Florida Bar News articles from March 2003

Florida Bar News archives from March 2003

Legislators look to reshape the court system: villalobos says standardization is key.
March 1, 2003... Nothing is final, but plans are starting to shape up for how the state will assume more funding of the state court system, in accordance with a 1998 constitutional amendment. Among the early indications: Counties shouldn't look for any big...

Legislators look to reshape the court system; Chief Justice: proceed with caution.
March 1, 2003... Proceed with caution, members of the legislature: Do not mix concern about the state's strapped budget with your historic mission to chart out the role of the judicial branch as part of the Article V changes on funding the courts. That was...

Bell joins the Supreme Court.
March 1, 2003... A man of character, a man of integrity, a man of the law, and a man of faith whose "moral compass points true north." That's how friends and colleagues described Justice Kenneth B. Bell at the February 14 swearing-in ceremony at the Supreme...

Court calls for 56 new judges.
March 1, 2003... The Florida Supreme Court, in its annual certification opinion, said Florida's courts need 56 new judges -- two on the district courts of appeal, and 54 for the trial courts. Of last year's 49 total judgeships requested, only 18 were...

Letters.
March 1, 2003... Dignity in Law The importance of The Florida Bar's Dignity in Law campaign cannot be overstated. I applaud our president, Tod Aronovitz, and the Board of Governors for their leadership m getting the word out that the vast majority of...

The pros and cons of privatizing death penalty appeals.
March 1, 2003... "Florida is without any doubt the No. 1 state in this country for its post-conviction proceedings in death penalty cases," Chief Justice Harry Lee Anstead told the House Select Committee on Article V. "We are called constantly by other...

Board rejects family-related contingency fee.
March 1, 2003... A lawyer handling only the division of a pension after a divorce has been granted may not charge a contingency fee, the Bar Board of Governors has decided, ratifying a Professional Ethics Committee position. The board acted at its January...

Gideon's 40th anniversary marked.
March 1, 2003... "If you cannot afford a lawyer, a lawyer will be appointed for you." Those commonplace words, spoken by judges every day in courtrooms to persons accused of breaking the law, are only 40 years old. Thanks to a petition drafted in a...

U.S. Army command seeks chief counsel.
March 1, 2003... The U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command located at Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey, is recruiting candidates to fill the position of chief counsel. This is a senior executive service position, and the executive level requirements warrant...

Free report shows lawyers how to get more clients.
March 1, 2003... CA. -- Why do some lawyers get rich while others struggle to pay their bills? The answer, according to California lawyer David M. Ward, has nothing to do with talent, education, hard work, or even luck. "The lawyers who make the big...

Workers' comp commission releases reform report.
March 1, 2003... Claimant workers' compensation attorneys would be eligible only for contingency and not hourly fees under a sweeping rewrite of state workers' comp laws proposed by a gubernatorial commission. The report, which also recommends more...

New workers' comp. rules approved.
March 1, 2003... New procedural rules for workers' compensation cases have been approved by the Division of Administration Hearings after they went unchallenged during a recent public comment period. The rules became effective February 23, according to...

UPL actions.
March 1, 2003... The Florida Supreme Court recently issued six orders permanently prohibiting nine persons and/or corporations from engaging in the unlicensed practice of law, and issued three orders finding four persons and/or corporations guilty of indirect...

LOMAS wins ABA access award.
March 1, 2003... The Bar's Law Office Management Assistance Service recently received meritorious recognition from the ABA's 2003 Louis M. Brown Award for Legal Access. LOMAS provides consulting services on a wide variety of practice management issues...

UPL update.
March 1, 2003... In November 2002, the Supreme Court of Florida issued an interesting opinion against a nonlawyer practicing immigration Jaw in Florida. The opinion, The Florida Bar v. Erdon Abreu, Case No. SC01-2019 (Nov. 27, 2002), is interesting because...

Dr. Hobbs broadens her horizons on assignment in Brazil.
March 1, 2003... Vivian Hobbs views herself as the conscience of The Florida Bar Board of Governors, not bashful to spark frank talk about women and minorities and the legal profession, helping lawyers see old issues in new ways. An assistant professor of...

