Florida Bar News back issues from March 2008:
Sink asks lawyers to help Floridians save their homes.
Mar 01, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Wearing a button with legal legend Chesterfield Smith's smiling face and his favorite phrase, "Be somebody and do good," Florida's Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink challenged The Florida Bar Board of Governors to do just that--by helping people save ...
Helping 'home losers' in the 'Predator-Free Zone'.(Interview)
Mar 01, 2008; ... Rather than homeowners, April Charney calls her clients "home losers." She calls the subprime mortgage crisis "Enronesque 100,000 times over." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] At Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Charney is barely able to take a day off, juggling 300 open cases ...
Court workers face furloughs: some could see up to 58 days without pay.
Mar 01, 2008; ... Proposed state budget cuts would have devastating impacts on Florida courts and their ability to resolve cases for citizens, Chief Justice Fred Lewis told a key legislative committee. Lewis testified February 19 that a 5.9 percent additional cut to the courts' budget, to be ...
Court plans to embrace technological innovations: e-filing and online access are at the top of the agenda.
Mar 01, 2008; ... The Florida Supreme Court has created the Florida Courts Technology Commission and charged it with drawing up a plan to improve the judicial branch's technology operations, including plans that lead to electronic filing of court documents and online access to public court records. ...
RPPTL committed to service: the section currently has more than 80 legislative positions.(Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section)(Editorial)
Mar 01, 2008; ... It may be 50 years old and The Florida Bar's biggest section, but the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section is still seeking fresh challenges. Section Chair Melissa Murphy recently delivered the section's annual report to the Bar Board of Governors, outlining the group's ...
Turnover tide.
Mar 01, 2008 ... Florida's State Attorneys and Public Defenders continue to struggle with turnover. Below are the rates for FY 2007. ...
Ad rules on background sounds and celebrity spokespersons reviewed.
Mar 01, 2008; ... Amendments for Bar advertising rules on background sounds and celebrity spokespersons were approved by the Board of Governors last month, more amendments were presented for later action, and the Bar's Citizens Forum suggested an additional ad rule change. The approved changes ...
Proposed amendments to the appellate rules.(Notices)(Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure)
Mar 01, 2008 ... The Florida Bar's Appellate Court Rules Committee has submitted to the Florida Supreme Court its regular-cycle report of proposed amendments to the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure. The court invites all interested persons to comment on the committee's proposed amendments, which are ...
In memoriam.(In memoriam)
Mar 01, 2008 ... Isaac Anderson, Jr., Punta Gorda Admitted 1977; Died December 15, 2007 Harold B. Bickow, Miami Beach Admitted 1949; Died June 10, 2005 Arlan Herbert Birkman, Deerfield Beach Admitted 1989; Died November 10, 2007 Michael W ....
Proposed jury instruction on deadlocked juries.(Notices)
Mar 01, 2008 ... The Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Civil Cases proposes to amend its instructions on 7.3(c) Jury Deadlocked. The proposed amendments are shown below with the current instruction shown with strike-through marks and the new instruction shown with underlining ....
Government Lawyer Section sets sights on student loans: loan forgiveness workshop set for March 14 in Orlando.
Mar 01, 2008 ... In an effort to make public service and government positions more attractive and financially viable for new lawyers, the Government Lawyer Section has created a Loan Forgiveness Committee that will meet in Orlando March 14. Section Chair Bob Krauss has appointed Department of ...
Committee takes up the shackling of children in court.(Juvenile Court Rules Committee)
Mar 01, 2008; ... Unchain the children. Keep the shackles on kids charged with crimes to maintain order in the court. Those clashing positions were hotly debated when the Juvenile Court Rules Committee met January 17 at The Florida Bar Midyear Meeting in Miami. The vote ...
Bar supports more judges, kids' issues.(The Florida Bar)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2008 ... The Florida Bar will support the Supreme Court's call for 61 new trial court judges and has given the Legal Needs of Children Committee permission to lobby for a comprehensive approach to representing children in court. The Board of Governors, at its February 1 meeting, approved ...
Governor makes JNC appointments.(Governor Charlie Crist on the Judicial Nominating Commission appointments)
Mar 01, 2008 ... Governor Charlie Crist recently made the following appointments to various judicial nominating commissions: First District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission: * Peter Antonacci of Tallahassee, with Gray Robinson, succeeding Monesia Brown, appointed for a ...
Bar braces for a weak market.
Mar 01, 2008 ... It was only a short time ago--the end of 2007 and into early 2008--that many economists and government leaders were saying there was only a slight chance of a recession this year. But professionals at the Morgan Stanley brokerage firm who oversee The Florida Bar's investment ...
