Orange County Bar Association - The Briefs - November 2017

A Publication of the Orange County

Inside this Issue: President’s Message A Season of Gratitude Liz McCausland, Esq.

November 2017 Vol. 85 No. 9

Chief ’s Column Celebrating National Adoption Day The Honorable Frederick J. Lauten

Bar Association

Labor and Employment Committee Class Actions and the Future: How “Friends” Became Opt-Ins, Why Big Data and Social Media are Changing the Face of Class Action Litigation Stephanie Adler-Paindiris, Esq. 16th Annual Young Lawyers Section Charity Golf Tournament

Orlando 407.841.9866

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President’s Message A Season of Gratitude Liz McCausland, Esq.

©2017

Legal Aid Society GAL Teaching Tips Adoption and the Child’s Best Hope Act Leigh Anne Vancol, Esq.

Professionalism Committee Professionalism in the Marketplace Robert W. Borr, Esq.

Co-Editors Téa Sisic, Esq. & David A. Meek, Esq.

Associate Editors C. Andrew Roy, Esq., Kate T. Hollis, Esq. Hearsay Columnist Vanessa A. Braga, Esq.

OCBA September Luncheon

20-21

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Chief’s Column Celebrating National Adoption Day The Honorable Frederick J. Lauten

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Labor & Employment Committee Class Actions and the Future: How “Friends” Became Opt-Ins, Why Big Data and Social Media are Changing the Face of Class Action Litigation Stephanie Adler-Paindiris, Esq.

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Clerk’s Corner Milestone Reached with Less Paper in Courtroom Tiffany Moore Russell, Esq.

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Special YLD The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division – A Workhorse of The Florida Bar Denise Kim Beamer, Esq. Jennifer Smith Thomas, Esq. Eric R. Elms, Esq.

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SideBar Alena V. Baker, Esq.

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SideBar Alena V. Baker, Esq.

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YLS on the Move Jennifer A. Smith, Esq.

32 Paralegal Post Profile of Judicial Assistant Melissa Goodwin Lori M. Spangler, FRP

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New Members

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Announcements

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Classifieds

40 Calendar

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Legal Aid Society What We Do...

Good Things Can Be Born of Tragedy Donna A. Haynes

w OFFICERS Elizabeth F. McCausland, Esq., President Richard S. Dellinger, Esq., President-elect Mary Ann Etzler, Esq., Treasurer LaShawnda K. Jackson, Esq., Secretary w EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Amber N. Davis, Esq. William A. Davis, Jr., Esq. Eduardo J. Fernandez, Esq. Kristopher J. Kest, Esq. Karen L. Persis, Esq. Eric C. Reed, Esq. Gary S. Salzman, Esq. Anthony F. Sos, Esq. Jessica A. Travis, Esq. William D. Umansky, Esq. Ryan Williams, Esq. Wiley S. Boston, Esq., Ex-officio Keshara D. Cowans, Esq., YLS President w EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Kimberly Homer, Esq. w Communications Manager Peggy Storch 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 ©2017 Orange County Bar Association. All rights reserved. Designer: Catherine E. Hébert Cover photo: Sydney Zentz ISSN 1947-3968

YLS on the Move Jennifer Smith Thomas, Esq.

26th Annual Young Lawyers Section Charity Golf Tournament

Special LRIS Thank You to Our OCBA Lawyer Referral & Information Service Committee and Panelists

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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 Citizen Dispute Family Law Mediation Lawyer Referral Service Orange County Foreclosure Mediation Young Lawyers Section

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President’sMessage

November 2017 T Liz McCausland, Esq.

A Season of Gratitude

here is something special about fall. While many of us consider the four seasons to be winter, spring, summer, and football (and I might be numbered among them), fall is also a time for thanksgiving. There is the traditional holiday of Thanksgiving, of course, but November is also the month that we celebrate our veterans and the sacrifices they make to keep our country safe and our freedoms intact. For me personally, it is also the month that I celebrate my mother’s homecoming from her wrongful detainment in Vietnam. Therefore, fall heralds a time of self-reflection and gratitude.

As we head into November and the holiday season, there is so much to reflect on and be grateful for. If we have learned anything in the last few months it is that life can change in an instant.

The cause can be Mother Nature, an accident, a health event or, even worse, the wrongs of someone else. When these events happen, we see both the best and the worst of people, but the best of people tends to triumph. The stories we seek for comfort are the stories of how people helped each other.

Recently I attended the Ninth Judicial Circuit’s Pro Bono Awards Ceremony. The ceremony was planned in conjunction with Pro Bono Week and spearheaded by Judge Heather Pinder Rodriguez.

In her opening remarks, Judge Rodriguez spoke of the importance of celebrating the great work of pro bono attorneys and recognizing the good they do. She spoke of sending her daughter, who was on a mission trip, a text after the Pulse nightclub shooting and telling her, that “[i]t is important in the face of hate and evil that we remind ourselves and others of the power of love.” She asked her daughter to share her love and compassion so people remember the good in our world.

Judge Rodriguez then reminded everyone of Mr. Rogers’ comforting words to children in times of crisis: “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”

Mr. Rogers was correct. There is something about looking for the good in this world that brings us comfort in times of crisis and turmoil.

I would encourage you after the events of the last few months to take a few moments each day to look to the helpers. In doing this, look for those

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who have helped in your life and in your practice. The grand acts of others are sometimes easiest to remember and express gratitude for, but is there someone whose small, everyday acts make life better for you? Have you thanked them? Is there someone you know who, in their day-today actions, teaches you valuable lessons? Have you shared with them how you are inspired or humbled by them? Has anyone thanked you or told you lately how you have made an impact on their life? If so, didn’t that make you feel great?

Don’t you want to give someone that feeling? It takes but a minute to say thank you or drop them a note. DO IT before life changes in that instant and the opportunity passes.

On that note, I have to say that the job of being OCBA president is much more time consuming than people tell you, but it is also much more rewarding than I imagined. One of the best parts is getting to know the awesome OCBA staff and appreciating how many hats they each wear and all they do to make our bar and events possible.

They are simply amazing. It is also very humbling to receive comments and criticisms from our members about the things we do right and wrong as a bar. So many of you are dealing with the pressures of work, family, finances, health, and more, that the fact you take the time to either thank us or help us serve you better is appreciated more than I can express. So as we move into November and the holiday season, please know that I am grateful to each of you for your contributions to our profession and our bar. I am grateful for all you do to help the less fortunate in our communities, and I am especially grateful to the executive council, committee chairs, and committee members who donate so much time and effort to the OCBA. It cannot be said enough how inspiring you are and how lucky we are as a bar to have you! Thank you and happy holidays!

Liz McCausland, Esq., Liz McCausland P.A., practices in the areas of bankruptcy, mortgage modification and mediation. She also teaches lawyers across the U.S. how to modify mortgages in bankruptcy. She has been a member of the OCBA since 1997.

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ProfessionalismCommittee

O Robert W. Borr, Esq.

Professionalism in the Marketplace

ur typical professionalism articles focus on lawyer relations insular to the profession itself. But attorneys find themselves working alongside different people with different skill sets who play critical roles to accomplish mutual goals. In terms of a real estate transaction (commercial and residential), it is common to have many non-attorneys working to facilitate the deal. There can be a dozen or more people among the various staff members of the lender, title company, real estate brokerages, inspectors, appraisers, surveyors, and the parties themselves. There can be law firms representing various entities in the mix, too, but we are accustomed to dealing with our own.

It is key to realize the non-lawyer’s perception of a lawyer in general. There is certainly a broad spectrum, but I commonly find it along the lines of an extremely cautious approach to downright fear. Understandably so, as often times legal is the last stop, the closing, the final approval, or the final denial. An attorney’s responsibilities naturally create the cliché reputation of being a “deal-killer” when we are just doing our jobs. The finality associated with our words makes it easy to be perceived as overbearing during the course of negotiating or closing a transaction. Do not forget that “Esq.” behind a name can shift the same message from something simple into a redalert emergency.

