Florida Bar News articles from September 2005

Florida Bar News archives from September 2005

Court records should be available online: panel's plan is to balance electronic convenience and efficiency with personal privacy.
September 1, 2005... Recognizing Florida's unique constitutional commitment to open government, amid realities of today's high-tech age, the Florida Supreme Court Committee on Privacy and Court Records has recommended electronic access to court records. But it...

Best of the best.
September 1, 2005... THE VIRGIL HAWKINS FLORIDA CHAPTER of the National Bar Association recently received the Affiliate Chapter of the Year Award from the NBA at its national convention in Orlando. NBA immediate past President Kim Keenan, center, presented the...

Web advertising panel seated: how should ad rules be applied to lawyers' Web sites?
September 1, 2005... A dozen attorneys have been appointed to the Special Committee on Web Site Advertising Rules, which will study the delicate issue of what attorneys may say on their Web sites under Bar advertising rules. The committee was created in June as...

Momentum builds for extending DNA testing: governor orders evidence preserved while legislators propose no innocence deadline.
September 1, 2005... With an October 1 deadline looming, greater opportunities for DNA testing for claims of innocence are advancing in all three branches of government. In the executive branch, on August 5, Gov. Jeb Bush signed Executive Order 05-160 to...

Petition to limit malpractice fees draws opposition.
September 1, 2005... A petition seeking to rewrite Bar rules to include a recent constitutional amendment limiting attorneys' sprit of medical malpractice awards is continuing to draw opposition, and not just from attorneys. The Supreme Court has given...

JNC process.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2005... I couldn't help but chuckle as I read the August 1 News article about the Judicial Independence Committee's "exploration" of Florida's JNC process. Several commentators in the article expressed concerns about the governor's preference for...

Shakespeare revisited.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2005... "I hate attorneys" is an often heard refrain. There are those who always wish to share their kind words about attorneys with a Shakespearean quote: "The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers." We are referred to as gunslingers or...

The name game.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2005... The "It is important to practice under your real name" UPL Update column in the August 15 News misstates the law and illustrates misplaced priorities. The author's example is that a lawyer licensed as Cynthia R. Jones may not call herself...

Applications being accepted for U.S. Attorney for the southern district.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2005... Applications are now being accepted to fill the position of United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. Applications are available from Michael J. Grindstaff, commission chair, P.O. Box 4956, Orlando 32802-4956, telephone...

Errata.(Correction Notice)
September 1, 2005... A story in the August 15 edition of the Bar News misspelled the first name of Tana J. Stringfellow, the vice chair of the Bar's Special Committee to Study Paralegal Regulation. The News regrets the error.

Disability Mentoring Day scheduled for October 19: Florida lawyers are urged to participate.
September 1, 2005... Florida Disability Mentoring Day--part of a national, broad-based effort to promote career development for students and job seekers with disabilities through hands-on career exploration, job shadowing, internships, or employment...

Floridian to lead the NBA.
September 1, 2005... LINNES FINNEY, JR., center, of Ft. Pierce was recently elected president-elect of the National Bar Association at its 80th Annual Convention held in Orlando. Finney will be sworn in as the 64th NBA president at its 81st Annual Convention in...

Nominations being accepted for annual pro bono awards.
September 1, 2005... Nominations are being accepted for the state's annual pro bono service awards. Each year the Supreme Court and The Florida Bar give special recognition to lawyers who have freely given their time and expertise in making legal services...

The Palm Beach county bar.
September 1, 2005... Young Lawyers Section recently distributed new school supplies to more than 250 children attending Palm Beach Public Elementary School. The YLS donated close to $4,000 worth of notebooks, binders, pencils, and everything in between for all of...

FAMU to host mock trial regional event: is in need of volunteer judges.
September 1, 2005... Florida A&M University will host the American Mock Trial Association's southern regional tournament February 24-26 in Tallahassee and needs approximately 160 volunteer judges to preside over and score the tournament. "Recruiting a...

The T.J. Reddick Bar names new board.
September 1, 2005... The T.J. Reddick Bar Association recently named its 2005-2006 executive board. At a July 8 meeting, Broward Circuit Judge Ilona Holmes swore in T.J. Reddick officers Roshawn Banks, Veresa Jones Adams, Deana Holiday, Steven Taylor, Gregory...

Dissenters file their own reports: some fear online access, clerks worry about their independence.
September 1, 2005... Fifth District Court of Appeal Judge Jacqueline Griffin was the leader of the naysayers, warning that public Internet access to court records is a "misguided goal" that will provide criminals and terrorists with a "Sears catalogue of personal...

Here's who served on the panel.
September 1, 2005... The membership of the Supreme Court Committee on Privacy and Court Records includes: * Chair Jon Mills, dean emeritus of the University of Florida Levin School of Law * Kristin Adamson. Tallahassee lawyer * Andrew Z. Adkins,...

