Chief Justice Carlos Muñiz, with his calm, unfailingly polite demeanor, is the consensus builder. Justice Charles Canady, the court’s senior member, has a tell when he’s getting prickly during oral arguments — a raised index finger. Justice Meredith Sasso, the newest member, considers the executive branch experience she shares with several justices one of the...

Erica Barrett, firm administrator at Tampa’s Trentalange & Kelley, has been named The Florida Bar’s 2025 Florida Registered Paralegal of the Year, honored for her “exemplary performance and outstanding leadership” over a decades-long career in civil litigation. “This award is a reminder of the importance of dedication, integrity, and collaboration in our profession,” said Barrett....

The Criminal Law Section has selected four young lawyers to participate in the section’s first-ever Fellowship Program, a new initiative designed to spur interest, retain, and foster participation in the section among the next generation of criminal law practitioners, while fostering leadership, mentorship, and professional development among its members. The 2025 Criminal Law Section Fellows...

The Henry Latimer Center for Professionalism and the Standing Committee on Professionalism named Chief Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and Judge Miguel de la O of the 11th Judicial Circuit as co-winners of the 2025 William M. Hoeveler Judicial Professionalism Award. The awards were presented...

The Florida Bar’s Standing Committee on Professionalism presented Cooley Law School Associate Professor Joseline Jean-Louis Hardrick this year’s Law Faculty/Administrator Award, recognizing her outstanding commitment to professionalism in legal education. The award, presented at the recent Annual Florida Bar Convention in Boca Raton, honors faculty or administrators at Florida’s accredited law schools who demonstrate excellence...

Retired Supreme Court Chief Justice Peggy A. Quince, the first Black woman to head any branch of Florida government, is the latest recipient of the Selig I. Goldin Memorial Award, the Criminal Law Section’s highest honor. Declaring herself a proud section member since 1980, the Virginia native and death penalty expert was honored June 27...

Solo and Small Firm Section members gathered June 27, during the Annual Florida Bar Convention, for the section’s executive council meeting and to celebrate its annual awards. Pro Bono Awards Chair and incoming section Chair John Maceluch, Jr., of Sunshine Legacy Law in Panama City, and outgoing section Chair Renée Thompson, of Upchurch, Watson, White...

The Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter National Bar Association (VHFCNBA) held its 70th Anniversary Gala at The Boca Raton Resort on June 28. The organization — named after civil rights attorney Virgil D. Hawkins, who led the effort to desegregate the University of Florida College of Law in 1949 — was established in 1955 to advance...

The Florida Supreme Court Historical Society has seated its board leadership for the 2025-26 year, which was approved during the organization’s meeting at the Annual Florida Bar Convention on June 26. The board includes the following eight newly elected trustees: Gerald Cope (Retired), Akerman, Miami Judge Lance Day, Fourth Circuit, Jacksonville Judge Alan Forst, Fourth...

The Florida Bar’s Board of Legal Specialization & Education recognized Brittany Griffith at the Annual Florida Bar Convention for promoting board certification. The Excellence in the Promotion of Board Certification Award recognizes excellence and creativity by a Florida Bar board certified lawyer in advancing the public’s knowledge of, and reputation for, legal board certification. Griffith,...

The Florida Bar’s Standing Committee on Professionalism presented its Group Professionalism Award to the Stetson Inns at the Stetson University College of Law at the Annual Florida Bar Convention in Boca Raton. The award honors one program instituted and coordinated by a bar association, judicial organization, Inn of Court, or law school organization aimed at...

The Florida Bar recognized more than 700 attorneys and senior counselors for 50 years of dedication to the practice of law during the 50-Year Member and Senior Counselor Luncheon, held June 27 at the Annual Florida Bar Convention in Boca Raton. The annual luncheon featured remarks from former Florida Bar Presidents Edward R. Blumberg (1997-98)...

Edward K. Cheffy is the recipient of the 2025 Justice Harry Lee Anstead Award, which recognizes The Florida Bar Board Certified Lawyer of the Year. The Board of Legal Specialization and Education created the award to honor exemplary professionalism, excellence, character, and commitment to the certification program. Chief Justice Carlos Muñiz presented this year’s award...