Lawyer raises money to support families of wounded U.S. soldiers.
Mar 01, 2008 ... Wounded in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, soldiers with the worst injuries wind up at the James A. Haley VA Medical Center in Hillsborough County, the busiest VA hospital in the country. To have their families at their bedsides brings much-needed comfort and helps speed ...
[Cartoon].(Cartoon)
Mar 01, 2008 ... He's trying to figure out a way to miss this putt so his ...
Board hears diversity report: 'it's an excellent blueprint and guideline to lead us'.(Eugene Pettis)
Mar 01, 2008; ... Underscoring its continued support for diversity in the legal system, the Board of Governors has approved in concept the final report and recommendations from the initial 2004 Diversity Symposium. Board member Eugene Pettis, chair of the Bar's Diversity Symposium Committee, ...
Opinion on lawyers in chat rooms to be reconsidered.(Notices)
Mar 01, 2008 ... The Standing Committee on Advertising will consider withdrawing or modifying Florida Advertising Opinion A-00-1 regarding attorney participation in chat rooms at the request of The Florida Bar Board of Governors at its meeting to be held via conference call on May 13. Florida ...
Board seeks member guidance on lawyer-to-lawyer advertising.
Mar 01, 2008 ... A survey of Bar members on how they think lawyer-to-lawyer advertisingshould be regulated has been approved by the Bar Board of Governors. The board, at its recent Tallahassee meeting, accepted the recommendation of the Program Evaluation Committee to conduct a mail ...
Mental heath initiative.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
Mar 01, 2008; ... I commend The Florida Bar News for its excellent reporting of the Florida Supreme Court Subcommittee on Mental Health's proposals for revamping our state's mental health system and subsequent legislative committee hearings on ways to implement those recommendations. The coverage of these ...
ADA education.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
Mar 01, 2008; ... When I viewed the horrible image of a helpless person in a wheelchair tossed onto the floor at the Hillsborough County Orient Road Jail, I noticed the public employees present/responsible behaved as if they had committed prior atrocities against disabled persons many times before with ...
First appearances.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
Mar 01, 2008; ... In a recent article about the cost of first appearances ("Who should be attending first appearances?" February 15 News), several people framed the discussion as one about whether a true adversarial hearing is affordable due to the cost of paying prosecutors and appointed defense counsel ....
Errata.(Correction notice)
Mar 01, 2008 ... A February 15 News story about a Judicial Candidate Voluntary Self-Disclosure Statement--promulgated by the Bar's Judicial Administration and Evaluation Committee to help educate voters--is intended only for trial court ...
May appointments to be filled.(Notices)
Mar 01, 2008 ... Florida Board of Bar Examiners Vacancy: Lawyer applicants are being sought to fill three vacancies on the Florida Board of Bar Examiners. The Board of Governors will be selecting nine nominees for three lawyer vacancies at its May 30 meeting. The nominations will then be forwarded to the ...
10th JNC to fill two bench openings.(Notices)(10th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission )(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2008 ... The 10th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission is now accepting applications to fill two circuit vacancies created by the resignations of Judge Ralph Artigliere, effective April 1, and Judge Susan Roberts, effective March 31. Applicants must have been members of The Florida Bar ...
Comp claims judges seek reappointment.(Notices)(Compensation Claims)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2008 ... The Statewide Nominating Committee for Judges of Compensation Claims will meet April 25 at 9 a.m. at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport for the purpose of interviewing the following judges of compensation claims for reappointment: Judge Ellen H. Lorenzen, Judge Robert D ....
C. Pepper Award nominees needed.(Claude Pepper Outstanding Government Lawyer Award)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2008 ... The Government Lawyer Section is now accepting nominations for its Claude Pepper Outstanding Government Lawyer Award, which recognizes "an outstanding lawyer who has made an extraordinary and exemplary contribution as a practicing government lawyer." The nominee must be a member ...
The banker who finds herself running a 108-lawyer firm: 'what I have learned is what a fantastic, fabulous experience it is'.(Alex Sink)(Interview)
Mar 01, 2008; ... When Alex Sink is asked what most surprises her about her job as Florida's chief financial officer, the former bank president answers: "I find myself as the managing partner of a 108-person law firm." And she wants members of The Florida Bar to know: "We are hiring." ...
Proposed amendments dealing with sealing court records and documents.(Notices)
Mar 01, 2008 ... Pursuant to the court's request in In re Amendments to Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420--Sealing of Court Records and Dockets, 954 So. 2d 16 (Fla. 2007), the Rules of Judicial Administration Committee has filed with the Florida Supreme Court a report and proposed amendments to ...
