Florida Bar News articles from November 2008

Florida Bar News archives from November 2008

What lawyers need to know about bank failures and trust accounts.
November 1, 2008... Recent bank failures are causing lawyers to give greater consideration to the safety of their client trust funds and whether any steps need to be taken to avoid or lessen any threats to these funds. Rule 5-1.1(a), Rules of Professional...

Panel offers rules on which court records should be available online.
November 1, 2008... A wide-ranging recommendation about what information in court files should be deemed confidential and how such information can be protected while providing electronic access to court records has been made by a Supreme Court committee. ...

Be the first to know, sign up for the News' RSS service.(rich site summary)
November 1, 2008... To help keep Florida lawyers informed about news and events that impact the profession, selected Florida Bar News articles are available through an RSS feed. RSS is a technology that allows Web sites to automatically deliver updated...

Courts strained by foreclosure filings.
November 1, 2008... Statistics show a stark increase in the number of mortgage foreclosures around Florida, hobbling the state's court system that is already dealing with deep budget cuts. "We have the perfect storm," said 19th Circuit Chief Judge William Roby....

11,000 seek FASH's help to stave off foreclosures.
November 1, 2008... The Bar program to help Floridians falling behind on their mortgage payments is already helping hundreds of distressed homeowners, but more volunteer lawyers are needed. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Adele Stone, president-elect o f t h e B a...

Appellate Practice Section emphasizes mentoring, pro bono work, and education.
November 1, 2008... The Florida Bar's Appellate Practice Section has been in the News a lot lately, and with good reason. The section-produced Pro Se Appellate Handbook: Representing Yourself on Appeal has been freely available now for about a year, has been...

The T.J. Reddick Bar Association.
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: THE T.J. REDDICK BAR ASSOCIATION recently hosted its installation luncheon in Ft. Lauderdale. Sworn in by Broward County Circuit Court Judge Pedro E. Dijols, the new board pictured in the back from the left...

Stetson honors eight for service.(Stetson University College of Law)
November 1, 2008... Stetson University College of Law recently honored eight alumni and friends with awards for distinguished service to the law school or legal profession. Stetson Law Vice President and Dean Darby Dickerson presented this year's awards at...

Rules deal with emergency suspensions and allow incapacitated lawyers to be put on the inactive list.
November 1, 2008... Rule amendments expanding the scope of emergency suspensions to cover lawyers' actions in other jurisdictions and to allow lawyers who are incapacitated to be placed on the inactive list have been presented to the Bar Board of Governors. ...

McGrane elected chair of the JQC.(Miles McGrane of Judicial Qualifications Commission)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Miles McGrane has been elected chair of the Judicial Qualifications Commission, the constitutional state agency that investigates ethics complaints against judges and recommends discipline to the Florida Supreme Court. [ILLUSTRATION...

Proposal would allow some facing minor misconduct charges to permanently retire.
November 1, 2008... Some lawyers facing minor misconduct charges would be allowed to permanently retire from The Florida Bar--with no possibility of reinstatement--under a proposed rule amendment pending at the Board of Governors. The board reviewed the...

Aleman reprimanded for 'unsettling' use of power: 'a judge's power of contempt must be exercised with care'.
November 1, 2008... When 17th Circuit Judge Cheryl Aleman forced a public defender in the midst of a death penalty case to craft a motion in mere minutes and threatened contempt, she was "arrogant, discourteous, and impatient," and should be publicly reprimanded....

Judge Maxwell reprimanded for 'misguided' intervention: we caution that in the event this type of conduct occurs in the future, we will consider harsher sanctions, including but not limited to removal from office'.
November 1, 2008... Eighteenth Circuit Judge George W. Maxwell III will be publicly reprimanded for improperly intervening in a domestic battery case involving the sister of a former law colleague. "Judge Maxwell's improper conduct of calling the police to...

Disciplinary actions.(List)
November 1, 2008... The Florida Supreme Court in recent court orders disciplined 30 attorneys, disbarring six, suspending 18, and placing three on probation. Some attorneys received more than one form of discipline. Six attorneys were reprimanded and two ordered...

Attorney-client privilege.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2008... I fully support the recent approval by the Executive Committee of the Board of Governors of the position of The Florida Bar regarding the attorney-client privilege and work product doctrine. What troubles me is that we apparently live in a...

Higer wins, joins the Board of Governors.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Michael J. Higer has won the runoff race for the 11th Circuit, Seat 4, on the Bar Board of Governors. Higer defeated Antonio "Tony" Castro 1,428 to 1,412 in the runoff. Higer replaces 11th Circuit board member...

