Florida Bar News articles from October 2006

Florida Bar News archives from October 2006

Judicial questionnaires suit may have JNC implications: Coxe's concern is personal views, not qualifications, could dominate interviews.(Judicial Nominating Procedures Committee)
October 1, 2006... Florida Bar President Hank Coxe has warned that efforts to quiz by questionnaire judicial candidates on the ballot this year about their personal views could lead to asking similar questions during judicial nomination commission proceedings....

Lawyers weigh in on judicial qualifications: justices, judges standing for retention get high marks.
October 1, 2006... Florida lawyers overwhelmingly recommend retaining in office three Supreme Court justices and 17 district court of appeal judges, according to results of The Florida Bar's biennial merit retention judicial poll. "I am pleased to see that...

Circuit court filings by division.(Brief article)(Statistical data)
October 1, 2006... FY 2004-2005 (Total Fillings 836,620) Family Court 43.7% Criminal 23.8% Civil 19.1% Probate 13.1% Source: Florida Office of the State Courts Administrator Note: Table made from bar graph.

Justice teaching: the initiative will send volunteer judges and lawyers into classrooms.(Fred Lewis' Justice Teaching program)
October 1, 2006... Early next year, Chief Justice Fred Lewis wants to have legal professionals trained and ready to begin dispensing information about the fundamental principles of our democracy to Florida students--one school at a time. Judges and Bar...

Bar panel urges: unchain the children: committee takes issue with 'indiscriminate shackling' of juveniles.
October 1, 2006... When children are charged with crimes, they are supposed to be treated more gently in juvenile court where the goal is to help, not hammer, them. But it has been the practice in Miami-Dade County, and some other jurisdictions in Florida,...

Chief names panel to evaluate judges.(Fred Lewis)
October 1, 2006... A 24-member committee to study ways of evaluating judges has been created by administrative order of Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Fred Lewis. Lewis issued the order September 15 and gave the panel until June 30, 2008, to complete...

Braving summer heat.(Community development programs)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... BRAVING SUMMER HEAT, a team from St. Thomas University School of Law dug swales, laid sod, and planted trees and shrubs to landscape eight homes in Pompano Beach, as part of Habitat for Humanity's Women Building a Legacy Program. The ongoing...

FSU tops the July bar exam.(Florida State University)
October 1, 2006... Graduates from Florida State University had the highest passage rate for those taking the July Florida bar exam. The Florida Board of Bar Examiners released the results from the July bar exam September 18. A total of 2,410 people took the...

Mark Kapusta leads Scheb Inn of Court.(American Inns of Court Foundation)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Mark Kapusta leads the Judge John M. Scheb American Inn of Court, which opened its 2006-2007 term in September. Other officers of the Inn of Court include: Judge Scott Brownell, president-elect; Laurie S. Zimmerman, counselor; W. Andrew...

Gubernatorial candidates put forth positions on prosecutor turnover.
October 1, 2006... The Friends of Florida Assistant State Attorneys--a new grassroots organization dedicated to educating the public about the detrimental effect high prosecutor turnover has on public safety--recently asked Florida's gubernatorial candidates to...

Attorneys and CPAs to gather.
October 1, 2006... The Third Annual South Florida Goodwill Gathering of Attorneys and Certified Public Accountants is set for October 17 from 6-8 p.m. at Mellon United National Bank at 1111 Brickell Avenue, 29th floor, in Miami The event is coordinated by...

Certification deadline is October 31.
October 1, 2006... Florida Bar members interested in board certification must submit applications by October 31 for 10 of Florida's 22 legal specialization areas: Antitrust & Trade Regulation Law; Business Litigation; City, County & Local Government Law;...

Court suspends, fines circuit judge Albritton.(Richard H. Albritton, Jr.)
October 1, 2006... The Supreme Court fined and suspended 14th Circuit Judge Richard H. Albritton, Jr., after he admitted to 14 violations of the Code of Judicial Conduct, which called into question his impartiality and involved his use of judicial office for...

Let people know when they do well.(Practice Tips)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... In our fast-paced professional world it seems we no longer take the time to compliment people on a job well done. A compliment is more than saying "thank you," it is expressing that you noticed something extra about the person's efforts or...

