The SideBar September 2020

It’s natural to feel nervous before speaking in public. However, if you allow your nerves to go unchecked, they can build up and lead to tension in the body, making you feel even more anxious and even panicked right before the presentation begins.  In this Public Speaking with David Murray podcast, Murray shares a technique…

If the expression “it’s not what you say, but how you say it” resonates, you’ll want to check out this Toastmasters International article and companion podcast with vocal coach Jillian Mitchell. Plus, how to use your camera to communicate with confidence.

The act includes important prescription drug pricing reforms that will affect how Medicare Parts B and D will pay for drugs.

Help us pick the Experience Matters best lawyer movie of all time.

A senior lawyer/poet has been ruminating a lot about death and dying lately. This poem is the result.

Words of wisdom from those who have learned that failure can be the first step on the road to success.

Learn how Myers-Briggs Personality Types can help lawyers better understand and serve their clients.

Looking for Free CLE? The Senior Lawyers Committee has just what you need!

A review of “Independence Day: What I Learned About Retirement from Some Who’ve Done It and Some Who Never Will”

March 29, 2023, was the 50th anniversary of National Vietnam Veterans Day. Florida Bar Senior Lawyers are among those who served

Resources for lawyers who worry they may be sacrificing their happiness for a legal career.

You’ve practiced your presentation and are ready to go. You know what you want to say, but do you know what your audience wants to hear? It turns out you have another job: reading the audience. Reading the room using basic techniques from The Accidental Communicator – ask questions, make eye contact, watch for inattention…

In this Toastmasters International podcast, Dave Henson, known as The Slide Presentation Man, explains how he teaches people how to step up their presenting game and become effective visual communicators. Sharing tips from his 30-plus years of slide design, he can help you turn a nightmarish deck into a dream. Better Presentations: How to Stop…

A contract, a successful tender or a referral may depend on a lawyer’s ability to address an audience. If your intention is to persuade, motivate, or educate so that people learn something new, change their view or answer your call to action, your words not only have to be heard, they have to be received. So,…

Public speaking is a skill involving elements available to all who work on them, writes Ian Hu in Slaw, Canada’s online legal magazine. Read about his three keys to public speaking.

To be granted withholding of removal under section 241(b)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, a person must demonstrate that if returned to the country of origin he or she is more likely than not to be persecuted on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. There is…

A wrongful death lawsuit is a civil action brought by the survivors or the estate of a person who died due to the negligence or intentional actions of another. Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim? Each state has a specific set of rules governing wrongful death claims, including rules identifying who can file a…

If you are injured on the job, you may choose to hire a lawyer to make sure you are awarded proper benefits. A workers’ compensation lawyer can help you file a claim, answer your questions, and represent you at hearings. There are often disputes in workers’ compensation cases about what injuries were work-related, the level…

A will is a set of instructions that lists what will happen to your property once you die, names a guardian for your children and for your children’s property, how your debts and taxes will be paid, and what will happen to your pets. The core difference between a will and a living will is…

Water law in the United States deals with the ownership, use, and protection of water as a natural resource. Some common issues all jurisdictions deal with include: Public regulation of waters and water bodies, including flood control, environmental regulation, and public health. The dichotomy between public and private rights in water, which include elements of…

Unemployment Compensation deals with unemployment insurance, which provides temporary benefits to a person who loses their job through no fault of their own. Similar to workers’ compensation, if you are seeking unemployment compensation you should make a claim for unemployment benefits during your first week of total or partial unemployment. Typically, to receive unemployment insurance…

Everyone can benefit from estate planning. This is because your estate plan is more than just a list of who you want to give your property to. The plan includes additional documents such as a power of attorney, which gives someone the authority to make decisions on your behalf, and a medical directives guide, which…

Transportation law deals with public transportation on public highways and airspace, and is governed by both state and federal laws. Transportation laws can apply very broadly at the transport system level (such as laws pertaining to highways generally) or more narrowly to the transport of specific things (such as moving of highly flammable materials). The…

There’s nothing great about traffic violations, but unfortunately they’re something most divers will face in their long driving careers. With that said, it is important to have a broad understanding of the severity of traffic violations and what your options are. In most instances, if you’re convicted of a traffic violation the following things can…

A trade secret is a formula, practice, process, design, instrument, pattern, commercial method, or compilation of information which is not generally known to the public or reasonably ascertainable by others. By definition, a trade secret must confer an economic advantage over competitors or customers upon the business. Trade Secret Criteria In most jurisdictions, a trade…

A trademark is a recognizable sign, design or expression which serves as a source identifier for consumers. A trademark is a form of intellectual property that can be owned by an individual, a business organization, or any other legal entity. Trademarks can be located on packaging, labels, vouchers, or on the product itself. Companies often…

Trade dress describes all of the elements that a company might use to promote a product or service. Trade dress may include the packaging, labeling, the way a display appears on store shelves, and even the design of the product itself. Statutory Source In the United States, similar to trademarks, a product’s trade dress is…

“Torts” are personal injuries caused by civil wrongs. Among other accidents, torts can cover the following: Slip and fall injuries Assault and battery Defamation, libel, and slander Emotional distress Privacy issues Dignitary torts Nursing home abuse Dog bites and other animal attacks Wrongful death Travel and aviation accidents There are generally two types of torts:…

Telecommunications law pertains to the systems of electronic communications and broadcasting across the United States. This area is heavily regulated by federal law and the Federal Communications Commission. Media law encompasses all legal issues affecting the media and telecommunications industries. These issues include free speech issues, defamation, copyright, and censorship. There are also issues involving…

The U.S. has a progressive tax system. That means each level of income is taxed at a progressively higher rate. For the purposes of taxation, “income” typically includes any earnings, tips, commissions, dividends, alimony, capital gains, unemployment benefits, IRA distributions, and Social Security benefits received during the tax year. Deductions are expenses that may be…

Sports law covers both professional and amateur sports. An attorney who practices this area of law typically provides legal services such as contract negotiation, agent representation, labor law, merchandising, and licensing. This is a broad practice area encompassing both state and federal laws across several legal disciplines, including: Copyright: A person’s exclusive right to reproduce,…

Social Security is an earned benefit, funded through payroll taxes. To qualify for benefits later in life, you have to pay into the system, usually through working ten years or more. The size and availability of your benefits are impacted by how much you paid into the Social Security system when you were working, and…

“Slip and Fall” is a term used for a personal injury case where a person slips or trips and is subsequently injured on another’s property. These cases are a subset of premises liability claims or torts claims. Slip and fall accidents can arise from things such as torn carpeting, wet flooring, poor lighting, narrow stairs,…

In the United States it is unlawful to harass a person (an applicant or an employee) because of that person’s sex. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 puts sexual harassment into two groups: Quid pro quo Hostile work environment Quid pro quo sexual harassment is where a manager asks or hints to…

Every state has laws against prohibiting the various types of sex crimes and each state has its own statute of limitations in which victims of sex crimes may file a lawsuit against the alleged offender. The following is a common list of sex crimes: Indecent Exposure: It is illegal for a person to expose their…

A security is an instrument that evidences the holder’s ownership right in an organization. The most common instruments are stocks and bonds. Securities law are the laws and regulations governing the financial instruments mentioned above. The rules are designed to prevent fraud, insider trading, and market manipulation. There is a focus on promoting transparency via…

Real Property Law governs who can own and use land, and the rights and obligations related to ownership. This practice area covers a wide range of legal areas. Real estate can either be residential or commercial, and it can be owned by one person or by many. Based on the unique setup of a particular…

A public utility is a business or service, which may be publicly or privately owned, engaged in supplying the public with electricity, gas, water, transportation, or telephone or telegraph service. The individual states’ various public utilities commissions oversee electric companies, while electric utility boards are delegated power by the state legislature. Public utility law attorneys…

