrooms. These students from...

Some schools still in need of Justice Teaching volunteers.(Liberty Under Law: Empowering Youth, Assuring Democracy)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Thanks to an overwhelming response this year from Florida's judges and lawyers, most schools in the state have been assigned a legal professional to serve as a resource for law-related education. In some counties, every school has been assigned...

Criminals are out there pretending to be lawyers; 'when you inject an attorney in the mix, it gives it credibility'.
June 1, 2007... Palm Beach Gardens attorney Stephen Cook got a call from an inactive Florida Bar member (who still practices in Georgia) about an Ohio couple seeking an update on the prospective sale of their time-share unit. There were several problems....

Attorney-client privilege should not be used as a bargaining chip.
June 1, 2007... Prosecutors and other government agents should be prohibited from granting advantages or benefits in exchange for waivers of the attorney-client privilege or work product protection, according to The Florida Bar's Task Force on the...

Cler Q & A.(Continuing Legal Education)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Q. Where may I find my CLE reporting date and posted hours? A. Online at www.floridabar.org. Click on CLE. Post credit for courses you've attended to immediately update your CLE record. Q. I don't have Internet access. What should I do?...

Lawyers ordered to forfeit retainer to the Clients' Security Fund.
June 1, 2007... The Supreme Court has disbarred one attorney and suspended another for two years for accepting a retainer from a defendant while they were representing plaintiffs in several lawsuits. They were also ordered to forfeit, along with interest,...

File clerk headed to law school.(Legal Roundup)(Beatriz Hernandez joins Rosenthal & Levy)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... File Clerk Headed to Law School: Rosenthal & Levy awarded Beatriz "Bea" Hernandez its $5,000 Fighting for the Injured Scholarship. Hernandez started at the firm as a file clerk, rose to paralegal, and has now been accepted to law school. "In...

Judge's book published.(Legal Roundup)(Janice Law's Yield: A Judge's First-Year Diary)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Judge's Book Published: Yield: A Judge's Fir$t-Year Diary, a nonfiction book by former Florida prosecutor Janice Law, was awarded Honorable Mention in the 2007 writing competition sponsored by Public Safety Writers, a national literary group of...

Big Stetson class.(Legal Roundup)(Stetson University. College of Law)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Big Stetson Class: Stetson University College of Law graduated a record number of students last month in Gulfport. More than 250 students walked at Stetson's commencement. William LaForge, national president of the Federal Bar Association, gave...

Tee it up.(Legal Roundup)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Tee it Up: Englander & Fischer, P.A., in St. Petersburg, hosted its eighth annual charity golf tournament at the Bayou Club located in Seminole. The event has raised more than $30,000 for 28 local and national charities. Tournament participants...

Bar President Hank Coxe.(Legal Roundup)
June 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: BAR PRESIDENT HANK COXE recently participated in St. Thomas University School of Law's Law Day luncheon. Pictured from the left are Coxe; University of Miami Professor Jeannette Hausler, who presented the...

The Jacksonville Bar Young Lawyers Section.(Legal Roundup)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: THE JACKSONVILLE BAR YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION recently hosted its annual Afternoon at the Courthouse Seminar, designed to introduce new lawyers and reacquaint current practitioners to the Duval County...

Judge Young's response to a terrorist: you are no soldier.
June 1, 2007... At his sentencing hearing, Richard Reid, who pled guilty to charges of trying to blow up a plane by igniting explosives concealed in his shoe before being subdued by other passengers, told U.S. Judge William Young he was a member of al-Qaeda,...

Former president Floyd dies at 89.(Robert L. Floyd)(Obituary)
June 1, 2007... Robert L. Floyd, who served as president of The Florida Bar in 1978-79, passed away May 14 at the age of 89. A South Florida resident since 1925, his life's work included stints as a legislator, FBI agent, circuit judge, sheriff, mayor, and...

