Florida Bar News articles from March 2004

Florida Bar News archives from March 2004

Tomorrow's trial lawyers get first-rate training today: Trial Lawyers Section promotes the art of advocacy.
March 1, 2004... Tucked away in a conference room at the Hyatt Regency Miami, a civil trial is underway about a police officer severely burned when his cruiser is struck in the rear and explodes into flames. Lawyers look smart and polished in suits, as they...

Complaints against lawyers decline: since the Attorney Consumer Assistance Program was launched in 2001.
March 1, 2004... The Bar's Attorney Consumer Assistance Program is apparently reducing the number of grievances filed with the Bar while also pleasing clients and attorneys who have used the program. Shannon Fleming, ACAP's lead attorney, reported to the...

TaxWatch calls court funding a high priority: insufficient funding would be bad for business.
March 1, 2004... It will take $140 million this year for Florida to adequately fund its court system as it carries out Revision 7 to Art. V, according to Florida TaxWatch, a government watchdog group. Florida TaxWatch also suggested cost savings,...

Bill would strip court of rulemaking ability.
March 1, 2004... A House bill proposing a constitutional amendment that would give the Florida Legislature total control over procedural rules for state courts was tabled February 17. PCB 1 was introduced and explained in the House Public Safety and...

Lawyers provide 1.3 million hours of pro bono work.(Florida lawyers: protecting rights, pursuing justice, promoting professionalism)
March 1, 2004... Florida lawyers provided approximately 1.35 million hours of pro bono work in 2002-03 and contributed $2.53 million to legal aid organizations, according to new figures gleaned from the Bar's latest dues statements. "These numbers again...

Death penalty.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... Johnny Robinson was executed February 4. I have been an opponent of the death penalty in Florida since 1982. I came late to my activist opposition position, only becoming aware of the issue in November 1982 when Robert Sullivan was executed....

Double jeopardy.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... Our judiciary, as the guardian of our law, must treat the most wicked of us as it would the cream-of-the-crop, no disparate treatment, no repressive treatment. We know our laws against double jeopardy protect all of us from being kicked around...

Errata.(Correction Notice)
March 1, 2004... The Disciplinary Actions column in the November 15, 2003, News incorrectly reported that Dennis Anthony Lopez, 210 N. Pierce Street, Tampa (Admitted to practice: 1981) "charged or collected excessive fees." Lopez was disciplined for attempting...

JNC applications being accepted.(Notice)
March 1, 2004... The Board of Governors is seeking applicants for the following vacancies for nominations to be submitted to Governor Bush on or before June 3: Judicial Nominating Commissions: One lawyer vacancy for each of the 26 JNCs. The Florida Bar...

Board of Bar Examiners, Commission on Professionalism appointments available.(Notice)
March 1, 2004... The Board of Governors is seeking applicants for the following vacancies to be filled during its May 28 meeting: Florida Board of Bar Examiners Vacancy: Lawyer applicants are being sought to fill two vacancies on the Florida Board of Bar...

Board to make appointments in April.(Notice)
March 1, 2004... The Board of Governors is seeking applicants for the following vacancies to be filled during its April 2 meeting: Supreme Court's Bar Admissions Committee: One lawyer to serve a two-year staggered term commencing July 1. This Supreme Court...

Executive Committee takes legislative position.(Notice)
March 1, 2004... Under Rule 2-9.3 (b)-(e), Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, active members of the Bar may file a specific objection to any legislative position adopted by the Board of Governors. Objections properly filed within 45 days of this News issue...

Make sure your Yellow Pages ad follows the rules.(In Practice)
March 1, 2004... There is a recurring theme in lawyer Yellow Pages advertising: Some Yellow Pages publishers tell advertising attorneys that they know the relevant rules and will make sure their Yellow Pages ads comply with the appropriate Rules Regulating The...

Barnett petitions for readmission.(In Practice)
March 1, 2004... Mark Stephen Barnett of Jacksonville has submitted an application for readmission to the Bar with the Board of Bar Examiners. Barnett resigned from the practice of law pursuant to Supreme Court case no. 90,953, based on allegations of...

