Florida Bar News articles from March 2008

Florida Bar News archives from March 2008

Sink asks lawyers to help Floridians save their homes.
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Wearing a button with legal legend Chesterfield Smith's smiling face and his favorite phrase, "Be somebody and do good," Florida's Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink challenged The Florida Bar Board of Governors to do...

Helping 'home losers' in the 'Predator-Free Zone'.(Interview)
March 1, 2008... Rather than homeowners, April Charney calls her clients "home losers." She calls the subprime mortgage crisis "Enronesque 100,000 times over." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] At Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Charney is barely able to take a day...

Court workers face furloughs: some could see up to 58 days without pay.
March 1, 2008... Proposed state budget cuts would have devastating impacts on Florida courts and their ability to resolve cases for citizens, Chief Justice Fred Lewis told a key legislative committee. Lewis testified February 19 that a 5.9 percent...

Court plans to embrace technological innovations: e-filing and online access are at the top of the agenda.
March 1, 2008... The Florida Supreme Court has created the Florida Courts Technology Commission and charged it with drawing up a plan to improve the judicial branch's technology operations, including plans that lead to electronic filing of court documents and...

RPPTL committed to service: the section currently has more than 80 legislative positions.(Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section)(Editorial)
March 1, 2008... It may be 50 years old and The Florida Bar's biggest section, but the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section is still seeking fresh challenges. Section Chair Melissa Murphy recently delivered the section's annual report to the Bar...

Turnover tide.
March 1, 2008... Florida's State Attorneys and Public Defenders continue to struggle with turnover. Below are the rates for FY 2007. 20% Assistant State Attorneys 24% Assistant Public Defenders Source: Justice Administrative Commision

Ad rules on background sounds and celebrity spokespersons reviewed.
March 1, 2008... Amendments for Bar advertising rules on background sounds and celebrity spokespersons were approved by the Board of Governors last month, more amendments were presented for later action, and the Bar's Citizens Forum suggested an additional ad...

Proposed amendments to the appellate rules.(Notices)(Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure)
March 1, 2008... The Florida Bar's Appellate Court Rules Committee has submitted to the Florida Supreme Court its regular-cycle report of proposed amendments to the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure. The court invites all interested persons to comment on the...

In memoriam.(In memoriam)
March 1, 2008... Isaac Anderson, Jr., Punta Gorda Admitted 1977; Died December 15, 2007 Harold B. Bickow, Miami Beach Admitted 1949; Died June 10, 2005 Arlan Herbert Birkman, Deerfield Beach Admitted 1989; Died November 10, 2007 ...

Proposed jury instruction on deadlocked juries.(Notices)
March 1, 2008... The Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Civil Cases proposes to amend its instructions on 7.3(c) Jury Deadlocked. The proposed amendments are shown below with the current instruction shown with strike-through marks and the...

Government Lawyer Section sets sights on student loans: loan forgiveness workshop set for March 14 in Orlando.
March 1, 2008... In an effort to make public service and government positions more attractive and financially viable for new lawyers, the Government Lawyer Section has created a Loan Forgiveness Committee that will meet in Orlando March 14. Section Chair...

Committee takes up the shackling of children in court.(Juvenile Court Rules Committee)
March 1, 2008... Unchain the children. Keep the shackles on kids charged with crimes to maintain order in the court. Those clashing positions were hotly debated when the Juvenile Court Rules Committee met January 17 at The Florida Bar Midyear Meeting...

Bar supports more judges, kids' issues.(The Florida Bar)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... The Florida Bar will support the Supreme Court's call for 61 new trial court judges and has given the Legal Needs of Children Committee permission to lobby for a comprehensive approach to representing children in court. The Board of...

Governor makes JNC appointments.(Governor Charlie Crist on the Judicial Nominating Commission appointments)
March 1, 2008... Governor Charlie Crist recently made the following appointments to various judicial nominating commissions: First District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission: * Peter Antonacci of Tallahassee, with Gray Robinson, succeeding...

Bar braces for a weak market.
March 1, 2008... It was only a short time ago--the end of 2007 and into early 2008--that many economists and government leaders were saying there was only a slight chance of a recession this year. But professionals at the Morgan Stanley brokerage firm who...

Lawyer raises money to support families of wounded U.S. soldiers.
March 1, 2008... Wounded in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, soldiers with the worst injuries wind up at the James A. Haley VA Medical Center in Hillsborough County, the busiest VA hospital in the country. To have their families at their bedsides brings...

