THE OCTOBER BAR NEWS: Parental leave rule arguments, federal nominations for Lagoa and Luck, and mental health in the criminal justice system

The October Bar News is now available with stories including:

SUPREME COURT HEARS PARENTAL LEAVE ARGUMENTS

There was no lack of advice when the Florida Supreme Court held oral arguments August 27 on a proposed rule governing parental leave continuances. Nine different lawyers, including Bar President John Stewart, offered counsel on proposed Rule of Judicial Administration 2.570, which says a judge should grant a motion for parental leave for up to three months unless the opposing party can show substantial prejudice.

JUSTICES LAGOA, LUCK NOMINATED FOR THE FEDERAL BENCH

President Donald Trump announced his intent September 12 to nominate Florida Supreme Court Justices Barbara Lagoa and Robert Luck to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. Florida Bar President John Stewart said Luck and Lagoa have served Florida well as lawyers and jurists, and both are highly qualified to provide their knowledge and expertise to the entire country.

AG’S ROUND TABLE FOCUSES ON MENTAL HEALTH IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

Attorney General Ashley Moody and Chief Justice Charles Canady hosted a round table at the Florida Supreme Court in August on the mental-health challenges in the Florida courts system. The meeting was part of the Attorney General’s Mental Health and Criminal Justice Round Table Summer Series.  “This [meeting] is to talk about mental health within our courts, and what we are doing now, taking a snapshot of where we are as a state, and what we might be able to improve,” said Moody, a former trial court judge.