The Orange County Bar Association - The Briefs - August 2023

CHANGES FOR 2023

Sabrina Jadunandan explains new criminal laws that took effect this year

ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE

Margaret Schreiber on the latest legal reforms impacting civil courtrooms

IN ANY EVENT

Ashley Velez offers five tips for planning the perfect OCBA event

If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline is the next business day. Publication of advertising herein does not imply any endorsement of any product, service, or opinion advertised. The opinions and conclusions, including legal opinions and conclusions contained herein, are those of the authors and do not reflect official endorsement by the Orange County Bar Association or its officers and directors, unless specifically stated as such.

880 N. Orange Ave., Orlando, FL 32801

Phone (407) 422-4551 Fax (321) 430-1558

orangecountybar.org

Legal Aid Society (407) 841-8310

Citizen Dispute (407) 423-5732

Family Law Mediation (407) 423-5732

Lawyer Referral Service (407) 422-4537

Foreclosure Mediation (407) 515-4330

Young Lawyers Section (407) 422-4551

the Briefs

Editor John M. Hunt

Associate Editors

Lauren Brusca

Karen L. Middlekauff

Columnists

Alena V. Baker

Sean Mendez-Caitlin

Officers

Amber Davis, President

Arti Hirani, President-Elect

Keshara Cowans, Treasurer

Lisa Guerrero, Secretary

Lauren Reynolds, YLS President

Executive Council

Stephanie Alcalde

Michael Barber

Lori Caldwell Carr

Catherine Hollis

Kristopher Kest

Jessica McGinnis

Bruce Mount

Karen Persis, Ex Officio

Alisia Profit

C. Andrew Roy

Brandon Sapp

Jennifer Thomas

Jessica Travis

Executive Director Rob Garay

Advertising & Sponsorship Manager

Ursla Gallagher

Marketing and Communications Manager Reatha Cruz-Johnson

Design Em Agency, emagency.com

OCBA LUNCHEON FEATURED SPEAKER

The

Honorable ROY B.“SKIP” DALTON, JR.

Thursday, August 31, 11�30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Citrus Club

255 S Orange Ave. Suite 1800, Orlando, FL 32801

A 1976 graduate of the University of Florida College of Law, Judge Dalton is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and for over 25 years prior to assuming the bench was recognized as a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer by both the Florida Bar and the National Board of Trial Advocates. Judge Dalton serves by appointment as a member of the Judicial Conference of the United States, Committee on Information Technology and as Chair of the Space & Facilities Committee of the Middle District of Florida with oversight responsibility for all five divisional courthouses.

While in private practice, Judge Dalton was admitted to practice as a member of the trial bar in all of the Federal District Courts in the State of Florida, the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th and 11th Circuits, the United States Court of Federal Claims, and the United States Supreme Court. Judge Dalton was nominated to the federal bench by President Barack Obama in January 2011 and confirmed in the United States Senate by unanimous consent on May 2, 2011.

RSVP by Monday, August 28, 2 p.m.

Ashley Velez ashley@ocbanet.org | orangecountybar.org/store

RSVPs and cancellations will not be accepted after August 28.

TITLE SPONSOR: MULHOLLAND INVESTIGATION

WHY IS EMPATHY IMPORTANT?

One thing I love about the summer is that my children are home from school. One thing that I hate about the summer is…my children are home from school. If they are not enrolled in camps or have a full day of activities planned, the iPad unfortunately becomes their go-to source for entertainment. What I have noticed is that when they are on their iPads too long, they tend to overreact in the moment or blow up over trivial things. Because of this, we take away the iPad for days and sometimes weeks at a time and limit the amount of screen time.

I was discussing this with one of my friends, and she recommended that I read the book Unselfie Unselfie is written by Michele Borba, and its focus is on how the use of electronics is creating a generation of children (and adults) who lack empathy. This was both intriguing and concerning to me, so I read the book while in Tennessee on vacation a few weeks ago.

According to this book, teens today are 40% less empathetic than they were thirty years ago. Why is the lack of empathy so dangerous? First, it hinders their academic performance and leads to narcissistic and bullying behaviors. Second, it correlates with more cheating and less resilience or grit. Third, as the child grows it hampers their ability to collaborate, innovate, and problem solve, all skills that are necessary to succeed in school, relationships, work, and just life in general. This is not limited to children, as studies show that because of things like social media, email, Zoom, and less in-person interaction during and after the pandemic, adults are also lacking empathy. Too much screen time and not enough face-to-face communication gives us fewer chances to practice empathy. One thing that made me feel much better is that empathy is something that can be taught, and if you are concerned

about your own children and their lack of empathy, the book has a ton of different tools on how to practice empathy at home and in everyday conversations with your children. In our profession, empathy is also very important. In fact, I think it is a crucial skill that often separates exceptional attorneys from the rest. The ability to understand and connect with clients, colleagues, and even opposing counsel can greatly enhance your effectiveness as an advocate for your client and your ability to generate work for yourself and your firm. Empathy involves more than just sympathy or feeling sorry for someone. Instead, it involves actually comprehending and sharing in another person’s emotional experience. Developing empathy allows us to grasp our client’s perspective and navigate complex legal issues with a deeper understanding of the human impact involved. Unselfie emphasizes that empathy can be learned and honed, debunking the myth that it is an innate characteristic or personality trait that we inherit.

TIP 1: WALK A MILE IN THEIR SHOES. As attorneys, immersing ourselves in our client’s world is crucial. Spend time actively listening to their stories, fears, and desires. Understanding their experiences and concerns will enable you to better address their legal needs, what is really driving them in the case, and what they want out of the case.

TIP 2: NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION MATTERS. Mastering nonverbal cues can significantly enhance your empathetic skills. Pay attention to facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice, as they often convey emotions that words fail to capture. If you are attune to your client’s nonverbal cues or better yet the Judge’s, you will know how to appropriately tailor your arguments or discussion points.

Amber Davis, Esq., is a managing partner at Wolter Van Dyke Davis, PLLC focusing primarily on trademark law and IP litigation. She has been an OCBA member since 2007.

The ability to understand and connect with clients, colleagues, and even opposing counsel can greatly enhance your effectiveness as an advocate for your client.

TIP 3: STEP OUTSIDE THE LEGAL BUBBLE. Attorneys tend to become engrossed in the legal issues and intricacies of the case, unintentionally distancing themselves from the client. It is important to connect with your client about more than just the legal issues they retained you for. The majority of my clients know the names of my kids, where they go to school, that I love to play tennis, and that my family is very sports centric. They know this because I have an actual relationship with my clients that is beyond just helping them with a trademark or response to a cease-and-desist letter. This is one of the reasons they continue to rely upon me. Because they have a personal connection and relationship with me, not just a transactional one.

TIP 4: EMBRACE IMPERFECTION. Attorneys are known for their attention to detail, but when it comes to empathy, perfection can be a hindrance. Accept that you will not always have the perfect solution or immediate answers for your clients. Sometimes, showing vulnerability and acknowledging uncertainty can deepen the trust between you and your client. Frankly, we are not expected to know everything, and it is entirely appropriate to say “You know…I am not entirely sure, but I will find out the answer for you.”

Empathy is not just an interpersonal skill, but a powerful tool that can elevate your practice. By internalizing the insights from Unselfie and incorporating these tips into your practice, you can foster stronger connections with clients, colleagues, referral sources, and all those you encounter throughout your profession. Doing this will create life-long clients and referral sources as well as create a much more rewarding experience for you and your clients. So I would encourage everyone to read the book, embrace empathy, and remember that you do not have to sacrifice professionalism to infuse your practice with a little touch of humanity.

New Look

The Orange County Bar Association is proud to present a bold, new style for The Briefs.

Our association magazine is a member benefit that has been long overdue for an update. The focus of this redesign was to align The Briefs more closely with the OCBA brand, without changing its core elements. It’s all the same content our members value, in a package that is brighter, more modern, and easier to read and enjoy.

A few of the more noteworthy improvements include:

• Streamlined content structure

• Simplified navigation (no more page jumps!)

• Clearer distinction between ads and editorial

• Larger typefaces for easier reading in print and online

• OCBA-branded fonts and colors

• More space for images, quotes, charts, etc.

We hope this redesign makes The Briefs more useful as a resource for you to stay informed and grow your practice.

ORANGE COUNTY CLERK OF COURTS AWARDED WITH BEST PRACTICES EXCELLENCE

I am very proud of my staff after the Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers (FCCC) recently recognized my office as part of its Best Practices Excellence Program. My office was one of 37 Clerk of Courts across the state recognized under this program which requires numerous assessments to achieve the honor. My office was awarded for 9 out of 10 best practices in the following areas.

