Orange County Bar Association - The Briefs - March 2016 by Orange Co Bar Association Orlando

A Publication of the Orange County

Bar Association

Inside this Issue:

March 2016 Vol. 84 No. 3

President’s Message I Don’t Wanna Adult Anymore Jamie Billotte Moses, Esq.

Immigration & International Law Committee Immigration Laws Stifle U.S. Business Natalia Gove, Esq.

Professionalism Committee Remarks upon Receipt of the OCBA’s 2016 William Trickel, Jr. Professionalism Award Emery H. Rosenbluth Jr., Esq.

Paralegal Post Understand and Protect Your #DigitalFootprint Iana Del Benjamin, Esq.

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the Briefs

Contents 3

20, 21

President’s Message I Don’t Wanna Adult Anymore Jamie Billotte Moses, Esq.

Co-Editors Carrie Ann Wozniak, Esq. & Téa Sisic, Esq.

OCBA January 2016 Luncheon

Professionalism Committee Remarks upon Receipt of the OCBA’s 2016 William Trickel, Jr. Professionalism Award Emery H. Rosenbluth Jr., Esq.

Associate Editor David A. Meek, Esq.,

SideBar Kimberly A. Lopez, Esq.

Hearsay Columnist Vanessa A. Braga, Esq.

YLS on the Move Jennifer A. Smith, Esq.

Side Bar Columnist Kimberly A. Lopez, Esq.

YLS on the Move Jennifer A. Smith, Esq.

Paralegal Post Understand and Protect Your #DigitalFootprint Sasha A. Klein, Esq.

Law Week Luncheon Law Week 2016 Miranda: More Than Words

w OFFICERS Jamie Billotte Moses, Esq., President Wiley S. Boston, Esq., President-elect Elizabeth F. McCausland, Esq., Treasurer Richard S. Dellinger, Esq., Secretary w EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Jared Brooks, Esq. Philip K. Calandrino, Esq. Mary Ann Etzler, Esq. A. Felipe Guerrero, Esq. LaShawnda K. Jackson, Esq. Kristopher J. Kest, Esq. Eric C. Reed, Esq. Gary S. Salzman, Esq. Anthony F. Sos, Esq. Ryan Williams, Esq. Nicholas A. Shannin, Esq., Ex Officio Amber N. Davis, Esq., YLS President w EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Kimberly Homer, Esq. w Communications Manager Peggy Storch

The Florida Bar Foundation News Bruce B. Blackwell, Esq., Receives the 2016 Tobias Simon Award Nancy Kinnally

Hearsay Vanessa A. Braga, Esq.

Clerk’s Corner New Office is a Win-Win for Clerk’s Office and Citizens in South Orange County Tiffany Moore Russell, Esq.

Immigration & International Law Committee Immigration Laws Stifle U.S. Business Natalia Gove, Esq.

OCBA Foundation News Ties that Bind Us Valencia N. Poitier, Esq.

Rainmaking Back to the Basics of Word-of-Mouth Marketing Michael Hammond, Esq.

New Members

Announcements

Classifieds

40 Calendar

Legal Aid Society Guardian Ad Litem All Kinds of Families, or Father of the Year? Donna A. Haynes Coravious L. Cowart, Esq.

Legal Aid Society What We Do... Brenda Lee London Receives the 2016 Judge J.C. “Jake” Stone Distinguished Service Award Catherine A. Tucker, Esq.

Communications Assistant Darshini Ramkarran Marketing & Sponsorship Manager Amanda Nethero

DEADLINE INFORMATION

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 ©2016 Orange County Bar Association. All rights reserved. Designer: Catherine E. Hébert Cover photo: Dollar Photo Club ISSN 1947-3968

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Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Program 407-649-1833 880 North Orange Avenue • Orlando, FL 32801 (407) 422-4551 • Fax (407) 843-3470 Legal Aid Society 407-841-8310 Citizen Dispute 407-423-5732 Family Law Mediation 407-422-4551 Lawyer Referral Service 407-422-4537 Orange County Foreclosure Mediation 407-422-4551 Young Lawyers Section 407-422-4551

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President’sMessage

March 2016 O Jamie Billotte Moses, Esq.

Jamie and daughter Ashley

I Don’t Wanna Adult Anymore

bviously, adult is a noun: she is an adult, he is an adult. But, to adult is a verb. As in, “I don’t want to adult anymore,” or “I’m not up for adulting today.” I get it. Some days adulting is tough. Frankly, I have enjoyed being an adult and almost all that comes with it. Granted, I am blessed with two parents who are still alive and, other than two very special people in my life, I have not had to bury my friends. Nevertheless, this adulting thing is getting tougher to do. When the new year rolled around, I realized I had six to eight more months with my daughter at home. God willing, by the time you read this, she will have been accepted by the University of Florida and her most difficult decision in life, at the time, will be deciding between the Gator Nation and the Seminole Nation. I, on the other hand, will have to deal with the fact the precious little girl I have worried about – every bump, scrape, hurt feeling, and decision she or I have made – will go on into the world and start adulting. She says: “I’m ready.” I say: “That makes one of us.” It is hard to imagine not being there to fix this or take care of that or simply sitting around at the dinner table discussing recent grades, school happenings, or athletic feats. I know I need to let her go. I just wish it wasn’t now! When I brought her into the world in July of 1998, I never thought July of 2016 would come so quickly. Everyone with older children warns you the years go by in a blink of an eye and you had better enjoy every minute. I listened! I tried to attend every function, be there every morning, tuck her in every night, but I still feel like there just was not enough time together. And, of course, I have the standard working mom’s guilt. I don’t know that I will ever stop wondering whether the time away from my kids was worth it. But then it happened. The night I was sworn in as president of this wonderful association, my daughter sent me this text: “Great job tonight Mom. I am so proud of you. You are truly a phenomenal woman and you inspire me.” At that moment, I realized what I was doing was important, not only for me, but for my children. I also realized my daughter is ready to

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adult and looking forward to it like she should. Maybe I should act like an adult, too, and cherish these next few months with the fine young woman she has become and celebrate the role I have played in that. What does this have to do with the OCBA or the “President’s Message?” I’m not exactly sure. But I will tell you that every month I receive many emails or phone messages regarding my “President’s Message.” Some months appeal to people more than others, but every month several people comment on my message (at least so far). So this is for the many parents experiencing the same feelings right now as they watch their children prepare to leave for college. It is also for those who have been through it and have offered me sound advice on how to cope. I appreciate the words of wisdom more than they will ever know. Finally, this is for the parents with tiny children. Excessively sleep deprived and physically fatigued – the thought of their children going away to college probably sounds just fine right about now. Be careful what you wish for – the time will be here faster than you can imagine. At my first luncheon as OCBA president, Lee Corso said “95% of your real friends live in your house.” That struck me when he said it and haunts me now. I am about to lose 25% of my team. Nevertheless, I am an adult and must continue adulting because my baby girl expects me to do so. And no matter how I feel, she’s ready. She has a job, and a bank account, and she is already managing her day independent of me. She’s not totally self-sufficient (thank goodness), but she’s ready to give adulting a try and I owe it to her to let her. So, although I’d rather freeze time and have her at home for a few more years, I know that’s not best for her or me. As Barbara Kingsolver said: “[...] kids don’t stay with you if you do it right. It’s the one job where, the better you are, the more surely you won’t be needed in the long run.” Go out into the world my beautiful child. You are ready even if I am not. Jamie Billotte Moses, Esq., is a shareholder with Fisher Rushmer, P.A. She is a board certified appellate specialist. Additionally, Ms. Moses defends lawyers and real estate professionals in litigation and licensing complaints. She has been a member of the OCBA since 1994.

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ProfessionalismCommittee Remarks upon Receipt of the OCBA’s 2016 William Trickel, Jr. Professionalism Award The OCBA Professionalism Committee presented its most prestigious awards on March 4, 2016, at the Orange County Courthouse. Mr. Rosenbluth was presented the William Trickel, Jr. Professionalism Award.

Emery H. Rosenbluth Jr.

am both thrilled and flattered to be this year’s recipient of this wonderful award. Initially I want to express my gratitude to the many in our bar association who made it possible: my good friend and longtime partner, Michael Bittman, who nominated me without my knowledge, the members of our Professionalism Committee, the Executive Council, and notably the prior recipients of this award, who are among the most respected members of the Central Florida community. I was fortunate to have known Bill Trickel, and although our areas of practice differed, we were friends and colleagues. When my work brought me to Bill’s office, there was Bill with a big smile, a warm greeting, and a hearty handshake. Perhaps the best measure of the respect for Bill is this award and the fact that a client named a Maitland Center office building in his honor. I was born, raised, and educated in Pennsylvania. One of the most important lessons I learned was that 20 plus Pennsylvania winters were enough and that Florida would be a much better place to live and raise a family. Although at that time I had spent only one week in Florida, it was the only state bar I applied to. While in the District of Columbia completing my military obligation as an Army J.A.G.C. officer, I was fortunate to interview with Charley Wells, who was then a partner at Maguire Voorhis and Wells. That firm offered me an associate position at a salary just slightly more than 50% of my military pay. I accepted and despite the low pay, it proved to be a wonderful opportunity. A surprising phone message from Jamie Moses informed me of this honor. The first person I spoke with after receiving notice of the award was my good friend and last year’s recipient, Herb Allen. Herb mentioned he will be interested in hearing my remarks today. I told Herb that, although we had detailed rules of professional conduct, I believe that the foundation for professional conduct should be established in the home. My parents emphasized the importance, really the requirement, of honesty, integrity, respect for all people, performing all tasks to the best of my ability, loyalty, and giving back to the community. The fact that professional conduct can be equated, in large part, to the Golden Rule, first

