Florida Bar News articles from March 2005

Florida Bar News archives from March 2005

MJP debate focuses on pro hac vice rules.
March 1, 2005... In the name of making it easier for lawyers to practice across state boundaries, The Florida Bar is proposing rule changes that would actually restrict some practices, according to opponents of proposed rule changes on multijurisdictional...

Lawyers with disabilities needed for work group: project will work to expand career opportunities within the legal system for people with disabilities.
March 1, 2005... Lawyers with disabilities are needed to form a working group to identify barriers--real or imagined--that prohibit those with disabilities from participating fully in the legal community and The Florida Bar. The Coral Gables-based...

Family section takes new tack to support gay adoptions: the bill would not strike the ban, but would skirt the law for gay foster parents.
March 1, 2005... The Florida Bar's Family Law Section Executive Council has unanimously voted to support a bill that would allow gay foster parents to adopt if it is in the best interest of the child. Family Law Section Chair Evan Marks said it is his "hope...

Board considers amendment process.
March 1, 2005... A special committee has recommended that the Bar support some limitations on all proposed state constitutional amendments, but the Board of Governors has for the moment delayed acting on that proposal. Board member Harold Melville, chair of...

Baraque petitions for reinstatement.
March 1, 2005... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, George Juan Baraque has petitioned the Florida Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement. Baraque's suspension was effective May 19, 2001, and was for a period of two years resulting from a felony conviction. Any...

Errata.(Correction Notice)
March 1, 2005... Reading Florida's state budget has never been easy and the Bar News missed an item on the statewide Guardian Ad Litem office expenditures proposed by Gov. Jeb Bush in its February 15 story on the budget. That story reported that the...

Two new board certification areas in the works.
March 1, 2005... Proposals are now on the table to create two new areas of board certification--in administrative and governmental practice and subrogation law. "I think both of these are excellent areas for board certification," said Judge Ralph...

Florida Bar Board of Governors.
March 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: FLORIDA BAR BOARD OF GOVERNORS member Amy L. Smith, center, was recently elected to the circuit bench in the 15th Circuit. Attending her investitures was fellow Board of Governor member Jerry Beer, left, and...

Web site upgrade work progressing.
March 1, 2005... Work on redesigning the Bar's Web site has kicked into high gear and could be finished in time to debut at the Annual Meeting in June, according to Communications Committee Chair Mike Glazer. Glazer reported to the Board of Governors...

Burger writing contest underway.
March 1, 2005... The American Inns of Court is now accepting entries for its Warren E. Burger Writing Competition, that encourages "thoughtful consideration of the practical application of the highest principles of professionalism in the American legal...

Diversity award nominations sought.
March 1, 2005... The Young Lawyers Division is now accepting nominations for its diversity award, which recognizes a person or entity that demonstrats the "highest morality and respect for all persons and diversity, for efforts to create diversity, for...

Practice management award available.
March 1, 2005... Nominations are now being accepted for the Walter S. Crumbley Practice Management & Development Award, which recognizes a member of Florida's legal community who has distinguished himself or herself professionally and who has rendered...

Claude Pepper Award nominees needed.
March 1, 2005... The Government Lawyer Section is now accepting nominations for its Claude Pepper Outstanding Government Lawyer Award, which recognizes "an outstanding lawyer who has made an extraordinary and exemplary contribution as a practicing government...

Legal fiction competition seeks entries.
March 1, 2005... Entries are now being accepted for the National Legal Fiction Writing Competition for Lawyers. The purpose of the contest, sponsored by SEAK, Inc., is to encourage lawyers to become more interested in and adept at writing legal fiction....

Second Circuit Board candidates platform statements.
March 1, 2005... Below are platform statements for candidates for the special election for Second Circuit, Seat 2, on The Florida Bar Board of Governors. Filing for the contest closed February 15, and the winner will be sworn in at the June Annual Meeting...

Commission on Lawyer Regulation moves toward recommendations.
March 1, 2005... The Commission on Lawyer Regulation has completed an extensive two-day meeting and is moving toward making recommendations. Chair and Bar President-elect designate Hank Coxe told the Board of Governors recently that the panel could have a...