[Cartoon].(Cartoon)
March 1, 2008... He's trying to figure out a way to miss this putt so his client can win the match. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Board hears diversity report: 'it's an excellent blueprint and guideline to lead us'.(Eugene Pettis)
March 1, 2008... Underscoring its continued support for diversity in the legal system, the Board of Governors has approved in concept the final report and recommendations from the initial 2004 Diversity Symposium. Board member Eugene Pettis, chair of the...

Opinion on lawyers in chat rooms to be reconsidered.(Notices)
March 1, 2008... The Standing Committee on Advertising will consider withdrawing or modifying Florida Advertising Opinion A-00-1 regarding attorney participation in chat rooms at the request of The Florida Bar Board of Governors at its meeting to be held via...

Board seeks member guidance on lawyer-to-lawyer advertising.
March 1, 2008... A survey of Bar members on how they think lawyer-to-lawyer advertising should be regulated has been approved by the Bar Board of Governors. The board, at its recent Tallahassee meeting, accepted the recommendation of the Program...

Mental heath initiative.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2008... I commend The Florida Bar News for its excellent reporting of the Florida Supreme Court Subcommittee on Mental Health's proposals for revamping our state's mental health system and subsequent legislative committee hearings on ways to implement...

ADA education.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2008... When I viewed the horrible image of a helpless person in a wheelchair tossed onto the floor at the Hillsborough County Orient Road Jail, I noticed the public employees present/responsible behaved as if they had committed prior atrocities...

First appearances.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2008... In a recent article about the cost of first appearances ("Who should be attending first appearances?" February 15 News), several people framed the discussion as one about whether a true adversarial hearing is affordable due to the cost of...

Errata.(Correction notice)
March 1, 2008... A February 15 News story about a Judicial Candidate Voluntary Self-Disclosure Statement--promulgated by the Bar's Judicial Administration and Evaluation Committee to help educate voters--is intended only for trial court judge candidates. The...

May appointments to be filled.(Notices)
March 1, 2008... Florida Board of Bar Examiners Vacancy: Lawyer applicants are being sought to fill three vacancies on the Florida Board of Bar Examiners. The Board of Governors will be selecting nine nominees for three lawyer vacancies at its May 30 meeting....

10th JNC to fill two bench openings.(Notices)(10th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission )(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... The 10th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission is now accepting applications to fill two circuit vacancies created by the resignations of Judge Ralph Artigliere, effective April 1, and Judge Susan Roberts, effective March 31. Applicants...

Comp claims judges seek reappointment.(Notices)(Compensation Claims)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... The Statewide Nominating Committee for Judges of Compensation Claims will meet April 25 at 9 a.m. at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport for the purpose of interviewing the following judges of compensation claims for reappointment:...

C. Pepper Award nominees needed.(Claude Pepper Outstanding Government Lawyer Award)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... 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...

The banker who finds herself running a 108-lawyer firm: 'what I have learned is what a fantastic, fabulous experience it is'.(Alex Sink)(Interview)
March 1, 2008... When Alex Sink is asked what most surprises her about her job as Florida's chief financial officer, the former bank president answers: "I find myself as the managing partner of a 108-person law firm." And she wants members of The Florida...

Proposed amendments dealing with sealing court records and documents.(Notices)
March 1, 2008... Pursuant to the court's request in In re Amendments to Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420--Sealing of Court Records and Dockets, 954 So. 2d 16 (Fla. 2007), the Rules of Judicial Administration Committee has filed with the Florida...

Proposed board actions.(Notices)
March 1, 2008... 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 March 28, 2008 meeting in Washington D.C. on the following items. These matters are...

Proposed opinion what duties, if any, an attorney owes a prospective client who contacts the lawyer unilaterally.(Notice)
March 1, 2008... The Professional Ethics Committee will consider adopting a proposed advisory opinion on the following issue based on an inquiry from The Florida Bar Board of Governors as a matter of significant interest to Florida Bar members at a meeting to...

Proposed amendments to the Family Law Rules.(Notices)
March 1, 2008... The Florida Bar's Family Law Rules Committee has submitted to the Florida Supreme Court its regular-cycle report of proposed amendments to the Florida Family Law Rules. The court invites all interested persons to comment on the committee's...

Amendments to the Rules of Judicial Administration.(Notices)
March 1, 2008... The Florida Bar's Rules of Judicial Administration Committee has submitted to the Florida Supreme Court its regular-cycle report of proposed amendments to the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration. The court invites all interested persons to...