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occurred to me while serving as a member of our circuit’s Grievance Committee. While certainly we saw serious violations such as embezzlement from trust accounts, the bulk of the complaints we saw were the result of lawyers simply failing to treat their clients professionally and courteously. Examples of this type of unprofessional conduct included failing to return calls, failing to answer client questions, failing to keep clients informed, or just generally being insensitive to most clients’ unfamiliarity with our justice system and the importance each case has to that client. My contemporaries and I did not have law school classes on legal ethics and professionalism. Our training in those areas came from mentors and I was fortunate to have many. Maguire Voorhis and Wells had a very active trial practice with many fine trial lawyers, all of whom were willing to provide assistance to new attorneys. I was fortunate to work mainly with Richard Bates. Dick had, at that time, a very active plaintiff’s personal injury practice and he was the consummate professional. I learned innumerable lifelong lessons following and observing Dick and preparing and trying cases with him. I wish Dick were here today as I would insist he share this award with me. Also I want to acknowledge a second important mentor, Eli Subin, my brother-in-law and longtime partner. Eli encouraged me to go to law school and later was the senior partner of our firm. As Dick Bates, Eli was always available to provide sound advice and assistance and his recognized high ethical standards of practice established the bar for all of us. This award concerns “professionalism” which most will agree is an elusive concept. In the 1980s the courts began to notice some upsetting attorney conduct, particularly the lack of civility. This led to studies on professionalism, and one of the most significant was a 1986 report by the American Bar Association Commission on Professionalism. It established its view in a report titled “In the Spirit of Public Service: a Blueprint for the Rekindling of Lawyers Professionalism.” That report noted “professionalism is an elastic concept, the meaning and application of which are hard to pin down.” The Commission emphasized that acting in a professional manner exceeds that which is prescribed in the various rules of professional conduct. The Commission also set seven standards continued page 6

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Law Week LuncheonThursday, April 28, 2016

Law Week 2016 Miranda: More than Words

n 2016, the nation marks the 50th anniversary of perhaps the nation’s best-known U.S. Supreme Court case, Miranda v. Arizona. The Miranda Warning has become ingrained in law enforcement and has permeated popular consciousness through countless recitations in films and television shows. Yet Miranda is only part of the story when it comes to the procedures for ensuring justice. Students from throughout Orange and Osceola counties have been tasked with exploring the theme – Miranda: More than Words – through speech contests, poster contests, mock trials, judicial job shadowing, and more.

This year’s theme provides students an opportunity to explore our criminal justice system and understand the importance of procedural fairness and equal justice under the law. At the OCBA’s the Law Week luncheon, we recognize the students who best express the meaning of the Supreme Court’s establishment of the rights of criminal suspects during police interrogations, including the Sixth Amendment right to counsel and the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

The Ballroom at Church Street 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

225 S. Garland Avenue • Orlando, FL 32801 Co-hosted by the Law Week Committee Please RSVP by April 22, 2016 RSVPs will not be accepted after april 22, 2016 RSVP through the OCBA Store at www.orangecountybar.org/store CANCELLATIONS must be received no later than

April 22, 2016

To cancel, contact Marie West at mariew@ocbanet.org. The OCBA is happy to provide 7 luncheons as part of your member benefits, but no-shows incur additional charges for the bar and walk-ins cannot be guaranteed a seat.

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ProfessionalismCommittee continued from page 4

that all segments of the bar should strive to do. There are several directed to bar associations as organizations and I’ll paraphrase those we individual lawyers should strive to do: • act with integrity, competence, fairness, independence, courage, and devotion to public interest; • abide by higher standards than the minimum established by our Code of Professional Responsibility; • participate in pro bono activities; • resist the temptation to make the acquisition of wealth a primary goal of your law practice; • seek to simplify and make less expensive the performance of legal services. While our local bar is the best in the state, and most of us strive for professionalism, we have encountered problems like the failure to exchange case citations before a hearing, refusing to cooperate fully in scheduling hearings and depositions, and abuse of discovery. Fortunately, these are the exceptions in our local practice. I do want to mention two incidents in my practice that stand out. While working with Dick Bates, we were trying a personal injury case in Lake County. At that time x-rays from a recognized hospital were routinely admitted into evidence without authentication, and pretrial procedures were not as formalized as now. When Dick offered a key x-ray into evidence it was met with a lack of authentication objection. The trial judge recognized what was occurring, sustained the objection, but then ordered the necessary deposition be taken Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. The defense

counsel sheepishly withdrew the objection. In that instance, the defense lawyer did not violate any rule of professional conduct but, in my opinion, did not act with the level of professionalism that we should expect. The second example involved a case that culminated in a two-week administrative law trial in Gainesville that I tried with Mike Bittman. Our opposing counsel was from Miami and extremely disruptive. Prior to trial he recognized he was losing a motion to dismiss hearing and said “let the record reflect the judge is leaning back in his chair and rolling his eyes at my argument.” The administrative law judge naturally reacted strongly, which led him to recuse himself – which was the goal of the exercise. I understand that particular transcript was read with interest by the other administrative law judges, who at that time did not have contempt power. Later at trial, one of the witnesses was a career HRS employee with a doctorate in her field. The first question on cross-examination by the South Florida lawyer was “why have you lied here five times today?”

In our evaluation of the case, we felt our adversary had a better than 50% chance of prevailing. Fortunately, we were successful, and I have no doubt that the attorney’s unprofessional conduct negatively impacted his client’s chance of prevailing. The satisfaction and pride we receive from discharging our legal responsibilities with professionalism should be its own reward. However, if more incentive is needed, it is clear to me, and I hope to you, that it is also effective advocacy and aids in building a successful law practice. I would end with special thanks to my wife, Judie, and our three daughters, whose love, support, patience, and understanding allowed me to practice our wonderful profession to the best of my ability. Emery H. Rosenbluth Jr., Esq., Broad and Cassel, is an experienced litigator and mediator, concentrating his practice on the litigation and trial of complex cases. He has served as a privately retained and court ordered mediator, and he is a certified arbitrator. He has been a member of the OCBA since 1970.

Please vote for Bill Davis for the OCBA Executive Council. I have served the OCBA for many years, including the following:

• President, Legal Aid Society of the OCBA • Recipient of the Legal Aid Award of Excellence • Chair of Law Week, received bar award • Chair of the OCBA Judicial Relations Committee, received bar award • Chair of the OCBA Insurance Law Committee • Chair and longtime speaker for An Afternoon at the State Courthouse, received Young Lawyers award • Speaker at many OCBA and Legal Aid seminars

I would be honored to serve you as your Representative on the OCBA Executive Council and I thank you for your vote!

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The Florida Bar FoundationNews

W Nancy Kinnally

Bruce B. Blackwell, Esq., Receives the 2016 Tobias Simon Award

hen Florida Bar Foundation CEO Bruce B. Blackwell, Esq., accepted the 2016 Tobias Simon Award at the Florida Supreme Court on January 28, 2016, he shared The Florida Bar’s highest public service honor with all of those who endeavor to ensure justice for those least able to afford an attorney and said: I accept this award on behalf of all my brothers and sisters who toil daily as volunteers, as legal aid lawyers, paralegals, staff, court personnel, and clerks who help pro se litigants and on behalf of the thousands of Floridians whose lives have been changed because a Florida lawyer cared – and cares – and will keep on caring. He also recognized the contributions of each of the seven Florida Supreme Court justices and of Florida Bar leaders. This has been a watershed year in Florida for bringing the shortcomings of access to the fore under the enlightened leadership of Chief Justice Jorge Labarga and the prior stellar leadership of our bar, including Gwynne Young, Esq., Eugene Pettis, Esq., Greg Coleman, Esq., and now president Ramón Abadin, Esq. Blackwell learned at an early age that “each of us possesses the power to change at least one life, if not many lives, through

our actions,” as he wrote in his personal statement upon receiving the 2013 American Bar Association Pro Bono Publico Award. He and his brother were taken in by an aunt and uncle at the age of 11 after their parents both died. He considers his aunt, Mattie Heagy, whose life he says “centered on service,” to be his mother. When he became a lawyer, and throughout his career, he saw pro bono service as a principal among his professional duties. Chief Justice Labarga said in his introduction: With more than 40 years of pro bono service, Bruce Blackwell has not only provided direct representation of clients but also has recruited others to provide pro bono representation. Likewise, he has lobbied and strengthened and preserved the network of legal aid organizations serving the poor. Beyond his work with the Foundation, Mr. Blackwell has donated thousands of hours of direct pro bono services. He has consistently and successfully handled cases that are complex, contentious, and even controversial. The Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association has a knack for handing Blackwell its difficult cases. Senior Judge Emerson R. Thompson, Jr., immediate past president of The Florida Bar Foundation, said Blackwell is “the epitome of the servant leader.” Judge Thompson noted that [t]hroughout his professional and personal life, he has always used his skills as an attorney to help the underserved. He has donated his talents, time, and money to help others without fanfare. He truly believes that the life he lives speaks for him. Sir Winston Churchill wrote: “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” He was talking about Bruce. Nancy Kinnally, Director of Communications, The Florida Bar Foundation.

