Orange County Bar Association - The Briefs - February 2020

A Publication of the Orange County

Inside this Issue: President’s Message The Courage of an Unpopular Voice Creates a Human Rights Champion… and He Lives in Our Backyard Anthony F. Sos, Esq. February 2020 Vol. 88 No. 2

Bar Association

Professionalism Committee Our Reputation Precedes Us Robert W. Borr, Esq. Diversity & Inclusion Committee Words Unspoken Ahmad S. El-Gendi, Esq. 12th Annual Breakfast of Champions

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the Briefs

Contents 3

President’s Message The Courage of an Unpopular Voice Creates a Human Rights Champion... and He Lives in Our Backyard Anthony F. Sos, Esq.

5

OCBA February Luncheon The Long Walk to Justice Valentino Dixon

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Editor Kate T. Hollis

Legal Aid Society News Angel Bello-Billini Retires After 32 Years of Service with the Legal Aid Society

Associate Editors Karen L. Middlekauff & Robyn M. Kramer

17-19

Hearsay Columnist Linnea M. Eberhart

12th Annual Breakfast of Champions

21

YLS on the Move Andrew P. Irvin

23

SideBar Alena V. Baker

OCBA Joint Committee Holiday Party

6

Voluntary Bar News SideBar Alena V. Baker, Esq.

Clerk’s Corner E-Notify: Never Miss a Hearing Tiffany Moore Russell, Esq.

w OFFICERS Anthony F. Sos, President LaShawnda K. Jackson, President-elect Eric C. Reed, Treasurer Karen L. Persis, Secretary

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Chief’s Column A Story of Told: A Call to Action The Honorable Donald A. Myers, Jr.

9

Professionalism Committee Our Reputation Precedes Us Robert W. Borr, Esq.

Young Lawyers Section News YLS on the Move Andrew P. Irvin, Esq.

w EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Jared A. Brooks Euribiades Cerrud, II Keshara D. Cowans Amber N. Davis Arti Ajit Hirani Kate T. Hollis Kristopher J. Kest Fermin Lopez Gary S. Salzman Jessica A. Travis William D. Umansky M. Ryan Williams Richard S. Dellinger, Ex-officio C. Andrew Roy, YLS President

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OCBA Social Committee’s Totally Awesome ‘80s Happy Hour

30

New Members

10

Diversity & Inclusion Committee Words Unspoken Ahmad S. El-Gendi, Esq.

13

31

Events & Seminars

32

Classifieds

Guest Column Orange County’s Anti-Discrimination Code Declared Unconstitutional Steven G. Mason, Esq.

©2020

36 Calendar

14

Paralegal Post Toys for Tots: Then and Now Cori L. Schlitt, FRP, CP Shannon E. Hager, FRP

w EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Jenny Brown w Advertising & Sponsorship Manager Ursla Gallagher w Publication Services Peggy Storch

DEADLINE INFORMATION

880 North Orange Avenue • Orlando, FL 32801 (407) 422-4551 • Fax (407) 843-3470 www.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 Orange County Foreclosure Mediation 407-515-4330 Young Lawyers Section 407-422-4551

Advertising – 10th of the month prior to the month of publication Copy – 15th of the month six weeks prior to the month of publication 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 in articles appearing in The Briefs, are those of the authors and do not reflect any official endorsement of these views by the Orange County Bar Association or its officers and directors, unless specifically stated as such.

All contents ©2020 Orange County Bar Association. All rights reserved. Designer: Catherine E. Hébert Cover photo: Adobe Stock.

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theBriefs February 2020 Vol. 88 No. 2

President’sMessage

February 2020

The Courage of an Unpopular Voice Creates a Human Rights Champion… and He Lives in Our Backyard

D

and ability to effecr. Richard Lapchick’s tuate real change, I very first memory of reached out to him life was from 1950. and requested an inHe was a five-year-old terview. I hoped to boy and the son of an get a closer glimpse NBA head coach. Rainto his life’s jourcial tensions were high. ney, his philosophy, The image of what he and his drive to adsaw when he peered outvance the cause of side his bedroom winhuman equality. dow is forever sealed in his mind. It’s also what After spending only Anthony F. Sos, Esq. helped shape his life’s minutes with Lappath. An image of his father hung in effigy from a tree chick, one thing while nearby picketers angrily demonstrated. became clear: He Muhammad Ali, Kofi Annan, Dr. Richard Lapchick has a deep passion Lapchick also remembers picking up the extension phone for his life’s work of promoting diverin his house and hearing someone yell, sity, inclusion, and equality. And that “N______ lover” at his father, who passion derives from his own life exdid not know his son was listening. At periences. Growing up, he witnessed such a young age, Lapchick did not rehis father speaking up when others ally know what any of it meant, only chose not to do so. That example gave that it looked “ugly.”

Lapchick the courage to do the same.

In time, Lapchick learned that his An early opportunity came during dad was a well-known sports figure his ninth-grade year while attending and the head coach of the New York basketball camp. The camp consisted Knicks. His father signed one of the of “five other white guys and a black first African American players, Nathaguy.” After hearing that one of the nial “Sweetwater” Clifton, at a time camp participants repeatedly used the when signing an African American to “N” word when addressing the one a “white” NBA team did not sit well black attendee, Lapchick publicly conwith many people who angrily voiced their objections, including toward the White House with President Obama and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar fronted him. The result was a physical confrontation that left Lapchick Lapchick family. Indeed, the demknocked out cold on the ground. Though Lapchick lost that onstrators the young Lapchick had observed from his bedroom physical fight, he gained a lifelong friend and a life lesson. The window were protesting his father’s involvement in the Knicks’ fellow camper he spoke up for was Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr. signing of Clifton. (better now known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar).

Because of the turbulent times, the Lapchick family often discussed racial issues, trying to recognize the challenges minorities In 1968, Abdul-Jabbar became more than just a friend to Lapfaced. They also created a robust home culture of trying to do the chick; he became Lapchick’s “hero,” for that is when Abdul-Jabbar right thing. This culture instilled in Lapchick the values and cour- agreed to participate in the boycott of the Mexico City Olympic age needed to speak out when it was unpopular to do so. It also led Games in protest of the apartheid movement in South Africa. The Lapchick to become a champion of the human rights movement. official boycott did not materialize, but Abdul-Jabbar still made Before reading further, please take a moment to review the bullet- the unpopular decision to take a stance against racial injustices point summary on page 8 in this message highlighting some of the and not participate in the Olympic games. For example, Abdulmany accomplishments and accolades Lapchick has received as a Jabbar mentioned this was the year Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated and he was not feeling very patriotic. In a recent result of his life’s work. interview with NBC Sports, Abdul-Jabbar said, “I didn’t regret I first learned of Lapchick when conferring with colleagues about my choice. I was glad I made the choice I did, and I was ready potential speakers for our OCBA luncheons. After looking him to live with it, but I think what I did accomplish was raising up and discovering the many laudable causes he has championed, people’s consciousness and to me that’s worth more than a gold I felt remiss that such a leader was living and teaching in Central medal.” Lapchick happened to be one of those people who was Florida, at my alma mater, no less, and I had never heard of him. deeply inspired by Abdul-Jabbar’s action to personally boycott the Reading about his tackling of so many difficult humanitarian is- games. When President Barack Obama awarded Abdul-Jabbar the sues made me want to learn more. Inspired by his courage, passion, continued page 6

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theBriefs February 2020 Vol. 88 No. 2

OCBA LuncheonThursday, February 27, 2020 The Long Walk to Justice

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orn on October 20, 1969, Valentino Dixon grew up in downtown Buffalo, New York. As his mother’s only son, Valentino was raised with two stepbrothers from his stepfather’s prior marriage. As a child, Valentino was a gifted artist who loved to draw.

On August 10, 1991, a late-night fight broke out at a gathering outside a restaurant in Buffalo. In Valentino Dixon the ensuing mayhem, Torriano Jackson was shot and killed. Based on an anonymous tip, the police arrested Valentino Dixon for the murder and for shooting at three other people.

Two days after Valentino’s arrest, Lamarr Scott confessed to the news media that he shot and killed Jackson. Despite this confession, Scott was not taken into custody, and detectives continued to pursue Valentino. Prosecutors then built a case against Valentino based on several shaky eyewitnesses (some of whom later recanted and claimed to have been pressured by the police to frame Valentino). At trial, Valentino, just 22 years old and with infant daughter, Valentina, at home, was convicted and sentenced to 38 1/2 years-to-life in prison.

Valentino struggled to adjust to life in prison, until he reconnected with his inner passion for art. He regained his motivation to draw by following his uncle’s advice: “If you reclaim your talent, you can reclaim your life.” Valentino has been drawing ever since; for more than two decades, he drew from six to 10 hours a day.

At one point, the warden at Attica Correctional Facility asked Valentino to draw the 12th hole of the legendary Augusta National Golf Club. Valentino, who had never set foot on a golf course and

knew nothing about the sport, starting drawing images inspired by photos in the magazine Golf Digest. Eventually, Valentino even drew his own golf creations and said that golf art became his escape from the harsh reality of prison.

In 2012, Golf Digest editorial director Max Adler featured Valentino and his stunning artwork in his “Golf Saved My Life” column.

Adler also researched Valentino’s case and came to the conclusion that Valentino was truly innocent of the murder for which he had been wrongfully convicted. The next year, The Golf Channel ran a segment about Valentino’s case as well, gaining him – and his artistic talent – national attention.

Despite this attention, and the committed work of pro bono attorneys Donald Thompson and Alan Rosenthal, Valentino’s appeals stalled and his hope waned. But in January 2018, Valentino learned that three Georgetown University undergraduate students would re-investigate his case. Their work was for a class taught by professors Marc Howard and Marty Tankleff, childhood friends who were separated when Marty himself was wrongly convicted and served almost 18 years before being exonerated.

The students – Ellie Goonetillake, Julie Fragonas, and Naoya Johnson – produced a powerful documentary that retraces the incredible twists and turns of the case and shows that Valentino was clearly innocent. They broke new ground by interviewing former witnesses and filming the original prosecutor, who revealed information critical to Valentino’s final appeal. Their interview of the new district attorney, John Flynn, ended with a promise

by Flynn to conduct a thorough and fair review through the Conviction Integrity Unit.

On September 19, 2018 – 27 years after Valentino Dixon’s initial wrongful conviction – Lamarr Scott pleaded guilty to the murder of Torriano Jackson, and Valentino walked out of prison a free man.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Downtown Orlando Thursday, February 27, 2020

Title sponsor:

Supporting sponsors:

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

191 E. Pine St., Orlando, FL 32801 Co-host: Paul C. Perkins Bar Association Title Sponsor: Seacoast Bank Please RSVP by Monday, February 24, 2020 www.orangecountybar.org/store RSVPs and CANCELLATION will not be accepted after February 24.

To cancel, contact Stephanie Sadi at stephanies@ocbanet.org

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Clerk’sCorner E-Notify: Never Miss a Hearing

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f you find it difficult at times to keep up with all your or your clients’ court dates and events, a new program was recently launched that may help.

My office is one of three pilot counties where clerks of court are testing a program called ENotify. E-Notify is a free way to get reminders about criminal felony court events through texts or emails.

While notifications are currently limited to cases in Orange, Nassau, and Okaloosa counties, this feature will be available statewide later this year.

President'sMessage continued from page 3

nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Abdul-Jabbar invited Lapchick to attend the White House ceremony and to accept the award with him.