Professional malpractice is an act or continuing conduct of a professional that does not meet the standard of professional competence and results in provable damages to their client or patient. Such an error or omission may be through negligence, ignorance (when the professional should have known), or intentional wrongdoing. Except in cases of extremely obvious…

Product liability laws vary from state to state, and are based on the premise that companies generally have a duty to protect consumers from potential hazards. Generally, a product is typically required to meet the ordinary expectations of a consumer: when a product has an unexpected defect or danger, the product cannot be said to…

Probate is the process of administering a decedent’s estate. This includes settling the decedent’s debts and legal title to the decedent’s property. If the decedent had a will, and the decedent had property subject to probate (i.e., property not held in a trust), the probate process begins with the executor presents the will for probate…

An invasion of privacy occurs when there is an intrusion upon your reasonable expectation to be left alone. The four main types of invasion-of-privacy claims are as follows: Intrusion of Solitude: Intruding upon another’s solitude or private affairs is subject to liability if the intrusion is considered highly offensive to a reasonable person. Examples include…

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document that allows you to appoint a person or organization (your proxy) to manage your affairs if you are unable to do so. With that said, there are many different types of power of attorney that each grant your proxy different powers. General Power of Attorney A…

“Personal injury” cases are legal disputes that arise when one person suffers harm from an accident or injury, and someone else might be legally responsible for that harm. Lawsuit A formal personal injury case typically starts when a private individual files a civil complaint against another person, business, corporation, or government agency , alleging that…

A profit sharing, or stock bonus, plan is a defined contribution plan under which your employer may determine how much will be contributed to the plan annually. Such plans contain a formula for allocating to each participant a portion of each annual contribution. A profit sharing plan or stock bonus plan may include a 401(k)…

Patents are granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) through the patent application process. They give an inventor the exclusive right to make, use, or offer for sale their invention for a limited period of time. To file for a patent, the inventor must make a detailed public disclosure of the invention….

A nonprofit organization is one that carries out a religious, scientific, charitable, literary, or educational purpose. Unlike a for-profit corporation, a nonprofit corporation is not required to pay taxes on its profits. Only profits related to the nonprofit’s purpose and regular services are not subject to taxes. Other than the tax difference, nonprofit corporations must…

Natural resources law often varies by state and governs how people can use the parts of the environment that have some economic or societal benefit. Generally, these benefits include air or wind, light, water, soil and plants, animals that occupy the land, and underground minerals or oil. Natural resources law also helps define how natural…

All service members in the U.S. Armed Forces are subject to military law, consisting of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and other statutory provisions. While it is similar to civilian law in many ways, such as the right to counsel and full protection under the Constitution, the UCMJ has many provisions and crimes…

The process of two or more companies joining together to form a single business entity is referred to as a merger or an acquisition. Before purchasing a business: Review the financial documents of a business, including balance sheets, tax returns, and schedules of accounts receivable, payable, and inventory. The financial information of a company also…

Medical malpractice is negligence committed by a medical professional. When a physician makes a preventable error that results in injury, the patient may file a medical malpractice suit for damages. The Duty of Care A physician has to owe a duty of care to a patient before their competency in performing the duty can be…

Medicare Medicare was created to help older Americans and certain disabled individuals pay their medical bills, and the program is paid for by the Social Security contributions you make while working. Most people age 65 or older are eligible for coverage based on their work history or that of their spouse. Medicaid Medicaid differs from…

Mediation is usually a voluntary process, although sometimes statutes, rules, or court orders may require participation in mediation. Mediation is common in small claims courts, housing courts, family courts, and some criminal court programs and neighborhood justice centers. The mediation process is generally considered more prompt, inexpensive, and procedurally simple than formal litigation. It allows…

Media law encompasses all legal issues affecting the media and telecommunications industries. These issues include free speech issues, defamation, copyright, and censorship. There are also issues involving privacy and whether content may be printed, broadcast over the air, or published online. Media law used to primarily affect journalists, publishers, and large telephone companies. But since…

Also known as “class action,” mass torts generally happen when a number of people have suffered the same or similar injuries. Often many of the individuals’ injuries were relatively minor, such that they might not pursue legal redress on their own, but together, the value of the claims of the class add up. In mass…

Marriage State laws determine most marriage requirements. There are state laws on age, proof of personal information, fees, waiting periods, and who may marry. In most states, getting married means that your spouse’s income and debt now become yours, and vice versa. Prenuptial Agreements Generally, prenups protect assets that may otherwise be subject to marital…

Criminal cases involve a charge prosecuted by a governmental body, seeking punishment for the violation of a criminal statute while civil cases involve private disputes between individuals where damages or some other remedy is requested. Before filing a lawsuit, the plaintiff typically demands that the defendant perform certain actions to resolve the conflict. If the…

Elements of Defamation Defamatory statements fall into two categories: libel when it’s written, and slander when it’s spoken. Regardless of which form it takes, in order to be successful in a defamation lawsuit a person must usually show that: A person made a statement. The statement was published. The statement caused injury. The statement was…

Legal malpractice occurs when an attorney fails to perform according to the proscribed standards and codes of ethical and professional conduct. Not getting the expected outcome in a case is not enough to warrant a malpractice claim: attorneys must have been negligent, in breach of a contract, or otherwise in violation of the American Bar…

Land use and zoning law is the regulation of the use and development of public and private real estate. Zoning is the most common form of land-use regulation, used by municipalities to control local property development. Zoning regulations typically divide a municipality (such as a city) into residential, commercial, and industrial zones. Thus, zoning laws…

Landlord-tenant law is the area of law that covers the rental and lease of residential and commercial property. Residential property is where individuals or families reside, commercial property is where businesses set-up their physical location. For most residential properties, landlords are required to follow rules that apply to your type of housing, and will also…

Labor and Employment Law covers the rights individuals have at their jobs. It typically covers things such as hiring, firing, employment contracts, employment benefits, working conditions, wages, and overtime. Most employees in the United States are employees at-will. This is a term used in United States Labor and Employment Law for the contractual relationship in…

Minors under the age of 18 years, who commit a crime, or otherwise violate established rules and statutes, are identified as juvenile delinquents, juvenile offenders, youthful offenders, or delinquent minors. Laws governing juvenile delinquency are largely enacted and regulated on a state by state basis. Juvenile courts hear cases dealing with juvenile delinquents, incorrigible youth…

Internet Law is a rapidly evolving practice area that currently consists of intellectual property law, contract law, privacy laws, among others. Internet Regulation Aside from censorship of the Internet in some nations, there are four primary modes of regulation of the internet: laws, architecture, norms, and markets: Laws of various states, countries, and international groups…

International trade law includes the appropriate rules and customs for handling trade between countries, and is a very complex and an ever expanding practice area. There are four levels of international trade relationships: Unilateral measures (national law) Bilateral relationships (Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement) Plurilateral agreements, and Multilateral arrangements (GATT/WTO). Changes may occur in this…

International investment law governs foreign direct investment and the resolution of disputes between foreign investors and sovereign states. The past few decades have seen a dramatic increase in the number of bilateral investment treaties and other agreements with investment-related provisions, followed by a sharp rise in the number of disputes between private investors and sovereign…

International law is a system of treaties and agreements between nations that governs how nations interact with other nations, citizens of other nations, and businesses of other nations. International law typically falls into two different categories: Private international law deals with controversies between private entities, such as people or corporations, which have a significant relationship…

Intellectual Property (IP) is a legal term that refers to products of the mind. Intellectual property laws grant intellectual property owners a set of exclusive rights. The law views intellectual property rights as a form of property, commonly referred to as intangible property. The most common types of intellectual property rights are copyrights, patents, trademarks,…

Insurance law relates to many kinds of insurance coverage. Below is a general list: Auto Insurance is required by almost all states if one has a car. Auto insurance plans offer coverage for property damage and injuries to varying degrees. Boat Insurance offers coverage for recreational boat accidents and liability, including personal injury and property…

