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.
March 02, 2026
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The Florida Bar
RPPTL RELEASES CLE TO HELP LAWYERS NAVIGATE NEW FINCEN LIABILITY RISK
The Florida Bar | Article | March 02, 2026
The Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section is urging Florida lawyers to get up to speed on a new federal reporting requirement that could expose attorneys to criminal liability if they fail to comply. To help members prepare, the section has released a free CLE program, “FinCEN Residential Real Property Rule - DO NOT PASS GO DO NOT COLLECT $200,” explaining a new rule issued by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) that governs certain residential real estate transactions. The rule, which took effect December 1, 2025, carries compliance obligations beginning March 1, is presented by Mike Hargett, co-chair of the RPPTL's CLE committee. Section leaders say the program is critical for attorneys who handle real estate matters, particularly those involved in closings, title work, or transfers involving legal entities or trusts. The RPPTL Section’s CLE program walks attorneys through the reporting framework, who must file reports, what information must be disclosed, and how the rule could affect common real estate practices.
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Legal Discipline
FLORIDA HIGH COURT DISCIPLINES FIVE ATTORNEYS, RESCINDS SUSPENSION FOR DECEASED LAWYER
Daily Business Review | Article | February 27, 2026
The Florida Supreme Court disciplined five lawyers in February, issuing suspensions and a public reprimand, and—after learning that one attorney had died—vacating a three‑year suspension imposed posthumously. Among the lawyers is Joseph Ronald Denman, who was suspended for 60 days and ordered to complete a professionalism workshop. Denman represented a client in a contested guardianship proceeding regarding the client’s mother. The client’s mother had been deemed incapacitated, including as it related to the client’s mother’s ability to retain or hire counsel. Despite this, Denman, who is based in Tampa, allowed the client’s mother to enter into a retainer agreement with him and to sign a conflict waiver, court records show. Denman subsequently prepared numerous estate documents on the mother’s behalf. Denman also filed appeals related to this matter that were found to be frivolous.
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The Florida Bar
FLORIDA BAR BOARD SEEKING APPLICANTS. TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS IN MAY
Wakulla News | Article | February 27, 2026
The Florida Bar Board of Governors is seeking applicants for the following vacancies to be filled during its May 15 meeting. Lawyer applicants must be members of The Florida Bar and in good standing. The Florida Bar is seeking one attorney to serve a three-year term on the Florida Legal Services, Inc. (FLS) Board of Directors. FLS is a statewide nonprofit civil legal aid serving low-income clients. The board oversees governance, ensures fiscal responsibility, and upholds the organization’s mission to deliver high-quality legal assistance to low-income and vulnerable persons who would not otherwise have the means to obtain a lawyer. The Bar is also seeking one attorney to serve a two-year term on the Florida Medical Malpractice Joint Underwriting Association Board of Governors. This nine-member board develops a means of obtaining loss and expense experience in medical malpractice issues. Applications will be accepted until close of business on Monday, April 6. To learn more visit FloridaBar.org.
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Judicial Discipline
SUSPENSION, FINE RECOMMENDED FOR BROWARD JUDGE WHO CITED DEEPFAKE CALL IN CAMPAIGN
Sun Sentinel | Article | February 28, 2026
The Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission has recommended a 30-day suspension, public reprimand and $10,000 fine against Broward County Judge Lauren Peffer after she cited a scandalous book and a fabricated recording of a phone call as an example of mistrust in the judiciary system during her 2024 campaign. While campaigning for the county court judge seat she now holds, Peffer cited in an interview a book that contained salacious statements and vulgar references to current and past judges. She used the book as an example of “recent revelations” that “highlighted an image crisis within Florida’s judiciary,” though she later admitted in court proceedings she had never read the book. Peffer also shared a recording that was purported to be a phone call discussing the book between Chief Judge Lisa Munyon, Justice Carlos Muñiz and Justice Renatha Francis. The call, however, was fabricated and likely made with generative AI, the Commission said.
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Legal Ethics
ATTORNEY SAYS NORTH MIAMI CITY LAWYERS USED AI TO CITE FAKE CASE LAW
Miami New Times | Article | February 27, 2026
In a Feb. 2 motion, South Florida lawyer Faudlin Pierre asked a Miami-Dade County judge to impose sanctions on the City of North Miami, the city attorney’s office, and assistant city attorney PaulMarie E. Bobb for allegedly using AI that cited nonexistent case law in a recent court filing. Pierre is representing Jean Jouse Charlot in the underlying lawsuit against the city for allegedly failing to produce public records related to Charlot’s alleged unlawful arrest in 2025. In the motion for sanctions Pierre wrote that the city cited a fake case, Kline v. Miami-Dade County, from the Florida Third District Court of Appeals. “That case does not exist,” he said. “The only Florida appellate decision reported at 200 So. 3d 271 (2016) is Kline v. University of Miami, a First District case —not a Third District case—and it does not support the city’s asserted proposition.”
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Judiciary
GOV. DESANTIS ELEVATES TWO JUDGES, APPOINTS FIVE OTHERS TO THE BENCH
Florida Politics | Article | March 02, 2026
Gov. Ron DeSantis closed out the week by elevating two judges and appointing five lawyers to new judgeships. The pair of elevations are for Lee County Judge Kimberly Bocelli and Nicole Saunders, who has served as an Administrative Law Judge for the Division of Administrative Hearing since 2023. The new Judges include Sarah Bell of Ferdinand Beach, Benjamin Boylston of Leesburg, Turner Rouse of Punta Gorda, Shanae Pickens of Ocala and Jason Smith of Spring Hill. Bocelli will fill a 12th Judicial Circuit Court vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Mary Evans. Saunders, meanwhile, will serve on the 4th Judicial Circuit Court, filling a vacancy created by SB 2508, a 2025 law circuit and county court judgeships statewide. Of the five new judges, only Rouse didn’t get his judicial post because of SB 2508. Instead, he succeeds Judge John Burns, who retired from the Charlotte County Court.
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Florida Supreme Court
FLORIDA SUPREME COURT BLOCKS CHALLENGE TO GOV. DESANTIS’ REDISTRICTING PUSH
News Service of Florida | Article | February 27, 2026
The Florida Supreme Court on Friday [Feb. 27] rejected a petition to block Gov. Ron DeSantis’ move to redraw the state’s congressional districts. The legal challenge, brought by two Florida voters and supported by the National Redistricting Foundation, was tossed by a unanimous decision by the court. In a short, two-paragraph ruling, Chief Justice Carlos Muñiz wrote that the request by the voters to block DeSantis’ call for a special session on redistricting in April and the move by Secretary of State Cord Byrd to push back the qualifying week for congressional elections from April to June was beyond the scope of the petition they filed. “The Governor has the authority to convene the Legislature in special session by proclamation,” Muñiz wrote. “The Secretary of State is the chief election officer of the state and has the authority to interpret the election laws.”