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.
June 12, 2025
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The Florida Bar
JUSTICE SASSO HEADLINES ST. LUCIE BAR LAW DAY DINNER AS STEVE HOSKINS RECEIVES TOP HONOR
The Florida Bar | Article | June 12, 2025
On May 15, at The Legacy Club in Port St. Lucie, the St. Lucie Bar Association honored Steve Hoskins with the Honorable Ben L. “Buck” Bryan Distinguished Career Award during its 2025 Law Day Dinner. Hoskins, a senior partner at Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd, has practiced law for over 45 years and has been board-certified as a civil trial lawyer since 1989. He was recognized for his legal service and community involvement with organizations such as Learn to Read of St. Lucie County, Boys and Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County, and Mustard Seed Ministries. The event featured a keynote address by Supreme Court Justice Meredith L. Sasso and the installation of 2025–2026 SLBA officers, including President Lainey Francisco. The award, established in 2016, is named after retired judge and former Ft. Pierce mayor Ben L. “Buck” Bryan.
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Civil Justice
UBER SUES FLORIDA LAW FIRM, MEDICAL CLINICS FOR FRAUD OVER CAR CRASHES
Reuters | Article | June 11, 2025
Uber filed a lawsuit on Tuesday [June 9] in federal court in Miami against the Law Group of South Florida, attorney Andy Loynaz, and River Medical Center, alleging a staged collision scam. Uber claims drivers were paid to cause crashes while pretending to use the Uber app. Medical providers allegedly submitted false injury claims, forming the basis for fraudulent lawsuits. The 97-page complaint details five staged crashes near Hialeah in 2023 and 2024. After each crash, Loynaz allegedly submitted insurance claims for $1 million and filed four lawsuits against Uber and its commercial insurer. Some lawsuits are still pending. Uber says it has spent millions in defense and settlements. Loynaz declined to comment on Wednesday [June 10]. A River Medical Center representative also declined to comment. Adam Blinick, Uber’s head of U.S. and Canada public policy, said Uber takes action against misconduct on its platform.
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Judiciary
GOV. DESANTIS APPOINTS JOANNE HERNANDEZ TO MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT
Florida Politics | Article | June 11, 2025
Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Joanne Hernandez as the newest Miami-Dade County Court Judge to replace Judge Jennifer Hochstadt Azar, who resigned March 28, 2025. Azar announced her resignation in a February 21 letter, citing personal reasons. Hernandez was among six nominees recommended in April by the Judicial Nominating Commission for the 11th Judicial Circuit. She is the sole practitioner at Miami Law Center PA and was admitted to The Florida Bar in 2009 after earning her J.D. from Florida International University. Fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, she was recognized as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers from 2016 to 2019. Hernandez had previously been a finalist to succeed Judge Carlos Gamez. Azar, who had been appointed by DeSantis and served for about a year, has returned to her former role as an Assistant Miami-Dade Attorney defending the county in federal civil rights cases.
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Judiciary
GOV. APPOINTS THIS BIG LAW TRIAL LAWYER TO MIAMI’S JUDICIAL NOMINATING COMMISSION
Daily Business Review | Article | June 11, 2025
On Wednesday [June 11], Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Eliot Pedrosa, a partner at Jones Day, to the Miami-Dade Judicial Circuit Nominating Commission. Pedrosa, a Harvard Law graduate admitted to The Florida Bar in 1999, has 20 years of experience in international and commercial litigation. Before joining Jones Day’s Miami office in 2021, he led Greenberg Traurig’s Miami litigation department and served as U.S. Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank. Pedrosa will help nominate candidates for judicial vacancies. Other appointments announced the same day include Jason Gonzalez of Lawson Huck Gonzalez to the Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission, with a term ending July 1, 2027. Additional JNC appointments include Nick Meros, Amanda Neff, and Jason Vail (Second Circuit); Eric Reed (Ninth); Kelvin Ready (Tenth); Todd Brister and William Lewis (Fourteenth); and Loren Esposito, Mark Miller, and Barry Segal (Nineteenth). The current Miami-Dade JNC includes Jesus M. Suarez (Chair) and R. Jordan Richardson (Vice Chair), among others.
