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.
September 17, 2019
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The Florida Bar Foundation
FOUNDATION SURPASSES $500 MILLION IN LIFETIME GRANT FUNDING
The Florida Bar News | Article | September 17, 2019
With its board’s approval Sept. 13 of $3.3 million to provide nine grants though its Engle Grant program, the Florida Bar Foundation has given more than half a billion dollars in grants since 1982. Last year, the Foundation distributed $10.8 million in grants to more than 40 legal aid organizations in Florida. More than 80,000 legal aid cases were handled by Foundation grantees in 2018. A 2016 study found that civil legal assistance generates $7.19 of economic impact for every dollar spent on legal aid.
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The Florida Bar
ORLANDO LAWYER COMES TO THE AID OF BAHAMIANS
The Florida Bar News | Article | September 17, 2019
Guy Haggard, a veteran pilot and attorney who is board certified in aviation law, flew from his hometown of Orlando to the Bahamas following Hurricane Dorian to deliver much needed supplies. Haggard was one of the first pilots to receive an entry permit from the Bahamian government after the storm, and he credits the government with responding quickly. Haggard managed three flights over two days, Sept. 6 and Sept. 8. He estimates that he never stayed on the ground for more than 30 minutes, long enough to unload supplies and take on a few passengers.
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Legal Profession
WHICH FLORIDA LAW SCHOOLS HAVE THE HIGHEST BAR PASSAGE RATE? NEW FLORIDA BAR RESULTS POSTED
Florida Times-Union | Article | September 16, 2019
With Monday’s [Sept.16] release of the July 2019 Florida Bar examination results, Florida International University’s College of Law has secured itself as having graduates perform better than any other school. In July’s examinations, 95.7 percent of its students passed, 111 out of 116. Over the course of the last 11 years, FIU has the highest passage rate of any school, followed by Florida State University and the University of Florida. Ave Maria School of Law has the lowest rate over the last 11 years with a passage rate of 58.5 percent.
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Legislative
DESANTIS, FLORIDA LAWMAKERS CONSIDER CHANGES IN TROUBLED GUARDIANSHIP PROGRAM
Orlando Sentinel | Article | September 16, 2019
Legislative leaders and officials of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration on Monday [Sept. 16] met with judges, guardianship trade groups, state attorneys and representatives of the Elder Law Section of The Florida Bar to discuss ways to protect seniors from exploitative or neglectful guardians. Some of the ideas being discussed include capping the number of cases each guardian can take on and requiring a judge to approve a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order. They also include increased standards for guardians and more thorough monitoring. More stringent penalties for guardians who violate the law could be in the works as well.
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Civil Justice
FLORIDA JUDGE DENIES BID BY EPSTEIN VICTIMS TO NULLIFY NON-PROSECUTION DEAL
New York Times | Article | September 16, 2019
The suicide of Jeffrey E. Epstein in a New York jail last month has rendered moot the attempts by his victims to invalidate a 12-year-old agreement not to prosecute him on federal charges in connection with a wide-ranging sex trafficking investigation, a federal judge ruled on Monday [Sept. 16]. Judge Kenneth A. Marra of the Federal District Court in West Palm Beach had ruled this year that prosecutors had violated the law when they failed to tell victims about the 2007 agreement not to prosecute Epstein, raising the possibility that the agreement could be nullified and that the victims could finally get their day in court. But his death has removed the basis for the victims’ request to rescind the non-prosecution agreement, Judge Marra ruled Monday.
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Civil Justice
CONDO BOARDS ‘FATTEN COFFERS’ WITH ILLEGAL FEES. RESIDENTS JUST WON A CLASS-ACTION SETTLEMENT
Miami Herald | Article | September 17, 2019
A condominium association accused of charging residents inflated fees in violation of state law has agreed to pay up to $300,000 to settle a class-action lawsuit. The lawsuit argued that The Plaza 851 Brickell Condominium Association had ripped members off by charging mandatory, non-refundable “transfer” fees greater than $100 when they applied to lease a unit and move in. The association required residents to pay a $150 screening/application fee and a $200 move-in/move-out fee — a charge $250 in excess of what state law allows.
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Tech Tip
INSTALL NEW DESKTOP THEMES IN WINDOWS 10
The Florida Bar News | Tech Tip | September 17, 2019
You can personalize your Windows look and feel with Windows Themes. Themes include elements like desktop backgrounds and images (some rotate/change regularly) colors, fonts and even sounds. You can search for and select themes that suit your mood, your personality or the season. Learn how.