Cueto petitions for readmission.(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Jorge L. Cueto of Miami has submitted an application with the Florida Board of Bar Examiners for Bar readmission. Cueto was disbarred pursuant to the Supreme Court's order of May 5, 2000, after he was found guilty of the crime of unlawful...

Bryant-Willis to serve as a public member of Board of Governors.(Arnell Bryant-Willis)
June 1, 2007... A Florida native with more than 25 years experience as a manager and consultant, Arnell Bryant-Willis of Tallahassee was chosen by the Supreme Court as the newest nonlawyer member of the Board of Governors. "Professional experience has...

Stewart wins 19th Circuit board runoff.(John M. Stewart)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... John M. Stewart of Vero Beach has been elected to serve a two-year term on The Florida Bar Board of Governors, Seat 1 in the 19th Judicial Circuit, beginning June 29. Stewart won a runoff election against Stuart attorney Richard H....

Francisco Angones.(The Miami Coalition of Christians)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: FRANCISCO ANGONES was honored with the Silver Medallion for Humanitarianism at the 55th Gala Celebration of The Miami Coalition of Christians and Jews on April 14. Angones was honored for both his role as...

Disciplinary actions.
June 1, 2007... The Florida Supreme Court in recent court orders disciplined 17 attorneys, disbarring four, suspending 10, placing three on probation, reprimanding two, and ordering two to pay restitution. Some attorneys received more than one form of...

Univision snags top honors in media awards competition.
June 1, 2007... WLTV-TV 23 (Univision) in Miami has taken top honors in the 2007 Florida Bar Media Awards competition for its series of news reports, interviews, and legal segments on immigration rights and reform. The awards will be presented in conjunction...

Palmer to lead trial court staff attorneys.(Anna Palmer)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Anna Palmer of the Ninth Judicial Circuit has been elected president of the The Florida Trial Court Staff Attorneys Association. Other officers include Sara Sopkin Prugh of the 13th Judicial Circuit, president-elect; Elizabeth Fitzgerald...

Orange County Judge Antoinette D. Plogstedt.(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: ORANGE COUNTY JUDGE ANTOINETTE D. PLOGSTEDT accepted a Law Day proclamation from the Orange County Board of County Commissioners May 1. "All of us must play a role in shaping the future of our great nation...

The Miami Beach Bar.(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: THE MIAMI BEACH BAR Association recently hosted its Fourth Annual Judicial Cocktail Reception. More than 100 attorneys and judges attended the event, organized by Jamie Segal Davis, first vice president....

Mark R. Hanson.(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: MARK R. HANSON of West Palm Beach sent 28 students and parents of the Northboro Elementary Montessori Magnet School's School-Age Child Care class to SunFest. Hanson provided the group with both general...

Amendments to the rules regarding the training needed for a judge to preside over capital cases.
June 1, 2007... The Florida Bar's Rules of Judicial Administration Committee has submitted to the Florida Supreme Court an out-of-cycle report proposing amendments to Rule of Judicial Administration 2.215(b)(10), which governs the training requirements for...

Amendments to jury instructions regarding translations.(Notices)
June 1, 2007... The Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases has submitted to the Florida Supreme Court a report proposing a new standard jury instruction for use in criminal cases. The committee proposes new instruction 2.11,...

Jury instructions for failure to register as a sexual offender or sexual predator.(Notice)
June 1, 2007... The Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases has submitted to the Florida Supreme Court a report proposing new criminal jury instructions for failure to register as a sexual offender and for failure to register as...

Clearwater Bar Association.(News and Notes)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Gregory K. Showers of Kwall, Showers, Coleman & Barack of Clearwater has become president of the Clearwater Bar Association, making him the first African-American to lead the group in its 70-plus year history.

S.C. "Chase" Adams.(Adams Law Firm executive speaks, Earn More by Showing Your Clients How to Purchase a Second Home With No Out of Pocket and No Payments)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... S.C. "Chase" Adams of the Adams Law Firm in Ft. Lauderdale recently spoke to the Association of Financial Advisors on the topic of "Earn More by Showing Your Clients How to Purchase a Second Home With No Out of Pocket and No Payments."

Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2007... Kevin T. Lamb of Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart in West Palm Beach was appointed to the Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Y. Lisa Colon.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2007... Y. Lisa Colon of Becker & Poliakoff's Ft. Lauderdale office was awarded the ABA Forum on the Construction Industry Women and Minority Fellowship.

B'nai B'rith Justice Unit #5207.(News and Notes)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... B'nai B'rith Justice Unit #5207 appointed Holly Krulik of Krupnick Campbell Malone Buser Slama Hancock Liberman & McKee as a vice president of Tikkun Olam.

Karen A. Benson.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2007... Karen A. Benson of Jorden Burt passed the certification examination for the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists.

Marc A. Wites.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2007... Marc A. Wites spoke on insurance class actions at the Florida Justice Association's Insurance Bad Faith Seminar in Tampa.

Deputy Chief Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Jim Cobb.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2007... Deputy Chief Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Jim Cobb spoke on "Practicing with Professionalism" to a professional responsibility class at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale.

Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2007... Lilly Ann Sanchez of Fowler White Burnett's Miami office was appointed to the Third District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission.

National Association for Law Placement.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2007... Brad Sprayberry of Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart's West Palm Beach office was elected to National Association for Law Placement's nominating committee.

Ted Leopold.(News and Notes)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Ted Leopold of Ricci Leopold in Palm Beach Gardens presented "Bad Faith in the Managed Care Context" at Florida Justice Association seminars in West Palm Beach and Tampa.

Roshawn Banks of The All Law Center in Ft. Lauderdale joined the Broward County.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2007... Roshawn Banks of The All Law Center in Ft. Lauderdale joined the Broward County ACLU's board.

Denise Bleau of Buckingham Doolittle and Burroughs moderated a human resources workshop titled "A Toolkit for FMLA" for the Council on Education in Management.(News and Notes)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Denise Bleau of Buckingham Doolittle and Burroughs moderated a human resources workshop titled "A Toolkit for Managing the FMLA" for the Council on Education in Management. Bleau, Jeffrey Pheterson and Sally Still, also of Buckingham Doolittle...

Gary Betensky.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2007... Gary Betensky of Richman Greer's West Palm Beach office was awarded a Bronze-level commendation by The Legal Aid Society for his 2006 pro bono work.

Michael F. Nuechterlein.(News and Notes)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Michael F. Nuechterlein of Carlton Fields' Tampa office presented "Lessons Learned: Agreements Outside the Contract Documents that Facilitate a Successful Project" at the ABA's Forum on the Construction Industry's annual meeting in Puerto Rico....

Steven Sloane Newburgh .(News and Notes)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Steven Sloane Newburgh of Fowler White Burnett gave a presentation on DJ engagement contracts at a meeting of the American Disc Jockey Association of South Florida in Davie.

Florida Energy Commission.(News and Notes)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Tommy Boroughs of Holland & Knight's Orlando office was named chair of the Florida Energy Commission by the president of the Florida Senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives.

Patrick J. Lannon.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2007... Patrick J. Lannon of White & Case's Miami office presented "Domicile Planning--Don't Take it for Granted" to the Estate Planning Council of Broward County.

Howard S. Krooks.(News and Notes)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Howard S. Krooks of Elder Law Associates in Boca Raton presented "Health Care Directives," "Advanced Medicaid Planning Part I," "Advanced Medicaid Planning Part II," and "Case Studies: Bringing it All Together," at the American Law...

Robert M. Todd.(News and Notes)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Robert M. Todd of Robert M. Todd, P.A., and Family Law Solutions served as a panelist for the St. Petersburg Bar's "Mediation and ADR: From Alternative' to 'Mainstream'" seminar.

Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2007... Fredrick "Rick" Freedman of Gordon & Doner has become vice president of the Miami Chapter of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Bill McFarlane.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2007... Bill McFarlane of McFarlane & Dolan has been awarded the 2007 Small Business Leader Award by the Coral Spring Chamber of Commerce.

William Ruffier and Anthony Sos of Dellecker, Wilson, King, McKenna & Ruffier's Orlando office served as faculty presenters.(News and Notes)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... William Ruffier and Anthony Sos of Dellecker, Wilson, King, McKenna & Ruffier's Orlando office served as faculty presenters for the National Business Institute's seminar on "Automobile Litigation: Strategic Issues and Answer" in Orlando.

James A. Gale.(News and Notes)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... James A. Gale of Feldman Gale served as an intellectual property panelist at the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association's 2007 Southeast Regional Conference on Miami Beach.

Richman, Greer, Weil, Brumbaugh, Mirabito & Christensen.(News and Notes)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Richman, Greer, Weil, Brumbaugh, Mirabito & Christensen was awarded the Law Firm of the Year Award by the pro bono program of the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County.

Hal Lewis.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2007... Hal Lewis of Pathman Lewis in Miami was honored by the Realtor Association of Greater Miami and the Beaches.

Junior League of Martin County.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2007... Donna J. Ernest of Palm City Law was elected to serve as the finance vice president of the Junior League of Martin County.

Suzanne Judas.(News and Notes)
June 1, 2007... Suzanne Judas of Holland & Knight's Jacksonville office chaired the Federal Magistrate Judge Merit selection panel by Chief United States District Judge Patricia C. Fawcett.

National Association for Fixed Annuities.(News and Notes)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Ann Young Black of Jorden Burt was elected to the National Association for Fixed Annuities' board of directors for a three-year term at the association's annual meeting.

ABA Tax Section.(News and Notes)(American Bar Association)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Charles H. Egerton of Dean Mead was appointed to serve on a task force established by the ABA Tax Section to study the growing problem of patenting of tax strategies.

Middle District U.S. Attorney needed.(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Applications are now being accepted to fill the position of United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida. Applications are available from Michael J. Grindstaff, Commission Chair, P.O. Box 4956, Orlando 32802-4956, telephone...

Orlando workers' Comp judge needed.(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... The Statewide Nominating Committee for Judges of Compensation Claims is accepting applications for a Judge of Compensation Claims for the Orlando District. Applicants must submit one original completed application and one copy to the...

Dean seeks to renew senior judge status.(Amy N. Dean)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Judge Amy N. Dean wishes to renew her service as a senior judge. Any persons having knowledge bearing upon the fitness or qualifications of Judge Dean to renew service as a senior judge should send comments in writing to Thomas D. Hall,...

Court considers fee schedule for court interpreter program.(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... The Supreme Court is considering the adoption of a fee schedule for the Court Interpreter Certification and Regulation Program. These fees would be adopted pursuant to Florida Statutes [section]25.386 and Rule 14.110(g), Florida Rules for...

Brinley petitions for Bar reinstatement.(Daniel Robert Brinley)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, Daniel Robert Brinley of Loxahatchee has petitioned the Supreme Court of Florida for Bar reinstatement. In an April 1, 1999, order, the court suspended Brinley for three years for lack of diligence and competence in...

Shapiro petitions for Bar reinstatement.(James J. Shapiro)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, James J. Shapiro of Boca Raton has petitioned the Supreme Court of Florida for Bar reinstatement. In an order dated October 17, 2005, the court suspended Shapiro for one year nunc pro tunc to May 6, 2005. The...

Fee statements are on the way; members may pay their fees online at floridabar.org.
June 1, 2007... Florida Bar members are now receiving their 2007-08 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. Also included in the fee...

Scott C. Davis.(News & Notes)
June 1, 2007... Scott C. Davis of the Law Firm of Scott C. Davis has been certified by the Florida Supreme Court as a circuit court mediator.

Federal Bar Association.(News & Notes)
June 1, 2007... Kevin J. Napper of Carlton Fields was named vice president of the Tampa Bay Chapter of the Federal Bar Association.

