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.
May 16, 2025
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The Florida Bar
FREE CLE WEBINAR TO ADDRESS PTSD AND SECONDARY TRAUMA IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION
The Florida Bar | Article | May 16, 2025
On Thursday, May 30 at noon, the Mental Health & Wellness of Florida Lawyers Committee will host a free, one-hour webinar titled “Understanding PTSD and Secondary Trauma for Legal Professionals.” Dr. Jennifer Lee, clinical psychologist at the Miami VA Medical Center, will lead the session. Dr. Lee, who currently works with Broward Veterans Court and has served as a Navy psychologist during Operation Iraqi Freedom, will discuss PTSD, secondary trauma, and strategies for managing them. The event closes Mental Health Awareness Month and offers 1.0 General CLE and 1.0 Mental Health and Wellness CLE credit.
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United States Supreme Court
SUPREME COURT RULES IN “EXCESSIVE FORCE” CASE
WFTV | Article | May 15, 2025
The U.S. Supreme Court issued a rare unanimous ruling in Barnes v. Felix, a case concerning excessive force during a traffic stop. Justice Elena Kagan wrote that the issue was “one of timing alone: whether to look only at the encounter’s final two seconds, or also to consider earlier events.” The justices vacated and remanded the case, stating that courts must examine all relevant events before the moment force is used. The decision affirms that there is no time limit on assessing the totality of the circumstances. The case centered on whether Officer Roberto Felix reasonably felt threatened and whether Ashtian Barnes’s Fourth Amendment rights were violated. Justice Brett Kavanaugh added that traffic stops involving vehicles can pose risks to both officers and the public.
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Legal Discipline
FLORIDA SUPREME COURT ORDERS 2-YEAR SUSPENSION FOR ORLANDO LAWYER WHO BEAT HIS WIFE
The Floridian | Article | May 15, 2025
On Thursday [May 15], the Florida Supreme Court suspended Orlando attorney Ryan Mitchell for two years for violently assaulting his wife on September 22, 2021. The Court rejected The Florida Bar’s request for a 90-day suspension, stating it was not severe enough. Chief Justice Carlos Muñiz wrote that Mitchell’s actions represented a serious ethical breach. That night, after being woken during ongoing marital difficulties, Mitchell punched his wife in the head and face, fractured her nose, threatened to kill her, and destroyed her phone, leaving her injured and alone with their three minor children. In January 2023, Mitchell pled no contest to battery and criminal mischief and received 18 months’ probation, required mental health and substance evaluations, completed a batterer’s program, and paid $2,224.23 in restitution. Though the Court considered his remorse and cooperation, it found a two-year suspension necessary. Justice Charles Canady concurred but believed Mitchell should have been suspended for three years.
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Judiciary
CHIEF JUDGES ADDRESS JUDICIAL MISSTEPS IN BROWARD
Daily Business Review | Article | May 15, 2025
Just 15 days into her role, Chief Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips of Broward County faces a wave of judicial ethics cases. Between May 1 and May 9, four judges were disciplined. On May 8, Judge Gary Farmer Jr. was suspended without pay for inappropriate courtroom comments. Judge Lauren Peffer faced formal charges on May 9 for promoting a false recording and endorsing a book without reading it. On May 1, Judge Stefanie Moon was fined, reprimanded, and suspended 10 days for campaign violations. Judge Mardi Levey Cohen also received a 10-day suspension for spreading false claims during her 2022 campaign. Phillips expressed disappointment, emphasizing that judges receive extensive ethics training. Former Chief Judge Jack Tuter and former Miami-Dade Judge Alan Fine affirmed that rules are well-known and misconduct damages public trust. Phillips pledged to improve judicial accountability and restore confidence in the Broward bench.
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Legal Profession
FLORIDA CIVIL PROCEDURE CHANGES INTRODUCE TRICKY DISCOVERY RULES
Bloomberg News | Article | May 16, 2025
Effective January 2025, amendments to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure significantly change discovery procedures. Under Rule 1.280(f), parties must complete initial disclosures—including names of witnesses, supporting documents, and damages computations—within 60 days of service of the complaint before seeking discovery from any source. This contrasts with prior rules (e.g., Rules 1.340(a)(9), 1.350(b)(3), and 1.370) and federal rules, where discovery could begin earlier. Plaintiffs can no longer serve discovery with the complaint. Courts must now issue a Case Management Order within 120 days of the action’s commencement, setting earlier trial dates and discouraging continuances (per Rule 1.460). Rule 1.440 no longer requires a case to be “at issue” before trial can be scheduled. These changes—designed to align Florida rules with federal standards—demand prompt disclosures and swift discovery to meet shorter timelines for summary judgment and trial preparation.
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Criminal Justice
STATE ATTORNEY’S OFFICE TO SEEK THE DEATH PENALTY AGAINST SUSPECTED FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY SHOOTER
WTXL Tallahassee | Article | May 15, 2025
State Attorney Jack Campbell announced plans to seek the death penalty against Phoenix Ikner, charged with two counts of first-degree murder and seven counts of attempted first-degree murder related to the Florida State University (FSU) campus shooting. On Wednesday [May 14], a grand jury reviewed evidence, including surveillance video, and concluded Ikner acted alone. The grand jury also praised FSU Police Officer Cody Poppell for his “heroic” actions in shooting Ikner in the jaw to stop further deaths. Campbell hopes the grand jury documents will reassure the community after the April 17 shooting, described as “our community’s worst nightmare.” FSU students Noah Brown and Reid Seybold are advocating for enhanced mental health resources to prevent future tragedies. Campbell expects the trial to occur in 2–3 years but aims to be ready within six months. Ikner’s arraignment is scheduled for June 11 at 9 a.m.