Although Lapchick had aspirations to be a professional basketball player, “the basketball gods,” as he put it, did not do him any favors when it came to his height. Consequently, he used his passion for sports as a platform to effectuate social change. He participated in the fight against apartheid, which, through his leadership, resulted in the boycott of South African teams from many international sporting events. In 1978, with Lapchick leading the charge, it looked like the Davis Cup was going to be canceled due to players from around the world boycotting participation in opposition to apartheid. As a result, many people became angry with Lapchick’s activism, for the “success” he was achieving was disruptive to popular pastimes.

Lapchick would soon again be reminded that lending his voice to unpopular causes could have dire consequences. Two men physically attacked Lapchick in his office. Holding him down, they used a pair of scissors to carve the “N” word into his stomach. While this encounter, like the one from his early years, may have caused many other people to change course, it

E-Notify helps anyone with a criminal felony case who registers with their name, phone number, email address, and criminal case information on the E-Notify website.

The new program is a collaboration between the Florida State Courts System, Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers, the Clerks of Court Operations Corporation, and the Florida legislature.

To sign up for E-Notify, you can register at www.enotify.flcourts. org, or you can access a link directly from my office’s website from the criminal division page at www.MyOrangeClerk.Com. I hope you find new initiatives like this useful, and remember to always look for more updates during the year on the Orange County Clerk of Courts’ website, social media platforms, emails, and, of course, in upcoming issues of The Briefs.

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

only emboldened Lapchick. He dug even deeper in the battle for civil and human rights changes. Years later, after anti-apartheid movements helped achieve change, Lapchick received a personal invitation from Nelson Mandela to attend his 1994 presidential inauguration.

Because I cannot possibly recap in this message all of Lapchick’s achievements, I urge you to read about him yourselves.

What I can tell you is that Lapchick does more than just speak out when it is unpopular to do so; he has helped to effect real change in so many of the causes he cares about. In hoping to share with you how we might learn from his successes, I told him a little bit about the OCBA and asked his thoughts. This was our colloquy: Tony: In my research of you, one word came to mind: proactive. You are an activist. Being a lawyer is an amazing profession. You can do a lot of really great things.

You can do some harm, too. You just have to make sure you’re channeled in the right direction. But I know our local bar has so many good people who really want to do good things and really make a difference in the world. I see it in our Young Lawyers Section and many of my colleagues. We’re not all just bogged down taking depositions and handling cases. So, if you’re talking to my fellow lawyer colleagues, what would you say to motivate them to feel like

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they can make a difference and how they can do it?

Lapchick: First of all, I always talk about our range of social justice issues that need to be addressed, including racism and sexism that are most highlighted, but I’ll talk about the wealth gap, violence among our kids, child abuse, human trafficking, drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, and missing children. There are a whole range of things, and I’d say to them, pick one of those that seems compelling to you. If you’re not already doing something, read about it; learn everything you can about it. Find a local organization, because there will be one here that is doing something about it. Spend some time with them, and lend your legal services to them. Whatever form it takes to get involved, you will be better for doing it if you’re not doing it yet.

Tony: So, if I am summarizing, it starts with getting a very deep understanding about a cause you are passionate about. I think a lot of people get stuck; they want to make change; they want to do good things, but the complexities of life get in the way.

But you didn’t just do it one time. You succeeded in a lot of different areas. So, what is the characteristic you have that allows you to break through and really make a difference? It’s not just a coincidence. It has happened a lot. What is your secret? continued page 8

theBriefs February 2020 Vol. 88 No. 2

Chief’sColumn A Story of Told: A Call to Action

L The Honorable Donald A. Myers, Jr. Chief Judge Ninth Judicial Circuit Court

et me share a story with you.

It’s a story that has been told and retold for many years – Nearly 15 years ago, and consistently, year after year since, the Florida Supreme Court certified a need for additional judges in the Ninth Judicial Circuit. Many of those certification opinions recommended the addition of multiple judges to the bench.

This year is no different.

Article V of the Florida Constitution requires the Supreme Court to certify to the legislature its findings and recommendations for the need to increase the number of judges in circuits throughout the state. The certification is based primarily upon a verified, objective, weighted caseload methodology, as well as subjective analysis of a number of secondary factors identified by and perhaps unique to each circuit.

Importantly, the certification looks back at not just the past year but the average of the last three years’ data.

In their certification for 2020-21, the Florida Supreme Court recommends the Ninth receive three additional judgeships – two circuit judges and one county judge. This decision comes on the heels of last year’s recommendation for two additional circuit seats, only one of which received funding in the 2019 legislative session.

Nearly 15 years of documented need for judges. In the last two years, five judicial seats. Three seats in this year alone. A clear acknowledgement of the longstanding, current, and dire need in our local courts.

Chronically insufficient resources have forced the Ninth Circuit into a never-ending cycle of borrowing from one division to stretch resources to another. When insufficient resources created a critical backlog in family court in 2018, we shuttered our business court and moved judges to the family law divisions. Fortunately, the legislature allocated funds for a new judgeship in 2019 and the Ninth Circuit was able to reopen the complex business court last October. Regretfully though, we were only able to reopen one business court division.

The first of its kind in the state, the Ninth Circuit business court was a robust division. There were two judges presiding over hundreds of complex and lengthy cases when we were forced to close the doors. And, while the judicial resources were shifted to help with the timely resolution of cases in family court, the business court caseload was transferred to general civil, where it bogged down the docket and delayed hearings and trials. Even with the reopening of one business court division, a significant part of that caseload remains in general civil. theBriefs February 2020 Vol. 88 No. 2

This alone has had a tremendous impact on the operation of the courts. And, I know it has equally impacted many of your practices. The availability of hearing time has decreased, and it may take 60 to 90 days or even longer to schedule a hearing. Trial settings have been stretched out by several months. We didn’t just shift judicial resources from the civil divisions, we also shifted strain and stress to civil divisions – and the burden of this combination has stalled the timely resolution of cases.

And, all of this was before we had to borrow from civil again.

Limited judicial resources and the rapidly growing caseload in probate/guardianship threatens to adversely impact some of the most vulnerable among us. Faced again with the dilemma of how to best allocate our resources, on January 1, 2020, we were compelled to close our civil trial division and reassign that judge from civil to guardianship, knowing that the elderly, disabled, and children in our community could not bear the burden.

Shifting judicial resources from division to division is not a longterm solution. Not for the courts. Not for attorneys and legal professionals. Not for the court user. Every time the circuit is forced to reassign judges and place them in another division of the court, I ask myself how we can better address this foundational dilemma of inadequate resources. And, while the circuit continues to do more with less, becoming more efficient and more cost effective, there is a breaking point. As I seek to answer that question, I return to the same answer time and again – more resources are necessary.

Today, we are a step closer to the solution to our current judicial need. The Florida Supreme Court’s certification of three new judgeships is the first step. The next step is funding by the legislature. And, again, we are asking for your help in communicating this message to Tallahassee to ensure adequate funding for the judiciary, here in the Ninth Circuit and throughout the State of Florida.

Thank you for listening to the oft-told story again. Unfortunately, though, the bell has tolled the message of a need for judges for so many years now that many have stopped hearing it ring any longer. The need has not been satisfied, and I fear the message simply blends into the background noise, not discernable.

However, last year your voice was heard loud and clear. You made a difference, and I look forward to joining together with you again this year to communicate the need that will make a difference to you and to your clients in this ongoing legislative session.

The Honorable Donald A. Myers, Jr., is the Chief Judge of the Ninth Judicial Circuit. He was elected to the Circuit Court for Orange and Osceola counties in 2010 and served in many capacities in the circuit, most recently as a circuit court judge assigned to the domestic division and as the administrative judge for appeals to the circuit court. He has been a member of the OCBA since 1980.

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President'sMessage continued from page 6

Lapchick: I would close, and do close, with a compelling story about my experience and feelings when I attended Mandela’s inauguration. Driving from Johannesburg to Pretoria in South Africa, seeing all of the military hardware along the 90

kilometers of that road and knowing that’s what had been used to suppress the black South African people for all those years was now going to be turned over to a man of peace, and then watching him become president, that if a political prisoner in the most racist government on the face of the earth in the second half of the 20th century can go from being a political prisoner to the president in a four-year period of time, all of the social justice issues that we’re talking about here, we can change. It’s possible to do anything and everything is possible. I learned that on that day of May 10, 1994, when he was inaugurated.

…

It was an honor to interview Dr. Lapchick and take inspiration from such an accomplished human rights leader. I hope his message inspires you, too. While we cannot all devote our lives to changing lives, hopefully we can find time and passion for causes we care about. At the very least, perhaps Dr. Lapchick’s words will encourage us to speak out, even if unpopular, when it matters most.

Summary of Dr. Richard Lapchick’s Awards and Accomplishments1

• Lapchick was the American leader of the international campaign to boycott apartheid in South Africa in sport for more than 20 years.

In 1984, he helped found the Center for the Study of Sport in Society at Northeastern University. In 1993, the Center launched TEAMWORK¬-South Africa, a program designed to improve race relations through sports and to help with sports development in post-¬apartheid South Africa. He was among 200 guests specially invited to Nelson Mandela’s inauguration in May 1994.

• In 2006, Lapchick was named both the Central Florida Public Citizen of the Year and the Florida Public Citizen of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers.

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• Along with Arthur Ashe and Nelson Mandela, he was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame of the Commonwealth Nations in 1999 in the category of “Humanitarian,” and he received the Ralph Bunche International Peace Award.

• He joined Muhammad Ali, Jackie Robinson, Arthur Ashe, and Wilma Rudolph in the Sport in Society Hall of Fame in 2004.

• He was inducted into the Central Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 2010 and into the Multi¬Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.

• In 2012, Lapchick was honored by the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida at its annual Dinner of Tribute.

• Lapchick received the Champions Award from the Alliance of Women’s Coaches, the only male to receive the award in 2012.

• The Black Coaches Association presented Lapchick with their Distinguished Service Award; it was only the second time they presented this award in 28 years.

• Lapchick received the Mannie Jackson Human Spirit Award at the 2012 Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremonies.

• In 2013, the National Association of Black Journalists gave Lapchick their Pioneer Award.In 2014, the National Basketball Retired Players Association gave Lapchick, Bill Russell, and Pat Summitt their Life Achievement Award.

• In 2009, the Rainbow/ PUSH Coalition and Rev. Jesse Jackson honored Dr. Lapchick with a Lifetime Achievement Award for Work in Civil Rights.

• Lapchick won the Diversity Leadership Award at the 2003 Literacy Classic and the Jean Mayer Global Citizenship Award from Tufts University in 2000.

• Lapchick won the Wendell Scott Pioneer Award in 2004 and the NASCAR Diversity Award in 2008 for leadership in advancing people of color in the motor sports industry, education, employment, and life.

• Lapchick received the Hero Among Us Award from the Boston Celtics in 1999 and was named as the Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, Cesar Chavez Fellow by the State of Michigan in 1998.

• Lapchick was the winner of the 1997 Arthur Ashe Voice of Conscience Award.

• Lapchick won the 1997 Women’s Sports Foundation President’s Award for work toward the development of women’s sports.

• Lapchick is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Education, Who’s Who in Finance and Industry, and Who’s Who in American Business.

• Lapchick was named as “one of the 100 most powerful people in sport” for six consecutive years and as “one of the 100 Most Influential Sports Educators in America.”

• In 2003¬-04, he served as the national spokesperson for VERB, the Center for Disease Control’s program to combat preteen obesity.