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Legislature
FLORIDA BEEFS UP LAWS AGAINST DEEPFAKE PORN, LURING CHILDREN, SEX TRAFFICKING. WHAT TO KNOW
Tallahassee Democrat | Article | June 11, 2025
On June 10, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed five bills targeting child exploitation and deepfake abuse. HB 1161, “Brooke’s Law,” named after Brooke Curry, mandates platforms remove nonconsensual altered sexual images within 48 hours or face penalties. Curry, whose Instagram image was misused at age 16, testified for the bill. HB 777 expands protections against luring children under 14, increasing penalties. HB 1351 strengthens reporting rules for sexual predators and requires frequent law enforcement address checks. HB 1455 imposes mandatory minimum sentences—up to 20 years—for repeat sexual offenders. SB 1804 creates the felony “Capital Human Trafficking of Vulnerable Persons for Sexual Exploitation,” allowing life imprisonment or death for offenders targeting children under 12 or mentally incapacitated individuals. These laws aim to close cybercrime loopholes, support victims, and deter abusers. All but Brooke’s Law take effect October 1, 2025.
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Legal Profession
LAWMAKERS APPROVED FSU ELECTION LAW CENTER, BUT FUNDING VANISHES FOR 2025-26
Tallahassee Democrat | Article | June 12, 2025
Florida State University’s Election Law Center, established in 2023 and led by law professor Michael Morley, will not receive state funding for the 2025-26 fiscal year despite statutory approval. The Florida House initially allocated $950,000, but the Senate provided no funding. As budget talks concluded, the House adopted the Senate’s position, leaving the center without budgeted state money. The center will continue operating with leftover funds from its initial $1 million nonrecurring appropriation. Senate Bill 892, sponsored by Sen. Corey Simon, passed both chambers unanimously and would secure recurring funding through state appropriations, donations, grants, and university funds, but has not yet been sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis for signature. The center conducts nonpartisan election law research and supports FSU law students with scholarships, externships, and fellowships focused on election-related legal issues. The state’s budget year runs July 1 to June 30.
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United States Supreme Court
UNANIMOUS SUPREME COURT MAKES IT EASIER TO SUE SCHOOLS IN DISABILITY CASES
WFSU | Article | June 12, 2025
On Thursday [June 12], the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously to make it easier for students with disabilities to sue under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related laws. The case involved Ava Tharpe, a disabled teenager with epilepsy, whose Minnesota school refused to accommodate her afternoon-only schedule, reducing her class time to 65% of peers. After state rulings forced the school to provide additional instruction, Tharpe’s family sought compensatory damages for costs before compliance. The Eighth Circuit denied damages, requiring proof of “bad faith” or “gross misjudgment.” The Supreme Court lowered this standard, allowing easier access to financial compensation for disability rights violations in schools.
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United States Supreme Court
SUPREME COURT PRESS CORPS ASKS CHIEF JUSTICE TO LIVE-STREAM COURT’S OPINIONS
WUFT | Article | June 11, 2025
On Wednesday [June 11], members of the Supreme Court press corps publicly urged Chief Justice John Roberts to stream live audio of the Court’s opinion announcements and oral dissents. The letter, originally sent privately to Roberts one year ago with no response, was signed by representatives from major radio, TV networks, newspapers, and NPR. Currently, only those physically present in the courtroom hear these announcements live; audio is released later at the National Archives or on the Oyez website at the next term’s start in fall. The letter highlights that since 2020, the Court has live-streamed oral arguments, a practice started during the pandemic and continued afterward, but still bars live audio of opinions. The press argues that live streaming opinions would help combat misinformation and allow the Court to communicate directly with the public. They say this step would improve public understanding and appreciation of the Court’s final decisions.
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Civil Justice
LAWSUIT: DESANTIS ADMINISTRATION RETALIATED AFTER LEAKED DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR STATE PARKS
Tallahassee Democrat | Article | June 11, 2025
James Gaddis filed a lawsuit in Leon County against Gov. Ron DeSantis, former DEP Secretary Shawn Hamilton, and HR director Jake Vick, alleging retaliation for exposing the “Great Outdoors Initiative.” Gaddis, a park planning consultant, was fired in August 2024 after leaking maps and a memo detailing secret plans to develop golf courses, hotels, and other amenities at nine Florida state parks. Gaddis claims he was instructed to remain silent and map out “globally significant” habitats for development, including 1,000 acres in Jonathan Dickinson State Park. After the Tampa Bay Times broke the story, public backlash prompted DeSantis to cancel the initiative. Gaddis’ suit seeks at least $100,000, reinstatement, and attorney fees. He is represented by civil rights attorney Marie Mattox. As of June 11, his GoFundMe had raised nearly $258,000 to support his efforts to produce conservation maps of Florida’s wild lands.