Zouzoulas petitions for reinstatement.(In Practice)
March 1, 2004... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, Alexander Zouzoulas has petitioned the Florida Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement. Zouzoulas was suspended from practice of law for six months, effective January 4, 2003, for failing to act diligently in his...

Lawyer ad violations on the rise.(In Practice)
March 1, 2004... The Bar's Statewide Grievance Committee, which handles grievance complaints stemming from the Bar's advertising rues, is taking on a rising number of cases. Board of Governors member Gary Leppla told the board recently that the committee...

Reid petitions for Bar reinstatement.
March 1, 2004... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, Donald Wayne Reid, who formerly practiced in Alachua County and now resides in Bronson, Michigan, has petitioned the Florida Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement. Anyone having knowledge bearing upon Reid's fitness...

DPC continues work on firm breakup rule.
March 1, 2004... A proposed rule seeking to set guidelines for contacting clients when a lawyer leaves a law firm or a law firm breaks up will receive further study from the Disciplinary Procedure Committee. The Board of Governors did not vote on the...

The Minority Corporate Counsel Association.
March 1, 2004... ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: THE MINORITY CORPORATE COUNSEL ASSOCIATION, in cooperation with the Association of Corporate Counsel-South Florida Chapter, recently hosted a Diversity Networking Forum in Miami to provide an opportunity for...

TeamChild at risk of losing the funding game.
March 1, 2004... "What would you do with a 14-year-old, retarded pregnant girl charged with battery on her mother? "Or a child, cared for by her octogenarian great grandmother, who is severely mentally ill and harasses her equally aged next-door neighbor...

Planned Board of Governors' actions.(Notice)
March 1, 2004... Pursuant to Standing Board Policy 1.60, the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar hereby publishes this notice of intent to consider or take final action at its April 2 meeting on the following items. These matters are additionally governed by...

License tag would fund children's legal services.
March 1, 2004... Florida Bar members may soon be able to show their support for children's legal services. The Bar is asking the legislature to approve a specialty license plate advocating justice for children, with the proceeds going to The Florida Bar...

Board to act on ABA Model Rules.(Notice)
March 1, 2004... The Special Committee to Review the ABA Model Rules 2002 has issued a final report to The Florida Bar Board of Governors, which will take action on the report at its April 2004 meeting. The special committee was charged with the following...

Young lawyers to fill board positions.(Notice)
March 1, 2004... The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division is now seeking applicants for the positions of secretary, sergeant-at-arms, recorder, historian, and parliamentarian for its 2004-2005 board. Applicants will be expected to attend all seven of the...

CABA seeks relief for jailed Cuban dissidents.
March 1, 2004... The Cuban American Bar Association has filed a petition with the Organization of American States seeking relief against human rights violations committed by the Cuban government in relation to its latest crackdown on political dissidents ...

Peraza to lead SPBC FAWL.
March 1, 2004... Lisa M. Peraza was recently elected president of the South Palm Beach County Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers. The objectives of the newly created FAWL chapter include the advancement of the science of jurisprudence,...

Burger writing contest underway.
March 1, 2004... The American Inns of Court Foundation is now accepting submissions for the Chief Justice Warren E. Burger Writing Competition at the United States Supreme Court. The competition is designed to encourage scholarship "promoting the ideals of...

Forget to put your client's address in the judgment?(Practice Tips)
March 1, 2004... A recent decision of the Second District Court of Appeal reminds Florida lawyers what happens when a lawyer fails to put the client's address in a final judgment: Recording a certified copy does not make it a lien on real property. Even...

Public member screening panel named.(Practice Tips)
March 1, 2004... Bar President Miles McGrane has named members to the Public Member Screening Committee, which will review candidates to replace public Board of Governors member Dr. Vivian Hobbs. Dr. Hobbs, a professor at Florida A&M University, is...

