IN THE NEWS

IT’S CLASSIFIED

Florida Bar members have been reaching out with offers of office space and legal support services for attorneys and law firms impacted by Hurricane Ian. The Florida Bar has created a Hurricane Ian classified ad section within its News listing. If you would like to assist attorneys impacted by Hurricane Ian, email the offered resources and contact information to mkillian@floridabar.org.

On The Record

Douglas Szabo, managing stockholder of Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., and Gail Lamarche, the firm’s director of marketing and business development, were featured in a recent episode of The CMO Series podcast. Szabo and Lamarche shared valuable lessons and advice about planning crisis communications to be better prepared for future events.

ATTENTION ATTORNEYS!

You may experience a slight delay in the processing of Circuit Civil cases. On Friday, March 17, the Florida House passed HB 837, a bill referenced as “tort reform.” By Monday afternoon, the Lee Clerk’s office had received over 800 new case filings. Kevin Karnes and his team of clerks are committed to processing these cases as quickly as possible and appreciate your patience.

Fiu Law Sets The Bar For 2023

In April, the Florida Board of Bar Examiners released the February general bar examination results. It showed that FIU Law earned the highest passage rate of all law schools in the state, with more than 72 percent of its 18 first-time test takers succeeding. The Florida Supreme Court approved the release of the results. Close to 680 first-time applicants took the full bar examination. Of those test takers, fewer than 375 first-time full-bar exam applicants passed the test.

Reach For The Stars

Aerospace engineer and litigation attorney Michael Corso shared his expertise with students and industry leaders during a recent visit to the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. Corso provided insights into graduate education, law school, and the importance of engineers having contact with lawyers in their careers.

Agricultural Advocate

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson appointed Kate English to the Florida Commission on the Status of Women. The Pavese Law partner was sworn in on March 22 in Tallahassee to serve a four-year term. Katherine R. English joined Pavese Law in 1994 and became a partner in 2000. Her practice concentrates on agricultural, environmental and land use law.

Cheers To 40 Years

Lusk, Drasites & Tolisano, P.A. is celebrating 40 years of serving Southwest Florida residents and businesses for all their legal needs. In honor of this milestone year, the firm recently hosted a free open house and networking event with hors d'oeuvres and beverages on Wednesday, April 12 from 5-7 p.m. at their office located at 202 Del Prado Boulevard South, Cape Coral, Florida 33990. The event was co-hosted by the Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce.

Staying Fiscally Fit

Shannon Puopolo, a stockholder in Henderson Franklin’s business litigation department, has been sworn in as the Secretary of the Southwest Florida Bankruptcy Professionals Association (SWFLBPA). As Secretary of the SWFLBPA, Puopolo will oversee the organization’s records and work closely with the board of directors to promote the association’s mission and goals.