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.
May 12, 2025
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The Florida Bar
MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS LAW COMMITTEE TO HOST ‘HOT TOPICS IN PUBLIC RECORDS’ WEBINAR MAY 21
The Florida Bar | Article | May 12, 2025
On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 11 a.m. EDT, the Florida Bar’s Media & Communications Law Committee will host a free online webinar titled “Hot Topics in Public Records.” Open to all media and legal professionals, the session will address challenges reporters face in accessing public records. Panelists include moderator Susannah Nesmith (Goren, Cherof, Doody and Ezrol), Nolen “Drew” Bunker (Miami-Dade County Commission on Ethics & Public Trust), Scott Hiaasen (an attorney with Coffey Burlington and a former newspaper reporter, and Clerk Laura Roth (Volusia County Clerk of Courts). Registration is required via Zoom. The webinar replaces the 2024 in-person Florida Bar Reporters’ Workshop, traditionally held in Tallahassee for over 35 years, which was canceled due to Hurricane Milton. Instead, the Committee plans to host virtual sessions throughout the year to support journalists covering legal and court-related topics.
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United States Supreme Court
FORMER SUPREME COURT JUSTICE DAVID SOUTER DIES AT 85
Associated Press | Article | May 09, 2025
Retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter died Thursday [May 8] at his home in New Hampshire the court announced Friday [May 9]. Appointed by President George H.W. Bush in 1990, Souter surprised many by voting liberally on key issues such as abortion and church-state separation. He retired in June 2009, allowing President Barack Obama to appoint Sonia Sotomayor. Souter remained active on the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for over a decade after retirement. Known for his solitary lifestyle, Souter lived simply, shunned Washington social life, and spent summers hiking in New Hampshire. Despite initial conservative support, he helped reaffirm abortion rights in 1992, frustrating right-wing critics. Chief Justice John Roberts praised his wisdom and kindness. Souter, a Harvard and Oxford graduate, was a lifelong bachelor who valued privacy and rigorous work.
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Legal Discipline
RISING FORT LAUDERDALE ATTORNEY FACES ASSAULT AND BATTERY CHARGES
Daily Business Review | Article | May 12, 2025
On March 2, Fort Lauderdale attorney Jibrael S. Hindi allegedly threatened to kill his live-in girlfriend while holding a long gun and struck her, according to an arrest warrant. He was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and domestic battery. On March 18, Detective Brandon Koppelmann of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department applied for a warrant. Hindi was arrested the next day while driving his black Ferrari and taken to the Fort Lauderdale jail. He posted a $150,000 bond for the assault charge and $10,000 for the battery charge, and was placed under house arrest and electronic monitoring. Hindi pleaded not guilty, initially represented by attorney Eric Clayman. Known for filing over 1,000 consumer protection lawsuits since his admission to The Florida Bar in October 2015, Hindi later claimed in court filings that the alleged victim had attacked him, and that video and photo evidence supported his account.
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Judiciary
BROWARD JUDGE ACCUSED OF HIGHLIGHTING FAKE TAPE MALIGNING OTHER JURISTS
Daily Business Review | Article | May 09, 2025
The Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) filed formal charges against Broward County Judge Lauren Nicole Peffer on March 28. During her 2024 campaign, Peffer cited a self-published book by former Ninth Judicial Circuit employee Brett Arquette titled “The Ninth Circus Court of Florida, My 30-Year Job from Hell!”, despite never reading it or verifying its claims. In a June 26 questionnaire to the Sun Sentinel, she referenced an “image crisis” in the Ninth Circuit. She also shared a fabricated 18-minute recording that falsely appeared to feature Judges Lisa Munyon, Carlos Muñiz, and Renatha Francis. The JQC said Peffer admitted to hearing part of the audio and acknowledged a lack of due diligence. The Sun Sentinel endorsed her opponent, Emilio Benitez. Peffer apologized on Friday [May 9], accepting responsibility. The JQC charged her with violating Canons 7A(3)(b) and 7A(3)(e) of the Florida Code of Judicial Conduct for eroding public confidence in the judiciary.
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Legal Profession
YOUNG LAWYERS INSTITUTE WRAPS UP MAY 13
Jacksonville Daily Record | Article | May 09, 2025
The Jacksonville Bar Association Young Lawyers Institute concludes its 2024-25 educational series with a moderator-led panel discussion with analysis of the differences between mediation and arbitration. The program, sponsored by Miles Mediation & Arbitration, is noon to 1 p.m. May 13 in Chief Judge Lance Day’s chambers at the Duval County Courthouse. Specific topics include state and local procedures, preparation strategies for attorneys and clients and ethical principles such as maintaining neutrality, ensuring confidentiality and managing high emotions during the process.
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Criminal Justice
DESANTIS SIGNS DEATH WARRANT FOR FLORIDA’S SIXTH SCHEDULED EXECUTION THIS YEAR
News Service of Florida | Article | May 10, 2025
On Friday [May 9], Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a death warrant for Anthony Wainwright, convicted of kidnapping, raping, and murdering Carmen Gayheart in 1994. Wainwright, who had escaped from a North Carolina prison before the crime, is scheduled for execution on June 10 at Florida State Prison. The murder occurred in Lake City, Florida, when Gayheart was abducted from a Winn-Dixie parking lot. She was driven to a remote area in Hamilton County, where she was raped, strangled, and shot. Wainwright and co-defendant Richard Hamilton were arrested after a shootout in Mississippi. This will be Florida’s sixth execution in 2025. Wainwright’s previous appeals have failed, and while the Florida Supreme Court has set a schedule for his final appeal, he remains scheduled for lethal injection.