Proposed board actions.(Notices)
Mar 01, 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 March 28, 2008 meeting in Washington D.C. on the following items. These matters are additionally governed by Rule 1-12.1, Rules ...
Proposed opinion what duties, if any, an attorney owes a prospective client who contacts the lawyer unilaterally.(Notice)
Mar 01, 2008 ... The Professional Ethics Committee will consider adopting a proposed advisory opinion on the following issue based on an inquiry from The Florida Bar Board of Governors as a matter of significant interest to Florida Bar members at a meeting to be held in conjunction with The Florida Bar ...
Proposed amendments to the Family Law Rules.(Notices)
Mar 01, 2008 ... The Florida Bar's Family Law Rules Committee has submitted to the Florida Supreme Court its regular-cycle report of proposed amendments to the Florida Family Law Rules. The court invites all interested persons to comment on the committee's proposed amendments, which are summarized below ...
Amendments to the Rules of Judicial Administration.(Notices)
Mar 01, 2008 ... The Florida Bar's Rules of Judicial Administration Committee has submitted to the Florida Supreme Court its regular-cycle report of proposed amendments to the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration. The court invites all interested persons to comment on the committee's proposed ...
Expand your Bar Web site profile: members may now add a picture, list practice areas, and much more.
Mar 01, 2008 ... More than 9,000 Florida Bar members have expanded their profiles on The Florida Bar's Web site. Since July 1, Bar members have been able to post information about themselves and their law firms on the Bar member profile page at www. floridabar.org. That includes pictures of ...
17th JNC accepting judicial applications.(17th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission )(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2008 ... The 17th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission is now accepting applications to fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Barry E. Goldstein. Applicants must have been a member of The Florida Bar for the preceding five years, a registered voter, and a resident of the ...
11th JNC accepting judicial applications.(11th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission )(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2008 ... The 11th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission is now accepting applications to fill a county court vacancy resulting from the elevation of Judge George A. Sarduy to the circuit bench. Applicants must have been members of The Florida Bar for the preceding five years, registered ...
Second DCA JNC to fill a judicial vacancy.(Second District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission )(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2008 ... The Second District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission is now accepting applications to fill a vacancy resulting from the retirement of Judge E.J. Salcines, effective July 18. Applicants must have been members of The Florida Bar for the preceding 10 years, registered ...
Ruden McClosky.(On the Move)
Mar 01, 2008 ... Victor R. Berwin, Hope W. Calhoun, Daniel W. Matlow, Lee Ann Tranford, and Louis M. Ursini III have been named partners in Ruden McClosky. Berwin is resident in the firm's West Palm Beach office and focuses his practice on commercial, real estate, and banking litigation. Calhoun works in ...
Zuckerman Spaeder.(On the Move)
Mar 01, 2008 ... Walter Tache has been named the managing partner of the Miami office of Zuckerman ...
Mason Law, P.L.(On the Move)
Mar 01, 2008 ... Mason Law, P.L., has relocated its office to 4592 Ulmerton Road, Suite 101, ...
Cabaniss, Smith, Toole & Wiggins.(On the Move)
Mar 01, 2008 ... Jennifer B. Locke has been elected to partnership ...
Lee B. Gordon, a board certified real estate lawyer, has moved his office to 265 Sunrise Avenue, Suite 204, Palm Beach 33480.(On the Move)
Mar 01, 2008 ... Lee B. Gordon, a board certified real estate lawyer, has moved his office to 265 Sunrise Avenue, Suite 204, Palm ...
Joanne M. Foster has joined William E. "Ted" Guy and John S. Yudin as a partner in the firm of Guy Yudin & Foster, LLP.(On the Move)
Mar 01, 2008 ... Joanne M. Foster has joined William E. "Ted" Guy and John S. Yudin as a partner in the firm of Guy Yudin & Foster, LLP, located in Stuart where ...
Suzanne Besu has joined Hunton & Williams in Miami as an associate in the business practice group.(On the Move)
Mar 01, 2008 ... Suzanne Besu has joined Hunton & Williams in Miami as an associate in the business practice group. Besu focuses her practice on general corporate ...
Michael R. Diliberto has joined ADR Services, Inc.(On the Move)
Mar 01, 2008 ... Michael R. Diliberto has joined ADR Services, Inc., ...
Jay Cohen.(On the Move)
Mar 01, 2008 ... Jay Cohen announces the opening of his law office at 200 Las Olas Circle, 200 S.W. 1st Avenue, 12th Floor, Ft. Lauderdale 33301, ...
Akerman Senterfitt.(On the Move)
Mar 01, 2008 ... Andrew M. Smulian has been named the new chair of ...