December appointments available.(Notice)(Public notice)
November 1, 2008... The Board of Governors is seeking applicants for the following vacancies to be filled during its December 12 meeting: Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc., Board of Directors: One attorney to serve a three-year term on its 20-member board of...

Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases accepting applications.(Notice)(Public notice)
November 1, 2008... The Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases is now accepting applications for membership on the committee, for a term beginning January 1, 2009, and ending no later than December 31, 2014. The committee is...

In memoriam.(Obituary)(List)
November 1, 2008... George J. Alboum, Aventura Admitted 1952; Died July 6, 2008 Andrea Maria Akman, Ft. Lauderdale Admitted 2003; Died April 7, 2008 Ernest A. Alexas, Pompano Admitted 1955; Died 2004 Lloyd Vincent Anderson, Jr., Stuart Admitted 1995;...

The quest for student loan forgiveness rolls on.
November 1, 2008... The Florida Bar Government Lawyer Section Recruitment and Retention Committee was appointed by past immediate Chair Bob Krauss to educate and study legislation in order to create loan repayment assistance plans for public service and...

Amendments to rules governing access to judicial branch records.(Notice)
November 1, 2008... As charged in In re Committee on Access to Court Records, Fla. Admin. Order No. AOSC06-27 (August 21, 2006), the Committee on Access to Court Records (committee) has filed with the Florida Supreme Court a petition proposing amendments to rule...

Foundation ranks among state's top three charities.
November 1, 2008... For the second year in a row, The Florida Bar Foundation is ranked among the top three charities in Florida, according to Charity Navigator, an organization that evaluates nonprofits across the nation. "We are committed to being good...

Information on constitutional amendments available online.(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Helping Florida voters better understand the proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution is the goal of a Web site developed by The Collins Center for Public Policy, supported in part with a grant from The Florida Bar Foundation. The...

Bar Pro Bono Service Awards nominations due November 7.
November 1, 2008... Each year, the Florida Supreme Court and The Florida Bar give special recognition to lawyers, groups, and a member of the judiciary who have freely given their time and expertise in making legal services available to the poor. The awards...

Jax lawyers take their case to the Navy.
November 1, 2008... Jacksonville lawyer Roger Dodd recently shared his "Theory of the Case" techniques with groups of U.S. Navy JAG officers, both live in Norfolk and via video conference in various locations around the country. Dodd was joined by his...

Sarasota Bar installs officers.(Sarasota County Bar Association)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLSTRATION OMITTED] The Sarasota County Bar Association recognized William T. Harrison, Jr., and the Mack Law Firm at its recent installation dinner and awards ceremony. Harrison received the Distinguished Community Service Award for...

Help for Holocaust victims.(Legal Roundup)
November 1, 2008... Richman Greer recently joined a national volunteer effort to help Holocaust survivors in South Florida seek financial reparations from the German government. The German Ghetto Work Payment Program was recently established to give a monetary...

Stetson steps it up in Tampa.(Legal Roundup)(Stetson University College of Law)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Stetson University College of Law has more than doubled the number of credit hours offered at its Tampa Law Center. The ABA approved Stetson's request to allow part-time students to take up to half of their course requirements in Tampa....

FAMU goes International.(Legal Roundup)(Florida A&M University College of Law)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Florida A&M University College of Law recently established the Center for International Law and Justice, a program developed and directed by Jeremy Levitt, a former World Bank official and UN consultant. The CILJ seeks to develop scholarly,...

Dolan's donation.(Legal Roundup)(Daniel D. Dolan)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Daniel D. Dolan of the Dolan Law Firm has donated $100,000 to the St. Thomas University School of Law's recently launched naming opportunity campaign. Dolan's donation--the largest single gift donated by an alumnus in the law school's almost...

UF Jurist-in-Residence.(Legal Roundup)(University of Florida)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... A new University of Florida Levin College of Law program will help law students bridge the gap between what they learn in law school and legal practice. The Peter T. Fay Jurist-In-Residence Program--named after Peter T. Fay, a senior judge of...

Martin Bar in the schools.(Legal Roundup)
November 1, 2008... More than 50 lawyers and judges affiliated with the Martin County Bar made over 80 presentations at nearly every elementary, middle, and high school in Martin County during Constitution Week. Immediate past president Alan Orantes Forst came up...