Proposed criminal jury instructions.(Notice)
March 1, 2005... The Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases has submitted to the Florida Supreme Court a report proposing revisions to the Florida Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases. The Court invites all...

Family Law Rules amendments.(Notice)
March 1, 2005... The Florida Bar's Family Law Rules Committee has submitted to the Florida Supreme Court a regular-cycle report proposing amendments to the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure. The committee proposes amending rule 12.285 (Mandatory Disclosure)...

Small Claims Rules amendments.(Notice)
March 1, 2005... The Florida Bar's Small Claims Rules Committee has filed with the Florida Supreme Court its regular-cycle report of proposed amendments to the Florida Small Claims Rules. The committee proposes amendments to rules 7.080 (Service of Pleadings...

Proposed Probate Rules amendments.(Notice)
March 1, 2005... The Florida Bar's Probate Rules Committee has filed with the Florida Supreme Court its regular-cycle report of proposed amendments to the Florida Probate Rules. The committee proposes amendments to rules 5.040 (Notice); 5.041 (Service of...

Rules of Judicial Administration changes.(Notice)
March 1, 2005... The Florida Bar's Rules of Judicial Administration Committee has filed with the Florida Supreme Court its regular-cycle report of proposed amendments to the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration. The committee proposes amendments to rules...

Civil Procedure Rules amendments.(Notice)
March 1, 2005... The Florida Bar's Civil Procedure Rules Committee has filed with the Florida Supreme Court its regular-cycle report of proposed amendments to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure. The committee proposes amendments to rules 1.380 (Failure to...

Askew to address Historical Society's April 7 annual dinner.(Notice)
March 1, 2005... Former Gov. Reubin Askew will be the keynote speaker for the annual dinner of the Florida Supreme Court Historical Society in Tallahassee April 7. All society members and their guests are invited to attend the dinner and the preceding 6:30...

The all lawyer band "Learned Hands" and a band composed of doctors "Running With Scissors" staged their first Battle of the Bands to Benefit the Winter Park Community Center.(Notice)
March 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: THE ALL LAWYER BAND "LEARNED HANDS" and a band composed of doctors "Running With Scissors" staged their first Battle of the Bands to Benefit the Winter Park Community Center. Dr. Mark Schwartz, drummer for...

Panel examines Bar meetings, certification.
March 1, 2005... The Bar's Program Evaluation Committee has completed a review of the Bar's certification process but is still studying the Bar's Annual and Midyear Meeting operations. Chair Richard Tanner told the Board of Governors recently that PEC is...

Workers' comp rules panel still wants a say.
March 1, 2005... The Bar's Workers' Compensation Rules Committee should still have a role, even though those rules are now under the purview of the Department of Administrative Hearings instead of the Supreme Court. The Bar's Program Evaluation Committee...

Board to consider advertising rules.(Notice)
March 1, 2005... 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 8 meeting on the following proposed amendments to the Rules Regulating The...

Lawyer advertising on the rise.(Notice)
March 1, 2005... Almost half of all lawyers in private practice are employed in firms or legal offices in Florida that use some form of advertising, and the percentage of firms that advertise has increased significantly since 1996, according to the Bar's 2004...

Stewart elected to lead the young lawyers.
March 1, 2005... "How do we make our board more relevant to our constituents? How do we engage those people that we do not otherwise touch?" are some of the pressing questions John M. Stewart hopes to answer as a future president of the Young Lawyers Division....

YLD to lobby for law school loan measure.
March 1, 2005... The Young Lawyers Division has won authority to lobby for support of public agencies helping repay law school loans for their lawyers who have been on the job for at least three years. The approval came after the position was expanded to...

Proposed ethics advisory opinions.(Notice)
March 1, 2005... The Professional Ethics Committee revised Proposed Advisory Opinions 04-1, 04-2, and 00-2 (Reconsideration) at its meeting on January 21, 2005, after consideration of comments received by Florida Bar members. Proposed Advisory Opinions 04-1,...