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

OCBA Vice President /President-Elect OCBA Treasurer OCBA Secretary OCBA Executive Council Members Legal Aid Society Board of Trustees Young Lawyers Section At-Large Board Members

Voting shall be by electronic ballot emailed to each voting member of the Association on Tuesday, March 1, 2016. Members eligible to vote will receive, via email, a secure, non-identifying link to the electronic ballot. Voting will begin on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 and close on Thursday, March 31, 2016. Electronic ballots must be cast no later than midnight March 31, 2016, and paper ballots must be received in the OCBA office no later than 5:00 p.m. March 31, 2016. This election is being conducted on behalf of the OCBA by Intelliscan, Inc., an independent election services provider. All voted ballots, whether cast electronically or via paper ballot, will be certified by the Secretary of the OCBA.

The George C. Young American Inn of Court is currently accepting nominations for the 2016 Arnie

Wilkerson Memorial Court Service Award.

This award honors individuals (excluding lawyers and judges) working in the judicial system who display the highest standards of character, integrity, and ongoing dedication to the judicial system. Past recipients have been long-term models of excellence in their work within the judicial system and have also been extremely active in some dimension of community service outside of the judicial system. The winner of this award will receive a plaque and $500, and will have his/her name added to a plaque hanging outside the Roger Barker Memorial Courtroom on the 23rd Floor of the Orange County Courthouse. The due date for nominations is April 15, 2016. If you are interested in submitting a nomination, please contact Roger Handberg at handberg@mindspring.com to obtain a nomination form.

If you have any questions, please contact the communications manager at 407-422-4551, ext. 227, or peggys@ocbanet.org.

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Clerk’sCorner New Office is a Win-Win for Clerk’s Office and Citizens in South Orange County

I Tiffany Moore Russell, Esq. Orange County Clerk of Courts

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am happy to share this month that we have reached another milestone in our efforts to improve access to court-related services for the citizens of Orange County. Recently, we held a grand opening for a new clerk’s office that is colocated with the Orange County Tax Collector. The new service center is located at an existing tax collector office on Sand Lake Road, not far from the Florida Mall. For years, customers in south Orange County have been asking for a closer location. We were able to colocate there when tax collector Scott Randolph graciously offered us space at no cost. All we have to do is set up shop; there is no monthly rent with this agreement. This opportunity is a win-win for my office, because it helped us to expand into an underserved area of our community without incurring any cost for the space and very little cost to launch this site. Services at this location include court-ordered payments and marriage licenses. The Sand Lake Service Center will operate much like our Goldenrod Service Center on the east side of the county. However, unlike the Golden-

rod Service Center, the Sand Lake Service Center will not be a passport application center. This is the first time in recent memory that the Clerk’s Office has launched a remote location inside another county agency facility. And I am so excited that this center will provide increased convenience and service to citizens in south Orange County, who until now have not had convenient access to the Clerk’s Office. My goal to improve customer service and access to the courts won’t end here. We continue to monitor our branch locations to ensure our customers are easily able to access services where they live and work. We will continue to evaluate all of our locations and will make changes where they may be needed in the future. Tiffany Moore Russell, Esq., Orange County Clerk of Courts, has been a member of the OCBA since 2004.

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Immigration & International LawCommittee

U Natalia Gove, Esq.

Immigration Laws Stifle U.S. Business

nited States immigration laws have not been created with the growing global economy’s need for foreign talent in mind, and should be reformed to promote hiring the best minds for the U.S. economy. With globalization of the modern economy, U.S. companies have an increasing need to hire foreign labor with unique skills and specialized knowledge. These business needs are frequently challenged by restrictive immigration laws and policies – hiring even the brightest scientists, engineers, or executives from other countries has become more frustrating in recent years. An immigration reform bill has been in the works for quite some time now. Two years ago, the Obama administration presented a proposal to streamline business immigration. The proposal suggested creating a “startup” visa for entrepreneurs; expanding opportunities for investor visas; creating a new visa category for employees of national security science and technology laboratories; and cutting red tape for employers. To date, however, no significant substantive changes have been implemented in this regard. These and many other business immigration issues have remained untouched during the Congressional gridlock. Now with the refugee crisis at the center of the immigration debate, and the presidential election commanding center stage, business immigration reform will likely be postponed for even longer. In order to fully appreciate what needs to be fixed in the U.S. immigration system, it is helpful to understand how the current immigration system actually works. Immigration status in the U.S. can be divided into three separate categories: 1) Nonimmigrants – those holding temporary U.S. visas; 2) Immigrants – “green card” holders or permanent resident aliens; and 3) Naturalized U.S. citizens – those who were approved for U.S. citizenship after application and government review, and who hold almost all of the same rights as U.S. born citizens, including voting in the federal elections. This article will address some of the hotly debated business immigration issues related to the most commonly issued nonimmigrant visas and the impact of visa backlogs for immigrant visas. Immigration law has distinguished between immigrants and nonimmigrants since 1819. U.S. law permits nonimmigrant visitors to stay in the U.S. for a temporary period of time and presumes that they are leaving at the end of their authorized stay. It is important to understand the distinction between a visa and a nonimmigrant

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status in the U.S. A visa is a passport stamp issued by the Department of State’s U.S. embassies and consular posts abroad, which permits a request at the border for admission to the U.S. as a nonimmigrant. Visa issuance does not guarantee entry to the U.S. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) determines whether to admit a visa holder at the border and for how long – this dictates nonimmigrant status. CBP might admit one applicant as a visitor for a full six months, and another as a visitor for just two weeks. Someone else might be denied entry, even if they hold a ten-year visitor visa issued by a U.S. embassy. The CBP’s determination on admission depends on the visa category, the purpose of the visit, previous issues on entry, and other general concerns. Once admitted, nonimmigrant status can be changed or extended by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”), a branch of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and CBP are three separate U.S. government agencies, and their decisionmaking is not always consistent. The Limits of Temporary Work Visas The U.S. immigration system includes a “visa alphabet soup”– a wide range of nonimmigrant visa categories that are issued for various temporary purposes. The H-1B visa is the most common visa category used by U.S. companies to hire highly skilled professionals in specialty occupations – computer specialists, engineers, scientists, and other occupations requiring bachelor’s level degrees or the equivalent based on experience. The current number of H-1B visas is capped at 65,000 per fiscal year, with an additional 20,000 visas allocated to graduates from U.S. universities with master’s degrees and higher. This cap is so low that it has been exhausted on the first day of filing in the past few years and clearly does not reflect modern business reality. In response, USCIS instituted a computer-generated, random lottery of all petitions receivd the first week. This random lottery gives an advantage to large technology companies over small- and medium-sized companies that do not have the resources to file for multiple professionals and does not come close to satisfying the needs of U.S. businesses willing to pay prevailing wages for highly qualified professionals. The chances of being selected in the H-1B lottery are getting much lower every year, and the very fact that our government hosts a lottery for highly educated professionals is questionable. theBriefs March 2016 Vol. 84 No. 3

As with the H-1B visa cap, companies seeking to employ less skilled workers also face cap issues under the H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker program. The H-2B visa is a category used to employ workers for seasonal or short-term positions in construction, landscaping, hospitality, or other similar businesses. The current H-2B quota does not satisfy business demand for essential staff positions and leaves companies in need of these workers without an alternative. In addition, this category requires a burdensome application process, which includes a temporary labor certification filing with the Department of Labor (“DOL”) certifying the wage and non-availability of U.S. workers prior to filing a petition with USCIS. Another visa classification in need of revision is the L-1 visa, which was created by Congress in 1970, based on the conclusion that immigration laws at the time unduly restricted the transfer of foreign personnel. This category permits multinational companies to transfer employees from their foreign operations to the U.S. Employees with “specialized knowledge” can qualify for L-1B status, and those with executive or supervisory positions can qualify for L-1A status. The U.S. petitioning company must share a qualifying legal relationship with the foreign company, such as parent/subsidiary, affiliate, or branch office, and the employee must have worked on a full-time basis for the foreign entity for at least one year prior to the transfer to the U.S. While this visa has no numerical limitation, only a limited number of companies can qualify, and in practice, the government has been requiring a much higher standard than the regulations specify. In 2014, the L-1B denial rate reached an all-time high of 35% compared to 2006, when the denial rate for L-1B petitions was only 6%. Such a drastic increase of L-1B denials is especially disconcerting because the regulations governing L-1B adjudication have not changed. This burdensome and overly restrictive interpretation of the regulations defies the purpose of the L visa creation and needs to be modified. Employment-Based Immigrant Visa Backlogs Permanent residency (“green card”) employment quotas are equally out of touch with today’s business reality and modern economic changes. Immigrant admissions have been numerically limited since 1924. Citizens of all countries are treated equally – with a small caveat that no nationality can use more than 7% of all the green cards issued per year. When more people than the allotted per-country quota apply for permanent residency, they are placed on a theBriefs March 2016 Vol. 84 No. 3

waiting list, which can be very lengthy. For example, as of January 2016, the waiting list for Indian nationals with an approved immigrant visa petition under the employment-based Third Preference category goes back to July 2005. This means that in January 2016, the government just began processing immigrant visas for beneficiaries of employment-based filings initiated by employers in July 2005. Here is a simplified overview of a typical process to permanently hire a professional employee under the commonly used employment-based Second and Third Preference categories. Before filing a permanent visa petition, the employer is required to conduct an extensive and costly recruitment campaign to prove that no minimally qualified U.S. workers are available and interested in the position offered and that the salary offered meets the wage requirements offered to other U.S. workers in similar positions. If no minimally qualified applicants are located in the recruitment campaign, the employer files an application for alien labor certification with the DOL. Government processing of this application can take from one to two years, which calls into serious question whether the recruitment campaign and prevailing wage determination have any validity or purpose. And just because the DOL certifies the application does not mean that an employee gets the green card right away. Instead, the employer then moves on to the next step, filing an employment-based immigrant visa petition with USCIS, which can take another two weeks to approximately six months for processing. Following the ap-

proval of an immigrant visa petition, some beneficiaries are placed on a long waiting list until a visa number becomes available. This can take years in some cases because of the permanent visa number backlog, which depends on the beneficiary’s country of birth, degree, and experience required. Finally, if an employee is fortunate enough to still have the job offer after the visa number becomes available, the final step in the green card process – an application for adjustment of status to permanent residency – is filed. This can hardly be called an efficient system. Overhaul of the employment-based immigrant visa admission numbers has been the subject of multiple reform proposals – everything from issuing unrestricted employment authorizations following approved visa petitions to stapling green cards to graduates with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) degrees from U.S. universities. But nothing has changed at all. The cumbersome employer recruitment campaigns and the process for moving qualified long-term employees into permanent status are in need of serious revision to meet the modern needs of our economy. There are many concerns with the current U.S. immigration system – refugees, unauthorized employment, social costs, fraud, children brought to the U.S. without authorization, and of course, the very real threat of terrorism. For the past few years, there has been an ongoing debate regarding “comprehensive” versus “incremental” approaches to immigration reform. Many continued page 12

Please VOTE for A. Felipe Guerrero as At-Large Board Member of the OCBA Executive Council.

