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 20, 2024
-
The Florida Bar
THE FLORIDA BAR TO SWEAR IN NEW PRESIDENT AND PRESIDENT-ELECT TOMORROW
The Florida Bar | Article | June 20, 2024
Miami’s Roland Sanchez-Medina, Jr., will be sworn in as The Florida Bar’s 76th president and West Palm Beach’s Rosalyn Sia Baker-Barnes will become president-elect tomorrow [Friday, June 21] at the 2024 Annual Florida Bar Convention. The installation of the two top officers, along with a State of the Bar address by outgoing President F. Scott Westheimer, will be featured during the General Assembly at 9 a.m. ET on Friday. The assembly will also include awards announcements and remarks by Sanchez-Medina as incoming president. The General Assembly will be livestreamed on The Florida Bar’s YouTube channel and on FloridaBar.org.
-
The Florida Bar
IMPROVED VLEX FASTCASE IS FREE TO FLORIDA BAR MEMBERS
The Florida Bar | Article | June 20, 2024
Since 2005, Fastcase’s legal research has been a mainstay of The Florida Bar’s member benefits line-up, offering members free access to Florida cases, statutes, and regulations – with subscription access to the full national research service for $55 per year. In 2023, Fastcase merged with vLex, a global legal intelligence company. The combined vLex Fastcase “is as committed as ever to democratizing the law and providing the best in legal research” according to the company. In the second half of 2024, The Florida Bar will launch an upgrade to its member benefit program, offering the same core services for free, with some major improvements. The improved “vLex Fastcase” service will provide free access to extensive primary law collections, including case law, statutes, regulations, and constitutions.
-
The Florida Bar
JUDICIAL BRANCH RECEIVES A BUDGET BOOST
The Florida Bar | Article | June 20, 2024
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ nearly $1 billion in vetoes spared most of the court spending priorities that lawmakers approved in their initial, $117 billion proposed budget for FY 2024-25. Even after the vetoes, the judicial branch’s $741.3 million budget for FY 2024-25 represents a $30.6 million, or 4.3% increase over the current year. The court system’s approximately 4,600-member workforce will increase by 101 FTEs, or full-time equivalent positions. Legislators fully or partially funded most court spending priorities, with the notable exception of an $8 million request to begin construction of a new facility for the Sixth District Court of Appeal, and a $27 million request to enhance case management technology in the trial courts. However, lawmakers approved the court system’s $1.8 million request for repairs to the Fifth District Court of Appeal facility in Daytona Beach.
-
Civil Justice
PASCO COMMISSION AND CLERK REACH SETTLEMENT IN BUDGET DISPUTE
Tampa Bay Times | Article | June 20, 2024
After three years of legal wrangling over the funding her office gets from Pasco County, Clerk of Court and Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles has settled a lawsuit with the county. While Alvarez-Sowles was not successful in winning money to run a full office in a second courthouse, Florida’s Second District Court of Appeal did side with her argument that she deserved to be reimbursed for heading up the criminal justice tracking technology program she runs for the county. On Tuesday [June 18], commissioners voted 4-0 to approve Alvarez-Sowles’ a settlement offer, which was announced earlier that day. Alvarez-Sowles sued Pasco County in 2021 seeking clarity regarding statutory funding obligations. She said the county has resisted providing full funding for the criminal justice tracking system and for the operating costs for the West Pasco Judicial Center, the second full-service courthouse in New Port Richey. In February 2023, the trial court judge ruled against the clerk’s office on both issues and Alvarez-Sowles appealed the decision.
-
Legislature
FAMILY LAW ATTORNEYS APPLAUD LEGISLATURE, GOVERNOR FOR PUTTING FLORIDA FAMILIES FIRST
Tallahassee Democrat | Column | June 20, 2024
The Florida Bar Family Law Section Chair Sarah Kay writes, “On behalf of The Family Law Section of The Florida Bar, we extend our gratitude to the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis for their pivotal actions in passing and signing into law several key pieces of legislation that significantly uplift and safeguard families across our state. The legislative actions . . . mark substantial progress toward ensuring justice, safety, and support for all Florida families. One cornerstone of a fair and just family law system is the equitable distribution of marital assets. The recent legislation enhances fairness and clarity in this realm . . . This update is crucial for providing proper guidance to the judiciary as well as providing both spouses with the opportunity to rebuild their lives on stable financial footing, fostering a more balanced and equitable process for all involved.”