Florida Bar News articles from September 2008

Florida Bar News archives from September 2008

Quince pushes for stable funding.
September 1, 2008... Chief Justice Peggy Quince is reaching out to the executive and legislative branches in forging a stable funding source for the third branch of government reeling from the ongoing court budget crisis. "We are increasingly concerned about...

If the bank fails, what happens to trust accounts?
September 1, 2008... What happens when a lawyer's trust account is deposited in a bank that fails and is taken over by federal regulators? That question has been asked by a few lawyers contacting the Bar's Ethics Hotline and Law Office Management Assistance...

Fifth minority mentoring picnic set for November.
September 1, 2008... Mark your calendars for November 1 and join more than 1,500 lawyers, judges, minority law school students, guests, and family members for the Fifth Minority Mentoring Picnic in Hialeah. Held at the Amelia Earhart Park, 401 E. 65th Street,...

Florida paralegals rush to register.
September 1, 2008... More than 2,000 people in Florida have earned the right to call themselves Florida registered paralegals. Six months after the launch of the Florida Supreme Court approved Florida Registered Paralegal Program--which provides for voluntary...

Why go it all alone? The general practice, solo and small firm section is always available to help.
September 1, 2008... It seems too pat to say that one of the perks of working in a solo or small firm is that you might get to take your dog to work. But it's true in Peggy Hoyt's case, at least. Hoyt is co-owner of The Law Offices of Hoyt & Bryan and chair-elect...

Proposed board actions.(Notice)
September 1, 2008... Pursuant to Standing Board Policy 1.60, the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar hereby publishes this notice of intent to consider or take final action at its October 3, 2008 meeting in Boston, MA on the following items. These matters are...

The Florida Bar Foundation benefits from cy pres award.
September 1, 2008... A settlement that could have meant a few pennies to nearly eight million people instead will mean a shot at justice for hundreds of Floridians who otherwise might have languished in substandard housing, abusive relationships, or unsafe working...

Florida Bar certifies 207 attorneys as specialties.
September 1, 2008... The Florida Bar recently approved board certification for 207 lawyers in 22 specialty areas of legal practice. Board certification evaluates attorneys' special knowledge, skills, and proficiency in various areas of law and professionalism and...

Proposed traffic court rule.(Notice)
September 1, 2008... The Traffic Court Rules Committee invites comment on the following revised rule amendment, which is part of its previously published three-year cycle amendment proposals for the Florida Traffic Court Rules. After reviewing comments received in...

Committee seeks animal law articles.(Notice)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... The Animal Law Committee is accepting articles for publication in an upcoming issue of its Animal Law Newsletter. Articles should be submitted before October 30 and can focus on any aspect of animals and the law in Florida. Articles...

Character and fitness.(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2008... This letter is prompted by the August 1 News story "Character and fitness issues for admission to be reviewed." The problem is systemic. Lawyers are poorly educated. They need to bring pre-law qualifications to take courses in law school....

Court funding.(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2008... The funding crisis confronting the public defenders statewide cannot be overstated. It is not isolated to one circuit, nor is the problem limited to the ability of court appointed counsel to represent clients. It impacts the entire criminal...

Stop turning the clock back.(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2008... This summer, the U.S. House of Representatives moved in the right direction by issuing an apology not only for slavery but for Jim Crow laws and practices, throughout the land. Why then does The Florida Bar seem to be moving away from such...

Prioritize prosecutions.(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2008... Faced with severe budget restraints, I urge our state attorneys to stop wasting precious resources filing marijuana possession cases. The funds spent arresting, prosecuting, and jailing (or supervising on probation) otherwise law-abiding...

FLABOTA presents awards: Judge Schlesinger, Cole, and Milton honored.(Florida Chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates honors Harvey E. Schlesinger, Robert A. Cole, and Joseph P. Milton)
September 1, 2008... The Florida Chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates selected U.S. District Court Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger of Jacksonville as its Jurist of the Year, and Robert A. Cole of Jacksonville as Trial Lawyer of the Year. Both were...