• Lapchick has consulted with companies as an expert on both managing diversity and building community relations through service programs that address the social needs of youth.

• In 1985, Lapchick helped form and eventually served as president of The Institute for Sport and Social Justice (“ISSJ”). ISSJ athletes have worked with 19.9 million youth in the school outreach and community service program, which focuses on teaching youth how www.orangecountybar.org

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to improve race relations, develop conflict resolution skills, prevent gender violence, and avoid drug and alcohol abuse. They have collectively donated more than 22 million hours of service while member colleges have donated more than $300 million in tuition assistance.

In 2007, he was named as an honorary citizen by the New Orleans City Council following a program Lapchick, his wife, daughters, and some of his students formed called Hope for Stanley Alliance. The program organized student-athletes to travel to New Orleans to assist in the rebuilding of the Lower Ninth Ward following the hurricane devastation.

Since its inception, the program has resulted in spending more than 47 weeks in the city and worked on more than 125 homes.

The Center for the Study of Sport in Society at Northeastern University where Lapchick was the director for 17 years and is now the Director Emeritus, along with the National Consortium for Academics and Sports, created the MVP gender violence prevention program.

The program has been so successful with college and high school athletes that all branches of the U.S. military have adopted it.

Lapchick is working on his 17th book; he often appears as a columnist on ESPN.com; he has written more than 550 articles; and he has given more than 2,800 speeches.

Lapchick has seized the opportunity to be a voice on areas of sports and social issues in the U.S. Congress, the United Nations, and the European Parliament.

Lapchick has made several appearances on “Good Morning America,” “Face the Nation,” “The Today Show,” “ABC World News,” “NBC Nightly News,” the “CBS Evening News,” CNN and ESPN. Lapchick has received nine honorary degrees.

In 1993, he was named as the outstanding alumnus at the University of Denver where he earned his Ph.D. in international race relations in 1973. Lapchick received a B.A. from St. John’s University in 1967 and an honorary degree from St. John’s in 2001.

Lapchick is a board member of the Open Doors Foundation and the Central Florida YMCA. He is on the advisory boards of the Women’s Sports Foundation, the Alliance of Women Coaches, Harbor House and the Giving Back Fund.

Under Lapchick’s leadership, the DeVos Program launched the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (“TIDES”) in December 2002.

In the area of diversity, the institute publishes the critically acclaimed Racial and Gender Report Card, long authored by Lapchick in his former role as director of the Center for the Study of Sport in Society at Northeastern University. The report card is an annual study of the racial and gender hiring practices of major professional sports, college sport and the media in the U.S. that shows long¬-term trends over a decade and highlights organizations that are notable for diversity in coaching and management staffs.

Anthony F. Sos, Esq., is a partner at Dellecker, Wilson, King, McKenna, Ruffier & Sos, LLP. He has been a member of the OCBA since 2005.

I am giving full credit to UCF College of Business Biography web page https://business.ucf.edu/person/richard-lapchick/ for summarizing Dr. Richard Lapchick's accomplishments.This bullet point list of accomplishments comes directly from this source.

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theBriefs February 2020 Vol. 88 No. 2

ProfessionalismCommittee Our Reputation Precedes Us

D

o you ever look forward to The public’s confidence in attorneys is integral to several aspects hearing a friend’s fresh new of the legal industry. Law is widely considered one of the oldest of lawyer joke? One way or an- all professions, and many law-related activities continue to shift to other, you are probably going to non-attorneys. Professionalism in an adversarial case justifies the hear it because it relates to law- high price for attorney representation, and it only takes one side yers. The same holds true for those to create those unprofessional antics that cost clients on both sides outrageous horror stories of non- many unnecessary billable hours. attorneys “dealing with a lawyer” The general reputation of an attorney in the public’s eyes drives in a non-legal scefaith in the legal sysnario. These are tem. When common not gripes about courtesy gives way to waiting for an threatening berateagreement to be Robert W. Borr, Esq. ment by an attorney I revere the law, the judicial system, and the legal profession thoroughly read within the context and will at all times in my professional and private lives uphold before signed; these are tales of evildoers who anof an everyday, runthe dignity and esteem of each. nounce their affiliation with the practice of law of-the-mill activity, I will further my profession’s devotion to public service and to as if holding a proverbial gun to the head of their such as signing up the public good. victims. for a gym memberI will strictly adhere to the spirit as well as the letter of my proship, every attorney Whether it is an adversarial nature, stress, or even fession’s code of ethics, to the extent that the law permits and suffers. Our reputagood-faith fair disclosure, playing the lawyer card will at all times be guided by a fundamental sense of honor, tion precedes us. If typically comes off as smug and unprofessional. integrity, and fair play. you use your bar card These stories do not end with “I sure am glad that to intimidate memattorney helped me see the error of my ways.”

I will not knowingly misstate, distort, or improperly exaggerbers of the public, Rather, these stories live on to muddle the differate any fact or opinion and will not improperly permit my sijust like a bad lawyer ence between the behavior of a jerk and the behavlence or inaction to mislead anyone. joke, it is probably ior of an attorney.

I will conduct myself to assure the just, speedy, and inexpengoing to get back to Smart clients take these would-be legal threats sesive determination of every action and resolution of every conyour colleagues in riously and often times report them to their own troversy. the legal industry. counsel. As shocking as it is to witness a fellow atI will abstain from all rude, disruptive, disrespectful, and abuRobert W. Borr, Esq., torney verbally threaten another with their status has been a member of sive behavior and will at all times act with dignity, decency, as a member of the bar, it is simply astonishing to the OCBA since 2011. and courtesy. read the same in a seemingly thought-out letter or The Professionalism email. Unfortunately, many of these instances are I will respect the time and commitments of others.

Committee meets for rooted in an attorney attempting to get their way, lunch the first TuesI will be diligent and punctual in communicating with others day of the month at as opposed to an actual legal cause of action. and in fulfilling commitments. the OCBA. The word professionalism itself is derived from I will exercise independent judgement and will not be govLatin, meaning to profess one’s vows. In the Oath erned by a client’s ill will or deceit. of Admission to The Florida Bar, attorneys swear My word is my bond. to “abstain from all offensive personality,” and the universal principle of general good behavior is further promoted in the Creed of Professionalism.

Creed of Professionalism

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Diversity & InclusionCommittee Words Unspoken

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n airport can tell you a lot about a place. The moment I landed in Copenhagen, I loved it. It was just a stopover on my way back from Egypt, so I never actually left the airport, but it was hard to leave with anything but a good impression when the first thing to greet my eyes was the glistening, immaculately clean hardwood floors in pristine condition. But that’s not why Copenhagen has a speAhmad S. El-Gendi, Esq. cial place in my heart (although I do have a thing for hardwood floors).

It was on my way to use the waste closet that I saw it (i.e., restroom, but be honest, waste closet is a much better term). There was a sign hanging by the doorway that read, “Not All Disabilities Are Visible.” Brilliant. We all know that not all disabilities are visible, but we forget. As an interesting aside, the word for human in Arabic (“insan”) is derived from the same root as the word for forgetful; and we are certainly a forgetful species. That’s why I found it so refreshing to read the Copenhagen sign.

Because the next time the New Yorker in me fanned the flames of my frustrations as I waited for the opportune moment to walk past the person walking dreadfully slow in front of me, I might be reminded that maybe that person in front of me has a disability, or is depressed. The next time someone asked me whether I knew what time it was as we both stood aside an oversized clock, I might be reminded that the person asking may have trouble seeing, rather than impatiently assuming they were too lazy to look around. But those reminders to myself are not to pity those with a disability but, rather, to be aware of unspoken factors that could help me understand a situation better and act accordingly.

In fact, I was recently reminded that what people often perceive as a disadvantage can actually be an advantage. I was at a high school graduation celebrating a member of our local youth group when I heard a short but powerful speech. The valedictorian was a promising young woman who described growing up with learning disabilities and dealing with mental illnesses, including depression, for most of her life. Yet, she persevered not just to graduate, but to do so at the top of her class! Amazing.

That’s why I loved the Copenhagen sign. Because it did the thing so many of us don’t do; it spoke the words unspoken. These meanings between the lines of life’s script matter immensely regardless of whether you are treating someone with deference because you don’t know whether they have latent physical limitations, or you are being patient with a student that may be dealing with dark days but is destined to rise to the top.

We were taught at a young age that if we don’t have anything nice to say, we shouldn’t say anything at all. But what we weren’t taught is that life’s circumstances are often very complex and difficult to crystallize into words. We weren’t taught that if we don’t take the PAGE 10

time to accurately distill our thoughts and feelings into words, we run the risk of miscommunicating within ourselves and with others. This miscommunication often causes the thoughts and attitudes harbored beneath the permeable surface of our conscious mind to unintentionally grow into implicit biases and paradigms of the world built on faulty foundations that could have been avoided if only we took the time and had the courage to express the words that usually go unspoken.

The Maradona Paradox The next time I realized the power of words unspoken was when I was at a presentation on EQ, otherwise known as emotional intelligence (there’s your buzzword for the day). The speaker told a story about how the coach of Argentina faced public scrutiny when he made soccer phenom [Diego] Maradona team captain.

It wasn’t a question of skill, because Maradona’s skill was largely unmatched at the time; you know he is good if he reached one name status. The problem was that Maradona had some personal issues, including substance abuse, which made many people feel that he was unfit to be a role model as the captain of the soccer team that so many youth would look up to and follow.

Even as a novice soccer fan, I can attest to the influence soccer stars have over their followers. Basketball fans might buy their favorite players’ jerseys, but soccer fans name their kids after them. Knowing the kind of unyielding influence these players have, it was understandable to me that parents would be outraged at Maradona being named captain. How could you effectively appoint someone with widely known character flaws as the role model for an entire nation and beyond?

When asked in an interview how the coach could make a decision that would negatively affect the upbringing of so many children, the coach explained, “[b]ecause that’s not my job. My job is to win games, not to raise children; that is the parents’ job. When I put the captain’s band on Maradona’s arm, he scores more goals and we win more games. That is my job.”

The coach’s response caught me off guard. In my mind I had already condemned him for making an irresponsible decision to make Maradona captain. And it’s not that the coach’s response changed my mind on whether Maradona should have been made captain, but it made me understand the coach and his decision better. To me, the well-being of the youth is of utmost importance.

I’d like to think I wouldn’t have made Maradona captain (and that’s probably why I’m not the coach of the Argentina soccer club).

But truth be told, the coach’s argument was a strong one. He was being paid quite handsomely to win soccer games. Asking him to do something that undermined this goal would be asking him to do something that is seemingly unethical in its own right. Do you make Maradona captain and set a bad example for the youth, or fail to do so knowing that you’re not doing your job?

The coach’s response usually gets filed in the words unspoken folder in our click-happy society that is increasingly devoid of meaningful conversations on controversial topics. By hearing

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the coach’s side of the story, I understood where he was coming from. Although I still do not agree with his decision, I respect and understand it. In the wise words of Abraham Lincoln, “I do not like that man. I must get to know him better.”

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt Another enlightening moment I had that made me realize the power of words unspoken occurred during an implicit bias training that I attended. There was a prosecutor whose convictions were clearly harsher on minorities, as demonstrated by a comprehensive data collection and study conducted by esteemed journalists. Looking at the numbers, the results seemed clear. The prosecutor was a racist.

