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 23, 2020
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The Florida Bar
COVID-19 PANDEMIC RECOVERY TASK FORCE LOOKS FOR WAYS ADDRESS CASE BACKLOGS
The Florida Bar | Article | September 23, 2020
The Bar’s COVID-19 Pandemic Recovery Task Force, with the aid of the Trial Lawyers Section, is working on recommendations to address the backlog of cases after jury trials resume on a more routine basis. Florida Bar President-elect Michael Tanner, the task force chair, stressed that more work needs to be done. “We heard a very good and detailed report on the possible approaches to deal with this,” Tanner said. “It was received positively and there are many steps to go.”
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Judiciary
SETTLEMENT REACHED, SUSPENSION RESCINDED IN TALLAHASSEE JUDGE DISPUTE
Tallahassee Democrat | Article | September 22, 2020
Administrative law Judge John Van Laningham, who was disciplined after raising questions about the actions of Chief Judge John MacIver, will have his five-day suspension rescinded under a settlement released Tuesday [Sept. 22.] Judge Van Laningham asserted in footnotes that notations made by Judge MacIver, then the chief judge of the state Division of Administrative Hearings, “are or might be” improper “ex parte communications.”The order was in a case about a South Florida horse track. Van Laninghamwas accused of insubordination and misconduct.
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Civil Justice
ALACHUA COUNTY LAWYER TAKES STATE ATTORNEY RACE TO FLORIDA SUPREME COURT
News 4 Jax | Article | September 23, 2020
Alachua County attorney Beverly McCallum filed a notice Tuesday [Sept. 22] as an initial step in asking the Supreme Court to review an August decision by the First District Court of Appeal that blocked her from running for state attorney in the Eighth Judicial Circuit, which is made up of Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy and Union counties. McCallum, a Democrat, and Republican Brian Kramer filed qualifying papers in April to run to replace outgoing State Attorney Bill Cervone. But Kramer filed a lawsuit alleging that McCallum did not meet a constitutional requirement that state attorneys be members of The Florida Bar for the previous five years because of a 15-day suspension she had been given by the Florida Supreme Court.
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Legal Profession
‘YOU KNOW WHAT? IT’S NOT FINE’: LAWYERS GET CANDID ABOUT COPING WITH STRESS
Daily Business Review | Article | September 22, 2020
A group of seasoned attorneys from Florida and Texas had blunt words for new lawyers, law students and their employers Monday [Sept. 21] when they hosted a webinar about dealing with stress and the dangers of waiting to seek help. They pointed to a 2019 survey from the Young Lawyers Division of The Florida Bar that found 61 percent of new lawyers suffered from depression or anxiety. “When you ask a lawyer, ‘How is everything?’ they always say, ‘Everything’s fine,’” Miami ethics and white-collar defense lawyer Brian Tannebaum said. ”‘How’s business?’ ‘Business is great.’ Everything is always just fine. And you know what? It’s not fine. Things aren’t fine, and I think one of the things we can do is have better conversations.”
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Civil Justice
THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS ON THE 2020 BALLOT, EXPLAINED
Tampa Bay Times | Article | September 23, 2020
Florida voters have the power to dramatically change the laws of the state on Nov. 3. And not just by electing political candidates. Half a dozen constitutional amendments could permanently shape Florida policy: Voters could raise the minimum wage, change how elections are held and even make it more difficult to pass future amendments. Here’s a rundown of what a yes or no vote could mean for each one.
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Judiciary
EX-FLORIDA JUSTICES: COMMISSION TO BLAME FOR LACK OF BLACK SUPREME COURT JUSTICES
Sun Sentinel | Column | September 22, 2020
Barbara Pariente, the second female justice to serve on the Florida Supreme Court, and Peggy Quince, the first African American female justice to serve on the Florida Supreme Court, write: “Sadly, the Supreme Court of Florida has been without a single Black justice since the retirement of Justice Peggy Quince — almost two years ago. Even though there have been five vacancies on the Court since then, the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC), the committee that vets judicial applicants and forwards names to the governor, nominated only one Black applicant, Renatha Francis, and that individual was not even constitutionally qualified to fill the position. . . So, one has to ask what litmus test the nine JNC members used when they could not find a single qualified Black candidate to include on the list to fill the two most recent vacancies on the Court.”
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Civil Justice
ANNA ESKAMANI: COVID-19 SHOWS WHY FLORIDA NEEDS TO FUND CIVIL LEGAL AID
Tallahassee Democrat | Column | September 22, 2020
State Rep. Anna Eskamani, D – Orlando, writes: “The COVID-19 pandemic has led to millions of Floridians facing significant civil legal issues which threaten their livelihoods, families and homes. . . The options for legal representation are limited, and as public servants, we often look towards civil legal aid organizations as a safety net for Floridians navigating these crises. . . With every late monthly payment and eviction notice posted on someone’s door comes the need for civil legal aid. Yet in Florida, this essential service is both underfunded and severely strained.”
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Civil Justice
BLOOMBERG RAISES $16 MILLION TO HELP FLORIDA FELONS REGAIN RIGHT TO VOTE
Orlando Sentinel | Article | September 22, 2020
The former Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg has helped raise more than $20 million so that felons in Florida who completed their prison sentences can vote in the Nov. 3 presidential election. A federal appellate court ruled on Sept. 11 that in addition to serving their sentences, Florida felons must pay all fines, restitution, and legal fees before they can regain their right to vote. The money is targeted for felons who registered to vote while the law was in question and who owe $1,500 or less. That accounts for about 31,100 people.
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Legal Discipline
VERO BEACH ATTORNEY ENTERS NO-CONTEST PLEA, FOUND GUILTY ON DUI CHARGE FROM AUG. 29 CRASH
TC Palm | Article | September 22, 2020
Circuit Judge Dan Vaughn found Vero Beach attorney Louis “Buck” Vocelle Jr. guilty Monday [Sept. 21] on a DUI charge and suspended his driver’s license, ordering him to attend rehab and perform community service. Vocelle is on the Indian River Mosquito Control District board and is running for re-election Nov. 3. The Florida Bar has a case open concerning the arrest.
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Wellness Wednesday
IT’S PROBABLY TIME FOR A SELF CHECK-IN—HERE’S HOW TO DO IT
The Florida Bar | Article | September 23, 2020
Staying attuned to your emotions can help boost resilience, lower anxiety, and point you toward activities that bring joy. Make a self check-in your new healthy habit.