Maj. Gen. Roming to speak March 8.
March 1, 2003... Major General Thomas J. Roming, the judge advocate general of the United States Army, will be the keynote speaker for the 2003 Military Law and Legal Assistance Symposium March 8 at the Ponce de Leon Hotel in St. Augustine. The Bar's...

Jerry named UF's new law school dean.
March 1, 2003... University of Missouri law Professor Robert Jerry has been named dean of the University of Florida's Fredric S Levin College of Law, effective July 1. Jerry succeeds Jon Mills, who will remain on the law faculty and with the college's...

Trial Lawyers Section keeps an eye on malpractice legislation.
March 1, 2003... Monitoring legislation, including medical malpractice issues, and promoting professionalism are among the top priorities this year of the Trial Lawyers Section. Reporting to the Board of Governors recently, section Chair Dominic Caparello...

In praise of useless thoughts. (Stresslines).
March 1, 2003... Do you ever feel that your job might be causing mental stagnation? Complications do arise for people who think for a living -- even more so if they're good at it. It's not the thinking that's the problem: It's what one is paid to think about....

Section legislative agendas.
March 1, 2003... A legislative package proposed by the Family Law Section aimed at fixing glitches in Florida's new adoption law has been reviewed and allowed by the Bar Board of Governors. The board also reviewed and okayed proposed legislative positions...

Loan assistance bill offered.
March 1, 2003... It may not survive the budget wrangling of a tight fiscal year, but a bill to help assistant state attorneys and public defenders pay back law school loans has cleared its first legislative committee. SB 96, sponsored by Sen. Skip Campbell,...

Marsicano Award nominations sought.
March 1, 2003... The City, County and Local Government Law Section is now accepting nominations for its Ralph A. Marsicano Award. The award is given to a lawyer who has made a significant contribution to the practice of local government law. The award...

Finding the right balance between life and work.
March 1, 2003... Little gasps burst from the audience at the Florida Association for Women Lawyers luncheon when keynote speaker Ellen Ostrow said: "I'm going to ask you to throw away your to-do lists." Armed with her Ph.D. in psychology, Ostrow is a...

Project lets foster children know someone cares.
March 1, 2003... For children caught up in the dependency system, a simple cake and candles can change their entire perspective on the world. It lets them know somebody cares, and while foster homes provide what they can for these children, some just can't...

Manoff & Schutz, PA. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... John F. Schutz, of Manoff & Schutz, PA., West Palm Beach, has been certified by the Florida Supreme Court as a family mediator.

"Legal Dilemmas Facing the Nurse Practitioner". (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Louise B. Zeuli, of Louise B. Zeuli, P.A., Maitland, presented "Legal Dilemmas Facing the Nurse Practitioner" at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, to the Graduate Nursing Association, where she spoke about the specific legal issues...

Health Care Lawyers. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... James A. Martin, Jr., a shareholder with Macfarlane Ferguson & McMullen, Clearwater, has been elected secretary of the board of directors of the Florida Academy of Health Care Lawyers.

Florida Defense Lawyers' Association. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Dan Mitchell, of Tampa, has been appointed the chair of the continuing legal education committee of the Florida Defense Lawyers' Association.

Associated Marine Institute's. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Matthew Smith, of Akerman Senterfitt, Orlando, was the recipient of the Associated Marine Institute's 2002 Leadership in Governance Award.

Civil Engineer's Structural Technical Group. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... David C. Willis, shareholder with Mateer & Harbert, P.A., Orlando, spoke to the East Central branch of the American Society of Civil Engineer's Structural Technical Group about professional liability.

Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce's Cultural Affairs Committee. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Ronald A. Christaldi, shareholder with tie la Parte & Gilbert, PA, has been appointed to serve as co-chair of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce's Cultural Affairs Committee.