Native Peoples Law governs the Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Alaska Natives who live in the United States. Each tribe may create and enforce its own tribal law. The federal government issued several statutes and treaties that affect the provision of services to people on Native American reservations. Lawyers practice in this area help Native…

In the United States, federal law governs who may enter the United States, how long they may stay, and what they are permitted to do while in the United States (ex: working). Immigration benefits and enforcement is administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Prior to 2003 this organization was known as the Immigration…

With rising cost of quality medical care, prescription drug coverage and the need for long-term health care solutions for an aging population, healthcare law has become big business, and legal matters frequently arise. The following are general issues involved in healthcare law: Patient Rights A number of federal and state laws cover a wide range…

Criminal harassment is usually confined to state law, which has a wide variety of criminal laws forbidding harassment in many forms, including general harassment crimes as well as specific forms of harassment, such as stalking and cyberstalking. Generally, criminal harassment entails intentionally targeting someone else with behavior that is meant to alarm, annoy, torment or…

A legal guardian is an adult who is appointed or chosen by a court to make decisions on behalf of an individual who cannot make their own decisions. Normally, a guardian is chosen for a minor, but sometimes a court will establish a guardian for an adult with special needs or an adult child can…

Government contracts law is comprised of all the statutes, cases, rules, regulations, and procedures with which any company must comply to do business with the government Businesses contracting with the government face rules and regulations in virtually every aspect of making, performing, and eventually terminating a contract with an agency or department. Many of these…

Government law covers a broad area in the legal field. U.S. federal government law addresses government interactions on a national scale, and is largely composed of administrative law and constitutional law, while state and local government law deals largely with how government operates on the state and local level, with state and city governments and…

Gaming includes activities such as casinos, racetracks, and lotteries, is regulated under a combination of federal and state laws. States that permit such gaming usually have a commission established to oversee the regulation of the industry, such as licensing of those employed in the gaming industry. States that permit casinos and similar forms of gaming…

Fraud is a broad term that refers to the intentional deception of a person or entity by another made for monetary or personal gain. Laws against fraud vary from state to state, and can be criminal or civil in nature. While the exact wording of fraud charges varies among state and federal laws. the essential…

A franchise is a legal and commercial relationship between the owner of a trademark and someone who seeks to use that identification in business activities. For example, Wendy’s restaurants all share the same branding and similar menu items, but they’re individually owned by franchisees. Common terms in a franchise relationship are: Franchise Disclosures: state laws…

When a lender forecloses on a home, it means mortgages have defaulted on and the property must be given up. The lender usually makes efforts to warn that  foreclosure is imminent, usually with certain deadlines. If the home is worth less than the amount remaining on the mortgage, the case may involve a deficiency judgment….

The United States Constitution provides for a federal government that is superior to state governments with regard to its enumerated powers. These powers include the authority to govern international affairs, interstate commerce, the currency and national defense. After the American Civil War, the Fourteenth Amendment applied the Constitution’s Bill of Rights to state governments. Legislation…

Family law encompasses civil procedures and legal matters that involve family members’ financial responsibilities, custodial rights, eligibility, and other obligations. The following is a list of family law topics: Marriage and Cohabitation: Eligibility requirements such as age and gender are primarily governed at the state level. Different states have different laws governing legal partnerships other…

Expungement is a court-ordered process where the legal record of an arrest or criminal conviction is “sealed” or erased. The availability and procedure of expungement varies according to the state or county in which the arrest and conviction occurred. Are expunged records removed entirely? Generally, an expungement will still be an accessible part of a…

ERISA is the acronym for the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, a federal law that provides pensions, insurance companies, and private employers with guidelines regarding the administration of employee benefit plans. Although ERISA doesn’t require private employers to provide pension plans it sets minimum standards for those that do. ERISA Amendments Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation…

Laws protecting our shared waterways, air, trees and other natural resources intend to ensure a more sustainable future for generations to come. Many federal laws relate to the protection of the environment and the health and safety of U.S. residents. The following are major and preeminent federal regulations: The Clean Air Act sets goals for…

Entertainment, sports, and leisure law covers a wide range of professions and media, including visual entertainment, performing arts, media, and both professional and amateur sports. An attorney who practices this area of law typically provides legal services such as contract negotiation, agent representation, labor law, merchandising, and licensing. This is a broad practice area encompassing…

A public utility is a business or service, which may be publicly or privately owned, engaged in supplying the public with electricity, gas, water, transportation, or telephone or telegraph service. The individual states’ various public utility commissions oversee electric companies, while electric utility boards are delegated power by the state legislature. Energy law attorneys specialize…

Attorneys specializing in election law handle cases involving election financing and campaigns, such as campaign contribution limits, as well as election fraud and the framework under which political parties may organize. Examples of their work also include cases involving corporate campaign contributions, how lobbyists are regulated on both state and federal levels, and ethics issues…

Estate planning is a major part of elder law practice. Elder law attorneys can help prepare estate-planning documents to secure benefits. Securing Social Security and Medicare benefits as well as state-based aid can be critical in old age. Advance Care Directives, Power of Attorney, and Guardianship Elder law attorneys frequently help clients prepare advance healthcare…

Elder law focuses on the concerns of older people. It’s a broad area of law that includes attorneys helping people plan for retirement, prepare advance health care directives, file Social Security and disability claims and appeals, help manage property and financial assets, and prepare estate-planning documents. Elder law attorneys also help locate government services and…

Compulsory Education Education law is governed by the states. Every state requires all its children to be educated. For most students, this means that parents must send their students to an accredited public, private, religious school or have them home-schooled. Student Rights According to federal law, every student is entitled to a “free appropriate public…

Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or other impairing drugs is a crime in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, but DUI law varies by state. For the purposes of DUI law, generally you are “impaired” if your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle is appreciably affected by having consumed alcohol,…

The Office on Violence Against Women defines domestic violence as a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that’s used by one partner to gain or maintain control over another intimate partner. This behavior can include physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, and even economic abuse. Stalking and threats may be classified as domestic violence as well….

Reasons for Divorce Most states now offer what is known as a “no fault” divorce, which allows a court to enter a divorce decree without one party having to legally prove the other party did something wrong in the marriage. Here, one spouse may simply allege that the marriage has broken down and there’s no…

Understanding your plan’s definition of disability can be key to qualifying for disability benefits. The definition of disability varies depending on your insurance policy. Many private disability insurance policies provide benefits if injury or illness prevents you from meeting the duties of your current job. Others, like Social Security disability insurance, use stricter definitions of…

The term “defamation” covers any statement that hurts someone’s reputation. If the statement is made in writing and published, the defamation is called “libel.” If the hurtful statement is spoken, the statement is “slander.” Defamation is considered to be a civil wrong, or a tort. A person that has suffered a defamatory statement may sue…

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal law that provides debtors with protection from abusive debt collection practices. The FDCPA considers any person who regularly collects debts owed to others as debt collectors. This definition includes attorneys who regularly collect debts, but it does not include creditors that collect their own debts….

There are several types of child custody. Joint custody is where both parents share parental rights and the living arrangements of their child. Courts generally prefer joint custody, but sole custody, where only one parent or guardian has the physical and legal custody over a child, is a possible arrangement as well. Physical custody refers…

Our legal system is largely comprised of two different types of cases: civil and criminal. Civil cases are disputes between people regarding the legal duties and responsibilities they owe each other. Criminal law broadly refers to federal and state laws that make certain behavior illegal and punishable by imprisonment and/or fines. The U.S. employs a…

Copyright is an intellectual property right that grants the creator of an original work a set of exclusive rights (generally, to use and distribute the work) for a limited period of time. The purpose of copyright is to encourage and support creativity in the arts and sciences by giving the creator (i.e. the author of…

A contract refers to a legally enforceable agreement between two or more parties, which can be a person or a corporation) that creates an obligation to do or not do something. Contracts typically involve parties who are competent to enter a contract, and a mutual agreement between these parties. Some contracts must be in writing….