• Appeals

• Court Record Retention and Destruction

• Evidence Storage and Destruction

• Exploitation of Vulnerable Adult Injunction

• Guardianship Audits

• Reporting Mental Health Cases to State Agencies

• Requests to Redact Exempt Personal Information

• Risk Protection Orders

• Unclaimed Funds

This is the third year my office has been awarded with these best practices which help increase efficiency, promote better customer service, and more effective collaboration with our justice partners.

Florida’s Clerks and Comptrollers have collaborated on Best Practices for nearly 20 years. The Best Practices Excellence Program was established in 2020 as an opportunity for Clerks to receive

Recognition of Excellence certificates for completing assessments that evaluate acceptance of certain best practices.

Finally, I am also excited to announce that I was installed as President-Elect of the Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers (FCCC) 2023-2024 Board of Directors. I’ve been serving on the Board of Directors of the Clerks and Comptrollers member association since 2016, and I will serve as PresidentElect for one year before taking the helm as President next year in 2024.

It is an honor to serve and continue to have statewide influence which in turn helps my office serve our local community. I look forward to working with clerks across Florida as we continue to concentrate on innovation to provide the best possible service to our legal community and the public.

The Honorable Tiffany Moore Russell, Esq., Orange County Clerk of Courts, has been a member of the OCBA since 2004

It is an honor to serve and continue to have statewide influence which in turn helps my office serve our local community.

CIVIL DIVISIONS AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE

George Washington once said: “The administration of justice is the firmest pillar of government.” The 14 circuit civil judges in Orange and Osceola counties are working diligently to continually strengthen and support that “pillar of justice” for the roughly 1.9 million people who live here. Our dedicated judges take on overcrowded dockets and emergencies with a sense of purpose that begins anew with every case that comes before them. They are joined in that endeavor by a General Magistrate and a cadre of staff attorneys, case managers, and judicial assistants. Allow me to introduce our civil judges.

Judge John E. Jordan presides over both Orange and Osceola Business Courts. In fact, our Orange County Business Court (established in 2004) is the first Business Court in the state! Since then, Dade, Broward, and Hillsborough followed suit. Effective January 3, 2023, Osceola became the fifth. Business Court cases range from business disputes, complex construction cases, shareholder derivative actions, and non-compete/non-disclosure claims. Business Court is hosting an Open House on October 13, 2023. Please join us! (RSVP online at ninthcircuit.webex.com/meet/ctjujj1.)

In Orange County, our probate, guardianship, and mental health (“PGMH”) divisions have three judges, supported by a General Magistrate and two guardianship coordinators. We expanded from a single judge who handled everything to two judges who divided cases into a probate division and a guardianship and mental health division. Effective January 1, 2023, a third judge was added with Judges Alice L. Blackwell, Leticia Marques, and Mike Murphy evenly dividing the work. Sadly, we bid a fond farewell to Judge Blackwell (and her 31 years of experience) who retired on June 30th. Chief Judge Munyon will cover

her division until a new judge is appointed. In Osceola County, all PGMH is handled by our two general civil judges. Our Chief Judge has also approved the hiring of a badly needed guardianship coordinator.

In addition to myself, the eight judges in the general civil division include Judges Denise K. Beamer (who also serves as the Associate Administrative Judge), Jeffrey Ashton, Vincent Chiu, A. James Craner, Vincent Falcone III, Eric Netcher, Heather Pinder Rodriguez and, in Osceola County, Chad K. Alvaro and Tom Young. The range of cases in general civil is too broad to list, but includes personal injury, breach of contract, foreclosure, collection, zoning, partition, easements, eminent domain, tax, actions to determine the title and boundaries of real property, declaratory judgments actions, and requests for injunctions.

The case numbers in general civil have been incredibly impacted by the passage of HB 837 (the “Tort Reform Act”) which went into effect on March 24th. HB 832 (i) cuts the statute of limitations for filing negligence lawsuits from 4 to 2 years; (ii) changes Florida’s comparative negligence system from a “pure” comparative negligence system to a “modified” one; (iii) limits “one-way” attorney fees provisions; (iv) changes the calculation of medical damages; (v) requires criminal actors be added to a verdict form; and (vi) creates a presumption against liability for multifamily complexes with the implementation of security measures. The Tort Reform Act resulted in what can only be called an explosion of case filings. As you can see from the chart (opposite page), each judge received approximately 1,000 cases in March alone. Our judges are committed to effective case management, which is certainly helping us to absorb the impact of the March filings. We recognize that our current case

The Honorable Margaret H. Schreiber is the Administrative Judge for Orange County Civil. She was appointed to the bench in 2011 and has been an OCBA member since 2011.

Today, with increasing case numbers and decreasing opportunities to informally chat with your colleagues, it’s about the business of practicing law in a digital world.

Circuit 9 Civil Case Numbers Year Over Year

2021 JAN: 1,152

FEB: 1,453

MAR: 1,509

2022 JAN: 1,128

FEB: 1,092

MAR: 1,152

2023 JAN: 1,025

FEB: 1,063

MAR: 12,004

Osceola: 247 / Orange: 905

Osceola: 313 / Orange: 1,140

Osceola: 350 / Orange: 1,159

Osceola: 267 / Orange: 861

Osceola: 242 / Orange: 850

Osceola: 337 / Orange: 974

Osceola: 256 / Orange: 769

Osceola: 261 / Orange: 802

ATTORNEY MICHAEL LYNN MOORE

HAS BEEN APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF THE CITRUS CLUB BOARD OF GOVERNORS FOR 2023

e Citrus Club, in downtown Orlando, is where a diverse group of community leaders gather to elevate and enhance business and social connections.

Osceola: 2,591 / Orange: 9,413

management order needs some tweaks — look forward to that happening once a new rules package is adopted by the Florida Supreme Court!

Nearly every civil judge has their policies and procedures posted on their individual website. That’s a great place to start when asking questions about a judge’s individual procedures, such as how to set a hearing, how to handle emergencies, whether remote or in-person hearings are required, how to send preparation materials to the judge, and many others. If you cannot find the answer on the website, please email the judicial assistant and give him/her time to respond (usually 24 hours). Only then should you call the judicial assistant.

All our civil courts are riding a tidal wave of cases. Gone are the days of setting a hearing, driving to the courthouse, parking, walking into the hearing room with dozens of other attorneys, chatting with the attorneys and with the judge in a casual setting, and learning by watching attorneys handle their hearings. Gone too is the opportunity to casually converse and to bring up the potential of settlement discussions in a face-to-face environment. Many disputes and cases were resolved amicably just outside the hearing room doors. Today, with increasing case numbers and decreasing opportunities to informally chat with your colleagues, it’s about the business of practicing law in a digital world. This transition has necessarily been hastened by COVID and practicing law in a COVID world.

These changes are permanent, and our circuit civil judges have done a fabulous job of ensuring that justice — the firmest pillar of our government — remains strong.

A graduate of Jones High School in Orlando, Mr. Moore has been practicing law in the State of Florida since 1990 and operates a full service law firm. He has been a member of the OCBA since 1990.

Mr. Moore practices in the areas of business and corporate law, representing clients with domestic and international interests, mergers and acquisitions, and also practices entertainment law.

255 S Orange Ave., Ste. 1800 Orlando, FL 32801 407-843-1080

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COMMITTED TO LEAD

MEET THE Orange County Bar Association committee leaders

Belonging to committees is a wonderful way to build your practice, network, learn about business solutions from sponsors, and keep abreast of changes in the law and trends in your practice area or allied areas of law. Committee members also have opportunities to develop and present seminars as well as publish articles in the Briefs and online.

We are proud to recognize the dedicated members who take on the leadership role of Chair or Co-Chair to keep our committees thriving. Joining a committee is free to all members. To join a committee, log in to your membership profile and select the committees in which you are interested. Your information will be sent to the committee chairs.

5K Committee

Assists in developing the plan and execution for the OCBA Annual 5K Run and to encourage attorneys to participate and support the event.

ADR Committee

Serves as a resource for attorneys interested in alternative dispute resolution, providing information on relevant events, services, and educational opportunities.

Appellate Practice Committee

Civil Rights Law Committee

Dedicated to advancing civil rights and liberties through education, advocacy, and community outreach. The committee strives to promote diversity and inclusion in the legal profession and empower victims of discrimination or other civil rights violations.

Community Service Committee

Organizes events and initiatives to support various charitable organizations and causes, as well as to promote pro bono work and public service among attorneys.

Co-Chair

Aims to facilitate collaboration among appellate practitioners by providing a forum for discussion, education, and networking, as well as promoting excellence in appellate practice through events, publications, and other resources.

