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.