Expand your Bar Web site profile: members may now add a picture, list practice areas, and much more.
March 1, 2008... More than 9,000 Florida Bar members have expanded their profiles on The Florida Bar's Web site. Since July 1, Bar members have been able to post information about themselves and their law firms on the Bar member profile page at www....

17th JNC accepting judicial applications.(17th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission )(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... The 17th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission is now accepting applications to fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Barry E. Goldstein. Applicants must have been a member of The Florida Bar for the preceding five years, a...

11th JNC accepting judicial applications.(11th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission )(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... The 11th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission is now accepting applications to fill a county court vacancy resulting from the elevation of Judge George A. Sarduy to the circuit bench. Applicants must have been members of The Florida Bar...

Second DCA JNC to fill a judicial vacancy.(Second District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission )(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... The Second District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission is now accepting applications to fill a vacancy resulting from the retirement of Judge E.J. Salcines, effective July 18. Applicants must have been members of The Florida Bar...

Ruden McClosky.(On the Move)
March 1, 2008... Victor R. Berwin, Hope W. Calhoun, Daniel W. Matlow, Lee Ann Tranford, and Louis M. Ursini III have been named partners in Ruden McClosky. Berwin is resident in the firm's West Palm Beach office and focuses his practice on commercial, real...

Zuckerman Spaeder.(On the Move)
March 1, 2008... Walter Tache has been named the managing partner of the Miami office of Zuckerman Spaeder. Tache's practice focuses on complex civil litigation in federal and state court.

Mason Law, P.L.(On the Move)
March 1, 2008... Mason Law, P.L., has relocated its office to 4592 Ulmerton Road, Suite 101, Clearwater 33762, phone (727) 538-3800, fax (727) 5383820, and e-mail: mason@masonlaw.biz.

Cabaniss, Smith, Toole & Wiggins.(On the Move)
March 1, 2008... Jennifer B. Locke has been elected to partnership in the firm of Cabaniss, Smith, Toole & Wiggins.

Lee B. Gordon, a board certified real estate lawyer, has moved his office to 265 Sunrise Avenue, Suite 204, Palm Beach 33480.(On the Move)
March 1, 2008... Lee B. Gordon, a board certified real estate lawyer, has moved his office to 265 Sunrise Avenue, Suite 204, Palm Beach 33480. The telephone number (561-833-2233) and fax number (561-832-0000) for Lee B. Gordon, P.A., remain the same.

Joanne M. Foster has joined William E. "Ted" Guy and John S. Yudin as a partner in the firm of Guy Yudin & Foster, LLP.(On the Move)
March 1, 2008... Joanne M. Foster has joined William E. "Ted" Guy and John S. Yudin as a partner in the firm of Guy Yudin & Foster, LLP, located in Stuart where they continue to practice in the areas of commercial litigation, admiralty and maritime law,...

Suzanne Besu has joined Hunton & Williams in Miami as an associate in the business practice group.(On the Move)
March 1, 2008... Suzanne Besu has joined Hunton & Williams in Miami as an associate in the business practice group. Besu focuses her practice on general corporate transactional and securities representation, including international business ventures,...

Michael R. Diliberto has joined ADR Services, Inc.(On the Move)
March 1, 2008... Michael R. Diliberto has joined ADR Services, Inc., in California, as a full-time mediator and arbitrator.

Jay Cohen.(On the Move)
March 1, 2008... Jay Cohen announces the opening of his law office at 200 Las Olas Circle, 200 S.W. 1st Avenue, 12th Floor, Ft. Lauderdale 33301, phone (954) 763-6939. He will continue to represent individuals and families suffering significant losses due to...

Akerman Senterfitt.(On the Move)
March 1, 2008... Andrew M. Smulian has been named the new chair of Akerman Senterfitt in an election by the firm's shareholders.

Geoffrey E. Parmer recently opened Geoffrey Parmer, P.A.(On the Move)
March 1, 2008... Geoffrey E. Parmer recently opened Geoffrey Parmer, P.A., located at 2525 Park City Way, Tampa 33609, phone (813) 8775555, and e-mail gparmer@msn.com. The firm will concentrate in commercial litigation and personal injury in both state and...

Shutts & Bowen.(On the Move)
March 1, 2008... Shutts & Bowen recently elected nine new partners. Those in the Miami office include Jerel C. Dawson, a member of the insurance practice group; Roland Gallor, a member of the real estate department; and Ricardo J. Souto, a member of the...

Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt.(On the Move)
March 1, 2008... Scott A. Beatty has become a stockholder with Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt in Ft. Myers.

