Res Gestae - February 2023

RES

GESTAE

THE OFFICIAL AWARD-WINNING PUBLICATION OF THE LEE COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION

TRIAL

2023 Mock Trial Helps

Young Legal Eagles Soar

OBJECT LESSONS

Attorneys Prove That

Community Cares

FEBRUARY 2023

HONORING Attorneys’ Efforts After Ian

I am pleased that the New Year is getting off to a great start for the bar association. I want to thank all of you, the members, who make that possible.

At the Lee County Bar Association, our mission is to further the education of our members and create meaningful interactions among the attorneys here in Lee County, while informing our local community about important legal matters. All of us Board members volunteer our time, because we want to ensure a positive experience for you.

This month, LCBA recognizes those in our community who have stepped up and done so much to give back in the wake of Hurricane Ian. Lee County attorneys have shown up for clean ups. They have shown up for demolition. They have shown up to help repair. I’ve even seen attorneys open their homes – both to other attorneys as well as members of the local community. The efforts of these attorneys do our profession proud, and we want to honor them with this edition of Res Gestae.

I have lived in Southwest Florida for almost 18 years. I arrived just in time to witness firsthand the devastation of Hurricane Charley in 2004. I’ll admit to losing count of the storms that have affected us in the many intervening years – but none affected Southwest Florida on the scale of Hurricane Ian.

Despite how much harder our community was hit by the storm, it only showed how resilient our community could be. The will of the people to build back and move on from the storm has continued to impress me. Moreover, the resilience of our legal community has impressed me as well.

LCBA has teamed up with the LCBA Foundation to create a financial aid project for those in the legal community in need. Funds are now available and are intended not just for attorneys, but also for others in the legal profession who might be in need. If you know someone who might be a good candidate, please encourage them to apply by contacting the Foundation or the LCBA office.

As we all start a new chapter after the storm, LCBA is also looking toward the next inning, which includes spring training here in Lee County. Your bar is actively looking to set up events for people to come together, commune and socialize! Check the calendar on page 10 for upcoming events, such as the annual Shrimp Boil and Bar-B-Q, as well as the webpage calendar for the latest.

LEE COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION

ADMINISTRATION

Executive Director

Lauren Baugh

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

President

Spencer Cordell, Esq.

Vice President

Hon. Kathy Smith

YLD President

Casey Gartland, Esq.

BOARD MEMBERS

John Dommerich, Jr., Esq.

Diana “Dawn” Maselli, Esq.

John Miller, III, Esq.

Travis Russell, Esq.

Douglas Szabo, Esq.

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Bench-Bar Gala

Diana “Dawn” Maselli, Esq.

Diversity and Inclusion

Ita Neymotin, Esq.

Health and Wellness

Hon. Kimberly Davis Bocelli

John Miller III, Esq.

History

Jenna Persons, Esq.

E. Bruce Strayhorn, Esq.

Law-Related Education

T. Terry Rankin, Esq.

Law Week

Hon. John Carlin

PRACTICE SECTION CHAIRS

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Anne Dalton, Esq.

Appellate Law

Alex Brockmeyer, Esq.

Corporate Law

TBA

Criminal Law

Kathleen Fitzgeorge, Esq.

Agnieszka Osowicka, Esq.

Elder Law

Blake Hampton, Esq.

Amy McGarry, Esq.

Family Law

Kayla Richmond Miller, Esq.

Danielle Seitz, Esq.

General Civil and Business

Litigation

Carlos Kelly, Esq.

Administrative Assistant

Mairelis Tamayo

President Emeritus

Tiffany Pereira, Esq.

Secretary

Jerry Olivo, Esq.

Treasurer

John Miller, III, Esq.

JUDICIAL LIAISONS

Hon. Robert Branning

Hon. Devin George

LCBA Foundation Charity Golf Tournament

Kenneth Jones, Esq.

Shannon Puopolo, Esq.

Mock Trial

Eunice Gedeon, Esq.

Shaina Zuppke, Esq.

Paralegal

TBA

Pro Bono

Andrew Banyai, Esq.

Michelle Trunkett, Esq.

Immigration law

Indera DeMine, Esq.

Nirupa Netram, Esq.

Intellectual Property Law

Holly McFall, Esq.

Mark Nieds, Esq.

Land Use and Governmental Law

Sarah Spector, Esq.

Erica Woods, Esq.

Real Property, Probate and Trust Law

Kenneth Kemp, Esq.

Peter Knize, J.D., L.L.M.

Robin Merriman II, Esq.

Solo & Small Firm

Jarred Duke, Esq.

Robin Merriman II, Esq.

John Webb, Esq.

Tort Litigation

Diana Castrillon, Esq.

Diana “Dawn” Maselli, Esq.

Showing Our Community the LOVE

February is the month of all kinds of celebrations, including making it through January.

PHEW! If you are reading this, you made it out of the first month of a new year. 2022 was great and then not so much, but 2023 is proving to be amazing so far!

Thank you to all who came out to meet our new 2023 boards and to celebrate with us. I would love your feedback on our events, new magazine, CLE offerings and all things LCBA. I continue to offer my ear to anyone who would like to chat about the LCBA and what we offer. If you have an idea for an event, CLE or something we should offer, please contact me.

Each year, I ask the community, legal and at large, to offer sponsorship dollars to the LCBA to ensure we have a great year. I get to partner with some really wonderful and supportive people and businesses! You see their logos on things, you see their names and brands on social media posts, and you hear their names at each event. Please make sure to thank them when you see them, shake their hands, refer them to clients and support those who support us. It is vital to our VBA that we continue to harness those relationships. They help us to help you! This being the month of Valentine’s Day, I figure I would ask that each of you reading show them some LOVE!