Bankruptcy Committee

Generally oriented toward the consumer bankruptcy practitioner, who is usually a solo or smaller firm.

Business Law Committee

Construction Committee

Dedicated to enhancing the legal representation of property owners, architects, engineers, contractors, subcontractors and others in the construction industry.

Michael Kelley Chair

Enhances the professional development of business law practitioners by providing a forum for the exchange of ideas and issues of mutual interest. This committee encompasses a wide range of disciplines, including commercial and construction litigation; intellectual property; ERISA; franchise law; corporate governance; securities; commercial real estate; mergers and acquisitions and many more.

Kelsey Weiss Chair

Alan Apte. Chair Julie O’Kane Co-Chair

Jake Herrel Chair William Girou Co-Chair

Kate McCaleb Chair Matthew McCaleb, Co-Chair

Rebecca Smith-Hameroff Chair Brittany Melendez Co-Chair

Mary Walter Chair Arda Goker

Steve Kerestes Chair

Sabrina Jadunandan Co-Chair

Criminal Law Committee

Facilitates interaction and promotes goodwill among criminal law practitioners, including judges, public defenders, private defense lawyers, and prosecutors. This Committee undertakes many projects and activities that are designed to be of benefit to criminal law practitioners. Its three principal projects are (1) to prepare and maintain a directory of the judges of the criminal law bench in Orange County, (2) to sponsor CLE seminars, and (3) to present the Gary L. Formet, Sr., Award.

Diversity & Inclusion Committee

Provides education, resources, and programming to support diversity and inclusion initiatives and to foster a culture of inclusion within the Association.

Estate, Guardianship & Trust Committee

Discusses changes in our areas of law and procedures in the local court system. This committee meets each month to provide encouragement, information, and assistance in our areas of practice; to better one another in our field of law. The committee also conducts seminars and participates in OCBA activities. We also have subcommittees to deal with pertinent issues affecting committee members.

Annie L. Blanc Chair Reginald Guillaume Co-Chair

Family Law Committee

Provides attorneys practicing or interested in the field of family law a means to further their knowledge and enhance their ability to counsel clients. The committee holds monthly meetings at which accountants, mental health experts, judges, attorneys, and others present information of importance to family law practitioners.

Conti Moore Smith, Chair Sonica Cinam Co-Chair

Immigration Law Committee

Promotes understanding of the fundamentals and nuances of immigration law. The committee organizes CLE events annually, assists with coordination of naturalization ceremonies to swear in new United States citizens in federal district court, and provides a network of immigration law practitioners to brainstorm evolving immigration law developments.

John Gihon Chair Natalia Gove Co-Chair

Elder Law Committee

Provides attorneys practicing and/or interested in the field of elder law a means to further their knowledge in elder law and enhance their ability to counsel clients.

Stacey Schwartz Chair Jeanette Mora Co-Chair

Jeanette Mora Chair Beth Roland Co-Chair

“A leader isn’t someone who forces others to make him stronger; a leader is someone willing to give his strength to others that they may have the strength to stand on their own.”

—Beth Revis, author

Health & Wellness Committee

Promotes the well-being of legal professionals in Orange County through education, resources, and support. The committee seeks to address the unique challenges and stressors faced by lawyers and other legal professionals and provide tools and strategies for managing mental health, physical health, and overall wellness. The committee also aims to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and encourage a culture of selfcare and support within the legal community.

Labor & Employment Committee

Sean P. McCormack Chair

Insurance Committee

Provides education and resources on the latest developments and trends in insurance law, as well as opportunities for networking and professional growth. Additionally, the committee aims to promote excellence in the field and to foster positive relationships between insurers and policyholders.

Co-Chair

Intellectual Property Committee

Provides resources and support to attorneys practicing in the field of intellectual property law, including patent, trademark, and copyright law. The committee offers educational programming, networking opportunities, and other resources to help attorneys stay up-to-date on the latest developments in this complex and rapidly-evolving area of law.

Amaris Gyebi Chair

International Law Committee

Provides a forum for discussion of legal and business issues that are impacted by international law, to share knowledge and expertise on these issues, and to promote the professional development of its members in the field of international law. The committee also aims to foster relationships between members of the legal community and businesses engaged in international commerce.

Justin McConnell Chair

Encourages shared learning, collegiality, and networking among labor and employment practitioners.

Law Week Committee

Plans a series of community outreach events to celebrate the role of law in our society and cultivating a deeper understanding of the legal profession.The Law Week Committee begins meeting in December, and partners with local organizations, schools, and groups such as Boys & Girls Club, the Boy Scouts, and the Girl Scouts for events such as High School Mock Trials, Big Bad Wolf Mock Trials, a Poster & Speech Contest, a Naturalization Ceremony, job shadowing at the Orange County Courthouse, a Pathways in Law Program, and the Law Explorers Merit Badge. “Law Week” culminates with the OCBA Law Week Luncheon in April of each year, where the Committee presents an overview of that year’s program, announces the winners of the Poster & Speech Contest, and presents awards to people and organizations who promote civic engagement in the community.

Judicial Relations Committee

Fosters positive relationships between attorneys and the judiciary. The committee works to promote professionalism and respect in the legal community, as well as to provide education and resources on the latest developments in the legal system. Additionally, the committee serves as a liaison between the OCBA and the local judiciary, helping to promote open communication and collaboration.

Brandon Sapp Chair Jill Davis Co-Chair

Jason A Breslin Chair XiXi Li

Emma Pinder Chair

Brian Sandor Chair Michael Kelley Co-Chair Caitlin Emling Co-Chair

Lawyer Referral & Information Service (LRIS) Committee

The LRIS is a service that connects community members with legal needs with the best attorney to address them. The client can discuss their legal issue with the LRIS Panel attorney for no charge for the first 30 minutes. In exchange, the OCBA collects 15% of legal fees collected after the first 30 minutes of consultation. Becoming an OCBA LRIS Panelist offers a trifecta in benefits to an attorney, regardless of how long they have been practicing: One, it serves the community; two, it helps practices grow and gain exposure; and three, it generates revenue for the OCBA.

Skiles Jones Chair

Dorothy Green Chair

Lawyers Literary Society Committee

A forum for legal professionals to engage in thoughtful discussions on literature and its impact on their profession. The committee meets 10 times a year to discuss a selected book (see p. 22) and occasionally hosts literary events such as author talks.

Membership Committee

Professionalism Committee

Upholds the highest standards of professionalism in the legal profession and advocates for professionalism in the legal community. This committee works to educate attorneys and law students about the principles of professionalism — honesty, integrity, civility, and respect for the rule of law — and develops resources on maintaining and improving professional conduct to ensure that the legal profession remains dedicated to serving the public interest and promoting the administration of justice.

Real Property Law Committee

Michael Barber, Chair

Serves as a vital link between the OCBA and its members. This committee is responsible for member recruitment, retention, and development of programs and initiatives to ensure that the OCBA remains responsive to the changing needs of its members.

Parents in the Law Committee

Provides support and resources to attorneyparents, with the aim of promoting work-life balance and addressing the unique challenges faced by attorneys who are also parents.

Elizabeth Plummer, Chair Jessica Espiritu Co-Chair

Jimmy Pham Chair

Provides a forum for attorneys to discuss and collaborate on legal issues related to real estate law. The committee hosts educational events and offers resources to help attorneys stay up-to-date on developments in this area of the law. The committee also provides opportunities for networking and building professional relationships within the real estate legal community.

Social Security Committee

Provides a platform for attorneys to share knowledge and collaborate on legal issues related to Social Security law. The committee offers educational opportunities and resources to help attorneys stay informed on developments in this area of the law. The committee also serves as a networking and support group for attorneys practicing in the field of Social Security law.

Sarah Jacobs Chair

Social Committee

Provides networking opportunities for OCBA members, and encourage camaraderie and professionalism among attorneys, the judiciary and the legal community.

Kate Hollis Chair Jessica Travis Co-Chair Dana Alberga Co-Chair

Therese Savona Chair Nikita Hinton Co-Chair

Solo & Small Firm Committee

Preferred Vendors

Todd Smith Chair

Provides resources and support for solo practitioners and small firms in central Florida. The committee organizes networking events, CLE programs, and other educational opportunities to help solo and small firm attorneys succeed in their practices. Additionally, the committee advocates for the unique needs and interests of solo and small firm practitioners in the legal community.

Technology Committee

These vendors are supporters of the OCBA. Many o er special discounts to members. We encourage you to use their services to grow your practice.

HOTEL SAVINGS

The Residence Inn by Mariott / Located at 680 N Orange Ave., just two blocks from the OCBA building. Discounted rates include complimentary self-parking, complimentary breakfast buffet, and wireless HSIA.