Mychal Katz has joined Roetzel & Andress in Orlando as an associate.(On the Move)
March 1, 2008... Mychal Katz has joined Roetzel & Andress in Orlando as an associate. Katz's practice is focused in the area of bankruptcy and creditors' rights, corporate and business services, and real estate law.

Harris L. Bonnette, Jr., has joined Ivan, Cole & Bonnette as a shareholder in its Jacksonville office.(On the Move)
March 1, 2008... Harris L. Bonnette, Jr., has joined Ivan, Cole & Bonnette as a shareholder in its Jacksonville office. Bonnette concentrates in federal and state tax litigation and estate and trust litigation.

Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell.(On the Move)
March 1, 2008... Eric McAliley of Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell in Miami has been promoted to partner. McAliley primarily practices commercial litigation with a focus on securities litigation and construction litigation. He also practices professional liability,...

Heath A. Denoncourt has opened the law office of Denoncourt & Warenyk, P.A. in Tampa.(On the Move)
March 1, 2008... Heath A. Denoncourt has opened the law office of Denoncourt & Warenyk, P.A., in Tampa. The firm's principal office is located at 15301 Amberly Drive, Suite 250, Tampa 33647, phone (813) 514-2860, fax (813) 5142877, and Web site...

Douglas A. Sachs and Nicole Lussos have joined the Law Offices of Scott L. Astrin, staff counsel for AIG Companies.(On the Move)
March 1, 2008... Douglas A. Sachs and Nicole Lussos have joined the Law Offices of Scott L. Astrin, staff counsel for AIG Companies, as senior trial attorneys, practicing workers' compensation law. Offices are located in Maitland and St. Petersburg.

Seipp & Flick, LLP.(On the Move)
March 1, 2008... Seipp & Flick, LLP, a civil litigation firm emphasizing product liability defense, premises liability and personal injury defense, commercial litigation, maritime and admiralty litigation, motor vehicle warranty and lemon law litigation, as...

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick.(On the Move)(Cathleen E. O'Dowd )(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Cathleen E. O'Dowd and W. Jan Pietruszka have been named partners in Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick's Tampa office. O'Dowd practices land use law and regularly represents land owners' and homeowners' associations in zoning, wetzoning, comprehensive...

The Law Offices of Astrid M. Bismarck.(On the Move)
March 1, 2008... The Law Offices of Astrid M. Bismarck has relocated to 201 Alhambra Circle, Ste., 500, Coral Gables 33134, (305) 444-5554, fax (305) 443-6858; and continues to practice in the area of family law and mediation, and real estate law. The firm's...

Crystal C. Spencer has joined Lozier, Thames and Frazier in Pensacola as a partner and the firm will now be known as Lozier, Thames, Frazier, Spencer & Schlieter, P.A.(On the Move)
March 1, 2008... Crystal C. Spencer has joined Lozier, Thames and Frazier in Pensacola as a partner and the firm will now be known as Lozier, Thames, Frazier, Spencer & Schlieter, P.A. Her practice will focus on medical malpractice, personal injury, workers'...

Lewis, Stroud & Deutsch, P.L.(On the Move)(Oliver G. Gilbert III )(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Oliver G. Gilbert III has become a partner in Lewis, Stroud & Deutsch, P.L., in Boca Raton and Gary K. Oldehoff has become of counsel to the firm. Gilbert practices in the field of government liability, including civil rights, discrimination,...

Peggy A. Underbrink has opened an office of Peggy A. Underbrink, P.A., in Stuart.(On the Move)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Peggy A. Underbrink has opened an office of Peggy A. Underbrink, P.A., in Stuart. The firm will concentrate on employment discrimination and whistleblower law, as well as general civil litigation in state and federal courts, in both Florida and...

Robert Allen Law.(On the Move)
March 1, 2008... Paul B. Feltman of Robert Allen Law in Miami was recently appointed the firm's managing partner. Feltman's practice areas include litigation and appellate law.

Brandon S. Peters has formed Peters Trial Group, LLC.(On the Move)
March 1, 2008... Brandon S. Peters has formed Peters Trial Group, LLC. The firm's offices are located in downtown Orlando.

Nancy J. Flint has joined the Miami office of Carlton Fields as of counsel in the firm's intellectual property and technology practice group.(On the Move)
March 1, 2008... Nancy J. Flint has joined the Miami office of Carlton Fields as of counsel in the firm's intellectual property and technology practice group. Flint's practice focuses on patent, trademark, and general commercial litigation, as well as patent...