Once we understand how we are perceived by the non-lawyers, it becomes simple to shift their perception and bring out the best effort in everyone involved in the transaction. Attorneys are trained for and frequently work within an adversarial environment, where opposing counsel is wrong and must be defeated. When working with non-attorneys, significant changes in their perception can be accomplished by not pointing out someone for errors that have been made, but rather, pointing out the errors to the appropriate person who can correct them. Dial it back. Remember you’re not in the courtroom. Everyone has the same goal.

Another thing to remember is that not all jobs are created equal. While many of those involved in real estate transactions have professional standards, training, and rules for guidance, some do not, some do not care, and some are in low level

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positions. The Florida Bar provides 162 pages on professional conduct in Chapter 4 alone. Compare that to an unlicensed real estate assistant who has about a page and a half of permissible activities outlined by the Florida Real Estate Commission. Lawyers may very well have the most education, training, and expertise out of everyone one else involved, but ultimately all roles are integral to complete a contract or close a transaction. It is a common trap for an attorney to go from exuding competence to exhibiting cockiness. Have respect for everyone’s part; be instructive and not demeaning.

A cooperative approach should be taken from the introductory stages, because it does not take long to establish your reputation within a single transaction. Everyone must communicate effectively to work together, and it is counterproductive to create an environment in which non-lawyers are reluctant to raise a potential issue. Compliance and client interests do not have to translate into harsh messages, although the silver lining to the typical deal-killer doom and gloom reputation is that the bar is set pretty low. When everyone expects you to be difficult and you are not, they will work harder; but if you are easy to talk to and friendly, they will work their hardest.

This all comes down to professionalism and how one positions being “a lawyer” within the framework of the transaction. The collective actions of all attorneys define how the profession is viewed by non-lawyers who work in real estate as well as by the public. There are more broken deals being fixed by attorneys than good deals being broken, but there are even more bad deals that lawyers are not involved with until after the closing when the problems arise.

At the end of the day, being considered a colleague rather than being feared by your nonlawyer transactional contributors will not only reduce the overall stress level of closing a transaction, but also will generate repeat and referral business.

Robert W. Borr, Esq., of counsel to Syndication Attorneys PLLC, practices real estate and corporate securities law. He has been a member of the OCBA since 2011.

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Craftsmanship.

Just as a fisherman assembles everything he needs to pursue a deceptive catch, Larry Watson approaches a dispute with all the equipment needed to achieve even the most elusive resolution.

His tackle box has all the necessary tools to resolve conflict without resorting to litigation, or to streamline any litigation that must occur.

For more information about Upchurch Watson White & Max, visit UWW-ADR.com or call (800) 863-1462.

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Chief’sColumn

A

Celebrating National Adoption Day

sk anyone what defines November and the answer is almost always Thanksgiving! And this year, as in years past, we have much for which to be thankful.

For most of us in Central Florida, we are grateful for the slight fall chill that combats our constant humidity. We are thankful for the many blessings we receive. We celebrate large Thanksgiving meals and relish being in the presence of our loved ones. And for 5,100 children adopted durThe Honorable Frederick J. Lauten ing last year’s annual National Adoption Day ceremonies, families are particularly grateful for the Chief Judge love etched in their hearts as they spent the holiNinth Judicial Circuit Court day with their forever families for the first time.

About 110,000 children are currently awaiting adoption in the foster care system. National Adoption Day embodies the collective effort to raise awareness about and advocate for the finalization of thousands of adoptions nationwide. With the support of various nonprofit organizations, National Adoption Day was created in 2000, and as of 2016 had helped successfully place nearly 65,000 children in permanent homes. While these numbers show astounding progress, many more children are longing to find a forever home, especially in Central Florida.

In the Ninth Judicial Circuit, we recognize the vital importance of the effort to create forever families for children in foster care. In Florida alone, approximately 14,000 children in the foster care system have yet to find their forever families. Nationally more than 23,000 children age out of the foster care system each year before finding a permanent home. This year’s National Adoption Day ceremonies will be held on November 17, the Friday before Thanksgiving, when members of our community will have the opportunity to make a resounding, positive change in a waiting child’s life.

Generally, families must follow a series of steps to prepare them for their “One Day” – the day the child and his or her new family are officially united.

However, the first step each family should take on the journey to adoption is education. Many adoption websites share helpful facts about the adoption process, including insightful videos from adoptive families detailing their life-enriching experience. A quick Google search reveals a plethora of resources geared to help families make this important decision, including the National Adoption Day website that offers contact information for reputable agencies that provide step-by-step details on the adoptheBriefs November 2017 Vol. 85 No. 9

tion process and are committed to helping parents realize the goal of establishing their dream family.

Despite these readily available resources, the public perceives the adoption process as confusing and sometimes daunting. I encourage you to spread the word in your community that nothing is impossible when it comes to creating or expanding a family and that the benefits that come with adopting a child from the foster care system for both the family and the child are immeasurable. For the former, adopting through the foster care system is relatively cheap and sometimes even free in comparison to private forms of adoption. Children adopted through foster care are also eligible for health care through the Medicaid program until they reach 18 years of age, as well as free tuition to any Florida state college, university, or vocational school. More importantly, the satisfaction adoptive parents feel in being transformative agents in a child’s life is unparalleled – and, for years, will serve as a fountain of joy in their lives. For the latter, adopted children are welcomed into a loving home that will help them flourish in a healthy environment.

You do not need to adopt a child to join in the National Adoption Day festivities. There are many ways individuals or agencies can assist. Individuals can become advocates for the cause and participate in awareness activities, media campaigns, sharing facts about the foster care adoption, as well as utilizing branded materials to spread the word. Businesses, faith-based organizations, event planners, and elected officials are also encouraged to participate in the celebration by: • Volunteering • Becoming a sponsor • Hosting a National Adoption Day event • Creating a support group for the community • Issuing proclamations supporting National Adoption Day This holiday season as we remember to be grateful for all we have, I hope that many of you will help make a difference in the lives of children in the Central Florida area. Even the smallest effort can have a substantial impact on the lives of thousands of children.

For more information about National Adoption Day, please visit their website at www.nationaladoptionday.org.

The Honorable Frederick Lauten is the Chief Judge of the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court. He has been a member of the OCBA since 1993.

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Labor & Employment LawCommittee

I Stephanie Adler-Paindiris, Esq.

Class Actions and the Future: How “Friends” Became Opt-Ins, Why Big Data and Social Media are Changing the Face of Class Action Litigation

t is undeniable that technology continues to progress at a rapid pace, while employers and courts scramble to keep up with the myriad of ever-evolving issues that this creates. #Socialmedia in #Classactions As our society has become increasingly dependent upon social media, it has inevitably become a prominent factor in class action litigation. In fact, some courts have ordered that the proper dissemination of notice and consent to join a Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) collective action can include posting of information on Facebook.1 Other courts have held that social media should not be permitted as a means to disseminate notice, absent some showing that other proposed methods of notice are insufficient.2 Additionally, plaintiffs’ counsel are increasingly using social media in class actions to attempt to increase participation in their lawsuits. Can they do this? What crosses the line?

As an employer, there are a number of considerations to take into account when assessing a solicitation or arguable solicitation effort via social media by plaintiffs’ counsel, including but in no way limited to (1) how widespread the communication was or seems to have been; (2) the immediate impact in terms of participation in a lawsuit and/or workplace disruption; (3) the possible relief to be obtained from bringing the solicitation to the court’s attention; and (4) the anticipated publicity or increased awareness that may serve to further broadcast the lawsuit.

A case often cited when considering the proper use of social media in class actions is Mark v.