Adapting to a legal landscape increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence was a key focus of the Standing Committee on Professionalism’s June 26 meeting at the 2025 Annual Florida Bar Convention. Chair Abby Spears, of Nason, Yeager, Gerson, Harris & Fumero in Palm Beach Gardens, noted that The Florida Bar Guide to Getting Started with AI,...

The Family Law Section honored nine members for outstanding service and dedication at its annual Membership Awards and Installation Presentation, held June 25 at The Boca Raton. More than 200 members from across the state attended the event, which also marked the installation of Aimee C. Gross of Ft. Lauderdale as the section’s new chair....

During the Family Law Section’s Annual Membership Awards and Installation Banquet held on June 25 in conjunction with the Annual Florida Bar Convention, Aimee C. Gross was sworn in as section chair for the 2025-26 Bar year. Board certified in marital and family law, Gross is the principal of the Law Office of Aimee Gross, P.A.,...

Robert “Bob” Shillinger, Jr., the Monroe County Attorney, is the recipient of the 2025 Claude Pepper Outstanding Government Lawyer Award. The award recognizes Florida lawyers who have made exemplary contributions as practicing government lawyers. It is named after Claude Pepper, a Florida attorney, U.S. senator, and congressman, who was an advocate on behalf of the...

With deep family roots in the profession and a bold vision for the future, Orlando’s Arti Hirani was sworn in as president of The Florida Bar’s Young Lawyers Division on June 27 at the Annual Florida Bar Convention in Boca Raton. Hirani made clear in her remarks to the General Assembly that the path to...

The latest edition of Florida Bar News Briefs, a weekly podcast dedicated to what’s happening in the legal profession, is now available with stories including: Promising to “save a seat at the table” for every lawyer, Rosalyn Sia Baker-Barnes being sworn in as the 77th president of The Florida Bar on June 27, during the Bar’s...

During the General Assembly June 27 at the Annual Florida Bar Convention in Boca Raton, outgoing President Roland Sanchez-Medina, Jr., honored the following lawyers with President’s Awards of Merit: Alice Sum, a member of the Board of Governors and an attorney with the SEC in Miami. Sanchez-Medina said Sum has provided leadership on numerous Board...

In a historic moment blending pride, purpose, and vision, Rosalyn Sia Baker-Barnes was installed as the 77th president of The Florida Bar on June 27 during the Bar’s Annual Convention in Boca Raton. She made history as the first Black woman to lead the Bar. Her father, retired 15th Circuit Judge Moses Baker, administered the...

Chief Justice Carlos Muñiz pledged Thursday to make the best possible use of a significant increase in court resources, including 39 new judges, that lawmakers included in a $115.1 billion budget proposal for FY 2025-26. “When the Legislature makes that kind of investment in the branch, I think they, and the people, have a right...

Outgoing Florida Bar President Roland Sanchez-Medina, Jr., used his final address to celebrate a year of professional growth, service, and transformation, urging lawyers across the state to say "yes" to involvement, and to embrace the ever-evolving future of law. “Every journey has a beginning — and mine started with a simple step: saying yes to...

Veteran Jacksonville trial attorney Michael Fox Orr was sworn in Friday as president-elect of The Florida Bar, after listening to a glowing tribute laced with a few good-natured barbs. A board-certified civil trial lawyer with a military bearing, slight North Florida drawl, and easy-going charm, Orr received a traditional “introduction” by Orr/Cook Managing Partner Kevin...

There is a lot happening today, Friday, June 27, at the Annual Florida Bar Convention. Here is the today's schedule: Time Function 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Refreshment Center 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. The Florida Bar Information Desk 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. The Florida Bar Registration Desk 8:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Criminal Law Section Executive Council Meeting 8:00 a.m.–noon Appellate...

West Palm Beach attorney Rosalyn Sia Baker-Barnes will be sworn in as The Florida Bar’s 76th president and Jacksonville attorney Michael Fox Orr will become president-elect Friday, June 27, at this week’s 2025 Annual Florida Bar Convention. The installation of the two top officers, along with a State of the Bar address by outgoing President...