In case you have not noticed, we have a new PR firm, Priority Marketing. This means a new year, new look, and we could not be more pleased. The refresh of the Res Gestae is very exciting for us at the LCBA HQ, and hope that you feel the same way!

We are always looking for contributing writers, so if you like to write or feel that you have something to contribute, please let me know! Have a favorite place to eat or want me to write about it? Please let me know. Learn more by sending an email to RGSales@prioritymarketing.com.

Please remember to check the calendar in the magazine and on our website at www.leebar.org, so you can register for all of our amazing events coming up! This month, we are hosting not only the County Mock Trial, but also the Circuit Mock Trial. This is always a fun event to watch and participate in, and is held at the Lee County Justice Center. Turn to page 20 to learn more!

As always, thank you for your membership with the LCBA. I hope to see you at our next event!

RES GESTAE

The official award-winning publication of the Lee County Bar Association, which serves citizens and the legal community since 1949.

STAFF

Publisher

Teri Hansen, APR

Advertising Account Executive

Elise Rose

Editor

Sarah Nadal

Associate Editor

Kathy Becker

Creative/Art Director

Christi Finger

Graphic Designer

Lynsey Gill

Contributing Writers

Casey Gartland, Esq.

Chris Smith, Esq.

Henry Lee Paul, Esq.

Lauren Baugh

Matt Roepstorff, Esq.

Spencer Cordell, Esq.

Tiffany Pereira, Esq.

Contributing Photographers

Jim Jett Photography

Res Gestae is an award-winning magazine published monthly by Priority Marketing in partnership with the Lee County Bar Association. All editorial, advertising and photos may be submitted for consideration through email to rgeditorial@prioritymarketing.com. To advertise, contact Elise Rose at (239) 267-2638 or rgsales@prioritymarketing.com. For billing inquiries, call (239) 334-0047.

We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information published, but we cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from omissions or errors. Opinions expressed by writers and advertisers are not necessarily opinions shared by LCBA, Res Gestae or Priority Marketing.

Copyright©2023 Lee County Bar Association, Inc. All Rights Reserved. No portion of the publication may be reproduced in part or in whole without prior written permission from the Lee County Bar Association. To inquire about such permission, please contact Lee County Bar Association at info@leebar.org.

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If you have IT questions, we have the answers.

SAVE THE DATE

LCBA'S 2023 EVENTS

To register and view the latest event updates, please visit LeeBar.org.

FEBRUARY 2023

3-4 LCBA & SDLC Mock Trial County Competition

Location: Lee County Courthouse

10 LCBA RPPTL Virtual Brown Bag

Time: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. via Microsoft Teams

Topic: 2023 Heckerling Update

Speaker: Mike Sneeringer, Esq.

10 LCBA & SDLC Mock Trial

Circuit Competition

Location: Lee County Courthouse

14 LCBA Family Law Luncheon

Time: TBA

Location: TBA

Topic: TBA

Speaker: TBA

17 LCBA Membership Luncheon

Time: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Location: The Edison Restaurant

Topic: TBA

Speaker: TBA

MARCH 2023

25 Bench Bar-B-Q & Shrimp Boil

APRIL 2023

7 Good Friday - LCBA and courts closed

21 LCBA Luncheon with Gary Lesser

29 Law in the Mall

MAY 2023

4 LCAWL Judicial Appreciation Reception and Blood Drive

6 Law Week Awards Luncheon at The Edison

29 Memorial Day - LCBA and courts closed

JUNE 2023

2 YLD Burritos with the Bench

16 LCBA Diversity & Inclusion Luncheon

JULY 2023

4 Independence Day - LCBA and courts closed

21 LCBA Monthly Luncheon

AUGUST 2023

18 LCBA Monthly Luncheon

SEPTEMBER 2023

7 Labor Day - LCBA and courts closed

15 Downtown Dash

25 Yom Kippur - LCBA and courts closed

OCTOBER 2023

20 LCBA Pro Bono Awards Luncheon

NOVEMBER 2023

10 Veterans Day - LCBA and courts closed 11 Bench Bar Gala 23-24 LCBA and courts closed

DECEMBER 2023

Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by The Florida Bar

Represented Plaintiffs and Defendants

Former Plaintiff-side Personal Injury Attorney

Former Medical Malpractice Defense Attorney

Southwest Florida Resident Since 2005

Office in Collier County, Florida

Chad T. Brazzeal, Esquire Chad@BrazzealMediation com

Henry Lee Paul, Esq.

ABA GIVES GUIDANCE REGARDING “REPLY ALL” EMAILS

The ABA has provided guidance to lawyers who receive emails from opposing counsel which copy the client of opposing counsel. Formal Opinion 503 advised that “In the absence of special circumstances, lawyers who copy their clients on an electronic communication sent to counsel representing another person in the matter impliedly consent to receiving counsel’s ‘reply all’ to the communication.”

In providing this guidance, the Opinion discussed the obligations imposed by Model Rule 4.2 to refrain from communicating with a represented individual regarding the subject of the representation. The Opinion observed that the lawyer sending the email that copies a client creates a “group communication” that provides implied consent for responding to the group. The opinion described this implied consent as a bright line application of the rule.

