Florida Bar News articles from November 2007

Florida Bar News archives from November 2007

Court budget reduced.
November 1, 2007... Legislators working to reduce the state budget by more than $1 billion trimmed some muscle--but not too much--from the state court system's funding when they concluded a special budget cutting legislative session last month. When it was...

Should judges be allowed to engage in charitable fundraising activities? Board of Governors asked to weigh in on the issue.
November 1, 2007... The Bar Board of Governors is looking into whether it should take a position on a dispute over proposed changes to judicial canons that would allow the state's judges to take a limited role in fundraising activities for civic, educational,...

Appellate pro se handbook intended as a service to the public as well as the bench.
November 1, 2007... Initially, one might think it odd that those who make a living representing people on appeal would devote years of effort putting together a handbook to assist those who intend to advocate their own cause in the appellate process. ...

Florida jurors poised to play a more active role: jurors may take notes and, at the judge's discretion, ask questions in both criminal and civil proceedings.
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Jurors in Florida have been elevated to play more active roles in trials. Now, in both civil and criminal trials, they may ask witnesses questions and take notes, thanks to the Florida Supreme Court's approval...

Minority J.D. Degrees awarded.
November 1, 2007... Of the Total J.D.s Awarded Nationwide, the Percentage Earned By Minorities 2005-2006 21.8% 2000-2001 19.6% 1995-1996 17.9% 1990-1991 11.8% 1985-1986 9.3% Source: The...

Equal Opportunities Law Section fosters diversity in the profession.
November 1, 2007... The mission of the Equal Opportunities Law Section is simple--make the profession and the judiciary accessible to minorities, women, and the physically challenged in Florida. Accomplishing that mission is harder and will take the participation...

Members must comply with trust accounting records requests: board prefers public reprimands be administered by the Bar president.
November 1, 2007... A Bar rule amendment clarifying that it is a matter of contempt when Bar members fail to comply with a subpoena for trust accounting records has been approved by the Bar Board of Governors. The board, at its October 5 meeting, also approved...

Proposed amendments to the juvenile rules.(Notices)
November 1, 2007... The Juvenile Court Rules Committee invites comment on a proposed out-of-cycle amendment to the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure shown below. The full text of the proposals can be found on The Florida Bar's Web site at www.FloridaBar.org....

Sarasota County Bar honors local lawyers.
November 1, 2007... Several local attorneys were honored and new officers were installed during the Sarasota County Bar Association's annual installation dinner and awards ceremony. Nancy Cason was honored for her role in organizing the bar's "Holidays in...

YLD brought up to speed on new lawyer mentoring study: Georgia Bar plan may be a model for Florida.
November 1, 2007... A Georgia mentoring program for new lawyers may well serve as a model for Florida to better assist beginning lawyers in their transition from student to professional. That's the message Jewel White Cole, president-elect of the Young...

YLD conference highlights local young lawyer projects: grant money available for service projects.
November 1, 2007... Young lawyers groups from across the state are invited to attend the Young Lawyers Division's Affiliate Outreach Conference in January to share information about their service projects and programs. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The annual...

[Cartoon].(Cartoon)
November 1, 2007... Oh, just walking around hoping to be taken seriously. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Outsourcing.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2007... First they outsourced the paralegals, and I did not speak out because I was not a paralegal. Then they outsourced the public defenders and prosecutors, and I did not speak out because I was not a public defender or prosecutor. Then...

Lawyer-to-lawyers ads.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2007... I read Millard C. Glancy's letter to the editor about lawyer-to-lawyer ads. I agree wholeheartedly. He is absolutely correct that the initial emphasis was to protect the public, and I see no rational basis for regulating lawyers who wish to...

Racing jury instructions.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2007... Just read the latest News and felt compelled to write this letter. The new "Racing on the Highway" jury instruction is as bad as the statute ([section]316.191) that recently was struck down as unconstitutional (vague) by the Fourth District...

11th JNC now accepting Dade judge applications.
November 1, 2007... The 11th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission is now accepting applications to to fill a vacancy on the county bench created by the resignation of Judge Mercedes Armas Bach, effective February 1, 2008. Applications are available at www....