A consumer is anyone who acquires goods or services for their own use. Consumer law are laws on the rights of consumers and the free flow of accurate information in the marketplace, designed to prevent businesses from engaging in fraud or unfair practices, and to protect individuals from fraudulent behavior by businesses. Many consumer protection…

Construction law involves any legal issue related to the construction of a building or other structure. Legal issues related to construction activities can arise under federal, state, or local laws. Common construction-related legal disputes include workplace injuries and accidents, construction defects, contract issues, and problems with obtaining the proper planning or building permits. Financial issues…

Constitutional law refers to rights carved out in the federal and state constitutions. The majority of this body of law has developed from state and federal supreme court rulings, which interpret their respective constitutions and ensure that the laws passed by the legislature do not violate constitutional limits. At the federal level, most constitutional legal…

Commercial law focuses on the sale and distribution of goods, as well as financing of certain transactions. Commercial law is primarily regulated by the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), which is a model set of laws regarding the sales of goods, leases of good, negotiable instruments, and secured transactions. All states have adopted some form of…

Class actions generally happen when a number of people have suffered the same or similar injuries. Often many of the individuals’ injuries were relatively minor, such that they might not pursue legal redress on their own, but together, the value of the claims of the class add up. In class actions, people are often seeking…

Civil rights are an expansive and significant set of rights that are designed to protect individuals from unfair treatment. They are the rights of individuals to receive equal treatment in a number of settings, including education, employment, housing, public accommodations, and are based on certain legally-protected characteristics. Most laws guaranteeing and regulating civil rights originate…

Civil law is a body of rules that defines and protects the private rights of citizens, offers legal remedies that may be sought in a dispute, and is divided into four main categories: contract law, tort law, property law, and family law. Contract Law Contract law deals with agreements between two or more parties, each…

In virtually all divorce or separation cases that involve minor children, the court will set out how the child is to be cared for financially. Child Support is a payment for a child’s care, made to the parent who has physical custody of the minor children. The amount of child support will depend on the…

Child abuse is broadly defined in many states as any type of cruelty inflicted upon a child, including mental abuse, physical harm, neglect, and sexual abuse or exploitation. The specific crimes charged in instances of child abuse can include assault and battery. Florida prohibits willful or threatened act that harms or is likely to cause…

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy allows an individual or a business to discharge their debts and in exchange they allow the court to sell their property. After the court distributes the debtor’s property to creditors, the debtor is typically no longer responsible for repaying any remaining debt. This is often referred to as “liquidation bankruptcy.” How does…

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy allows an individual or business to keep their property, and they pay most or all of your debts back over a three to five-year period. However, Chapter 13 Bankruptcy isn’t for everyone. Because Chapter 13 requires that you repay your debts, you must prove to the Court that you can meet these…

Chapter 11 Bankruptcy permits businesses, or individuals with substantial assets, to reorganize. It is available to every business, whether it is organized as a corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or by an individual. How does Chapter 11 Bankruptcy work? Petitions for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy are typically filed voluntarily, however the creditors can band together to file…

Business and Corporate Law focuses on aspects such as forming a company, shareholder rights, and basic commercial contracts. Business and Corporate Law is regulated by both state and federal law. The federal law covers things such as stocks, investments, workplace safety (OSHA), and employment laws. State law adds additional regulations on top of the federal…

Bankruptcy refers to the legal status of a person or business that cannot repay the debts owed to creditors. The Bankruptcy process normally initiated by the debtor, however formal Bankruptcy proceedings do not begin until there is an official court order by a United States Bankruptcy Court. Generally, Bankruptcy relieves the debtor from their debt…

The banking and financial industries are heavily regulated by both state and federal law. These laws impose reporting requirements for banks and other financial institutions, govern securities and other transactions, and regulate taxes. In addition to affecting banks, banking and finance law often plays a large role in mergers and acquisitions of corporations, stock purchases…

Aviation law covers legal issues affecting aircraft and airport operations, including aircraft navigation and maintenance, air traffic control safety, and pilot licensing requirements. Aviation law mostly operates at the federal level, with most aviation regulations and standards enforced by the Federal Aviation Administration, The Transportation Security Administration, and the National Transportation Safety Board. While states…

To be granted asylum, a person must demonstrate that he or she is a “refugee,” that he or she is not barred from asylum for any of the reasons listed in our immigration laws, and that the decision-maker should grant asylum as a matter of discretion. A person who meets the refugee definition may be…

Arbitration is a method of resolving disputes outside of court. Most arbitrations happen because of an arbitration clause in a contract, in which the parties have agreed to resolve any disputes arising out of the contract through arbitration. Parties refer their disputes to an arbitrator who reviews the evidence, listens to the parties, and makes…

An appeal is a request for a higher court to review a lower court’s decision. An appeals lawyer handles cases on appeal when a party loses or wants to challenge a part of a decision made by the lower court. The appeals court reviews the record made in the trial court. In appealing a case,…

Antitrust law aims to protect trade and commerce from unfair restraints, monopolies and price fixing through the Sherman Act and the Clayton Act. Most states also have their own antitrust laws patterned on federal laws. The Department of Justice (DOJ) investigates antitrust matters and is authorized to convene a grand jury to indict suspects. The…

Animal law is a combination of statutory and case law in which the nature of nonhuman animals is an important factor, including companion animals, wildlife, and animals used in entertainment, research, and raised for food. Animal law permeates most traditional areas of the law, including tort, contract, criminal, trust/estates, family, environmental, administrative, and constitutional law….

Agriculture law governs legal issues affecting the farming and ranching industries. Typical agriculture law issues include the use of pesticides, land use and zoning, environmental issues, and patents on genetically modified seeds. Because agriculture law focuses on an entire industry, it can affect small family farms as well as large commercial farming operations. Agriculture law…

Lawyers and judges receive many inquiries from people who wish to adopt a child. Adoption laws and procedures in Florida reflect the interests of the state and the community in protecting the child, the birth parent and the adoptive parents in adoption proceedings. Adoption Steps Home study process: Every state requires a home study process,…

Admiralty and Maritime Law is a body of law that governs nautical issues and private maritime disputes. This area of law is inherently international because the majority of maritime activities take place in international waters. Typical areas of maritime law include: Marine Commerce Maritime Navigation Maritime Pollution Seafarers Rights Transfer of Goods and Passengers Changes…

Administrative law governs the activities of administrative agencies of government, including rule-making, adjudication or the enforcement of regulations. At the federal level, administrative law encompasses the U.S. Congress. At the state level, it encompasses state representatives. And at the local town council and county commissions level, they can also make rules. Administrative law also includes…

The Office of the Inspector General of Health and Human Services has released a special fraud alert about telehealth activities.

How the principles of neural plasticity and legal reasoning can be used by senior lawyers to “use it, not lose it.”

The story of how a recent development in a 19th century case could serve as a catalyst for 21st century atonement for the racial injustice it spawned.

The ABA’s amendment of its diversity speaker policy appears to bring its CLE programs into compliance with The Florida Bar rule.

The Senior Lawyers Committee addresses the needs and interests of Florida’s senior lawyers through the work done by its subcommittees.

These words of wisdom are all about aging with grace, wisdom, and humor, from the smart and funny people who have already been there.

Try these exercises when your usual routine is disrupted or fails to target specific health issues.

This webinar addresses the obligations of law firms toward disabled lawyers and staff and protections/accommodations for lawyers pursuant to the ADA.

This course offers simple and affordable tools, services, and apps that can be used to help busy lawyers reduce stress while delivering superlative client service.

Is it just me, or have you also noticed that more and more “elderly” people seem to be making the news?