At least, that’s the verdict the audience at the training came to at an unsettling speed. But the verdict didn’t seem so clear to me after hearing the underlying facts. There was one fact in particular that I was hung up on: the prosecutor’s Facebook page looked like the United Nations. In other words, it was filled with minority friends. And trust me, I’m not talking about the “I can’t be racist because I had a black friend in grade school” defense. In this case, the prosecutor’s minority friends were more than token acquaintances; they vigorously vouched for her.

This fact made this a troubling case for me. In the world of “civil” lawsuits, cases usually only have to be proven by a preponderance of the evidence, meaning you are more than halfway sure of the verdict. But in the criminal world, you must prove allegations beyond any and all reasonable doubts. That makes sense since if you are going to do something as serious as taking away someone’s freedom, you’d better be sure the charges against them are valid.

The implicit insinuations and express allegations of racism against the prosecutor were serious charges, and I had a reasonable doubt that she was guilty.

As the journalists rolled out more facts, I learned my Spidey Senses were tingling for a reason. It turns out that the prosecutor was a people pleaser to the extreme. She had disciplinarian, militaristic parents and was always trying to gain their approval. This fact was particularly relevant because the prosecutor’s direct supervisor and the judge in front of whom she tried the most cases had a demonstrated bias against minorities, according to the journalistic data and study.

Now the facts made sense to me. Trickle down racism. If we take version A of the story (i.e., the prosecutor is racist), we have a piece of the puzzle that doesn’t make sense. Why would the prosecutor’s minority friends vouch for her? More importantly, why were they such good friends in the first place if the prosecutor genuinely didn’t like people of color? It is one thing to have a minority acquaintance as a cover, and another thing altogether to have several genuine friends that have your back.

If you take version B of the story, however, the facts make more sense. The prosecutor wasn’t racist; she was just a people pleaser to a fault. Growing up in a strict household where she rarely (if ever) received approval only exacerbated the problem, causing the prosecutor to fiend for acceptance which, unfortunately for her, meant bringing back tough sentencing against minorities to her biased supervisor and judge.

I wish I could tell you that this story has a happy ending. It doesn’t. I wish others undertook the mental gymnastics and Sherlock Holmes escapades that my strange mind did to exonerate the prosecutor, but they didn’t. The story aired in the papers and the prosecutor quit her job.

Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that the prosecutor didn’t do anything wrong. No matter how much we want to fit in or “do a good job,” there are certain principles we must never bend nor break. Allowing her need to please others to result in unfair convictions was wrong, but labeling the prosecutor a racist when she wasn’t was also wrong. Someone should have addressed the situation with the prosecutor privately and given her the chance to change instead of publicly shaming her based on a faulty assessment of the facts, which resulted in the prosecutor losing her livelihood.

Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Guilt Speaking a lot is a problem. I should know; I’m an attorney.

But sometimes not speaking at all is the problem. Not listening through the end of a discussion is the problem. Not thinking through the end of a thought is the problem. These failed departures and early exits land us in predicaments that we don’t even realize. continued page 12

Orange County Bar Association Election Notice The names of nominees for the following offices are listed on the OCBA website.

Voting shall be conducted ONLINE BY SECRET BALLOT. Each voting member will receive secure access to the ONLINE BALLOT via an EMAIL sent to the member’s EMAIL ADDRESS listed in the BUSINESS EMAIL ADDRESS LINE of the member’s membership record. (A printed ballot will be sent only to members who do not have an email address.)

Voting will begin on Monday, February 17, 2020, and close on Friday, February 28, 2020.

Electronic ballots must be cast online no later than midnight Friday, February 28, 2020.

OCBA Vice President /President-Elect OCBA Treasurer OCBA Secretary OCBA Executive Council Members Legal Aid Society Board of Trustees This election is being conducted on behalf of the OCBA by Intelliscan, Inc., an independent Young Lawyers Section At-Large Board Members election services provider. All voted ballots will be certified by the Secretary of the OCBA. If you have any questions, please contact Carolyn Cochrane at 407-422-4551, ext. 245, or carolync@ocbanet.org.

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Maria E. Espinosa, Esq. Schedule at:

407-733-3662 espiesq@aol.com

Florida Attorney since 1987 Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator since 2005 Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Mediator since 2009 Florida Supreme Court Certified Appellate Mediator since 2015

Direct: 407-733-3662 espiesq@aol.com

Bilingual English/Spanish

Invite your colleagues to join the OCBA today!

Go to: www.orangecountybar.org to join online and see our calendar of upcoming events, seminars, and activities!

407-422-4551, ext. 225

Diversity & InclusionCommittee continued from page 11

It is hard to capture the essence of words unspoken better than Lupe Fiasco did in his song “Words I Never Said”: I think that all the silence is worse than all the violence Fear is such a weak emotion that’s why I despise it We scared of almost everything, afraid to even tell the truth So scared of what you think of me, I’m scared of even telling you Sometimes I’m like the only person I feel safe to tell it to I’m locked inside a cell in me, I know that there’s a jail in you Consider this your bailing out, so take a breath, inhale a few My screams is finally getting free, my thoughts is finally yelling through.

There are plenty of reasons people don’t speak the words that usually go unspoken. Many times, it is uncomfortable to say something. Other times we are impatient and hasty. And sometimes we PAGE 12

just don’t know what to say. The problem with words unspoken is that they lie on a faulty foundation.

We assume that we are saving ourselves and others trouble by remaining silent. But remaining silent and letting things go are not the same thing. In the words of William James, “wisdom is the art of knowing what to overlook.” A critical component of that wisdom is understanding how and when to articulate one’s thoughts and feelings.

Just like clothes shoved in a closet do not make a clean room, words unspoken do not make a clean conscience. Words unspoken do not solve problems; they cause trivial disagreements to grow into insurmountable oceans between loved ones. Words unspoken do not heal hearts; they are the reason they remain broken.

Ahmad S. El-Gendi, Esq., is an associate at Lowndes Law, P.A., focusing on intellectual property and commercial litigation, including, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, and licensing. He is chair of the OCBA Diversity & Inclusion Committee (with co-chair Jill Davis). He has been a member of the OCBA since 2015.

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GuestColumn

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Orange County’s Anti-Discrimination Code Declared Unconstitutional

range County’s “Human Rights” Code has been lauded as an expeditious vehicle to vindicate discrimination claims. See “Central Florida’s Anti-Discrimination County Ordinances a/k/a Why Sue Under Anything Else?” by T. Hollifield, presented to OCBA Labor & Employment Law Section, October 30, 2018. That trumpet ended on May 20, 2019, when the circuit court ruled that state Steven G. Mason, Esq. law preempted Orange County’s anti-discrimination code, Chapter 22. See Yanes v. O C Food & Beverage LLC, d/b/a Rachel’s, Case Number 18-CA- 003554. Orange County’s power to legislate on the issue of “discrimination” is now in question, if not gone entirely. The case is pending with the Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal, Case Number 5D191853. This is an issue of great consequence – likely the reason the Fifth permitted, inter alia, the City of Miami Beach, Orange County, National Center for Lesbian Rights, ACLU, NAACP, Florida League of Women Voters, and the City of Orlando to intervene as amicus curiae.

The complaint, filed on behalf of two female plaintiffs, alleged that the women were denied admittance to Rachel’s because they were not escorted by a man. They filed suit under Orange County’s “Human Rights” Code, Chapter 22, Article III. Adult entertainment establishments across the country have policies such as this for numerous reasons, including that adult clubs are subject to hyperregulation and can be subject to license suspension proceedings even if they are not directly involved in criminal conduct. The word Draconian is often overused, but Chapter 3 of Orange County’s Adult Entertainment Code has extraordinarily broad language, which hypothetically could lead to the closure of an adult establishment if two individuals in the nightclub agree to commit an act of sexual illegality, i.e. prostitution. For instance, if an unescorted female, whether she be an undercover law enforcement agent or a private citizen, arranged to meet a patron outside the establishment for the commission of an illegal act, the club could potentially be subject to license proceedings. See Chapter 3, Orange County Adult Entertainment Code. To my knowledge, there are no other bars or restaurants governed under such heightened restrictions. To highlight this point, dancers at an adult entertainment establishment must be licensed by Orange County, clear a background check, and the club must report their names to the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation monthly.

Orange County’s Chapter 22 is the county commission’s attempt at creating a protocol where discrimination of all nature is outlawed and which allows immediate access to the filing of litigation in an Orange County court.

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In comparison, Chapter 760 of the Florida Statutes provides extensive process and procedures governing and outlawing discrimination (in numerous forms) in Florida. However, discrimination claims cannot be immediately filed before an Article V, circuit court judge until the claim is administratively reviewed by a state board, a condition precedent to suit. Here, the court invalidated the code for two reasons. First, that Orange County does not have the power to legislate in the arena of discrimination; the legal term being “preemption.” Alternatively, the court found that even if Orange County’s law was not preempted, it conflicted with state law – a secondary basis for invalidation. See Sections 760.07, 760.08 and 760.11, Florida Statutes.

The Orange County Commission attempted to bypass state law and provide, perhaps from their perspective, more expedient redress within the court system. However, under the Florida Constitution, municipalities and counties are subordinate to the state, just like the state is subordinate to the federal government.

See Article VIII, Section 1, Florida Constitution, Chapter 125, Florida Statutes. Essentially, that is the framework set up by our nation’s founding fathers.

Chapter 22 of Orange County’s Code has been effectively and legally neutered – now, a litigant cannot attempt to use a local ordinance or code to bypass and usurp state law. If that were not the case, every city and county could pass laws that explicitly or implicitly preempt or contradict state law.

The irony of all of this is that under state rule the state attorney (and Orange County) was provided a copy of “Rachel’s” motion to dismiss challenging the validity of Chapter 22, Sections 22-4 and 22-42, via U.S. mail, certified mail, electronic mail, and telephone communications. Neither the state attorney nor Orange County made any effort to defend Chapter 22. See Rule 1.071, Fla.R.Civ.P. One final note. The court allowed the plaintiffs to refile their lawsuit if they complied with Chapter 760. But that was a Pyrrhic victory as the time limitations and other requirements under Chapter 760 have expired. They could not refile, so they filed an appeal.

If the court affirms the order in Rachel’s case, perhaps, every antidiscrimination code in Florida codified at the local level may be invalidated.

Steven G. Mason, Esq., has been practicing law for thirty years and is double Board Certified by The Florida Bar in criminal trials and criminal appeals.

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ParalegalPost Toys for Tots: Then and Now

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n December 5, 2019, the Paralegal Section of the OCBA hosted its annual holiday event benefiting the Toys for Tots program. The event took place at Ceviche in downtown Orlando and was generously supported by Milestone Reporting, First American Title, Defendable Investigations, Moye, O’Brien Pickert, Dillon & Masterson, and The Marker Group.

The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, which was established in 1991, is a not-for-profit charity and serves as the authorized Cori L. Schlitt, FRP, CP fundraising and support organization for the Toys for Tots program. Toys for Tots, which is headquartered in Virginia, is directed by the Marine Forces Reserve commander and provides holiday gifts to underprivileged children. Since its inception, the program has distributed 548 million toys and supported 251 million children.

Locally, toys are dropped off at many Orlando businesses, including several downtown law firms, from October to midDecember each year. The toys are then taken to a local warehouse Shannon E. Hager, FRP where they are sorted by age and gender. Social welfare agencies, church groups, and other local community agencies identify children in need, and distribution

begins in late December. Although campaigns are conducted during the holidays, donations can be made in memory or honor of any person throughout the year. Campaigns are conducted in more than 800 communities in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

Toys for Tots was created in 1947 when the wife of Marine Corps Reserve Major Bill Hendricks handcrafted a few dolls and wanted them to be given to an agency that supported underprivileged children. After reporting to his wife that he could not find such an organization, she asked him to initiate a program. That year, Major Hendricks collected 5,000 toys for distribution. Because of the project’s success and the involvement of the community, he directed all Marine Reserve sites to implement the program nationwide the following year.