Gawker Media LLC, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 155424 (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 3, 2014). In Gawker, a proposed collective action brought by former interns, plaintiffs asked the court for permission to notify potential class members of their right to opt-in to the case via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Tumblr and Reddit pages such as “r/ OccupyWallStreet” and “r/Progressive.” The court, in a number of rulings, assessed the appropriate role that social media should play in the dissemination of class notice. Ultimately, the court found that posting notices on websites such as Reddit and Tumblr “lacks any realistic notion of specifically targeting its notice to individuals with opt-in rights, and instead would call attention to the lawsuit mostly of individuals with no material connection to the lawsuit whatsoever,” in conflict with the purpose of the FLSA notice.3

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Plaintiffs additionally requested to create dedicated social media pages on sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Defendants argued that there was no evidence that Gawker interns used all of those sites and, further, that the court would be deprived of the control it should have over the message delivered to the potential class members. However, in this instance, the court rejected defendants’ arguments, noting that as of January 2014, 89% of 18-to-29-yearolds use social networking sites, and the court’s inability to control the “discussion of the lawsuit” is no different than its inability to control discussions in person or on the telephone regarding the suit.4 Therefore, plaintiffs were granted the opportunity to send notice via social media sites, subject to the court’s approval of the form and content of such notice.5 Even if a court allows plaintiffs to disseminate notice via social media, there are a number of outstanding questions that still need to be decided. For example, are plaintiffs allowed to “friend” individuals on Facebook that they are not already friends with? Are plaintiffs allowed to “follow” individuals on Twitter that they do not currently follow? May plaintiffs send a connection request on a LinkedIn page to a potential class member? What hashtags are acceptable for plaintiffs to use? Are plaintiffs permitted to tag potential class members in postings? These issues are extremely fact-specific and, unless the parties can agree, will typically end up back in front of the judge for a ruling as to what behavior is acceptable. For example, in Gawker, Judge Nathan approved plaintiffs’ social media requests with the caveat that plaintiffs must “unfollow” former interns on Twitter if they did not opt-in to the lawsuit by the deadline; however, plaintiffs were not permitted to send friend requests on Facebook. Judge Nathan also denied plaintiffs’ request to send mass email notices to a group which she deemed to be “overinclusive.”

Defendants in Gawker objected to the hashtags “#fairpay” and “#livingwage,” arguing that they were inflammatory and any hashtag, if used at all, should instead be limited to “#gawkerinternlawsuit.” All of these arguments raised by the parties and the subsequent court orders illustrate the competing and sometimes inconsistent views that exist relating to the extent of the role that technology should play in the class action notice process.

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Big Data’s Huge Impact on Employment Class Actions Another issue in the spotlight (and for good reason) is big data’s profuse impact on employment class actions. Big data is extremely important in the employment arena and, more so than ever, companies are looking to use multiple sources of information regarding their potential employees before they even hire them. It is clear that big data is changing everything and will not be going away anytime soon.

Companies can now track what we buy, where we go, with whom we connect and interact, and how we perform on the job.

As a result, companies are regularly mining and analyzing this data to improve their marketing, to optimize production, and to enhance performance.

While this infinite data is extremely beneficial, the existence of all of this data is also changing how cases are litigated, especially as it relates to class actions. This unconstrained wealth of data makes it far easier for plaintiffs’ attorneys and federal enforcement agencies to bring successful, class-based claims. For example, if one employee complains about a particular activity, there may be many other individuals “found” in the data that can be identified as having the same experience.

Particularly, as it relates to wage and hour class actions (one of the most commonly raised claims), if there are any violations of time and pay practices, they will be captured in the employer’s data.

As a practical matter, because of this wealth of data, in some instances there may not be a need for lengthy, expensive fact-finding investigations or depositions. Wage and hour cases can be won or lost on data alone. This big data can also make it easier to establish disparate impact discrimination. In fact, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has systemic teams that review individual charges of discrimination for the purpose of potentially converting those claims into class actions. For this reason, it’s critical for employers to proactively analyze their data on a regular basis. This includes routine review of hires, promotions, and terminations for issues of disparate impact.

If any are found, employers need to take corrective action immediately. At the very least, it is critical for employers to understand that big data is influencing the types of arguments and defenses raised in class action lawsuits and do everything in their power to use this factor to their advantage, rather than to their detriment.

Stephanie L. Adler-Paindiris, Esq., is a principal and office litigation manager for the Orlando office of Jackson Lewis P.C. She is co-leader of the firm’s class actions and complex litigation practice group. Her practice focuses exclusively on the representation of employers at the trial and appellate level in state and federal courts, as well as proceedings before administrative judges and agencies. She can be reached at (407) 246-8409 or via email at stephanie.adlerpaindiris@jacksonlewis.com.

See, e.g., Joaquin v. Hinojosa, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 166861, at *9 (W.D. Tex. Nov. 28, 2016).

2 See, e.g., Contreras v. Land Restoration LLC, 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 22842 (W.D. Tex. Feb. 17, 2017).

3 Mark v. Gawker Media LLC, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 66013, at *2 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 5, 2015).

4 Gawker Media LLC, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 155424 at *10-11.

5 Id. 1

Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.

– W.T. Purkiser

APPLICANTS MUST HAVE: (1) CURRENT VALID FLORIDA BAR LICENSE, AND (2) MINIMUM LAST TEN YEARS (AND TO DATE) LEGAL PRACTICE EXPERIENCE; AND THEY MUST PROVIDE A CURRENT CV; AND, COVER LETTER, WHICH SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSES, IN THIS ORDER: (1) NUMBER OF FIRST-CHAIR JURY TRIALS TO VERDICT – CIVIL VS. CRIMINAL; (2) PRIOR TEACHING EXPERIENCE, ADJUNCT OR OTHERWISE; (3) LIST OF AND WEB LINKS TO ALL LEGAL ARTICLES OR PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED; (4) YEARS AND TYPES OF BOARD CERTIFICATIONS; (5) SPECIFIC AREAS AND YEARS OF HEAVY PRACTICE; AND (6) NAMES AND E-MAIL ADDRESSES OF FOUR REFERENCES, INCLUDING TWO CURRENT JUDGES. THE PERSON HIRED MUST, AS A TENURE-TRACK FACULTY MEMBER, (1) BE FREE OF OUTSIDE PRACTICE; AND, (2) REGULARLY PRODUCE HIGH-QUALITY LEGAL SCHOLARSHIP ACCEPTED FOR PUBLICATION IN LAW REVIEWS OR OTHER EQUIVALENT SCHOLARLY JOURNALS. BENEFITS: Barry University, of which Barry University School of Law is a part, offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees that includes health, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement, tuition assistance, paid time off and work life balance initiatives such as wellness programs, spirituality in the workplace, and training and development.

Barry University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment.

TO APPLY: go to bit.ly/barrylaw-aprof then, click on “Apply”, then on “Create Account”.

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Clerk’sCorner

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

Milestone Reached with Less Paper in Courtroom

am very pleased to announce that the Clerk’s Office has reached a big milestone in its quest to move toward a more paperless environment.

Recently all courtrooms went file-less after Ninth Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Frederick Lauten gave final approval to move forward with this project.

Efficiencies in court should improve with time as judges will no longer need to flip through pages and pages of documents. The Clerk’s Office initiative to reduce the amount of paper generated by our office is the result of a long-standing partnership with the Ninth Judicial Circuit and is a huge step forward to reduce paper in courtrooms. I would like to thank all of our judges in the circuit for their cooperation and willingness to make this transition.

During Phase I of our less paper initiative, the Clerk’s Office stopped printing paper from the state’s E-portal system, which provides for electronic filing of case documents leading to less paper use. From 2010 to 2016, we reduced our annual paper usage by 2,160,000 sheets, which equals a cost savings of nearly $17,000 a year.

Also of great importance is the positive ecological impact. Per Susan Kinsella, executive director of Conservatree, which is a nonprofit catalyst and

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advocate for ecologically sustainable paper markets, one tree makes 8,333 sheets of copy paper.

Using that calculation, we have already saved 1,554 trees over the last six years and will continue to save at least an additional 259 trees each year on this single initiative. That’s great news for the environment. To see more about how much paper can be made from a tree, go to http:// conservatree.org/learn/EnviroIssues/TreeStats. shtml.

Plus, all those electronic documents won’t need to be printed and made into paper files and then carted into and out of court each day. The Clerk’s Office will also no longer pull files to send to judges’ chambers when additional paper pleadings are submitted. Any paper pleadings received will be delivered to the judge, but the associated court files will not.

For all the latest from your Clerk of Courts, go to our website at www.myorangeclerk.com, and connect with us on our Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages.

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

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SpecialYLD The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division – A Workhorse of The Florida Bar

D Denise Kim Beamer, Esq.

Jennifer Smith Thomas, Esq.