DISCOUNT MERCHANDISE

NPP / National Purchasing Partners helps members reduce costs with exclusive pricing through a variety of brands nationwide. bit.ly/ocbasavingsclub

Talia Boiangin Chair Arda Goker Co-Chair

Provides a forum for government attorneys and private practitioners to share ideas, information, and resources on the efficietnt and appropriate use of emerging technologies that have the potential to impact the legal industry.

Veterans Committee

LEGAL SUPPORT SERVICES

Clio / Cloud-based practice management system. Members save 10% on monthly subscription clio.com/OCBA

LawPay / Quickly and securely accept online payments anytime, anywhere. No debits are allowed from your IOLTA, at any time for any reason, guaranteed. Sign up by January 31 and pay no monthly fees for 3 months + a �100 Visa gift card.

DISCO (NYSE: LAW) / AI-powered legal solution that simplifies ediscovery, legal document review and case management. cdisco.com/raise-the-bar

Mike Stone Chair Alexis Carter Co-Chair

Serves as a resource for veterans in the community by providing access to legal services and assistance in navigating the legal system. The committee also works to increase awareness of legal issues affecting veterans and advocates for their rights and benefits. Additionally, the committee aims to support and recognize the contributions of veterans within the legal profession.

Workers’ Compensation Committee

Provides education, resources, and networking opportunities for attorneys practicing in the field of workers’ compensation law. The committee serves as a liaison between the OCBA and the workers’ compensation community, working to promote fair and efficient resolution of workers’ compensation claims. Additionally, the committee strives to promote professionalism and ethical behavior among workers’ compensation practitioners.

LEAP / Legal practice productivity solution combining practice management, accounting, document management, and legal publishing into one cloud-based system. leap.us/florida / sales@leap.us / 844-702-LEAP

FirmPro / Helps protect law firms with 1-9 attorneys and offers a discounted rate to attorneys averaging less than 26 billable hours/week. insuringlawyers.com/get-insurance-quote

Florida Lawyers Mutual Insurance

Professional liability insurance to help protect Florida lawyers and their clients. 800-633-6458

PEACHTREE VA / Highly vetted, US based Virtual Assistants that perform common administrative tasks for as little as 25 hours a month. Call Darleen Priday for a consultation. 678-622-4283 / darleen.priday@peachtreeva.com

For a complete list of vendors, visit orangecountybar.org/ for-attorneys/member-benefits/featured-benefits/

To become a Preferred Vendor, contact our Advertising & Sponsorship Department The businesses listed herein (the“Vendors”) are not affiliated with the Orange County Bar Association (OCBA) and shall not under any circumstances be deemed to have any authority to act on behalf of the OCBA. The OCBA does not make, and expressly disclaims, any warranty, representation, responsibility, or guarantee as to (a) the quality or suitability of the Vendors, their products, or services, and (b) the duration or validity of any discount or other promotion offered by any of the Vendors.

Neil Ambekar Chair Joe Coughlan Co-Chair

TRIAL LAWYERS BOOTCAMP

Aspiring trial lawyers learned from state and federal lawyers as they recreated the fictional trial of Al Capone for the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. The day also included a panel with federal judges on what they look for in a trial lawyer.

1 OCBA President Amber Davis on the witness stand as a demonstration of Cross-Examination of Alphonsine “Al” Capone

2 Panel Discussion of Case Analysis, Theory of the Case, Civility, and Professionalism with Ninth Circuit and federal judges

3 Attendees engaged in the closing arguments of the trial

Our panel judges, moderators, and speakers for the 2023 Trial Lawyers Bootcamp. This event wouldn’t be a success without this group

ChatGPT, GAMMA, OPEN AI — OH MY!

Ethical concerns in the era of AI.

Another day, another motion to draft and file. Time is money, and time is ticking. Artificial intelligence platforms are at your fingertips. You recall seeing how this new adaptive technology can generate information at a high rate of speed. You turn to this technology to produce one of your many motions and the technology provides a polished, cogent argument with case citations in seconds. You use this as the basis of your motion and file it with the court. You are relieved that you have one less task on your plate and one less complex argument to tackle, until an Order to Show Cause why you should not be sanctioned is entered by the court on the basis that the case law in your motion is non-existent.

form. This is not a law school hypothetical but an unfortunate cautionary tale that garnered attention when an attorney did just that.

Legal profession, meet artificial intelligence.

To better understand AI, I looked at Chat GPT and Gamma before tackling this article. In seconds the AI platforms generated material on complex topics and formatted presentations complete with graphics and authorities. Intriguing as it was, the generated information lacked the voice I imagined for this column. I have been told that the AI technology wants to be interacted with and that I could ask it questions to revise and revamp the information to be more in line with what I was looking for. That is where I drew the line.

at the end of the document? Should the use of AI be incorporated into the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar?

Our legal profession requires practitioners to act in good faith, towards each other, towards our clients, and certainly towards the judiciary. The Florida Rules Regulating the Bar require attorneys to present positions grounded in fact or law, or that could be an extension or modification of existing precedent.1 At a minimum, this requires using case law that exists and facts that are in the record.

formulating your motion and that you did not independently verify the authorities provided by the AI plat-

20 I The Briefs I AUGUST 2023

Many emerging AI technologies are geared to providing answers the platforms think you want, regardless of whether they exist. But, these technological parameters are not grounded in the authorities that form the foundations of legal principles. Even in their beta phases, AI platforms such as Chat GPT and Gamma do not have access to the private, well-known legal research engines that have become synonymous with legal research. The AI platforms do, however, have access to any publicly available information prior to September 2011. While it is possible that case law, statutes, and procedural rules produced by these platforms in a legal document could be correct, there is no guarantee that the authorities are correct.

In the legal realm, there are several AI programs that are being tested and are still in beta. These legal specific programs allow the user to upload documents. Another hurdle arises regarding privilege, inadvertent disclosure of confidential information, claw-back rules, and protective orders since once the information in the document is uploaded, it is now “in the cloud” and can be drawn on for other requests.

AI platforms want to provide the user with a very convincing answer, even if the platform lacks any substantive basis for the specific request. When a question is posed where information is lacking, the platform “hallucinates” an answer. In other words, the answer is a known falsity by the platform which is provided for no other reason than the AI platform’s desire to provide you with a response. Now, replace the AI platform with a lawyer, and a judge as the AI user. Under that altered scenario, an answer or argument that is provided and not formulated on existing law or facts, and is not seeking to change existing law, is a frivolous argument.

Introducing any new product or service requires a period of adaptation. I still recall a popular morning news program discussing “the World Wide Web” and “electronic mail” as foreign concepts. Some

FULFILL YOUR LEGAL AID REQUIREMENT

4 Ways

1. Take Cases as needed by the Legal Aid Society in Family Law, Consumer Law, Housing Law, Immigration Law, Veterans, Sealing and Expunction, or other areas.

2. Be a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) and take cases as needed by the Legal Aid Society in Dependency, Transitions, Appeals, Delinquency, or Child Victim/Witness Cases.

3. Participate in Projects as needed in Bankruptcy, Citizen’s Dispute Settlement, Family Mediation, Community Education, Tax, Teen Court, Teen/Parent Education, Housing Advice Clinics, or others.

4. Contribute Financially. Donate �350 in lieu of service and help ensure Legal Aid can provide services to the disadvantaged in our community.

may say AI will replace lawyers based on the rapid rate it can generate a document or presentation. AI products will likely boast of the efficiency related to work tasks. Yet, efficiency does not equate to ethics. On its own, AI might not be Icarus; with the unscrupulous attorney, it might be.

Yes, we are at the advent of technological advances when it comes to practicing law. However, AI does not account for ethical considerations or possesses judgment. Attorneys do.

Practicing law is more of an art than a science, and “good faith” is more cerebral than linear algorithms that can comb through multiple layers of publicly available information. At least, for now.

1 See R. Reg. Fla. Bar 4-3.1.

Therese A. Savona, Esq., is Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Appellate Practice. She handles appeals in Florida’s appellate courts and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and provides litigation support to trial attorneys.

JANUARY

2023-2024 READING LIST

Join the Literary Committee this year in reading this exciting new lineup of novels.