“I have enjoyed giving back to others through my experience as a leader in the Hispanic Bar Association of Central Florida, OCBA and Florida Bar. If elected, it would be an honor to continue to serve you, our profession, and community. Please vote for me to serve on the OCBA Executive Council.”

Felipe Guerrero’s qualifications and experience:  Shareholder and member of the Litigation department at Dean Mead in Orlando  Served on OCBA’s Executive Council for the past two years  Incoming Chair of the OCBA New Lawyer Training Program  Past President of the Hispanic Bar Association of Central Florida (HBACF)  Class I Florida Bar Leadership Academy Graduate A. Felipe Guerrero

Dean, Mead, Egerton, Bloodworth, Capouano & Bozarth, P.A. 800 North Magnolia Avenue, Suite 1500 Orlando, FL 32803 407-841-1200 FGuerrero@deanmead.com  www.deanmead.com

PLEASE REMEMBER TO VOTE: Ballots will be mailed March 1, 2016, and voting will close on March 31, 2016.

www.orangecountybar.org

PAGE 11

Immigration & International Law Committee continued from page 11

~VOTE~

have weighed in with solutions for these immigration problems, and much has been covered by the press. But what has been lost in the process, particularly overwhelmed by the sound bites of an election year, is the clear fact that the U.S. business immigration policy desperately needs reform. Ideally, a solution that includes all components of the immigration equation is required – a means to deal with unauthorized immigrants and border protection, promotion of family unity, as well as an efficient and real-world approach to permit regulated business immigration.

JAMIE BLUCHER THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR

OCBA LEGAL AID SOCIETY BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Natalia Gove, Esq., is an immigration attorney with Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, P.A. She has been a member of the OCBA since 2010. If you have business immigration-related questions, please feel free to contact Ms. Gove.

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PAGE 12

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

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

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theBriefs March 2016 Vol. 84 No. 3

OCBA FoundationNews

Ties that Bind Us

O Valencia N. Poitier, Esq.

The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education. –Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

n Thursday, January 14, 2016, the Orange County Bar Association Foundation, Inc., co-hosted a discussion entitled “Ties That Bind Us All: Local Civil Rights Heroes Past & Present” at Florida A&M University College of Law. The panel discussed where we are today from a civil rights perspective. The event was moderated by Stewart Moore of WESH Channel 2 News. Panelists included Ahmad Abuznaid, Esq. (Dream Defenders), Professor Anthony Major (University of Central Florida), Jean Siegfried (community advocate), Sonya Mallard (Harry T. & Harriette V. Moore Memorial Park & Museum), and Reverend Cn. Nelson Pinder (Central Florida civil rights leader). The event began with a video that educated the audience about Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore. Because the Harry T. Moore story is not commonly taught in our schools and is not often found in history books, the story was quite likely an unfamiliar part of Central Florida’s history for many people who attended the discussion. Through the video, we learned that the Moores were civil rights activists from the mid-1930s until 1951. The Moores, who advocated for the right to vote, the right for equal pay for teachers, and against lynching, were the victims of an attack in their home in Mims, Florida, on Christmas day in 1951. Mr. Moore died that night, and Mrs. Moore passed away several days later. Despite that tragedy, the message behind the video was that “freedom never dies.”

A full house attended the panel discussion “Ties That Bind Us All: Local Civil Rights Heroes Past & Present” held at Florida A&M University College of Law in January.

Following the video, panelists highlighted how our understanding and perceptions of civil rights have evolved. In doing so, they took us from the past to the present in a discussion of issues, including labeled drinking fountains, the changes the Civil Rights Movement of 1960s brought, and the effect the entertainment industry has on the evolution of our growth. It was clear that the past and the present influence the future. The panelists emphasized that where we are today and how we move forward is contingent upon the relationships we build, the education we provide for our children, and the knowledge we have of our shared past. The overall premise was that learning and networking are essential to the growth and progress of our communities. We learned that although “freedom never dies,” we need to build upon the structure created by past civil rights leaders and cultivate our ability to promote relationships that continue to support the furtherance of civil rights for all. The OCBA Foundation co-hosted this event in conjunction with the Delta Xi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the city of Orlando, the Florida A&M University College of Law Alumni Association, and the University of Central Florida Center for Law and Policy. We would like to thank all of these organizations and the members of the Foundation board for the dedication, time, and effort put into making this event a major success. Valencia N. Poitier, Esq., is a prosecutor at the State Attorney’s Office and currently serves as the secretary of the OCBA Foundation, Inc. She has been a member of the OCBA since 2014.

The discussion was co-hosted by the OCBA Foundation and included noteworthy community advocates, civil rights leaders, and educators.

theBriefs March 2016 Vol. 84 No. 3

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PAGE 13

Legal Aid SocietyGuardian Ad Litem

R Donna A. Haynes

Coravious L. Cowart, Esq.

Michael

All Kinds of Families, or Fathers of the Year?

ichard Zulkowski and his husband, Jeffrey Davidson, were two people who opened their hearts and minds and provided a life for a child named Michael. They stated that “our life was significantly changed as a result of the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar.” What follows is the story of how two men discovered their family. Michael was physically abused by many people in his life – by the people who were supposed to care, cherish, and support him. Early in his life, Michael was abused by his grandmother. The bruises he received were so vibrant on both sides of his face and back that it was noticed by a professional at Orlo Vista Elementary School. Michael was returned to his father’s care, and his case was closed after a determination that he could be safe and cared for in his father’s custody. As with the grandmother, this was not the case. Often the cycle of poverty and abuse is simply that, a cycle. It takes a lot to break the abusive ties that bind one family member to another. Within two years, Michael was removed from his father since the father’s behavior was violent and not conducive to nurturing a child. This father was not “father of the year” material. Imagine a child who has been abused, bitten, and bruised from head to toe. This child, Michael, was painfully burned. Can you imagine? Burning a child? Michael’s father and stepmother delivered corporal punishment on a daily basis. It was not uncommon for Michael’s father to order Michael’s siblings to beat him. One of Michael’s fears was not being able to get away. His father would threaten him with murder, yet Michael’s bedroom door was locked from the outside, so he was trapped; he could not leave. Through no fault of his own, Michael developed severe mental health issues and was diagnosed with ADHD, mood disorder, reactive attachment disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and conduct disorder, to name a few. Sadly, his mental health was so fractured that it would take too much space to list all the disorders affecting him. In 2007, Michael was referred for an initial suitability assessment to determine his need for residential treatment. He was placed in a Specialized Therapeutic Group Home (STGH). Only the most damaged children end up in a STGH. The issues staff deal with in these homes

PAGE 14

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are ones that you and I cannot grasp. Treatment for Michael included education, mental health counseling, mentoring, and exercise. In 2011, Michael’s father’s parental rights were terminated. This is an extremely long, often painful process for a child to go through. After nearly 10 years of being a part of the dependency system, being in and out of residential treatment centers, being prescribed psychotropic drugs, having numerous psychological and psychiatric evaluations, and having different mental health treatment, Michael found a forever family. Richard Zulkowski and Jeffrey Davidson were identified as Michael’s possible adoptive family in 2013. From the first Department of Children and Families adoption event at Sea World, Richard and Jeffrey knew that Michael was a sweet child. They decided to proceed with the adoption and got to know Michael. Each time he visited them, Michael brought them a gift. A key chain, a pen, a drawing. Michael said he did this so that his potential parents would not forget who he was. Needless to say, his soon-to-be fathers believe that Michael himself was the present. After several months of visits and family therapy, Richard and Jeffrey adopted Michael. He is now cherished, loved, and provided with what he needs to become successful. This is in large part because of the Legal Aid Society and attorney Coravious Cowart, Esq., who never gave up. He continuously advocated for Michael to receive the most appropriate care. He helped Michael to find his forever family. The cycle of violence and poverty has been broken for Michael, the lovely child Richard and Jeffrey call their son. For more information about how to become a volunteer advocate for children, Guardian ad Litem pro bono attorney, or intake volunteer, visit the Legal Aid Society website at www.legalaidocba.org. For information about how to become involved with the annual fundraisers to benefit LAS’s nonprofit charity, please contact Donna Haynes, Development Director at 407-515-1850 or dhaynes@legalaidocba.org. Donna A. Haynes is the Development Director and Coravious L. Cowart, Esq., is a Guardian Ad Litem attorney at the Legal Aid Society of the OCBA, Inc. They have been members of the OCBA since 2008 and 2012, respectively.

