4 minute read
Practice Section
by kathleen m. fitzgeorge, esq.
As we all attempt to put the unique trials and tribulations of the past year-and-a-half in our rear-view mirrors, the Criminal Law Section of the Lee County Bar Association is excited to be presenting several educational and informative programs in the coming months.
In September, we had a presentation from Fort Myers Attorney Tracey Redd. Tracey is a former Assistant Public Defender in both the Seventeenth and Twentieth Judicial Circuits, who transitioned to private practice in Lee County in 2002. She practices exclusively in the area of criminal defense. Tracey is a tireless advocate for her clients’ rights, and addressed the need for a solid work-life balance in our daily lives, the relevance of mentors and mentoring in the legal profession, the importance of living your life according to your values, and the need to discover your passion and purpose as you progress in your legal career. Also on tap is a presentation from Kevin Karnes, Chief Operating Officer of the Lee County Clerk’s Office. As COO, Kevin’s duties include overseeing six different departments within the Clerk’s office and guiding his team through the daily challenges that arise during the course of their important work. He will be addressing, in addition to other topics, the importance of being able to read and understand driving records, as well as the need to help navigate the hurdles and difficulties that might arise without a firm understanding of how the Clerk of Court operates and all that it offers.
While we look forward to all our programs, we also strive to be aware of other issues, interests, and challenges facing the Criminal Law Section of our local Bar Association. We all are facing the issues of whether to vaccinate or not to vaccinate; of meeting in person or remotely; and of keeping up with administrative orders and changes in rules, procedures, and practice. We also remain tasked with our full and active practices and our busy lives. Though we are all lawyers who are either tangentially or fully involved in the criminal justice system, there are many different roles we fill in the pursuit of justice. My question to you is: What is our common ground? With that in mind, we are reaching out to all of you involved in the practice of Criminal Law for your suggestions, requests, and advice regarding how the Criminal Law Section can benefit and serve you now and in the future. Private attorneys, public defenders, and state attorneys all face challenges in their day-today work lives. Yet, there is tremendous commonality we share as lawyers engaged in this aspect of the law. As a group, the Criminal Law Section of the Lee County Bar Association will continue to strive to do its best to support all of our members in the best possible way, but we want to hear from you. Call, write, email, or come to the next meeting. We want to know what we can do for you! We look forward to an informative and exciting year ahead, and thank each and every one of you for your continued support.
Kevin Karnes
Kathleen M. Fitzgeorge, Esq. is the Chief Assistant Public Defender for the 20th Judicial Circuit of Florida specializing in capital murder cases. She is the co-chair of the Criminal Law Section for the Lee County Bar Association.
Medical malpractice, magnified.
Years of practice are required to identify the truly special from the ordinary. To the untrained eye, a valuable medical malpractice case may be overlooked. For over a century combined, we’ve exercised our expertise to master the field, helping clients achieve the outcomes they deserve. Just as a fine jeweler knows a gem, our medical malpractice specialists will find the diamond that shines brightest.
Let us take a look. Call us at (877) 644-5122 to discuss your client’s potential case.
Your Outside HF new ad Health Care and Tax Law Co-Counsel.
Medical professionals and physician groups are faced with numerous and complex compliance issues that often take time, energy and resources away from their main focus, which is caring for their patients. Erin and Tom work with their clients to provide a comprehensive approach to ensure compliance with state and federal health care laws and regulations. They also counsel clients on mergers and acquisitions, tax matters, and general corporate and business issues. Both Erin and Tom understand that by doing what they do best means that their clients can do what’s best for theirs – just as we’ve done since 1924.
Adapting. Changing. Moving forward.
henlaw.com • IP Division: 239.344.1361
Fort Myers • Bonita Springs • Naples • Sarasota*
Erin Houck-Toll
Chair, Health Care Law, Mergers & Acquisitions, Business Organizations & Planning, Tax, and Intellectual Property Florida Bar Board Certified in both Health Care Law and Tax Law
Thomas P. Clark
Florida Bar Board Certified in both Health Care Law and Tax Law
