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 14, 2019
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The Florida Bar
MYFLORIDABAR MEMBER PORTAL INCLUDES NEW FEATURES
The Florida Bar | Article | May 09, 2019
This week, FloridaBarNews.TV highlights the recently updated MyFloridaBar Member Portal on the Bar’s website, which now offers members the option of listing an alternate first name for the Find-a-Lawyer search feature on FloridaBar.org. The updates include: improved navigation; a dedicated My Meetings page; a new, integrated search for CLE courses and products; a dedicated Sections page; updated and improved event registration; and the new alternate first-name profile option.
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Legal Profession
ABA LEGAL ED SECTION’S COUNCIL TO RECONSIDER STRICTER BAR PASSAGE STANDARD
ABA Journal | Article | May 10, 2019
The ABA’s Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar will revisit a controversial proposal to tighten law school standards regarding bar passage rates when it meets in Chicago on May 17. An agenda for the open session portion of the meeting does not list what actions will be considered on the proposed revision to Standard 316, which currently mandates a 75 percent pass rate for all graduates over the five most recent calendar years, or a 75 percent pass rate for at least three of those five years. The ABA House of Delegates voted against the proposed revision in February 2017 and January 2019.
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Legal Profession
AKERMAN’S RICHARD MILSTEIN REFLECTS ON A LIFETIME OF ACTIVISM
Daily Business Review | Article | May 10, 2019
Richard Milstein believes his passion for justice is in his DNA. It’s a strong assertion that could come across as trite if he didn’t have four decades’ worth of experience and accolades to back it up. Since earning his J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law in 1973, the Akerman partner has tailored his probate practice and pro bono work to serve the needs of Miami’s most vulnerable residents, encompassing everyone from the elderly to underprivileged children and the city’s LGBTQ community. In April, the Florida Bar Foundation awarded Milstein its 2019 Medal of Honor in recognition of his activism. He’s previously been awarded the Tobias Simon Pro Bono Service Award, Florida’s highest honor for pro bono legal services.
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Criminal Justice Issues
FLORIDA PRISONER HIRED FELLOW INMATE TO BE HIS LAWYER. IT WAS A SCAM, FDLE SAYS
Orlando Sentinel | Article | May 10, 2019
Bryan Pike thought he met a lawyer in prison. He decided to hire Jonathan William Morris II to represent him in court after Morris was released from Tomoka Correctional Institution, where they both had been serving time. Pike signed what he thought were legal contracts and had his mother send $540 for the services of “Morris Law Group.” But “Morris Law Group” is not a law firm, and Morris is not a lawyer – he’s a convicted fraudster. Morris, 52, was arrested Tuesday [May 7], accused by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement of stealing more than $3,000 from the families of inmates by pretending to be a lawyer – using The Florida Bar number of an actual lawyer.
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Judiciary
8 SEEK ST. LUCIE COUNTY JUDGESHIP; 1 IS FIRST-TIME APPLICANT
TCPalm | Article | May 10, 2019
Eight applicants are seeking to replace St. Lucie County Judge Phillip Yacucci Jr. when he retires June 30. The 19th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission will interview the applicants May 14 [today] at the St. Lucie County clerk’s office in Fort Pierce. The commission will send its short list of up to six nominees the next day. Gov. Ron DeSantis has 60 days to announce his appointment.
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Legal Profession
BREVARD COUNTY COMMISSIONER: NO CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Florida Today | Article | May 13, 2019
Attorney and Brevard County Commission Vice Chair Bryan Lober defended his decision to represent the husband of County Commission Chair Kristine Isnardi in a criminal case, saying there is “no conflict” with his being Dave Isnardi’s lawyer. Dave Isnardi, 59, a former Palm Bay deputy city manager, was arrested Friday [May 10] on a series of felony charges. “My representation of Dave is totally distinct from my work as vice chair of the County Commission,” Lober said Monday [May 13].
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Judiciary
JUDGE HENDERSON TO RETIRE AFTER NEARLY 25 YEARS ON MANATEE COUNTY BENCH
Bradenton Herald | Article | May 07, 2019
After nearly 25 years on the bench, Manatee County Judge Doug Henderson has decided to retire at the end of September. Henderson, 67, announced his resignation in an April 12 letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis. He will not serve out the remainder of his term, which ends in January 2023. The 12th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission is accepting applications for those interested in succeeding Henderson. Applications are due May 22. Interviews, which are open to the public, are tentatively scheduled for June 7.
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Civil Justice Issues
SEX-HARASSMENT ALLEGATION BRINGS SUSPENSION OF FLORIDA’S TOP FINANCIAL REGULATOR
South Florida Sun-Sentinel | Article | May 13, 2019
Ronald Rubin, recently hired as the state’s top financial regulator, has been placed on administrative leave amid an investigation into alleged inappropriate behavior toward an employee. State Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, a member of the Cabinet, announced the move late Friday [May 10] and released a sexual-harassment complaint, which includes significant redactions and does not give the name, job title or even gender of the employee. “If they are true, the Cabinet should strongly consider the termination of Commissioner Rubin,” Attorney General Ashley Moody said in a statement. “This should be addressed at an emergency Cabinet meeting in full compliance with Florida’s Sunshine Laws.”
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Civil Justice Issues
COLUMN: A NEW POLL TAX WILL SUPPRESS FLORIDA’S VOTING REFORM
Washington Post | Column | May 14, 2019
Katrina vanden Heuvel writes: “One of the most inspiring victories of the 2018 elections was in Florida, where voters approved a constitutional amendment that re-enfranchised an estimated 1.4 million people with felony convictions. . . . This month, the Florida Legislature passed along partisan lines a bill that requires former felons to clear new financial hurdles before they become eligible to vote. . . . For many of those affected, the new law will impose a financial burden that is impossible to meet.”
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Civil Justice Issues
FLORIDA CABINET MEETING IN ISRAEL RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT PUBLIC ACCESS
Orlando Sentinel | Article | May 14, 2019
Visitors to Florida’s capital who come to address their government often complain that it is out of the way in Tallahassee. Anyone planning on attending the next Florida Cabinet meeting faces a much longer trek. It’s being held May 29 in Israel. The distance, the seven-hour time difference and the difficult logistics of making the meeting available to any Floridian wishing to attend or take part has open government advocates questioning whether it complies with state laws that require government meetings to be open to the public. A spokeswoman for Gov. Ron DeSantis told the News Service of Florida last week the meeting would comply with state laws but did not respond to further request for comment Monday [May 13] as to how that would be done.
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Tech Tip
AMAZON: GET SHIPMENT UPDATES VIA TEXT
The Florida Bar | Tech Tip | May 14, 2019
For those who appreciate up-to-the-minute alerts about packages and deliveries, there are Amazon text alerts. You can sign up to receive tracking information via text message for all your orders. Amazon will send a standard text message when your package has shipped and another when it has been delivered.