Disciplinary actions.(suspension of lawyers)
October 1, 2006... The Florida Supreme Court in recent court orders reprimanded one, disbarred one, and suspended 14 attorneys. The following lawyers are disciplined: Rita Horwitz Altman, 105 S. Narcissus Ave., Ste. 503, W. Palm Beach, suspended from...

PEC considers plan to allow judges to fine errant lawyers: evaluation panel also OKs ethics opinion on metadata.(A.B.A. Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility)
October 1, 2006... A proposal that would spell out judges' authority to send misbehaving lawyers to professionalism training has gotten conceptual approval from the Bar's Professional Ethics Committee. The committee also gave final approval to an ethics...

Section sets program for Ireland.(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... The General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section has arranged an educational seminar and sightseeing tour of Ireland set for May 27 through June 4, 2007. "Not only will we be exploring issues of ethics and professionalism with members of...

Young lawyers work to improve PWP program.(Young Lawyers Division)(Practicing with Professionalism)
October 1, 2006... Who wouldn't like to build a better mousetrap? The Young Lawyers Division consists of men and women, not mice, but that won't stop them from improving the tried-and-true formulas of its signature seminar--Practicing with Professionalism. ...

Family Law Rules amendments.(Notices)
October 1, 2006... Family Law Rules amendments The Family Law Rules Committee invites comment on proposed fast-track amendments to the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure shown below. The full text of the proposals can be found on The Florida Bar's Web...

Proposed Code and Rules of Evidence.(Notices)
October 1, 2006... Proposed Code and Rules Of Evidence The Code and Rules of Evidence Committee invites comment on the additional proposed rules cycle amendment to the Florida Code and Rules of Evidence shown below. After reviewing comments received in...

Proposed amendment to Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.800(a).(Notices)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... The Florida Supreme Court, on its own motion, is considering an amendment to Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.800(a) to require that orders denying motions under that subdivision include a statement that the movant has the right to appeal...

Disappointed in your law practice? Maybe it's time for a change ...
October 1, 2006... The fact is, in law school they taught us about the law, but they never told us about the business of law. The reality is that a law practice is a business and if you don't run it like a business, you are not going to be successful and you're...

Questioning judges.(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2006... You cannot scroll through the opinions of the Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee and not be impressed by the dedication of its members and their commitment to the judicial system. However, its Opinion 2006-18, permitting judicial candidates to...

Workers' comp fees.( )(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2006... As the claimant attorney in the recent case of Wood v. Florida Rock, 929 So.2d 542 (Fla. 1st DCA 2006), I am disheartened to see the concerted erosion of justice created by the Florida Legislature, enforced by the executive branch, and condoned...

Errata.(Correction notice)
October 1, 2006... A story in the September 15 News incorrectly quoted Bar's Citizens Forum Vice Chair Rebecca Frank as saying the forum made it a requirement that domestic violence topics be included in CLE seminars. The story should have said the Bar's Citizens...

Weiss petitions for Bar reinstatement.
October 1, 2006... Etheridge petitions for reinstatement Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, Randy Alan Weiss of Potomac, Maryland, has petitioned the Supreme Court of Florida for reinstatement to The Florida Bar. Any persons having knowledge bearing upon Weiss' fitness...

Etheridge petitions for reinstatement.
October 1, 2006... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, Randall J. Etheridge of Pensacola has petitioned the Supreme Court of Florida for reinstatement to The Florida Bar. Any persons having knowledge bearing upon Etheridge's fitness or qualifications to resume the...

Task force to study complex litigation issues.
October 1, 2006... Complex litigation is frustratingly inefficient to the parties and burdensome to the courts. Chief Justice Fred Lewis wants to do something about it, by creating a task force chaired by Second Circuit Judge Thomas Bateman. "The increasing...

Tax Section nominates Pratt to chair its executive council.(David Pratt)(Tax Section Nominating Committee)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... The Tax Section Nominating Committee has recommended David Pratt of Boca Raton to serve as the 2007-2008 chair-elect. The section bylaws provide that petitions setting forth the name of other nominees for the office of chair-elect may be made...