Eric R. Elms, Esq.

uring this year’s Annual Convention of The Florida Bar, we were privileged to be sworn in as members of the board of governors of the Young Lawyers Division of The Florida Bar (the “YLD”). Our tenure on this board has been extremely rewarding since it has allowed us to work with bright and talented attorneys from Key West to Pensacola for the betterment of our legal community and the State of Florida.

We are often asked what the YLD does. Simply put, the YLD is a “workhorse” of The Florida Bar, and we work hardest for you, our members, and more importantly, our constituents.

We do this by advocating for, educating, and serving Florida young lawyers.

The YLD is an important engine of The Florida Bar that, among other things, produces topnotch programming, provides support for attorneys beginning their careers, and stimulates involvement and interest for the more than 26,000 members of The Florida Bar younger than age 36 or who have been practicing for five years or less. While it is impossible to mention all of the initiatives of the YLD in the limited space provided, a few of the programs are highlighted below.

One of the primary roles of the YLD is to assist its members in the transition from law school to law practice. Historically, this responsibility has included administering the “Practicing with Professionalism” seminars that are required for all firstyear attorneys, as well as the “Basic Skills” CLE courses that must be completed within the first three years of practice. Through our efforts, these courses are now offered online as a convenience to you, eliminating the mandatory in-person attendance requirement.

The YLD has also focused its efforts on providing resources to help new attorneys operate in today’s challenging legal marketplace. For instance, the YLD recently launched a comprehensive website that provides information on how to start a Florida law firm – www.startmyfloridalawfirm. com. There, you will find all of the basics you need to launch your own firm, including tips on how to incorporate your new firm for free! The YLD is also continuing to compile and build a library of videos and webinars that provides instruction and advice on how to accomplish various legal tasks. The YLD library of “How To” and “Mentoring with the Masters” videos

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is quickly becoming one of the most robust collections in the nation.

This year, the YLD is continuing its support of Florida’s young lawyers by creating a website designed to provide virtual education and mentorship to every young lawyer in Florida.

The website will aggregate all of the YLD’s existing educational resources in one, searchable place – adding thousands of short, threeminute videos that provide answers to common questions young lawyers have regarding professional development, ethics, The Florida Bar, and substantive legal matters – to create a virtual hallway of instant mentoring advice.

The YLD is also in the forefront of effectuating change in our profession. Some of the most important work that we do is to advocate for young lawyers. The YLD’s diversity efforts earned attention from across the country as its Pipeline Initiative Diversity Symposium, which seeks to motivate, encourage, and help high school, college, and law students enter our profession, received a national award from the American Bar Association.

Just recently, the YLD impressed upon The Florida Bar Board of Governors the importance of the proposed Parental Leave Continuance Rule for all young lawyers. With our assistance, that groundbreaking rule was passed by the board with unanimous support. Additionally, the results of a poll conducted by the YLD’s Women in the Profession committee, which revealed that 43 percent of female lawyer respondents had experienced gender bias, garnered national attention and fueled a YLD effort to support and recognize the achievements of women in the profession. This effort continues today and will continue to lead to positive changes for women in the legal field.

The YLD also remains on the cutting edge of technology, the rapid growth of which necessitates the need for lawyers to stay up to date.

The Florida Bar looks to the YLD to stay in front of the changing technology affecting our profession and assist all attorneys to keep abreast of changes. We have proven to be up to the challenge and remain dedicated to this cause.

That is only a small fraction of the work that we do for you. We encourage all YLD members

www.orangecountybar.org

continued page 12

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Special YLD

continued from page 11

to reach out to us, your circuit representatives, and/or visit our website at Flayld.org for more information about the YLD and for opportunities to get involved. The YLD truly is a great organization doing hard work for the good of The Florida Bar. Denise Kim Beamer, Esq., Jennifer Smith, Esq., and Eric Elms, Esq., are elected members of the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division Board of Governors for the Ninth Judicial Circuit.

Denise Kim Beamer, Esq., is an assistant attorney general with the Office of the Attorney General, where she practices in the Consumer Protection Division. She has been an elected Ninth Circuit Young Lawyers Division Board of Governor since 2017 and has been a member of the OCBA since 2012.

Jennifer Smith Thomas, Esq., is a partner with Southern Trial Counsel |PLC, where she practices in the areas of products liability defense, and premises liability defense. She has been an elected Ninth Circuit Young Lawyers Division Board of Governor since 2015 and has been a member of the OCBA since 2008.

Clerk’s Self Help Center

The Clerk of Court’s office is seeking attorneys to staff its Self Help Center at the Orange County Courthouse and in Apopka.

Attorneys will provide assistance to pro se litigants who need help with legal forms and who have procedural questions regarding family law, small claims, and landlord/tenant issues. Attorneys will be paid a modest fee.

Spanish-speaking attorneys are needed.

For details and an application, contact Candice Maull at candiced@ocbanet.org, or 407-422-4551, ext. 226.

Eric R. Elms, Esq., is an associate with Fisher Rushmer, P.A., where he practices in the areas of personal injury insurance defense. He has been an elected Ninth Circuit Young Lawyers Division Board of Governor since 2013 and has been a member of the OCBA since 2011.

See Announcements on page 37 for additional details

Major Seminars at the OCBA Center

DIVORCE & FORENSICS CPA • Business Value, Forensic Investigation,

Pension Value, Litigation Support and 12.285.

• Lifestyle Analysis; Financial Affidavit; Alimony; Equitable Distribution

November 7

Labor & Employment Committee

New Developments Regarding Accommodations and Accessibilities Under the ADA 12:00 p.m..- 3:00 p.m. // CLE 2.5 general approved, 1.0 technology approved, 1.0 labor employment approved

Contact:

Thomas J. Gillmore, CPA-ABV-CFF, CFE 407-716-4795• tomg@FloridaDivorceCPA.com

$40 (OCBA members); $25 (gov’t/students); $50 (non-members).

Speakers: David H. Spalter, Esq., and Lilian Chavez Moon, Esq. Sponsored by: The Mount and Nash Law Group, P.A. Register by Nov. 5 at the OCBA Store.

January 10

Veterans Committee

Understanding PTSD and the Impact on Family Law 12:00 p.m..- 1:45 p.m. // CLE 2.5 general approved, 2.5 mental health approved $40 (OCBA members); $25 (gov’t/students); $50 (non-members).

Speakers: Danielle Archer, LMHC, Ed.D., and Donald Morrell, Esq. Register by: Jan. 8 at the OCBA Store.

OCBA Store www.orangecountybar.org/products/seminars

Brown Bagging with the Bobs

The Honorable Bob Egan & the Honorable Bob LeBlanc Bring your lunch and pick up great practice pointers on November 13!

12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. ||| Orange County Courthouse, 23rd Floor RSVP to: Lynn Harasti at ctjalh1@ocnjcc.org Topic: Everything You Should Know About Attorneys’ Fees

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www.orangecountybar.org

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SpecialLRIS Thank You to Our OCBA Lawyer Referral & Information Service Committee and Panelists Committee Members Richard S. Dellinger, Esq. Chair Deborah Cook, Esq. Co-chair Lynn B. Aust, Esq. Michael D. Barber, Esq. Wiley S. Boston, Esq. Leon B. Cheek III, Esq. Ryan E. Davis, Esq. Wayne L. Helsby, Esq. Mark H. Jamieson, Esq. Elizabeth F. McCausland, Esq. Mary Ann Morgan, Esq. Paul L. SanGiovanni, Esq. C. Todd Smith, Esq. Anthony F. Sos, Esq. Larri T. Thatcher, Esq. Ryan Williams, Esq.

LRIS Panelists Austin N. Aaronson, Esq. Julie Jo Adams, Esq. Brice Aikens, Esq. Rasheed Karim Allen, Esq. Marisa Atherley, Esq. Michael D. Barber, Esq.

Luis E. Basagoitia, Esq. Michelle A. Berglund-Harper, Esq. Frank E. Blanco, Esq. Joseph E. Boatwright, Esq. Gary J. Boynton, Esq. Jeremy M. Brown, Esq. Steen J. Brown, Esq. Marc H. Cohen, Esq. Nathan P. Carter, Esq. Leon B. Cheek III, Esq. Nick P. Congelossi, Esq. Deborah A. Cook, Esq. Richard A. Culbertson, Esq. James O. Cunningham, Esq. Bryan Alexander Dangler, Esq. Lee Karina Dani, Esq. Tushaar V. Desai, Esq. Abigail D. Edelstein, Esq. Mary Ann Etzler, Esq. Michael Ferderigos, Esq. Michael Ferrin, Esq. Matthew P. Ferry, Esq. Evelyn J. Pabon Figueroa, Esq. Robert B. Fisher, Esq. Russell J. Frank, Esq. Clifford J. Geismar, Esq. John R. Gierach, Esq.