In this episode of the Legal Talk Network’s “Counsel Cast” podcast, Grant Baldwin, founder and CEO of The Speaker Lab, gives listeners actionable tips for cultivating public speaking as a marketing strategy.

Where do you look? What do you do with your notes? How do you keep virtual (literally!) strangers engaged during a remote presentation?

Dear Voluntary Bar Leaders, During an evaluation of The Florida Bar’s course accreditation process and the transition to the acceptance of online applications, it was determined that the fee for courses 2.0 hours or less was not being consistently applied to voluntary bars. The Florida Bar course accreditation fee schedule has been in place for…

Learn how to overcome literal (and figurative) onstage stumbles, add stories to your next speech, and better communicate by tweaking your body language.

Learn how to deliver an outstanding presentation that keeps your audience engaged, attentive, and eager to hear more.

Supports any changes in the current workers’ compensation law that would: ensure the independence of the judges of compensation claims’ ability to discharge the duties of their office in the adjudicatory process, including a reappointment process that promotes and ensures the independence of the judiciary; and ensure the right of injured workers to have their cases reviewed by an Article V court. …

Supports amending Florida Statute 542.335 relating to restrictive covenants in a manner to provide exemptions to employees receiving limited compensation and to provide the court additional discretion in those same cases to interpret restrictions in a manner consistent with traditional contract rules of construction. …

Opposes legislation to impose income tax on limited liability companies and subchapter S corporations. Opposes legislation that would transfer the functions of the Division of Corporations in the Department of State to the Department of Revenue. …

Opposes any amendment to existing Florida law governing real property foreclosures unless those amendments carefully preserve and protect the property rights and due process rights of the holders of interests in or affecting Florida real property. Supports the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act in Florida, as promulgated by the National Conference on Uniform State Laws (NCCUSL),…

Opposes any amendment to Chapter 120, Florida Statutes, or other legislation to deny, limit or restrict points of entry to administrative proceedings under Chapter 120, Florida Statutes, by substantially affected persons. …

On September 20, 2021, Apple released its updated iOS 15. Among its new features was the change in the position of the Safari browser search bar. Before the upgrade, Safari’s search bar was positioned at the top of the browser, resembling the standard desktop view. iOS 15’s Safari’s search bar relocation is one of the…

Apple’s latest iterations of the Apple Watch series come with a built-in pulse oximeter — a sensor that can measure blood oxygen saturation. Oxygen saturation indicates how much oxygen is reaching the organs in the body and provides insights into your overall fitness. This feature is beneficial to people with cardiovascular and respiratory problems like…

Whether you’re using a Windows or Mac computer,  you can recover closed non-incognito tabs on any browser. Check out these four quick methods: Using Keyboard Shortcuts On Chrome, you can use keyboard shortcuts to reopen closed tabs. This is, by far, the fastest and easiest method as you can recover tabs by combining special keys….

Getting a new MacBook comes with the challenge of moving precious data from your old Mac. A quick way to overcome this is to use the macOS Migration Assistant, a built-in app designed to transfer files, applications, and any data you have from your old Mac to a new one. With this tool, you won’t…

Microsoft Word is that old, trusted friend we have all had to rely on at one time or another. It is suited to a wide variety of tasks and document types and is often included as a mainstay of the Microsoft Office Suite that many businesses rely on. Odds are that you are one of…

In this month’s Speakers Bureau blog post, learn how receiving (and implementing) speaker feedback is harder and more important than you think.

Dropbox cloud storage service helps you keep files safe so they are always available when you need them. You can sync files across devices linked to your account and access them whenever you like. Dropbox syncs all your folders, including large media files and personal files, using Smart Sync. If you use Dropbox at home…

Microsoft OneDrive is a low-cost, user-friendly cloud storage utility that allows you to save space on your computer. The app is available on macOS, Windows, Android, and Web platforms. We explain OneDrive icons for Windows, Mac, Android, and Web versions below. This is a guide for understanding what the many OneDrive icons are trying to…

Microsoft Edge, the successor to Internet Explorer, now has options for working with text. The browser has a built-in PDF viewer that allows you to open, read and edit PDF files directly in the browser. PDFs are not editable by default, so that PDF editing would require a simple PDF editing software like Acrobat Reader….

Yoink is an app for Macs that allows you to drag and drop files onto a temporary holding area to move them between applications. The app helps you stay organized as you work with files on your Mac. Yoink is like a virtual shelf where you can temporarily drop pictures, text selections, apps, and other…

Scrolling up and down can sometimes be annoying when scrolling webpages, especially with the mouse or touchpad. However, there’s an alternative to scrolling with a mouse, for which you don’t even need the mouse. It’s the spacebar on your keyboard! Normally, you would use the scrollbar in the browser, scroll heel on your mouse, or…

This month’s post includes tips for what to do with your arms and hands when presenting, and suggestions for improving your oratory skills.

Autocorrect, whether in Microsoft Office or text messages, can be a double-edged sword. Without it, your text may be riddled with spelling mistakes and could become very time-consuming to finish and correct tasks. On the other hand, with autocorrect on, you may have to manually change technically correct words but not for autocorrect. In Excel,…

Microsoft Excel is popular globally, especially for organizations and small businesses. Spreadsheets are incredibly useful for recordkeeping, filing, calculations, analysis, etc. Excel sheets open with a standard view where the cells have a default size. When you have different lengths of inputs in a column, some cells may show full text while others will cut it…

Here’s a common question that PDF users have: “Every time I open a PDF in Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, I have to change view settings from ‘fit to width scrolling’ to ‘fit one full page’; can I set the default view settings to 100 percent?” In other words, users often have to manually set the…

Our language is constantly changing, and lately, there has been a lot of focus on “inclusiveness.” When writing any kind of text in Word or otherwise, you want to make sure that you’re using the right terms and avoiding making mistakes that may be offensive to certain people. What if there was an editor that…

Microsoft OneDrive has an automatic backup feature that can assure your document is saved intermittently. Only documents that are saved into OneDrive will automatically save. Open an existing document and click on File, then Save As. Choose OneDrive as the saving location. You can even decide to save the document in a subfolder. Be sure to confirm…

David JP Phillips spent seven years and studied 5,000 speakers to identify and distill the core skills and subskills of communication, which he shares in this Toastmasters Podcast.

The ability to track changes has made it possible for people to collaborate on documents without the back and forth of emails that often comes with the process. Begin by going to Office.com, logging in with your Office 365 account and opening Word online. Find or create the document you would like to work on…

Google maps is a great resource that you can rely on anywhere in the world. The only problem is that you need an internet connection to explore its unique features. Downloading a map of your location on Google maps is one way to work around this problem if travelling off-grid. Here are a couple of…

OneNote is a great note-taking application that can make your work-life easier; here are three helpful OneNote tips. Linking To Other Notes or Sections An excellent way to keep track of relevant content in your notes is to link it to related notes or sections. This is especially helpful if you collaborate with others. When…

Have you been getting blank stares, awkward silences, and people multitasking during your virtual presentations or meetings? You’re certainly not alone. Getting your audience to participate and stay engaged remotely is a challenge.

We’re not just referring to wallpapers and theme graphics when we say your Android smartphone has a lot of personalization options. You can adjust the font size in your phone, web applications, and even when writing an email. This is useful if you frequently find the text on your smartphone too tiny to read. Android, like Windows,…

Microsoft Teams gives you a very collaborative workplace. In Teams, you can share files and information and contact your employees through live video conferencing, creating a faster and more efficient work ecosystem in your office. Teams has become quite popular, with many businesses accessing it due to its never-ending array of features that give it…

Working in groups can be tough and challenging. There is always a plethora of messages. So, how do you bring someone’s attention to something really important in this sea of communiques? Microsoft Office 365 allows you to get someone’s attention by “mentioning” that person to give them access to an important document or message. If…

Most people are fine with the default mouse settings. These include the shape, size and color of the mouse pointer, mouse cursor, and text cursor. Some people might need to change the settings, while others just need a touch of customization. With that said, here’s how you can change your mouse pointer settings. Change Mouse…

If you don’t know how to print using your Apple device, here are some tips! The key to start printing from your iPhone or iPad is knowing how to use the AirPrint wireless protocol released by Apple. It allows quick and easy communication between a printer and an iPhone or iPad, allowing you to print…

This month’s speaking tips include how a lectern can help you give a more powerful presentation and suggestions for speaking more confidently despite feeling nervous.

