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.
December 13, 2024
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The Florida Bar
FLORIDA SUPREME COURT CALLS FOR 50 NEW JUDGES
The Florida Bar | Article | December 13, 2024
On Thursday [December 12], the Florida Supreme Court, in Case No. SC2024-1721, certified the need for 23 new circuit court judges, 25 new county court judges, and 2 additional judges for the Sixth District Court of Appeal. This request follows the Legislature’s recent creation of nine new judicial positions. While no decreases were certified, the court acknowledged excess capacity in the Second DCA and suggested gradual reduction through attrition. The Court used both quantitative and qualitative workload assessments involving over 900 judges across all 20 circuits. Recognizing budget constraints and limited courthouse space, the Court proposed incremental increases and urged careful legislative consideration. The 23 circuit judgeships were allocated among various circuits, and the 25 county judgeships were distributed to multiple counties, including Duval, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade. The Sixth DCA’s request for two additional judges was approved, citing ongoing workload challenges since its January 1, 2023, inception.
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Civil Justice
WOMAN SUED OCALA APARTMENT COMPLEX FOR DAUGHTER’S DEATH. NOW SHE’S SUING HER EX-LAWYER
Ocala Star-Banner | Article | December 13, 2024
On Thursday [December 12], Morgan & Morgan lawyers Benjamin A. Webster and Katherine D. Thanos sued Thomas Thomas Law, LLC and Anthony Thomas, alleging negligence in handling a claim for their client, Cindy Woods-High. Woods-High’s daughter, J’Mya Woods, was shot and killed in September 2020 at Berkeley Pointe Apartments (formerly Spring Manor). The shooter, Mark Anthony Singh, later killed himself. According to the lawsuit, Woods-High hired Thomas in October 2020. Just before the statute of limitations expired in September 2022, a lawsuit was filed but not properly served with required documents. In November 2022, the court dismissed that case. A second lawsuit in 2023 failed because the statute of limitations had passed. In December 2023, that case was also dismissed. Morgan & Morgan claims Thomas’s actions cost Woods-High her ability to recover damages. Thomas declined to comment, stating he has turned the matter over to his malpractice attorney.
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Civil Justice
JUDGE: ORANGE COUNTY HAS ‘LEGAL DUTY’ TO DISBURSE FUNDING FOR SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS OFFICE
WESH 2 | Article | December 12, 2024
A judge ordered Orange County to explain within 20 days why it is withholding funds from Supervisor of Elections Glen Gilzean’s office. On Thursday [December 12], the judge said the county has an “indisputable legal duty” to disburse the money. Gilzean’s funding was frozen last week after Comptroller Phil Diamond revealed a $1.1 million check issued by Gilzean’s office to a local nonprofit, the Central Florida Foundation, as part of the O.C.V.O.T.E. Grant Program. Orange County had also learned in November that Gilzean set up a $2.1 million scholarship fund with Valencia College and gave CareerSource Central Florida $1.9 million, though that amount was later returned. Gilzean’s office, which pays about $250,000 a month in payroll, received some funds in November but may lack December funds. The Board of County Commissioners will meet next Tuesday when Diamond presents findings from his investigation into Gilzean’s spending.
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Civil Justice
APPEALS COURT UPHOLDS FLO RIDA’S LEGAL WIN AGAINST CELSIUS, CHALLENGES HIS AWARD
NBC 6 South Florida | Article | December 12, 2024
An appeals court in Florida upheld much of rapper Flo Rida’s January 2023 legal victory against Celsius but said damages should be calculated differently. Flo Rida, whose real name is Tramar Dillard, sued the energy drink company for breach of contract, winning more than $82 million from a Broward jury. He claimed Celsius failed to give him company shares promised in a 2014 contract and a 2016 contract, as well as royalties on sparkling orange drinks dating back to 2018. On Wednesday [December 11], the District Court of Appeal of the State of Florida for the Fourth District agreed Celsius was correct that damages should reflect the stock’s value at the breach date, April 30, 2021, or when the stock could have been first sold, November 1, 2021, instead of January 13, 2023. This ruling could significantly reduce Flo Rida’s award, potentially by up to 50%, according to Bloomberg Law News.
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Criminal Justice
JUDGE DENIES ROBERT WIGGINS’ REQUEST TO DROP HIS PLEA DEAL IN FROSTPROOF TRIPLE HOMICIDE CASE
The Lakeland Ledger | Article | December 12, 2024
Circuit Judge J. Kevin Abdoney denied Robert Wiggins’ request to withdraw his April plea agreement. Prosecutors say Wiggins was present when his brother, T.J. Wiggins fatally shot Brandon Rollins, Keven Springfield, and Damion Tillman on July 17, 2020, near Lake Streety in Frostproof. Wiggins pleaded guilty to accessory charges and agreed to testify against T.J., who faces three counts of first-degree murder and possible death penalty. Robert Wiggins, still jailed, complained that he expected the trial’s resolution by now, noting that Mary Whittemore, also involved, served four years and was released October 4. T.J. Wiggins’ trial has been repeatedly delayed pending a federal case in Tampa, currently set for January 8. Abdoney found no good cause for withdrawal and said if extreme delays occur, future reconsideration might be warranted.