However, the implied consent for such group communication is not unlimited. The Opinion stated that “the consent covers only the specific topics in the initial email; the receiving counsel cannot reasonably infer that such email opens the door to copy the sending lawyer’s client on unrelated topics.”

Fairness requires that the sending lawyer should be presumed to have authorized a “reply all” response. This presumption is further supported by the fact that the receiving lawyer may not be aware that the client of the sending lawyer was included in the group communication. The Opinion explained that the sending lawyer establishes the communication framework and may avoid the risk of unwanted

communication by simply not including a client.

The Opinion questioned the wisdom of including a client on a group communication and recognized it may lead to a client responding with an imprudent response to all. The Opinion advised that “the better practice is not to copy the client on an email or text to receiving counsel; instead, the lawyer generally should separately forward any pertinent emails or texts to the client.”

The authorization of a receiving lawyer to reply to all is not unlimited. Restrictions include either a verbal or written statement by the sending lawyer that specifically requests that the client be excluded from any reply. Further, the presumption only exists in relation to electronic communications and excludes traditional paper communication for which a “different set of norms currently exists.”

The policy behind Rule 4-4.2 is well explained by the comment, which states, “This rule contributes to the proper functioning of the legal system by protecting a person who has chosen to be represented by a lawyer in a matter against possible overreaching by other lawyers who are participating in the matter…” The most difficult issues that arise under this rule often involve uncertain questions of whether a communication is related to the relevant matter. Although the guidance of the Opinion is welcome, lawyers should be careful of overreaching, even in a “reply all” communication. See, Bedoya v. Aventura Limousine & Transp. Service, Inc., 861 F.Supp.2d 1346 (S.D. Fla., 2012).

Henry Lee Paul, Esq. is a former Bar Counsel who now represents lawyers in all matters before the Florida Bar and offers risk management services on all legal practice matters. He also represents applicants in all matters before The Florida Board of Bar Examiners.

FAMILY DRAMA t

Roetzel & Andress, LPA offers solutions for your most puzzling trust and estate matters. As a leading law firm located in Naples and Fort Myers, our attorneys regularly represent beneficiaries, fiduciaries and corporations in all aspects of estate and trust administrations. Then, if family drama ensues, Roetzel’s team of trust and estate litigators and appellate attorneys will be ready to protect your interests.

999

BEACH ROAD SUITE 401 NAPLES, FL 34108

2. City in Lee County

4. City in Collier County

By Kenneth Kemp, Esq.

HURRICANE IAN A CALL TO SERVICE

I was just nine years old when I learned that I wanted to be a lawyer. It was the show Matlock, starring Andy Griffith. Andy Griffith was a lawyer who helped good people seek justice and he did so by providing a legal service. I wanted to be that person who helped. Often times, we get caught up in the adversary nature of what we do. But we forget that, at end of the day, we provide a service to people. We must be ready to serve when called upon.

On September 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian struck Lee County. It brought massive wind devastation and Biblical flooding. The storm brought devastation to homes, businesses, and to our friends and neighbors in our area. Although my family and I had our own devastation to deal with, we wanted to help others. It was that call to service that drove us to help.

Sadly, my office learned that an 84-year-old lady had died on Fort Myers Beach. She was found about a block from her home. The family was able to identify her Last Will & Testament in her home. The Will was wet, dirty from the mud, and the once-ironed pages were crinkly. We agreed to assist the family with probating the estate. My assistant prepared the Will and death certificate for filing with the court. Before my assistant hand-delivered the Will, she asked me to smell the Will. With hesitation, I smelled the Will. The Will smelled like saltwater. Although the smell was heartbreaking, we were called to service.

Shortly after the storm, my office and I began reaching

out to clients. Many were in shock, lost and didn’t know where to begin with cleanup. In response, my office made a list of providers to assist our clients with the devastation. We made a contact list of roofers, contractors, pool contractors, lawn maintenance personnel, window vendors, door vendors, screen vendors and professional insurance adjusters, for our clients. The list created some kind of organization for our clients during a time of devastation. Again, it was a call to service.

Many of our section members donated their time making food for those who lost everything. Some of our members assisted their neighbors and friends with clean-up. Some even opened their homes to those who lost their home to flood damage. The damage was devastating, but our call to service is what we do. These are just a few of the many acts of service that our section members provided during the devastation from Hurricane Ian.

Our RPPTL practice section meets on the second Friday of every month. Meetings take place via ZOOM. Discussion presenters speak on topics of Wills, Trusts, Estates and Real Property. We would enjoy having you and meeting you. If you are interested, please do not hesitate in contacting me at: kenneth@apatronelaw.com.

Providing a service to people is a satisfying and humbling experience, and it’s a call that our members are willing to take. We hope to see you soon at one of our meetings.

Kenneth E. Kemp II is the president of Patrone, Kemp, Bentley & Mace, P.A. Mr. Kemp concentrates in Wills, Trusts, Estates, Guardianship and tax-exempt organizations. Mr. Kemp is co-chair of the Wills, Trusts, Estates and Real Property Section of the Lee County Bar and a Board Member of the SW Florida Guardianship Association. Mr. Kemp serves on the Grievance Committee for The Florida Bar.

Casey Gartland, Esq. is a civil litigation attorney with the Pendas Law Firm’s Fort Myers office where he represents clients who have been injured or killed as the result of negligence, greed or carelessness. He specializes in car and truck crashes, premises liability, insurance bad faith, property damage claims, product defect and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) cases.

Casey Gartland, Esq.