Once you decide it’s time to take better care of yourself, the next step should be a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program.

Retirement under The Florida Bar Rules may not be the best option for every lawyer who wants to “retire” from practicing law.

SLC member Odelia Goldberg shares thoughts about her firm merger with four lawyers who were thinking about retiring.

This is the first in a series of articles on applying Neuroscience to law. The author describes his experiences in advocating for humane legal education.

Are they really the luckiest people in the world? These quotes remind us of the joys and frustrations of our interpersonal relationships.

A recent decision by the Supreme Court of Florida may affect your credit for that ABA CLE.

Senior Lawyers Committee members share photos of their outdoor, athletic, community, and artistic activities when they are “out of office.”

Is it hard to remember even the simplest things, like what day it is? You’re not alone. New studies show that the pandemic is to blame.

What started as a routine probate case turned into a nightmare. Not just one toxic client – this case had two!

Need ethics and professionalism credits? This free CLE covers ethical and professional duties of individual and supervisory lawyers under The Florida Bar’s Rules of Professional Conduct.

Apple goes to great lengths to highlight the amazing features iPhones and iPads offer. However, there are several small yet useful features that most users don’t know about. One such feature is the iPhone and iPad hidden trackpad. Here’s how it works: After writing a text, bring up the keyboard, then press the space key…

Begin by pressing the Windows Key + U on the keyboard to launch the Accessibility settings. Alternatively, you can click the Start Menu > Settings > Accessibility. Next, on the panel on the right, choose Speech under Interaction. From there, toggle on the Windows Speech Recognition switch. You can also use the Keyboard shortcut Windows…

Sometimes a brief search for jewelry online can turn into weeks of receiving ads for the same product on every website you visit. This is called “ad-tracking.” If you are an Apple-product user, you can avoid ad-tracking by using Apple’s App Tracking Transparency feature. Apples now require all app developers to request the user’s permission…

OneNote is an amazing Microsoft app used for taking notes and organizing information. It comes packed with features that enhance cooperation and preserve your time. It is free on all platforms Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android as a native application and as a web application. You can use OneNote native app while offline, and your…

For owners of Apple devices, whether an iPhone, Mac, HomePod, or any other, there is a way for you to check if your device is still covered by a warranty. It will likely be the first question an Apple technician asks you, so you might as well be armed with the information. Plus, warranties run…

Autoplayed videos can be a nuisance in Facebook, especially if you are looking to surf quietly or privately. Luckily, there is a way you can disable the autoplay feature. Below, are the few steps you need to know to disable – or enable – autoplay in Facebook. You’ll want to do this for each device…

One of the biggest mistakes speakers make is over-focusing on charts, diagrams, and data. If you really want to connect with your audience, look up!

Sometimes you get into a long YouTube video and want to share something from that video at a very specific point. YouTube makes that easy by allowing you to get a link that takes someone directly to that point in the video. Here’s how: Click the Share button below the video. Look for a checkbox below the…

We all know that Microsoft Word is a powerful program for creating legal documents, reports, memos and more. But did you know you can also use it to transcribe audio recordings? Before we get into the how-to there are a few must-haves you need. First, it is only available for “Word on the web” – the…

If you’re like most, the last thing on your mind right before speaking in front of a large audience is vocal exercises. But relaxing your voice is essential if you want to sound confident and in control.

A new Apple feature allows anyone to join a FaceTime call from their browser. With FaceTime links in iOS 15 and macOS Monterey, you don’t need an Apple device to chat with someone via FaceTime. You can’t create a FaceTime link without an Apple device, but you can join a FaceTime call when an Apple…

While there are many email clients and services available, Outlook still reigns as king of the information managers. Here are some keyboard shortcuts that should  help you work more efficiently in Outlook. For those  with mobility or vision disabilities, keyboard shortcuts may offer an easier alternative to using a touchscreen and are an essential replacement for…

A new Twitter option allows businesses to apply for professional profiles. It is an excellent opportunity for smaller firms to expand their visibility significantly. It has been in test mode, and due to its success, it is now available to everyone creating more comprehensive and potentially global opportunities for new connections. Previously, Twitter invited businesses…

At this point in the pandemic, it’s safe to say many of us have Zoom-screen fatigue. Like it or not, virtual presentations are likely part of our new normal. So, why not make the best of it?

Most of us simply “delete” files when we no longer need or want them — but sometimes that may be a dangerous thing to do. Why? Because deleted files aren’t really deleted; they are moved to the Recycle Bin on Windows and to the Trash Can on macOS. Those locations are no different than any…

Decades ago, the phonebook was essential to being in business; 10 years ago, all you needed was a website. These days, you need an entire digital ecosystem to stay in business and to remain competitive. With so many touch points facing legal consumers, your firm needs to establish an effective strategy with an emphasis on…

There’s a lot of excitement surrounding the new lineup of laptops and desktops from Apple. And if you’re a loyal Mac user, chances are you can’t wait to get your hands on a new device. But if you’re like any computer user, you dread the thought of having to set up a whole new machine to look…

There are several ways you can combine multiple PDFs into one PDF file. This tip pertains to Adobe Acrobat DC but is easily applied to other PDF manipulation tools. Open Acrobat DC. Choose File > Create > Combine Multiple Files into a single PDF. You will be presented with this window: You can Click Add Files, include…

Getting ready for a presentation or speech requires focus and concentration, which can be difficult to master. Learn how to avoid distractions, sharpen your mind, and pay attention to what matters.

The final installment of this 3-part series is for those of you who knowingly want to speculate or take outsized risk.

NAMI Florida’s mission is to improve the quality of life of individuals and their families affected by mental illness.

Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting older adults. While it still can’t be cured, it can be managed.

Long before the case of Mapp v. Ohio made it to the Supreme Court, it was making headlines because of its glamorous defendant, Dollree Mapp.

Thanksgiving is right around the corner. To get us ready for the holiday, the words of wisdom in this edition of “Notable Quotations” are on the topic of gratitude.

The Senior Lawyers Committee addresses the needs and interests of Florida’s senior lawyers through the work done by its standing subcommittees.

We all accumulate things we don’t need. We can put off dealing with these unwanted possessions until retirement is on the horizon. Then it’s time to declutter.

Confused by conflicting advice about exercise? These three routines target your back, cardio system, and core in just minutes a day.

Have questions about the “ADA”? This CLE explains everything from what is considered a disability under the law to how when and how to make accommodations.

Did you know that Google News’ archives go back to the mid-1880s? Google News has an option to search over 100 years’ worth of archived news from newspapers around the world. The service provides both free and paid access to scanned archives of newspapers and links to other newspaper archives on the web. Google also manages…

Microsoft added a simple but handy feature to PowerPoint (with a business Microsoft 365 subscription) that allows you to start sharing a presentation from within PowerPoint. Until now, you started in Teams and chose to share the screen that had the presentation open. Now, when you are in a Teams meeting, you can switch to…

Apple recently released an update to iOS. While not as new-feature rich as past major updates, it does come with two new services geared toward increasing users’ privacy: Private Relay and Hide My Email. This tip will focus on Hide My Email (released in iOS 14 but improved with this update). Hide My Email aims to…

Apple recently released an emergency update to address a security flaw that let NSO Group’s (an spyware company) Pegasus spyware infect Apple devices — including iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches. To Update iPhones and iPads (and Apple Watches): Make sure the device is plugged in and connected to the Internet with Wi-Fi. Then: Go…

This month, read about how visual aids and props are an effective way of supporting and supplementing any speech or presentation and how to speak to diverse audiences.