Steward/Public Servant Award. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Paul Novack, attorney and mayor of the Town of Surfside, is the recipient of the 2003 Community Steward/Public Servant Award, by 1000 Friends of Florida, a nonprofit organization established to promote better planning for the state's growth.

Amelia Island Plantation. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Mark Kraus, assistant attorney general, along with Judge Michael Weatherby, lectured on the topic: "Managing Civil RICO and Qui Tam, Crooks and Bounty Hunters" at the Conference of Circuit Court Judges, at the Amelia Island Plantation.

Essential Markets, Inc. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Steven Randall Walker, formerly general counsel with Essential Markets, Inc., Seattle, Washington, has been appointed attorney-advisor with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission in the Division of Corporation Finance, Washington,...

Federal Bar Association's. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Seth Rodner, a shareholder with Fowler White Boggs Banker, has been named treasurer of the Federal Bar Association's national criminal law section for 2003.

Drug Law Institute's. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... John Newton, senior assistant attorney general in Attorney General Charlie Crist's Economic Crimes and Civil Rights units, spoke at the Food and Drug Law Institute's Conference on Privacy Issues and Dilemmas for Drug and Medical Device...

Broward County. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Paul O. Lopez, a director with Tripp Scott, has been appointed to the executive board of the United Way of Broward County.

Broward County, Inc. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... James D. Camp III, president and shareholder of Camp & Camp, P.A., Ft. Lauderdale, was recently elected president of the Legal Aid Society of Broward County, Inc., and has been appointed for a second term on the 17th Judicial Circuit Grievance...

Dade County Trial Lawyers Association. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Jeremy Alters, a partner with Ratzan & Alters has been named president-elect of the Dade County Trial Lawyers Association, where he formerly served as the organization's treasurer.

South Florida, Inc. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... James D. Camp, Jr., vice president and shareholder of Camp & Camp, P.A., Ft. Lauderdale, has been elected for a one-year term as a director of Community Television Foundation of South Florida, Inc., and has been re-appointed to the Florida...

Trial Lawyers Association. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Julie H. Littky-Rubin, of Lytal, Reiter, Clark, Fountain & Williams, LLP, has spoken at several seminars sponsored by the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers on the topics of "Legislative and Judicial Updates in the Evidence Code and Civil...

University of Florida Law Alumni Council. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Oscar Sanchez, of Akerman Senterfitt, Miami, and president-elect of the University of Florida Law Alumni Council, addressed the incoming winter class of about 200 students.

Hayden Dempsey. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Hayden Dempsey, a shareholder with Gray Harris, Tallahassee, has become a member of the board of trustees for Florida Tax Watch.

Business and Professional Regulation. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Hardy L. Roberts III, formerly of Carlton, Fields, Ward, Emmanuel, Smith and Cutler, Miami, has been named by Gov. Jeb Bush the interim secretary of the Florida department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Columbus State University. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... John W. Hoft, Jr., of Tampa, has been appointed to the faculty of the College of Business at Columbus State University in Georgia, as assistant professor of business law.

American Bankruptcy Institute's. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Jerry M. Markowitz, a founding shareholder of Markowitz, Davis, Ringel &Trusty, PA, spoke on the topic of "Asset Sales-Executory Contracts and Other Issues" at the American Bankruptcy Institute's 8th Annual Rocky Mountain Bankruptcy Conference...

Florida Department of Business. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Diane Carr, former partner with Hopping, Green and Sams, Tallahassee, has been named secretary designate of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation by Gov. Jeb Bush.

Florida College of Health Sciences Foundation. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Troy A. Kishbaugh, with Gray Harris, Orlando, has been elected to serve as the board chair for the Florida College of Health Sciences Foundation.

"Ethics in the Discovery Process". (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Gary S. Lesser, of Lesser, Lesser & Landy, P.A., West Palm Beach, presented "Ethics in the Discovery Process" at a recent ethics in Florida seminar. He also presented "Practicing with Professionalism" at the Palm Beach County Bar Personal...