Academy of Rail Labor Attorneys.(News & Notes)
June 1, 2007... Howard A. Spier of Rossman, Baumberger, Reboso & Spier in Miami was elected treasurer of the Academy of Rail Labor Attorneys.

American Inns of Court.(News & Notes)
June 1, 2007... John W. Robinson IV of Fowler White Boggs Banker was elected as trustee for the 11th Circuit by the American Inns of Court.

Town of Ocean Ridge.(News & Notes)
June 1, 2007... Kenneth M. Kaleel of Kaleel & Crozier was reelected mayor of the Town of Ocean Ridge.

Jonathan Louis.(News & Notes)
June 1, 2007... Jonathan Louis of Kluger Peretz Kaplan & Berlin received the 2007 James and Marjorie Baer Outstanding Young Leadership Award.

South Asian Bar Association.(News & Notes)
June 1, 2007... Nisah D. Waranch of Fowler White Boggs Banker was elected to the South Asian Bar Association of Florida's Board of Directors.

Larry B. Alexander.(News & Notes)
June 1, 2007... Larry B. Alexander of Jones, Foster, Johnston & Stubbs was a featured speaker at the 20th Annual Law Firm Management and Economics Conference in Washington, D.C.

Diana Santa Maria.(News & Notes)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Diana Santa Maria addressed members of the American Justice Association on "Connective Tissue Disorder" in Miami. Santa Maria also spoke on defense medical exams at the Florida Justice Assocation's annual Workhorse Seminar.

Michael Rosenberg.(News & Notes)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Michael Rosenberg of Packman, Neuwahl & Rosenberg recently co-chaired the 25th Annual International Tax Conference and spoke on "Recognizing Key Pre-Immigration, Post-Mortem and Spousal Issues when Dealing with the International Tax Client" in...

John F. Bradley.(News & Notes)
June 1, 2007... John F. Bradley co-chaired the Ninth Annual Legal Symposium on the World of Music, Film, and Television at the Diplomat Hotel in Hollywood.

Daniel B. Bass.(News & Notes)
June 1, 2007... Daniel B. Bass of Mediar, Inc., in Ft. Lauderdale presented "The Mediation Advantage" to the Park City Board of Realtors.

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.(News & Notes)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... G. Mark Shalloway of Shalloway & Shalloway in West Palm Beach was elected a fellow of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys for his years of distinguished work on behalf of the elderly. Shalloway also delivered the opening speech to the...

Frank Goldstein and Rachel Ray have announced that the firm of Hengber, Goldstein & Ray will now operate as Goldstein & Ray, as Gregory Hengber is no longer affiliated with the firm.(On the Move)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Frank Goldstein and Rachel Ray have announced that the firm of Hengber, Goldstein & Ray will now operate as Goldstein & Ray, as Gregory Hengber is no longer affiliated with the firm. The Ft. Lauderdale firm concentrates its practice in the...

Anthony S. Adelson opened the Law Offices of Anthony S. Adelson, P.A., at 501 Golden Isles Dr., Ste. 203, Hallandale Beach, 33009.(On the Move)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Anthony S. Adelson opened the Law Offices of Anthony S. Adelson, P.A., at 501 Golden Isles Dr., Ste. 203, Hallandale Beach, 33009. The telephone number is (954) 458-9238, the fax number is (954) 862-5962, and the firm's Web site is...

Steven B. Burres, Joseph K. Fitos, and Justin M. Luna joined GrayRobinson.(On the Move)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Steven B. Burres, Joseph K. Fitos, and Justin M. Luna joined GrayRobinson. Burres will focus his practice on health care law, Fitos will focus on construction and litigation, and Luna will focus on construction, litigation, and bankruptcy law.

Mary E. Lytle joined Allen, Norton & Blue.(On the Move)
June 1, 2007... Mary E. Lytle joined Allen, Norton & Blue's Orlando office.