Unified family court petition filed.(Notice)
September 1, 2005... The Steering Committee on Families and Children in the Court (Steering Committee) has petitioned the Florida Supreme Court to adopt its recommendations concerning the following aspects of unified family court: 1) the need for one administrative...

In memoriam.
September 1, 2005... Sidney Advocate, Miami Admitted 1977; Died May 17, 2004 Walter Eugene Apple, Ft. Lauderdale Admitted 1987; Died June 19, 2004 Elmer Pearce Barber, Knoxville, TN Admitted 1955; Died September 26, 2000 William A. Baxter,...

Bar committee begins paralegal regulation study.
September 1, 2005... The Florida Legislature would prefer that The Florida Bar address the education and possible regulation of paralegals with Bar rules, but is likely to pass its own bill if the Bar doesn't act. Rep. Juan Zapata, R-Miami, expressed that...

Stetson program to discuss technical trends in the law.
September 1, 2005... The National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law at Stetson University College of Law and the National Institute of Justice will present a national conference to discuss emerging legal and scientific issues and trends in the use...

Florida Coastal plans to move.
September 1, 2005... Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville will relocate its Beach Boulevard campus to a newly renovated and larger campus next year. The school is planning to purchase the former Citicard (now Citibank) building at 8787 Baypine Road,...

D'Alemberte to chair AJS.
September 1, 2005... Sandy D'Alemberte was recently elected to serve as chair of the board for the American Judicature Society. D'Alemberte, president emeritus of Florida State University, previously served as the AJS president from 1982 to 1984 and received its...

PBCTL works with NSU.(Legal Roundup)
September 1, 2005... PBCTL Works With NSU: The Palm Beach County Trial Lawyers Association has established a law student mentoring and clerkship program in cooperation with the law students of Nova Southeastern University. The program, offered to first, second, and...

Carlton Fields launches diversity program.(Legal Roundup)
September 1, 2005... Carlton Fields Launches Diversity Program: Carlton Fields has created a diversity fellowship program designed to provide one Stetson University College of Law student each semester with access to large firm practice. The student's work is split...

Firm pays team's insurance.(Legal Roundup)
September 1, 2005... Firm Pays Team's Insurance: Rosenthal & Levy has underwritten the $50 insurance payments for the Pahokee High School varsity football team. The fee instituted by the School District of Palm Beach County has been labeled "pay for play." Before...

Fishing with kids in mind.(Legal Roundup)
September 1, 2005... Fishing With Kids in Mind: The Palm Beach County Trial Lawyers Association recently held its annual fishing tournament, with proceeds benefiting the West Palm Beach Fishing Foundation's Kid's Fishing Day Program for underprivileged kids. "Tom...

FAWL recognizes Carlton Fields.(Legal Roundup)
September 1, 2005... FAWL Recognizes Carlton Fields: Carlton Fields recently received the "Friend of FAWL" award from the Miami-Dade Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers. Edith G. Osman and Kristy M. Johnson accepted the award on behalf of the firm...

Tax amnesty underway.(Legal Roundup)
September 1, 2005... Tax Amnesty Underway: More than 11,000 taxpayers with a Florida address owe delinquent taxes amounting to over $21 million to Indiana. The Indiana Department of Revenue, however, is now offering a limited-time opportunity for individuals and...

Disciplinary actions.
September 1, 2005... The Florida Supreme Court in recent court orders suspended eight, reprimanded six, disbarred three, placed two on probation, and accepted the resignation of two attorneys. The following lawyers are disciplined: Lori Elizabeth Ager,...

Bar's Education Law Committee to meet.
September 1, 2005... The Bar's Education Law Committee will meet September 9 in Tampa in conjunction with the Bar's General Meeting of Committees and Sections. The meeting will feature video hookups in Kendall, Ft. Lauderdale, and Jacksonville at the Nova...

Palm Beach County Bar.
September 1, 2005... PALM BEACH COUNTY BAR members will join thousands from around the world to participate in International Literacy Day September 8. More than 30 Palm Beach County attorneys and judges will spend the morning talking to students at the Adult...

Newly board certified Florida lawyers.
September 1, 2005... The Florida Bar recently certified 221 Florida lawyers as specialists in 19 areas of legal practice, including 109 attorneys certified in the newly approved construction law area. Board certification recognizes attorneys' special knowledge,...

Dennis G. Corrick of Dean, Mead, Minton & Zwemer was honored as the 2004-05 recipient of the Community Impact Award.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Dennis G. Corrick of Dean, Mead, Minton & Zwemer was honored as the 2004-05 recipient of the Community Impact Award from the United Way of St. Lucie County.

Doane & Doane.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Rebecca G. Doane of Doane & Doane in North Palm Beach was honored with the March of Dimes 2005 "Women of Distinction Award."