21st Annual International Tax Conference. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Michael Rosenberg, of Packman, Neuwahl & Rosenberg, served as co-chair and a speaker at the 21st Annual International Tax Conference, co-sponsored by the Florida Institute of CPAs and The Florida Bar. held in Miami. His speech was titled: "A...

Stovash, Case & Tingley, P.A. (On the Move).
March 1, 2003... Robert J. Stovash, Robert L. Case, and Amy S. Tingley, formerly of Morlan & Stovash, P.A., announce the formation of Stovash, Case & Tingley, P.A., with offices at 55 E. Pine St., P.O. Box 2073, Orlando 32802, telephone (407)316-0393. The firm...

Brown Brothers Harriman. (On the Move).
March 1, 2003... Halsey Smith, Jr., has become senior vice president with Brown Brothers Harriman, with offices at 240 Royal Palm Way, Palm Beach 33480, telephone (561)832-4262. He oversees sales and marketing efforts for the firm.

Social Security. (On the Move).
March 1, 2003... Mathew L. Wax and Brian L. Fernandes have joined Solomon, Syfrett, & Durrett, with offices at 2018 Delta Way, Tallahassee 32317, telephone (850)385-6668. They practice in the areas of workers' compensation, Social Security disability, and...

Canton Fields. (On the Move).
March 1, 2003... Ary Choucke has joined Canton Fields, with offices at 400 International Place, 100 SE Second St., Miami 33131, telephone (305)854-5900. He practices in the areas of complex commercial transactions, including real estate, secured financing, and...

Kelly Reagan. (On the Move).
March 1, 2003... Kelly Reagan has been named a share-holder of Page, Mrachek, Fitzgerald & Rose, P.A., with offices at 505 S. Flagler Dr., Flagler Center, Ste. 600, West Palm Beach 33401, telephone (561)655-2250. He concentrates in commercial litigation, and...

South Miami's Environmental Review and Preservation Board. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Alicia M. Morales-Fernandez, of Katz, Barron, Squitero & Faust, P.A., Miami, has been appointed by the mayor to the city of South Miami's Environmental Review and Preservation Board.

Palm Beach County Trial Lawyers Association. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Harry Shevin, of Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, West Palm Beach, has been elected to the board of the Palm Beach County Trial Lawyers Association.

University of Miami School. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Joanne Harvest Koren, director of the University of Miami School of Law's Academic Achievement Program, and member of the Miami-Dade County Community Relations Board, has been elected to the executive board of the American Association of Law...

Shutts & Bowen, LLP. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Bud Bennington, of Shutts & Bowen, LLP, Orlando, has been appointed to the position of "At-Large Board Member" to the Orlando Diocesan School Board.

Midway Fire District. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Bob Murphy has been elected to a four-year term on the board of commissioners for the Midway Fire District.

Mediation Appreciation Day. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Dan Armstrong, of the Law Offices of Dan W. Armstrong, P.A., Ponte Vedra Beach, participated in Mediation Appreciation Day by presenting a lecture to the County Court Mediation Program of the Fourth Judicial Circuit. The lecture focused on...

Dennis Levine & Associates. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Dennis J. Levine, of Dennis Levine & Associates, Tampa, participated on a panel at the ABI's Rocky Mountain Bankruptcy Conference in Denver, Colorado. The panel's topic was "Consumer Bankruptcy Issues--What Business Lawyers Need to Know."

Panel for Human Services. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... James J. Therrell, Jr., attorney with Zimmerman Shuffield, Kiser & Sutclife, P.A., Orlando, has been named to and is serving on the Orange County Citizen's Review Panel for Human Services.

A Practical Perspective. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Alison M. Yurko, of Thomas P. Callan, P.A., Orlando, has written an article titled, "A Practical Perspective About Annexation in Florida: Making Sense of Chapters 171 and 164, Florida Statutes 2003 and Beyond."

Hirsch & Markus, LLP. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... David Oscar Markus, of Hirsch & Markus, LLP, spoke on jury selection at the Dade County Bar Association Young Lawyers Section seminar, and on pretrial motions at The Florida Bar's Advanced Federal Criminal Practice Seminar.