Major Hendricks had many contacts in his civilian life who were more than willing to support this endeavor. In fact, Walt Disney was a personal friend. He designed the first Toys for Tots poster, which later became the official Toys for Tots logo.

Presently, the program distributes an average of 18 million toys to seven million underprivileged children each year. Paralegal Section members, their guests, local law firms, and individuals have donated countless toys for children in our area over the years.

We wish to thank everyone who donated toys and attended the event. We extend a special thank you to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation for its tireless work throughout the holiday season!

Toys for Tots is a heartwarming program with a rich history, and the OCBA Paralegal Section has been honored to support the program for the past several years.

Cori L. Schlitt, FRP, CP, is a paralegal at Killgore, Pearlman, Semanie, Denius & Squires, P.A., and the current president of the Paralegal Section. She has been a member of the OCBA since 2018.

Shannon E. Hager, FRP, a litigation paralegal at Greenberg Traurig, P.A., served as president of the Paralegal Section during the 2018-2019 term.

She has been a member of the OCBA since 2013.

Tina Farrington Cori Schlitt Alyssa Heitman PAGE 14

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Legal Aid SocietyNews

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Angel Bello-Billini Retires After 32 Years of Service with the Legal Aid Society

fter dedicating more than 32 years of service to the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, Inc., nearly every member of the OCBA knows Angel Bello-Billini as the model family law attorney.

Angel has spent his entire career working to preserve families, fighting for custodial parents and their children. This fight for justice has taken Angel to family law courts in Florida, Connecticut, Angel Bello-Billini, Esq. and New York. After joining Legal Aid as the litigation director, Angel retired at the end of 2019.

He ended his career just as he began it: prominent and effective.

He tirelessly sought to establish, then protect equitable legislation through his role on the executive counsel of The Florida Bar Family Law Rules Committee. Locally, Angel provided mentorship and support to fellow attorneys as a founding member of the OCBA Hispanic Bar Association of Central Florida. As one of the family law resource-support attorneys statewide and as a member of the Florida Supreme Court’s Family Law Forms Workgroup, Angel made sure to contribute to nearly every aspect of the law that could potentially impact the clients he holds in such high regard.

But do you know what Angel is likely to do in his retirement? If your answer is, “employ the Marie Kondo method of organization in his home,” then you have clearly never seen Angel’s office, which houses every legal publication ever written since 1987.

Based on our daily interaction with Angel, Legal Aid has a few

strong guesses about what he is likely to embrace in retirement.

They represent only a small number of the countless attributes we will miss about our friend, litigation leader, and colleague: • Listen to bossa nova music: not the new generation for him – only the classics.

• Attend a French film festival: Angel was a member of a French language club for several years, oui!

• Prepare for takeoff: Angel held a pilot’s license for several years. Make sure you know who your pilot is before your next flight.

• Read – even more: Expect to run into Angel at the library. Angel is a voracious reader. If you have not done so already, you will see him on a trip to Barnes and Noble or the public library.

• Travel: Angel loves his native Dominican Republic and New York, his former residence.

• Spend time with the family: with a generous wife, two talented children, and a young grandson, the light of his life, Angel will have company on his next adventure, whether to the library, a screening of Les Misérables, or piloting a flight to an authentic bossa nova club.

Congratulations and thank you, Angel!

–The Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, Inc. Each staff member of the Legal Aid Society is a member of the Orange County Bar Association.

Angel and client

Bill Davis and Angel

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12th Annual Breakfast of Champions November 21, 2019 Amway Center

Gold - $5,000

Benefitting the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, Inc.

Fisher Rushmer, P.A. The Main Law Firm Paul Knopf & Bigger - Trial Attorneys Paul & Perkins, P.A. The Joe and Sarah Galloway Foundation Charles T. & Linda F. Wells

Silver - $2,500

Benenati Law Firm, P.C. CenterState Bank N.A. City of Orlando Police Department Cole, Scott & Kissane, P.A. Florida Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company Holland & Knight, LLP. Jacobs Law Firm, PLLC. Law Offices of Dan Newlin, P.A. Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, P.A. Mateer & Harbert, P.A. Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A. The Orlando Law Group, PL. Universal Orlando Resort

Copper - $1,000 Accurate Serve Orlando Anonymous Axiom Bank, N.A. Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate CARES Curtis Protective Services, Inc. Dean, Ringers, Morgan & Lawton, P.A. Disney Embrace Families FAMU - College of Law Foley & Lardner, LLP. HD Supply Law Department Kimberly E. Hosley King, Blackwell, Zehnder & Wermuth, P.A. Legally Pink Law, PLLC. Brendan and Melody Lynch Orange County Bar Association YLS Orange County Clerk of Court, Tiffany Moore Russell PZ Law Firm, P.A. Ripley Entertainment, Inc. Shutts & Bowen, LLP. R.A. Simasek, P.A. The Fighter Law Firm, P.A. The Florida Bar Foundation The Umansky Law Firm Total Health Guidance, LLC. Richard B. Troutman, P.A. Zeno Office Solutions, Inc.

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Bethanie Barber Karl Watson

Bronze - $500 4 Seasons Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc. Accurate Serve Orlando Alers Law Firm, PLLC. All Florida Investigations & Forensic Services, Inc. Anonymous Anonymous Any Lab Test Now, Inc. AppleOne Employment Services AXA Advisors, LLC. BakerHostetler Biohazard Response, Inc. Bounds Law Group Brown & Brown of Florida, Inc. Capella Immigration Law PLLC. Carlton Fields, P.A. Carr Law Firm, P.A. Euri and Karen Cerrud Emily Anne Chorneyko-Chaulk Cohen Law Group, P.A. Jennifer Davis William A. Davis, Jr., P.A. Downtown Business Network DSK Law Florida Blue Highwoods Realty, LP.

Hispanic Bar Association of Central Florida, Inc. N. Diane Holmes, P.A. Howell, Becker & Polikoff, P.A. Jacobs Law Firm, PLLC. Kest Family Law, P.A. Hon. Bob & Joanie Schuler LeBlanc Legal Realtime Reporting, Inc. Legal Talent, LLC. LexisNexis Adam Magill in memory of Patrick Magill Orlando Solar Bears Paul C. Perkins Bar Association Scott Randolph, Tax Collector Rafael & Sarah Rodriguez Debra L. Rosenbluth Emery Rosenbluth Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell, P.A. Jill S. Schwartz & Associates, P.A. Shannin Law Firm, P.A. Shaw Insurance Agency, LLC. Chuck & Marie Stepter Ana Tangel-Rodriguez & Jose Rodriguez TJM Communications, Inc. Total Health Guidance, LLC.

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Catherine Tucker Valbridge Property Advisors Carmen Velazquez, My Office Studio VOYA Services Company T. Picton Warlow, IV Weinberg Wheeler Hudgins Gunn & Dial Wieland & DeLattre Winderweedle, Haines, Ward & Woodman, P.A. Tad A. Yates, P.A. Yergey & Yergey, P.A.

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Kimberly Hosley

Bethanie Barber, Jabari A. Bennett

Assistant Chief Kevin Preston, Orlando Fire Department Deputy Chief Vincent Ogburn, Orlando Police Department

Michael Andriano

Kathy Downs, Sarah Marland

John Steitler

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Left to Right: Jabari A. Bennett Kimberly Hosley Lavon B. Williams Camy B. Schwam-Wilcox Karl Watson

Anthony F. Sos

Kimberly Hosley, President, Legal Aid Society Board of Trustees Bethanie Barber, Executive Director, Legal Aid Society Anthony F. Sos, President, Orange County Bar Association

Camy B. Schwam-Wilcox

Karl Watson

Lavon B. Williams

Kimberly Hosley, Jabari A. Bennett, Bethanie Barber

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Michael Barber, Tom Feiter www.orangecountybar.org

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OCBA Joint Committee Holiday Party December 11, 2019 The Sunroom

Sponsored by: Thomson Reuters Westlaw Wooten Kimbrough Damaso & Dennis, P.A.

Travis Hollifield, Amaris Gyebi, Amber Davis Melissa Escoffery, P. Simone Freitas, Robyn Kramer, Angela Stanley Dustin Mauser-Claassen, Vincent Falcone, Richard Dellinger

Samuel Reda, Elizabeth McCausland, Dylan Preble

Committees: Business Law, Criminal Law, Elder Law, Intellectual Property, Immigration, Real Property, Professionalism, Solo & Small Firm, Tax Law, Bankruptcy Law theBriefs February 2020 Vol. 88 No. 2

Sabrina Jadunandan, Andrew Darling, Michael Barber www.orangecountybar.org

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CFAWL

Angel Tree Project

Central Florida Family Law Inn GOAABA

Lisa Gong Guerrero, Annie Kwong, Onchantho Am, Hon. Vincent Chiu, Leia Leitner, Janice Chon

Karen Persis, Lorna Truett

FBA Orlando Chapter Dustin Mauser-Claassen Leia Leitner Lauren Millcarek Maureen Rogers Jeremy Bloor Andrew Ballentine Vincent Falcone

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theBriefs February 2020 Vol. 88 No. 2

Voluntary BarNews SideBar

W

e are now a couple of weeks into the new year, and our local bar associations have been busy making sure to start the new year off right.

Here is a glimpse at what some of our organizations have been busy doing to make 2020 their best year yet!

CFAWL

The Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers Alena V. Baker, Esq. closed out 2019 with its annual holiday luncheon, featuring a chorus from Rock Lake Elementary School, a visit from Santa Claus, and great food to get its members in the holiday spirit.

While CFAWL members enjoyed the holidays, they also gave back by participating in CFAWL’s annual Angel Tree Project, chaired

by Wynne McFarlin. CFAWL members sponsored 100 Rock Lake Elementary School students and provided them Christmas presents filled with warm clothing and toys. Members helped bag and tag presents and deliver them at the annual school Christmas party.

CFAWL kicked off its 2020 programming with its monthly luncheon, which was held on January 10, 2020. The guest speaker was incoming Florida Bar president, Dori Foster-Morales, who spoke about The Florida Bar’s mental health and wellness initiative and how law firms can promote health and wellness practices within their organizations.

In the last week of January, CFAWL held a Table for Eight with hosts Renee Thompson, Trisha Widowfield, Mary Walter, and Deborah Cook.

CFAWL also attended FAWL Lobby Days on January 29-31, 2020, in Tallahassee, Florida. At this event, members met with legislators to advocate for issues directly affecting women in our state and in our profession.

CFAWL wants you to renew your membership and join them for their monthly luncheons and activities, because 2020 is sure to not disappoint!

CENTRAL FLORIDA FAMILY LAW INN

On December 9, 2019, the Central Florida Family Law Inn held a holiday party at DoveCote to celebrate the season. Attendees donated baskets and monetary gifts for women residing at the Coalition for the Homeless. The event was amazing and truly inspiring thanks in large part to the great family law community of which the Central Florida Family Law in is a part.

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GOAABA

The Greater Orlando Asian American Bar Association would like to congratulate president-elect, Onchantho Am, for completing her second session of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association Leadership Advancement Program.