Board to make appointments in December.(Notice)
November 1, 2007... The Board of Governors is seeking applicants for the following vacancies to be filled during its December 14 meeting: Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc., Board of Directors: One attorney to serve a three-year term on its 21-member board of...

Criminal instructions committee needs members.(Notice)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases is now accepting applications for membership on the committee, for a two-year term beginning January 1, 2008. The committee is charged with updating the criminal jury...

U.S. Middle District has two judgeships available.(Notice)
November 1, 2007... The Florida Federal Judicial Nominating Commission is now accepting applications to fill the positions of two U.S. district court judges for the Middle District of Florida who will be taking senior status in August 2008. Applications are...

Applicants sought for civil instructions committee.(Notice)
November 1, 2007... The Florida Supreme Court's Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Civil Cases will have vacancies at the end of 2007. Any lawyer licensed to practice law in Florida and any member of the Florida judiciary may apply for appointment. ...

Nova Southeastern University.
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY Law School alumni from the Palm Beach County chapter attended a CLE Ethics Forum/Dinner October 11 in West Palm Beach. Pictured from the left are Manny Kushner, a member of the...

[Cartoon].(Cartoon)
November 1, 2007... This isn't really a winner take all situation, Caldwell. It's more of a winner takes your stuff type deal. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

FAWL recognized for mentoring program.
November 1, 2007... The Florida Association for Women Lawyers recently received an honorable mention Public Service Award at the National Conference of Women's Bar Associations' Summit in San Francisco. FAWL was recognized for its Breakfast and Books Program,...

Board backs court over 'announcers' in lawyer radio and TV ads: members also must be notified before current ethics or advertising opinions are withdrawn.
November 1, 2007... There's no difference under Florida Bar advertising rules between an "announcer" and a "spokesperson" when it comes to the person delivering a lawyer's radio or TV ad, according to the Bar Board of Governors. The board, considering several...

Palm Beach Bar adopts anti-discrimination policy.
November 1, 2007... The Board of Directors of the Palm Beach County Bar Association voted unanimously to adopt a comprehensive anti-discrimination policy covering employment and membership. The policy reads: "The Palm Beach County Bar Association is committed...

Lawyers, CPAs to gather November 29 in Miami.
November 1, 2007... The Fourth Annual South Florida Goodwill Gathering of Attorneys and Certified Public Accountants is set for November 29 in Miami, The event is being coordinated by The Florida Bar Committee on Relations with Certified Public Accountants and...

Disciplinary actions.
November 1, 2007... The Florida Supreme Court in recent court orders disciplined 17 attorneys, disbarring two, suspending 10, placing three on probation, reprimanding four, and granting one inactive status. Restitution was ordered in three cases. Some attorneys...

The Florida Bar CLE Audio/CD/Video list.
November 1, 2007... The Florida Bar CLE Audio/CD/Video List www.floridabar.org 850-561-5629 KEY TO ABBREVIATIONS - CERTIFICATION CREDIT HOURS AD = Admiralty and Maritime AG = State & Federal Government & Admin. Practice AP = Appellate...

Dade's Put Something Back wants to put even more back.
November 1, 2007... The year was 1992; Hurricane Andrew had shredded South Dade County; and a bunch of stunned lawyers plotted strategies to help. The hurricane was so devastating and the need was so great: people living in tents, unscrupulous roofing...

Volusia lawyers honored for their pro bono work.(Awards list)
November 1, 2007... The Volusia County Bar and the Pro Bono Program of Mid-Florida (a project of Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, Inc.) recently held their 23rd Annual Pro Bono Awards Reception, themed "An Evening Among The Stars." Volusia County Pro...

The Jacksonville Bar Association.
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: THE JACKSONVILLE BAR ASSOCIATION'S recent Judicial Professionalism Symposium drew more than 450 participants with the goal of fostering increased professionalism in the Jacksonville legal community....

James A. Black, Jr., Lila K. Haughey, and Brandon J. Held joined Mills Paskert Divers in Tampa.(On the Move)
November 1, 2007... James A. Black, Jr., Lila K. Haughey, and Brandon J. Held joined Mills Paskert Divers in Tampa. Black, a shareholder, practices in the areas of fidelity, surety, construction, and complex business litigation. Haughey and Held joined the firm as...

