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.
August 08, 2024
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The Florida Bar
FLORIDA SUPREME COURT TIGHTENS BAR RULES: NO FICTITIOUS NAMES FOR ATTORNEYS
The Florida Bar | Article | August 08, 2024
The Florida Supreme Court amended Bar Rule 1-3.3, effective July 8, 2024, prohibiting Florida Bar members from using fictitious names as their official Bar name. Members must now practice under their legal name, and if necessary, change their official Bar name by submitting a request to the Florida Supreme Court. This can be done by emailing or mailing a letter or Name Change Form to the Clerk’s Office in Tallahassee. The amendments were part of a rules package approved in May in In Re: Amendments to Rules Regulating The Florida Bar — Miscellaneous Petition (Case No. SC2024-0030). Additionally, members must notify the Bar of any other states where they are licensed to practice law.
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Civil Justice
FLORIDA ATTORNEY GENERAL ENDS LAWSUIT AGAINST ACC OVER ESPN DEAL
Tampa Bay Times | Article | August 08, 2024
On August 2, 2024, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody dismissed her lawsuit against the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) over its ESPN contracts. Moody had sued the ACC in April, claiming the conference violated state public records laws by withholding contracts viewed by Florida State University employees. The ACC, ESPN, and other conferences argued the documents were protected as trade secrets. Last month, the ACC agreed to share the contracts, redacted to conceal trade secrets, by August 1. Following the ACC’s compliance, Moody filed a notice to dismiss the case. This lawsuit was separate but related to ongoing litigation between Florida State University, the ACC, and Clemson, involving the conference’s contracts and exit fees. Those cases continue in various courts.
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Legal Profession
THE COLOMBIAN AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION HAS DRAMATICALLY EXPANDED THANKS TO UNIVERSITY OUTREACH
Daily Business Review | Article | August 07, 2024
The Colombian American Bar Association (COLBAR), founded in Miami in 1995, has seen significant growth, increasing from 25 members four years ago to over 150 members today. Originally created to support Colombian-American lawyers, it now welcomes a diverse group of attorneys, including those with connections to Colombia. Founding members include Maria Sallato, who cites the organization’s importance for networking and referrals, and non-Colombians like retired Miami-Dade judge Alan Fine. Recent growth, driven by outreach to law students, has expanded COLBAR’s membership beyond South Florida, including direct members from Colombia. Current president Paula Arias highlights the organization’s role in providing community, mentorship, and combating prejudice, particularly for immigrant lawyers. COLBAR recently hosted a seminar in Medellín, Colombia, attracting 150 participants. The association continues to offer educational and professional opportunities while fostering a supportive community for Colombian-American attorneys.
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Legal Profession
PRO BONO OPPORTUNITY IN FEDERAL COURT
Jacksonville Daily Record | Article | August 08, 2024
The U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida Jacksonville Division has a prisoner civil rights case in which the court seeks to appoint counsel to represent the plaintiff. The plaintiff alleges defendants, five officers at Florida State Prison, used unnecessary force against him causing serious injuries that required treatment at an outside hospital. The plaintiff needs an attorney for resolution through settlement or trial if necessary. The case is Miller v. Willis, et al., 3:21-cv-832-BJD-MCR. Contact Jacksonville Division Manager Jim Leanhart at 904-549-1983 or [email protected] to learn more. Pursuant to the Court’s Civil Pro Bono Appointment Program, an appointed attorney is permitted to be reimbursed for certain costs incurred during the representation. Information regarding allowable costs and the procedure for obtaining reimbursement is available at flmd.uscourts.gov.
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Civil Justice
FLORIDA INSURER CAN’T OBJECT TO APPRAISER AFTER THE AWARD IS DECIDED, 11TH CIRCUIT SAYS
Insurance Journal | Article | August 08, 2024
The U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that property insurers must object to appraisal panel members’ fee arrangements early in the process, not after receiving an unfavorable award. This decision, issued on August 6, 2024, upheld a $14 million appraisal award for Biscayne Beach Club Condominium Association in Miami against Westchester Surplus Lines Insurance Co. Westchester objected to appraiser Blake Pyka’s fee arrangement only after the award, but the court ruled that the insurer waived its objections by not raising them earlier. The ruling follows a trend of insurers attempting to challenge appraisal awards post-issuance. The court emphasized that insurers cannot wait to see the outcome before objecting. This case highlights ongoing concerns over insurers’ tactics to reduce or overturn appraisal awards in Florida.
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Criminal Justice
FLORIDA INMATE CITES DOZIER ABUSE AS HE ARGUES TO VACATE HIS DEATH SENTENCE
News Service of Florida | Article | August 07, 2024
Loran Cole, scheduled for execution on August 29, 2024, by Gov. Ron DeSantis, is seeking to vacate his death sentence, citing abuse at the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys as a mitigating factor. Cole was convicted of the 1994 murder of John Edwards in Ocala National Forest. Cole’s lawyers argue his horrific experiences at Dozier, including rape and beatings, influenced his life choices. They claim the jury in 1995 was unaware of this abuse. Florida recently acknowledged Dozier’s abuses by passing a compensation bill for survivors, but Cole is ineligible. His appeal, however, has been dismissed by Marion County Circuit Judge Robert Hodges. The case highlights ongoing debate over the impact of childhood trauma on criminal behavior.