Florida Conference of Circuit Judges.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Judge Stanford Blake was elected chair of the Florida Conference of Circuit Judges for 2005-2006.

Second District Court of Appeal.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Judge Carolyn K. Fulmer was elected to serve as chief judge of the Second District Court of Appeal in Lakeland for a two-year term.

Torpy Group.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Mark R. Malek of The Torpy Group in Melbourne was elected to serve on the executive committee of the board of directors for Junior Achievement of East Central Florida.

Paralegal Association.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Thomas A. Sadaka of Berger Singerman spoke at the 2005 Spring the Paralegal Association of Florida about "Protecting Your Personal Identifying Information."

Pentagon.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Col. Lettie J. Bien received the Bronze Star Medal in a ceremony at the Pentagon.

Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Alice Reiter Feld of Tamarac was elected president of the Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys.

University of Florida Levin College of Law.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Michael Gordon was named the John H. and Mary Lou Dasburg Professor at the University of Florida Levin College of Law.

Florida Supreme Court Nominating Commission.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Joseph P. Milton of Jacksonville was elected chair of the Florida Supreme Court Nominating Commission. Additionally, Tina Matte of Ft. Myers was elected vice chair.

Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr., Bar Association.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Christina McKinnon was elected as the Vice President of the Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr., Bar Association in Miami.

Gray & Gorenflo in Sanford was presented with the "Quality of Life Award".(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Gray & Gorenflo in Sanford was presented with the "Quality of Life Award" by the Young Lawyers Division of The Florida Bar.

Macfarlane Ferguson & McMullen.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Carolyn House Stewart of Macfarlane Ferguson & McMullen was appointed by the Supreme Court of Florida to the Florida Board of Bar Examiners.

National Bar Association's Civil Rights Section.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Reginald J. Mitchell was elected chair of the National Bar Association's Civil Rights Section at its 80th Annual Convention in Orlando on August 5. Mitchell currently serves as the Florida legal counsel and Tallahassee office director of People...

Hogan & Hartson.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Richard C. Lorenzo of Hogan & Hartson in Miami was designated by the U.S. Council for International Business, the U.S. National Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce to serve as the U.S. representative on the ICC's Commission on...

Upchurch, Watson, White & Max Mediation Group.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Michael Orfinger of Upchurch, Watson, White & Max Mediation Group in Daytona Beach presented a one hour CLE seminar titled, "preparing Your Client for Mediation: Success Through Managing Client Expectations" to members of the Flagler County Bar...

Lawrence M. Watson, Jr., of Upchurch, Watson, White & Max Mediation Group.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Lawrence M. Watson, Jr., of Upchurch, Watson, White & Max Mediation Group in Daytona was the recipient of The American College of Civil Trial Mediators' 2005 Lifetime Achievement Award.

F. Malcolm Cunningham, Sr., Bar Association.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Edrick E. Barnes of Liggio, Benrubi & Williams in West Palm Beach has been elected president of the F. Malcolm Cunningham, Sr., Bar Association.

11th Judicial Circuit.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Judge Jeffrey Rosinek of the 11th Judicial Circuit was presented the Gerald Kogan Judicial Distinction Award.

The Father's Table Foundation.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Dwayne Gray of Greenspoon, Marder, Hirschfeld, Rafkin, Ross, Berger & Abrams Anton in Orlando was re-elected as chair of The Father's Table Foundation.

Tampa Connection.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Eric S. Adams of Carlton Fields in Tampa was elected to the board of directors of Tampa Connection.

Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Richard A. Berkowitz of Berkowitz, Dick, Pollack & Brant in Miami was installed as president of the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Ferguson-White Inns.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... C. Douglas McDonald of Carlton Fields in Tampa was named the "Mentor of the Year 2004-2005" by the Ferguson-White Inns of Court.

American Intellectual Property Law Association.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... John P. Blasko with Fox Rothschild spoke at three seminars sponsored by the American Intellectual Property Law Association. The Advanced Patent Cooperation Treaty Practice seminars addressed changes to the patent cooperation treaty rules and...

American Law Institute.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Joseph H. Lang, Jr., of Carlton Fields in Tampa was elected to the American Law Institute.

Neisen Kasdin of Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart in Miami was one of two American speakers at the Third Mayor's Forum in Tokyo, organized by the Development Bank of Japna nd the Urban Land Institute.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Neisen Kasdin of Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart in Miami was one of two American speakers at the Third Mayor's Forum in Tokyo, organized by the Development Bank of Japan and the Urban Land Institute. Kasdin's topic was "Creating Value: The Miami...

Michael J. Rotundo of Law Offices of Robert Rubenstein spoke at the "Winning Your First Civil Trial in Florida.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Michael J. Rotundo of Law Offices of Robert Rubenstein spoke at the "Winning Your First Civil Trial in Florida: What They Don't Teach You in Law School" seminar in Miami.

