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.
April 17, 2025
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The Florida Bar
BROWARD JUDGE JACKIE POWELL LEADS STEPHEN R. BOOHER AMERICAN INN OF COURT TO PLATINUM STATUS
The Florida Bar | Article | April 16, 2025
The Stephen R. Booher Inn of Courts, a Ft. Lauderdale-based chapter of the American Inns of Court, has achieved platinum status for the first time in 33 years. Chief Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips praised the judges, attorneys, and students of the 17th Judicial Circuit for their dedication to mentoring and professionalism. Broward County Judge Jackie Powell, the Inn’s president, highlighted its community outreach and commitment to improvement. The Inn has mentored students from St. Thomas University College of Law’s Benjamin Crump Center for Social Justice and Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad College of Law. In 2024, the Inn adopted a foster family, presenting gifts at a holiday reception. Previously a gold-status Inn for four consecutive years, it has now been invited to the Inns of Distinction Gala in July at the Supreme Court of the United States in recognition of its exemplary programming and member engagement.
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Civil Justice
‘MOST TRUSTED’ PINELLAS ATTORNEY HEADING TO PRISON FOR THEFT
Tampa Bay Times | Article | April 17, 2025
Christopher Michael Reynolds, a personal injury attorney from St. Petersburg, was sentenced on April 9 to 15 years in prison and five years of probation for stealing over $800,000 in settlement money from clients. Arrested on February 27, 2023, Reynolds pleaded guilty to 17 counts of grand theft and two counts of money laundering. Judge Philippe Matthey also ordered $716,000 in restitution to 11 parties, including individual clients, The Florida Bar, and Progressive Insurance. From 2020 to 2022, Reynolds misused client funds for PayPal, Amazon, OnlyFans, Uber, and credit card bills. He abandoned his Seminole practice without notice, was suspended by the Florida Supreme Court in December 2022, and disbarred in September 2023. Victims like Daniel Beauchesne were left with unpaid bills and lost settlement funds. Reynolds’ bank accounts were nearly empty at arrest. He remained in jail for 773 days before sentencing.
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Criminal Justice
FLORIDA HOUSE PASSES BILL TO BAR GOLF COURSES, HOTELS IN STATE PARKS
Tampa Bay Times | Article | April 16, 2025
The Florida House unanimously passed a bill Wednesday [April 15] banning development like golf courses and hotels on state park land. The 115-0 vote responded to a controversial plan from the DeSantis administration proposing golf courses, lodges, and pickleball courts at nine parks, including Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Rep. John Snyder’s Martin County district. The plans were created in secret and first reported by the Tampa Bay Times. Rep. Robin Bartleman and Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman cited strong public backlash. Sen. Gayle Harrell, also representing Jonathan Dickinson, is leading the Senate version of the bill. While a Senate committee approved its version Tuesday [April 14], advocacy groups argue it is weaker and contains loopholes. Both chambers must agree on the bill’s final language. The governor’s office has not commented. The legislative session ends May 2.
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Civil Justice
JUDGE SAYS MORE PROTECTIONS ARE NEEDED FOR MANATEES IN INDIAN RIVER LAGOON
News Service of Florida | Article | April 15, 2025
On Friday [April 11], U.S. District Judge Carlos Mendoza ruled that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) violated the federal Endangered Species Act by allowing wastewater discharges into the Indian River Lagoon. The environmental group Bear Warriors United filed the lawsuit in 2022, arguing the discharges led to seagrass loss, harming manatees. Mendoza stated FDEP must apply for an incidental take permit from federal wildlife officials to mitigate the harm. Mendoza emphasized that recovery in the northern lagoon, primarily in Brevard County, would take at least a decade. Manatee deaths were linked to starvation, with 1,100 deaths in 2021, 800 in 2022, and 565 in 2024. The state argued its actions didn’t violate the law, but Mendoza insisted that additional protections for manatees were necessary.
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Criminal Justice
FLORIDA KEYS SPIRITS SHOP OWNER COULD FACE DEATH FOR ABUSE CHARGES, PROSECUTORS SAY
Miami Herald | Article | April 16, 2025
A Monroe County grand jury indicted Jeffrey Scott Kesling, on child sexual abuse charges this week. Kesling, the owner of Keys’ Meads in Key Largo, is accused of sexually battering a 3- and 7-year-old child over nearly two years, from June 2023 to December 2024. The charges include two counts of sexual battery (capital felony) and three counts of lewd molestation. Monroe County State Attorney Dennis Ward stated the state may pursue the death penalty, emphasizing the severity of the crimes. Kesling was investigated after his wife filed a domestic violence injunction in March. He remains in jail without bond on the sexual battery charges, with a $150,000 bond set on the molestation charges. Kesling’s attorney, Jean-Michel D’Escoubet, maintained Kesling’s presumption of innocence.