Fastcase web tutorials set.(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Four Web-based tutorials on Fastcase will be offered to Florida Bar members in September and October. Used by more than 300,000 attorneys nationally, Fastcase helps attorneys improve research skills and is free for Florida Bar members....

11th Circuit Historical Society names legends.(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... The 11th Judicial Circuit Historical Society announced the winners of its 2008 Legal Legends Awards, given to those who have made substantial contributions to the legal system in South Florida over a period of 25 years or more. This year's...

Bar supports attorney-client privilege.(Notices)
September 1, 2008... Under Rule 2 9.3 (b)--(e), Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, active members of the Bar may file a specific written objection to particular legislative positions adopted by the Bar. Objections properly filed within 45 days of this News issue...

Board accepting JQC applications.(Notices)
September 1, 2008... Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission Vacancy: One attorney to serve a six-year term commencing January 1, 2009, and expiring December 31, 2014. The 15-member commission is authorized under Art. V, Section 12, Florida Constitution, to...

Yelenosky petitions for Bar reinstatement.(Notices)(Stephanie Ann Yelenosky)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10(b), Stephanie Ann Yelenosky has petitioned the Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement. Yelenosky was suspended by the Supreme Court for two years, effective nunc pro tunc July 11, 2005, for misconduct involving improper...

Lorigo petitions for Bar reinstatement.(Notices)(Francisco Osvaldo Loriga)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, Francisco Osvaldo Loriga has petitioned the Florida Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement. Loriga was suspended May 23, 2005, for six months, primarily due to his nolo contendere pleas to numerous misdemeanor...

Timilty petitions for Bar reinstatement.(Notices)(Elizabeth Timilty)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, Catherine Elizabeth Timilty of Pinellas Park has petitioned the Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement. Timilty was suspended for 365 days pursuant to a June 21, 2007, court order for violating Rule 3-4.3 (Misconduct);...

11th Circuit board seat available.(Notices)
September 1, 2008... Executive Director John F. Harkness, Jr., has announced a vacancy on the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar due to the death of 11th Circuit board member Steven Chaykin. Chakyin was finishing a two-year term on the board in Seat 8. The...

Itkin petitions for Bar reinstatement.(Notices)(Scott Elliott Itkin)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Scott Elliott Itkin of Davie has submitted an application with the Florida Board of Bar Examiners for Bar readmission. Itkin resigned in 1996 under allegations he converted client trust monies. The board will conduct a public hearing on...

Clarification.(Correction notice)
September 1, 2008... The family of Florida Bar Board of Governors member Steve Chaykin who died in an accident July 30 while hiking with his wife, Melissa, and 10-year-old daughter, Sydney, near Aspen, Colorado, has requested that donations in lieu of flowers be...

Paul A. Calli and Marissel Descalzo of Carlton Fields recently had the article "Since Enron, Firms Fast to Conduct Their Own Internal Investigations".(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Paul A. Calli and Marissel Descalzo of Carlton Fields recently had the article "Since Enron, Firms Fast to Conduct Their Own Internal Investigations" published in the Daily Business Review's report on white collar crime. [ILLUSTRATION...

Broward County Bar Young Lawyers Section.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Scott P. Chitoff of Brinkley, Morgan, Solomon, Tatum, Stanley, Lunny & Crosby has been installed as president of the Broward County Bar Young Lawyers Section.

Young Lawyers Section of the Jacksonville Bar.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Katie L. Dearing, of Liles, Gavin, Costantino & George, has been elected president of the Young Lawyers Section of the Jacksonville Bar.

Nicole C. Kibert.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Nicole C. Kibert of Carlton Fields in Tampa spoke at the Tampa Chapter of National Association of Women in Construction's monthly meeting about "Sustainable Development and Green Building (Abridged)" and outlined the basic principles of...

Winter Park YMCA Family Center.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Samuel P. King of Dellecker, Wilson, King, McKenna & Ruffier has been elected to the board of directors of the Winter Park YMCA Family Center. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Miami Bridge Youth and Family Services board.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Marlene Quintana of GrayRobinson in Miami has been elected to the Miami Bridge Youth and Family Services board.