There’s a built-in tips app in Windows that can help you discover helpful things you can do in Windows. To find the app, click Start  > Tips or search for “Tips” from the Windows start button. This feature will come in handy as the release of Windows 11 is on the horizon (it works just…

Did you know that Microsoft Office 365 has a built-in resume builder within Word (PC and Mac!)? It couples with LinkedIn to help you build a compelling resume by showing you examples of how others describe their work experience and skills.  Although you don’t need a LinkedIn account to use Resume Assistant (but you will…

You can easily secure PDF with a password directly from Preview. Open a PDF file in Preview Go to File > Save As. Look for a checkbox labeled, “Encrypt.” Click the box to be prompted to enter a password to protect the file. At this point you can also type in a new name to create…

Reach your virtual destination in no time by mastering shortcuts to switch tabs using your keyboard. Incorporate these shortcuts into your daily web surfing routine and you’ll become a shortcut ninja in no time. Review tips from Online Tech Tips for many different browsers, including Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge, on Mac or Windows.

Want to prevent yawns and glazed-over eyes? Before you deliver your next speech, pitch or address, learn how to create exceptional slides by following six specific tips from a presentation expert.

Microsoft added built-in dictation to the desktop version of Word on the Mac and PC a couple of years ago, but you must subscribe to Microsoft 365 to access it. (Sneaky trick: you can use the free Microsoft Word web app or smartphone apps.) Of course, you must have a microphone so Word can hear you and a…

There is an easy and efficient way to enter your signature in a Word document. Typically, you receive an email that you are required to send back by printing, signing and then scanning the document, but here are a few tips to do this much quicker while giving your document a professional and personal touch….

While American English doesn’t use too many accents, there are certainly occasions where we all need to address clients or colleagues with an accent in their names (thinking of all those Renée’s out there!) or write words like résumé, fiancée and née. Well, your keyboard’s got you! It can be a little tricky to get…

Last week’s Tech Tip covered an urgent update released by Microsoft to address a newly discovered security risk. This week’s tip is to remind you that you shouldn’t wait until a critical patch has been served to run updates on your systems and software – whether you are a PC or a MAC. If you…

Last week, Microsoft released an emergency update that addresses a recently discovered and serious security risk. It is important for you and any other Windows users in your firm to install this update. Your computer may have automatically downloaded, installed, and restarted all on its own – if it did, great! You can always confirm…

Many of us manage more than one calendar and having to jump from one app or webpage to another can be a hassle. If you use Outlook at the office and a Google calendar for home or family, it’s easy to sync your Outlook and Google calendars to easily access and manage all your calendars…

The Window’s version of Outlook has a great but hidden function that allows you to recycle a sent message and easily reuse it. You’ll be able to send it to new or different recipients, change the title and fully edit the text. This does not affect the original sent message. Here’s how: Find and double-click…

If you have repetitive entries in an Excel spreadsheet, using a dropdown list can be a great time saver. And thankfully, they are very easy to create! Let’s say you are working on a list of matter types and you want to limit entries in a column to Litigation, Real Estate or Family – no…

Most images you find on the web can be saved your computer. There may be occasions where a screen shot will be the only way, but give this a shot first: Right click on the image Go to “Save picture as” Navigate to the location you would like. Voila! Like magic, it’s yours. Even easier…

People are getting more used to giving presentations via Zoom. But they may be reluctant to show personality sitting behind the web camera. Here are tips to liven up a Zoom presentation plus other suggestions for better speaking engagements.

The use of Zoom for meetings and calls shows no sign of decline even as we start to ease out of the pandemic. So, while we have all (hopefully) become familiar and comfortable with Zoom, here are some accessibility features and tips that will help enhance the meeting experience for those attendees with disabilities. For…

Google’s business suite, formerly known as G Suite, has been rebranded and renamed Google Workspace. It is aimed at boosting online productivity and collaboration of businesses and employees. It includes different sets of tools such as Meet, Docs, Drive and Gmail to create a virtual workspace. Since we are always looking for better ways to…

Not only will the temperature be rising on the outside at the Margaritaville Resort Orlando on July 16-17, but the Voluntary Bar Leaders Conference program inside the conference center …

Mark Eiglarsh, a formerly unhappy guy, made a career out of solving everyone’s problems but his own. Now this successful trial lawyer, television and radio on-air legal expert, …

The upcoming Voluntary Bar Leader Conference on July 16-17 will likely be one of the most important hosted by the Voluntary Liaison Committee on behalf of the Florida Bar in the last decade …

ATTENTION: Share Your “Silver Lining” From The Past Year With Florida Bar President Dori Foster-Morales During Annual Convention
Florida Bar members, there’s no denying …

The second installment of the Becoming Series: Black Excellence provided the T.J. Reddick Bar Association the honor of presenting JAG officers from the United States Air Force. Five outstanding black women …

The Broward County Women Lawyer’s Association in partnership with the NSU Shepard Broad College of Law presented recipients of the 2021 Rising Star Scholarship on May 27 via Zoom. …

Part 2 of a 3-part series on taking control of your investment destiny.

The South Miami Kendall Bar Association hosted a May 28 CLE Luncheon on “Evictions and unlawful detainers during COVID-19 times.”  The luncheon featured the Honorable Miesha S. Darrough …

Options for health insurance lost during the pandemic.

Early retirement was not her plan, but this lawyer is finding it to be her latest “coming of age.”

At the threshold of “the big 6—5,” take time to remember the milestones in your life.

There is a link between music and Alzheimer’s, and music could be a key therapy.

Life-long learning has proven health benefits. New options make it easy (some are free).

Will you recognize the next big opportunity that comes your way?

The legal profession has changed a lot since our 2017 survey. Time for an update!

Learn how to avoid becoming a victim of investment fraud and what to do if your client may be a victim.

Missing that courthouse connection with colleagues, the Polk Association for Women Lawyers hosted a Coffee Court on May 26. The thirty minute virtual coffee break …

A membership drive and social celebration was on tap for the Lee County Association for Women Lawyers on May 25. Members enjoyed drinks, golfing and networking time …

Through a generous grant from the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division, the Manatee County Bar Young Lawyers Division delivered “transition kits” to the Safe Children Coalition …

Great day at the Manatee County Bar Association’s Law Day luncheon on May 26 honoring the men and women of local law enforcement. A special shout-out to Sheriff Rick Wells …

Broadening Horizons is the theme for the Broward County Hispanic Bar Association’s upcoming Brunch Installation on June 5. Lots of planning is going into the in-person event …

The Palm Beach County Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers, hosted a virtual installation celebration on May 21. Danielle Sherriff is the group’s new president …

A joint social in Fort Myers brought together members of two local organizations. The Lee County Bar Association and the Lee County Association for Women Lawyers gathered …

The Miami Dade Association for Women Lawyers hosted a Corporate Counsel Summit,  a four-part series featuring in-house counsel and touching on hot topics, May 24-28 …

According to the members of the Orange County Bar Association, the tri-chairs of the 2021 OCBA Gala & Installation Ceremony, Alisia Adamson Profit, Keshara Cowans and Stephanie Alcalde …

The Hillsborough County Bar Young Lawyer’s Division hosted its annual Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay successful Cornhole for a Cause on May 23 with Tampa Bay Club Sport …

The Haitian Lawyers Association participated in a May 24 press conference at FANM ( Family Action Network Movement)’s headquarters following the Department of Homeland Security’s …

The Florida Marlins selected the Cuban American Bar Association for its Heritage beneficiary in May. The Marlins made a donation to CABA for every ticket sold to the May 22 ….

The Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. Bar Association was among several organizations that sponsored an in-depth discussion with prominent attorneys and activists within the legal community …

The Tampa Hispanic Bar Association’s Latina Leadership Summit held at the Palma Ceia Golf & Country Club on May 21 brought together a panel of Latina women trailblazers …

Learning how to make Vietnamese Summer rolls with Mediator, Liz Foshee McCausland and her mother, Cuc, was the perfect recipe to honor Asian Pacific American Islander Heritage Month …

The North Dade Bar Association shared a great in person kick off Happy Hour at Soho Asian Bar & Grill in Aventura on May 21. NDBA joined in partnership with South Broward Bar Association …

Reconnecting and relaxing sounds like the perfect combination after a year of isolation and stress. The Sarasota Association for Women Lawyers made this the central focus …

The Hispanic Bar of Central Florida hosted its members to a night of Trivia on May 20.  Money raised from the event will help support Embrace Families. 

The 20th of May marks the celebration of Emancipation in Florida. The Florida Justice Association took time to recognize this special time with a post of their Facebook page …

The coronavirus pandemic put in-person social events on hold. Now that vaccinations are on the up-swing, more and more organizations are hosting face-to-face events …

The Fred G. Minnis Sr. Bar Association had a masterful year thanks to the leadership of its 2020 – 2021 President, Danielle Weaver-Rogers.  This year’s organizational challenge …

In recognition of National Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the Sarasota County Bar Association through its Council for Diversity and Inclusion presented an interactive panel …

The Happiness Guaranteed in 30 wellness movement is alive and growing for members of the Broward County Bar Association. Participants are learning quick, easy and impactful tools …

A private, socially distanced bootcamp-style workout was jointly hosted by the Hillsborough County Bar Young Lawyers and the Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers at True Grit Fit …

Elementary School Law Day Poster artwork is on display at the Clearwater Courthouse. The poster competition is sponsored by the Clearwater Bar Foundation. Contestant entries this year …

The final George C. Young American Inn of Court dinner meeting on May 18 was fantastic! Judge Margie Schreiber was recognized for leading the Inn during the pandemic …

The path for a bright future is evident for the St. Petersburg Bar Association. A group of past, present and future presidents gathered recently to review the past year and discuss …

Looking to slap “Confidential” or “Draft” across your Word document? Here’s how to do it! Open your Word document. In the Ribbon go to the Design tab, find the Watermark button. In Word for Windows, you can select one of the predesigned options or create a custom watermark by selecting “Custom Watermark.” In Word for…

Seminole County Florida Association for Women Lawyers was honored to host area judges for a judicial reception on May 14. The social was held at the Lake Mary Events Center …

Members of the Brevard County Bar Association joined judges, lawyers and others to celebrate the retirement of Judge Charles Roberts. Judge Roberts retired in January …

The Indian River County Bar Association hosted a book drive with a goal of preparing kids for their 3rd grade reading test by getting books in the hands and homes of struggling readers …

An entire week of Member Appreciation! That’s what the Hillsborough County Bar Association did on May  10-14 to thank their amazing members for their loyal support this year …

On May 14, members of the Palm Beach County Justice Association were provided a FREE CLE Webinar:. A panel of members discussed Florida state laws to strengthen and protect …

Judge Greg Green is the president-elect of the Stann Givens Family Law American Inn of Court of Tampa. He was featured recently in the Bar News in the following story …

On May 14, the Palm Beach County Bar Association Young Lawyers Section hosted their 4th Annual Golf Tournament at Mayacoo Lakes Country Club in West Palm Beach. This years’ event …

Getting out and about was the mission of the Martin County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division. A happy hour on May 14 at Cafe Martier in Stuart was just what everyone needed …

The Jacksonville Bar Association gathered five decades of past presidents under one roof on May 14 at the San Jose Country Club. The occasion was an in-person …

The Palm Beach County Bar Association’s Committee for Diversity & Inclusion along with the Lawyers for Literacy presented Past, Present, and Future of Juvenile Justice in Florida …

The North Tampa Bar Association’s monthly CLE on May 13 was a intriguing presentation on Illegal Wiretapping by Darrell Dirks from the State Attorney’s Office 13th Judicial Circuit …

The Coral Gable Bar Association sponsors a scholarship for a deserving student who is about to embark on college. In partnership with the Coral Gable Community Foundation …

St Pete author Sarah Penner was the guest host for the Pinellas County Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers virtual book club social on May 11 …

The Florida Bar and Florida Lawyers Assistance, Inc. have a pilot program for women lawyer moms. The weekly summer support group, meets each Friday, Noon-1 p.m. (ET).

The Hillsborough County Bar Association hosted its annual Law Day virtual luncheon on May 11 with special guest speaker former Florida Supreme Court Justice Peggy Quince. …

Microsoft Windows has a feature called the “action center.” Though the action center has lots of excellent features, it may be a nuisance to some. The action center is where you’ll find notifications from programs on your computer and a section called “quick actions.” To open the action center, click on the icon that looks…

A great event is reported for the Lakeland Bar Association on May 7 in honor of Law Day 2021. In one of her pandemic limited local bar in-person events, Florida Bar President Dori Foster-Morales …

Suicide Awareness and Prevention was the subject of a webinar event on May 4 hosted by the South Palm Beach County Bar Association. The guest speaker was Frank King, former writer for The Tonight Show …

The Palm Beach County Hispanic Bar Association celebrated Cinco de Mayo with a virtual happy hour on May 5. No words here to describe the fun that was had by all …

Judge Samantha Ruiz Cohen hosted how to safely navigate the mechanics of trials given Administrative Orders from the Florida Supreme Court and Miami-Dade County for members …

The Florida Bar FRP Enrichment Committee is proud to present to you the Spring 2021 edition (Volume III) of the FRP Times e-newsletter.  

Despite the price of AirPods (designed to work with Apple devices), they are a marvel and with each new generation they become more and more the new norm. And with each development the Bluetooth-enabled devices enhance your auditory experience verging on a new era of wireless technology. Here are a handful of AirPods tips. Losing/Finding…

The 2021 Voluntary Bar Leaders Conference at Margaritaville Resort Orlando on July 16-17 is the voluntary bar leaders’ biggest event of the year! The two-day gathering of Florida’s top …

Voluntary Bar Leaders attending the Bar Leaders Conference on July 16-17 at Margaritaville Resort Orlando can soak up the rays while enhancing their leadership and …

Accommodations for the 2021 Voluntary Bar Leaders Conference at the Margaritaville Resort Orlando are filling up and the reservation cut-off is June 22. Rooms are available …

The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division (YLD) has extended the scholarship application deadline until May 10 for aspiring young lawyers who want to attend the Voluntary Bar Leaders Conference …

Law Day is held on the first of May each year to celebrate the role of law in our society and to cultivate a deeper understanding of the legal profession. Voluntary Bars traditionally hosts …

Long before Florida lawyers had heard of “COVID-19,” or imagined participating in a Zoom trial, Free Legal Answers was pioneering the remote access frontier. As the online legal clinic celebrates …

When people are anxious, they tend to take quick, shallow breaths. This so-called “chest breathing” can signal the fight-or-flight response – not the ideal state of mind before making a presentation!

The Voluntary Bar Liaison Committee family is growing! We are happy to introduce Natalie Leonor Narbona born on 3/27/21 to Kimberly Lopez-Narbona and Maurico Narbona, and big brother, Gabriel …

In March, the Florida Society of Association Executives conducted a survey of Executive Members regarding their meetings this year. FSAE gathered data on 2021 …

The Sarasota Yacht Club was the venue for a members-only live networking event for the Sarasota County Bar Association on April 29. Members enjoyed the spectacular …

On April 29, the Florida Supreme Court released an administrative order changing the standard Florida State Judges are to use when ruling on Motions for Summary Judgment …