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 17, 2025
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The Florida Bar
PHISHING SCAMS CONTINUE TO TARGET FLORIDA FIRMS
The Florida Bar | Article | June 17, 2025
The Florida Bar has been alerted to a new wave of phishing emails targeting law firms — particularly smaller practices — in an apparent scheme to gather sensitive information and impersonate attorneys. A Winter Park lawyer recently received a series of suspicious emails purporting to seek legal counsel for multimillion-dollar financing deals. The senders requested fee structures, retainer agreements, and engagement terms, allegedly to move quickly on the transaction. The Winter Park lawyer believes the scammers are studying law firm websites and email formats in an effort to convincingly impersonate legal professionals. The lawyer is sharing his experience to warn other legal professionals to stay vigilant. Scammers continue to target the legal community, and lawyers should be cautious of unsolicited emails, especially those with attachments or links to unfamiliar websites. For tips on how to protect yourself from scams, visit The Practice Resource Center of The Florida Bar, which offers resources to help lawyers recognize and avoid falling victim to scams.
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Civil Justice
IN U.S. OPIOID CRISIS, STATES SAY YES TO $7B PURDUE PHARMA SETTLEMENT
UPI | Article | June 16, 2025
All 50 states, the District of Columbia and four other U.S. territories signed off on a multi-billion-dollar settlement proposal with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma in litigation over Purdue’s alleged role in fueling America’s opioid addiction crisis. In March, Purdue Pharma attorneys filed the proposed $7.4 billion settlement deal in a federal bankruptcy court over Purdue’s assumed role in improper marketing practices after private negotiations with state attorneys general and other stakeholders in its bid to finalize the years-long lawsuit. It takes the place of a prior settlement proposal the U.S Supreme Court overturned last year in a 5-4 ruling in June. State law enforcement officers in Florida and 13 other states lead settlement talks in what is now thought to be America’s largest lawsuit of its caliber involving the opioid addiction epidemic.
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Criminal Justice Issues
FLORIDA CHILDREN SENTENCED TO PRISON AS ADULTS, NOW ADVOCATING AGAINST THE USE OF SOLITARY CONFINEMENT
ABC Action News WFTS Tampa Bay | Article | June 16, 2025
Ian Manuel, sentenced to life in prison in 1991 for attempted murder in a downtown Tampa botched robbery at 14 years old, is now sharing his story as an adult. Manuel is advocating against solitary confinement, where he says he spent 18 years within the Florida Department of Corrections. Manuel got a second chance 26 years later, after the Equal Justice Initiative took his case to the Supreme Court as part of its effort to end excessive punishment of children, which led to his release nearly nine years ago. Manuel was first placed in solitary confinement because of his age and then, because of what he called, “excessive disciplinary reports.” Florida State University’s Juvenile Solitary Confinement Project has estimated that on any given day, 26% of juveniles sentenced as adults are in confinement.
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Judiciary
FINALISTS ARE SELECTED FOR TWO JUDGE OPENINGS IN 10TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
Lakeland Ledger | Article | June 16, 2025
The Judicial Nominating Committee for the 10th Judicial Circuit has named finalists for two judge openings. The nominees applied for openings created by the retirement of County Judge Mary Catherine Green and the resignation of Circuit Judge Torea Spohr. Nine candidates were nominated to replace Spohr and six were nominated to replace Green. Interviews will be conducted by the 10th Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Committee on June 20 at the offices of Hardin, Ball and Tondreault, P.A. The 10th Judicial Circuit, based in Bartow, covers Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties.
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Judiciary
MEET THE NEWEST MIAMI-DADE COUNTY JUDGE
Daily Business Review | Article | June 16, 2025
Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed Joanne Marie Hernandez to serve as a judge on the Miami-Dade County Court, filling a vacancy left by the resignation of Judge Jennifer Laura Hochstadt Azar earlier this year. Hernandez, a longtime resident of Miami, brings more than a decade of legal and managerial experience to the bench. Since 2011, Hernandez has served as the managing partner of Miami Law Center. In April, Hernandez was one of six nominees recommended by the Judicial Nominating Commission for the Miami-Dade Judicial Circuit to fill the vacancy left by Azar’s departure. Hochstadt Azar, whose resignation became effective earlier this year, cited “personal reasons” in her February letter to the governor. Her March departure led her back to her prior job as an Assistant Miami-Dade Attorney. Hernandez is expected to be sworn in later this summer.
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Legal Profession
EX-BROWARD COUNTY CHIEF JUDGE RETURNS TO PRIVATE PRACTICE AT CONRAD & SCHERER
Daily Business Review | Article | June 16, 2025
Chief Judge Jack Tuter, retired judge of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit—the second largest in the state of Florida—is rejoining Conrad & Scherer as a senior partner after a 20-year-gap. Tuter, who has over 40 years of legal experience, was appointed to the Broward County bench in 2005 by then-Gov. Jeb Bush. He was then elected in 2008 and reelected twice. Having been a part of the firm about two decades ago, his decades of legal expertise and judicial leadership makes Tuter a “coming home deal,” according to William R. Scherer Jr., co-founder and managing partner of Conrad & Scherer. Tuter said returning to private practice presents an opportunity to guide lawyers, aid with trial work and handle court cases, especially given how difficult the legal industry has become today. He hopes to provide insight to his colleagues given his experience.