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.
April 13, 2021
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The Florida Bar
FLORIDA BAR EXAM TO BE ADMINISTERED REMOTELY IN JULY
The Florida Bar | Article | April 13, 2021
The Florida Board of Bar Examiners, with the approval of the Supreme Court, announces that the administration of the General Bar Examination scheduled for July 27-28 will be administered remotely. The board successfully administered the examination remotely using ExamSoft Worldwide software on February 23-24 to 1,854 applicants. The board will use ExamSoft to administer the July 2021 examination. Applicants should check the Board’s website regularly for additional announcements about the upcoming General Bar Examination.
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Judiciary
THIRD DCA JUDGE IVAN FERNANDEZ IS NOT AFRAID OF REINVENTING HIMSELF
Daily Business Review | Article | April 12, 2021
Judge Ivan F. Fernandez will assume the role of chief judge at the Third District Court of Appeal on July 1. The first item on his agenda will be to get the Third DCA back to normal operations. That includes streamlining oral arguments and continue to utilize new technologies, such as Zoom. Fernandez plans to serve about two more years following the end of his term as chief judge, as he targets 2024 as the year in which he will retire.
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Judiciary
ST. JOHNS COUNTY JUDGE REQUEST ADVANCES IN TALLAHASSEE
St. Augustine Record | Article | April 13, 2021
An effort to increase the number of county judges in St. Johns County is advancing in the Florida Legislature, and county court officials said the need is critical. House Bill 5301 would, among other things, add one county judge for St. Johns County. It is currently being negotiated between the House and the Senate, but the bill recently received a 117-0 vote on the House floor.
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Legal Profession
FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY LEADS BAR EXAM PASS RATE IN FEBRUARY
Florida Politics | Article | April 12, 2021
Florida State University College of Law leads the state in the percentage of first-time Bar exam test-takers in February who passed the test required for admittance into The Florida Bar. Though the school had significantly fewer test-takers than other schools, of FSU’s nine examinees, seven passed the exam, or just under 78 percent. The next most successful school in the February cohort was Florida International University College of Law, with a 75 percent pass rate among its 20 first-time exam-takers.
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Criminal Justice
FAKE TAMPA IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY SENTENCED TO MORE THAN 20 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON
Tampa Bay Times | Article | April 12, 2021
Elvis Harold Reyes who portrayed himself as an attorney, pastor, accountant and former immigration official while stealing money from undocumented immigrants, was sentenced Monday [April 12] to 20 years and 9 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington. Reyes, of Brandon, had pleaded guilty four months ago to charges of mail fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with a scheme that affected dozens of Hispanic families.
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Judiciary
FL SUPREME COURT SHOULD SLAM ZILBER FOR SEXIST, ARROGANT BEHAVIOR UNBECOMING TO A JUDGE | EDITORIAL
Miami Herald | Article | April 12, 2021
The Miami Herald Editorial Board writes: “The Miami-Dade Circuit judge is facing a 60-day suspension and $30,000 fine for routinely skipping work, ordering his staff to run personal errands for him and, yes, having a staffer assemble a scrapbook of his achievements. . . In 2014, the Editorial Board recommended Zilber for this seat on the circuit court, impressed that he had undergone the rigorous Judicial Nominating Commission process, seeking an appointment bench from the governor. But who knew this is how he would misuse his authority?”
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Tech Tip
FREE TECH SUPPORT FOR SOLO AND SMALL FIRM ATTORNEYS
The Florida Bar | Article | April 13, 2021
The Florida Bar Tech Support Helpline is open and available to assist solo and small firms by providing remote computer, software, and related technology support to members of The Florida Bar to assist them with running their law practice and serving their clients. This Tech Support Helpline beta runs through May 15. Tech assistance is available via phone, live chat, email, or by virtual appointment at https://lawtechpartners.com/techhelpline/.