SEPTEMBER

NOVEMBER

Horse

by Geraldine Brooks

DATE: Sept 13

LED BY: David Falstad

OCTOBER

Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy

DATE: Nov 8

LED BY: Andrew Thompson

DECEMBER

All Systems

Red: The Murderbot Diaries

by Martha Wells

DATE: Oct 11

LED BY: Robert Hoofman

APRIL

The Gun Seller by Hugh Laurie

DATE: Dec 13

LED BY: Anna Palmer Darkes

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

DATE: Jan 10

LED BY: Honorable Karen Jenneman

FEBRUARY

Anxious People by Frederik Bachman

DATE: April 10

LED BY: Mark Elliott

MAY

The End of the Affair

by Graham Greene

DATE: Feb 14

LED BY: Kim Ashby

MARCH

The Soul of Baseball by Joe Posnanski

DATE: May 8

LED BY: Honorable Dan Traver

JUNE

White

Noise by Don DeLillo

DATE: March 13

LED BY: Dotty Green

Brooklyn by Colm Toibin

DATE: June 12

LED BY: Michael Barber

ADRsource is pleased to have OCBA member Bob Henry on our panel of distinguished neutrals, along with Scott Baughan, Andy Hament, and Richard Lord.

Bob has been a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator since 2006. Over the course of four decades of trial practice, Bob has gained insights that help him assist parties in the effective resolution of disputed claims. Put Bob’s experience in tort and commercial litigation and dispute resolution to work for you and your clients.

To learn more about Bob and our other neutrals or to schedule a mediation or arbitration please visit: adrsource.com or call 888.741.2224

Solving the world’s problems…one case at a time

Robert (Bob) Henry

Employers are facing an unprecedented skills shortage.

Here’s how your Florida law firm can do more with less. leap.us/skills-shortage

CHANGES FOR 2023

This year’s upcoming revisions to Florida Law.

No area of law is quite as exciting and encompassing as criminal law. There is always a scandalous and salacious story with criminal law. Criminal law has real world implications in other major areas of law such as immigration law and family law. There is a reason why criminal law inspires so many true crime documentaries, TV shows, and novels. It is an exciting field to practice, and criminal law practitioners are the weathered warriors of the courtroom. Criminal law attorneys take pride in being protectors and defenders of the law. We are responsible for ensuring that the criminal justice system actually works, and we demand justice, regardless of the side we are on.

On a smaller scale of justice, practicing criminal law requires a community of professionals who will proverbially “duke it out in court and get a drink after.” This brings us to the goal of the Criminal Law Committee.

vant to day-to-day practice and networking opportunities to foster camaraderie.

Particularly this year, criminal law practitioners will face some significant changes in Florida law. Notably, Florida HB 543 will amend section 790�01, Florida Statutes, “to authorize a person to carry a concealed weapon or a concealed firearm if he or she is licensed to do so.”1 Currently, a violation of section 790�01 is punishable as a third-degree felony.2

The amendment in the statute provides that carrying a concealed firearm is still a violation punishable as a third-degree felony if the person does not meet the licensing requirements in section 790�06, Florida Statutes.3 Pursuant to section 790�06, one of the licensing requirements

to lawfully possess a firearm include “being a lawful resident or citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien of the United States.”4 Several laws were implemented on July 1, 2023, that directly affect immigrants and the burden of proof the State must show in order to sustain the charge of carrying a concealed firearm.

While it is difficult to anticipate how HB 543 will affect the overall crime rate in our community and those defendants currently charged with Carrying a Concealed Weapon or Firearm, the Criminal Law Committee will be hosting CLEs on the parameters of the law and its application in our Circuit Courts.

Included in the laws that took effect on July 1, 2023, is SB 1718. SB 1718

It is our mission to encourage our community of criminal law practitioners to not just work together, but also come together as colleagues beyond our adversarial roles in the courtroom. Both Offices of the State Attorney and the Public Defender employ scores of newly barred attorneys every year. Moreover, those attorneys are brand new to our profession and to our local community. Beyond the scope of the courtroom and finally grasping what

hearsay means outside of a law school classroom, on a larger scale, criminal law is the first foray many attorneys have in law and their individual careers. While some of those attorneys shift their careers into private defense practice, most attorneys continue their careers and professional growth in various areas of law. This year, the main goals of the Criminal Law Committee are to provide opportunities for newer attorneys to attend CLEs rele-

The law evolves and adapts constantly and as attorneys, and we must be ready for it. We have a responsibility to our clients and the courts to not just be competent in the law, but adept at it.

creates a new statute, section 322�033, Florida Statutes, that “specifies that certain driver licenses and permits issued by other states exclusively to unauthorized immigrants are not valid in this State.”5 Currently, under section 322�03, Florida Statutes, “a person may not drive any motor vehicle upon a highway in this state unless such person has a valid driver license” and is punishable as a second-degree misdemeanor.6

In practice, county courts are inundated with No Valid Driver’s License cases with many de-

fendants facing the charge being undocumented immigrants. In negotiations, defense attorneys will provide a valid driver’s license from another State to obtain a favorable outcome for their clients. With section 322�033 specifically targeting undocumented immigrants, it is a question for criminal practitioners and judges alike how the application of the new law will affect courtroom dockets. While Carrying a Concealed Firearm and No Valid Driver’s License may not be material worthy of TV shows and novels, it is part of our reality as crim-

inal law practitioners. The law evolves and adapts constantly and as attorneys, and we must be ready for it. We have a responsibility to our clients and the courts to not just be competent in the law, but adept at it. The Criminal Law Committee will be here to spearhead efforts to educate and inform on case law updates and substantive CLEs and provide networking opportunities for criminal practitioners.

1 Fla. HB 543 (2023).

2 § 790.01(2), Fla. Stat. (2022).

3 Id.

4 § 790.06(2), Fla. Stat. (2022).

5 Fla. SB 1718 (2023).

6 § 322.03(1), Fla. Stat. (2022).

Sabrina Jadunandan, Esq., is a Managing Partner at MC&J Law, PLLC. Her primary area of practice is criminal defense, with her favorite area being DUI Defense. She has been a member of the OCBA since 2015.

FAILURE TO PROTECT

Six and nine. These were the respective ages of siblings Isabelle and Selena when they were first sexually abused by their stepfather. I will spare you the horrendous details of their experience.

Eleven. This was Selena’s age when she disclosed the abuse to her mother. Those disclosures would unfortunately fall on deaf ears. The mother took no real steps to stop or prevent the abuse. She did not contact the authorities. She did not remove the stepfather. The most she did was install a lock on the girls’ bedroom door — a lock she then forbade the girls from using. The stepfather continued to perpetrate the sexual abuse for several more years.

child’s safety, well-being, and physical, mental, and emotional health.” See § 39�522(4), Fla. Stat.

parents are given an opportunity to complete a case plan and have their children returned to their care.

Fourteen and 16. These were the sisters’ ages when, after finally real-

are related to the reason for the removal of the children. In order to have the

Although the parents have ample opportunity to complete their case plan tasks and have the children reunified with the parents, that opportunity is balanced against the children’s right to achieve permanency in a timely manner, usually within one year of removal, and if a parent is not working diligently towards completing their case plan tasks, the Department of Children and Families or the GAL can file a petition to terminate the parents’ rights based upon the lack of completion of the case plan. I labeled this permanency scenario as a “typical” case because in most of the cases we see,

Unfortunately, for some children who enter the foster care system, the abuse or neglect they experience is so severe and egregious, that it necessitates having a mechanism to pursue the immediate severing of the parent-child relationship. These are known as Expedited Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) proceedings. These are often cases where we see some of the most heinous conduct perpetrated against children, such as conduct that has resulted in the death of one parent by the other parent, sexual abuse of a child by a parent, or severe physical abuse or neglect.

Those examples likely lead you to the conclusion that parents who inflict that type of damage upon

A look at expediting the termination of a parent’s rights.

their children obviously should have their parental rights terminated. But what about those situations where a parent knew about the abuse but failed to act? What about Isabelle and Selena? What about ensuring that children like them no longer have to continue a relationship with a parent who repeatedly took no action to protect them from continued abuse?

Thankfully, there is a piece of legislation directly on point for this all-too-frequent scenario.

Section 39�806(1)(f), Florida Statutes, provides as a ground for TPR the situation where “the parent or parents engaged in egregious conduct or had the opportunity and capability to prevent and knowingly failed to prevent egregious conduct that threatens the life, safety, or physical, mental, or emotional health of the child or the child’s sibling.” Because

of this section of the statute, the Department, after removal of the girls from the home, was able to file a petition to terminate the mother’s parental rights, without the need to offer her a case plan. The case would eventually go to trial, where Isabelle and Selena bravely testified about the abuse they experienced at the hands of the stepfather and how the mother failed to protect them by not taking steps to prevent further abuse.