Foundation grants available for children's legal services.(Florida Bar Foundation )
October 1, 2006... Applications for 2007 children's legal services grants were recently distributed by The Florida Bar Foundation to legal assistance providers in Florida. Due to increased IOTA revenue, continued support from Florida's lawyers, The Florida...

Lots of judicial races set for November ballot.
October 1, 2006... Florida voters still have a lot of work to do in trial court races during the November general election, especially in circuit court races. Ballots were cast in 90 county and circuit court races throughout Florida during the September 5...

Wesley E. Trombley joined Trombley & Hanes.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... Wesley E. Trombley joined Trombley & Hanes in Tampa.

Rachel Albritton Lunsford was named a partner in Albritton & Associates Lawyers, and the firm will be known as Albritton & Lunsford Lawyers, PA.(On the Move)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Rachel Albritton Lunsford was named a partner in Albritton & Associates Lawyers, and the firm will be known as Albritton & Lunsford Lawyers, PA. Lunsford focuses her practice in probate, wills and trusts, estate planning, corporate and real...

Sandra Gordon joined Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed as an of counsel attorney.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... Sandra Gordon joined Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed as an of counsel attorney. Her practice areas include corporate and securities and mergers and acquisitions.

Kate Lynn opened The Law Offices of Kate Lynn PC in The Sovereign Building at 609 Hamilton Mall, Ste. #1, Allentown, PA 18101.(On the Move)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Kate Lynn opened The Law Offices of Kate Lynn PC in The Sovereign Building at 609 Hamilton Mall, Ste. #1, Allentown, PA 18101. The telephone number is (610) 435-7770, and the fax number is (610) 419-4699. Her Pennsylvania firm practices family...

Tricia A. Shackelford joined Woodward, Hobson & Fulton's Lexington.(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Tricia A. Shackelford joined Woodward, Hobson & Fulton's Lexington, Kentucky office, where she will practice in the area of business organizations with her primary areas of practice to include health and corporate law.

Jonathan T. Brand joined Berger Singer-man as an associate.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... Jonathan T. Brand joined Berger Singer-man as an associate. He will be a member of the business reorganization team resident in the firm's Miami office.

Carlotta J. Roos and Jennifer L. Coffey have joined Morgan, Lewis & Bockius'.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... Carlotta J. Roos and Jennifer L. Coffey have joined Morgan, Lewis & Bockius' labor & employment practice.

Brian Greenspoon has joined Greenspoon Marder's Ft. Lauderdale office as an associate.(Greenspoon Marder Hirschfeld and Rafkin)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Brian Greenspoon has joined Greenspoon Marder's Ft. Lauderdale office as an associate, and his practice areas include commercial real estate, condominium law, and corporate and business law.

Eric T. Halsey has joined The Law Offices of Sheftall & Torres.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... Eric T. Halsey has joined The Law Offices of Sheftall & Torres as an associate.

Shoma Development Corporation.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... Frank Silva became in-house general counsel for Shoma Development Corporation.

Jennifer E. Simpson joined Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... Jennifer E. Simpson joined Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs as an associate in the Boca Raton office.

R. Alan Higbee and David A. Gemunder are joining Shutts & Bowen as partners.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... R. Alan Higbee and David A. Gemunder are joining Shutts & Bowen as partners; also joining the firm are Sally T. Woodward and Andrew Fruit.

Arthur R. "Randy" Brown, Jr., opened the Law Office of Randy Brown on 851 N. Donnelly St., Ste. 6 in Mount Dora, 32757.(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Arthur R. "Randy" Brown, Jr., opened the Law Office of Randy Brown on 851 N. Donnelly St., Ste. 6 in Mount Dora, 32757. The telephone number is (352) 508-4237. Brown will practice labor and employment law and related litigation.

GrayRobinson.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... Jonathan P. Kilman, Alec D. Russell, and Cheryl Thompson have become shareholders with GrayRobinson.

Patrick J. Lannon joined White & Case as counsel in its private clients practice in Miami.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... Patrick J. Lannon joined White & Case as counsel in its private clients practice in Miami. Lannon focuses on trusts and estates law.

