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 13, 2022
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The Florida Bar
BOARD TO EXAMINE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE QUALIFYING PROVIDER RULES
The Florida Bar | Article | May 13, 2022
On May 20, The Florida Bar Board of Governors will consider a proposed rule amendment requiring qualifying providers/lawyer referral services to include at least four attorneys from separate firms. Generally, qualifying providers are matching or referral programs, or group or pooled advertising programs, with a common name or telephone number. A single lawyer assuming the guise of a qualifying provider would violate Bar rules against false or misleading advertisements. But the qualifying provider rule doesn’t specify a minimum number, which is largely what this proposal aims to clarify.
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Legal Profession
ORANGE BAR ASSOCIATION ELECTS ALL WOMEN OFFICERS FOR FIRST TIME
Orlando Sentinel | Article | May 12, 2022
For the first time in its 89-year history, the Orange County Bar Association (OCBA) elected four female officers this week to lead the organization of more than 3,000 judges, attorneys, and legal professionals. Karen Persis will serve as OCBA’s president for the 2022-2023 term, the association said in a news release. Amber Davis was elected as president-elect, and Arti Ajit Hirani and Keshara D. Cowans will serve as treasurer and secretary, respectively.
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Civil Justice
SECRETARY OF STATE LEE RESIGNS AMID LEGAL CHALLENGES, ELECTION PREPARATIONS
Orlando Sentinel | Article | May 12, 2022
Florida Secretary of State Laurel Lee submitted her resignation to Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday [May 12], stepping down amid several legal challenges to state election laws and while preparations are under way for the 2022 midterms. Lee said her last day would be Monday [May 16], a month before the candidate qualifying period begins for state and congressional races.
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Legislative
GOV. DESANTIS SIGNS BILL FORTIFYING RIGHTS FOR CRIME VICTIMS
Florida Politics | Article | May 12, 2022
On Thursday [May 12], Gov. Ron DeSantis signed SB 1012, a multi-prong measure to bolster crime victims’ rights. The new law, set to take effect July 1, requires law enforcement to inform crime victims of their right to counsel. It also encourages The Florida Bar to develop a list of attorneys willing to work pro bono for crime victims. The bill also contains a slew of secondary provisions. Among others, it would clarify state law by saying crime victims may “upon request” attend or be heard at a criminal proceeding.
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Judiciary
GOV. DESANTIS COULD ELEVATE 1 OF THESE 6 NOMINEES TO CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE
Daily Business Review | Article | May 12, 2022
Gov. Ron DeSantis has less than 60 days to choose one of the six candidates that the Fifteenth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission recommended as replacements for Palm Beach Circuit Judge Janis Keyser, who retires on June 30. The nominees include private practice and city attorneys, prosecutors, and county court judges.
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Civil Justice
STATE ATTORNEY CREATING WAY FOR FORMER FELONS TO DETERMINE VOTING ELIGIBILITY
Gainesville Sun | Column | May 13, 2022
State Attorney for the Eighth Judicial Circuit Brian Kramer writes: “As state attorney for the Eighth Judicial Circuit, I swore an oath to support, protect and defend both the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the state of Florida. . . Today, I write to introduce you to a new role . . . I am starting the V8th program, short for Vote in the 8th Circuit. This program will serve the dual function of effectuating Amendment 4 and enhancing election security. We will accomplish this by offering my opinion on whether an individual has completed all the terms of his or her sentence. I must be clear that it is not the role of the state attorney to make this determination. However, enforcing the law of the state of Florida, and preventing potential criminal actions are squarely within the purview of the state attorney.”
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Judiciary
A FLAWED SYSTEM FOR CHOOSING FLORIDA JUSTICES
Sun Sentinel | Editorial | May 12, 2022
The Sun Sentinel Editorial Board writes: “The select group that nominates Florida Supreme Court justices is back at work. The panel is taking applications for the third time since Ron DeSantis became governor. . . DeSantis told the commission to send him six finalists . . . which is questionable in two respects. A textualist reading of the Constitution suggests that the choice of how many finalists is the commission’s call, not the governor’s . . . An independent commission would make that choice for itself, but this one surely will obey the governor . . . It bears remembering that judicial independence is synonymous with judicial integrity. One cannot exist without the other.”