Bar's Animal Law Committee rounds up interested lawyers; hold the jokes about dogs needing lawyers--this emerging area of the law is now gaining respect.
March 1, 2005... After the second meeting of the recently formed Animal Law Committee adjourned, Fred Cohen deadpanned: "My wife wants me to say, 'I am not a kook.'" Far from it. Cohen, a 61-year-old, late-in-life attorney, who passed the bar exam in 1999,...

Animal law in the classroom.
March 1, 2005... Standing at the blackboard at Florida State University College of Law, Cindy McNeely teaches class holding a toy poodle in the crook of her arm. This isn't just any dog. This isn't just any class. And this isn't just any teacher. The...

Bar supports judicial pay raises.
March 1, 2005... The Florida Bar is supporting a substantial cost of living increase for the state's judiciary, which has had only one small raise in the past several years. Fourth Circuit Judge Fred Tygart, chair of the Conference of Circuit Court Judges,...

Florida Bar investments strong in 2004.
March 1, 2005... The 2004 calendar year was a successful one for the Bar on its investments, according to Investment Committee Chair Jay White. White reported to the Bar Board of Governors in January that the Bar had a 7.5 percent return on investments for...

For the first time in recent memory, 100 percent of the circuit and county court judges of the 17th Judicial Circuit are now members in good standing of the Broward County Bar Association.
March 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: FOR THE FIRST TIME IN RECENT memory, 100 percent of the circuit and county court judges of the 17th Judicial Circuit are now members in good standing of the Broward County Bar Association. For the past year,...

Cuban American Bar Association.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2005... Corali "Cori" Lopez-Castro of Kozyak, Tropin & Throckmorton in Coral Gables was elected president-elect of the Cuban American Bar Association.

Toby Prince Brigham.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2005... Toby Prince Brigham of Brigham Moore was honored at the property rights conference at the William and Mary Law School in Virginia. Brigham was honored for his lifelong achievement in the area of eminent domain and property rights law.

Federal Bar Association.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2005... Mark C. Anderson of Fowler White Boggs Banker in Ft. Myers was elected president of the Federal Bar Association, Southwest Florida Chapter for 2004-2005.

John H. Dannecker.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2005... John H. Dannecker of Shutts & Bowen spoke to the National Association of Home Builders' Building Product Issues Committee at the International Builders Show.

Florida Supreme Court.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2005... Robert Michael Daisley has become certified by the Florida Supreme Court as a circuit civil mediator.

Robert D. Peltz.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2005... Robert D. Peltz of McIntosh, Sawran, Peltz, Cartaya & Petrucelli co-wrote the chapter, "Personal Injury and Wrongful Death of Seaman and Other Maritime Workers" in the Maritime Law and Practice Manual published by The Florida Bar.

Orlando University Club.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2005... A. Brian Phillips of Ruden McClosky in Ft. Lauderdale was elected 2005 president of the Orlando University Club.

Broward Democratic Executive Committee.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2005... Kenneth E. Keechl of Brinkley, McNerney, Morgan, Solomon & Tatum in Ft. Lauderdale was appointed to the Broward Democratic Executive Committee as a precinct leader. Additionally, Keechl was elected to the board of directors of the...

James E. Baldinger.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2005... James E. Baldinger of Carlton Fields in West Palm Beach spoke at the U.S. Telecom Association's "Telecom 04" convention about the obligations of voice over Internet protocol service providers to comply with law enforcement's surveillance...

Marlene Quintana of Akerman Senterfitt in Miami was re-elected.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2005... Marlene Quintana of Akerman Senterfitt in Miami was re-elected to the board of directors of the Cuban American Bar Association.

Francis X. Rapprich III and Michael T. Haire of Fisher, Raushmer, Werrenrath, Dickson Talley & Dunlap in Orlando spoke at Lorman Educational Services seminar.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2005... Francis X. Rapprich III and Michael T. Haire of Fisher, Rushmer, Werrenrath, Dickson, Talley & Dunlap in Orlando spoke at a Lorman Educational Services seminar on the topic of building codes in Florida.

Michael Rosenberg.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2005... Michael Rosenberg of Packman, Neuwald & Rosenberg served as a co-chair and a speaker at the 23rd Annual International Tax Conference. Rosenberg's speech was titled, "The Complexities when Dealing with the Qualified Domestic Trust U.S. Estate...