theBriefs March 2016 Vol. 84 No. 3

Legal Aid SocietyWhat We Do... Brenda Lee London Receives the 2016 Judge J.C. “Jake” Stone Distinguished Service Award

when she was born and when she was direnda L. London, Esq., with the Aiken Law agnosed with a rare neurological disorder, Firm, was recognized for her outstanding pro which totally disabled her – and we stood bono work at the January OCBA luncheon. by her when no one else was there and she Brenda began her pro bono work as a Guardian was fighting for her life in the hospital for ad Litem in 1988 and has taken almost 100 GAL several months. As a GAL, the work I do appointments for children. She currently assists extends far beyond the courtroom, and the fifteen children and has donated more than 2,200 support I can give families is sometimes all hours on closed cases. Brenda received the Indithe hope that they have. vidual Award of Merit in 1996 for her GAL work Catherine A. Tucker, Esq. and is now the recipient of the highest recogni- Brenda attended University of Florida for her tion from the Legal Aid Society of the Orange undergraduate and law degrees. She has been in County Bar Association, Inc. – the 2016 Judge private practice with the Aiken firm for more than J.C. “Jake” Stone Distinguished Service Award. twenty years, primarily practicing family law, inLegal Aid statistics confirm Brenda’s thirty-year cluding collaborative law, timesharing, child supdedication to pro bono work. She accomplished port, paternity, alimony/spousal support, modithis while juggling a law practice and fications, marital settlement agreements, and raising four children. Children have Guardians ad Litem work. always been a priority. She says: Brenda is also an adjunct law professor at the Barry University School of Law, where she teaches When I look back at all the chilcollaborative law and serves as the director of the dren I have represented, they each collaborative family law clinic. She is a trainer and have a special place in my heart, speaker in that topic area and serves as the adminand I never forget their faces or istrator and a board member of the Collaborative their struggles. One case in parFamily Law Group of Central Florida. ticular will always remind me that we can make a difference in In 2015, Brenda’s thirteen-year-old son, Cole, the world by helping one child at wrote a poem about a hero in the community, ena time, or, in this particular case, tered it in a contest, and was one of the winners. six children with one mother and Cole wrote about his mother and her work with three different fathers. Over the children in the juvenile system. ten years I worked Brenda Lee London, Esq. with this famDo You Hear Me? ily, with the supportive By Cole Echelson help and hard work of the I am a child and I have a voice, Do you hear me? department, we had to emancipate two children, I have been hurt and I am crying, Do you hear me? and the remaining four I am strong and yet weak as a lamb, Do you hear me? children were placed with I struggle and say “I don’t care,” Do you hear me? adoptive parents after goI believe no one is there and I am alone, Do you hear me? ing through the lengthy process of terminating the She came into my life and gave me a voice, Do you hear me? biological parental rights. She told me I was not alone and I laughed, Do you hear me? We stood by these chilShe told me the truth and I was angry as a storm, Do you hear me? dren when one was hit She brought me cookies and made me smile, Do you hear me? by a truck and had severe injuries and needed exShe didn’t give-up and I was surprised, Do you hear me? tensive services. We stood Now I laugh and even if I cry, I know that someone hears me. by these children as they needed educational and mental health services, and we stood by Please join the Legal Aid Society in congratulatthese children until we found the perfect, ing Brenda London, Esq., on thirty years of a adoptive family that would take all three job well done. Without OCBA members such little girls. We stood by the youngest child continued page 26 theBriefs March 2016 Vol. 84 No. 3

www.orangecountybar.org

PAGE 15

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PAGE 16

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theBriefs March 2016 Vol. 84 No. 3

Bench Bar Conference 2016 • April 15, 2016 Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal

Ahoy! Pack your bags and embark upon a CLE journey aboard the “U.S.S. OCBA,” departing from the Tuscan Ballroom at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel in Orlando.* Ports of call include seminars in more than 60 break-out sessions of your choice, including topics in: Technology Family Law Business Law Intellectual Property

Estate / Probate Bankruptcy Civil / Personal Injury Criminal / Juvenile

Appellate Law Employment Law Workers' Compensation Inside the Courtroom

“Lunch with the Chiefs – A Candid Talk with Our Captains.” During a buffet lunch, hear what the chief judges of the Fifth, Seventh, Ninth, and Eighteenth judicial circuits, along with judges from the federal Middle District and Bankruptcy courts, have to say about the issues facing the courts today.

Registration Government After February 1, 2016 At the door

OCBA Members Non-members $200 $200 $300 $325 $350 $375

Breakfast, Lunch, and Reception included To register, go to: www.orangecountybar.org/products/seminars Please choose your courses upon registration. Enjoy your Seven CLEs excursion by reserving a room at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at the special rate of $189 per night. Go to: http://uo.loewshotels. com/en/Portofino-Bay-Hotel/GroupPages/OCBABB Bring new or gently used luggage for children in foster care, stow it with the purser, and be eligible to win a weekend stay at the Portofino Bay Hotel and 2 tickets to Universal Studios.

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theBriefs March 2016 Vol. 84 No. 3

www.orangecountybar.org

PAGE 17

Open fOr Business! My Orlando Lawyer Directory This FREE, online listing directory is exclusively for OCBA members! Increase lawyer-to-lawyer referrals and community interest. Complete your profile!

1. Go to www.MyOrlandoLawyer.com 2. Login with your OCBA username & password. 3. Add practice areas, types of cases handled, location, years of practice, education, board certifications, and much more.

4. Simply hit“Submit”and your information will Take advantage of this FREE member benefit. Make it easy for members and the public to find you quickly!

be posted immediately for online searches.

5. For more information, call 407-422-4551.

PAGE 18 www.orangecountybar.org

theBriefs March 2016 Vol. 84 No. 3

OCBA Bench Bar Conference April 15, 2016

Law Firm Sponsorship Opportunities! Does your law firm want to be part of one of the largest seminars ever hosted by the OCBA? Would you like to position your firm in front of 400 colleagues and judges? Are you interested in networking and developing referral sources? Sponsor a session, and you can do all that! • Firm Sponsorship: $1,200* Here’s what you’ll receive: • Free conference registration for two, including breakfast, lunch, and breaks • Free attendance for up to two at the sponsor appreciation reception • Free ad in the conference program (1/8-page, black/white) • Free sponsor listing in the conference program • Free signage at the session your firm sponsors • Firm logo on PowerPoint presentation in the main ballroom • Firm listing on sponsor board located outside the main ballroom *$200 discount if you use the code below when purchasing your sponsorship package. Code: Anchors Away!

Scholarship Opportunities! Sponsor a new attorney from your firm! • Scholarship Sponsor: $800 Here’s what you’ll receive: • Free conference registration (including breakfast, lunch, breaks, and reception) for one attorney in practice 3 years or less • Firm logo on PowerPoint presentation in the main ballroom • Firm logo on sponsor board, under “Scholarships,” located outside the main ballroom • Free listing as scholarship sponsor in the conference program For details, see the OCBA website, or contact: Amanda Nethero, Marketing and Sponsorship Manager amandan@ocbanet.org / 407-422-4551, ext. 244 Be sure to see the latest conference info on the OCBA website and register today! Go to: http://orangecountybar.org/products/seminars

theBriefs March 2016 Vol. 84 No. 3

www.orangecountybar.org

PAGE 19

100% Club: Arti Hirani, Esq., Meenakshi Hirani, Esq., Wiley Boston, Esq., OCBA President-elect Brenda London, Esq., Judge J.C. “Jake” Stone Distinguished Service Award recipient, Mary Anne DePetrillo, Esq., Legal Aid Society Executive Director

Sally Seltzer, Esq. Florida Defense Lawyers Association

100% Club: Jodi Murphy, Esq., Michelle Berglund, Esq., Wiley Boston, Esq.

Angel Sanchez, UCF Legal Studies student

Andrew van Ramin Mapp, Data Analyzers, LLC Photos: Flo Boehm PAGE 20 www.orangecountybar.org

theBriefs March 2016 Vol. 84 No. 3

OCBA Luncheon January 28, 2016 Robert Wesley, Esq., Public Defender

The Ballroom at Church Street Station

Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean University of California School of Law, Irvine Co-hosted by Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Sponsored by Florida Defense Lawyers Association and Data Analyzers, LLC Erwin Chemerinsky, Esq., Dean, University of California School of Law, Irvine

Angel Sanchez

Richard Dellinger, Esq.; Jared Brooks, Esq.; Jamie Billotte Moses, OCBA President; Dean Chemerinsky; Robert Wesley, Esq.

theBriefs March 2016 Vol. 84 No. 3

www.orangecountybar.org

PAGE 21

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theBriefs March 2016 Vol. 84 No. 3

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theBriefs March 2016 Vol. 84 No. 3

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www.orangecountybar.org

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Lake Baldwin Park 4963 New Broad Street • Orlando, FL 32814 7:30 a.m. – Check-in • 8:00 a.m. – Run begins

Entry Fees: $30 - Mar. 1 – Apr. 30 $35 - May 1 – Race Day Chip timing, custom shirts, kid’s run, entertainment, refreshments, finisher medals, and FUN! For details and to register, go to https://www. orangecountybar.org/lawday5k

SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE! Contact Amanda Nethero at amandan@ocbanet.org or Nikki Rodeman at ocbalawday5k@gmail.com

Proceeds benefit the Legal Aid Society of the OCBA, Inc. and the OCBA Foundation.

Order Your Orange County Courthouse Access Card Today Need to renew an existing card? Download an application from our website, send it in, and we will use your existing photo. No need to come by – we’ll mail you your new card.