Past-president Kim Gray and Onchantho had a great time at the conference in November 2019.

GOAABA would also like to extend a warm congratulations to the Honorable Vincent Chiu, a circuit judge of the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court. On December 5, 2019, GOAABA had the pleasure of attending Judge Chiu’s investiture ceremony. Judge Chiu gave a touching, relatable, and heartfelt speech about his road to the bench, from growing up in a Chinese immigrant family in New Jersey, to becoming a federal prosecutor for the U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida, and, ultimately, to being appointed a circuit judge. It was a speech that brought many to tears and laughter.

On January 8, 2020, GOAABA co-hosted a town hall for the Transportation Initiative at the Orange County Board of County Commissioners chambers. Then, on January 17, 2020, the association hosted its first Coffee with the Court of the year. Finally, on January 23, 2020, GOABBA celebrated the Lunar New Year at Dragonfly Sushi.

FBA

The Federal Bar Association Orlando Chapter started the new year by presenting a custom-made judicial robe to U.S. District judge, the Honorable Wendy Berger, at her investiture ceremony on January 10, 2020.

On Friday, January 24, 2020, the FBA hosted a members luncheon at the George C. Young Federal Courthouse. Attendees were able to meet the Honorable Embry J. Kidd, U.S. Magistrate Judge, and learn about his practices and preferences.

On Friday, January 31, 2020, the FBA hosted a luncheon seminar titled “Federal Practice Primer for the Occasional Practitioner” that featured judges from the U.S. District Court: the Honorable Roy B. Dalton, Jr., the Honorable Wendy Berger, and U.S. Magistrate Judge, the Honorable Embry Kidd. The event was moderated by a past president of the FBA Orlando Chapter, Coleman W. Watson.

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 and is a board member of the Criminal Law Committee of the OCBA.

www.orangecountybar.org

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PhotoOps YLS Holiday Reception and Toy Drive

Joey Chindamo Brittany Moyer Morgan Lea Aleisha Hodo Jimmy Singh Hillary Jenkins Thompson Madonna Snowden Amy Fudenberg

Brittany Moyer Brian Lawrence Jessica Travis Allison Imber Hon. Michael Kraynick

Criminal Law Committee

The OCBA Criminal Law Committee held its Annual Judicial Assistant Appreciation Luncheon on November 7, 2019 at The University Club.

Judicial assistants in Orange and Osceola counties assigned to the criminal division in the Ninth Circuit attended. Pictured are members of the Criminal Law Committee board.

Lyle Mazin, Brian Sandor, Kimberlee Martin, Jessica Travis, Michael Barber, Lisa Gong Guerrero, Alena Baker, Taylor Chatting, Jeff Lotter PAGE 24

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theBriefs February 2020 Vol. 88 No. 2

Young Lawyers SectionNews YLS on the Move

T

he Young Lawyers have started 2020 strong and have much more to come that you don’t want to miss!

On January 18, we held our annual Putt-Putt Tournament. Puttputt holes were set up in various bars throughout downtown Orlando, while 25 foursomes competed for the best score, worst score, and best dressed. The event was a blast and raised funds for Dancing for Diabetes through Andrew P. Irvin, Esq. sponsorships and ticket sales.

Huge thanks to Rachel Mattie, Taylor Chatting, and Chloe Zubkin for organizing this extraordinary event.

Our January luncheon was held on the 24th at the Citrus Club.

Our guest speaker was J. Jeff Deery. Jeff is a shareholder at Winderweedle, Haines, Ward & Woodman. He shared great advice on how to build meaningful and lasting relationships with clients.

On January 31, we co-hosted a CLE with the Federal Bar Association titled “Federal Practice Primer for the Occasional Practitioner.” Judges Roy B. Dalton, Wendy Berger, and Embry Kidd were featured on a panel, which was moderated by attorney Coleman Watson. The panelists discussed common federal practice issues, and attendees left with many practical takeaways. Thank you to Nicole Ballante, Leia Leitner, and Michael Piccolo for organizing this CLE.

Coming up, our next luncheon will be on February 21 at the Citrus Club. This will be a joint luncheon with the Greater Orlando Asian American Bar Association (“GOAABA”). The luncheon will feature members of our local judiciary – Judges Denise Beamer, Vincent Chiu, and Jeanette Bigney, who will discuss their various paths to the bench. The cost is only $10 for a three-course meal.

And don’t miss YLS Evening with the Judiciary on February 26 at the Orlando Museum of Art. This is a great opportunity for young lawyers to meet and interact with our local judiciary outside of the courtroom. Art, judges, food, and drinks – what more could you ask for!

Stay tuned for these upcoming YLS events: Feb. 21 – Joint Luncheon with GOAABA at the Citrus Club, “Pathways to the Bench” (Judges Beamer, Chiu, and Bigney) Feb. 26 – YLS Evening with the Judiciary at Orlando Museum of Art Mar. 20 – Joint Luncheon with Paul C. Perkins Bar Association at the Citrus Club (Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings) And don’t forget to find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @ocbayls #ocbayls #wedomore Andrew P. Irvin, Esq., of Irvin & Irvin PLLC, pursues injury and property damage claims for people who have been involved in car crashes. He has been a member of the OCBA since 2013.

Holiday Reception and Toy Drive

Lisa Thomas Neil Ambekar

Kimberlee Martin, Elizabeth Henin, Jill Davis

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OCBA Social Committee’s Totally Awesome ’80s Happy Hour November 14, 2019 Joysticks Arcade Lounge and Retro Bar

Sponsored by: Orange Legal • Milestone Reporting • Florida Lawyers Mutual Insurance Thomson Reuters Westlaw

Bernadette Cipriani-Major, Kevin Fedotov, AccurateServe

Julio Carrion, Scott Leitner, Roselin Figueroa

Air hockey

Leonard Jackson, Misty McGlothern, Cathleen Winter, Kenway Wong, Rebecca L. Palmer, Kaley Page PAGE 26

Jennifer Morando, Anthony F. Sos, Jennifer Smith-Thomas

www.orangecountybar.org

theBriefs February 2020 Vol. 88 No. 2

OCBA YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION PRESENTS

EVENING WITH THE

JUDICIARY WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2020

5:30PM - 8:30PM ORLAN O MUSEUM O ART Please join us for an evening of fellowship with the members of our local judiciary.

Early Registration Fees:

OCBA Members: Solo/Gov't $30; Private Practice $35 Non-Members: $50 Early Registration eadline: February Register via the OCBA Store Late Registration Fees increase to: $45 for OCBA Members; $60 for Non-Members Tickets include appetizers, a hosted bar, and

limited access to the galleries of the Orlando Museum of Art.

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The Orange County Bar Association (OCBA) encourages all members to utilize the services of these vendors, who provide quality products and services and are supporters of the OCBA. Many businesses on the list offer special promotions or discounts to help you grow your practice. To become a Featured Benefits provider, contact our Advertising & Sponsorship Department.

•Legal Support Services•

Casetext – A smarter legal research platform that saves attorneys time and money through cutting-edge research tools, including artificial intelligence technology, comprehensive materials, and affordable pricing. OCBA members receive 15% off after a free 14-day trial at: https://info. casetext.com/orange-county.

Clio – The most widely-used, cloud-based practice management system in the world • OCBA members in good standing receive a 10 percent lifetime discount on the monthly subscription fee • Clio.com/OCBA Cyber Centaurs – Digital Forensics & E-Discovery – Concrete Evidence, Solid Testimony, Successful Outcomes! • Andrew von Ramin Mapp • 39 Skyline Drive, #1009, Lake Mary, FL 32746 • 407-7774540 • Andrew@cybercentaurs.com DocuSign NPP – Members are eligible to receive special pricing starting at 10% off new or additional subsriptions. Custom pricing and rebates available for subscriptions that meet or exceed annual spend requirement. Enroll with NPP and start saving today!

Milestone | Reporting Company – Our court reporters have set the standard for accuracy and professionalism in Orlando since 1979 • Evelyn Quintana • 315 E. Robinson St., S-510, Orlando, FL 32801 • 407-423-9900 • evelyn@milestonereporting.com Smith.ai – A superior virtual receptionist service for phone calls, website chat, and text messages.

• (Our U.S.-based professionals answer calls and chats; screen and intake clients; schedule appointments; and take payments.) OCBA members get a free trial, $100 off the first month(s) of calls or chats with code OCBA100, 5% off bundled services, and 15% off annual plans paid upfront (otherwise, plans are month-to-month). Learn more and sign up at https://smith.ai/ member-benefits/orange-county-bar-association-fl Westlaw, a Thomson Reuters business – Westlaw, Legal Products and Services. Westlaw offers new OCBA members a 10% discount on the annual fee for services for your first year of OCBA membership. • Jeff Werth • 407-334-8808 • Jeff.Werth@tr.com

•Professional Services•

Seacoast Bank – Your Florida community bank • Charlene Hotaling, VP – Business Banking Manager • 1031 W. Morse Blvd., Suite 160, Winter Park, FL 32789 • 407-629-9089 • Charelene.

Hotaling@SeacoastBank.com Florida Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company – Created by The Florida Bar, Florida Lawyers Mutual provides high quality professional liability insurance to help protect Florida lawyers and their clients, while providing personal service that no one can match. • 800-633-6458 BoardroomPR – An Integrated Florida Law Firm Marketing & Communications Agency serving statewide full-service law firms, top specialized boutiques and one- and two-lawyer firms since 1989. Michelle Griffith • 37 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 500, Orlando FL 32801 • 407-973-8555 • mgriffith@boardroompr.com

Did you know that when you PASS a case to the Lawyer Referral Service, you not only support OCBA services, but you also help keep membership dues low?

So please keep passing those cases and support the OCBA!

•Office Equipment / Services•

Verizon Wireless – Receive significant discounts on wireless calling plans, as well as discounts on accessories, devices and smartphones. Eligibility requirements apply. Visit NPP to learn more and to start saving.

Office Depot – With more than 16,000 in-stock office supply products, Office Depot has an extensive variety of products and services to meet the needs of all NPP members nationwide.

Level(3) – Toll-free audio conferencing for only 2 cents per minute; no contract, setup or monthly fee. Additional telecomm solutions available. Enroll with NPP and start saving today!

•Personal Services•

Expedia – Receive a discount on hotels from Expedia. Sign up today at NPP and find your freedom with an additional discount over and above Expedia’s already low prices. Visit NPP to learn more and to start saving.

1-800-Flowers.com – NPP members save 20% on 1-800-Flowers.com and 1-800-Baskets.com. Enroll with NPP and start saving today!

DentalPlans – Members can receive a 15% discount, plus 3 months free with :DentalPlans. Choose from over 30 plans from healthcare brands like Cigna and Aetna. Annual dental savings plans range from $79 – $299 and cover over 100,000 dentists nationwide. Visit NPP to learn more and to start saving.

Skechers – -Direct Receive 30% off select Work and Corporate Casual styles including OSHA Compliant footwear and work boots. Enroll with NPP and start saving today!

Sherwin-Williams – NPP members receive national account contract pricing on paints, coatings, and supplies.

Members also receive free services on order planning and specification recommendations. Visit NPP to learn more and to start saving.

Keep the LRIS number in your playbook:

407-422-4537 Last year proceeds from the Lawyer Referral Program covered the production of six issues of The Briefs.

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.

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The OCBA LRIS is the only Florida Bar Approved Lawyer Referral & Information Service in Central Florida.