Donna R. Blaustein.(On the Move)
November 1, 2007... Donna R. Blaustein moved her office to 20900 N.E. 30th Ave., Ste. 403, Aventura 33180. The telephone number is (305) 937-7272; the fax number is (305) 937-7242, and Blaustein's e-mail address is AttyDRB@aol. com.

Corinne Aftimos, Ashley Aronowitz, Shawn Heller, David W. Jamison, Jr., Julia Y. Kim, Jermaine A. Lee, Luevenia (Lue) A. Wallace, and Steven J. Wernick have joined Bilzin Sumberg in Miami as associates.(On the Move)
November 1, 2007... Corinne Aftimos, Ashley Aronowitz, Shawn Heller, David W. Jamison, Jr., Julia Y. Kim, Jermaine A. Lee, Luevenia (Lue) A. Wallace, and Steven J. Wernick have joined Bilzin Sumberg in Miami as associates. Aftimos will work in the restructuring...

Roland Sanchez-Medina, Jr., Peter A. Gonzalez, Pablo S. Quesada, Emilia A. Quesada, and Christina Gonzalez have formed Sanchez-Medina, Gonzalez & Quesada, LLP.(On the Move)
November 1, 2007... Roland Sanchez-Medina, Jr., Peter A. Gonzalez, Pablo S. Quesada, Emilia A. Quesada, and Christina Gonzalez have formed Sanchez-Medina, Gonzalez & Quesada, LLP. The firm concentrates in commercial and general civil litigation, corporate,...

James W. Jarvis has become of counsel to Rasco, Reininger, Perez, Esquenazi & Vigil in Coral Gables.(On the Move)
November 1, 2007... James W. Jarvis has become of counsel to Rasco, Reininger, Perez, Esquenazi & Vigil in Coral Gables. Jarvis represents airlines, aircraft and engine leasing companies, governments, and individuals in commercial aviation transactions and all...

First American Southeast and Mid-Atlantic Division.(On the Move)
November 1, 2007... Michael LaRosa has been named vice president and Tampa Bay area agency manager for First American Southeast and Mid-Atlantic Division.

Office of Insurance Regulation.(On the Move)
November 1, 2007... Susan Dawson was promoted to deputy general counsel for the Office of Insurance Regulation in Tallahassee.

Gasper J. Ficarrotta and Daniel P. Mitchell joined Barr, Murman & Tonelli.(On the Move)
November 1, 2007... Gasper J. Ficarrotta and Daniel P. Mitchell joined Barr, Murman & Tonelli in Tampa as partners.

Lewis B. Freeman & Partners.(On the Move)
November 1, 2007... Lewis B. Freeman & Partners, a forensic accounting and consulting firm, named former Chief Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Carol "Jodie" Breece as a principal.

South Florida Water Management District.(On the Move)
November 1, 2007... Keith W. Rizzardi, formerly a trial attorney in the Department of Justice's Wildlife and Marine Resources Section, joined the South Florida Water Management District in West Palm Beach.

Fraz Ahmed joined Kubicki Draper's Jacksonville office.(On the Move)
November 1, 2007... Fraz Ahmed joined Kubicki Draper's Jacksonville office as an associate.

Participants take a break.(training session to combat gang activity)(On the Move)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] PARTICIPANTS TAKE A BREAK during a four-day training session on prosecution techniques to combat gang activity across Florida, put on by Attorney General Bill McCollum's office in October. The course was an intense...

Graham to headline S.C. Historical Society dinner.
November 1, 2007... Former Florida Governor and U.S. Senator Bob Graham will be the keynote speaker for the 2008 annual dinner of the Florida Supreme Court Historical Society January 31 at the University Center Club in Tallahassee. The two-term governor and...

Bar invests in tech upgrades.(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Buying scanners to improve the operation of the Bar's Attorney-Client Assistance Program and providing data backup services at a remote location for key Bar information were provided by budget amendments recently approved by the Board of...

Jackson petitions for reinstatement.(Stephanie Staples Jackson)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, Stephanie Staples Jackson has petitioned the Florida Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement. Jackson was placed on the inactive list, effective January 15, 2005, pursuant to an order of the Supreme Court. Any...