Orange County Bar Association's legal Aid Society.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... David E. Cannella of Carlton Fields in Orlando was appointed to the board of trustees for the Orange County Bar: Association's Legal Aid Society.

Greater Miami, Inc.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart was presented by the Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc., the Law Firm Leadership Award.

Roger N. Messer of Port St. Lucie was elected president of the Florida Lions Foundation.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Roger N. Messer of Port St. Lucie was elected president of the Florida Lions Foundation for the Blind, Inc. for the year 2005-2006.

Hillsborough County Bar Association.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Gregory P. Brown of Hill, Ward & Henderson in Tampa received the "Outstanding Young Lawyer" award from the Young Lawyers division of the Hillsborough County Bar Association.

The Spring of Tampa Bay.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Kim Hernandez Vance with GrayRobinson in Tampa was elected to the board of trustees of The Spring of Tampa Bay.

John S. Mills of Mills & Carlin was awarded the Pro Bono Attorney of the Year award.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... John S. Mills of Mills & Carlin was awarded the Pro Bono Attorney of the Year award by the Appellate Practice Section of The Florida Bar.

Jacksonville Bar Association.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Alan M. Pickert of Terrell Hogan in Jacksonville was recently elected and sworn in as the 2005-06 president of the Jacksonville Bar Association.

Palm Beach Convention Center.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Christopher Hopkins and Allison Miller-Bernstein of Cole, Scott & Kissane chaired a full day seminar "Problem Solving for Condo/Homeowners' Associations in Florida" for attorneys and real estate professionals at the Palm Beach Convention...

University of Miami Citizens Board.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Brian A. Hart has been elected president of the University of Miami Citizens Board for the 2005-2006 fiscal year.

Angela Orkin from the Florida Statewide Guardian ad Litem office was selected.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Angela Orkin from the Florida Statewide Guardian ad Litem office was selected as the National Association of Counsel for Children 2005 Outstanding Advocate.

Sherri L. Johnson of Dent & Johnson Sarasota was awarded the "2005 Outstanding Attorney Achievement Award".(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Sherri L. Johnson of Dent & Johnson Sarasota was awarded the "2005 Outstanding Attorney Achievement Award" by the Sarasota chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers.

The South Florida Business Journal.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Jeanmarie Ferrara was presented the "Up & Comers Award" by the The South Florida Business Journal.

June Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Andrew J. "Jay" Knight II of Moseley, Prichard, Parrish, Knight & Jones in Jacksonville presented a paper and spoke on admiralty jurisdiction at the June Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute seminar in Atlanta. Knight was also recently awarded...

USF Senior Academy.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Whitney C. Glaser of Kirk Pinkerton taught a 12-hour course on legal rights and remedies for students at the USF Senior Academy. Glaser spoke about the Florida court and judiciary system, personal injury and wrongful death law, civil...

Carol Henderson of Stetson University College of Law was part of a nationwide panel.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Carol Henderson of Stetson University College of Law was part of a nationwide panel about forensic evidence in an ABA teleconference.

Nassau County Bar Association.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Teresa J. "Teri" Sopp of Yulee was elected president of the Nassau County Bar Association.

Mark Eiglarsh from the Law Offices of Mark Eiglarsh was re-elected to serve on the board of directors.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Mark Eiglarsh from the Law Offices of Mark Eiglarsh was re-elected to serve on the board of directors of Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Miami.

15th Circuit Judicial Nomination Commission.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Rafael J. Roca has become chair of the 15th Circuit Judicial Nomination Commission.

Orange County Bar Association.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Yvette Rodriguez Brown of deBeaubien, Knight, Simmons, Mantzaris & Neal was named president of the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association.

Judge Robert F. Diaz of Broward County attended a seminar on judicial reasoning at the American Academy of Judicial Education.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Judge Robert F. Diaz of Broward County attended a seminar on judicial reasoning at the American Academy of Judicial Education. Judge Diaz' attendance was supported by a scholarship awarded by the State Justice Institute.

MADD.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Elizabeth Parker of the Office of the State Attorney, 15th Judicial Circuit received the 2005 "Outstanding Prosecutor Award" from MADD.

Susan Dawson of The Office of Insurance Regulation was a speaker on the topic of "Enforcement Case Study on Viaticals--Mutual Benefits".(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Susan Dawson of The Office of Insurance Regulation was a speaker on the topic of "Enforcement Case Study on Viaticals--Mutual Benefits" during a joint training seminar of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and the North...

Joseph J. Reiter of Lytal, Reiter, Clark, Fountain & Williams was honored by the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers Young Lawyers.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2005... Joseph J. Reiter of Lytal, Reiter, Clark, Fountain & Williams was honored by the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers Young Lawyers with the Mickey Smiley Award.