Robert C. Buschel joined Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler in Ft. Lauderdale as a partner concentrating on criminal defense, white collar business litigation, and appeals.(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Robert C. Buschel joined Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler in Ft. Lauderdale as a partner concentrating on criminal defense, white collar business litigation, and appeals. Judith A. Silver joined Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler in Ft. Lauderdale as a...

Lorianne K. Trewick joined Berger Singerman as an associate.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... Lorianne K. Trewick joined Berger Singerman as an associate. Trewick will be a member of the firm's dispute resolution team in Ft. Lauderdale.

Maria T. Currier, Alberto M. Hernandez, and Roberto Pupo joined Holland & Knight.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... Maria T. Currier, Alberto M. Hernandez, and Roberto Pupo joined Holland & Knight's health law team.

Tina M. Talarchyk joined Squire.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... Tina M. Talarchyk joined Squire, Sanders & Dempsey as of counsel in the West Palm Beach office.

David Goodwin joined the Miami office of Shook.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... David Goodwin joined the Miami office of Shook, Hardy & Bacon.

Arthur Garcia, Jr., established the Law Offices of Arthur Garcia, Jr., P.A. located at 12555 Orange Dr., Ste. 261, Davie, 33330..(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Arthur Garcia, Jr., established the Law Offices of Arthur Garcia, Jr., P.A. located at 12555 Orange Dr., Ste. 261, Davie, 33330. The telephone number is (954) 862-1483, and Garcia will be concentrating in the area of civil litigation.

The Health Care District of Palm Beach County.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... The Health Care District of Palm Beach County announces the appointment of Nicholas W. Romanello to the position of in-house counsel.

Allison Grant joined Shapiro, Blasi, Wasserman, & Gora in Boca Raton.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... Allison Grant joined Shapiro, Blasi, Wasserman, & Gora in Boca Raton as an associate and will practice commercial litigation.

Donald P. Dufresne joined Greenspoon Marder's West Palm office.(Greenspoon Marder Hirschfeld and Rafkin)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Donald P. Dufresne joined Greenspoon Marder's West Palm office, and his practice areas include residential and commercial real estate, business law, real estate law, planning and zoning, and equine law

Marc Brody has joined Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart as a corporate attorney in the West Palm Beach office.(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Marc Brody has joined Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart as a corporate attorney in the West Palm Beach office. Brody concentrates his practice in general corporate law and federal and state taxation.

Laurinda H. Martins joined Fieldstone Lester Shear & Denberg in Miami.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... Laurinda H. Martins joined Fieldstone Lester Shear & Denberg in Miami as an associate in the firm's commercial real estate department.

Erika A. Young joined the Atlanta office of Seyfarth Shaw.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... Erika A. Young joined the Atlanta office of Seyfarth Shaw as an associate practicing labor and employment law.

Jan F. Majewski joined Holland & Knight as senior program manager.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... Jan F. Majewski joined Holland & Knight as senior program manager, training and development.

Jung Yoon joined Donnelly & Gross in Gainesville as an associate and will represent businesses.(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Jung Yoon joined Donnelly & Gross in Gainesville as an associate and will represent businesses and corporations in employment law and labor organizations in public sector labor law.

Steven M. Harper joined Harper Meyer.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... Steven M. Harper joined Harper Meyer. Harper's practice areas include commercial transactions.

Bruce R. Duggar formed Bruce R. Duggar, P.A., at 8596 Arlington Expressway, Jacksonville 32211.(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Bruce R. Duggar formed Bruce R. Duggar, P.A., at 8596 Arlington Expressway, Jacksonville 32211. The phone number is (904) 725-0905, and the firm will concentrate on elder law, estates, wills, trusts, and probate.

W. Chad Williard and Jeffrey M. Flanagan became of-counsel with Zumpano Patricios & Winker for land use and zoning matters.(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... W. Chad Williard and Jeffrey M. Flanagan became of-counsel with Zumpano Patricios & Winker for land use and zoning matters. Williard and Flanagan will also continue to maintain their own practice at Carlos Williard & Flanagan, P.A., focusing on...

Fox Rothschild is merging with Grotta, Glassman & Hoffman in New Jersey.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... Fox Rothschild is merging with Grotta, Glassman & Hoffman in New Jersey. The combined practice will continue under the name Fox Rothschild LLP.

