A South Florida lawmaker is renewing his attempt to eliminate citizenâs arrests, but with changes he hopes will satisfy critics. Rep. Christopher Benjamin, D-Miami Gardens, filed HB 25 on December 6. The measure has not been referred to committees and there is no companion. âIn a modern world where we have modern law enforcement, thereâs just no…
They work long hours in relative obscurity, but sometimes judicial assistants attract too much attention, says a Port Orange Republican who is renewing an effort to exempt âJAsâ and their family members from public records laws. Filed November 29, SB 50 would exempt the home addresses, dates of birth, and telephone numbers of judicial assistants, the addresses,…
    Ronald Austin The holiday season is a festive time filled with gatherings, gifting, and decorating with family and friends. As the calendar turns to December, the last thing people are thinking about is internet spammers and scammers who can prey on their email and bank accounts. According to statistics from Google, the…
Renowned University of Miami psychologist and brain researcher Dr. Amishi Jha has some good news for Florida lawyers. Contrary to popular myth, that constantly ringing cell phone and other electronic distractions arenât putting a dent in anyoneâs attention span or damaging anyoneâs ability to concentrate. âAre attention spans shrinking because of modern technology? No, they…
‘Hospitality makes a guest feel comfortable, enriches the host, and often produces unpredictably beneficial social and legal results’ Â Â Â Â Â Jim Vickaryous Offering a cup of coffee is often the first act of hospitality shown by one lawyer to another. It not only identifies one as a good host, but also sets…
Mandi Clay, a member of the Barâs Standing Committee on Mental Health and Wellness of Florida Lawyers, stressed the importance of setting boundaries and having a good support system â not just in your circle of family and friends, but within your profession as well. Focusing on mental health and wellness for lawyers, WMU-Cooley Law…
The Board of Governors is considering a proposed rule amendment that would make it easier to use expunged or sealed criminal records in Bar disciplinary cases. The proposal is on the agenda for first reading when the board meets September 30 on Amelia Island. A final vote could come as early as December. The proposal…
Judges may not serve on or consult with executive or legislative branch policymaking committees or commissions unless they focus on the law, legal system, administration of justice, or independence of judiciary, according to the Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee. The Supreme Courtâs ethics committee issued Opinion 2022-10 August 30 responding to a judge who has been asked by…
The latest statistics suggest that most Florida lawyers are unfamiliar with the grievance process. And thatâs a good thing, says Florida Bar Staff Counsel Patricia Ann Toro Savitz. She notes that there are 113,000 Bar members, and the Supreme Court in 2021 took some 350 public disciplinary actions. âThat is a very, very, very small…
Jennifer Diaz The Florida Barâs Board of Legal Specialization & Education recognized Jennifer Diaz at the Annual Convention for promoting board certification in international law. The award recognizes excellence and creativity by a Florida Bar board certified lawyer in advancing the publicâs knowledge of, and reputation for, legal board certification. Diaz is a South Florida…