The Florida Bar will honor more than 700 attorneys and senior counselors for 50 years of dedication to the practice of law during a luncheon at the convention on June 27 in Boca Raton. Former Florida Bar Presidents Edward R. Blumberg and Miles A. McGrane III will be the featured speakers at the annual 50-Year...

There is a lot happening today, Thursday, June 26, at the Annual Florida Bar Convention. Here is the today's schedule: 7:00 A.M.–1:00 p.m. Young Lawyers Division Orseck Moot Court Competition Registration Room 7:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Young Lawyers Division Orseck Moot Court Competition Quarterfinal & Semifinal Rounds 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Refreshment Center 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. The...

There is a lot happening today, Wednesday, June 25, at the Annual Florida Bar Convention. Here is the today's schedule: 7:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Young Lawyers Division Orseck Moot Court Competition Registration Room 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Refreshment Center 7:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. The Florida Bar Information Desk 7:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. The Florida Bar Registration Desk 7:30 a.m.–6:00...

The installation Rosalyn Sia Baker-Barnes of West Palm Beach as The Florida Bar’s 77th president and Jacksonville's Michael Orr as president-elect will highlight the 2025 Annual Florida Bar Convention, which will be held in Boca Raton from June 25-28. The convention, which will include various committee meetings, training courses, symposiums, receptions, and competitions, will be...

The latest edition of Florida Bar News Briefs, a weekly podcast dedicated to what’s happening in the legal profession, is now available with stories including: West Palm Beach’s Rosalyn Sia Baker-Barnes being sworn in as the Bar’s 77th president, alongside Jacksonville’s Michael Fox Orr as president-elect. Gov. Ron DeSantis acting on court-related policy bills. The National...

The Criminal Law Section will present its annual Criminal Law Update on Thursday, June 26, during the 2025 Annual Florida Bar Convention in Boca Raton. The full-day, in-person program will cover significant developments in Florida and federal criminal law and procedure, including DUI, "crimmigration," and case law updates, while also addressing broader ethical and societal...

In 1975, as the Vietnam War came to a close, Microsoft was founded, and "Jaws" swam into theaters, more than 700 Florida attorneys were just beginning their legal careers. A half a century later, those same lawyers will be honored for 50-years of service during the Annual Florida Bar Convention on June 27 in Boca...

Rebecca Schriver is excited that the Bar is partnering with One Blood for this year’s Annual Florida Bar Convention next week in Boca Raton. Her goal is to personally donate 20 gallons this year. Schriver, co-chair of the Florida Registered Paralegal Enrichment Committee, plans to get closer to her goal when she attends the blood...

The Florida Supreme Court will anchor the Bar’s diamond anniversary celebration at the 2025 Annual Florida Bar Convention with an hour-long seminar that includes discussion of landmark civil justice reforms. The “Keynote Discussion with the Florida Supreme Court,” sponsored by the Annual Convention Committee, begins at 9 a.m., Thursday, June 26, at the Boca Raton...

The newly formed “Corporate Counsel Committee,” an initiative President-elect Rosalyn Sia Baker-Barnes launched earlier this year at the behest of Bar members across the state, is off to a fast start. Chaired by Universal Property & Casualty General Counsel for Operations Michel Morgan, the committee conducts its first formal meeting on Wednesday, June 25 at...

As recently as last month, a federal magistrate in the Southern District of Florida sanctioned lawyers who filed AI-generated court documents that contained “hallucinated” or non-existent caselaw. Now there’s good news for lawyers who would appreciate a judicial perspective on AI — but in a more relaxed setting. On Wednesday, June 25, Florida Supreme Court...

Chief Justice Carlos G. Muñiz of the Florida Supreme Court and Past President Gary Lesser of The Florida Bar (2022-23) will be the special guests at the Counsel to Counsel Mentoring Program graduation reception during the Annual Florida Bar Convention. Hosted by The Florida Bar Mentoring New Lawyers Committee, the reception will be held Thursday,...