Proposed Rules of Juvenile Procedure.(Notice)
March 1, 2004... The Florida Bar Juvenile Court Rules Committee has submitted to the Florida Supreme Court the committee's regular-cycle report of proposed amendments to the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure. The court invites all interested persons to...

Proposed Criminal Procedure Rules.(Notice)
March 1, 2004... The Florida Bar Criminal Procedure Rules Committee has filed its regular-cycle report of proposed rule changes. The committee proposes new rules 3.575 (Motion to Interview Juror) and 3.995 (Order of Revocation of Probation/Community Control)....

Proposed Rules of Traffic Court.(Notice)
March 1, 2004... The Florida Bar Traffic Court Rules Committee has submitted to the Florida Supreme Court its regular-cycle report of proposed amendments to the Florida Rules of Traffic Court. The committee proposes the adoption of new rule 6.292 (Conviction of...

Proposed Appellate Court Rules.(Notice)
March 1, 2004... The Florida Bar Appellate Court Rules Committee has filed its regular-cycle report of proposed rule changes. The committee proposes amendments to existing rules 9.020 (Definitions); 9.030 (Jurisdiction of Courts); 9.130 (Proceedings to Review...

Proposed Family Law Rules.(Notice)
March 1, 2004... The Family Law Rules Committee invites comment on a proposed out-of-cycle amendment to the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure shown below. The proposed amendment has been filed with the court. The full text of the proposal can be found on...

Additional Family Law Rules.(Notice)
March 1, 2004... The Family Law Rules Committee invites comment on a proposed out-of-cycle amendment to the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure shown below. The proposed amendments, prepared at the Supreme Court's request, have been filed with the court. The...

Dickerson to lead Stetson.
March 1, 2004... Darby Dickerson has been named the new vice president and dean of the Stetson University College of Law. Dean Dickerson has served as interim dean since May, after then-Dean Gary Vause announced his retirement and later passed away. ...

Direct mail solicitors get warning: about revealing potential clients' legal problems.
March 1, 2004... A law firm that uses direct mail solicitations to potential clients must be careful about listing the areas the firm practices in on the envelope as that might reveal information about potential clients' legal problems. The Board of...

Attorneys exchange: an opportunity for attorneys to exchange legal experiences and enhance their practice through referrals.
March 1, 2004... ADA LITIGATION Michael F. Lanham, an experienced ADA attorney, has an MBA & understands the business aspects faced by litigants in ADA cases. With a history of 10 years specializing in the implementation & case law of the ADA, Mr. Lanham...

House panel takes up family court measure.
March 1, 2004... Calling it a "baby step" toward a unified family court, the House Committee on Judiciary unanimously passed a bill that would set up a "unique identifier" for every individual who comes into the court system, so that judges can get a more...

Mark J. Price of Roetzel & Andress in Naples, has been reappointed as general counsel to Collier Building Industry Association.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2004... Mark J. Price of Roetzel & Andress in Naples, has been reappointed as general counsel to Collier Building Industry Association. Mark Eiglarsh of Robbins, Tunkey, Ross, Amsel, Raben, Waxman & Eiglarsh, P.A., in Miami, presented, "Community...

Michael Andrew Haggard.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2004... Michael Andrew Haggard of Haggard, Parks, Haggard & Bologna in Coral Gables, spoke about opening statements at the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyer's winter seminar in Beaver Creek, CO.

Sarasota County Bar Association Circuit Civil Committee.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2004... Stuart Jay Levine of Walters Levine Klingensmith & Thomison, P.A., in Sarasota, has been appointed chair of the Sarasota County Bar Association Circuit Civil Committee, for a two-year term.

Sun City Center Chamber of Commerce.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2004... James P. Hines, Jr. of Hines Norman Hines, in Tampa, has been re-elected to the board of directors of the Sun City Center Chamber of Commerce.

Mitchell A. Bierman.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2004... Mitchell A. Bierman of Weiss Serota Helfman Pastoriza Guedes Cole & Boniske, P.A., in Miami, moderated the seminar "Doing Business with Miami-Dade County, Ethically & Profitably." The seminar was sponsored by the Greater Miami Chamber of...

Cuban American Bar Association, Inc.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2004... Roland Sanchez-Medina, Jr., of Sanchez-Medina & Associates, P.A., in Coral Gables, has been elected to the board of directors of the Cuban American Bar Association, Inc. Scott J. Brook of Coral Springs, has been recently appointed...

Richard M. Zelman.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2004... Richard M. Zelman of Sacher, Zelman, Van Sant, Paul, Beiley, Hartman, Rolnick, & Waldman, P.A., in Miami, spoke about implications of the U.S. Patriot Act on international banking at TerraLex's annual meeting in Lyon, France.

Orlando Regional Realtors Association.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2004... James Mitchell of Baker & Hostetler in Orlando, has been named the 2003 educator of the year by the Orlando Regional Realtors Association.

City of Miami Beach Zoning Board of Adjustment.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2004... Michael C. Gongora of Miami Beach has been appointed to the City of Miami Beach Zoning Board of Adjustment. Gongora also is on the Code Enforcement Board for the City of Miami and is a special master for the Miami-Dade County Value Adjustment...

Don Dufresne of Adorno & Yoss, and Pat Rooney Jr., general counsel of the Palm Beach Kennel Club--both of West Palm Beach--were presented with the Lois Cohn Kwasman MVP Award.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2004... Don Dufresne of Adorno & Yoss, and Par Rooney, Jr., general counsel of the Palm Beach Kennel Club--both of West Palm Beach--were presented with the Lois Cohn Kwasman MVP Award at the monthly meeting of the Sports Commission Board of Directors...

Southeast Florida Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2004... Joseph S. Karp, of Karp Law Firm with three South Florida offices, has been elected to the board of directors of the Southeast Florida Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

Bennett Brummer.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2004... Bennett Brummer, Miami-Dade public defender, received the "Gran Orden Martiana" award from the Liceo Cubano, an organization dedicated to preserving the memory of Jose Marti.

Dade County Trial Lawyers Association.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2004... Daniel D. Dolan II, of Haggard, Parks, Haggard & Bologna in Coral Gables, has been re-elected to the board of directors of the Dade County Trial Lawyers Association for 2004-2006.

Michael Rosenburg.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2004... Michael Rosenburg of Packman, Neuwahl & Rosenburg, co-chaired the 22nd Annual International Tax Conference in Miami, and presented "A Case Study of How the Ever Changing U.S. International Tax Provisions Can be Utilized in a U.S....

Nova Southeastern University.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2004... Alexander P. Heckler of Greenberg Traurig in the Ft. Lauderdale and Miami offices recently received the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award from Nova Southeastern University's high school, the University School.

Dade County Defense Bar Association.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2004... Hannesson, Murphy of Clarke Silverglate Campbell Williams & Montgomery, has been elected president of the Dade County Defense Bar Association.

Lee County Bar Association.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2004... Marcy Shaw of Wright, Shaw & Hoerner, EA., in Cape Coral, has been elected member at large of the Lee County Bar Association. She will become president of the association in 2008.

Board of Directors of Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2004... Nelda Lawrence of Stephens, Lynn, Klein, LaCava, Hoffman & Puya, P.A., in Miami, has been appointed to serve on the Board of Directors of Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc., for the 2004-2006 term.

Emergency Medicine Learning & Resource Center.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2004... Michael R. Lowe of Ruden, McClosky, Smith, Schuster & Russell, EA., in Orlando, has been appointed to the board of directors of the Emergency Medicine Learning & Resource Center.

Managed Care Ombudsman Committee.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2004... Bruce Blitman of Ft. Lauderdale, has been elected vice chair of the Managed Care Ombudsman Committee for District 10.

Dade Community Foundation's Board of Governors.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2004... Richard C. Milstein of Akerman, Senterfitt & Eidson, P.A., in Miami, has been elected chair of the Dade Community Foundation's Board of Governors.