First-time card? Send in the application from our website, a copy of your driver’s license and a .jpg photo, and we will mail you your card. Please contact Angie Rivera at 407-422-4551 or angier@ocbanet.org.

• Good only for the Orange County Courthouse • For attorneys and legal support staff • Good through December 2017 • $75

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www.orangecountybar.org

theBriefs March 2016 Vol. 84 No. 3

SideBar

Kimberly A. Lopez, Esq.

lot can happen when voluntary bar organizations collaborate for a common cause. The Fourth Annual Central Florida Mentoring Picnic held on February 6, 2016, at the FAMU College of Law was the perfect example. The Orange County Bar Association, Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers, Paul C. Perkins Bar Association, Greater Orlando Asian American Bar Association, Hispanic Bar Association of Central Florida and the Central Florida Gay and Lesbian Law Association hosted the event aimed at giving students the opportunity to find a mentor. The bar organizations, together with sponsors, hosted tables loaded with goodies, and law students stopped by to ask questions regarding law school, the bar exam, and the practice of law. Cold and rainy weather did not stop a large crowd of students from attending the event and seeking a mentor. Professionals and students also participated in a speed-networking event, allowing students to speak with a variety of professionals in legal practice. Thank you to all of the bar organizations that made this a huge success. Here’s a look at some other great events hosted by our local bar organizations.

GOAABA The Greater Orlando Asian American Bar Association (GOAABA) was recently awarded The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division Community Outreach grant of $500 and The Florida Bar Voluntary Bar Association Diversity Leadership grant of $1,500. Thank you to GOAABA board members Michelle Ku, Esq., Christine Berk, Esq., and Annie Kwong, Esq., for submitting the grant proposals. The grant monies will fund spring and fall 2016 community outreach programs. GOAABA members Kim Nguyen, Esq., Jessica Hew, Esq., Lemar Alejo, Esq., and Christine Berk, Esq., spoke to the ELEVATE Orlando class at Evans High School on December 17, 2015. GOAABA members spoke about the legal profession and their respective careers. On January 16, 2016, GOAABA board members Annie Kwong, Esq., and Vanessa Braga, Esq., attended The Florida Bar YLD Affiliate Outreach Conference in St. Augustine and submitted a grant proposal to continue the organization’s support and participa-

theBriefs March 2016 Vol. 84 No. 3

tion in ELEVATE Orlando. ELEVATE Orlando is an education, civic non-profit organization designed to meet the complex needs of urban youth, providing both character education and life skills training.

HBACF On January 23, 2016, the Hispanic Bar Association of Central Florida (HBACF) held its annual Installation Gala at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Nearly 100 attorneys and their guests enjoyed a beautiful evening filled with great music, food, and company. Congratulations to Henry Lim, Esq., for being installed as the 2016 president. The installed 2016 board of directors also includes president-elect Diego Puig, Esq.; secretary Ericka Garcia, Esq.; treasurer Irene Pons Meyers, Esq.; public relations chair Bernice Bird, Esq.; bylaws chair Denisse Ilabaca, Esq.; membership chair Vanessa Cotto, Esq.; fundraising chair Ani Rodriguez-Newbern, Esq.; community relations chair Camila Pachon Silva, Esq.; judicial relations chair Luis Calderon, Esq.; governmental affairs chair Fermin Lopez, Esq.; voluntary bar liaison Francisco Serrano, Esq.; and young lawyers chair Christina Alvarez, Esq. CFAWL The Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers (CFAWL), along with GOAABA, HBACF, OCBA, and YLS, hosted the Holidays All Year Long fundraiser at Kasa Raw Bar & Tapas on January 22, 2016. The event was a big success and raised money for the Arnold Palmer Pediatric Oncology Wing, One Heart for Women & Children, The Holden Flynn Foundation, and United Cerebral Palsy of Central Florida. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed their time and money. Remember, “SideBar” is for you! Please send news about past or future events, along with photos and IDs, to my attention at Kimberly.lopez@akerman. com. Kimberly A. Lopez, Esq., Akerman LLP, is an associate in the firm’s Litigation Practice Group. She focuses her practice on diverse commercial and business litigation matters. She has been an OCBA member since 2008.

www.orangecountybar.org

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Legal Aid SocietyWhat We Do... continued from page 15

SUZANNE

GILBERT

as Brenda, we could not be the law firm we are today. For more information about pro bono opportunities, visit: http://legalaidocba.org/documents/2016PreferenceForm. pdf, or email Cathy Tucker at ctucker@legalaidocba.org. For information about the 2016 Breakfast of Champions, please contact Donna Haynes at boc@legalaidocba.org.

FOR

Board of Trustees of the Legal Aid Society of the OCBA

Catherine A. Tucker, Esq., is the Deputy Director/Pro Bono Coordinator with the Legal Aid Society of the OCBA, Inc. She has been a member of the OCBA since 1998.

Bar and Community Service: • ABA Board of Governors • ABA House of Delegates • ABA Military Pro Bono Project Operation Standby rvera, Esq. • OCBA Star of the Bar tin Perez-Cervera, • Commission on Homelessness Homelessness and Courts Committee oulevard

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OCBA’s online courses are fast, convenient and inexpensive. Courses are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All instructions are included online. You can start and stop programs, picking up where you left off, as many times as you like. Phone support is available for questions about using any of the online courses.

About This Course This four-hour course is required by Florida law for concerned parties seeking to obtain a final judgment of dissolution of marriage in Florida when minor children are involved. The course is approved by the Department of Children & Families and provided by a division of the University of Continuing Education.

www.orangecountybar.org/course_parent PAGE 26

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theBriefs March 2016 Vol. 84 No. 3

YLS on the move

Jennifer A. Smith, Esq.

LS is off to a great start this year. Here are some of the things we have been up to: On January 26, 2016, the OCBA Young Lawyers Section, Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers, the Greater Orlando Asian American Bar Association, and the Hispanic Bar Association of Central Florida hosted the annual Holidays All Year Long philanthropy, which raised funds for Arnold Palmer Pediatric Oncology Wing, the Holden Flynn Foundation, One Heart for Women and Children, and United Cerebral Palsy of Central Florida – four wonderful charities working to benefit our community. Congratulations to the cochairs Christina Alvarez, Esq., Brock Hankins, Esq., Annie Kwong, Esq., Ruth Singer, Esq., and Celeste Thacker, Esq., and their committee for putting together a wonderful event. On February 19, 2016, YLS hosted its monthly luncheon at the Citrus Club. Members heard from Michael Hammond, Esq., from Atticus on “Key Tips to Manage Your Time and Practice.” Young lawyers learned useful tips about time and business management. Luncheons are held every month and they are a great opportunity to network with other young lawyers and local judges. For upcoming luncheons, or to get involved with the committee, contact the chair, Rachel Lowes, Esq., at yls. ocba@gmail.com. On February 25, 2016, YLS hosted its annual Evening with the Judiciary at the Orlando Science Center. This year’s theme was Suits and Stegosauruses, and it certainly delivered a great time for all involved. The event provided a unique opportunity for attorneys and judges to meet and mingle in a festive, more casual setting than a hearing room. A big round of applause is owed to the chair, Brock Hankins, Esq., for all his work. Stay tuned for pictures from this fantastic event. Stay tuned for these upcoming YLS events: On March 10, 2016, Judge John Kest will hold a Brown Bag Lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. Meetings are held at the Orange County Courthouse in the 23rd floor Judicial Conference Room. Topic: Do’s and Don’ts of Motion Practice. Come and learn, and earn 1.5 CLE! Reservations are not required; however, a quick email to Diane

theBriefs March 2016 Vol. 84 No. 3

Iacone at ctjadi1@ocnjcc.org will help ensure that enough materials are prepared. Bring your lunch; water will be provided. April’s Brown Bag Lunch will be held on April 14, 2016. The next YLS Luncheon will be held on March 18, 2016, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Citrus Club, 255 S. Orange Ave., Orlando, FL 32801 – 18th floor. Doors open at 11:45 a.m. RSVP for a fabulous, three-course meal (only $10) online through the YLS section of the OCBA store, or at yls@gmail.com if you are paying by check. A late charge of $5 per person will be added for all RSVPs not received by March 16. Please note that YLS is charged for all RSVPs, so be sure to notify us in advance if you have RSVP’d and are unable to attend. April’s YLS Luncheon will be held at the same time, same place on April 21, 2016. Be sure to RSVP by April 19, 2016. The YLS 6th Annual Dodgeball Tournament will be held on Wednesday, March 30, at 5:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 106 E. Church St., Orlando, FL 32801. Teams consist of 6-10 players. The deadline to register is March 15. For questions or inquiries regarding sponsorship, call or email Amanda Sampaio, Esq., at amanda@ sampaiolegal.com. Want to get more involved? Right now, Brett Renton, Esq., the incoming president for the 2016-2017 year, is planning all of the events for his term and is in need of chairs, vice-chairs, committee members, and general all-around great people to help make the events put on by the YLS fantastic! If you are interested in getting involved, please send an email to brenton@shutts.com, and let him know what type of event you are interested in – charitable, social, sporty, all of the above, etc., and any relevant experience you have in putting on events or setting up activities (but no experience is required). Jennifer A. Smith, Esq., of counsel at Southern Trial Counsel, PLC, has been a member of the OCBA since 2008.

www.orangecountybar.org

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PhotoOps

The OCBA Young Lawyers Section, Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers, the Greater Orlando Asian American Bar Association, and the Hispanic Bar Association of Central Florida hosted the annual Holidays All Year Long philanthropy on January 26, 2016. Funds were raised for the Arnold Palmer Pediatric Oncology Wing, the Holden Flynn Foundation, One Heart for Women and Children, and United Cerebral Palsy of Central Florida.