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Ne w M e mbe rs

Attorneys

Ferran A. ARIMON Jacinda D. BERAUD Graciana Marie BERLIN Cristina T. BERRIOS Christopher W. BRENNAN Carlton CAMPBELL, Jr. Jacqueline CARROLL Kathrine E. CONROY Marie A. DELAPENA Emmet A. EGGER Sam R. EISENSTEIN Cord W. GRIMES Laura GUDMANAITE

Claire Judith HILLIARD Angelica Louise INCLAN Kingman Fox KEATING Michaela N. KIRN Garrett D. MUSCATO Megan J. NELSON Charles A. PARKER Pamela M. PATTERSON Cooper M. POWELL Lourdes M. SANCHEZBARCIA Falyn R. SKINNER James R. SMEJKAL Shawn R.H. SMITH Mohammad Siraj SOHAIL

Joseph M. STERNBERG Kelsey A. WEISS Briana M. WHALIN

Affiliates

Tanya and Bob Present...

Emeritus

It’s All About the Record, So Preserve it Properly!

March 9th • Bring your lunch and learn!

12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. Orange County Courthouse, 23rd Floor Conf. Room CLE: pending. Free.

Jamie LIGHTFOOT Myra NOVAK Gulam R. MAHMOOD Pamela E. TIRADO

Law Students

Yvette GARRETT Samuel D. McINNIS

• •

RSVPs are requested.

Contact: Lynn Harasti at ctjalh1@ocnjcc.org

Is your firm part of the 100% Club? Firms with two or more attorneys and 100% membership in the OCBA can belong! If you believe your firm is eligible, please call the Membership Department at 407-422-4551, ext. 225.

20 or More Members

Dean, Ringers, Morgan & Lawton, P.A. Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell P.A. Shutts & Bowen, LLP Wicker, Smith, O’Hara, et al.

Winderweedle, Haines, et al.

10-19 Members

Colling Gilbert Wright & Carter, LLC Fisher Rushmer Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, Inc. Marshall, Dennehey, Warner, Coleman & Goggin McDonald Toole Wiggins, P.A.

2-9 Members Allen, Norton & Blue, P.A. Anderson & Ferrin, Attorneys at Law, P.A. Artemis Family Law Group, PLLC Arwani Law Firm Aust Law Firm Banker Lopez Gassler P.A. Barrister Law Firm, P.A. Barry Miller Law Beshara, P.A. Carr Law Firm, P.A. Compass Law Cullen & Hemphill, P.A. DeCiccio & Johnson Dellecker Wilson King McKenna Ruffier & Sos, LLP Divine & Estes, P.A.

Fassett, Anthony & Taylor, P.A. Flammia Elder Law Firm Forward Law Firm P.A. Gans Law, P.A. Gasdick Stanton Early, P.A. Giles & Robinson, P.A. GoodBlatt – Leo Green Family Law, P.A. Hale, Hale & Jacobson, P.A. Harris Harris Bauerle Ziegler Lopez Hilyard, Bogan & Palmer, P.A. Hornsby Law Infocus Family Law Firm, P.L. Jill S. Schwartz & Associates, P.A. Keating & Schlitt, P.A. King, Blackwell, Zehnder & Wermuth, P.A. Korshak & Associates, P.A. Kosto & Rotella, P.A. Law Offices of Brent C. Miller, P.A. Law Office of Catherine E. Davey, P.A. Law Offices of Horwitz & Citro, P.A. Lewis & Crichton Marcus & Myers, P.A. McMichen, Cinami & Demps PLLC McMillen Law Firm, P.A. McShane & McShane Law Firm, P.A. Meenakshi A. Hirani, P.A. Men’s Divorce Law Firm Morgan, White-Davis & Martinez, P.A. Murphy & Berglund, PLLC

PAGE 30 www.orangecountybar.org

Murrah Doyle & Wigle, P.A. N. Diane Holmes, P.A. O’Mara Law Group Perez LaSure, LLC Rebecca L. Palmer Law Group Ringer Henry Buckley & Seacord, P.A. Roman V. Hammes, P.L. Sasser & Weber, P.A. Sawyer & Sawyer, P.A. Schwam-Wilcox & Associates SeifertMiller, LLC Shannin Law Firm, P.A. Southern Trial Counsel Stovash, Case & Tingley Tangel-Rodriguez & Associates The Aikin Family Law Group The Arnold Law Group The Brennan Law Firm The Elder Law Center of Kirson & Fuller The Fighter Law Firm, P.A. The Law Office of Michael L. Dear, PLLC The Llabona Law Group The Marks Law Firm, P.A. The Skambis Law Firm Warner & Warner, P.L. West Family Law Group Wieland, Hilado & DeLattre, P.A. Wilson McCoy, P.A. Wooten Kimbrough, P.A. Yergey & Yergey, P.A.

theBriefs February 2020 Vol. 88 No. 2

Events Feb. 5 – Member Perks. 8:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m. OCBA Center.

Speaker to be announced. Register by Feb. 4 through the OCBA Store.

Feb. 20 – OCBA Diversity & Inclusion Committee Event.

The Defamation Experience. 5:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. UCF Downtown, 528 W. Livingston St., Orlando, FL 32801. See a riveting courtroom drama that highlights our common perceptions of race, class, religion, gender, and the law. Discussion and networking will follow. The play is presented by The Defamation Production Cast. CLE: pending. Free. RSVP through the OCBA Store. Event preview: https://youtu.be/ODmrhFggVh0.

Feb. 29 – 6th Annual OCBA Law Day 5K & Inaugural Block Party. 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (registration: 7:00 a.m.). Lake Baldwin. All proceeds benefit the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, Inc., and the Orange County Bar Association Foundation, Inc. Register at: https://runsignup. com/ocbalawday5k.

Mar. 4 – Member Perks. 8:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m. OCBA Center.

Speaker to be announced. Register by Mar. 3 through the OCBA Store.

Mar. 26 – OCBA Professionalism Awards Presentation.

3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Orange County Courthouse Jury Assembly Room. Details to come.

Seminars Feb. 4 – LAS Lunchtime Training. GAL Training: Educating Educators About Dependent Child Needs. 12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m.

Bay Equity, Lucerne Plaza, 100 W. Lucerne Cir., Ste. 502, Orlando, FL 32801. Speakers: Leah Dual, Esq.; Carsandra Buie, Esq.; Barbara Glass, Esq. CLE: pending. Contact: Marilyn Carbo at mcarbo@legalaidocba.com.

Feb. 5 – Business Law Committee. Trial Lawyer Professionalism: What’s in it for You? 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. OCBA Center.

Speaker: Mike Tanner, Esq. CLE 1.0 general, including 1.0 professionalism (pending). Free (OCBA members); $20 (nonmembers). Register by Feb. 3 through the OCBA Store.

Feb. 6 – Solo & Small Firm Committee. Building a ReferralBased Practice. 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. OCBA Center. Speaker: Jordan Ostroff, Esq. CLE: pending. Free (OCBA members); $20 (nonmembers). Register by Feb. 4 through the OCBA Store.

Feb. 7 – Estate, Guardianship & Trust Committee. Once Upon a Time in Estates, Trusts, and Guardianships. 9:00 a.m.5:00 p.m. OCBA Center. Speakers: Hon. John Galluzo; Hon. Janet Thorpe; Sarah Aumiller, Esq.; Eric Boughman, Esq.; Cindi Clark, Esq.; Stephanie Cook, Esq.; Keshara Cowans, Esq.; Heidi Isenhart, Esq.; Teresa N. Phillips, Esq.; Pierre Vogelbacher, Esq. CLE: pending. $40 (OCBA members); $25 (gov’t members/ students); $60 (nonmembers). Register by Feb. 5 through the OCBA Store.

Feb. 11 – Technology Committee. Details to come.

Feb. 14 – Labor & Employment Committee. Details to come.

Feb. 18 – LAS Lunchtime Training. We are Family: Temporary Custody of Minors by Relatives, Chapter 751. 12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Bay Equity, Lucerne Plaza, 100 W. Lucerne Cir., Ste. 502, Orlando, FL 32801. Speakers: Bethanie Barber, Esq.; William

Davis, Esq.; Jessylin Wiederhold, Esq. CLE: pending. Contact: Marilyn Carbo at mcarbo@legalaidocba.com.

Feb. 20 – Elder Law Committee. Social Security & Public Benefits: Planning and Advocacy. 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. OCBA Center. Speakers: Richard Culbertson, Esq.; Clara DeLoach, Esq.; Sarah Fay; Steven Hitchcock, Esq.; Jason Lazarus, Esq. CLE: 6.0 (approved). $40 (OCBA members); $25 (gov’t members/students); $60 (nonmembers). Register by Feb. 18 through the OCBA Store.

Feb. 21 – Family Law Committee. How to Support Your Child Support Case and Beyond. 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. OCBA Center.

Speakers: Hon. Heather L. Higbee; Hon. Diana M. Tennis; General Magistrate Erin F. Duncan; Catherine Davey, Esq.; Keersten Heskin Martinez, Esq.; Lee Upton; Roberta Walton, Esq.; Jan Wichrowski, Esq. CLE: pending. $40 (OCBA members); $25 (gov’t members/students); $60 (nonmembers). Register by Feb. 19 through the OCBA Store.

Feb. 25 – Criminal Law Committee. Sponsor: Recovery Solutions, Inc. Details to come.

Feb. 28 – Bankruptcy Law Committee. Details to come.

Mar. 3 – LAS Lunchtime Training. This IS a Test: Strategies for Effective Immigration (USCIS) Interviews. 12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m.

Bay Equity, Lucerne Plaza, 100 W. Lucerne Cir., Ste. 502, Orlando, FL 32801. Speakers: Ana Bernal Roberts, Esq.; Rusten Hurd, Esq. CLE: pending. Contact: Marilyn Carbo at mcarbo@ legalaidocba.com.

Mar. 5 – Solo & Small Firm Committee. Details to come.

Mar. 6 – Real Property Committee. Details to come.

Mar. 9 – Tanya and Bob Present… It’s All About the Record, So Preserve it Properly! 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. Orange County Courthouse, 23rd Floor Conf. Room. CLE: pending. Free. RSVPs are requested. Contact: Lynn Harasti at ctjalh1@ocnjcc.org.

Mar. 9 – Estate, Guardianship & Trust Committee. Details to come.

Mar. 10 – Technology Committee. Details to come.

Mar. 13 – Labor & Employment Committee. Details to come.

Mar. 17 – LAS Lunchtime Training. GAL Training: Mental Health Court. 12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Bay Equity, Lucerne Plaza, 100 W. Lucerne Cir., Ste. 502, Orlando, FL 32801. Speakers: Willie Francis, case coordinator; Hon. Reginald Whitehead. CLE: pending. Contact: Marilyn Carbo at mcarbo@legalaidocba. com.

Mar. 19 – Intellectual Property Committee. Details to come.

Mar. 20 – Family Law and Technology Committees. Demonstration of Tech Cart and Podium Technology. 12:00 p.m.1:30 p.m. Orange County Courthouse, 23rd Floor Conf. Room.

Speaker: Lisa Gong Guerrero, Esq. CLE: pending. Free (OCBA members); $20 (nonmembers). Register by Mar. 18 through the OCBA Store.

Mar. 24 – Criminal Law Committee. Details to come.

Mar. 27 – Bankruptcy Law Committee. Details to come.

