The purpose of this summary provided by the Communications Department of The Florida Bar is to present media coverage that may be of interest to members. Opinions expressed in the articles are attributable solely to the authors. The Florida Bar does not adopt or endorse any opinions expressed below. For information on previous articles, please contact the publishing newspaper directly.
January 14, 2026
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The Florida Bar
TANENBAUM JOINS THE SUPREME COURT
The Florida Bar | Article | January 14, 2026
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Jan. 14 appointed First District Court of Appeal Judge Adam Tanenbaum to the Florida Supreme Court to replace retiring Justice Charles Canady. Gov. DeSantis also appointed Judge Tanenbaum to the First DCA, where he has presided since November 2019. During his time on the First DCA, Judge Tanenbaum has served on the Florida Court Education Council as well as The Florida Bar’s Appellate Court Rules Committee and Civil Standard Jury Instructions Committee. He also has served on the legislative and education committees for the Florida Conference of DCA Judges, and he frequently lectured on common-law writs, judicial power, remedies and jurisdiction.
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Florida Supreme Court
TECO RATE HIKE IGNORED AFFORDABILITY ISSUES, LAWYERS TELL FLORIDA SUPREME COURT
Tampa Bay Times | Article | January 14, 2026
State utility regulators failed to adequately consider how Tampa Electric’s rate hikes would make it harder for Floridians to afford their bills, new filings before the Florida Supreme Court argue. They were submitted by Public Counsel Walt Trierweiler, the Legislature-appointed advocate for utility customers who has appealed regulators’ decision in the 2024 case to the court. Trierweiler and a separate group of attorneys representing two consumer groups are asking justices to overturn aspects of the rate hike, which took effect last year. “The Legislature clearly required the Commission to include the goal of affordability in its decision making, not shrug the idea off,” Trierweiler wrote, referencing the Florida Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities. His office submitted the filings Monday [Jan. 12] to the court. Commissioners failed to conduct any analysis focused on affordability, he continued, with the rationale that it was impossible to measure.
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Criminal Justice Issues
IS WINTER HAVEN THE NEW BATTLEGROUND FOR FLORIDA'S TREATMENT OF HOMELESS?
Lakeland Ledger | Article | January 13, 2026
Winter Haven City Attorney Fred Murphy rebutted the state's claim that the city has violated Florida’s public camping and sleeping law by allowing individuals to sleep along Central Avenue and Kiwanis Park in a Jan. 9 response to the Attorney General's Office. Attorney General James Uthmeier sent a letter to the city on Jan. 6 and posted it on the social media platform X. Uthmeier made clear that he doesn't think the city's actions go far enough and that it is not an isolated issue in Central Florida. Murphy's response cites that homelessness is on the decline in Winter Haven, as the number of homeless individuals dropped by 38% from 2024 to 2025, according to numbers from the Florida Department of Children and Families. Uthmeier indicated his office expects further dialogue with Winter Haven to bring the city into compliance and is willing to offer its assistance.
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Civil Justice
SOUTH FLORIDA ATTORNEYS OBTAIN $15.5M SETTLEMENT TIED TO CHILD DROWNING
Daily Business Review | Article | January 13, 2026
In a case that turned on a technical, but consequential distinction in stormwater design, Adam Finkel and Michael Haggard, two Coral Gables attorneys obtained a $15.5 million settlement for the family of a child who drowned in a Florida detention pond. The Goodlander family, represented by Finkel and Haggard, partners at the Haggard Law Firm, sued TPI Management Services LLC and Huntington Reserve Associates Ltd., alleging that a dry detention pond meant to collect runoff temporarily had been allowed to deteriorate into a permanent, hazardous body of water. “What was unique about this case was educating the defense on what this case was about,” Finkel said. “The defense is always going to deny liability, but they did not understand the difference between a wet retention pond and a dry detention pond and why the violation of different rules and standards is what created this absolutely dangerous condition.”
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Judiciary
APPLICANTS SOUGHT FOR TWO 12th CIRCUIT COURT JUDGESHIPS
The Bradenton Times | Article | January 13, 2026
The 12th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission will submit two nominees to Gov. Ron DeSantis to fill judicial vacancies in the 12th Judicial Circuit Court created by Senate Bill 2508 and the retirement of Judge Lon Arend. The commission also will recommend candidates for the open Manatee County Court position created by SB 2508. Applicants must be active members of The Florida Bar for at least five years, be registered voters and residents of the court’s territorial jurisdiction at the time they assume office.
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Legal Profession
‘IMPROVEMENTS ARE NECESSARY’: UNION COUNTY COURTHOUSE UNDER RENOVATION TO INCREASE SECURITY
WCJB | Article | January 13, 2026
A $1.2 million legislative appropriation grant is funding renovations at the Union County Courthouse, one of Florida’s oldest courthouses. The east side of the courthouse is currently blocked off with cones and will soon serve as the building’s only public entrance. “People are having to come here and deal with some of the most traumatic experiences in their life, and so we need to make sure that’s a safe environment for people,” Union County Judge Mitchell Bishop said. Judge Bishop said enhanced security is the top priority because upgraded equipment is not currently available. While the courthouse has surveillance and the sheriff’s office on-site, additional improvements are planned.
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Other
APPLICATIONS SOUGHT FOR VACANCIES ON FLORIDA BOARD OF BAR EXAMINERS BOARD
Jacksonville Daily Record | Article | January 13, 2026
The Florida Board of Bar Examiners is seeking applicants to fill two attorney vacancies and one nonlawyer public member seat on the board. The appointments are for five-year terms beginning Nov. 1, 2026, and expiring Oct. 31, 2031. Attorney applicants must be active members in good standing of The Florida Bar for at least five years, maintain active membership while serving on the board and be deemed qualified by the court to assess whether applicants meet the essential eligibility requirements for admission under the Rules of the Supreme Court Relating to Admissions to the Bar. A public member volunteer must have a bachelor’s degree and be deemed qualified by the court to assess whether applicants for admission to The Florida Bar meet the essential eligibility requirements for admission.