Sid Roman, Esq., Steen Brown, Esq., Maureen Brown

Amy E. Goodblatt, Esq. Geoff H. Hoatson, Esq. Justin R. Infurna, Esq. Gary S. Israel, Esq. Iyada E. Jackson, Esq. Mark H. Jamieson, Esq. Dushyant A. Jethwa, Esq. Kafi D. Kennedy Swanson, Esq. Alison A. Kerestes, Esq. Steve Kerestes, Esq. Wayne E. Klinkbeil, Esq. Stephen D. Korshak, Esq. Jon L. Lambe, Esq. Warren W. Lindsey, Esq. Alberto E. Lugo-Janer, Esq. James M. Magee, Esq. Imran E. Malik, Esq. Lyle B. Masnikoff, Esq. Rachel Mattie, Esq. Stephen P. Matzuk, Esq. Hugh James McDonnell, Esq. Kim M. McGwier, Esq. Derek L. Metts, Esq. Thomas E. Mooney, Esq. Jennifer L. Morando, Esq. John A. Morey, Esq. Mary Ann Morgan, Esq.

Marisa Atherley, Esq., Abigail Edelstein, Esq.

Tad Yates, Esq., Richard Dellinger, Esq.

Meryl Israel, Gary Israel, Esq. Mary Ann Morgan, Esq.; Liz McCausland, Esq.; Barbara Leach, Esq.; Lisa Gong-Guerrero, Esq.

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Jodi E. Murphy, Esq. Thomas K. Nicholl, Esq. Gayle A. Owens, Esq. Antonio Pagan, Esq. T. Bradford Petrino, Esq. Cary F. Rada, Esq. Sidney A. Roman, Esq. Desiree Sanchez, Esq. Camy B. Schwam-Wilcox, Esq. Daniel E. Sercombe, Esq. Linda Solash-Reed, Esq. Kimberly M. Soto, Esq. William E. Sublette, Esq. Joshua J. Tejes, Esq. Michael A. Tomberg, Esq. Jonathan A. Torres, Esq. Jessica A. Travis, Esq. Thomas H. Tukdarian, Esq. William D. Umansky, Esq. Zahra S. Umansky, Esq. Roberto M. Vazquez, Esq. Damon I. Weiss, Esq. Brian T. Wilson, Esq. Tad A. Yates, Esq. David A. Yergey, Esq.

www.orangecountybar.org

Lawyer Referral & Information Service committee chair Richard Dellinger, Esq., and LRIS committee members held their annual appreciation lunch on October 10, 2017, to recognize the work and contributions of all LRIS panelists. Liz McCausland, Esq., Lisa Gong-Guerrero, Esq., and Barbara Leach, Esq., also presented the seminar “Using Technology to Run an Efficient & Effective Practice.”

PAGE 13

Legal Aid SocietyWhat We Do...

T Donna A. Haynes

Good Things Can Be Born of Tragedy

en years ago, the Legal Aid Society Board of Trustees determined that a Breakfast of Champions (“BOC”) fundraiser should take place annually. Event pioneers included Glenn Adams, Esq.; John “Jack” Lord, Esq.; Nick Shannin, Esq.; and William “Bill” Umansky, Esq. The goal was to share our mission: The primary purpose of the Legal Aid Society is to provide quality legal services for the lowincome residents, the working poor, children, and disadvantaged groups with special legal needs in Orange County, Florida, and to assist in providing legal aid services to similarly situated residents of neighboring counties through an effective and fiscally sound program through the combined efforts of staff and pro bono attorneys.

The BOC raises funds that are critical to helping us achieve the life-changing work of our charity.

Our fundraiser shines a light on Orange County Bar Association (“OCBA”) members and our clients. This is done through a one-hour program where we educate the community through client speakers, who explain the struggles of equal access to justice and the effect of poverty on one’s life. Attendee members become our marketing team and share our mission.

This brings us full circle to the Breakfast of Champions. Using the words of our client speaker, we share why your donations are so very important: My name is Jabree. I am a 20-year-old attending Florida State University. I study business and health science. I drive a 2017 Red Ford Taurus. I have $7,000 in savings and my college education is paid for. I lied. That is my fantasy life. My name is Kris. I’m 18 and I live in a residential group home. I should be in college. I am slightly behind schedule. Nothing to be embarrassed about. I have dealt with a lot in my short life. I attend Career Source and hope to get a GED next month. I need to finish my courses. In particular, math. I am not having fun with that. I am not sure what my passion is. I will get there. Sometimes, I think I would like to study health. And at other times, business. It might be fun to be an entertainer. I sincerely doubt it will have something to do with math.

I am no different than other kids. I dream, I hope, I worry. I look forward to a better paying job – now, I am a cashier at McDonald’s.

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www.orangecountybar.org

I know this much: I would like to avoid saying “our ice cream machine is broken” for the rest of my life. A huge paycheck would be great, too. Legally, I am considered an adult. Responsible for my own life. And laundry. That is scary. Especially the laundry. My story is not unique to those in the system – but it is to me. Because it is mine. I was abandoned by my father and abused and neglected by my mother, ending up in the juvenile system after several significant abuse incidents. I was too young to remember, but was told by my case worker that there was extensive violence. I can assure you the Department of Children and Family Services does not remove kids from homes without good a reason. These were the beginnings of many abandonments. An attorney terminated their parental rights. Ultimately, I was adopted. I was excited. I would finally have a family. My adoption became a nightmare. At the young age of 12, I ran away. I went to a local fire station and told them everything I recalled. At school, they teach you hospitals and fire stations are safe spaces. I’m lucky I remembered. They believed me. I again became a ward of the state. For a while, I was at my biological grandmother’s home. This meant I still had contact with my adoptive mother. My adoptive mother did not provide basics: food, clothing, education, and, honestly, love. One day, in dirty clothing, I reported to my grandparents that my adoptive mother only fed me breakfast and dinner.

No lunch. And I told them that my mother struck me, often with a wooden spoon, electrical cords, homemade whips, and her hand.

One time, I was hit with a frying pan. At night, my mother made me stand in the corner of my room. With a locked door. I could not get out. Imagine being a child and having to ask for approval to eat or sleep. When most nestle in a comfy bed, I had to stand awaiting final approval to sleep, with a screaming woman outside. I was confused, hungry, sleep deprived, and skittish. Standing through the night caused for a cranky school child. Now please know this, I was one adorable kid. Cute as button. A normal kid, and sadly, a hungry kid. Did I tell you I was cute? I was also a child scared to death that my mother would hurt me to the point of hospitalization or killing me. I came to understand that my adoptive mother wanted me to bring dollars to the

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house. She wanted S.S.I. benefits and saw me as the ticket to accomplish that. Tough to reckon with, but my mother wanted me for income. She told me to wet my pants, misbehave at school, and the doctor’s. Even at my young age I knew it was wrong but did what I was told – after all, I was 14 and hungry.

Looming over my head was the threat of an all-night beating.

And, these are the things I remember. Because of this upbringing, I suffered from mental health issues. That embarrassed me at times. But, I now realize that since I have been separate and apart from my mother, I have not been Baker Acted.

While it would be improper for a child to question a medical diagnosis, I feel comfortable in saying my multiple Baker Acts while with my mom were not my fault. Rather the rantings of a woman that wanted money for her own use. Additionally, at 8 years old, I realized I was “different.” Different in that I did not meet the specific male behaviors that my adoptive mother wanted for me. I wasn’t “manly” enough. Please understand, this is who I am. Like the color of one’s skin, or eyes, we cannot change the inherent characteristics of what makes us unique. I am gay. I did not deserve to be abused because of it. My mother tried to beat the masculinity into me. I decided that whatever she wanted me to be wasn’t as good as who I am.