The Beacon Council.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2005... Al Cardenas of Tew Cardenas in Miami was elected to the board of directors of The Beacon Council.

Andrew P. Rock.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2005... Andrew P. Rock of Kingsford & Rock, P.A. conducted a workshop titled, "Examinations Under Oath" at the Sixth Annual Windstorm Insurance Conference in Tampa, presented by the Windstorm Insurance Network.

Leslie S. Lott.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2005... Leslie J. Lott of Lott & Friedland in Coral Gables spoke at the Law Education Institute's National CLE conference. Lott gave a presentation on the latest developments in trademark and trade dress law, and recent federal district and circuit...

State Board of Education.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2005... Roberto Martinez of Colson Hicks Eidson in Coral Gables was appointed by Gov. Jeb Bush to the State Board of Education.

Dade County Trial Lawyers Association.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2005... Daniel D. Dolan of the Coral Gables firm Haggard, Parks, Haggard & Lewis was elected secretary of the Dade County Trial Lawyers Association.

Bruce A. Blitman of Ft. Lauderdale and Jeanne D. Maes of the University of South Alabama co-authored an article titled, "Achieving Desirable Mediation Outcomes.".(News and Notes)
March 1, 2005... Bruce A. Blitman of Ft. Lauderdale and Jeanne D. Maes of the University of South Alabama coauthored an article titled, "Achieving Desirable Mediation Outcomes" published by The Commercial Law League of America's publication Debt3.

McGuireWoods.(On the Move)
March 1, 2005... William E. Adams, Jr., was elected partner of McGuireWoods in Jacksonville. Adams practices in the commercial litigation department, focusing on complex commercial litigation and class actions.

Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell.(On the Move)
March 1, 2005... Francis H. Sheppard joined Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell in Orlando as a partner. Sheppard practices in general civil litigation with an emphasis in professional liability, employment litigation, and commercial litigation.

Coppins, Monroe, Adkins, Dincman & Spellman.(On the Move)
March 1, 2005... Gerald Shane Ferenchik, Kelly M. Klein, and Jennifer A. Sullivan joined Coppins, Monroe, Adkins, Dincman & Speliman in Tallahassee as associates.

Bunting Sanchez Hayes.(On the Move)
March 1, 2005... Shawn Willson Shepard joined Bunting Sanchez Hayes in Atlanta as an associate. Shepard concentrates in commercial transactions, real estate, and corporate law. Additionally, the firm has relocated to 1640 Powers Ferry Road, Building 11, Suite...

Akerman Senterfitt.(On the Move)
March 1, 2005... Lila A. Jaber has joined the Tallahassee office of Akerman Senterfitt as of counsel in the government relations practice group.

Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi.(On the Move)
March 1, 2005... Lawrence A. Farese joined Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi in Naples as a partner. Farese's practice focuses on business and probate litigation.

Holland & Knight.(On the Move)
March 1, 2005... Rebecca Sos joined Holland & Knight in Orlando. Sos joined the real estate section and practices primarily in the area of land use.

G.W. Harrell joined the Tallahassee office of Akerman Senterfitt.(On the Move)
March 1, 2005... G.W. Harrell joined the Tallahassee office of Akerman Senterfitt as of counsel in their legislative and governmental affairs practice group.

Clay County Sheriff's Office.(On the Move)
March 1, 2005... James W. Pimentel has become police legal advisor to the Clay County Sheriff's Office.

Gunster Yoakley & Stewart.(On the Move)
March 1, 2005... Jay Carmichael has joined the law firm of Gunster Yoakley & Stewart in Miami as an of counsel attorney. Carmichael will serve local, national, and international clients in both the private and public sector in the areas of corporate strategic...

Genovese, Joblove & Battista.(On the Move)
March 1, 2005... Neema R. Nair joined Genovese, Joblove & Battista in Miami as an associate. She will focus her practice on insolvency, bankruptcy, and creditors' rights matters.

Pepper Hamilton.(On the Move)
March 1, 2005... Todd B. Reinstein joined Pepper Hamilton in Washington, D.C., as an associate in tax law.