Because of their testimony, we were able to prove that the mother knew about the abuse, had the opportunity and capability to prevent the abuse, and knowingly failed to prevent the abuse, leading to a judgment terminating her parental rights. Now they no longer have to continue a relationship with the one person above all others who was supposed to do all they could to pro-

tect them. As the GAL, our role remains the same as in any other case. We visit with the children, help to prepare them for trial and testifying, and most importantly, advocate for their best interests.

I am sure you are reading this and naturally wondering how Isabelle and Selena are doing now. I will simply say that they are making it. What they experienced will have an impact on them for the rest of their lives. They are in therapy, something they may need for years to come to help them to continue to process the abuse they have experienced and the resulting trauma.

What happened to them will, without a doubt, affect how they approach relationships now and in the future. But no matter the obstacles that may lie before them, they are survivors, and their courage and bravery should serve as an

example to others that may be in similar circumstances. Throughout the hell and uncertainty they faced, these little girls remained teachers for us all, especially me. They taught me about appreciation for the life I live and the people in it; pride in the work I do; and responsibility to use my professional talents to make my community better. If kids like Isabelle and Sevlena can push past so many of life’s roadblocks, it is my privilege to walk alongside them and remove as many barriers as I can.

Coravious Cowart, Esq., is a GAL Administrative Director of Legal Services at the Legal Aid Society at the Orange County Bar Association. He has been a member of the OCBA since 2012. For more information on Termination of Parental Rights, or to take a GAL case, contact ccowart@legalaidocba.org.

Parents who inflict that type of damage upon their children obviously should have their parental rights terminated. But what about those situations where a parent knew about the abuse but failed to act?

FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD

A discussion with Judge Reginald K. Whitehead about the importance of pro bono work in the legal profession.

Ihave always wanted to be an attorney. As a child, I watched Perry Mason and Matlock with my late grandmother and typed up fake cases on my mother’s typewriter. I did not know what type of law I wanted to practice, but I knew I wanted to help those who could not help themselves. In fact, as an 18-year-old senior at Jones High School here in Orlando, I voiced my desire to help the community in a scholarship interview for the 100 Black Men of Orlando. I was awarded that scholarship.

In the years following, after I matriculated through college, I have had the pleasure of having Judge Reginald K. Whitehead, the current president of 100 Black Men of Orlando, pour into me and be invested in my success.Judge Whitehead, who has been a judge since 1994, is currently assigned to Juvenile Delinquency in the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of Mississippi and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida Levin College of Law. I had the opportunity to ask Judge Whitehead about himself and to share his thoughts on the importance of pro bono work in the legal profession.

Did you always want to be a judge?

No. [Laughs]. I loved practicing law. I started out as a prosecutor, and after three years, I did criminal defense work with my law school buddy. We also did some domestic work, and were the first firm in Orlando, other than John Morgan, to advertise on the radio.

We were in our fifth year of practice, and the work was great, but there’s a price to that. I worked all the time. At the time, Judge Belvin Perry, who had originally hired me at the State Attorney’s Office, told me we hadn’t had a black male appointed to the bench since Judge Emerson Thompson, and that was in the 1970s. This was 1993. I was 32 years old. I didn’t want to leave my buddy, but decided I would do it one time.

I applied that one time, and I got it. It allowed me to spend more time with my family, and that was more important to me.

We worked on a lot of civil cases, a lot of landlord/ tenant stuff. People would get these solar panels on their houses back in the day and they were nowhere near what they are now and were kind of like scams. So, we [Legal Aid] represented a lot of those folks. After becoming a judge, I was a member of the Florida Bar Foundation for 12 to 13 years.

Did you always want to be a lawyer?

No. I didn’t. I had a Political Science degree. But one summer, I was working at Pizza Hut and the Continuing Legal Education Opportunity Program was having a summer program there. I saw these new students on campus and followed them to the law school every day.

The professor finally asked me if I wanted to participate. I said, “Maybe.’”

He made me fill out an application he had brought to Pizza Hut for me. It was for the University of Florida the next year. So, I had to decide whether I was going to leave everything in Mississippi and go to law school. I went to law school.

What got you started with pro bono work?

We were members of the Orange County Bar Association, and we could either pay or do pro bono work. We never paid. My first legal job in law school was at the Legal Aid Society. I was in my second year and did a paid internship at that time with Fredo Martinez, a lawyer there.

“Do it. Take a case. Once you see and are exposed [to pro bono work], you will realize how important it is to be a lawyer.”

—Judge Reginald K. Whitehead

ZEHNDER & WERMUTH, P.A.

PLEASURE IN ANNOUNCING THAT

QUINN B. RITTER

ASSOCIATED WITH THE FIRM

CONTINUE ITS PRACTICE OF BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL LITIGATION, MALPRACTICE DEFENSE, AND PERSONAL INJURY AND WRONGFUL DEATH

BLACKWELL, ZEHNDER & WERMUTH, P.A.

EAST PINE STREET

POST OFFICE BOX 1631 ORLANDO, FLORIDA 32802-1631

www.kbzwlaw.com

and such, but it took a few months for the case to be completed. They eventually settled the case, and the company finished the renovations andalso gave the family a place to stay while they completed the job.

–1:30 p.m.

In-Person Location: Orange County Bar Association

Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801 | Palm Room

Sessions: Prerecorded and on our Website: www.legalaidocba.org. Alltrainingswillbeavailableto ourwebsite. info@legalaidocba.org www.legalaidocba.org @LASOCBA

What that case showed me is that people take advantage of people in poverty. Had it not been for Legal Aid, they couldn’t have afforded an attorney. This wasn’t a contingency fee case. They would’ve needed money to litigate, and they had no money.

What advice would you give attorneys regarding the importance of doing pro bono legal work?

I would tell them to do it. Take a case. Once you see and are exposed, you will realize how important it is to be a lawyer. You will also realize that everyone doesn’t have access to lawyers like you may have. Impoverished

people struggle, and lawyers sometimes shy away from them because their case may seem less valuable. Pro bono work makes you appreciate what you have, once you’ve represented people that need help. Those are just my thoughts.

The term pro bono, short for pro bono publico, is a Latin term that means for the public good. I encourage and challenge every reader to consider doing pro bono work. Not only does the work grant access to justice to those who cannot afford it, but it can also be fulfilling as well in a profession that may at times seem chaotic.

For more information, or to take a case, please contact kpalmer@legalaidocba.org

CLE Virtual Lunchtime Trainings

TUESDAYS, 12-1:30 PM / LEGALAIDOCBA.ORG / @LASOCBA

LEGALLY TRANSITIONING: THE TRANSGENDER NAME & GENDER MARKER CHANGE PROCESS IN FLORIDA

Speaker: Jamos Mobley, Senior Housing & Consumer Attorney This course will provide a step-by-step walkthrough of the legal process for changing you name and gender marker and obtaining new identification such as driver license and Social Security cards. The course will also provide technology training on a statewide forms preparation website which can prepare court ready name change petitions.

AUGUST 22

ADOPTION IS POSSIBLE: SECURING FOREVER FAMILIES FOR FLORIDA’S FOSTER YOUTH

Speaker: Deondra Milton, Embrace Families Adoptions Manager & Coravious L. Cowart, Guardian ad Litem Program Director of Administrative Services / Attendees will learn the process of how foster youth are adopted through Florida’s Dependency System and best practices when representing those youth.

Reserved for Pro Bono Attorneys, Paralegals and Law Students. Space is limited, so please be sure to RSVP.

To register, contact: Marilyn Carbo mcarbo@legalaidocba.org or Michelle Erazmus merazmus@legalaidocba.org

In-Person Sessions: Orange County Bar Association / Palm Room

Virtual Sessions: legalaidocba.org/training-resources

Questions: info@legalaidocba.org

Kimberly Palmer, Esq., is a family law staff attorney at the Legal Aid Society at the Orange County Bar Association. She has been a member of the OCBA since 2020.

SIDEBAR

VOLUNTARY BAR

Asian Fusion Night

Greater Orlando Asian American Bar Association

MAY 25 / Thank you to all who attended this culinary event at Hawkers.

Career Pathways in the Law

Greater Orlando Asian American Bar Association

WHO’S WHO (LEFT TO RIGHT)

Alena V. Baker, Esq., of Alena Baker Criminal Defense, P.A., is a solo practitioner who practices primarily in the area of criminal law throughout Central Florida. She has been a member of the OCBA since 2011.

JUNE 16 / The GOAABA partnered with the National Association of Asian American Professionals, the Asian American Chamber of Commerce, The University of Central Florida Asian Pacific American Coalition, and the Asian American Pacific Islanders Coming Together to host this free event FOR high school, college

and law school students at the Orange County Courthouse. The purpose of the event was to give students the opportunity to tour the Orange County Courthouse and hear from Judges from the Ninth Judicial Circuit, along with Asian American Pacific Islander professionals, regarding their pathways to the law.

