Certification should be the capstone for a lawyer's professionalism goals.
Justice Harry Lee Anstead, April 2003
January 2009, Issue 25
Capstone contains news and resource links for board certified lawyers. You receive this newsletter as a special benefit of your certification; we applaud your achievement and strive to provide timely information to further your practice. We welcome your comments; please feel free to respond to BLSE consultant Lisa Garcia at (850)561-5769 or lgarcia@flabar.org.
Florida Bar News
Lawyers Among Inaugural Classes of Civil Trial And Tax Law Celebrate 25 Years of Certification
Congratulations to the 226 lawyers who earned board certification in civil trial or tax law in 1983 and who have remained certified for 25 years. Growing from just two specialty areas in 1983 to an impressive 22 today, Florida's legal board certification program in its 25th year has distinguished itself as the specialization program that offers the greatest number of state-approved certifications in the nation.
Florida Bar Midyear Meeting - Board Certification Exhibit in Lawyers Marketplace
Visit us Jan. 14 - 17 at the Hyatt Regency Miami for certification "goodies" and information at the BLSE's booth in the Lawyers Marketplace. Lawyers interested in applying for certification this year in any of the 22 specialization areas may drop off business cards and win a waiver of the application fee. Book online or call the reservation center at 800/233-1234 or 305/358-1234.
Special Invitation - Miami International Airport Cargo Operations Tour
Florida Bar board certified members are invited to participate in a "behind the scenes" tour of the cargo operations at Miami International Airport on Jan. 15, 2009, from 2 - 4 p.m. The escorted tour includes visiting the runways and observing loading and unloading operations of warehouses and freighters, etc. The bus holds up to 45 people. Your full name, date of birth and last four digits of your Social Security Number are needed to provide to TSA personnel prior to the tour, and attendees will must show drivers licenses. This is a rare opportunity made possible by the efforts of Peter Quinter, who chairs both the International Law Certification Committee and the Customs and International Trade Committee of the International Law Section. Please e-mail or call Quinter at 954/985-4101 to confirm participation and for any questions.
Florida Bar Committee Preference Forms Due January 16
The 2009-2010 online committee preference form is available for Florida Bar members. The Bar president-elect each year appoints interested Bar members to serve on standing committees, including the Board of Legal Specialization & Education and the 22 certification area committees. Certification committees meet several times a year in various locations and by conference call to review applications, draft and grade examinations and formulate policies and procedures. Travel and other expenses are not reimbursed. Applicants must be board certified in the specialty areas for which they seek committee membership.
Nominate a Certified Lawyer Today
The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education is accepting nominations for two awards that recognize the principles of professionalism and excellence that are the certification program's foundation. The BLSE chair annually presents the Justice Harry Lee Anstead Award for The Florida Bar's Board Certified Lawyer of the Year to a Florida board-certified lawyer or judge to recognize exemplary professionalism, excellence, character and commitment to The Florida Bar's certification program and the practice of law. The Award for Excellence in the Promotion of Board Certification recognizes excellence and creativity by a Florida Bar board certified lawyer or law firm in advancing the public's knowledge of and appreciation for legal board certification. Previous winners are the Fox Wackeen firm, Stuart, and Spohrer & Dodd of Jacksonville. The nomination deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2009, and awards are presented at the BLSE's annual meeting reception. Nominations should be submitted anonymously and are confidential.
Fourth District Court of Appeal JNC Accepting applications for DCA Vacancy
The Fourth District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission is now accepting applications to fill the vacancy on the Fourth District Court of Appeal created by the resignation of Judge Larry Klein. The completed application must be delivered to the chair no later than 5 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.
Florida Bar Leaders Elected
Orlando City Attorney Mayanne Downs has become president-elect designate of The Florida Bar after being elected without opposition. She will be sworn in as president-elect in June 2009 when Jesse Diner of Fort Lauderdale becomes president. In addition, 20 Board of Governors members were elected or re-elected without opposition; two new members were elected, and there is one contested race in the 17th Circuit.
Florida Bar Rules Updates
The Rules Regulating The Florida Bar were last updated December 23, 2008 with amendments effective January 1, 2009.
Intake Form Available To Help Home Owners
Floridians hoping to avoid foreclosure now may access an online intake form rather than calling the Florida Attorneys Saving Homes program's toll-free hot line. The hot line remains available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays at 866/607-2187.
Lawyer News
Carlyle Serves on First Green Bank Board of Directors Executive Committee
Shannon McLin Carlyle, a board certified appellate lawyer, has been named to the executive committee of the board of directors of First Green Bank (i/o), the first environmentally focused bank in the Southeast. The bank is scheduled to open in February 2009 and will promote environmental responsibility and green building. Carlyle is a Florida Bar certified circuit & appellate mediator and serves on the appellate practice board certification committee. The Carlyle Appellate Law Firm practices complex civil appellate litigation in state and federal courts, and is a member of The Florida Appellate Alliance.
