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.
January 23, 2025
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The Florida Bar
CHIEF JUSTICE MUÑIZ DISCUSSES ONGOING CIVIL JUSTICE REFORMS AND THE NEED FOR JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE AT BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING
The Florida Bar | Article | January 23, 2025
Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Carlos Muñiz addressed the Florida Bar Board of Governors on January 17 in Tallahassee, highlighting new civil justice reforms effective January 1. Muñiz emphasized that the reforms aim to reduce litigation costs and improve efficiency but acknowledged challenges for judges and lawyers adapting to changes. He also discussed the Supreme Court’s December 12 certification of 50 additional judgeships and a legislative budget request focusing on technology and resources. Justice Jorge Labarga, who also spoke, expressed concerns about professionalism as the Bar grows. The Board of Governors approved a clean audit for FY24, revealing a $6.7 million net position increase and approved amendments to grievance committee rules and electronic meeting procedures. Additionally, appointments were made to the FFLA Board of Directors and the Executive Committee.
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Florida Supreme Court
ACC ASKS FLORIDA SUPREME COURT TO STEP INTO LEGAL BATTLE AGAINST FSU
Tallahassee Democrat | Article | January 23, 2025
On January 17, the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) filed for discretionary review with the Florida Supreme Court, challenging prior rulings in its legal battle with Florida State University (FSU). The dispute centers on media rights contracts and FSU’s potential exit from the ACC, which could result in a $165 million exit fee and $300-$400 million in media rights costs. The ACC argues that Circuit Judge John Cooper, based in Tallahassee, departed from the “essential requirements of the law” by denying the conference’s motion in April to pause the Leon County lawsuit. The ACC claims the Florida case conflicts with a related lawsuit in North Carolina, the conference’s home state. The Florida 1st District Court of Appeal denied the ACC’s appeal and rehearing motions in November. The Florida Supreme Court’s review is discretionary and not guaranteed to proceed.
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Criminal Justice
LONG-AWAITED DNA ANALYSIS PROVES ZEIGLER INNOCENT IN 1975 MURDERS, LAWYERS SAY
Tampa Bay Times | Article | January 22, 2025
Florida death row inmate Tommy Zeigler, maintains his innocence in the 1975 murders of his wife, Eunice, and her parents at their Winter Garden furniture store on Christmas Eve. New DNA evidence analyzed in 2021, approved by State Attorney Monique Worrell, shows no blood from the victims on Zeigler’s clothes but points to Charlie Mays, one of the deceased, as a possible perpetrator. The evidence contradicts the prosecution’s original claims and highlights police and prosecutorial misconduct, including withheld evidence and coerced testimony. Despite decades of appeals and forensic findings, Zeigler remains imprisoned after 48 years, with hopes resting on judicial acknowledgment of errors. His case underscores Florida’s history of denying DNA tests in death penalty cases. Worrell, reinstated as state attorney in January 2025, plans to review the results. The Mays family, however, remains unconvinced of Zeigler’s innocence. Zeigler’s ultimate goal is to clear his name.
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Civil Justice
‘YOU LIED TO THE JURY’: VETERAN AWARDED $5 MILLION IN DEFAMATION CASE AGAINST CNN
Daily Business Review | Article | January 21, 2025
On January 19, 2025, a Panama City, Florida jury found CNN defamed Zachary Young in a 2021 report, awarding him $5 million in damages. Young, a former U.S. operative, claimed the report falsely accused him of marketing illegal evacuation services from Afghanistan. Lead counsel Devin “Velvel” Freedman highlighted pivotal trial moments, including video evidence of CNN correspondent Alex Marquardt allegedly staging a call for “theater.” The jury found CNN liable for both defamation per se and by implication, citing internal CNN emails acknowledging the story’s flaws. In March 2022, CNN removed the video and issued a retraction. During cross-examination, CNN witnesses admitted to approving the report despite acknowledging its inaccuracies. Young’s lawyers argued the segment irreparably harmed his consulting career, viewed by over 2.7 million people. The parties settled during the punitive damages phase. CNN stated it remains committed to strong journalism while reflecting on lessons from the case.
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Civil Justice
THE ROLE OF DELEGATION CLAUSES IN MOTIONS TO COMPEL ARBITRATION WHEN YOUR FAMILY MEMBER SIGNS AN ARBITRATION AGREEMENT
JD Supra | Article | January 22, 2025
Two recent cases addressed arbitration agreements involving non-signatories. In Meikle v. U-Haul Co. of Florida (Jan. 15, 2025), a Florida court reversed a trial court’s decision to compel arbitration. A minor, injured by U-Haul equipment rented by his mother, argued he wasn’t bound by her arbitration agreement. The court ruled the minor, a non-signatory, couldn’t be forced to arbitrate, emphasizing that delegation clauses in agreements don’t bind non-parties. In Rubin v. Starbucks Corp. (Dec. 16, 2024), the Eleventh Circuit denied arbitration for a husband suing over a deficient COBRA notice following his wife’s termination. The court held that his statutory claim wasn’t subject to his wife’s employment arbitration agreement. Both cases underscore that arbitration agreements are enforceable only when clearly applicable and agreed upon, reaffirming limits on compelling non-signatories to arbitrate.