Being the Light

Hurricane Ian was an absolute monster of a storm, and the devastation it brought to the Southwest Florida community is something I will never forget. As young lawyers, I believe that we should always look for ways to be the light to our community during times of adversity.

As Hurricane Ian set its sights on the Southwest Florida coast, I approached the partners at The Pendas Law Firm with an idea of planning, implementing, opening and running a Disaster Relief Center out of our Fort Myers Office to aid the community in the aftermath of the storm. The goal was to have water, non-perishable food, tarps and supplies, as well as information on how to file a claim with a homeowner’s insurance company.

It was a simple premise and plan, but it proved challenging to achieve. As we all know, water and non-perishable foods were difficult to find in Southwest Florida before and after Ian made landfall. Finding tarps and other supplies proved near impossible in the days before and the days following the storm. In the rare instance where one was able to track down food, water or supplies, there were limits set on purchase quantities.

On the verge of failure, Lou Pendas, Larry Trias and Joel Piedra helped coordinate a system where we could order food, water and supplies from the law firm’s office locations outside of the region, stage them at our Orlando office, and then shuttle them down to Fort Myers. Thanks to the firm’s network and our ability to quickly pivot, we secured pallets of supplies to distribute.

Local news media and radio, combined with word of mouth and social media, proved to be the best way to let people know we were here to help. Once the word went out, the relief center saw a steady stream of people coming in for food, water and supplies. The center was a success and we made a difference for our community!

The human component proved to be more important than giving out food, water, supplies, or answering people’s questions about how to open a property damage claim with their insurance company. What matters is to be kind – to be the light! It can be as small as a hug, small talk, a joke, a prayer or a smile. In the wake of Ian’s destruction, it made all the difference.

My staff went above and beyond for the people who came to the Disaster Relief Center. I am proud of how brightly they shined for our community during a dark time, and hope they know how much I personally appreciate all the efforts they have made since we opened the center. The stress, anxiety and fear that people experience can melt away with a cup of hot coffee and a short conversation.

Young lawyers, let’s be the light in 2023!

Disaster relief supplies collected by Pendas Law Firm

PLATINUM

CopyLady

U.S. Legal Support

GOLD

Boyle Leonard Anderson

Edison National Bank

Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz

SILVER

Cogent Bank

Fort Myers Court Reporting

Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A.

Sanibel-Captiva Community Bank

BRONZE

AccurateServe Fort Myers/Naples

Boy Agnew Potanovic Miller

Dal Lago Law

Element Technologies

Hampton Law

John Webb Legal Group, P.L.

Law Office of Dennis L. Webb

Law Office of Spencer Cordell

Lusk, Drasites & Tolisano, P.A.

Michael Raheb, P.A.

Casey Gartland, Esq. with Pendas Law

IN-KIND

Priority Marketing

TRIAL RUN ENGAGING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ATTORNEYS

By Shaina Zuppke, Esq. jimjett.com

THE HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL is a time-honored tradition for the School District of Lee County and the Lee County Bar Association. It is a way for students to begin developing their interest in the legal field, which may turn into a future career as an attorney. The School Board Attorneys from the School District of Lee County, Lee County Legal Aid, Light Path Law firm, and the Lee County Bar Association will be organizing this year’s County and Circuit Competition to take place in February 2023.

The Florida State High School Mock Trial program was established in 1991. This competition has grown to include teams from all twenty Florida Circuits. The competition starts at the county level, with teams from the local area schools. Lee County has private, charter and public schools that participate in the competition each year.

Six teams will be participating in this year’s event. The teams will compete at the county level, and one team will emerge as the winner and will go on to the Circuit Competition Level. This year, Lee County will be hosting the Circuit Competition, as it is their turn in the annual rotation with Charlotte and Collier. At the Circuit Court Competition, the top-scoring team will proceed to the State Championship.

Florida Southern College, through the Justice Teaching Center, creates a new set of facts and case materials each year. This year’s trial is a criminal case involving a second-degree murder. The students must use the details and the rules of evidence that are listed and prepare for trial as both the State Prosecution and Defense. The same set of facts and rules will allow the competition to be uniform to allow the judges to score the students and teams fairly.

Students will utilize critical thinking skills, legal reasoning and analysis as they prepare for the annual competition. The students will be scored on their opening and closing statements, direct and cross-examination of witnesses, and the overall presentation of the case. Students will also learn the structure and function of the courts and the legal process. The students will have a teacher/school coach that assists the team with organizing the case materials and practices. Many of the teams will also have an attorney volunteer to coach and assist with their courtroom presentation and style. Attorney coaches will provide feedback on techniques to approach cases and develop strategies.

Many of our local judges, magistrates and attorneys volunteer as Scoring and Presiding Judges. There will be up to 50 attorney volunteers at this year’s County and Circuit Competition. The Presiding Judge will moderate the case, rule on objections, case challenges and disputes, and score on the final outcome of the case. The Scoring Judges will rate the opening and closing statements, attorney presentation, direct and cross-examination of witnesses, and the overall case.

The two top scoring teams will compete in the championship round, where the team with the most points will participate at the next level of competition. These amazing students have perfected their cases and could easily be considered future colleagues. The High School Mock Trial competition is one of the best ways to engage our next generation of attorneys.

SAVE THE DATE

The Lee County Bar Association is excited to be hosting the High School Mock Trial competition for both the County and the Circuit. The County Competition is being held on Friday, February 3 and Saturday, February 4, 2023, while this year’s Circuit Competition is being held on Friday, February 10, 2023.