Sarah Lahlou-Amine joined Fowler White Boggs Banker.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... Sarah Lahlou-Amine joined Fowler White Boggs Banker as an associate.

Alfred J. Stashis, Jr., joined Dunwoody White & Landon.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... Alfred J. Stashis, Jr., joined Dunwoody White & Landon in Naples.

Sunny A. Lim joined Stovash, Case & Tingley.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... Sunny A. Lim joined Stovash, Case & Tingley as an associate.

Kimberly E. Lorenz and Andrew J. Gorman joined Fisher, Rushmer, Werrenrath, Dickson, Talley & Dunlap.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... Kimberly E. Lorenz and Andrew J. Gorman joined Fisher, Rushmer, Werrenrath, Dickson, Talley & Dunlap as new associates.

David I. Wynne joined Bavol Judge.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... David I. Wynne joined Bavol Judge as an associate.

Anthony Guarisco and Sharon James.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... Anthony Guarisco and Sharon James joined The Law Offices of Don Pumphrey.

Jones, Foster, Johnston & Stubbs merged with Berrocal & Wilkins.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... Jones, Foster, Johnston & Stubbs merged with Berrocal & Wilkins and will practice under the name Jones Foster Johnston & Stubbs with West Palm Beach and Jupiter offices.

Scott A. Kuhn opened the Kuhn Law Firm in Ft. Myers that will concentrate on real estate law, family law, litigation.(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Scott A. Kuhn opened the Kuhn Law Firm in Ft. Myers that will concentrate on real estate law, family law, litigation, probate/ estate planning and business matters.

Michael A. Gold joined Walters Levine Klingensmith & Thomison where he will be practicing in the areas of criminal defense.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... Michael A. Gold joined Walters Levine Klingensmith & Thomison where he will be practicing in the areas of criminal defense, construction, and business litigation.

Fowler White Boggs Banker.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... Fowler White Boggs Banker relocated its Orlando offi ce to the SunTrust Center at 200 S. Orange Ave., Ste. 1950.

Robert K. Savage, Jeffrey L. Hinds.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... Robert K. Savage, Jeffrey L. Hinds, and Christopher K. Vogel joined Bricklemyer Smolker & Bolves in Tampa.

Kurt L. Barch joined deBeaubien.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... Kurt L. Barch joined deBeaubien, Knight, Simmons, Mantzaris & Neal.

Giorgio Vallar joined Fowler White Boggs Banker.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... Giorgio Vallar joined Fowler White Boggs Banker as a shareholder and will practice in the real estate practice group.

Nicole L. Goetz joined Asbell, Ho, & Klaus as a shareholder.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... Nicole L. Goetz joined Asbell, Ho, & Klaus as a shareholder; the firm's name is now Asbell, Ho, Klaus & Goetz, P.A.

Brent A. Gordon joined Battaglia, Ross.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... Brent A. Gordon joined Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & Wein's litigation department.

Kinberg & Associates moved to 1290 W. Eau Gallie Blvd in Melbourne, 32935.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... Kinberg & Associates moved to 1290 W. Eau Gallie Blvd in Melbourne, 32935. The telephone number is (321) 259-1910 and the fax number is (850) 259-1996.

Brian D. Tadros and Abhishek G. Shah joined Goodman McGuffey Lindsey & Johnson's.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... Brian D. Tadros and Abhishek G. Shah joined Goodman McGuffey Lindsey & Johnson's Orlando office as associates.

David C. Goodwin changed his address to Shook.(On the Move)
October 1, 2006... David C. Goodwin changed his address to Shook, Hardy & Bacon Miami Center, Ste. 2400, 201 S. Biscayne Blvd., Miami 33132.

Robby Birnbaum.(News and Notes)
October 1, 2006... Robby Birnbaum of Greenspoon Marder led representatives from The Association of Settlement Companies to meet with the Kansas Offi ce of Bank Commissioner in Topeka.

Jeanne Trudeau.(News and Notes)
October 1, 2006... Jeanne Trudeau Tate was nominated to be an Angel in Adoption by Congressman Jim Davis, and was selected by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute.