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 07, 2025
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The Florida Bar
SCAM ALERT — PHISHING DOCUSIGN EMAIL MAKING THE ROUNDS IS NOT FROM THE FLORIDA BAR
The Florida Bar | Article | November 07, 2025
It’s happening again. The Florida Bar is receiving numerous reports from members regarding fraudulent emails that appear to come from The Florida Bar. These scam emails contain a request to download documents via DocuSign for signature. The emails are sent from an address not associated with The Florida Bar and often use the subject line: “Court Order 11/6/25.” These messages are part of a phishing scheme designed to trick recipients into clicking malicious links or downloading harmful files. If you receive such an email, do not click any links or download any attachments. Instead, delete the email immediately. The Florida Bar urges all members to remain vigilant and cautious when handling unexpected emails requesting personal information or document signatures. Always verify the sender’s identity before taking any action. LegalFuel — The Practice Resource Center of The Florida Bar, has additional resources available on its website to help lawyers recognize and avoid becoming victims of a scam.
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Legal Discipline
ACTIVIST HIT WITH 2 YEAR SUSPENSION BY FLORIDA SUPREME COURT
Daily Business Review | Article | November 06, 2025
Florida Bar member Larry Klayman, has been hit with a two-year suspension by the Florida Supreme Court after the justices ruled Thursday [Nov. 6] that he’d failed to disprove that he’d engaged in a “pattern of misconduct” that ranged from expressing “strong feelings” for a client to a slew of conflict-of-interest violations. In the ruling, the state high court affirmed a disciplinary referee’s findings in its 23-page order and adopted the sanctions based on misconduct findings previously issued by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals against the Boca Raton-based lawyer. Klayman was found to have repeatedly represented clients against the activist group he founded and served as in-house counsel for several years, Judicial Watch. The referee found that Klayman did not seek Judicial Watch’s consent in any of the three cases he brought against the group, despite having previously advised Judicial Watch on or being closely involved in matters related to each suit.
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Judiciary
VACANCY ON 4TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT BENCH DRAWS 8 APPLICANTS
Jacksonville Daily Record | Article | November 06, 2025
The 4th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission received eight applications for a vacancy on the circuit bench created by the 2025 Florida Legislature. The applicants will be interviewed beginning Nov. 14 at the Duval County Courthouse. The applicants include Jordan Beard, an attorney at The Law Offices of Ron Sholes, P.A, Amber Donley, a general magistrate in the 4th Judicial Circuit, Ernie Dukes, an associate attorney at Morgan & Morgan in Jacksonville, Marquita Green, a general magistrate in the 4th Judicial Circuit, Geraldine Hartin, sole attorney at Hamilton & Hartin P.A. in Fleming Island, Jenny Higginbotham, a Nassau County judge, Katelyn Johnston, an assistant general counsel for the city of Jacksonville and Nicole Deborah Saunders, an administrative law judge in the state Division of Administrative Hearings. After the interviews, the commissioners will provide three to six nominees to Gov. Ron DeSantis. The nominees will then be interviewed in Tallahassee by the governor’s staff.
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Civil Justice
JURY AWARDS $4 MILLION TO WOMAN IN SEX ASSAULT CASE AGAINST BROWARD POLICE UNION, EX-TREASURER
Sun Sentinel | Article | November 06, 2025
Broward Circuit Judge Keathan Frink ordered the union representing Broward Sheriff’s deputies on Wednesday [Nov. 5], to pay $3 million to a former employee who accused their former treasurer, Frank Voudy, of drugging and sexually assaulting her during a business trip to Las Vegas four years ago. The accused ex-official was also ordered to pay an additional $1 million. Voudy’s attorney conceded to jurors that their sexual encounter was consensual. However, a photo taken by Voudy suggested otherwise as the woman appeared naked and unconscious in her hotel room. After she complained about the incident and filed a police report in Las Vegas, she was let go from her job. She accused the union of firing her in retaliation for her complaint, and the jury agreed. The woman’s name was not disclosed in court documents because of the nature of the case.
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Legal Profession
JON MCGOWAN TAKES ROLE AS JBA INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Jacksonville Daily Record | Article | November 06, 2025
Jacksonville attorney Jon McGowan has been named interim executive director for the Jacksonville Bar Association during its period of transition. Longtime executive director Craig Shoup resigned to pursue new opportunities, and as a result, the board has embarked on a strategic planning process to map out its vision for the next five years. While the board continues its search for a permanent executive director, McGowan has agreed to serve in an interim position. McGowan is a familiar face in Jacksonville and at the JBA. He was involved in local politics and currently serves as chair of the JBA Government Relations Committee. He was also named Chair of the Year for 2023-24.
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Legal Profession
JULIA MANDELL NAMED HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY ATTORNEY
Florida Politics | Article | November 06, 2025
Hillsborough County commissioners have unanimously approved a contract with Julia Mandell to serve as the new county attorney. The three-year contract allows Mandell to replace Christine Beck, who is retiring. Mandell, who currently serves as Hillsborough County senior assistant attorney, a role she has held since December, will begin her service to the county Jan. 13. She accepted that role as an important homecoming and a full circle in her career, as she previously served as an assistant county attorney from 1996 to 2003. Mandell also served as city attorney for Tampa from 2013 to 2017 as part of her 13-year tenure in the Tampa Attorney’s Office. As county attorney, Mandell will represent and provide legal advice to the Board of County Commissioners, the County Administrator and all county departments.
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Legal Profession
COMMENTARY: LAWYERS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO GIVE BACK
Jacksonville Daily Record | Column | November 06, 2025
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid Deputy Pro Bono Director, Stacey DeVall writes: “Many lawyers think about pro bono work as a “want to.” [. . .] But what if we reframed pro bono not as a “want to” but rather as a “have to,” because in reality, it is. In an era where access to justice is largely determined by financial means, the importance of pro bono legal work has increased and will continue to increase. For many low-income individuals, navigating the complexities of the legal system is overwhelming, if not impossible. Despite its importance, pro bono work remains optional for most lawyers. Many Bar associations strongly encourage it, but only a few jurisdictions throughout our nation have taken steps to require it. While mandating pro bono service would not only help bridge the justice gap, it would also reinforce the profession’s ethical duty to serve the public good.”