Cronin petitions for reinstatement.
November 1, 2007... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, Dennis Paul Cronin of Naples has petitioned the Florida Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement. Cronin was suspended from the practice of law for 91 days by an order of the Supreme Court dated March 8 for violation of...

Cabello petitions for reinstatement.
November 1, 2007... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, Mario L. Cabello has petitioned the Florida Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement. Cabello was suspended by the court pursuant to an October 11, 2001, order for 18 months, nunc pro tunc, to Janaury 17, 2001, for...

NSU's Harbaugh stepping down as law school dean.
November 1, 2007... Joseph D. Harbaugh, dean of the Shepard Broad Law Center at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, will step down from his position on June 30, 2008. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Harbaugh became dean at NSU's law school in 1995...

John Marshall.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2007... John Marshall of Holland & Knight's Tampa office received a two-year fellowship from the Rockefeller Foundation and the University of Pennsylvania in order to assist with efforts to rebuild New Orleans and surrounding communities devastated by...

Bankuptcy Bar Association for the Southern District of Florida.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2007... Heather L. Yonke of Genovese Joblove & Battista was elected second vice president of the Bankruptcy Bar Association for the Southern District of Florida.

Nathaniel L. Doliner.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2007... Nathaniel L. Doliner of Carlton Fields' Tampa office was appointed vice chair of the Section of Business Law of the ABA and became editor-in-chief of The Business Lawyer. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

W. Cary Wright.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] W. Cary Wright of Carlton Fields' Tampa office spoke on "Insurance and Construction Law Issues" at the Hillsborough County Bar Association's CLE luncheon.

James M. Ragano.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2007... James M. Ragano of Ullman, Bursa, Hoffman & Ragano presented "Communication and Documentation: The Keys to Avoiding Litigation" at the Florida Assisted Living Affiliation's 2007 Annual Conference and Trade Show.

Hispanic National Bar Association.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Richard C. Lorenzo of Hogan & Hartson's Miami office was appointed president of the Hispanic National Bar Association for Region VIII (Florida).

D. David Keller and Janelle E. Schor of Bunnell Woulfe Kirschbaum Keller McIntyre Gregoire & Klein presented "Developments and Trends in Legal Malpractice Claims".(News and Notes)
November 1, 2007... D. David Keller and Janelle E. Schor of Bunnell Woulfe Kirschbaum Keller McIntyre Gregoire & Klein presented "Developments and Trends in Legal Malpractice Claims" at the Daily Business Review Legal Malpractice Roundtable in Miami.

H. Steven Vogel.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2007... H. Steven Vogel of Miami spoke on "Accounting Malpractice Update, Current Defenses and the Wells Process" at the Third Annual Errors & Omissions Insurance ExecuSummit in New York. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Maria C. Gonzalez.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Maria C. Gonzalez of Young, Berman, Karpf & Gonzalez in North Miami Beach was certified as a family mediator by the Supreme Court of Florida.

Florida Association for Women Lawyers.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2007... Susan R. Healy of Treiser, Collins and Vernon in Naples was appointed treasurer of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers.

Estrellita S. Sibila.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2007... Estrellita S. Sibila of Weiss Serota Helfman Pastoriza Cole & Boniske earned the credential of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional from the United States Green Building Council.

Usher L. Brown.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Usher L. Brown of Brown, Garganese, Weiss & D'Agresta was inducted into the Litigation Counsel of America at the Spring Conference Center and Induction of Fellows in New York city.

American Civil Liberties Union of Florida.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2007... Rand Hoch of the Law and Mediation Offices of Rand Hoch was elected to the board of directors of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Jim W. Linn.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2007... Jim W. Linn of Lewis, Longman & Walker spoke on "How to Contain Pension Costs in an Era of Restricted Revenues" in Orlando.

Joshua B. Weingard.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2007... Joshua B. Weingard of NationsHealth, Inc., in Sunrise spoke on "Best Practices in Corporate Governance" at McDermott, Will & Emery's 2007 Health Care General Counsel Best Practices Colloquium in Orlando.