LCBA has six teams competing in the County competition this year! If you have general questions about these events, please reach out to Shaina Zuppke at Shainaz@leeschools.net or Lauren Baugh at LBaugh@LeeBar.org

Shaina J. Zuppke, Esq. is an assistant School Board attorney for the School District of Lee County, Florida. Her focus is business services and operations for the School District. She has been the co-chair for LBCA High School Mock Trial Competition, assisting with the coordination and organization of the yearly event for the past 6 years.

By Kathy Becker, Associate Editor

Class Act(ion)

Common Ground

Since it was founded in 2019, the Miguel C. Fernandez III Hispanic Bar Association has worked to help the community, including collecting annually to provide Thanksgiving meals.

The group was poised to do so again when Hurricane Ian arrived. “We knew there was definitely still a need, perhaps even more so with people without homes and income, but we weren’t sure about asking for money because so many people were dealing with their own issues,” said Karla Campos Andersen, co-founder and president of the Hispanic Bar Association.

But then Grace Church, their partner for the Thanksgiving drives, let them know about the Pondella Trailer Park, a North Fort Myers community of 89 homes occupied primarily by Hispanic families, many of them undocumented. “I didn’t really know about it, and I drive by it every day,” Andersen said.

Due to flooding from the storm, all of the trailers in the community are inhabitable. The residents have few resources to rebuild, and most are likely ineligible for government help.

Through a social media campaign, the Hispanic Chamber notified its members and collected close to $5,800 in partnership with the Lee County Bar Association Foundation, to host a Thanksgiving dinner with Grace Church for residents. With leftover funds, they purchased Christmas gifts for 40 children in the park. Grace Church continues to raise funds to help residents of the park rebuild and have safe, comfortable homes.

“I think it was important for anyone who could give back to give back,” Andersen said. “One of our goals it to unite as a community and provide outreach.”

WHAT MEMBERS OF THE LAW COMMUNITY LEARNED BY BECOMING HURRICANE IAN’S PUBLIC DEFENDERS.

Years from now, when the Southwest Florida community reflects on the impact of Hurricane Ian, it will likely recall heroic and harrowing stories as well as unprecedented change. What cannot be overlooked is the thousands of seemingly small, but significant acts with impacts that included providing lasting lessons learned.

Amicus Curiae

Recognizing that the legal system could be crippled with so many lawyers impacted by Hurricane Ian, the lawyers and judges of the Middle District of Florida made a grant to the Southwest Florida Federal Court Bar Association. Made through the Middle District Bench Bar Fund, the grant provided assistance to members of the legal community affected by the storm.

Because rules for use of the Bench Bar funds would not allow them to be used to provide relief to court employees, the Middle District’s judges, practitioners and Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville Federal Bar Associations provided personal donations.

The program distributed more than $210,000 to help more than 400 people.

destructive.

LESSON LEARNED: We cannot leave anyone behind and need to make sure everyone is treated fairly, regardless of their immigration status.

LESSON LEARNED: Together, the Middle District is strong, and it can weather any storm, no matter how

Helping the Helpers

KindLee, a nonprofit that promotes acts of kindness, connected Fort Myers Boy Scout Troop 3300 with Cape Coral resident Warren Bullock. Bullock, 70, has lung cancer, and spent every day after the storm trying to save his family’s home. Members of the scout troop knocked on his door, and then got busy cleaning up fallen trees in his back yard.

“You don’t know how much this means to me,” Bullock told them. The scouts also passed out water, cookies and American flags to families and work crews. Local attorneys Kelly Fayer, Andrea Smith and Katie Berkey, along with Cape Coral council member Jennifer I. Nelson and others, assisted the scouts. Handmade cards with messages of hope uplifted weary hearts.

It was not just Bullock who benefitted from the efforts. KindLee sets out to help area children facing challenges by creating ways for them to help others. Learn more at kindlee.org.

Pet Guardians

When Hurricane Ian ravaged Southwest Florida, it flooded the downtown Fort Myers office that Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz has occupied since its founding 60 years ago. It also hit Gulf Coast Humane Society (GCHS) hard.

Fortunately, all animals at GCHS were fine after the storm passed, but the facility, fences and grounds were damaged. Then shortly after landfall, GCHS began receiving animals that became lost after the storm or dropped off by families who did not have a home to keep them. GCHS took in 30 animals in five days, with more than 40 scheduled for another week.

As a result, Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz extended until May 2023 its plan to sponsor 60 free or reduced-price pet adoptions.

The Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz adoptions are made possible with “Golden Tickets” that are distributed at events hosted by the firm and the Humane Society to people wishing to give cats and dogs at the shelter “furever” homes.

“We believe that pets are important members of our family and through partnerships like this one, we know dozens of families will be enjoying 2023 and beyond with an appreciative new family member,” said Gary Willoughby, executive director of GCHS.

LESSON LEARNED: Being able to help others reminds children that they are special and valuable.

LESSON LEARNED: Rebuilding Southwest Florida includes finding homes for pets that became homeless because of the storm.

For the Public Good

Inns of Court are organized around the world. Southwest Florida’s Calusa Inn of Court was chartered in September 1995 by local attorneys and members of the judiciary who believe in the professionalism, civility and excellence of the practice of law.

Within each Inn, pupillage groups are organized to foster inter-generational mentoring. Each pupillage gives one presentation a year.

Following the storm, attorney George Knott proposed that his pupillage organize free “law on the mall” legal clinics to help people interested in some guidance for claims, dispute resolution, rights, responsibilities, obligations and other issues. Any clinic attendee wishing to hire an attorney was referred to the Lee County Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service.

