Recently added articles from Florida Bar News:
On Facebook? FBBE may be planning a visit.
Sep 01, 2009; Pudlow, Jan ... Watch what you post on your Facebook or MySpace social networking Web sites, because the Florida Board of Bar Examiners is interested in taking a peek--and not as your "friend." The FBBE's Character and Fitness Commission had recommended in its final report that the board ...
Regional counsels want a share of court tech funds.
Sep 01, 2009; ... A court ruling that counties do not have to help pay for the Offices of the Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsels (OCCCRCs) should not be read to exclude them from another state fund intended to help court-related agencies pay for computer equipment. The Attorney ...
Board certified lawyer Mark P. Terry.
Sep 01, 2009; ... BOARD CERTIFIED LAWYER MARK P. TERRY of Miami climbed the North Ridge route of Wyoming's Grand Teton July 24-25, and paused at the summit with a specially designed Florida Bar board certification flag. Terry serves on the Intellectual Property Law Certification Committee and hopes to use ...
Involuntarily appointed attorneys must receive adequate compensation; DCA releases one lawyer from his case, but affirms judges' ability to make appointments.
Sep 01, 2009; Blankenship, Gary ... Judges have the authority to involuntarily appoint lawyers to represent criminal defendants, but those attorneys must be adequately compensated and the appointment must not jeopardize representation of the attorneys' other clients. The Second District Court of Appeal made those ...
Foreclosure Task Force sets out statewide plan.
Sep 01, 2009; Pudlow, Jan ... In an emergency that can't wait for better court funding, the Florida Supreme Court Task Force on Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Cases recommends a statewide managed mediation program that would be paid by lenders, allow plaintiffs to appear by telephone, and require financial counseling ...
Becoming involved with mortgage rescue firms is rarely a good move.
Sep 01, 2009; Killian, Mark D. ... The Bar's Ethics Hotline continues to receive calls from attorneys approached by companies or individuals calling themselves foreclosure-related rescue services, experts on loan modifications, or short sales consultants. Some are offering to set up lawyers in offices or form ...
Foundation grant helps to demystify bankruptcy process.
Sep 01, 2009; Davis, Gabrielle ... In 2006, when then Florida Bar Foundation Secretary Kathleen McLeroy first heard about the uphill battles faced by those who file pro se bankruptcy cases, she knew something had to be done. A year earlier, the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act brought ...
First circuit works toward ADA access.
Sep 01, 2009; ... The Escambia County Courthouse is making strides to come into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Sheila Sims, chief deputy court administrator for the First Judicial Circuit, who also serves as the circuit's ADA coordinator, recently rattled off a list of ADA ...
ABA awards Barry U. for tax program.
Sep 01, 2009; ... For the fourth consecutive year, the American Bar Association has awarded Barry University School of Law its National Law Student Division Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program Award. The VITA Program was formed during the 2005-06 academic year under the leadership of ...
Crist appoints Richards, a disabled attorney, to the 20th Circuit bench.(Charlie Crist's appointee, George Richards)
Sep 01, 2009; Pudlow, Jan ... During interviews for judge, George Richards is the one who brought up the fact he uses a wheelchair because of a spinal cord injury from playing rugby decades ago. "They didn't raise it, but I said to them if I was fortunate enough to be appointed, I thought I could be an ...
Gay adoption.(Letter)(Letter to the editor)
Sep 01, 2009; Gaylor, W.E. Chip ... I want to thank my fellow members of The Florida Bar who wrote such restrained, thoughtful, and dignified letters published in the August 1 News in response to George Metcalfe's prior advertisement chastising the Family Law Section's decision to file an amicus brief in support of repealing ...
Conflict counsel.(Letter)(Letter to the editor)
Sep 01, 2009; Tiffany, Charles B. ... Every time I hear about the high costs of court-appointed attorneys in conflict cases, I get that old Enron feeling again. There would be plenty of money if the system wasn't being treated like a cash cow by about 15 attorneys in each circuit. There has arisen the farce of ...
Educating lawyers.(Letter)(Letter to the editor)
Sep 01, 2009; Rosquete, Armando ... I am writing in response to the "Law Schools: Time to Get Practical" article that appeared in the August 1 News. While the symposium members' concerns are well-taken, the article overlooks that law firms and veteran practitioners must take an interest in their young lawyers. ...
Former judges.(Letter)(Letter to the editor)
Sep 01, 2009; Beltz, Larry D. ... I read with interest the Advertising Committee's recent opinion holding that retired judges can no longer advertise this fact or refer to themselves as "judges" even if it states "former," as it may confuse the public. Former Supreme Court Justice Charles Wells apparently took issue with ...
Palm Beach County needs a judge.
Sep 01, 2009; ... The 15th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission is accepting applications to fill a Palm Beach County vacancy, created by the appointment of Judge Joseph Marx to the 15th Judicial Circuit bench. Applicants must have been a member of the Bar for the preceeding five years, ...
Abramson petitions for reinstatement.(William Abramson)(Brief article)
Sep 01, 2009; ... Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, William Abramson of Wellington has petitioned the Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement. On December 18, 2008, the court suspended Abramson for a period of 91 days for engaging in conduct intended to disrupt a tribunal and making a statement with reckless ...
Amendments to the rules of criminal procedure.(Notice)
Sep 01, 2009; ... The Florida Bar's Criminal Procedure Rules Committee has submitted to the Florida Supreme Court an out-of-cycle report proposing amendments to Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.800. The court invites all interested persons to comment on the committee's proposed amendments, which are ...
13th circuit's complex business litigation division goes electronic.
Sep 01, 2009; ... Business in the Complex Business Litigation Division of the 13th Circuit has gone electronic. As of mid-August, the division began accepting e-filings. "This is a joint project undertaken by the judiciary and the clerk," said Pat Frank, Hillsborough County Clerk of ...
Proposed board actions.(Notice)
Sep 01, 2009; ... 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 September 25 meeting in Hollywood on the following items. These matters are additionally governed by Rule 1-12.1, Rules ...
The Collier County Women's Bar Association.
Sep 01, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE COLLIER COUNTY WOMEN'S BAR ASSOCIATION recently held its annual installation luncheon. Pictured in the back from the left are Kimberly A. Spiker, Judge Lauren L. Brodie, Starling N ....