Kid finders.(Legal Roundup)(Rosenthal, Levy & Simon donates to Kid Finders Network)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Rosenthal, Levy & Simon in West Palm Beach and Port St. Lucie donated $7,000 to the Kid Finders Network. The donation covered 700 children's digital finger-printing and photo identification cards. "These identification cards provide law...

CLSMF honors Pro Bono work.(Legal Roundup)(Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, Inc.)(CobbCole)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... The Volunteer Lawyers Project of Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, Inc., and the Volusia County Bar recently held their 24th annual Pro Bono Awards Dinner in Daytona Beach. Tanner Andrews of DeLand was honored as "Pro Bono Champion of...

Members of the St. Petersburg Bar and Fred G. Minnis, Sr.(Legal Roundup)(Photograph)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: MEMBERS OF THE ST. PETERSBURG BAR AND FRED G. MINNIS, SR., Bar Associations presented the ABA YLD's Choose Law program to the St. Petersburg Police Athletic League Youth Group. Additionally, the lawyers took...

Rules concerning minimum standards for attorneys handling capital cases.(Notice)
November 1, 2008... The Florida Supreme Court recently amended Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.112, upon the proposal of the Florida Supreme Court Criminal Court Steering Committee and in light of the Court's opinion in Crist v. Florida Association of...

Davis & Harmon.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2008... Thomas S. Harmon of Davis & Harmon in Tampa recently presented "Defensive Driving 101" at a Florida Justice Association seminar. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Brian J. Fender.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2008... Brian J. Fender of GrayRobinson in Tampa recently served as a panelist on the Underwriters' Counsel Panel at the Bond Attorneys' Workshop in Chicago.

Mark Eiglarsh.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Mark Eiglarsh of the Law Offices of Mark Eiglarsh in Miami presented "Rainmaking and The Media, The Course They Should Teach in Law School" at a CLE seminar sponsored by the Dade County Bar Young Lawyers Section.

Carlos R. Arias.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2008... Carlos R. Arias of Clayton & McCulloh in Maitland was a featured speaker at the Homeowners' Association Panel Discussion sponsored by Keller Williams Advantage II Realty.

Arnstein & Lehr.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2008... Franklin Zemel of Arnstein & Lehr in Ft. Lauderdale was recently appointed to the American Arbitration Association's National Roster of Arbitrators. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

James G. Vickaryous.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2008... James Vickaryous of James G. Vickaryous, P.A., in Lake Mary has been awarded a certificate of appreciation by Lake Mary High School for his support of the Diversified Career Technology Program.

Timothy M. Ravich.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2008... Timothy M. Ravich, president of the Dade County Bar Association, recently addressed a group of more than 100 students from the Florida International University College of Law at an initiation ceremony for the international legal fraternity of...

Historical Society of Central Florida.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2008... Johanna W. Clark of Carlton Fields in Orlando was named president of the board of directors of the Historical Society of Central Florida. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Ann Siegel.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2008... Ann Siegel, senior attorney with the Education Legal Rights Project, a project of the Children's Advocacy Unit, Legal Aid Service of Broward County, has been selected as the 2008 Disability Awareness Award recipient for the category of...

Greater Miami Jewish Federation's Cornerstone Campaign.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Steven J. Brodie of Carlton Fields in Miami recently was appointed chair of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation's Cornerstone Campaign. He was also reelected to the federation's board of directors.

Lou LaCava.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2008... Lou LaCava of Stephens, Lynn, Klein, LaCava, Hoffman & Puya spoke at the 2008 FPIC/APAC Defense Counsel conference in Orlando about "The Anatomy of the Large Medical Malpractice Verdict."

Holland & Knight.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2008... Tommy Boroughs of Holland & Knight in Orlando has been elected chair of the Policy Advisory Board of the Florida Solar Energy Center. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Howard M. Hujsa.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2008... Howard M. Hujsa of Cummings & Lockwood has been selected as a member of the Leadership Bonita Class of 2008-09, a program sponsored by the Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce. Hujsa was also appointed to the Greater Estero Cultural Arts...

David T. Tirella.(News and Notes)
November 1, 2008... David T. Tirella of Tirella Consulting in Tampa gave a lecture titled "Accident Litigation" at Lorman's Auto Claims and Trials: Winning, Defending, and Understanding Coverage in Florida seminar.

JNC accepting applications to fill Justice Anstead's seat.
November 1, 2008... The Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission is now accepting applications to fill an at-large vacancy on the court that will be created by the impending retirement of Justice Harry Lee Anstead. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In...