Allison R. Day.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2004... Allison R. Day of Genovese Joblove & Battista, P.A., and an adjunct professor at Barry University in Miami spoke on how to handle complex consumer bankruptcy issues at a program of the National Business Institute in Miami. Submissions for...

Hodgson Russ.(On the Move)
March 1, 2004... Brian K. Duffey, formerly of Duffey & Duffey, has joined Hodgson Russ in Boca Raton. Duffey concentrates in estate planning, probate, and real estate.

David S. Harrigan and Jonathan E. Rose have become associated with Stump, Storey, Callahan, Dietrich & Spears, P.A.(On the Move)
March 1, 2004... David S. Harrigan and Jonathan E. Rose have become associated with Stump, Storey, Callahan, Dietrich & Spears, P.A. Harrigan and Rose have joined the firm's civil litigation practice. Offices are located at 37 N. Orange Ave., Ste. 200, Orlando,...

Roberts, Reynolds & Bedard, P.A., announces that Gerard A. Tuzzio has become a shareholder and that the firm name has changed to Roberts, Reynolds, Bedard & Tuzzio, P.A.(On the Move)
March 1, 2004... Roberts, Reynolds & Bedard, P.A., announces that Gerard A. Tuzzio has become a shareholder and that the firm name has changed to Roberts, Reynolds, Bedard & Tuzzio, P.A., with offices at 470 Columbia Dr., Bldg. C-101, West Palm Beach, 33409,...

Stovash, Case & Tingley, P.A.(On the Move)
March 1, 2004... Rachel E Adams has become associated with Stovash, Case & Tingley, P.A. Offices are located at Signature Plaza, 201 S. Orange Ave., Ste. 720, Orlando, 32801, phone: (407)316-0393.

Brown, DeMay & Froman, P.A.(On the Move)
March 1, 2004... Susan L. Fara has become a shareholder of Brown, DeMay & Froman, P.A. Fara concentrates in workers' compensation defense and workers' compensation appellate law. Offices are located at Sarasota City Center, Ste. 1100, 1819 Main St., Sarasota,...

Glenn Rasmussen Fogarty & Hooker, P.A.(On the Move)
March 1, 2004... Marc A. Chambers, formerly of Davis, Polk & Wardell in New York City, has become a senior associate with Glenn Rasmussen Fogarty & Hooker, P.A. Chambers concentrates in corporate law, securities offerings and regulation, and mergers and...

Norton, Hammersley, Lopez & Skokos, P.A.(On the Move)
March 1, 2004... John M. Compton has become a shareholder of Norton, Hammersley, Lopez & Skokos, P.A., in Sarasota. Compton concentrates in taxation, corporate, estate planning, and probate.

Hill, Ward & Henderson, P.A.(On the Move)
March 1, 2004... Mark M. Wall, formerly of Englander & Fischer, P.A., has become associated with Hill, Ward & Henderson, P.A., in Tampa. He focuses in commercial and real estate related litigation. Offices are located at 101 E. Kennedy Blvd., Ste. 3700, Tampa,...

Bercow & Radell, P.A.(On the Move)
March 1, 2004... Michael Larkin has become partner of Bercow & Radell, P.A., with offices at 200 S. Biscayne Blvd., Ste. 850, Miami, phone: (305) 374-5300. Larkin concentrates in land use and zoning matters in Miami-Dade County, Miami Beach, Aventura, Hialeah...

Marks Gray, P.A.(On the Move)
March 1, 2004... Judith A. Guthrie has become associated with Marks Gray, P.A. Guthrie concentrates in healthcare law, medical malpractice, and nursing home defense. Offices are located at 1200 Riverplace Blvd., Ste. 800, Jacksonville, 32207.