Miami-Dade Police Department's Training Bureau. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Barry M. Mankes, of the Miami-Dade Police Department's Training Bureau, has been appointed to the Police-Prosecutor Coordinating Committee, Training Subcommittee. He was also a presenter at the Miami-Dade State Attorney/Miami Beach Police...

Mateer & Harbert, P.A. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Mildred Beam, a shareholder at Mateer & Harbert, P.A., Winter Park, has been named a member of the board of directors at Seniors First, a nonprofit organization that enhances the quality of life for Orange County Senior Citizens.

Florida Housing Finance Corporation. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Orlando Cabrera, a partner of Holland & Knight, Miami, has resigned from the firm, having been appointed by the Florida Department of Community Affairs as executive director of the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.

Shutts & Bowen, LLP. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Jane Gordon, of Shutts & Bowen, LLP, spoke at a Lorman-sponsored seminar entitled "Title Examination in Florida" in Miami. She spoke on the topic of "Litigating Lien Priorities with the Subrogation Toolbox."

Hillsborough County Bar Association. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Christine A. MarleWski, of GrayHarris, Tampa, has been appointed director of the pro bono committee for the Young Lawyers' Division of the Hillsborough County Bar Association.

Athan & Crown, P.A. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Richard C. Grant, of Grant, Fridkin, Pearson, Athan & Crown, P.A., Naples, has been elected chair of the board of directors of The Conservancy of Southwest Florida for the year 2003.

Winter Park Rotary Club. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Elliot Wilcox, of the Office of the State Attorney, Ninth Judicial Circuit, presented "Beyond What Happened Next?: How to Improve Your Direct Examination," at the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association's DUI Trial Advocacy School in Cocoa...

Florida Public Employers Labor Relations Association's 29th Annual Training Conference. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Michael G. Whelan, of Whelan, DeMaio & Kiszkiel, P.A., Miami, presented "Discipline and Discharge of Represented and Unrepresented Employees: What Type of Process Is Due?" for the Florida Public Employers Labor Relations Association's 29th...

Christian Legal Society. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Joseph Warren Kniskern, of Weston, a former senior partner with Kelley Drye & Warren, and member of the Christian Legal Society, has published a new book titled "Making a New Vow: A Christian Guide to Remarriage and Blended Families."

Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... William E. Adams, Jr., professor, has been promoted to associate dean for international, online, and graduate programs at Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center.

Greenberg Traurig, LLP. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Cliff Schulman, shareholder with Greenberg Traurig, LLP, has been named chair of the board of the Aventura Marketing Council.

Anti-Defamation League. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Joseph W. Hatchett, a member of Akerman Senterfitt, has been awarded the 2003 Jurisprudence Award by the Anti-Defamation League.

Governor's Points of Light Award. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Judith Nelson, former judge of compensation claims, has been awarded a Governor's Points of Light Award for her volunteer work as executive director of The Victory School, a nonprofit school for children with autism and related disabilities.

WLRN Television. (News and Notes).
March 1, 2003... Darrell Payne, a partner with Shook, Hardy & Bacon, L.L.P., was elected chair of the WLRN Television and Radio Community Advisory Board.

First Judicial Circuit. (Benchmarks.).
March 1, 2003... Judge Kim A. Skievaski will serve as the chief judge for the First Judicial Circuit through 2005.

Judicial Circuit of Florida. (Benchmarks.).
March 1, 2003... Joseph P. Farina has been re-elected to his fifth term as chief judge of the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida, to begin in July of 2003.

Florida Department of Children and Families in Miami-Dade County. (Benchmarks.).
March 1, 2003... Linda Ann Wells, former chief district legal counsel for the Florida Department of Children and Families in Miami-Dade County, has been sworn in as a new judge for the Third District Court of Appeal.

Broward Legal Aid holiday project helps 35 families.
March 1, 2003... Legal Aid Service of Broward County's Holiday Adopt-A-Family project was a record-setting success this year thanks to the generosity and effort of 21 adopters who were matched with 35 families. One hundred and twenty children and three...