News and Events
Daily News Summary
An electronic digest of media coverage of interest to members of The Florida Bar compiled each workday by the Public Information and Bar Services Department. Electronic links are only active in today's edition. For information on previous articles, please contact the publishing newspaper directly.
July 28, 2010
--Judiciary--
COURTS RECOGNIZE ADA ANNIVERSARY-- Jacksonville Daily Record, http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com, July 26, 2010.
The Americans with Disabilities Act has been protecting citizens with physical or mental impairments for 20 years. The Fourth Judicial Circuit works daily to ensure that protection is available in the courtroom. The Florida Bar Rules of Judicial Administration Committee recently proposed substantial amendments to Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.540, "Notices to persons with disabilities." The document provides guidelines for what is necessary to inform citizens how to request accommodations for disabilities. The Florida Supreme Court approved the changes May 20 and the Fourth Judicial Circuit filed its "Second Amended Administrative Order No. 93-2" on July 6 to address the changes.
APPLICANTS SOUGHT FOR GULF COUNTY JUDGE APPOINTMENT-- Panama City News Herald, http://www.newsherald.com, July 28, 2010.
The Fourteenth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission is accepting applications for consideration and appointment for Gulf County judge. This appointment is to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of County Judge Fred N. Witten. Gov. Charlie Crist will make the appointment. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Aug. 20. More information is available at florida14thjnc.com or www.floridabar.org.
CIRCUIT JUDGE RACE: IT'S ABOUT MONEY AND FACE TIME-- The Florida Times-Union, http://www.jacksonville.com, July 28, 2010.
For every dollar prosecutor Samuel Garrison has spent in his effort to become a Fourth Circuit Court judge, family lawyer Mark Hulsey has spent more than two. The numbers, updated late last week to reflect second-quarter transactions, help illustrate the support circles each candidate has drawn and the approach they are taking to replace retiring Circuit Judge William Wilkes. The nonpartisan election is Aug. 24 for voters in Duval, Clay and Nassau counties.
--Legal Profession--
GETTING IT RIGHT: IS YOUR WEBSITE IN COMPLIANCE?-- The Florida Bar News, http://www.floridabar.org, Aug. 1, 2010.
It will cost the typical law firm $300 to $500 to comply with advertising rules on websites now pending at the Florida Supreme Court, according to two website experts. The proposed rule requires lawyers and law firms to segregate their websites. Information, such as testimonials and references to past results, as well as other information that does not comply with Bar Rule 4-7.2, must be in a separate section of the website. Mark Weinstock, senior regional director, and John Shinkle, Internet marketing consultant, with Martindale Hubbell presented a seminar on complying with the proposed website rules and Internet marketing at the Bar's Annual Convention. Shinkle estimated when the Supreme Court issued its initial ruling last year on website rules, probably 85 percent of lawyer and law firm websites were not in compliance. Since then, some law firms have updated their sites, but many are unaware of the pending rules or are waiting until the court takes final action.
SURVEY FINDS YOUNG LAWYERS ARE CONTENT-- The Florida Bar News, http://www.floridabar.org, Aug. 1, 2010.
Young lawyers with three years of experience or less in the legal field appear to be content with their education, according to a survey recently conducted by the Young Lawyers Division and the Henry Latimer Center for Professionalism. The survey — sent electronically to more than 2,000 young Florida attorneys — details young Bar members' opinions of their law school experiences, including thoughts on student loans, professors, school curriculum and mental health. Of the 532 responses received, 75 percent agreed that their law school education had prepared them for the practice of law. Aside from the overall satisfaction reported, perhaps the most promising piece of information to come from the survey results is the surprising fact that, in a faltering economy, only 3 percent of those surveyed reported being unemployed.
--Other--
UNIVERSAL PRIMARY SET FOR CLERK OF COURT RACE-- Florida Today, http://www.floridatoday.com, July 28, 2010.
Three Republicans jumped into the race for the office of Brevard County Clerk of Court after Scott Ellis decided to step down from his job at the end of the year. Because all contestants are Republican, the August primary is a universal primary, which means all registered voters can vote in the election to pick a winner. Since there are no other contestants, the top vote-getter is elected. The three candidates are: Mitch Needelman former state representative for eight years; Clarissa Harrell, an attorney and former Brevard County prosecutor; and Joanne Corby, a Melbourne councilwoman.
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[Revised:
07-01-2005
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