A. Edward McGinty.(News and Notes)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... A. Edward McGinty of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick spoke at a recent meeting of the Tampa Chapter of the Society of Financial Professionals about transfer restriction agreements, trust protectors under the new Florida Trust Code, and an asset...

Big Brothers Big Sisters.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Brad Gould of Dean Mead in Ft. Pierce has been elected chair of the board for Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties.

Joel Settembrini.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2008... Joel Settembrini of Smith Hulsey & Busey in Jacksonville spoke at "Condemnation 101: Fundamentals of Condemnation Law and Land Valuation," hosted in San Francisco by the American Law Institute and the American Bar Association. He also...

Mark Eiglarsh.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2008... Mark Eiglarsh, of the Miami-based Law Offices of Mark Eiglarsh, presented, "What Every Civil Lawyer Should Know About Criminal Law," at an event sponsored by the Dade County Bar Young Lawyers Section. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Trent Cotney.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2008... Trent Cotney, with the construction law practice group of Glenn Rasmussen Fogarty & Hooker, presented a seminar titled "The Legal Side of Construction Contracts" in Tampa in February.

Joseph Barry Schimmel.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2008... Joseph Barry Schimmel of Cohen, Chase, Hoffman & Schimmel in Miami was recently awarded the ABA Section of Taxation's annual Janet Spragens Pro Bono Award for his volunteer work with the Legal Services of Greater Miami's federally funded tax...

Tampa Club Board of Directors.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2008... Ronald A. Christaldi of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick in Tampa was recently appointed treasurer of the Tampa Club Board of Directors. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Samuel S. Goren.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2008... Samuel S. Goren of Goren, Cherof, Doody & Ezrol, with offices in Ft. Lauderdale and Delray Beach, presented the topic "Waiving the Attorney-Client Privilege" and was a panel member at a January international seminar on "Ethics--Professionalism,...

Palm Beach County Justice Association.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Harry A. Shevin of Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley in West Palm Beach recently became president of the Palm Beach County Justice Association. The firm's Jack Hill also was re-elected to his second two-year...

David T. Tirella.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2008... David T. Tirella of Cohen, Jayson & Foster presented "Direct and Cross Examination of Expert Witnesses" at the FDLA Conference hosted by Stetson University College of Law, Center for Excellence in Advocacy in Tampa.

Charles R. Fletcher.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2008... Charles R. Fletcher of the Tampa office of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick spoke at the University of Florida Water Institute Symposium on "Water Rights in Florida: Public Perception v. Legal Reality." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

David J. Lillesand.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2008... David J. Lillesand of Lillesand and Associates, with offices in Miami and Gainesville, recently presented the topic "SSI, SSD, and Survivor Benefits" at the Elder Law Certification Review Course.

Water Advisory Task Force.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2008... Steven S. Newburgh of Fowler White Burnett in West Palm Beach has been appointed by West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel to serve on the city's Water Advisory Task Force. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Marc S. Dobin.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2008... Marc S. Dobin of Dobin & Jenks in Jupiter was a speaker at the January Trustee School, offered by the Florida Public Pension Trustees Association. The topic of his presentation was "Why Trustees Should Grill Their Service Providers."

Michael A. Haggard.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Michael A. Haggard of the Coral Gables-based Haggard Law Firm recently spoke on the topic of premises liability at the National Association of Legal Investigators' annual convention.

Elizabeth "Lisa" V. Kelley.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2008... Elizabeth "Lisa" V. Kelley has been certified by the Supreme Court as a circuit civil mediator. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Michael L. Hyman.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2008... Michael L. Hyman of Hyman Spector & Mars was the featured speaker at The Community Association Law Seminar in Las Vegas in January. He spoke on "The Deflating Real Estate Bubble, Foreclosure Surge and Community Associations."

Michael R. Diliberto of ADR Services, Inc., in California, was recently appointed as a pro tem administrative law judge with the Office of Administrative Hearings in Los Angeles and serves as a hearing examiner for the Los Angeles Police Commission, the City of Santa Monica, City of Long Beach, and Orange County Superior Court, and as a temporary judge in the Los Angeles Superior Court.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Michael R. Diliberto of ADR Services, Inc., in California, was recently appointed as a pro tem administrative law judge with the Office of Administrative Hearings in Los Angeles and serves as a hearing examiner for...

Hospice by the Sea, Inc.(News and Notes)
March 1, 2008... Marian Pearlman Nease of Berger Singerman in Boca Raton was elected chair of the board of Hospice by the Sea, Inc. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]