First DCA JNC to fill an opening.
November 1, 2008... The First District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission is now accepting applications to fill a vacancy created by the appointment of Judge Ricky L. Polston to the Florida Supreme Court. Applicants must have been a member of The...

Paley petitions for reinstatement.(Public notice)
November 1, 2008... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, Gregg Michael Paley of Boca Raton has petitioned the Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement. Paley was suspended for three years pursuant to a May 11, 2006, order after pleading guilty to misprision of a felony in...

Batista petitions for reinstatement.(Public notice)
November 1, 2008... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, Alberto Victor Batista has petitioned the Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement. Batista was suspended for 91 days effective May 19, 2003, as a result of his failure to communicate with his clients and lack of...

Moore petitions for reinstatement.
November 1, 2008... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, Bert Edward Moore of Crestview has petitioned the Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement. Any persons having knowledge bearing upon Moore's fitness or qualifications to resume the practice of law should contact Marsha...

Robbie petitions for reinstatement.(Public notice)
November 1, 2008... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, Kevin Scott Robbie of Jacksonville has petitioned the Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement. Any persons having knowledge bearing upon Robbie's fitness or qualifications to resume the practice of law should contact...

Radey Thomas Yon & Clark.(Photograph)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: RADEY THOMAS YON & CLARK'S Tallahassee employees participated in the recent Atlanta Breast Cancer three-day, 60-mile walk to raise thousands of dollars for breast cancer research, education, screening, and...

Natalie A. Jackson has opened the Women's Trial Group in Orlando.(On the Move)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Natalie A. Jackson has opened the Women's Trial Group in Orlando. Sadiki Alexander, Victoria S. Anderson, Michelle Skinner, and Juan Lynum have joined as associates; they will practice in the areas of personal injury and wrongful death. Deaina...

Cynthia Hawkins has opened Cynthia Hawkins, P.A.(On the Move)
November 1, 2008... Cynthia Hawkins has opened Cynthia Hawkins, P.A., in Orlando where she will practice state and federal criminal defense and family law.

Joseph W. Pallot has joined Heico Corporation.(On the Move)
November 1, 2008... Joseph W. Pallot has joined Heico Corporation in Hollywood as its general counsel.

W. Lee Dobbins has joined Dean, Mead, Minton & Zwemer.(On the Move)
November 1, 2008... W. Lee Dobbins has joined Dean, Mead, Minton & Zwemer in Ft. Pierce as of counsel.

Alan Greenstein has become of counsel to the Law Firm of Chavez & DeLeon.(On the Move)
November 1, 2008... Alan Greenstein has become of counsel to the Law Firm of Chavez & DeLeon. He will concentrate on criminal law, personal injury, and civil rights litigation.

Lonnie N. Groot joined Stenstrom, McIntosh, Colbert, Whigham & Partlow.(On the Move)
November 1, 2008... Lonnie N. Groot joined Stenstrom, McIntosh, Colbert, Whigham & Partlow in Lake Mary, and will concentrate in the representation of local governments and in the area of land use and planning matters.

Gary E. Williams has formed The Law Firm for Family Law and welcomes Genevieve H. Torres and Callie Renee Weed in Clearwater.(On the Move)
November 1, 2008... Gary E. Williams has formed The Law Firm for Family Law and welcomes Genevieve H. Torres and Callie Renee Weed in Clearwater. Located at 4625 East Bay Drive, Suite 305, the firm will focus on cases in family law, including divorce, child...

Brennan, Manna & Diamond in Jacksonville has partnered with Signet Enterprises.(On the Move)
November 1, 2008... Brennan, Manna & Diamond in Jacksonville has partnered with Signet Enterprises, a multinational business group, to open the Signet Center, located at 800 West Monroe St. in downtown Jacksonville.

Julie K. Kurtz has joined the Law Office of Patrick T. Canan.(On the Move)
November 1, 2008... Julie K. Kurtz has joined the Law Office of Patrick T. Canan in St. Augustine as an associate in the firm's civil litigation and medical malpractice areas.

Derrevere, Hawkes & Black has opened a new office at 609 Heritage Drive in Jupiter.(On the Move)
November 1, 2008... Derrevere, Hawkes & Black has opened a new office at 609 Heritage Drive in Jupiter. Michael B. Stevens has also joined the firm as an associate.

