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.
November 06, 2025
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The Florida Bar
CRITICAL JUNCTURES: SUSTAINABILITY, MENTORSHIP, AND THE DISCIPLINE OF RESTRAINT
The Florida Bar | Article | November 06, 2025
Florida Bar President Rosalyn Sia Baker-Barnes writes: “Sustainability. Sustainability is the capacity to make decisions and take actions that meet present needs while cultivating the resources, relationships, and opportunities required for long-term success. When I think about sustainability in our profession, my mind often goes back to a simple but uncomfortable truth: So much of a lawyer’s career is determined before it even begins, simply by where you land your first job. That initial placement can dictate the kind of work you do, the mentors you find, the professional network you build, and too often, the opportunities you never see. Working closely with The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division, especially with its outstanding leadership in Arti Hirani and Reno Pierre, I am constantly reminded that the future of our profession is in excellent hands. Arti, sworn in as YLD president earlier this year, has already set an ambitious course with her “Open for Opportunity” initiative, a statewide effort to highlight the value lawyers bring to their communities and to create more pathways for young attorneys to thrive.”
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Judiciary
APPLICANTS SOUGHT FOR JUDICIAL NOMINATING COMMISSIONS
Jacksonville Daily Record | Article | November 05, 2025
The judicial nominating commissions in Northeast Florida judicial circuits could have substantially changed rosters next year. The Florida Bar has the opportunity to nominate six candidates for the 4th Circuit JNC – comprising Clay, Duval and Nassau counties – and six for the 7th Circuit – Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia counties – to Gov. Ron DeSantis for his appointment. Each appointee will serve a four-year term beginning July 1, 2026. Judicial merit selection is a way of choosing county and circuit judges through appointment, using a nonpartisan commission of lawyers and non-lawyers to locate, recruit, investigate and evaluate applicants for judicial office. Applicants must be members of The Florida Bar engaged in the practice of law and a resident of the territorial jurisdiction served by the commission to which the member is applying. Visit Floridabar.org for more details and to download the application.
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Civil Justice Legislature
FLORIDA HOUSE RENEWS PUSH TO REVAMP LAWSUIT LIMITS
News Service of Florida | Article | November 06, 2025
A Florida House panel Wednesday [Nov. 5] approved a proposal that would increase limits on payments by government agencies when people get injured because of the agencies’ negligence. Supporters say the issue is about properly compensating injured people. Opponents say it threatens to pile more costs on cities, counties, school boards and other government agencies. In the coming months, the debate could play out — again — in the Florida Legislature. The issue has flared repeatedly over the years, including during the 2025 legislative session, and Wednesday’s vote on a bill sponsored by Rep. Fiona McFarland, R–Sarasota, began teeing it up for the 2026 session. “I feel confident this is the right solution at the right time,” McFarland said before the House Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee voted 16-1 to support the measure (HB 145).
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Judiciary
EX-PROSECUTORS ABOUND AMONG JUDGES IN POLK COUNTY. NOMINATING PANEL IS A BIG FACTOR
Lakeland Ledger | Article | November 06, 2025
Many judges in the 10th Judicial Circuit initially reached the bench through appointments by a governor. That makes the circuit’s Judicial Nominating Commission one of the most influential bodies in Polk County, even if few residents could name any of its members — if they are even aware of its existence. The commission screens applicants for judicial openings and passes on nominations to the governor. In recent years, those nominees tend heavily toward prosecutors. Of the 28 circuit court judges in the circuit, which includes Polk County, at least 17 previously worked for a state attorney’s office. Seven of the 12 Polk County judges are former prosecutors. Only one appears to have any experience as a public defender. Among those first appointed to judge positions, none of the 40 judges in the 10th Circuit ― which includes circuit judges and county judges ― came directly from a public defender’s office.
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Civil Justice
MIAMI FEDERAL COURT REJECTS SPECULATIVE HARM IN LAW FIRM DATA BREACH CASE
Daily Business Review | Article | November 05, 2025
U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom of the Southern District of Florida dismissed a proposed class action lawsuit Monday [Nov. 3] against Coral Gables-based Zumpano Patricios, ruling that plaintiffs failed to sufficiently allege any actual injury from a cybersecurity breach. The lawsuit was filed within days of ZP Law sending notices about the cybersecurity attack, but Judge Bloom found the complaint relied on speculation rather than concrete harm. Judge Bloom’s 15-page ruling centered on the legal requirement that plaintiffs demonstrate actual injury to establish standing in federal court. She determined the complaint merely alleged hypothetical future harm rather than concrete damages already suffered.
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Civil Justice
JUDGE TOSSES CHALLENGE TO DEAL ALLOWING SEMINOLE TRIBE TO OFFER ONLINE SPORTS BETTING
News Service of Florida | Article | November 05, 2025
In a decision issued Friday [Oct. 31], Leon County Circuit Judge Jonathan Sjostrom rejected a lawsuit alleging that a state deal allowing the Seminole Tribe of Florida to offer online sports betting violated a 2018 constitutional amendment aimed at limiting casino gambling. Judge Sjostrom said the plaintiff in the case, Protect the Constitution LLC, did not show it had legal standing to pursue the challenge. While he dismissed the lawsuit, Judge Sjostrom gave Protect the Constitution until Nov. 21 to file a possible revised version. In granting a motion by the state to dismiss the case, Judge Sjostrom wrote that because the lawsuit “fails to provide meaningful information regarding the identity, activities, location, business and business methods of its constituent members, it fails to allege facts to demonstrate standing.” He did not rule on the underlying constitutional issues raised by Protect the Constitution.
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Judiciary
POLK COUNTY JUDGE ROBERT GRIFFIN RETIRES AFTER 18 YEARS ON BENCH
Lakeland Ledger | Article | November 06, 2025
Polk County Judge Robert Griffin retired on Oct. 31. First elected as a county judge in 2006, Griffin was reelected three times. He faced no opponent in his most recent election in 2024. He worked for a decade as an assistant public defender in the 10th Judicial Circuit and then spent 11 years in private law practice before running for office. Griffin submitted a letter of retirement to Gov. Ron DeSantis on Aug. 29, with an effective date of Oct. 31. DeSantis has the authority to appoint a replacement for Griffin. As of Nov. 5, DeSantis had not yet ordered the Judicial Nominating Commission for the 10th Circuit to seek applicants, Court Administrator Nick Sudzina said. Griffin was assigned to the county criminal division. His cases are being distributed among other county judges and assigned to senior judges, when necessary, Sudzina said.