The Florida Bar News Updates http://www.flabar.org 03/15/2010 www.floridabar.org Mon, 15 Mar 2010 -0400Court requests more judges, plus the return of funds, support staffBy Gary BlankenshipSenior Editor The Florida Supreme Court didn’t just ask for more judges in its annual certification opinion submitted to the state Legislature. Justices also “certified” the need to restore staff cuts caused by budget reductions over the past three years. Plus, justices said lawmakers should address the needs of state attorneys, public defenders, and related agencies. The court released its annual certification opinion on . . . ...http://www.flabar.org/DIVCOM/JN/JNNews01.nsf/RSSFeed/2B3B07A6A3C6F651852576E00045A11DMon, 15 Mar 2010 -0400Aging-out foster kids are in need of a ‘legal health checkup’Florida’s Children First program provides online training for lawyer volunteersBy Annie Butterworth JonesAssociate Editor With 3,500 children expected to age out of state care in the next three years, concern continues to mount over whether foster care youth can safely and successfully enter adulthood. That’s where Florida lawyers come in. In January, Florida’s Children First, an organization devoted to the systemic change, policy issues, and trai. . . ...http://www.flabar.org/DIVCOM/JN/JNNews01.nsf/RSSFeed/23B426AB6CD9A033852576E000475869Mon, 15 Mar 2010 -0400FTC to appeal ruling that ‘Red Flags’ do not apply to lawyers The Federal Trade Commission is appealing a federal judge’s ruling that the FTC exceeded its authority by applying its “Red Flags Rule” to practicing lawyers. In October 2009 — acting at the request of the ABA — U.S. Judge Reggie B. Walton of the District of Columbia granted a motion for partial summary judgment finding that Congress did not intend lawyers to be considered “creditors” under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act. “We are. . . ...http://www.flabar.org/DIVCOM/JN/JNNews01.nsf/RSSFeed/2710314F5B1BC3BE852576E00045D154Mon, 15 Mar 2010 -0400Comments requested on senior judges seeking service renewal The following senior judges’ current service will expire on September 30 and they are seeking service renewal. Any persons having knowledge bearing upon the fitness or qualifications of any of the senior judges on this list to continue service as a senior judge should send, on or before April 15, written comments to Thomas D. Hall, Clerk, Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval Street, Tallahassee 32399, or by e-mail at seniorjudge@flcourts.org , . . . ...http://www.flabar.org/DIVCOM/JN/JNNews01.nsf/RSSFeed/82F94679341633AE852576E00046902CMon, 15 Mar 2010 -0400‘Low-tech and high-touch’Pet Therapy in the Courts is a new tool for victimsBy Jan PudlowSenior Editor A chain of traumatic events landed a 5-year-old boy and his mom in a homeless shelter, where things turned even more tragic. The little boy was sexually abused by another kid staying at the shelter. Thinking about how best to prepare her young client for the intimidating court process looming ahead, Helene Potlock, victim/witness assistance program director for the state attorney of the Second Judicial Cir. . . ...http://www.flabar.org/DIVCOM/JN/JNNews01.nsf/RSSFeed/4D5846D29EF3A5C3852576E000457965Mon, 15 Mar 2010 -0400Panel offers guidelines for lawyers using social networking Web sitesBy Mark D. KillianManaging Editor Lawyers using social networking and video sharing Web sites for commercial purposes must adhere to the lawyer advertising rules, according to the Bar’s Standing Committee on Advertising. But they won’t have to file those pages with the Bar for review. With the proliferation of such sites as Facebook, YouTube, MySpace, LinkedIn, and Twitter, the Committee on Advertising has drafted guidelines to help lawyer. . . ...http://www.flabar.org/DIVCOM/JN/JNNews01.nsf/RSSFeed/6FDF483F06F2AF9A852576E00045AABAMon, 15 Mar 2010 -0400JAEC studies authorizing a second judge to rule on recusal motions A subcommittee looking at judicial recusals is working on drafting a rule amendment that would have a second, independent judge look at those motions in some cases. The panel of the Judicial Administration and Evaluation Committee met February 26 by phone to discuss its options. The committee has two subcommittees looking at the recusal issue. One is examining the substantive reasons for recusals and the second — the one that met by teleconf. . . ...http://www.flabar.org/DIVCOM/JN/JNNews01.nsf/RSSFeed/8557DF5F5586BA47852576E00046D31CMon, 15 Mar 2010 -0400Bill promotes more civics education in public schoolsBy Mark D. KillianManaging EditorConcerned that students are not getting the information and tools they need for civic participation, Rep. Charles McBurney, R-Jacksonville, is championing legislation that will bolster the study of local, state, and federal governments in Florida’s schools.HB 105 would add the following requirements for civics education: • Requires the reading portion of the language arts curriculum within the Sunshine State Standards to i. . . ...http://www.flabar.org/DIVCOM/JN/JNNews01.nsf/RSSFeed/B7ABEAADDE395FA2852576E00045C721