At 18, I have experienced things that no one should, not an adult, and especially not a child. As we know, not everyone is born with a golden spoon in their mouth. Not all of us come home from the hospital in a car seat in a Mercedes. It’s all a matter of luck.

So, what is the great luck of my life? An attorney. An attorney made sure I lived. An attorney made sure I had mental health counselling for anger management and depression. An attorney made sure I had tutoring. An attorney made sure I had food. An attorney made sure I had a safe bed, where I could

sleep at night. And, an attorney went with me and held my hand when I had to have dental surgery. Some of these things are not taught in law school.

I happily spent the rest of my childhood at the residential group home. For some, that might sound horrible. For me, it kept me alive. It is home. Please know this – only an attorney could terminate parental rights, several times, to keep me alive. And, only a person with a kind heart would hold my hand and comfort me at the dentist at 5:30 in the morning.

Meet my attorney – he did both. This is important work. Now you know why.

To help the Legal Aid Society: • Contribute financially.

• Become a member of the President’s Circle with a gift of $5,000 or more.

• Make a onetime gift in any amount, or a regular, recurring monthly gift via credit card, by using our convenient online giving option. Simply go to our website at www.legalaidocba.org under “Breakfast of Champions” or “other donations” and make your donation.

• Give a gift of appreciated stock, and receive maximum tax benefits.

• Consider including the Legal Aid Society in your estate plan. You can do so by means of a simple bequest, a charitable trust or annuity, a life estate, or other estate planning instruments.

Donna A. Haynes is the director of development at the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association. She can be reached at dhaynes@legalaidocba.org. Save the Date! 11th Annual Breakfast of Champions, November 8, 2018.

The U.S. Constitution sets out a system of government with distinct and independent branches—Congress, the Presidency, and a Supreme Court. It also defines legislative, executive, and judicial powers and outlines how they interact.

These three separate branches share power, and each branch serves as a check on the power of the others. “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition,” James Madison explained in Federalist 51. Why? Madison believed that the Constitution’s principles of separation of powers and checks and balances preserve political liberty. They provide a framework for freedom. Yet, this framework is not self-executing. We the people must continually act to ensure that our constitutional democracy endures, preserving our liberties and advancing our rights. The Law Day 2018 theme enables us to reflect on the separation of powers as fundamental to our constitutional purpose and to consider how our governmental system is working for ourselves and our posterity.

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▲ Sub-chairs Needed!

The 2018 Law Week Committee is looking for a few great people to serve as sub-chairs for our great Law Week programs. If you want to become more active in the bar, take a leadership role, meet and network with colleagues, be part of an award-winning program, and have lots of fun along the way, please contact one of this year’s co-chairs, Andrew Irvin or Lorraine Pitre at ocbalawweek@gmail.com.

▲ 4th Annual Law Day 5k Take a deep breath – we’re gearing up for our 4th Annual Law Day 5k, to be held on April 7, 2018. If you’d like to be part of the committee that plans this great event, join us at our monthly 5k meetings! They’re scheduled for the first Tuesday of the month. For details, contact Nikki Rodeman at OCBALawDay5k@gmail.com.

www.orangecountybar.org

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Legal Aid SocietyGAL Teaching Tips

I Leigh Anne Vancol, Esq.

Adoption and the Child’s Best Hope Act

magine your boyfriend, the father of your child, shot and killed you while you lay inches from your two-year-old son. Then imagine that, although incarcerated, he petitioned the court to have the child adopted by his family rather than your family. Imagine, too, that your child had no relationship with the father’s family but had bonded with your sister and her family, who also wanted to adopt your child. Prior to July 2016, a judge would have had no choice but to honor the wishes of the sole living biological parent of the child, regardless of his or her criminal acts, pursuant to the Adoption Intervention Act. See The Florida Adoption Act, Ch. 63, Fla. Stat. (applying to all adoptions, whether private or from the child welfare system). Section 63.082, Fla. Stat. allows a private adoption entity to intervene in a child welfare case to place a dependent child with prospective adoptive parents chosen by the child’s parent or the private adoption entity. The best interest standard previously applied in § 63.082, Fla. Stat., was much narrower than the best interest standard used in Ch. 39 for dependency cases, mandating courts consider only four factors in determining whether it was in the child’s best interest to transfer custody to the prospective adoptive parents. However, this changed last year when the Florida Legislature enacted the Child’s Best Hope Act (“The Best Hope Act”).

Orange County Bar Association (OCBA) volunteer attorneys were instrumental in advocating for passage of The Best Hope Act. Pro bono attorneys Jamie Billotte Moses, Esq., Tom Young, Esq., and Christopher Carlyle, Esq., worked tirelessly to carry out the foundational strategy curated by the late John Hamilton, Esq. This strong pro bono representation allowed the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, Inc., along with the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Program, to provide courtroom and legislative advocacy. Ultimately, the collaboration resulted in the expansion and clarification of the best interests standard as applied in dependency adoption cases.

Specifically, the example at the beginning of this article was the fact pattern of the actual case on which these attorneys worked. The mother was killed by the father, and the father sought to place the child with his mother, despite his having killed the mother of his child. Additionally, the child had minimal interaction with the paternal grandmother but was close to the maternal aunt, who also wished to adopt. Based on the

PAGE 16 www.orangecountybar.org

previous language in the Adoption Intervention Act, the wishes of the father would have been a determining factor in placing the child. The advocacy of OCBA attorneys, however, brought this case to the attention of the Florida Legislature. The Statewide Guardian ad Litem Program worked with the legislature to clarify the consideration given to the best interests of the child in adoptions. Through the collaboration of the pro bono attorneys, the Legal Aid Society, and the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Program, The Best Hope Act was passed in March 2016 and became effective as of July 1, 2016.

Passage of The Best Hope Act gives courts the ability to apply the best interests standard found in Ch. 39, Fla. Stat. Specifically, the best interests standard now includes the following language, requiring the courts consider “whether a petition for termination of parental rights has been filed pursuant to §39.806(1)(f), (g), or (h)”, § 63.082(6)(3) Fla. Stat. (2016), or namely, whether: (f) The parent or parents engaged in egregious conduct … that threatens the life, safety, or physical, mental, or emotional health of the child or the child’s sibling. … (g) The parent or parents have subjected the child or another child to aggravated child abuse … sexual battery or sexual abuse … [or] (h) The parent or parents have committed the murder, manslaughter, aiding or abetting the murder, or conspiracy or solicitation to murder the other parent or another child …

Section 39.806(1)(f) – (h), Fla. Stat.

Happily, the legal advocacy of these attorneys not only contributed to a legislative change but also resulted in the child being adopted by his maternal aunt and her family. Because of this advocacy, the Florida Bar Foundation awarded the OCBA volunteer attorneys on the case and the Legal Aid Society the Paul Doyle Children’s Advocacy Award, which recognizes and encourages systemic legal advocacy for low-income children.

Receipt of this award was only made possible because of the diligence of all OCBA attorneys who accept Legal Aid Society pro bono cases with the knowledge that their advocacy will potentially impact every moment of their clients’ lives… for the rest of their lives. continued page 30

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Save the Date...

Pack your bags and prepare for takeoff to your destination – the beautiful Hyatt Regency Hotel at the Orlando International Airport.* Our 2018 Bench Bar Conference is a first-class event!

31 in-flight CLE sessions will be offered!

Register early!

Fees go up after February 1, 2018.

Earn up to 6 CLE credits.

Breakfast, lunch & reception included.

OCBA Members Government*

By February 1, 2018 After February 1, 2018 On site

Nonmembers

$200 $250 $300 $350

$200 $275 $325 $375

*Fee does not increase for government attorneys.

Orange County Bar Association 2018 Bench Bar Conference April 27, 2018 Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport Registration will open on January 1, 2018 *This CLE program is not an actual flight.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND EMPLOYMENT RETALIATION LAW Representing Victims of Sexual Harassment in Orlando and Tampa

Free Case Review Contingency Fees Only CALL TOLL FREE

888-328-1555

Ronald Fraley, an AV rated attorney, has practiced Employment Law for almost 30 years.

The Fraley Law Firm, P.A.