Dellecker Wilson Firm Annual Holiday Party Benefits The March of Dimes
Dellecker, Wilson, King, McKenna & Ruffier's holiday party for the fourth consecutive year supported a local nonprofit organization. Guests invited this year to the Orlando personal injury firm's Nov. 13 Havana-themed event donated $5,000 for the March of Dimes. Firm partners Brian Wilson, Samuel King and William Ruffier are Florida Bar board certified civil trial lawyers.
Huerta is ACTL Fellow
Marcelino J. Huerta III, a board certified criminal trial lawyer from Tampa, is a newly inducted fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. The college is dedicated to "maintaining and improving the standards of trial practice, the administration of justice and the ethics of the profession." Fellows are experienced trial lawyers whose professional careers have been marked by high standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality. There are more than 5,700 fellows across the U.S. and Canada, and membership is no more than 1 percent of the total lawyer population of any state or province.
Knopik and Varner Named to Best Lawyers
Knopik Varner Moore, Tampa, announces that Christopher S. Knopik and Joseph H. Varner III have been named to the 2009 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Knopik was named in the commercial litigation, medical malpractice law and personal injury litigation categories and Varner was named in the commercial litigation category. Both are board certified in civil trial and are founding members of Knopik Varner Moore. Knopik is a past chair of the BLSE.
England is Among "Legal Legends"
Board certified appellate practice lawyer Arthur J. England Jr., a shareholder with Greenberg Traurig in Miami, was among the 12 South Florida legal community members who were honored in November by the 11th Judicial Circuit Historical Society for their "outstanding contributions to the South Florida legal system over a period of 25 years or more." England is a former chief justice of The Florida Supreme Court.
Farrell Is Best Lawyer
Board of Legal Specialization & Education member James A. Farrell, a board certified health lawyer and partner in Shutts & Bowen's West Palm Beach office, was selected by his peers for inclusion in the 2009 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Farrell heads the firm's health care practice and is a past chair of the Bar's Health Law Certification Committee.
Feld Makes Presentation to Retired Dentists Association
Alice Reiter Feld, a board certified elder law attorney by the Florida Bar and the National Elder Law Foundation recently made a presentation to the Retired Dentists Association at Cucina D'Angelo in Boca Raton. Feld has offices in Tamarac and Delray Beach and is past president of the Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys. If you are interested in learning more about Feld's upcoming seminars, please e-mail or call 954/726-6602 to receive her schedule.
Ford Appointed To USLAW Board Of Directors
Board certified civil trial lawyer Richards H. Ford, managing partner for the Orlando office of Wicker, Smith, O'Hara, McCoy & Ford P.A., recently was appointed to USLAW NETWORK's board of directors. The network is a national organization of 63 independent member firms in 47 states with more than 3,500 attorneys in the U.S. Member firms commit to provide high quality legal representation to major corporations, captive insurance companies, insurance carriers and businesses. Network membership is by invitation only and firms are required to be AV rated. Ford is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation.
Gunster Tax Attorneys Seek 100 Percent Board Certification
Kudos to the attorneys in Gunster Yoakley's tax practice group, who all are working toward achieving tax law board certification. According to Gunster Fort Lauderdale shareholder Jim Davis, a certified tax lawyer and former BLSE chair, the tax group is making the push to earn 100 percent board certification because it will be a valuable marketing tool that will differentiate the firm from other state tax practices. Gunster is a full-service Florida law firm with eight Florida offices.
Payton Firm News
Payton & Associates managing member Harry A. Payton of Miami was a designated "Process Leader" at the 2008 Law Department Consortium's Oct. 19 national event, Managing Litigation as a Business, held October 29 in Chicago. The event was co-produced by the Law Department Consortium and InsideCounsel. Payton is among the "Best Business Litigators" in the South Florida Legal Guide lists 2005 - 2008 and is one of the few Florida attorneys board certified in both business litigation and civil trial. He also recently was appointed to serve on the Florida Bar's Judicial Administration and Evaluation Committee. Payton is a former BLSE chair.
Romine Featured in St. Pete Times
Board certified criminal trial lawyer Steve Romine of Cohen, Jayson & Foster in Tampa, recently was featured by the St. Petersburg Times as a "low-key top gun" who has played a major role in some of his firm's most high-profile cases. In December, Romine convinced a senior judge and prosecutors that teen William Thornton, sentenced to 30 years in prison for a fatal Citrus County car crash, should win a release from jail and a shot at a lighter sentence. According to the story, the victory was typical for Romine. "He took up the appeal at no charge because it was the right thing to do, then took on the people he felt had wronged Thornton - including a sitting circuit judge. Somehow, he managed not to come off as a jerk in the process."