Geoffrey E. Parmer recently opened Geoffrey Parmer, P.A.(On the Move)
Mar 01, 2008 ... Geoffrey E. Parmer recently opened Geoffrey Parmer, P.A., located at 2525 Park City Way, Tampa 33609, phone (813) 8775555, and ...
Shutts & Bowen.(On the Move)
Mar 01, 2008 ... Shutts & Bowen recently elected nine new partners. Those in the Miami office include Jerel C. Dawson, a member of the insurance practice group; Roland Gallor, a member of the real estate department; and Ricardo J. Souto, a member of the international and tax practice groups. Those in Ft ....
Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt.(On the Move)
Mar 01, 2008 ... Scott A. Beatty has become a stockholder with ...
Mychal Katz has joined Roetzel & Andress in Orlando as an associate.(On the Move)
Mar 01, 2008 ... Mychal Katz has joined Roetzel & Andress in Orlando as an associate. Katz's practice is focused in ...
Harris L. Bonnette, Jr., has joined Ivan, Cole & Bonnette as a shareholder in its Jacksonville office.(On the Move)
Mar 01, 2008 ... Harris L. Bonnette, Jr., has joined Ivan, Cole & Bonnette as a shareholder in its Jacksonville ...
Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell.(On the Move)
Mar 01, 2008 ... Eric McAliley of Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell in Miami has been promoted to partner. McAliley primarily practices commercial litigation with a focus on ...
Heath A. Denoncourt has opened the law office of Denoncourt & Warenyk, P.A. in Tampa.(On the Move)
Mar 01, 2008 ... Heath A. Denoncourt has opened the law office of Denoncourt & Warenyk, P.A., in Tampa. The firm's principal office is located at 15301 Amberly Drive, Suite 250, Tampa 33647, ...
Douglas A. Sachs and Nicole Lussos have joined the Law Offices of Scott L. Astrin, staff counsel for AIG Companies.(On the Move)
Mar 01, 2008 ... Douglas A. Sachs and Nicole Lussos have joined the Law Offices of Scott L. Astrin, staff counsel for AIG Companies, ...
Seipp & Flick, LLP.(On the Move)
Mar 01, 2008 ... Seipp & Flick, LLP, a civil litigation firm emphasizing product liability defense, premises liability and personal injury defense, commercial litigation, maritime and admiralty litigation, motor vehicle warranty and lemon law litigation, as well as estate and ...
Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick.(On the Move)(Cathleen E. O'Dowd )(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2008 ... Cathleen E. O'Dowd and W. Jan Pietruszka have been named partners in Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick's Tampa office. O'Dowd practices land use law and regularly represents land owners' and homeowners' associations in zoning, wetzoning, comprehensive planning, historic ...
The Law Offices of Astrid M. Bismarck.(On the Move)
Mar 01, 2008 ... The Law Offices of Astrid M. Bismarck has relocated to 201 Alhambra Circle, Ste., 500, Coral Gables 33134, (305) 444-5554, fax (305) 443-6858; and continues to ...
Crystal C. Spencer has joined Lozier, Thames and Frazier in Pensacola as a partner and the firm will now be known as Lozier, Thames, Frazier, Spencer & Schlieter, P.A.(On the Move)
Mar 01, 2008 ... Crystal C. Spencer has joined Lozier, Thames and Frazier in Pensacola as a partner and the firm will now be known as Lozier, Thames, ...
Lewis, Stroud & Deutsch, P.L.(On the Move)(Oliver G. Gilbert III )(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2008 ... Oliver G. Gilbert III has become a partner in Lewis, Stroud & Deutsch, P.L., in Boca Raton and Gary K. Oldehoff has become of counsel to the firm. Gilbert practices in the field of ...
Peggy A. Underbrink has opened an office of Peggy A. Underbrink, P.A., in Stuart.(On the Move)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2008 ... Peggy A. Underbrink has opened an office of Peggy A. Underbrink, P.A., in Stuart. The firm will concentrate on employment discrimination and whistleblower law, as well as general civil litigation in ...
Robert Allen Law.(On the Move)
Mar 01, 2008 ... Paul B. Feltman of Robert Allen Law in Miami was recently appointed the firm's ...
Brandon S. Peters has formed Peters Trial Group, LLC.(On the Move)
Mar 01, 2008 ... Brandon S. Peters has formed Peters Trial Group, ...
Nancy J. Flint has joined the Miami office of Carlton Fields as of counsel in the firm's intellectual property and technology practice group.(On the Move)
Mar 01, 2008 ... Nancy J. Flint has joined the Miami office of Carlton Fields as of counsel in the firm's intellectual property and technology practice group ....