813-229-8300

u

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VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.fraleylawfirm.com

www.orangecountybar.org

PAGE 17

Ani Rodriguez-Newbern, Esq., OCBA Foundation President, and Camara Williams, Esq., receive a check for the proceeds of the 2017 Law Day 5k from Nikki Rodeman

Melody Lynch, Esq., Legal Aid Society President, receives a check for the proceeds of the 2017 Law Day 5k from Nikki Rodeman

Cheri Hobbs, Esq., Pates Law Group, P.A., receives a 100% Club Certificate from Richard Dellinger, Esq.

Thomas Feiter, Esq., and Memori McClimans, Esq., The Fighter Law Firm, P.A., receive a 100% Club Certificate from Liz McCausland, Esq.

CFAWL members with Hilarie Bass, Esq.

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OCBA September Luncheon September 28, 2017

The Ballroom at Church Street Co-hosted by Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers Title Sponsor: LexisNexis Supporting Sponsors: First Green Bank, Orange Legal Hilarie Bass, Esq. President American Bar Association

Liz McCausland, Esq. OCBA President Keshara D. Cowans, Esq. YLS President

“Star of the Bar” N. Diane Holmes, Esq. Richard Dellinger, Esq.

Mary Ann Morgan, Esq. “Star of the Bar” Camy Schwam-Wilcox, Esq. Richard Dellinger, Esq.

Hilarie Bass, Esq., Onchantho Am, Esq., James Armstrong, Esq. Bruce Blackwell, Esq.; Liz McCausland, Esq.; Hilarie Bass, Esq.; Ani Rodriguez-Newbern, Esq.; Arti Hirani, Esq.; Meenakshi Hirani, Esq.

Photos: Flo Boehm

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www.orangecountybar.org

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26th Annual Young Lawyers Section Charity Golf Tournament September 29, 2017 The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club

to our sponsors...

Bennett Law Group Cole, Scott & Kissane, P.A. Conti Moore Law, PLLC Dellecker, Wilson, King, McKenna, Ruffier & Sos, LLP Discovery Litigation Services First Choice Reporting Honorable Bob LeBlanc IST Management Services Law Office of Liz McCausland, P.A. Legal Realtime Reporting Legal Talent LexisNexis Lynx Legal Services Marsh 8 - Digital Marketing Agency McCoy Federal Credit Union Milestone Reporting OCBA Orange Legal Orlando Mediation Professional Litigation Support Shannin Law Firm, P.A. Shutts & Bowen LLP SunTrust Bank The Fighter Law Firm, P.A. The Umansky Law Firm US Legal Support

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www.orangecountybar.org

PAGE 21

Draw on our expertise to ensure your original designs are solidly protected.

ADD+G is here to help you navigate the ever-changing trademark and copyright protection and litigation landscape.

Rely on our experience obtaining federal copyright registrations and providing legal counsel in a variety of trademark, patent, and copyright matters, as well as litigating cases of infringement.

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PAT E N T S ▪ T R A D E M A R KS ▪ C O P Y R I G H T S ▪ L I C E N S I N G ▪ I P L I T I G AT I O N

Order Your Orange County Courthouse Access Card Today New 2018–2019 Card 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 will mail you your new card on Nov. 1.

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. www.orangecountybar.org/cac Please contact Carolyn at 407-422-4551, ext. 245, or carolync@ocbanet.org.

Jane Q. Public attorney

Issued: 11/01/2017 Expires: 12/31/2019

n Bar assOCiatiO Orange COuntye aCCess Card COurthOus

Good only for the Orange County Courthouse • For attorneys and legal support staff • Good through December 2019 $75 • Purchasing card is optional for courthouse entry • OCBA membership is not required PAGE 22

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theBriefs November 2017 Vol. 85 No. 9

2018 SAVE THE DATE Sixth Annual Central Florida Diversity & Inclusion Picnic

Speaker: Ava Doppelt, Esq.

Allen, Dyer, Doppelt & Gilchrist, P.A.

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

6441 E. Colonial Drive Orlando, Florida 32807 Saturday, January 27, 2018

8:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m.

OCBA Center

OCBA Members Only FREE

Barry Law School

11 AM – 4 PM

Free Admission

Register at www.orangecountybar.org/store

by November 13

Limited Seating Breakfast Included

We welcome members of the judiciary, legal practitioners, law students, and paralegals to the Annual Central Florida Diversity & Inclusion Picnic to meet and network with your colleagues, members of the local voluntary bar associations, law firm representatives and other sponsors.

• PRIZE GIVEAWAYS • FREE FOOD • GUEST SPEAKERS For more information contact: Annie Kwong: akwong@qpwblaw.com Onchantho Am: oam@southerntrialcounsel.com

Save the Dates!

December 5: The Hon. Winifred J. Sharp January 9: John C. Jordan, Esq., Law Office of John C. Jordan

Follow us

Diversity and Inclusion Committee

Central Florida Diversity & Inclusion Picnic

GUIDED BY FAITH.

EDUCATED FOR LIFE.

KINDERGARTEN CHAT THURSDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2017 9:00 a.m.

OPEN HOUSE

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 16, 2017 9:00 a.m.

106 E. Church Street Orlando, FL 32801 407-849-1665 TheChristSchool.org

RSVPs REQUESTED

OR SCHEDULE A PERSONALIZED TOUR jfleming@thechristschool.org theBriefs November 2017 Vol. 85 No. 9

Serving Transitional Kindergarten – 8th Grade www.orangecountybar.org

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CONTACT US

REPRESENTATION OF HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

WEBSITE

Available to accept referrals, consult or co-counsel on cases involving physicians, nurses, health professionals or health facilities. Referral fees paid in appropriate cases.

George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M. • Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law • More than 30 years of legal experience • LL.M. from George Washington University • Admitted in Florida, Louisiana and D.C.

Michael L. Smith, R.R.T., J.D. • Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law • B.S. Nova Southeast University • J.D., Stetson University College of Law • Registered Respiratory Therapist • Licensed in Florida

• Products Liability Cases

• Administrative Hearings

• Opinion Letters

• DOH Investigations

• Contracts & Contract Litigation

• Disciplinary Hearings

• Medical Board Cases

• DEA Defense

• Peer Review Defense

• HIPAA Defense

• Medicare/Medicaid Audit Defense • Professional Licensing • Medical Malpractice Defense

• Hip Implant Litigation

• Commercial Litigation • Nursing Board Cases

Main Office • 1101 DOuglas avenue • altaMOnte springs, fl 32714 telephOne: (407) 331-6620 • (850) 439-1001 • telefax: (407) 331-3030 By appOintMent • 37 n. Orange ave., ste. 500 • OrlanDO, fl 32801 By appOintMent • 201 e. gOvernMent street • pensacOla, fl 32502 By appOintMent • 155 e. BOarDwalk Drive, ste. 424 • fOrt cOllins, cO 80525 www.thehealthlawfirM.cOM PAGE 24

www.orangecountybar.org

theBriefs November 2017 Vol. 85 No. 9

Please bring your clean, serviceable clothing for men, women & children to the circular driveway at the Orange County Courthouse on Saturday, December 9, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Donation receipts will be provided.

Your donations are shared with litigants appearing in court proceedings in the Ninth Circuit who are unable to provide their own appropriate attire, to individuals going into residential programs, and other needy individuals. Your items will help to maintain the dignity of our court proceedings and ensure that the lack of proper attire does not affect the outcome of cases that come before the court.

If you have donations at other times of the year, please call the PD’s office at 407-836-4806 to arrange a drop off or pick up at your location.

Thank you in advance for your donations at holiday time and throughout the year.

Hurricane Assistance for Consumers

OCBA FREE Citizen Dispute Mediation Program If an Orange County client, neighbor, or friend has hurricanerelated legal matters that may be solved via OCBA’s FREE mediation program, please consider referring them our Citizen Dispute Settlement (CDS) department to schedule an appointment. The program is free to all Orange County residents regardless of income.

Call 407-423-5732, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday.

Types of cases handled include: • Landlord/Tenant • Consumer Complaints • Recovery of Money/Property • Neighborhood Disputes • Property Damage • Harassment • Animal Nuisance • Disorderly Conduct The OCBA Citizen Dispute Settlement / Family Law Mediation service is a free, year-round program for the public. For additional information, visit the OCBA website at orangecountybar.org/mediation.