Michael S. Byrnes has joined Fowler White Boggs Banker.(On the Move)
November 1, 2008... Michael S. Byrnes has joined Fowler White Boggs Banker as an associate in its Ft. Lauderdale office in its business transactions and corporate law practice group.

R. Craig Spickard has joined Lewis, Longman & Walker.(On the Move)
November 1, 2008... R. Craig Spickard has joined Lewis, Longman & Walker in Tallahassee as an associate. Spickard practices in the areas of motor vehicle franchise, business transactions, litigation, and administrative law.

Melissa L. Bilchik, Zachary M. Schlichter, Marquista A. Shipman, and Rebecca C. Yagerman have joined the Miami office of Hunton & Williams.(On the Move)
November 1, 2008... Melissa L. Bilchik, Zachary M. Schlichter, Marquista A. Shipman, and Rebecca C. Yagerman have joined the Miami office of Hunton & Williams. Bilchik joined the commercial litigation practice. Schlichter joined the firm's global capital markets...

Fisher & Phillips.(On the Move)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Steven Bernstein has been appointed regional managing partner of Fisher & Phillips' Tampa office. He relocated from the firm's headquarters in Atlanta and is joined in the transfer by partner Christine Howard. Theresa Gallion, the founding...

Quino Martinez has been elevated to partner with Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed in Orlando.(On the Move)
November 1, 2008... Quino Martinez has been elevated to partner with Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed in Orlando. His practice areas include real estate transactions, development, and finance.

Manjit Gill has joined Gunster Yoakley.(On the Move)
November 1, 2008... Manjit Gill has joined Gunster Yoakley in Miami as a shareholder in its business litigation practice group.

Angela M. Miller has joined Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed.(On the Move)
November 1, 2008... Angela M. Miller has joined Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed in Orlando, where she will work in the intellectual property group.

Melisa A. San Martin has joined Bavol Judge in Tampa as an associate.(On the Move)
November 1, 2008... Melisa A. San Martin has joined Bavol Judge in Tampa as an associate. San Martin concentrates her practice in the areas of general civil litigation, medical malpractice, and product liability litigation.

Eric M. Decker has joined Farr, Farr, Emerich, Hackett and Carr.(On the Move)
November 1, 2008... Eric M. Decker has joined Farr, Farr, Emerich, Hackett and Carr in Punta Gorda as an associate, where he will do civil litigation work.

James M. Kunick has joined the Chicago-based law firm Much Shelist.(On the Move)
November 1, 2008... James M. Kunick has joined the Chicago-based law firm Much Shelist. Kunick represents regional and multinational clients in a broad range of technology and corporate matters, with a focus on information technology and intellectual property...

Elizabeth Perez has joined Zumpano Patricios & Winker in Coral Gables as an income partner.(On the Move)
November 1, 2008... Elizabeth Perez has joined Zumpano Patricios & Winker in Coral Gables as an income partner. Perez's practice is devoted to the representation of clients facing state and federal charges and investigations, including cases alleging health care...

Michael Bray has joined de la Parte & Gilbert.(On the Move)
November 1, 2008... Michael Bray has joined de la Parte & Gilbert in Tampa as an associate, practicing in the areas of appellate, civil litigation, and administrative law.

Christopher D. Codling, Jeffrey S. Pekar, and Shannon Seither have joined Phelps Dunbar in Tampa.(On the Move)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Christopher D. Codling, Jeffrey S. Pekar, and Shannon Seither have joined Phelps Dunbar in Tampa. Codling has joined as an associate in the regional commercial litigation practice group. Pekar has joined as an associate in the regional...

Andrew DeWeese has joined Damian & Valori in Miami.(On the Move)
November 1, 2008... Andrew DeWeese has joined Damian & Valori in Miami. DeWeese will concentrate his practice on the areas of business and employment litigation.

Michael R. D'Onofrio has joined Hahn Loeser & Parks.(On the Move)
November 1, 2008... Michael R. D'Onofrio has joined Hahn Loeser & Parks as a partner in the firm's Naples office.

John L. 'Jack' Fiveash has joined Lewis, Longman & Walker in the Tallahassee office as of counsel.(On the Move)
November 1, 2008... John L. 'Jack' Fiveash has joined Lewis, Longman & Walker in the Tallahassee office as of counsel. Fiveash practices in the areas of environmental law, franchise law, and litigation.

Alan S. Lederman has joined Gunster Yoakley.(On the Move)
November 1, 2008... Alan S. Lederman has joined Gunster Yoakley as a shareholder in the firm's tax law practice group in Miami.