Judge Manuel Menendez, Jr.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Judge Manuel Menendez, Jr., of Tampa was inducted into Florida Blue Key.

T.J. Reddick Bar.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Joanne Charles of Broad and Cassel in Ft. Lauderdale has been elected to the board of directors of the T.J. Reddick Bar. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Southwest Chapter of the American Red Cross.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Jennifer B. Compton of Abel Band in Sarasota has been elected vice-chair of the board of directors of the Southwest Chapter of the American Red Cross and will chair its 2009 Hurricane Bash fundraiser.

Florida Association for Women Lawyers.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Julie Braman Kane of Colson Hicks Eidson in Coral Gables has become president-elect of the Miami-Dade Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Michael S. Pasano.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Michael S. Pasano of Carlton Fields in Miami has won the ABA Section of Criminal Justice's Charles R. English Award for his professional ethics.

Joseph Englander.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Joseph Englander of Shutts & Bowen hosted the International Trademark Association Roundtable on Electronic Discovery in Orlando. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Wendy Morris.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Wendy Morris of Morris Law Offices in Bonita Springs has been certified by the Supreme Court of Florida as a family law mediator.

Gianluca Morello.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Gianluca Morello, with Fowler White Boggs Banker, has authored a chapter for a recently published book, Antitrust Litigation Best Practices. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Howard B. Lenard.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Howard B. Lenard, city attorney of North Miami Beach, was awarded the Chief of Police's and Department's Special Recognition Award.

Florida Justice Association.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Paul M. Anderson, of Fernandez & Hart in Tallahassee, was recently elected to the Executive Committee of the Florida Justice Association and re-elected to the Board of Directors of the Florida Workers' Advocates. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Justin B. Wineburgh of Cozen O'Connor has been named to the advisory board of Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts.

Scott A. Robin.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Scott A. Robin and Anthony C. Soroka, of the law firm of Weiss Serota Helfman Pastoriza Cole & Boniske, spoke at the 2008 Florida Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors Conference on June 27 in West Palm Beach. ...

Michael Alex Wasylik.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Michael Alex Wasylik of Ricardo & Wasylik in Dade City presented "Foreclosure Defense" to the North Tampa Chapter of the Tampa Bay Real Estate Investors Association.

Federal Bar Association's Board of Directors.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Mark A. Levy of Brinkley, Morgan, Solomon, Tatum, Stanley, Lunny & Crosby has been appointed to the Broward County Chapter of the Federal Bar Association's Board of Directors. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Broward County Bar.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Jordana L. Goldstein of Ferencik, Libanoff, Brandt, Bustamante & Williams in Plantation has been named secretary of the Broward County Bar.

American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... John F. Schutz of Schutz & White in West Palm Beach has become a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.

United Way of Miami-Dade's Board of Directors.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Steven J. Brodie of Carlton Fields in Miami has been elected to the United Way of Miami-Dade's Board of Directors. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Coral Gables City Attorney Elizabeth M. Hernandez and Miami Assistant City Attorney Rafael E. Suarez-Rivas were speakers.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Coral Gables City Attorney Elizabeth M. Hernandez and Miami Assistant City Attorney Rafael E. Suarez-Rivas were speakers at the "What You Need to Know about Public Records and Open Meetings" seminar in Miami.

Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Michael V. Mitrione of Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart in West Palm Beach was appointed secretary of the Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Larry R. Fleurantin.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Larry R. Fleurantin of Larry R. Fleurantin & Associates recently published an article titled "Immigration Law: Nowhere to Turn--Illegal Aliens Cannot Use the Freedom of Information Act as a Discovery Tool to Fight Unfair Removal Hearings," in...

Lisa J. Augspurger.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Lisa J. Augspurger of Bush, Augspurger & Lynch in Orlando was recognized by the Victim Services Coalition of Central Florida at its recognition breakfast during National Crime Victims' Rights Week for her commitment to serve victims of crime....

