IN THE NEWS

(VICE) CHAIR-ING IS CARING

Florida Bar President-Elect F. Scott Westheimer recently appointed the Lee County Bar Association’s own Executive Director Lauren Baugh as vice chair of the Voluntary Bar Liaison Committee. The role, which is effective July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024, includes hosting duties for the 2025 Florida Bar Voluntary Bar Leaders Conference.

Leading The Next Generation

Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A. has announced the appointment of Iman Zekri as vice chair of the Student Education and Admission to the Florida Bar Committee. In this role, Iman will be responsible for leading initiatives related to the education and admission of law students in Florida, which ensures that the next generation of lawyers is well-prepared for the challenges ahead.

Tried And True

Attorney Travis Russell has joined Farah & Farah’s Fort Myers office, concentrating his practice on personal injury. Previously, Travis served as a Public Defender in the 20th Judicial Circuit on both the plaintiff and defense sides of personal injury, giving him a wide set of skills to put to use for his clients. Travis currently serves on the Board of Directors for Lee County Legal Aid Society and the Lee County Bar Association.

A Leader In The Law

Roetzel & Andress attorney Jamie B. Schwinghamer has been selected as a 2023 “Leader in the Law” by the Florida Association for Women Lawyers (FAWL). She will be recognized on June 21, during The Florida Bar Annual Convention. The award recognizes FAWL members who have made meaningful contributions in their communities through their legal service or volunteer activities and who have provided a positive role model for other FAWL members.

E-FILING UPDATE

The Florida Courts E-Filing Authority released its April progress report for the statewide e-filing portal this week. According to the Florida Bar, the data indicates that a record-breaking March was just a spike rather than a trend. The total number of documents filed through the portal in April was 2.60 million (in 1.77 million submissions). Those numbers are down over 19% from the March record, but only 3% higher than February.

Strength Over Circumstance

Rochelle Pitts, a Cape Coral widow and mother of four, recently passed the Florida Bar despite immense personal tragedy. With an incredible support system, she obtained her J.D. in 2022, and was admitted to practice law in Florida in 2023. She now serves as an associate attorney at Aloia, Roland, Lubell & Morgan, PLLC in the area of personal injury and wrongful death.

Appointed To Serve

Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Erik Leontiev and Russell Kirshy to serve as judges on the 12th Judicial Circuit Court. Since his appointment in 2021, Leontiev has served on the Lee County Court. He now fills the judicial vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Hugh Hayes. Kirshy served as an assistant state attorney in the 12th Judicial Circuit, and fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Scott Cupp.

In Memory Of Our Peer

With sadness, it has been announced that gifted attorney Cathy Lucrezi passed away on April 8. Passionate about public interest law and advocating for the most vulnerable members of her community, Cathy practiced law for 38 years. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Lucrezi family may be shared at www.nationalcremation.com/locations/north-fort-myers.