1 Row 1: Michael Barber, Scott Newbern, Jimmy Singh, Jamie Billotte Moses, Ani RodriguezNewbern, Scott Leitner, Onchantho Am | Row 2: Michael Andriano, Jay Shah, Cathleen Winter, XiXi Li, David Yau, Katie Nguyen, Baolinh Than, Jackie Deo | Row 3: Judge Christine Arendas, Iris Elijah, Brandon Sapp, Cesar Neira, Kenway Wong, Andrew Reath, Joe Sarrubbo | Row 4: Cynthia Winter, Lisa Gong Guerrero, Judge Doug Walker | Row 5: Eric Bensen, Judge Vincent Chiu, Vi Ma

2 Judge Denise Kim Beamer, Lisa Gong Guerrero, Onchantho Am, Amy Akamine, Vi Ma, Judge Jeanette Dejuras Bigney, Avita Samaroo, Deputy Sheriff Thomas Lin

THE FOUNDATION

The Foundation’s purpose is charitable with a mission to raise awareness, understanding, appreciation, and respect for the law by educating the public about the legal system, including the role of lawyers, the role of courts, and the rule of law. Our focus has been and continues to be community education. From the consequences of one’s actions, to how the judicial system works, to supporting the local schools, to mentoring, the Foundation helps citizens gain a better understanding of the judicial system. Over the past few years, the Foundation has instituted scholarships and book awards for undergraduate students in legal studies programs and for law students. Additionally, our grant program has been a successful avenue to help organizations foster legal education in our community. To help continue the great work of the Foundation over this next year, we look forward to partnering with organizations and the voluntary bar associations in Orange County to continue to increase awareness and funding. When lawyers, voluntary bar associations, and organizations partner with the Foundation, we all affect change in our community and ensure our success in the future, not just the Foundation’s success, but the success of our citizens. Thank you for caring and for supporting the Foundation.

WAYS TO CONNECT

orangecountybar.org/about/foundation

Orange County Bar Association Foundation @ocba_foundation

Michael V. Andriano - President

Kafi Kennedy Swanson - Vice President

Keshara Cowens - Treasurer

Rachel Mattie - Secretary

Onchantho Am - Immediate Past President

Honorable Jeanette Bigney

Alisia Adamson Profit

Honorable Andrew Cameron

Andrew Reath

Euribiades Cerrud, II

Brett Renton

Trinetta Fisher

Rebecca Smith-Hameroff

Honorable Steve Jewett

Kenway Wong

Honorable Leticia Marques

Eloisa Pino

New Members

REGULAR

Shannon L. Akins

Chrystina Marie Albertini

Amanda K. Anderson

Eric H. Barker

Rachel Danielle Bashore

Frances M. Bethel

Annie L. Blanc

Jackson R. Boudet

Hanora Marie Cassels

Catherine R. Choe

Sophie Renee Clark

Tina Rene Denham

Oscar R. Draughn

Avery L. Dyen

Sarah Elizabeth Elouaradia

David L. Evans Jr

Emma Louise Floyd

Joseph C. Flynn III

Arlet Guitierrez

Alexia D. Harkley

Andrew James Jude Hess

Haley E. Hestbeck

Brandan M. Hobbs

Stacey N. Jiunto

Alex Jordan Lavene

Dillon Lowery

Dayna Maeder

Justin E. Martinez

Luc C. Mazzini II

Michele D. Morales

Zachary Munoz

Jon C. Prusinowski

Derreck A. Quarles

Elizabeth Rich

Vincent Rullo

Erin Sales

Yaima Seigley

Matthew R. Simring

Emily M. Stephenson

Michael B. Stone

Allaa M. Tayeb

Alyssa L. Tiebout

Stephanie P. Vargas

GOVERNMENT

Bryan Edgar Buenaventura

Lauren Gabriele Franklin

Monica F. Kiralyfalvi

AFFILIATE

Diana Bronson

Nancy Morales

Julia R. Romaine

Elizabeth A. Toney

STUDENT

Aleksandra Berbega

Taylor Brown

Alejandra P. Caceres

Carolina Castorani

Kimberly J. Chelette

Agatha Gomes

Isabela Gomez

Cynthia J. Graham

Natalia McCann

Edward McHugh

Sandy M. Meazzo

Kylee Murray

Aimee Porras

Marcia C. Rego

Mariel Rodriguez

Natasha Rueschhoff

Genesis V. Serrano

Zatche L. Trevino Rivera

Deneane Troutt

YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION

Law Clerk’s Reception

JULY 13 / It is always great to show our appreciation to our local law clerks for all they do for the legal community and the community at large. The event was held at the Orange County Regional History Center, and attendees included attorneys, judges, and community leaders.

Coming Up

AUG 10 / Backpack Stuffing at A Gift for Teaching

AUG 18 / YLS Luncheon and Panel: Everything You Need to Know About Representing Athletes

SEP 3 / FSU v. LSU Season Opener Tailgate at Citrus Bowl in Orlando

SEP 17 / YLS Luncheon at new location: Orange County Courthouse Jury Room

100 Club

Firms with two or more attorneys who are all members can belong! If your firm is eligible, call the Membership Department (407-422-4551 x225)

20+ MEMBERS

Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell

Shutts & Bowen

Wicker, Smith, O’Hara, et al.

Winderweedle, Haines, et al.

10-19 MEMBERS

Colling Gilbert

Wright & Carter

Fisher Rushmer

Marshall, Dennehey, Warner, Coleman & Goggin

McDonald Toole Wiggins

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2-9 MEMBERS

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Aust Law Firm

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Culbertson Law Group

Davey Law Group

Debra

Wilkinson Botwin

DeCiccio & Johnson

Dellecker Wilson King

McKenna Ruffier & Sos

OTHER YLS EVENTS

JULY 19 / We are so thankful for everyone who dropped off books for the book drive. These books will help kids of all ages in the county, and we could not have done it without your generosity, so again, we say thank you so much.

JULY 21 / The YLS and the Hispanic Bar Association of Central Florida jointly held heard from national inspirational speaker Dr. Keita Joy on The Success Formula. Dr. Joy drove us to change, challenged us to be better, and gave us the tools to transform our lives. It was truly an honor to have Dr. Joy speak to us, and we always look forward to our joint luncheons with the Hispanic Bar Association.

Sean MendezCatlin, Esq., is a founding partner of MC & J Law, PLLC, where he practices business and intellectual property law. He has been a member of OCBA since 2016.

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King, Blackwell, Zehnder & Wermuth

Korshak & Assoc.

Kosto & Rotella

Law Offices of Brent C. Miller

Law Offices of Horwitz & Citro

Law Office of Michael L. Dear

Lebron Law

The Llabona Law Group

Marcus & Myers

The Marks Law Firm

McMichen, Cinami & Demps

McShane & McShane

Meenakshi A. Hirani

Men’s Divorce Law Firm

Morgan, White-Davis & Martinez

Murphy & Berglund

N. Diane Holmes

O’Mara Law Group

Page & Eichenblatt

Perez LaSure

Rebecca L. Palmer

Law Group

Sawyer & Sawyer

Schwam-Wilcox & Assoc.

SeifertMiller

Shannin Law Firm

The Skambis Law Firm

Stovash, Case & Tingley

Tangel-Rodriguez & Assoc.