Marshall, Dennehy, Warner, Coleman & Goggin.(On the Move)
March 1, 2004... Edward F. Gagain III and Dale T. Golden have been elected shareholders of Marshall, Dennehy, Warner, Coleman & Goggin in Tampa. Gagain concentrates in general liability. Golden focuses in professional liability. www.marshalldennehey.com.

Fisher, Rushmer, Werrenrath, Dickson, Talley & Dunlap, P.A.(On the Move)
March 1, 2004... Stephanie B. Preston has become a shareholder of Fisher, Rushmer, Werrenrath, Dickson, Talley & Dunlap, P.A. Offices are located at 20 N. Orange Ave., Orlando, 32802, phone: (407) 843-2111, fax: (407) 422-1080.

Gardner, Wilkes, Shaheen & Candelora.(On the Move)
March 1, 2004... John E. Thomas has become a shareholder with Gardner, Wilkes, Shaheen & Candelora. Thomas focuses in commercial litigation, election law, and medical malpractice. Offices ale located at 2400 SunTrust Financial Centre, 401 E. Jackson St., Tampa,...

Divine & Estes, P.A.(On the Move)
March 1, 2004... Asima M. Azam has become associated with Divine & Estes, P.A., with offices at 24 S. Orange Ave., Ste. 203, Orlando, 32802, phone: (407) 426-9500, fax: (407) 426-8030.

Broad and Cassel.(On the Move)
March 1, 2004... Maureen Daughton, Kelly O'Keefe, and Charles Geitner have become partners with Broad and Cassel. Daughton and O'Keefe are both with the Tallahassee office. Daughton is a member of the firm's labor and employment practice group, and O'Keefe is a...

Lewis, Longman & Walker, P.A.(On the Move)
March 1, 2004... John J. Fumero, formerly general counsel for South Florida Water Management District, has become a senior attorney with Lewis, Longman & Walker, P.A. Fumero concentrates in environmental, land use, administrative and water policy law matters....

Williams Schifino & Mangione & Steady, P.A.(On the Move)
March 1, 2004... Joseph T. King has become associated with Williams Schifino & Mangione & Steady, P.A. King concentrates in securities litigation, arbitration, business litigation, and trial practice. Offices are located at One Tampa City Center, Ste. 2600,...

Bronson, Eide & Telan, P.A.(On the Move)
March 1, 2004... Charles J. Meltz has become a partner of Grower, Ketcham, Rutherford, Bronson, Eide & Telan, P.A. He concentrates in medical malpractice defense and account malpractice defense. Offices are located at 390 N. Orange Ave., Ste. 1900, Orlando,...

Andrew S. Alitowski .(On the Move)
March 1, 2004... Andrew S. Alitowski announces the opening of his practice, concentrating in personal injury matters, general civil litigation, and real estate transactions, with offices at 305 Broadway, Ste. 1101, New York, N.Y., 10007, phone: (212) 227-2320.

Hill, Ward and Henderson, P.A.(On the Move)
March 1, 2004... Gregory P. Brown and Scott W. Dibbs have become shareholders with Hill, Ward and Henderson, P.A. Brown practices in civil trial work, business bankruptcy, and creditors' rights litigation. Dibbs concentrates in both corporate and real estate...

McGuire Woods.(On the Move)
March 1, 2004... Edward M. Whelan has become a partner with McGuireWoods. Whelan concentrates in construction related matters. Offices are located at Bank of America Tower, 50 N. Laura St., Ste. 3300, Jacksonville, 32202.

Florida State University College of Law.(On the Move)
March 1, 2004... Stephanie Williams, formerly of Ausley & McMullen in Tallahassee, has become associate dean for administration at the Florida State University College of Law.

McCumber, Inclan, Daniels, Valdez, Buntz & Ferrera, P.A.(On the Move)
March 1, 2004... Albert M. Rodriguez has become associated with McCumber, Inclan, Daniels, Valdez, Buntz & Ferrera, P.A., in Tampa, with offices at 5102 S. Laurel St., Ste. 100, Tampa, 33607, phone: (813) 287-2822. Rodriguez concentrates in nursing borne,...