Edward M. Waller.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Edward M. Waller of Fowler White Boggs Banker recently lectured on trial lawyers' ethics, civility, and professionalism at the Litigation Institute for Trial Training, sponsored by the Litigation Section of the ABA in Chicago. ...

George J. Meyer and Scott P. Pence of Carlton Fields in Tampa presented a teleconference on "Understanding Warranties and Guarantees in the Standard AIA Contract,".(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... George J. Meyer and Scott P. Pence of Carlton Fields in Tampa presented a teleconference on "Understanding Warranties and Guarantees in the Standard AIA Contract," sponsored by Lorman Seminars. [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED]

Jane Dunlap Callahan.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Jane Dunlap Callahan of Dean Mead in Orlando received an award from the Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service for outstanding public service to her community through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program.

Orange County Minority/Women Business Enterprise Advisory Committee.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Lemar F. Alejo of Alejo Law, P.A., in Tampa was recently appointed to the Orange County Minority/ Women Business Enterprise Advisory Committee. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professionals by the United States Green.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Heather Himes, Tyler Everett, Sarah Borak, and J. R. Steele of Akerman Senterfi tt have been named Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professionals by the United States Green Building Council.

Florida International University Foundation Board of Directors.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Joseph L. Caruncho of Preferred Care Partners in Miami has been appointed chair of the Florida International University Foundation Board of Directors. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Harold E. Kaplan.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Harold E. Kaplan of Coral Springs recently spoke on "Avoiding Physician Practice Merger Failure" at the South Florida Medical Group Management Association/ Broward County Medical Association joint meeting.

Alan Orantes Forst.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Alan Orantes Forst, chair of the Palm City Unemployment Appeals Commission, made presentations regarding effective use of CLE at both the Bar's Section Leadership Conference in Tallahassee and the Voluntary Bar Leadership Seminar in...

Hillsborough County Young Democrats.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Jennifer L. Fenn of Carlton Fields in Tampa was elected president of the Hillsborough County Young Democrats.

Florida Justice Association Young Lawyers Section Board of Directors.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Gregory M. Yaffa of Slawson Cunningham Whalen & Gaspari in Palm Beach Gardens has been re-elected to the Florida Justice Association Young Lawyers Section Board of Directors.

The Chinese Association of Science, Economics and Culture of South Florida.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Peter Quinter of Becker & Poliakoff in Ft. Lauderdale was appointed as a consultant to The Chinese Association of Science, Economics and Culture of South Florida, the largest Chinese-American organization in South Florida. [ILLUSTRATION...

Annual Banquet of the Martin County Bar Association.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Chief Judge William L. Roby was honored as the first recipient of the Madison Award at the Annual Banquet of the Martin County Bar Association, recognizing his respect for the U.S. Constitution and appreciation of the rule of law.

Richard B. Lord.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Richard B. Lord of Upchurch Watson White & Max recently completed and received a certificate from the Advanced Negotiation Program of Instruction for Lawyers at Harvard Law School. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Betty L. Dunkum.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Betty L. Dunkum with Trial Practices in West Palm Beach recently spoke to the Orange County Bar Labor and Employment Law Section on working with a trial consultant. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Humane Society of Tampa Bay Board of Directors.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Trenton H. Cotney of Glenn Rasmussen Fogarty & Hooker was elected to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay Board of Directors. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Association of South Florida Mediators and Arbitrators, Inc.(News and SNotes)
September 1, 2008... Steven A. Mason of Hollywood has been elected president of the Association of South Florida Mediators and Arbitrators, Inc.

Harvard Law School.(News and Notes)
September 1, 2008... Jerry Roden of St. Lucie County recently participated in a three-day symposium at Harvard Law School sponsored by the National College of DUI Defense.

Jennifer C. Frank has opened the law firm of Jennifer C. Frank, P.A, in Maitland and will continue in her practice handling marital and family law matters.(On the Move)
September 1, 2008... Jennifer C. Frank has opened the law firm of Jennifer C. Frank, P.A., in Maitland and will continue in her practice handling marital and family law matters. The firm can be contacted by e-mail at Jennifer@JCFrankLaw.com, at the new address at...

Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs.(On the Move)
September 1, 2008... Scott Topolski of Boca Raton has become chair of Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs' national litigation practice group.

Joel Karp has joined Cantor & Webb as of counsel.(On the Move)
September 1, 2008... Joel Karp has joined Cantor & Webb as of counsel in the firm's Miami office.

Wayne Lee Thomas has joined Akerman Senterfitt.(On the Move)
September 1, 2008... Wayne Lee Thomas has joined Akerman Senterfitt in Tampa as a shareholder.

Maria Kayanan has joined the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida.(On the Move)
September 1, 2008... Maria Kayanan has joined the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida as its first associate legal director.

Mark A. Stuart has joined Andrew C. Demos, P. A., in Miramar as an associate.(On the Move)
September 1, 2008... Mark A. Stuart has joined Andrew C. Demos, P. A., in Miramar as an associate. Stuart will focus his practice in the areas of condominium and homeowners' association law, construction law litigation, and arbitration.

Jeffrey C. Fulford has moved his offices to 32 Southeast Osceola Street, Suite A, Stuart 34994, phone (772) 288-5123, e-mail jeff@fulfordlaw.com.(On the Move)
September 1, 2008... Jeffrey C. Fulford has moved his offices to 32 Southeast Osceola Street, Suite A, Stuart 34994, phone (772) 288-5123, e-mail jeff@fulfordlaw.com. He concentrates his practice in personal injury and wrongful death, with an emphasis on medical...

Barbara A. Eagan has opened Eagan Appellate Law in Orlando.(On the Move)
September 1, 2008... Barbara A. Eagan has opened Eagan Appellate Law in Orlando. The firm will provide appellate representation, as well as litigation and trial support throughout Florida. Phone (407) 286-2204, e-mail: beagan@EaganAppellate.com.

Julie H. Terry, Thomas J. Gibbons and Ronald L. Roth have joined Luks, Santaniello, Perez, Petrillo & Gold as associates in Ft. Lauderdale.(On the Move)
September 1, 2008... Julie H. Terry, Thomas J. Gibbons and Ronald L. Roth have joined Luks, Santaniello, Perez, Petrillo & Gold as associates in Ft. Lauderdale. Terry will practice in the PIP division. Gibbons will practice in general liability and insurance...

Scott W. Machnik has joined Marlowe McNabb & Stayton as an associate.(On the Move)
September 1, 2008... Scott W. Machnik has joined Marlowe McNabb & Stayton as an associate. He will focus on construction law and litigation.

Anthony J. Fantauzzi III, Suzanne Y. Labrit, Terri N. Thomas and Nicole Berry have joined Shutts & Bowen in Tampa.(On the Move)
September 1, 2008... Anthony J. Fantauzzi III, Suzanne Y. Labrit, Terri N. Thomas and Nicole Berry have joined Shutts & Bowen in Tampa. Fantauzzi, Labrit, and Thomas will join the firm's litigation department as partners and Berry joins the firm's real estate group...

W. Gregory Steube has joined Macfarlane Ferguson & McMullen in Tampa.(On the Move)
September 1, 2008... W. Gregory Steube has joined Macfarlane Ferguson & McMullen in Tampa and his primary focus will be on litigation.

Marshall Schaap has joined Weekley / Schulte / Valdes in Tampa as an associate.(On the Move)
September 1, 2008... Marshall Schaap has joined Weekley | Schulte | Valdes in Tampa as an associate. He will practice in the areas of professional malpractice, products liability, premises liability, construction defects, and commercial litigation.

Bruce B. Baldwin has become a partner with Mase & Lara in Miami.(On the Move)
September 1, 2008... Bruce B. Baldwin has become a partner with Mase & Lara in Miami, practicing primarily in the area of commercial litigation.

U.S. Southern District of Florida.(On the Move)
September 1, 2008... Erik P. Kimball was recently appointed as a bankruptcy judge for the U.S. Southern District of Florida, West Palm Beach Division.