GOAABA members Vanessa Braga, Esq., and Annie Kwong, Esq., presenting a grant proposal at the Florida Bar YLD Affiliate Outreach

GOAABA members Annie Kwong, Esq., Vanessa Braga, Esq., and Christine Berk, Esq., at the Holidays All Year Long Bar Mixer Fundraiser.

GOAABA Holiday Dinner at Tamarind Indian Cuisine on December 16, 2015 PAGE 28

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theBriefs March 2016 Vol. 84 No. 3

ParalegalPost

Understand and Protect Your #DigitalFootprint!

W Sasha A. Klein, Esq.

assets. Our smartphones, computers, and online accounts have accumulated valuable and significant electronic data. From Facebook to banking, we use password-protected sites to complete daily affairs for business and pleasure alike, with a reliance on the security of access promised. But what happens to that promise of security when one dies or becomes incapacitated? The growth of digital assets has outpaced the State and federal laws governing them. Terms of Service Agreements (those pesky “small print” documents that pop up when establishing an account that people typically check “agree” without reading), as well as those federal and State laws, do not contemplate that death or incapacity may prevent access to digital assets. Knowing their Online Stores, Shopping, e.g., Amazon prevalence, access to your Emails digital assets after death or Music Accounts, e.g., iTunes incapacity is a must. However, without proper planElectronic Library, e.g., Kindle, Nook, iBooks ning, administering them Electronic Financial Accounts & Records can be a nightmare.

e clearly live in a digital age. There are more than 2.4 billion users of the Internet worldwide, up 566% since 2000. Among Americans, 85% of adults and 95% of teenagers use the Internet. Of those Americans, two-thirds of them engage in social media, and greater than 40% of them receive paperless credit card and bank statements. Social media absorbs more than 25% of all time spent online! More than 50% of American seniors are online, with those 76 years and older growing the fastest. And, a surprising 92% of children under the age of two have a digital presence. When You Hear Digital Asset – Think Electronic Record! Digital assets are exploding in size, nature, and

Examples of Digital Assets Computers & their content (including documents, PDFs, and spreadsheets) Tablets / Phones & their content Social Media, e.g., Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn Photos / Videos / YouTube Websites / Domain Names Contact Lists / Address Books / Calendar Streaming Video Accounts, e.g., Netflix, Vimeo Online Accounts, e.g., Amazon, iTunes

Electronic Medical Records Documents Stored in the Cloud, e.g., Dropbox Blogs Virtual Currencies, e.g., Bitcoin

value. Documents are stored in the cloud, photographs are uploaded to websites, conversations are now text messages, and stacks of letters are now email folders. Digital assets have changed the way we interact and conduct business. Presently, every 60 seconds: –– 168,000,000 emails are sent/received. –– 695,000 Facebook accounts are updated/ posted. –– 600 digital videos are added to YouTube. –– 320 new Twitter accounts are created. –– 100 new people join LinkedIn. –– 6,600 photos are uploaded to Flickr. According to a 2014 global survey (McAfee), the average person has digital assets worth approximately $35,000. Even though digital assets may not be your most valuable assets, they can be some of the most cherished, e.g., family digital photos/videos. The Issue We as a culture are amassing significant digital theBriefs March 2016 Vol. 84 No. 3

A Solution – The Model Act The legal world took notice of the obstacles an executor and other fiduciaries face and created a model act called the “Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act.” The act’s primary purpose is to grant your fiduciaries the authority to access, control, and manage your digital assets, while maintaining your privacy and intent. Longstanding fiduciary law exists that allows a representative, a/k/a fiduciary, to stand in your shoes after death or incapacity to manage your real or tangible property. The act is meant to clarify those same laws and apply them to digital property. In other words, the act fills a void by creating a legal right where none had existed. The act is model legislation that can be enacted by State, not federal, legislatures and does not become law until approved and enacted by such states. This act has been introduced but not enacted in the state of Florida, yet. It is on the docket (again) for the 2016 Florida legislative session. Plan!! Amidst the developing legal landscape, it is important that you take a proactive planning approach to secure and protect your “digital footprint” by:

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continued page 30 PAGE 29

ParalegalPost continued from page 29

(1) Inventory/Roadmap – Keep an updated list of valuable and significant digital assets, including accounts, usernames, passwords, etc. It can be written, stored electronically, or hybrid. (2) Tangible Media – Regularly back up data, e.g., digital photos, to a local storage media (computer’s hard drive, DVD, USB flash drive, etc.). (3) Online Tool – Use an online tool, a/k/a third-party access, where available, e.g., Google Inactive Account Manager or Facebook’s Legacy Contact, to name another person to manage and have access to your account after death or incapacity. Many other custodians are looking to create similar online tools. (4) Estate Plan – Include specific language in your estate planning documents authorizing websites to release data to your fiduciary during incapacity or death. Such a plan is essential to (i) make a transition easier (or perhaps possible) for your family or fiduciary in the event of death or incapacity; (ii)

prevent identity theft; (iii) prevent financial loss; and (iv) protect your digital assets with sentimental value, e.g., photographs, videos, blogs. Treat your password like your toothbrush. Don’t let anybody else use it, and get a new one every six months!” – Clifford Stoll.

PAGE 30

Sasha A. Klein, Esq., is Senior Vice President and Director of Trusts and Wealth Services for Sabadell Bank and Trust for Southeast Florida. She is the co-author of “Taking Control: Six Notable Strategies to manage Net Investment Income Tax,” which was awarded the 2014 Excellence in Writing Award for Probate and Property magazine published by The Real Property Trust and Estate Section of the American Bar.

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fs March 2016 Vol. 84 No. 3

www.orangecountybar.org theBrie

Hearsay...

Vanessa A. Braga, Esq

ello “Hearsay”! I never cease to be amazed and inspired by all the wonderful news that floats my way for inclusion in this column. We truly have a fantastic group of attorneys practicing in the Central Florida area who are members of the Orange County Bar Association. Mary Ann Morgan, Esq. of Billings, Morgan & Boatwright LLC, and Wayne L. Helsby, Esq., of Allen Norton & Blue, P.A. have been reelected to serve as the Ninth Judicial Circuit’s representatives on The Florida Bar Board of Governors. Paul L. SanGiovanni, Esq., of Morgan & Morgan, P.A., will continue his term through June 2017. In the GrayRobinson section, Christopher Dawson, Esq., was nominated to serve on the Young Professionals Advisory Council for the 2016-2017 term. The advisory council provides the Central Florida Partnership board of directors insight from a younger generation’s perspective. Richard L. Barry, Esq., was invited to join the International Association of Defense Counsel, an invitation-only association for defense lawyers and insurance executives who represent corporate and insurance interests around the world. Heather M. Ramos, Esq., was awarded an “AV Preeminent” rating by Martindale-Hubbell. John M. “Jack” Brennan, Jr., Esq., was elected to the Central Florida Bankruptcy Law Association’s board of directors. The association is a non-profit organization that supports the practice of bankruptcy law in the Orlando Division of the Middle District of Florida. Congratulations, Team Gray! Congratulations to the newly elected partners in their respective firms: Krystine E. Kennedy, Esq., was elected to partnership with Cole Scott & Kissane, P.A. Brian A. Watson, Esq., has been elected to partnership with the Orlando office of Burr & Forman LLP. David N. Torre, Esq., of Murrah Doyle Wigle & Torre, P.A., was one of ten recipients of the 2015 Distinguished Alumni award from Valencia College. The award was presented at the college’s alumni event, “A Night of Celebration,” in December 2015. Lawrence H. Kolin, Esq., a mediator and arbitrator with Upchurch Watson White & Max, was selected as one of fifty attorneys honored as The National Law Journal’s 2015 Litigation Trailblazers, recognizing top legal professionals who have promoted significant change in the way cases are resolved.

theBriefs March 2016 Vol. 84 No. 3

Edward Casoria, Jr., Esq., an attorney for Seniors First in both Orange and Seminole counties, received Florida’s 2015 Public Guardian Recognition Award from the Florida State Guardianship Association at its annual convention this past fall. Only one attorney and one social worker are chosen annually for this prestigious honor. S. Brendan Lynch, Esq., of Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, P.A., has been appointed to the United Arts of Central Florida board of directors. Vivien J. Monaco, Esq., of Burr & Forman LLP’s Orlando office, was named to the board of directors for the Greater Orlando Builders Association. Baya W. Harrison, III, Esq., in the Orlando office of Burr & Forman LLP, presented “Understanding the Risks of Investing in Tax Liens” in Mandarin Chinese at the Rotary Club of Orlando Dragons. Impressive! Joseph M. Percopo, Esq., of Mateer Harbert’s Orlando office, oversaw the annual Diamonds Are Forever charity event, as president of the Citrus Club Young Executives. The event raised more than $80,000 for the Central Florida Commission on Homelessness. David W. Henry, Esq., of Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin, served as a faculty member at the James K. Ruble MEGA Seminar in Dallas, Texas. David taught two courses: “Advertising Injury and Coverage for Intellectual Property” and “Agent’s Guide to Legal Liability and Litigation Trends.” Brian T. Wilson, Esq., of Dellecker Wilson King McKenna Ruffier & Sos, LLP, has rejoined the board of directors of the Coalition of the Homeless of Central Florida. In the “On the Move” section, our former “Hearsay” columnist, Christine A. Wasula, Esq., has joined the Orlando office of Cole Scott & Kissane, P.A. It’s hard to believe that it’s already March. While the rest of you are filling out your March madness brackets and hopefully sending some news to be included in “Hearsay” to vanessa@burruezolaw. com, I will be enjoying my “spring break” because there is no publication of The Briefs for April – I know you’ll miss me. See you again in May! Vanessa A. Braga, Esq. is an associate attorney with Burruezo & Burruezo, PLLC, handling labor and employment matters. She has been an OCBA member since 2014.