“Insurance policies are often impenetrable, and so many people have no idea of what their rights or responsibilities are,” said attorney PJ Scheiner. “It’s so unfair to the average consumer.”

In November and December, the group of about 20 legal volunteers offered four free legal clinics, helping about 100 people with resources and general guidance. One clinic was held for employees at Lee Health’s Cape Coral Hospital.

“Unfortunately, we live in a complex society, where we are often masters of our own niches,” Scheiner said. “Someone who is a fishing guide knows the water. A lawyer may go fishing, but he likely doesn’t know the waters like a fishing guide would. Lawyers have a unique understanding of the law that governs the claims process.”

Behind Bars

After the storm, the Broward County Bar Association and other local East Coast and area bar associations quickly mobilized a supply drive, bringing essentials to Southwest Florida.

Teresa Conte, CEO and executive director of the Clearwater Bar Association, met with her board members. The Clearwater Bar Association, like many others, also created an email campaign with their own members to collect relief donations.

Conte’s team packed up their supplies and caravan to Lee County, bringing gas cans and other supplies needed in the early days following the storm. They also worked with a local church to help with distribution in Southwest Florida.

Similarly, larger law firms with offices outside of Southwest Florida rallied their employees to donate to support storm recovery efforts. Hahn Loeser Attorneys at Law encouraged employees in other offices to raise money for Red Cross organizations based in Fort Myers and Naples.

LESSON LEARNED: Pro bono work is so important because of the disproportionate knowledge lawyers have over matters that penetrate everyday life, particularly in times of crisis and difficulty.

LESSON LEARNED: We were there for others, because we know they would be there for us.

EMPOWERING PEOPLE

Fulfilling a need within the community, Better Together serves Southwest Florida through two highly successful programs: Better Families and Better Jobs.

Better Families strengthens families to prevent the need for foster care. Better Jobs addresses economic hardship tied to unemployment, a key cause of family crises. Ultimately, the goal is to empower people who truly want to help themselves. This can halt the slide into more serious issues, including abuse, court involvement and custody loss. Better Together gives parents the tools they need to lift themselves out of poverty and stabilize their families – whether that means helping them work through challenges, connecting them to employers or providing a loving home to shelter their children while they focus on achieving their goals. When Hurricane Ian hit Southwest Florida, the organization immediately initiated proactive outreach to make sure impacted families got the support they needed.

Together, Better Families and Better Jobs provide a powerful platform for people who are ready to enact positive change. These programs are 100% privately funded and communitydriven, implemented by faith-based organizations and a caring volunteer force.

• 4,000 Florida children served

• 34,000 job seekers connected with employment

• 21 different states impacted by Better Together

better together

After Hurricane Ian hit Fort Myers in September 2022, many people felt powerless. Better Together sprang to action with a team of staff and thousands of caring volunteers knocking on more than 10,000 doors to serve every single family that asked for the nonprofit organization’s help. Here are just a few photos of those efforts in action.

AFTER THE STORM

Kinfay Moroti, Hopeful Images ©2022

Meet the Honorable Christopher Brown

On November 8, the duly elected Judge Christopher Brown was commissioned by Governor Ron DeSantis to fill the vacancy left by Judge Mike Provost upon his retirement in August.

He is currently assigned to the Collier County civil docket where he presides over lawsuits, evictions and a myriad of other matters. Through cross-designation as a Circuit Judge he backs up other judges by covering such matters as civil injunction hearings and felony trials. He will, of course, also cover criminal trials for other county judges, when necessary.

Before taking the bench, Judge Brown practiced criminal, civil and appellate litigation for more than 16 years at the firm of Brown, Suarez, Rios & Weinberg, P.A. Judge Brown tried well over 150 cases to verdict in state and federal courts, in addition to arguing dozens of appeals, before taking the bench.

Judge Brown received industry recognition for his work as an attorney. In 2007, he was awarded the FACDL’s “Extra Mile” Award. From 2012 to date, he has maintained an AV rating with Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest rating given regarding both competency and ethics. He has also maintained a 10/10 rating from Avvo since that service began to rate him in 2010. In 2018, the Florida Bar Board certified Judge Brown as an expert trial lawyer. Finally, for the last four consecutive years of his law practice, Judge Brown was featured in Super Lawyers magazine as one of the best criminal defense attorneys in Florida.

Judge Brown grew up in Naples and graduated from Gulfview Middle School and Naples High before going on to become a Double Gator by getting his bachelor's and law degrees from the University of Florida (JD 99’). His wife Lynn Brown was born in Naples and also graduated from Naples High before going on to Princeton (99’). Married in 2011, the couple have three children in school in Naples. Therefore, when not working as a Judge, Judge Brown spends most of his time with his kids at practices, games, plays and recitals.

By Lauren Baugh

THIS IS HOW WE ROLL

MR. MEES SERVES SENSATIONAL SUSHI

something other than sushi! I ordered the panfried gyoza, which was amazing. It is handmade in the back of the kitchen and served piping hot with a lovely dipping sauce. This delicious sauce is a secret, so I have no idea what is in it, but it was delicious!

Mr. Mees has been around for my entire life. While I am not a young whipper snapper anymore, I am not approaching retirement age either. That all said, this longtime local restaurant has survived many storms, not just brought on by weather, but economic storms, such as many other sushi restaurants opening and the like.