Warner & Warner

West Family Law Group

Wieland & DeLattre

Wilson McCoy

Wooten Kimbrough

Yergey & Yergey

YLS Board with Speaker Carolyn Fennell

FROM LEFT: Judge Tarlika Nunez-Navarro, Speaker Carolyn Fennell, ASA Cesar Neira

Members mingle at the YLS Luncheon

CLASSIFIED ADS

FOR ADVERTISING/ANNOUNCEMENTS contact Ursla Gallagher at 407-422-4551, Ext. 244 or urslag@ocbanet.org

EMPLOYMENT

(UFN) O’CONNOR, HAFTEL & ANGELL, PLLC IS SEEKING ATTORNEYS who are looking to become fully emersed in the day-to-day management of the firm’s case load from the inception of a file through Settlement, Trial and/ or Appeal. We are looking to advance our attorneys to the next level in their careers. Our attorneys are responsible for representing clients in a variety of litigation matters. We are looking for candidates with strong research skills as well as exceptional writing skills. You will be providing legal representation before courts in all aspects of litigation. The preparation of motions, responsive pleadings, mediation and negotiating settlements are a major portion of this position. Additionally, you will be working closely with adjusters to prepare timely reports on litigation, analyzing written discovery, depositions, medical records and assessing the value of claims to determine risk exposure. A case management system or Aderant Total Office (ATO) experience is preferred. Looking for highly motivated individual that is dedicated to excellent client service. Compensation package will exceed expectation for the right candidate. Email cover letter and resume with experience to AdminDept@ohalaw.com

(UFN) YOUR INSURANCE ATTORNEY, PLLC, AN AV-RATED PLAINTIFF FIRM, SEEKS ATTORNEY FOR ORLANDO OFFICE. Ideal candidates will have 3-5+ years experience litigating nursing home and/or medical malpractice cases, and be capable of handling their own statewide caseload with partner assistance. Competitive salary, benefits and bonus plan. Email letter of interest and resume to NCarter@yourinsuranceattorney.com

(UFN) DOWNTOWN ORLANDO LAW OFFICE SEEKING 5+ YEAR FULL-TIME LITIGATION PARALEGAL with experience in insurance defense and/or plaintiff’s personal injury litigation. Benefits and salary are based on experience. Email your resume to: katie@vasko.net

(UFN) ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY NEEDED IN NEW SMYRNA BEACH. WRIGHT & CASEY, PA HAS AN OPENING FOR A 1-4 YEAR ATTORNEY TO JOIN OUR COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION AND LITIGATION TEAM. Experience in both condo/HOA law and civil litigation preferred. We offer competitive pay and benefits. Send resume and cover letter to bcasey@surfcoastlaw.com All submissions will be held in the strictest confidence.

(UFN) FAMILY LAW FIRM SEEKING EXPERIENCED PARALEGAL The Marks Law Firm is seeking an experienced Family Law Paralegal to provide a range of legal support to our Team and Attorneys. We are looking for someone with good communication skills, Client services oriented, and strong attention to detail and accuracy to join our closeknit team. Please check out our website markslawfla.com and send resumes to kathy@markslawfla.com

(UFN) FAST-PACED INSURANCE DEFENSE FIRM LOCATED IN MAITLAND SEARCHING FOR LEGAL ASSISTANT. The firm handles firstparty property/liability coverage issues. Insurance defense and strong litigation experience preferred. Experience with calendaring, scheduling of depositions, and court reporters as needed, and follow up as it relates to discovery matters. Experience with E-Filing software and procedures. Familiarity and compliance with judicial orders Please send resumes: jmccallister@rocklawpa.com

(UFN) GROWING ORLANDO AV RATED CIVIL LITIGATION FIRM SEEKING TWO ATTORNEYS one with 2-5 years experience and one with 5-10 years experience. Prior trial experience is a plus. Excellent salary and benefits. Please send resume in confidence to gary@vasko.net

(UFN) INSURANCE DEFENSE FIRM handling coverage and liability, PIP, and contractual/tort litigation seeks attorneys for statewide practice. Insurance defense experience preferred. Email/ Fax/Mail resume to Office Manager jmccallister@rocklawpa.com, (407) 6479966, The Rock Law Group, P.A., 1760 Fennell St., Maitland, Florida 32751

THE STATE ATTORNEY’S OFFICE FOR THE NINTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF FLORIDA IS SEEKING AN ASSISTANT STATE ATTORNEY WITH A MINIMUM OF SEVEN (7) YEARS OF CRIMINAL LAW EXPERIENCE TO SERVE IN OUR HOMICIDE UNIT. Experience as a prosecutor preferred but not required if applicant has experience handling homicide cases as defense counsel. Must have significant experience in conducting jury trials, evidentiary hearings, and handling expert testimonies. Should be comfortable working closely with victim advocates, homicide survivors, and law enforcement partners. Applicant will have a work record that reflects good judgment, a passion for justice and commitment to the office’s mission of ensuring public safety through prosecution that is just, transparent, and fair to the people we serve. Qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the Florida State Bar in good standing and have at least SEVEN (7) years of experience as a prosecutor or criminal defense attorney—with specific experience handling homicide cases. Salary: �90,000 (commensurate with experience) Please send cover letter, resume, and two references to ASA-Recruiting@sao9.org

CONVICTION INTEGRITY ASSISTANT STATE ATTORNEY. The Ninth Judicial Circuit of Florida is seeking an attorney with appellate/post-conviction experience for the Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU), a division of the prosecutorial office that works to prevent, identify, and remedy false convictions. CIUs contributed to 42 exonerations nationwide in 2017, Innocence organizations contributed to 54. Although there were 33 CIUs established throughout the country in 2017, none existed in Florida. In the years that followed, the State Attorney’s Office for the Ninth Judicial Circuit of Florida has established a CIU, reviewing cases for plausible claims of innocence. We have served justice by successfully seeking the modification of one person’s sentence, obtained full exoneration of another, and successfully litigated for the release of a third. The CIU plays an important role in upholding the rule of law and

preventing wrongful convictions and is an important public commitment by the State Attorney to ensure the accuracy, legitimacy, and integrity of all criminal convictions secured by that office. Essential Functions: The following duties are normal but are not limited to this position. Conducts case research and documentation; Litigates cases, but less frequently than a traditional Assistant State Attorney; Communicates and serves as a liaison with victims, family, witnesses and community partners; Manages caseload; Coordinates with community partners and the public to support and promote criminal justice efforts and crime prevention initiatives; Professional interaction with the public, law enforcement, and office staff; All other case-related tasks as needed. Other duties may be required and assigned. Minimum Qualifications: Juris Doctor Degree; Member of The Florida Bar; Significant experience in appellate/post-conviction criminal law; Ability to work independently and as a team member; Knowledge of criminal law and procedure, good interviewing skills, and decision-making ability. Any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities for this job. Please send cover letter, resume, and final law school transcript to ASA-Recruiting@sao9.org.

FOR SALE OR RENT

(UFN) �1,250/MO – SHARED OFFICE SPACE FOR ATTORNEY (DOWNTOWN ORLANDO). Professionally decorated, newly refurbished office in the Milk District. First floor offices with established construction and immigration attorneys. Fully furnished or bring your own furniture. Includes internet, utilities, shared conference room, reception area and copy room. Secretarial space available if required. Free parking on site. Please call Chris Weiss at 407-928-6737.

IN ANY EVENT

Event planning tips for success.

Whether organizing a small committee meeting or a large Major CLE, planning an event is not an easy task. All meetings, no matter the size, require meticulous attention to detail and organization. From ensuring your committee has the appropriate funds to getting registration live, there are many details that you need to get organized to ensure you have a seamless event.

Every event has its own unique components especially with the wide array of topics each committee covers. Here are a few quick tips to get your event planning off on the right foot at the OCBA.

start planning in- person aspects of the event such as food and beverage, set up, audiovisual, and more.

4. AWARENESS. Always check to see what other CLEs and events are going on in the month and/ or week you had in mind for your event. If there are other similar or multiple going on, it could affect the participation for your event. If this is the case, it maybe a good idea to change the date.

1. SPACE. Reach out to me via email and ensure that the space is available for your desired date. Space is based upon availability, but we are happy to hold a date for you for a day or so while you finalize the CLE details.

2. BUDGET. When planning your event, make sure to connect with Mildred to ensure your committee has enough funds to create the vision you have in mind for your event.

3. COMMUNICATION.

When discussing details of the event, always review the timeline of when specific items will be due. Make sure all communication is clearly stated, and

when emailing, always start a new thread for each topic. This avoids any confusion and the possibility of error. Once all the basic information is in we can

5. TIMELINESS. Always try to turn in your event details as early as possible. This ensures we can get CLE approvals in time for your event, as the Florida Bar can take up to 4-6 weeks to approve a course. Having your information turned in early will also avoid any late fees or rush application fees.

Hopefully this helps you get the ball rolling on your event, and never hesitate to reach out to me at ashleyv@ocbanet.org with any questions. I am here to assist you with all your OCBA event needs!

Ashley Velez is the Events and Seminars Manager for the Orange County Bar Association.

880 North Orange Ave. Orlando, FL 32801

NEW LAWYER TRAINING PROGRAM

FRIDAY–SATURDAY

AUGUST 18–19, 2023

This dynamic, intensive two-day training program is designed to equip young lawyers with the resources to be successful practitioners in Orange County and beyond. Learn from the experts on how to establish a successful practice, navigate the court system, and practice with professionalism and confidence.

NINTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

• Network with seasoned legal professionals and judges

• Earn up to 11 CLE credits

• Automatic enrollment in the OCBA mentoring program.

SPONSORED BY:

LEARN MORE OR REGISTER: BIT.LY/2023NLTP

STUDENTS: �125

OCBA student membership included

MEMBERS: �175

NON-MEMBERS: 195

Price includes breakfast, lunch and all educational materials.