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Daily News Summary

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.

June 17, 2024

  1. The Florida Bar

    ‘EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF MARITAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES’ BILL BECOME LAW

    The Florida Bar | Article | June 17, 2024

    Florida divorce proceedings will be more uniform under a measure, crafted with the help of the Family Law Section, that Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signed. DeSantis on June 13 signed HB 521, “Equitable Distribution of Marital Assets” by Republican Rep. Traci Koster, a marital and family law attorney from Tampa. When she introduced it on the House floor, Koster assured her colleagues that the Family Law Section was “integral” to the crafting of the language. A key component clarifies the distribution of assets, Koster said. “With regard to the distribution of assets, the bill provides a framework for the interim partial distribution during the course of the dissolution of marriage action,” Koster said. Another provision creates guidelines that courts can use when determining the value of a “closely held business.” The bill becomes effective July 1, 2024.

  2. The Florida Bar

    FLORIDA BAR CONVENTION THIS WEEK STRIVES FOR COLLABORATION AMONG LAWYERS

    Florida Politics | Article | June 17, 2024

    Thousands of lawyers will descend on Orlando this week for the Annual Florida Bar Convention, and this year’s theme will be “The Power of Us, Collaborating for Tomorrow.” The 2024 Annual Florida Bar Convention will be held Wednesday through Saturday [June 19-22], and it will focus on the importance of cooperation among Florida lawyers and how that can influence the future of practicing law. Florida Bar members will also install their top representatives in the organization. Roland Sanchez-Medina Jr., a Miami lawyer, will be installed as the 76th President of the Florida Bar. Lawyer Rosalyn Sia Baker-Barnes of West Palm Beach will be installed as President-elect. There is a large lineup of events through the duration of the event including a judicial luncheon on Thursday, which will honor top members of the judiciary branch in Florida. Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Carlos G. Muñiz will deliver the State of the Judiciary address.

  3. Legislature

    ‘IT MAY STYMIE SOME PLAINTIFF FIRMS’: ATTORNEYS REACT TO NEW FLORIDA LAWS

    Daily Business Review | Article | June 14, 2024

    In the latest round of Florida’s sweeping legislative reform, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed another dozen bills into law Thursday [June 13], adding to the 122 already on the books this legislative session. Among the new legislation is a bill regarding the recovery of attorney fees and costs in certain disputes regarding property rights. This newest Florida law, which takes effect July 1, is authored by Lee County State Sen. Jonathan Allen Martin, who is also an attorney with Aloia, Roland, Lubell & Morgan in Fort Myers. Jason Beau Giller, founder and managing partner of Giller P.A., is familiar with the new law and expressed enthusiasm for SB 702′s potential. He thinks it will streamline the legal process by way of defining the term “property rights” and requiring courts to award reasonable attorney fees and costs to a prevailing defendant in certain civil actions under specified circumstances.

  4. Civil Justice

    APPELLATE COURT APPEARS DIVIDED ON DESANTIS’ ‘STOP WOKE’ LAW

    Politico | Article | June 14, 2024

    A panel of three federal appeals court judges appeared divided at a hearing Friday [June 14] on the constitutionality of a Florida law that would limit what state university professors say to students in the classroom. Professors and students sued to stop the law, leading Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker to grant a preliminary injunction months after the law took effect in 2022. Lawyers for the Florida Board of Education appealed Walker’s decision. During Friday’s hearing before the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Miami, Board of Education lawyer Charles Cooper argued that unlike private colleges, public school professors should follow guidelines for classroom discussions that match the viewpoint of the state’s government. Judges Britt C. Grant and Barbara Lagoa at times seemed to agree that previous court decisions upholding restrictions on speech in classrooms in different cases were rightly decided. Judge Charles R. Wilson, meanwhile, seemed to agree with a lawyer for the plaintiffs, who said college students should be allowed to engage in debate about the topics they are learning in class.

  5. Civil Justice

    MIAMI-DADE STATE ATTORNEY URGES RESIDENTS TO CALL HOTLINE TO REPORT PRICE GOUGING

    Local 10 | Article | June 14, 2024

    Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle announced in a news release Friday [June 14] that her office’s Price Gouging Hotline is operational and ready to respond to any complaints of price gouging following the state of emergency declared this week by Gov. Ron DeSantis. “Intense flooding has prompted a state of emergency to be issued in South Florida,” Rundle said in the statement. “Financially exploiting a crisis, such as this, is not only unethical – but illegal. According to Florida law, when a state of emergency is issued, business owners may be prosecuted if they use a disaster to hike prices. To report any suspicion of price gouging, residents may call the State Attorney’s Hotline at 305-547-3300. The State Attorney’s Office asks that complaints include the business name, physical address, item or items believed to be price-gouged with photos and receipt(s), and contact information to communicate with the complainant.

  6. Judiciary

    WE VOTE ON JUDGES, TOO: THE FLORIDA COURT SYSTEM

    Fort Myers News-Press | Column | June 16, 2024

    Sandy Parker of Sparker’s Soapbox writes: “Florida voters vote on all judges, so an informed voter needs a basic understanding of the judicial branch of Florida’s government. The system of state courts within the judicial branch of Florida government comprises the Supreme Court, six district courts of appeal, 20 circuit courts, and 67 county courts . . . Supreme Court justices and district court judges are initially appointed by the governor from a list of names submitted by a Judicial Nominating Commission. After the initial appointment, voters decide if they should continue serving. Specifically, they must face the voters in a “yes” or “no” (aka “merit retention”) vote as to whether they should remain in office. Their first merit retention vote occurs in the next general election that is more than one year after their appointment. County and circuit court judicial candidates compete in nonpartisan primaries designed to narrow the field to two candidates for the general election.”

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