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MARK YOUR CALENDARS

It’s Time to Update Your Photo for the OCBA Online

Membership Directory

RCL Portrait Design will be at the OCBA to take your free professional portrait for the OCBA Online Membership Directory: Various Dates in July

An RCL representative will contact you in the near future to schedule an appointment. However, feel free to contact RCL directly at 800-580-5562 to schedule your sitting. All sittings are free of charge, and the photo you select for the Online Membership Directory will be published online at no charge. RCL will also take additional shots and provide you with an opportunity to purchase a photo package for your professional or personal use. We are pleased to bring you this free member service. RCL has produced professional portraits for more than 21 state and local bar associations and 22 medical facilities across the nation.

(For professional photos, appropriate dress is suggested. Ladies: a bold or bright colored long sleeved outfit. Gentlemen: a dark jacked and tie.)

Major Seminars

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Esq., President, The Florida Bar

$40 (OCBA members); $50 (nonmembers); $25 (OCBA government, law student, and paralegal student members) $50 (non-members) Dan H. Honeywell

Register at the OCBA Store by March 29. Mark Your Calendars for these major seminars: May 10 – Immigration & International Law Committee May 13 – Criminal Law Committee May 24 – Solo & Small Firm May 25 – Elder Law Committee

PAGE 32

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theBriefs March 2016 Vol. 84 No. 3

Rainmaking

Michael Hammond, Esq.

Practice Area: Client Attributes Age or Range: Income: Occupation: Value of Home: Asset Value: Family Size: Size of Business: Where They Live: Where They Work: Title: Gender: Education Level:

theBriefs March 2016 Vol. 84 No. 3

Back to the Basics of Word-of-Mouth Marketing

ou wouldn’t be reading this article if you didn’t think marketing was important to your practice. If you don’t retain good clients or originate new ones, you won’t have a practice. This is why the rainmakers in law firms hold many, if not most, of the proverbial cards. Referral Marketing Relationship marketing is the traditional way that many lawyers over many years have marketed their practices. Why? Because it is still the most accessible, least expensive, most ethical, and most effective way to gain new clients. When referred clients come to you because someone they know and trust said that you were good at what you do, studies show that they are more cooperative, more likely to pay your fees, more inclined to follow your advice, and more likely to refer others to you. If you review the key elements involved in wordof-mouth marketing, it will come as no surprise that most of the elements involve effective communication and developing relationships. And quite honestly, these are two areas where most lawyers excel. “Word-of-mouth marketing” means just that – get the word out about yourself and your practice to others. Successful marketing often comes down to knowing Who To Talk To, What To Say, and How and When To Say It. Many lawyers fail to market themselves effectively because they miss one or more of these simple steps. Who To Talk To To start, let’s focus first on the Who To Talk To. Think about your practice for a minute – who do you need to talk to in order to generate more business? Your clients? Your friends? Your peers or colleagues? Your business associates? Not knowing the answer to this question has stopped many good lawyers from making their first marketing effort, but it’s not a difficult question to answer. It all begins with a profile of your clients. Until you truly know the clientele you serve – especially the clientele you prefer to serve – you won’t know who can influence them to do business with you. If, for example, you are an estate-planning attorney, you may prefer to work

with high net worth individuals who own their own businesses. These individuals typically have a strong relationship with their CPA, their financial advisor, and their investment broker. If you happen to have a good relationship with one of these professionals, he or she would be in a position to recommend your services. He would be a referral source, or an influencer, because of his ability to influence potential clients to use your services. Who Is Your Ideal Client? If you understand the profile, or the demographics, of your ideal client, you can work backward to determine who influences them. You will have a different ideal client, or “target market,” for each of your practice areas. In the case of an institutional client, construct one list of attributes for the institution itself; then create another list of the attributes typical of the decision-maker within those types of organizations. Next, develop a profile for each. Knowing the profile of the institution will help you cultivate new institutional clients. Knowing the profiles of the decision-makers within the institutions will help you identify who to talk to and how to deal with them. Look for commonalities among your existing group of clients – much of this information will come from your everyday experience and contact with them. For characteristics that are eluding you, go back through your files to see whether you can find the information. If that doesn’t give you the answer, then make an intelligent guess, or use a low-high range (i.e., between the ages of 50 – 65). Use the chart provided to the left. The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly Now, let’s take this one step further: Don’t you have both good clients – even ideal ones – and “problem” clients? This occurs in all practice areas, and the inability to distinguish between the two up front carries with it some high and hidden costs to you, your staff, and your firm. The success of your personal word-of-mouth marketing program depends upon your ability to identify the “good” clients. Remember that the quality of your practice is determined largely by the quality of your clients. Michael Hammond, Esq., is a “founding father” of Atticus and is a Certified Practice Advisor. He has a depth of experience in lawyer marketing, one-on-one business coaching, and strategic planning. To learn more about Atticus, please visit www.atticusonline.com or call 888644-0022.

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Ne w M e mb er s Attorneys

Shenele E. Pettis

Law Students

Barbara M. Arco

William Colby Roof

David A. Castillo

Jabari A. Bennett

Sean W. Smallwood

Letitia C. Fowler

Brandon J. Bornstein

Anamaria Taitt

Salvatore Incherchera

Agueda M. Chavez

Kendra J. Taylor

Rebekah A. Knight

Ryan C. Fong

Deborah B. Tracht

Sara A. Qureshi

Benjamin L. Jones

Zachary D. Trapp

Scott M. Watanabe

Kathryn P. Jones

Rebecca Williamson

Jessica A. Lee

Affiliate

Scottie McPherson Gerardo Ortega Lauren P. Owens Joseph B. Page

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!

Paralegal Student Gilda Finkelstein

Roselin Figueroa

For more information, please contact the membership department at 407-422-4551, ext. 225.

Associates Kathleen Bonczyk Luis E. Mera

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. Frank Family Law Practice

McDonald Toole Wiggins, P.A.

Allen, Norton & Blue, P.A.

Giles & Robinson, P.A.

McMichen, Cinami & Demps PLLC

Swann Hadley Stump Dietrich & Spears, P.A.

Amy E. Goodblatt, P.A.

Harris, Harris, Bauerle & Sharma

McMillen Law Firm, P.A.

Tangel-Rodriguez & Associates

Anderson & Ferrin, Attorneys at Law, P.A.

Heatwole Law Firm, P.A.

McShane & McShane Law Firm, P.A.

The Aikin Family Law Group

Banker Lopez Gassler P.A.

Higley & Szabo, P.A.

Men’s Divorce Law Firm

The Arnold Law Group

Benitez Law Group, P.L.

Hilyard, Bogan & Palmer, P.A.

Meenakshi A. Hirani, P.A.

The Brennan Law Firm

Beshara, P.A.

Hornsby Law

Morgan, White-Davis & Martinez, P.A.

The Dill Law Group

Billings, Morgan & Boatwright, LLC

Infocus Family Law Firm, P.L.

Murphy & Berglund, PLLC

The Draves Law Firm, P.A.

Alladi & Patel

Bodiford Law Group

James H. Monroe, P.A.

Murrah, Doyle, Wigle & Torre P.A.

The Elder Law Center of Kirson & Fuller

Burr & Forman

Jill S. Schwartz & Associates, P.A.

N. Diane Holmes, P.A.

The Llabona Law Group

Calandrino Law Firm, P.A.

Keating & Schlitt, P.A.

Nishad Khan, P.L.

The Skambis Law Firm

Camy B. Schwam Wilcox, P.A.

King, Blackwell, Zehnder & Wermuth, P.A.

O’Mara Law Group

The Smith Family Law Firm, P.A. Walton Lantaff Schroeder & Carson, LLP

Carr Law Firm, P.A.

Korshak & Associates, P.A.

Ossinsky & Cathcart, P.A.

Colling Gilbert Wright & Carter, LLC

Kosto & Rotella, P.A.

Provencher & Simmons, P.A.

Warner & Warner, P.L. West, Green & Associates, P.L.

Cullen & Hemphill, P.A.

Law Offices of Brent C. Miller, P.A.

Ringer Henry Buckley & Seacord, P.A.

DeCiccio & Johnson

Law Offices of Tad Yates, P.A.

Roman V. Hammes, P.L.

Wicker, Smith, O’Hara, et al.

Dellecker Wilson King McKenna Ruffier & Sos, LLP

Law Offices of Walter F. Benenati

Sasser & Weber, P.A.

Wieland, Hilado & DeLattre, P.A.

Legal Aid Society of OCBA

Sawyer & Sawyer, P.A.

William G. Osborne, P.A.

Divine & Estes, P.A.

Lewis & Crichton

SeifertMiller, LLC

Wilson McCoy, P.A.

Faddis & Faddis, P.A.

Lynn B. Aust, P.L.

Snure & Ponall, P.A.

Winderweedle, Haines, et al.

Fassett, Anthony & Taylor, P.A

Marcus & Myers, P.A.

Southern Trial Counsel

Wolf, Hill, McFarlin & Herron, P.A.

Fisher Rushmer, P.A.

Marshall, Dennehey, Wamer, Coleman & Goggin

Stanton & Gasdick, P.A.

Wooten Kimbrough, P.A.

Stovash, Case & Tingley

Yergey & Yergey, P.A.

Frank A. Hamner, P.A.