Schwait Helps Bring Holiday Cheer to Elementary School
As part of a contingent from the Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association, board certified civil trial lawyer Carl Schwait of Dell Graham in Gainesville recently delivered gifts to 419 students at Marjorie K. Rawlings Elementary School. According to a Gainesville Sun feature story, the bar association's holiday gift project started six years ago when The Florida Bar deemed 2002 the Year of the Child. Schwait serves on the Florida Bar Board of Governors and is an adjunct professor of law at the University of Florida Levin College of Law where he has taught trial practice and served as the faculty advisor to its trial team. For more information on the holiday gift program, please contact Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association President Margaret Stack, a board certified criminal lawyer, who chairs the program.
Spratt Recognized in Chambers USA Client's Guide
K&L Gates Miami shareholder William J. Spratt Jr., a board certified health attorney, is recognized as a leader in his practice in the 2008 Chambers USA Client's Guide published by Chambers and Partners. Spratt is a former health care administrator who has served as general and special counsel to institutional and non-institutional health care providers including hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, health maintenance organizations, clinical laboratories, community mental health centers, rehabilitation facilities and physician networks and groups.
Stanley Among 2008 Worth Magazine's Top 100
Norma Stanley, a partner with the law firm of Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed in Orlando, is one of Worth magazine's Top 100 Attorneys. Stanley concentrates her law practice in trusts and estates, is Florida Bar board certified in wills, trusts and estates and has more than 20 years' experience in wealth transfer, business succession, sophisticated tax, trust and estate planning and estate and trust administration. She earned a law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law and a graduate degree in taxation from the University of Florida College of Law.
Trombley Remembered
Sebring attorney Michael J. Trombley passed away last month and was remembered in a Dec. 28 service in Sebring. Trombley was a partner in the law firm of Trombley, Schommer, Disler & Accorsi and was a board certified elder lawyer. He was a member of the National Academy of Elder Law, past president of the Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys and Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, and former chair of the Florida Bar Elder Law Certification Committee and the Supreme Court Commission on Fairness to Courts on Elder Law Rights. Trombley served as a U.S. Marine Corps lieutenant during the Korean Conflict. Memorial contributions may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice House and the Highlands County Humane Society.
Walbolt Honored as a "Hero Among Us"
The St. Petersburg Bar Foundation recently recognized Carlton Fields shareholder Sylvia H. Walbolt as a "Hero Among Us" for her outstanding service to the community. Walbolt is board certified in appellate practice and antitrust & trade regulation law.
Whitesman To Chair Florida Bar Tax Section
Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt P.A. stockholder Guy E. Whitesman of Fort Myers is chair elect designate of The Florida Bar's tax section and will assume the office on July 1, 2010. Whitesman is a long-time member of the section's executive council and currently serves as director of long range planning. He is a board certified tax attorney and a past chair of the Tax Law Certification Committee. Whitesman chairs Henderson Franklin's Business and Tax Department and concentrates his practice in tax planning, mergers and acquisitions and business planning.
Lawyer Resources
New Year's Resolution: Start A Client Newsletter
According to the ABA, studies by the National Law Firm Marketing Association show that among available law-firm marketing methods, newsletters produce the best return "while offering clients educational information that enhances a firm’s image." Newsletters are a cost-effective way to increase awareness of your firm, its board certified lawyers and the services and specialties you offer. YourLaw is the ABA's newsletter subscription service that offers four-page client newsletters containing articles that alert clients to a wide range of legal issues in areas such as real property, business, estate planning, consumer issues, employment, taxation, personal injury and family law. Imprinted, non-imprinted or electronic newsletters are available. View an example newsletter and learn more about the service on the ABA's Web site.
E-mail Etiquette for Business Communication
A recent Global Knowledge article reminds us that e-mail should be treated like any other business communication and that we should follow basic e-mail etiquette to avoid some its common pitfalls. Among the tips: Get to the point as quickly as possible, resist the temptation to fire off a quick response to an e-mail that has caused you anger or frustration, avoid social abbreviations such LOL (laughing out loud) that are too casual for use in business settings and double check the recipient field to make sure your auto-complete function didn't fill in the wrong name.
Top Ten Legal Stories of the Year
The ABA Journal's most widely read stories of 2008 dealt with the recession and its effect on law firms, lawyers in trouble, attorneys escaping the profession and the "seemingly boundless appetite of lawyers to rank the schools from which they graduated." Here are some favorites: Looking for Simpler Life, Lawyer Burns Harvard Law Diploma, 'Abysmal' Associate Attire Leads to Fashion Counseling, and Things You Should Never Put in an E-mail.
Avoiding Malpractice Minefields
The ABA Journal article discusses five top malpractice traps that are applicable to any practice area. For example, lawyers should put the brakes on cases that are moving too fast, be careful to get to know the client and all the details of the transaction, and ensure clear communication by using carefully drafted letters rather than relying on telephone conversations. A recent ABA study found that real estate practice is the fastest-growing source of malpractice claims against lawyers over the past four years.
[Revised: 04-01-2011]
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