Shutts & Bowen.(On the Move)
March 1, 2005... John C. Strickroot, Jr., joined Shutts & Bowen in West Palm Beach as a partner in the real estate practice group.

Abel, Band, Russell, Collier, Pitchford & Gordon.(On the Move)
March 1, 2005... Cheryl L. Gordon was elected managing shareholder of Abel, Band, Russell, Collier, Pitchford & Gordon in Sarasota. Additionally, Christian T. Van Hise was elected shareholder in the firm.

Samuel S. Heywood joined Akerman Senterfitt as an associate.(On the Move)
March 1, 2005... Samuel S. Heywood joined Akerman Senterfitt as an associate in the litigation practice group in the Miami office.

Upchurch, Watson, White & Max.(On the Move)
March 1, 2005... John Fleming (Jack) Kelly joined the panel of mediators of Upchurch, Watson, White & Max in Daytona Beach.

Humphries & Oberdier.(On the Move)
March 1, 2005... Jason K. Hutchinson joined Humphries & Oberdier in Jacksonville as an associate.

The Law Offices of Michael Shane.(On the Move)
March 1, 2005... The Law Offices of Michael Shane announce the relocation of its main office to One Datran Center, 9100 South Dadeland Blvd, PH 2, Suite 1810, Miami 33156; phone (305) 671-8777; fax (305) 671-2278. The firm continues to represent individual and...

Mark Kaplan.(On the Move)
March 1, 2005... Mark Kaplan was named chief of staff to Lt. Governor Toni Jennings.

Gorman Miotke and Associates.(On the Move)
March 1, 2005... Amit Dehra joined Gorman Miotke and Associates with offices at 9800 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg 33716. The firm practices exclusively in the area of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Dehra works as an immigration associate and can be...

Hinshaw & Culbertson.(On the Move)
March 1, 2005... Richard E. Zelonka, Jr., joined Hinshaw & Culbertson in Jacksonville. Zelonka focuses his practice in litigation and handles motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, commercial trucking, and insurance coverage matters.

Baker & Hostetler.(On the Move)
March 1, 2005... Dan Bachrach, Tracey Ellerson, Matt Julian, and Christa Werder were elected partners of Baker & Hostetler in Orlando. Bachrach practices in the business group. Ellerson practices in the employment and labor group. Julian and Werder practice in...

Robert Half Legal.(On the Move)
March 1, 2005... Charles A. Volkert III of Robert Half Legal in Miami was promoted to the position of executive director.

Allen Dell.(On the Move)
March 1, 2005... Gary Walker joined Allen Dell in Tampa. Walker focuses his practice in the area of health care law.

Barr, Murman, Tonelli, Slother & Sleet.(On the Move)
March 1, 2005... Yueling E. Lee joined Barr, Murman, Tonelli, Slother & Sleet in Tampa as an associate. Lee practices in the area of commercial law and litigation.

Norton, Hammersley, Lopez & Skokos.(On the Move)
March 1, 2005... Victor G. Santiago joined Norton, Hammersley, Lopez & Skokos in Sarasota. Santiago concentrates on business law, taxation, estate planning, probate, and real estate.

Mark K. Straley, Tracy J. Robin, and Robert S. Wiliams announce the opening of Straley, Robin & Williams.(On the Move)
March 1, 2005... Mark K. Straley, Tracy J. Robin, and Robert S. Williams announce the opening of Straley, Robin & Williams. The firm's areas of concentration include real estate transactions and development, land use and zoning, community development districts,...

Hill, Ward & Hendersen.(On the Move)
March 1, 2005... Gina K Grimes, Erik R. Matheney, and Lara J. Tibbals have been elected shareholders in Hill, Ward & Hendersen in Tampa. Grimes is a member of the real estate practice group. Matheney and Tibblas are members of the litigation group.

Hodgson Russ, L.L.P.(On the Move)
March 1, 2005... David A. Riggs joined Hodgson Russ, L.L.P., in Boca Raton as a partner in its Florida family law practice group.

Gloria Roa Bodin.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2005... Gloria Roa Bodin of Gloria Roa Bodin & Associates co-wrote Immigration Law for Paralegals.