I have been to Mr. Mees no less than 50 times! I LOVE sushi, sashimi and their sushi rolls. Generally speaking, I love food. But when it comes to sushi, Mr. Mees has always been my go-to sushi spot!

Although they have added some new faces over the years, the same staff has worked there for years. If you are a regular, you know the woman that greets each and every person who walks in the door will always be there to say, “Hello, welcome, please sit anywhere you like,” and promptly bring you the menus and offer a drink. Or, you can look at the sushi-making bar and see the same man preparing your sushi for you. As many other sushi chefs in town will tell you, this same man trained them in the fine art of sushi making!

Going to Mr. Mees is not just about the sushi. They have all kinds of Asian dishes, which I am sure are lovely. I have watched others order various dishes, and they look AMAZING! When I choose a restaurant, I generally stick to what I know and love.

But this time at Mr. Mees, I did indeed order

While the sushi was being prepared, I ordered a beer. They had two beers on the menu that were Japanese and I decided to order both, the Kirin and the Sapporo. My preference was the Kirin, because it had a crisp taste and paired well with the gyoza and the sushi.

I would be remiss if I did not tell you what sushi and sushi rolls are my go-to. I always get the same rolls, and it is because they are awesome! Some of the rolls have add-on options. I always go for the option of taking the dragon roll and making it a white dragon roll, which means they add yellowtail to the top of the roll. Trust me, this is the ONLY way to eat the dragon roll at Mr. Mees!

If you are like me and want variety, you will also opt for a few more rolls. If you have a date with you, which I did, you will want to order a few more rolls and then have leftovers! We ordered a few more rolls, which included the crazy roll, kickup roll and rainbow roll.

We also had to order a few pieces of sushi as well, so we got the scallops, mackerel, tuna and salmon. I had not tried the mackerel before, but this time I did and it did not disappoint! So incredibly flavorful. Tuna is always my go-to when it comes to sushi or sashimi, and the reason why is because it is amazing! If you are new to sushi, sashimi or the concept of raw fish, I highly recommend trying tuna before anything else. It will leave you wanting to try more, after realizing how tantalizing the tuna is!

If you are from this area and like sushi, you have been to Mr. Mees. If you are from here, like sushi and are one of the VERY few who do not know about Mr. Mees, please read on!

Lauren Baugh is the Executive Director at Lee County Bar Association and can be reached at LBaugh@leebar.org.

IS YOUR FIRM PART OF THE 100 CLUB?

Is Your Firm Part of the 100 Club? Any firm with two or more attorneys and 100% membership in LCBA qualifies. If you feel your firm is eligible, email a listing of your attorneys to admin@leebar.org and we will let you know.

Absolute Law, P.A.

All Injuries Law

Aloia, Roland, Lubell & Morgan, PLLC.

Arend & Sisk, P.A.

Associates & Bruce L. Scheiner, P.A.

Banker, Lopez & Gassler

Boy Agnew Potanovic Miller, PLLC.

Boyle & Leonard & Anderson, P.A.

Burandt, Adamski, Feichthaler & Sanchez, PLLC.

Calvo & Calvo, Attorneys at Law

Che Diaz Law, LLC.

Cole Scott & Kissane, P.A. – Fort Myers

Dal Lago Law

Freidin & Inglis, P.A.

Garvin Law Firm

Goldberg│Noone│Abraham Personal Injury Attorneys

Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz, P.A.

GrayRobinson, P.A.

Green, Schoenfeld & Kyle, LLP

Hahn, Loeser & Parks, LLP

John Webb Legal Group, P.L.

Kagan Law Firm

Kelleher Law

Knott Ebelini Hart

Law Offices of Dennis L. Webb, P.A.

Law Offices of Michael M. Raheb, Criminal Lawyer

Law Offices of Scott T. Moorey

Lee County Legal Aid Society, Inc.

Men’s Rights Law Firm

Osterhout & McKinney, P.A.

Patrone, Kemp & Bentley, P.A.

Pavese Law Firm

Roetzel & Andress, L.P.A.

Rubinstein & Holz

Scarmozzino / King Trial Lawyers

Sheldon E. Finman, P.A.

Sheppard, Brett, Stewart, Hersch, Kinsey & Hill, P.A.

Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.

Strayhorn, Persons-Mulicka & Fisher, P.L.

Wilbur Smith, LLC

Yeslow, Koeppel & Anderson

ZinnLaw PLLC

5 THINGS

YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT ME h Cody Vaughan-Birch

275-5552

I am an avid fisherman. My dream vacation is one I’ve gone on annually for the past several years: a week-long tarpon fly-fishing and camping trip deep in the Everglades backcountry. Black and Purple… if you know, you know.

My family is from Britain. And our last name has been hyphenated since King Henry VIII ruled England, which means my awkward email address isn’t really my fault.

My favorite professional athlete is disc golfer Calvin Heimburg.

We recently rescued two dogs. A pair of Great Pyrenees that were literally washed onto our doorstep during the middle of Hurricane Ian. Their names are Apu and Sipan, a.k.a. the Peppermint Twins.

I love our native Florida wildlife. So does my friend Attorney John Miller of Boy, Agnew, Potanovic & Miller. I’m a proud graduate of his 3-day red mangrove identification course. He really knows his stuff, and I highly recommend it.

IN THE NEWS

NEW YEAR, NEW FACES

Following a Florida Supreme Court ruling, Gov. Ron DeSantis made appointments to four seats on a revamped 5th District Court of Appeal. DeSantis named Florida Gaming Control Commission Chairman John MacIver, Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Paige Kilbane, Duval County Circuit Judge Adrian Soud and Putnam County Judge Joseph Boatwright to serve on the appellate court, which will hear cases from North Florida and Central Florida.

LEAVING A LEGAL LEGACY

After 44 years on the bench, former 20th Circuit Judge Hugh D. Hayes — Florida’s longest-serving judge — is stepping down as he nears the constitutionally mandated retirement age of 75. A retirement ceremony sponsored by his Collier County Bar colleagues honored Hayes, who also received letters of tribute from Gov. Ron DeSantis, Florida Bar President Gary Lesser, House and Senate leaders, and Chief Justice Carlos Muñiz.

EXPANDED & REBRANDED

With the appointment of Jennifer L. Fisher to partner, the area’s oldest law firm, Strayhorn & Persons, has rebranded as Strayhorn, PersonsMulicka & Fisher. Fisher, who joined the practice in 2015, recently earned her board certification in real estate law from the Florida Bar. The firm also launched a new, user-friendly website that highlights the firm’s history, the partners’ expertise and client case studies at strayhornlaw.com.

DISSOLVING DISPUTES

The law firm of Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., is pleased to announce that divorce, marital and family law attorney Iman Zekri has been reelected as Secretary of the Association of Family Law Professionals (AFLP) Board of Directors. As a member of the Board, Zekri will continue developing and promoting dispute resolution methods that enhance the quality of life for citizens in the community.

PERFECT PAIRINGS

Attorneys Alexander J. Menendez and Alton M. Kuhn have been named partners at Pavese Law Firm. Menendez concentrates his practice in the areas of community association law and commercial and residential real estate transactions. Kuhn focuses his practice in the areas of commercial and residential real estate transactions, real estate development, commercial leasing and business law.

APPOINTED TO SERVE

Gov. Ron DeSantis recently announced the appointment of a Cape Coral attorney to Florida’s Twentieth Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission. Katherine “Kati” Cook is an associate attorney at Boy Agnew Potanovic Miller, PLLC. She received her bachelor’s degree from Florida Gulf Coast University and her law degree from Ave Maria School of Law. Cook is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2026.

A SEAT ON THE PANEL

Business and Tax Attorney Guy Whitesman of Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A. served as a panelist at the Florida Bar Tax Section Directors meeting in New Orleans on January 20. Whitesman provided continuing legal education to the Florida Bar on the issues of taxation, business and estate planning and provided additional discussion on other hot topics within the tax law realm.

EXPERIENCED IN INSURANCE

Attorney Robert V. White has joined Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz, P.A., specializing in motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, wrongful death and property damage claims. White previously served as an insurance defense attorney for nearly 10 years. This expertise will be beneficial for his clients in receiving just compensation.

MEMBER OF THE YEAR

Britton G. Swank of Swank Elder Law, P.A. was honored as the 2022 Chapter Member of the Year by the Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys. She currently co-chairs the Florida Joint Public Policy Task Force for Florida’s elderly and disabled. This task force is comprised of leaders of the Elder Law Section of the Florida Bar and the Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys and meets weekly to champion issues affecting some of Florida’s most vulnerable citizens.

INTRODUCING COGENT BANK NAPLES, FLORIDA

Located on the corner of US 41 and Vanderbilt Beach Road, you will find Cogent Bank of Naples positioned right in front of the Mercato. Our dedicated team serves clients by providing personal and commercial banking accounts, loans and a variety of personalized financial services.

When you visit, you can expect to find a modern glass build-out inside. We want every client to have a warm and welcoming feeling because in our office, you are not just a number. At Cogent Bank, we believe banking is personal and requires high-touch, innovative services. Our associates always go the extra mile for our client relationships and make sure we act in your best interest.

Most importantly, Cogent Bank in Naples is committed to the Southwest Florida community. This year marks our first as an annual sponsor for Lee County Bar Association in 2023! Our team is also involved with small, local nonprofit organizations and business associations such as LBIA and COMA.

WHO WE SERVE

At Cogent Bank, our professionals specialize across a variety of industries.

• Association Banking

• Attorneys & Law Firms

• Blockchain-Enabled Companies

• Cannabis Banking

• Government Banking

• Healthcare Banking

• Nonprofit Banking

• Title Companies

CONTACT INFORMATION

Beth Hendry | SVP, Commercial Relationship Manager 239.766.8939

Brandon Box | Market President 239.766.8938

Our Dedicated Service to Southwest Florida Defines Us.

Our personal injury team is local and has deep roots in Southwest Florida. You can trust that we will relentlessly represent your friends, family, and clients for injury claims.

Relentless / re-lent-less / adjective

1. fighting to get our clients what they deserve; persistent; intensity; strength. Synonyms: dogged, unflinching, determined, rigorous, tenacious, immovable.

Evan D. Lubell Senior Partner Personal Injury & Wrongful Death

Ty G. Roland Senior Partner Personal Injury & Wrongful Death

We Make Banking About Community

As the co-founders and leaders of the oldest community bank in Lee County, Robbie and Geoff Roepstorff have a special place in their hearts for Southwest Florida. As a result, the entire team at Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands works diligently to serve as the trusted and responsive banking partner that customers need, building strong relationships and giving back to our local community.

As our community recovers from Hurricane Ian, we are honored to support customers as they work to restore their homes, businesses and lives. Our highly experienced professional team is standing by to deliver their personal approach to remarkable banking services every day, in every way.

Robbie Roepstorff, President and Geoff Roepstorff, CEO