Events & Seminars

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CLASSIFIED ADS

EMPLOYMENT

BILINGUAL (SPANISH AND ENGLISH) attorney sought for well-established personal injury law firm based in Orlando. Specific tasks include meeting clients, working on pre-suit investigation, resolving insurance issues, preparing correspondence, attending insurance examinations, attending depositions, and assisting in litigation (this is mostly a pre-suit position to start). Periodic driving required within Central Florida. Compensation based on experience and results. Benefits provided after trial period. Please forward a resume with qualifications in confidence to erodriguez@pardyrodriguezlaw. com.

RESEARCHER / WRITER / PARTTIME PROOFREADER for litigation firm. Send availability / resume / writing sample / hourly rate/ to mlang@langlaw.net.

SPECIALTY DEFENSE FIRM handling first party property/liability coverage issues and complex contractual/tort litigation seeks attorneys for its Maitland office. Insurance defense experience preferred.

Fax/Mail resume to: Office Man-

February 4, 2020

ager (407) 647-9966, The Rock Law Group, P.A., 1760 Fennell St., Maitland, Florida 32751 FAST-PACED INSURANCE DEFENSE FIRM located in Maitland, Florida is searching for a Legal Assistant. The firm handles first party property/liability coverage issues.

Insurance defense and strong litigation experience preferred. Please send all inquiries to jmccallister@ rocklawpa.com.

HILL RUGH KELLER & MAIN, a mid-sized downtown Orlando “AV” rated litigation law firm seeks Associate Attorney with 3-5 years civil litigation experience, preferably Insurance Defense. Ideal candidate will be able to assist in handling cases from inception through to trial. Excellent salary and benefit package.

Call Jean 407 926 7460.

PLAINTIFF’S LITIGATION ATTORNEY SOUGHT for well-established personal injury law firm based in Orlando. Must have a minimum of 1-year litigation experience. Most cases are motor vehicle accidents or premises liability injury claims. Position requires routine travel within Central Florida to meet clients and attend scheduled court events.

Competitive base salary with incen-

tives for growth and benefits. Please forward a resume with qualifications in confidence to erodriguez@ pardyrodriguezlaw.com.

FURNISHED OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE. Great Winter Park Location. Full Service. Call Lorna (407) 377-6399.

OFFICE SPACE/SALE/ RENT/LEASE/SHARE

SHARED LAW OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE – Up to three furnished offices for lease. Contact kristy@kellyjuris.com.

LARGE OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE NOW. Newly renovated, impressive, large office with great views on the 18th floor of 390 North Orange Avenue building (formerly the Bank of America Building), across from the courthouse in downtown Orlando. Includes conference room and kitchen use. As low as $900/mo.

Receptionist available as additional option. Contact Amy at ASaunders@ LongwellLawyers.com or call 407426-5757.

DOWNTOWN WINTER PARK – 157 E. New England. Private entrance, signage and windows. 2 large and 1 small office, as well as conference room accessibility. $2,000. mo. plus tax – 407-760-5330.

ONE OFFICE FOR SOLO PRACTIONER. 515. N. Fern Creek. Common reception and kitchen, plenty of parking. Month to month or lease. Jim Sears 407-222-1554 jsearslaw@gmail.com.

SHARED LAW OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE – SOUTH SEMINOLE COUNTY IN ESTABLISHED LAW FIRM. Up to 8 furnished offices in exclusive location with plenty of parking included, common reception, kitchen, and other amenities. Contact seminole19office@yahoo.com.

LAKE EOLA OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT. Includes bilingual receptionist, gym, free parking for clients, WIFI, conference room, maintenance, secretarial space,

OFFICE SPACE/SUITES FOR RENT – Downtown Orlando, 250 East Colonial Bldg., 1,500 sq. ft. Available now! May rent separate office suites.

Parking included. Call or email: John at 407-425-2907; jkk@keatlaw.com.

GAL Training: Educating Educators about Dependent Child Needs

February 18, 2020 We are Family: Temporary Custody of Minors by Relatives, Chapter 751 March 3, 2020

This IS a Test: Strategies for Effective Immigration (USCIS) Interviews

March 17, 2020

GAL Training: Mental Health Court

April 7, 2020

Expertly Working with Parenting Experts

April 21, 2020

GAL Training: Least Restrictive Means: Is a Higher Level of Care Really Needed?

Training classes are free for OCBA members and non-OCBA members participating in the LAS pro bono program. Pre-registration is required for the free lunch and requested for training (or subject to space availability if not pre-registered).

for $1,500 a month. For more info please call 407-792-1285 or jleon@flusalaw.com.

Through APRIL

2020

LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF THE ORANGE COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION LUNCHTIME TRAINING NOON TO 1:30 P.M. FREE CLE FREE LUNCH RSVP TO

ALL TRAININGS WILL BE HELD AT : Bay Equity in Lucerne Plaza, 100 W. Lucerne Circle, Suite 502, Orlando, 32801. Parking is free.

mcarbo@legalaidocba.org or call: 407-841-8310 ext 3121

Type the following address into your GPS to avoid 408 road construction closures: 116 America Street, Orlando, Florida 32801 32 PAGE 32 www.orangecountybar.org

theBriefs February 2020 2020 Vol. 88 No. 2

Going your separate ways doesn’t have to get ugly.

HARD ENOUGH. Mediation can make things easier. As a licensed mediator, Mark Lang can help a family find the best way forward.

Certified Florida Supreme Court Family Law Mediator MARK LANG & ASSOCIATES

LANGLAW.NET | OFFICES: WINTER PARK | TEL: 407.599.4433

theBriefs February 2020 Vol. 88 No. 2

www.orangecountybar.org

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Spring Into Maitland!

Beautifully Renovated – And Currently Available!

For a showing or pricing please call 407-405-5552.

The future belongs to the few of us still willing to get our hands dirty.

– Roland Tiangco, Designer

Up To 1800 square feet for lease on the first floor.

Depending on tenant needs, 1800 or less square feet can be made available, with one suite fully furnished if needed.

For more than 45 years, ADD+G has passionately represented clients whose creative genius helps paint our future.

Let us represent you.

S Q U A R E LY I N YO U R C O R N E R Orlando, Miami, Winter Springs Satellite Office: Jacksonville

AllenDyer.com ▪ 407-841-2330

P AT E N T S

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TR ADEMARKS

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COPYRIGHTS

www.orangecountybar.org

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LICENSING

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IP

L I T I G AT I O N

theBriefs February 2020 Vol. 88 No. 2

Upchurch Watson White & Max MEDIATION GROUP

proudly welcomes

Frederick J. Lauten

Fred Lauten

flauten@uww-adr.com

» Served as judge in Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit for 26 years and as chief judge of the circuit for 5 years. » Presided over the circuit’s Business Court division from 2007 to 2012 and over a wide variety of cases, including complex civil cases.

Previously, as a county judge, he sat in every division of the court. » Longtime, active member of Central Florida Community.

MEDIATION | ARBITRATION E-DISCOVERY | SPECIAL MASTERS

CALL TOLL FREE: 800-863-1462 READ MORE & SCHEDULE: WWW.UWW-ADR.COM

theBriefs February 2020 Vol. 88 No. 2

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O C B FEBRUARY A C a- MARCH lendar

FEBRUARY

4

LAS Lunchtime Training GAL Training: Educating Educators About Dependent Child Needs 12:00 p.m. • Bay Equity, Lucerne Plaza

OCBA Law Day 5K Committee Meeting 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center Professionalism Committee Meeting 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center

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OCBA Luncheon | February 27, 2020

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Downtown Orlando Valentino Dixon Co-host: Paul C. Perkins Bar Association Title Sponsor: Seacoast Bank Register by: Feb. 24, 2020

MARCH LAS Lunchtime Training We are Family: Temporary Custody of Minors by Relatives, Chapter 751 12:00 p.m. • Bay Equity, Lucerne Plaza

Solo & Small Firm Committee Meeting 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center

Practice

19 Appellate Committee Meeting

12:00 p.m. • Lowndes Law

Real Property Committee OCBA Executive Council Meeting Meeting 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center 4:30 p.m. • OCBA Center

12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center

17 Solo & Small Firm Committee Meeting

Professionalism 3 Committee Meeting

LAS Lunchtime Training This IS a Test: Strategies for Effective Immigration (USCIS) Interviews 12:00 p.m. • Bay Equity, Lucerne Plaza

12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center LAS Lunchtime Training GAL Training: Mental Health Court 12:00 p.m. • Bay Equity, Lucerne Plaza

Practice Member Perks 18 Appellate 4 Committee Meeting 8:00 a.m. • OCBA Center Business Law Committee Meeting 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center

12:00 p.m. • Lowndes Law

Property

19 Intellectual Committee Seminar

12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center

Member Perks YLS Luncheon 20 Elder Law Committee 5 5

2 0 8:00 a.m. • OCBA Center Seminar

11:30 p.m. • Citrus Club Social Security & Public Business Law Committee

Family Law and Real Property Committee

Benefits: Planning and 6 Seminar

Technology Committees Seminar Advocacy Trial Lawyer Professionalism: Solo & Small Firm Committee Seminar 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center

Seminar Demonstration of Tech Cart Tanya and Bob Present… and Podium Technology Diversity & Inclusion

It’s All About the Record, So

Committee Event

12:00 p.m. • Orange Solo & Small Firm The Defamation Experience Preserve it Properly!

County Courthouse, 23rd Committee Seminar

12:00 p.m.

• Orange

5:30 p.m. • UCF Floor Conf. Room Building a Referral-Based County Courthouse, 23rd Downtown Practice Criminal Law Committee Floor Conf. Room Family Law Committee 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center Seminar Estate, Guardianship & Seminar Estate, Guardianship & How to Support Your Child Trust Committee Seminar 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center Trust Committee Seminar Support Case and Beyond 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center Social Committee Once Upon a Time in Estates, 8:00 a.m. • OCBA Center Meeting Technology Committee Trusts, and Guardianships 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center Seminar 9:00 a.m. • OCBA Center YLS Luncheon OCBA Executive Council 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center 11:30 a.m. • Citrus Club Estate, Guardianship & Meeting

Estate, Guardianship &

Criminal Law Committee Trust Committee Meeting 4:30 p.m. • OCBA Center Trust Committee Meeting Seminar 12:00 p.m. • Shuffield

12:00 p.m.

• Shuffield

OCBA Professionalism 9:00 a.m.• OCBA Center Lowman Lowman Awards Presentation Social Committee Technology Committee 3:00 p.m. • Orange Lawyers Literary Society Meeting Seminar 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center County Courthouse Jury 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center Assembly Room Judicial Relations OCBA Luncheon Lawyers Literary Society Committee Meeting Bankruptcy Law Valentino Dixon Meeting 12:15 p.m. • Orange

Committee Seminar 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center 11:30 a.m. • Embassy County Courthouse, 23rd 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center Suites by Hilton Floor Conf. Room Social Security Downtown Orlando Committee Meeting Social Security Bankruptcy Law 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center Committee Meeting Committee Seminar 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center YLS Board Meeting 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center 5:30 p.m. • OCBA Center YLS Board Meeting 6th Annual OCBA Law 5:30 p.m. • OCBA Center Labor & Employment Day 5K & Inaugural Committee Seminar Labor & Employment Block Party 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center Committee Seminar 8:00 a.m. • Lake Baldwin 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center What’s in it for You? 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center

10:00 a.m. • OCBA Center

6 7 11

9:00 a.m. • OCBA Center

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www.orangecountybar.org

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880 North Orange Avenue Orlando, Florida 32801

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID MID-FL FL PERMIT NO. 581