Michelle Diffenderfer and John J. Fumero.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2007... Michelle Diffenderfer and John J. Fumero, both of Lewis, Longman & Walker, presented the Fundamentals of Water Law Seminar in Miami, West Palm Beach, and Dania.

Robert P. Diffenderfer.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Robert P. Diffenderfer of Lewis, Longman & Walker presented an overview of special districts to the League of Women Voters in Delray Beach.

Dinah Stein.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2007... Dinah Stein of Hicks & Kneale spoke at the 2007 Florida Medical Malpractice Claims Council, Inc., annual seminar in Ft. Lauderdale. The topic of this year's FMMCCI seminar was Pediatrics Medical Malpractice.

Dillard to lead Virgil Hawkins NBA chapter.(Kalinthia R. Dillard, National Bar Association)(News and Notes)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter National Bar Association announced the election of new officers. They are Kalinthia R. Dillard, president; Kenneth Pratt, vice president; Reggie Mitchell, secretary; Deana Holiday, treasurer; Stephanie...

[Cartoon].(Cartoon)
November 1, 2007... THAT WAS FUN! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Chief Justice Fred Lewis.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Chief Justice Fred Lewis recently received the ABA Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section's Pursuit of Justice Award at its fall meeting in Palm Beach. The award recognizes those who have worked to ensure access...

Michael Cohen.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2007... Michael Cohen, executive director of Florida Lawyers Assistance, Inc., was awarded by the ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs' first Distinguished Service Award at its annual conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Edward M. Waller, Jr.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2007... Edward M. Waller, Jr., of Fowler White Boggs Banker spoke on "Trial Lawyer's Ethics, Civility, and Professionalism" at the inaugural Litigation Institute for Trial Training for the Litigation Section of the ABA in Chicago. [ILLUSTRATION...

Carter N. McDowell.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2007... Carter N. McDowell, a partner with Bilzin Sumberg, has been named an "Associate of the Year" by the Builders Association of South Florida, which recognizes contributions to the organization and the building industry.

Barry Nelson.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Barry Nelson of Nelson & Nelson in North Miami Beach spoke on "Asset Protection and Estate Planning--Why Not Have Both?" in Palm Beach.

Joanne M. O'Connor.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2007... Joanne M. O'Connor of Jones, Foster, Johnson & Stubbs was selected for Leadership Palm Beach County, Class of 2008.

Scott J. Brook.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2007... Scott J. Brook, mayor from Coral Springs, was recognized by the National League of Cities for reaching the "platinum level" in its Certificate of Achievement in Leadership program, by earning 67 credits in all five of the core competency areas...

Brian J. Fender.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2007... Brian J. Fender with GrayRobinson's Tampa office recently served as a panelist on the Underwriters' Counsel Panel at the Bond Attorneys' Workshop in Chicago.

Eric J. Neuman.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Eric J. Neuman of Buckingham Doolittle & Burroughs in Boca Raton was selected to participate in the Anti-Defamation League's Glass Leadership Institute.

Joshua Magidson.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2007... Joshua Magidson of MacFarlane Ferguson & McMullen received the 2007 Richard T. Earle Professionalism Award.

Robert D. Peltz.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2007... Robert D. Peltz of McIntosh, Sawran, Peltz & Cartaya's Miami office presented "Medicine on the Seas After Carlisle" at the Cruise Line International Association Law and Insurance Seminar in Washington, D.C. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Robert M. Montgomery, Jr.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2007... Robert M. Montgomery, Jr., of West Palm Beach, recently received the ABA Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section's Pursuit of Justice Award at its fall meeting in Palm Beach. The award recognizes those who have worked to ensure access to...

Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Jorge L. Arrizurieta of Akerman Senterfitt was appointed by President Bush to the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations to a four-year term.

Florida Defense Lawyers Association's Professional Liability Committee.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2007... Andrew S. Bolin of Macfarlane Ferguson & McMullen was selected as chair of the Florida Defense Lawyers Association's Professional Liability Committee.

Sarasota County Bar Association.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2007... Morgan R. Bentley of Williams Parker Harrison Dietz & Getzen was installed as president of the Sarasota County Bar Association.