The Florida Bar Hurricane Assistance Programs: Volunteer to answer hurricane-related legal questions. Go to The Florida Bar YLD Disaster Relief – FEMA Hotline page at: flayld.org/get-involved/disaster-relief-fema-hotline // See resources for attorneys and the public. Go to The Florida Bar website at: www.floridabar.org/news/hurricaneirma-updates-for-fl-bar-members-and-fl-consumers The Florida Bar • www.floridabar.org/ • 850-561-5600

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SideBar

H

urricanes weren’t the only things that were busy these past couple of months. From luncheons to scholarships, here’s a look at what our voluntary bar associations were busy doing.

Alena V. Baker, Esq.

CFAWL members attended an Orlando Pride game as a thank you to Kay Rawlins, a founder of the Orlando City Soccer Club. Kay was CFAWL’s August luncheon speaker.

FBA The Orlando Chapter of the Federal Bar Association (“FBA”) will hold its State of the District luncheon at the Federal Courthouse on November 3, 2017. This marquee event for the organization is for all chapter members, including practitioners from firms of all sizes, government lawyers, in-house corporate counsel, and members of the federal judiciary. On November 16, 2017, the FBA will host a joint happy hour with CFAWL at Ember to benefit the Orlando Rescue Mission. For those who are new to practicing in federal court, or those who want to learn more, the FBA is hosting a Federal Court Primer for Non-federal Practitioners in conjunction with the YLS on January 26, 2018. For details about these upcoming events, please visit the FBA website at http://www.fedbar.org/Chapters/ Orlando-Chapter.aspx.

CFAWL’s annual Members Reception, with The Hon. Margaret Schreiber, Past President; Kimberly Hosley, Esq., President; Julia Frey, Esq., Past President and Florida Bar Board of Governor; The Hon. Patricia Doherty, Past President.

judiciary. For more information on this and other upcoming events, please visit the CFAWL website at http://cfawl.org/, or via twitter at #cfawlmeansbusiness.

A special congratulations to Ava Doppelt, Esq., of the law firm Allen, Dyer, Doppelt & Gilchrist, P.A., who gave a presentation on publishing contracts at the annual conference of the Florida Authors & Publishers Association on August 4, 2017. Ava is also a member of CFAWL and the FBA.

CFAWL The Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers (“CFAWL”) hosted a luncheon in August featuring Kay PCPBA Rawlins, one of the October was a busy month for the Paul C. Perkins founders of the Or- Bar Association (“PCPBA”). PCPBA hosted its lando City Soccer Club. second general body meeting of the year on OctoCFAWL members came decked in purple to show their Orlando Pride. Kay brought a swag bag, complete with box seats and plenty of swag to wear to the game, which went to one lucky CFAWL member.

Members attended a Pride game the following week to show their thanks to Kay and Paul C. Perkins Bar Association general meeting, October 4, 2017, support for the team. In September, CFAWL with Orlando Sheppard, Esq.; Roger Johnson, Esq.; Benjamin held its annual Members Reception, where past Garcia, Esq.; Robert Wesley, Esq.; Aramis Ayala, Esq.; Desmond W. CFAWL presidents shared their memories and Morrell, Esq.; Courtney Richardson-Jones, Esq.; Brandon Sapp, Esq. achievements. In October, Barbara Poma, owner of Pulse nightclub and founder of the One- ber 4, 2017. Speakers included state attorney for the Pulse Foundation, was CFAWL’s luncheon speaker. Ninth Judicial Circuit, Aramis Ayala, Esq., as well This event was co-hosted by the Central Florida Gay as public defender for the Ninth Judicial Circuit, and Lesbian Law Association (“CFGALLA”). The staff Robert Wesley, Esq. The meeting was moderated of the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar As- by James W. Smith III, Esq., of CPLS, P.A., who sociation, Inc., who worked tirelessly after the Pulse is a federal criminal defense attorney and profestragedy to help the victims and their families, was sor. Additionally, on October 12, 2017, the PCPBA also honored for all of their work and many con- and the the Business Law Section of The Florida tributions. CFAWL’s annual Judicial Reception is Bar co-hosted a “Got Civility” ethics presentation being held in November. This event gives its mem- at the Orange County Bar Association. This event bers an opportunity to mingle with and honor our featured a panel of local attorneys and judges who

PAGE 26

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theBriefs November 2017 Vol. 85 No. 9

PCPBA presented a small firm panel discussion this fall, with Mark Longwell, Esq.; Millicent Daniels, Esq.; Jarian Lyons, Esq.; and Ronald Nesbitt, Esq.

discussed practicing with professionalism in Central Florida’s legal community. PCPBA will hold its next general body meeting, featuring a panel of local judges, on January 10, 2018, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the UCF Executive Development Center. You can find more information on Facebook at https:// w w w.facebook.com/ PAULCPERKINS/.

HBACF The Hispanic Bar Association of Central Florida (“HBACF”) held its annual Scholarship Night at the Citrus Club on September 28, 2017. Special guest speakers included The Honorable Gisela Laurent and U.S. Congressman Darren Soto. Thanks to the generosity of its members and sponsors, and the Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund of Metro Orlando, Darly Bocanegra received a $6,000 scholarship to commemorate her hard work both in and outside of law school. HBACF also awarded Osvaldo Diaz, a 3L at Barry Law School, the 2017 Book Award during its Scholarship Night at The Citrus Club. Osvaldo is a senior editor of the Barry Law Review and is in the top 10% of his class. On October 19, HBACF, along with its annual partners from Harbor Community Bank and ECLAT Law, hosted a free ethU.S. Congressman Darren ics CLE at the Citrus Club titled Soto was a guest speaker at “Business and Ethical Considerthe HBACF Scholarship Night ations for Attorney Relationships event. with Financial Institutions.” For more upcoming events, please visit https://www.hbacf.com/.

CFTLA The Central Florida Trial Lawyers Association (“CFTLA”) held its 12th annual “Raising the Bar” CLE seminar at the historic Dubsdread Conference Center on August 23, 2017. More than 100 members and sponsors attended. The event featured six CLE credits for attendees, but, most importantly, the CFTLA board designated this event in support of Heart to Heart Community Care Homes, Inc. This non-profit organization is dedicated to creating a pathway of self-sufficiency for homeless women with children by providing housing, social services, education, and job training. Members generously donated items such as blankets, diapers, baby formula, cleaning supplies, cash donations, and more. Donations were collected by CFTLA member Vanessa Brice, Esq., who is also on the 2017-18 Heart to Heart Homes Housing Board. For more information on CFTLA, please visit http://cftla.org/.

The Central Florida Trial Lawyers Association “Raising the Bar” seminar, August 23, 2017. Presenters included Eric S. Block, Esq.; Kenneth J. McKenna, Esq.; Jeffrey D. Armstrong, PE; Dale Swope, Esq.; Fermin Lopez, Esq.; The Hon. Jessica Recksiedler, Eighteenth Judicial Circuit; and from the Ninth Judicial Circuit, The Hon. Robert Egan, The Hon. Heather L. Higbee, and The Hon. Kevin B. Weiss.

Remember, “SideBar” is for you! We want to hear what’s going on, so please send information about upcoming events, as well as past events, along with photos and IDs to my attention at alena@ bakercriminaldefense.com.

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.

HBACF Annual Scholarship Night on September 28, 2017, with Felipe Guerrero, Esq., Past President; The Hon. Gisela Laurent; Henry Lim, Esq., Past President; Darly G. Bocanegra, HBACF scholarship recipient; Osvaldo Diaz, 2017 HBACF Book Award recipient; Diego Puig, Esq., President; Ani RodriguezNewbern, Esq., President-elect.

theBriefs November 2017 Vol. 85 No. 9

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PAGE 27

In an effort to provide legal services for those who do not qualify for legal aid programs but cannot afford standard attorney’s fees, we are launching a new Modest Means Panel as part of our existing Lawyer Referral and Information Service.

Types of cases referred include: Criminal Family Tenant

Participating attorneys must agree to charge the clients based on the Modest Means Panel fee structure, which has been set by the OCBA LRIS and is based on a client’s financial eligibility. For the Modest Means Panel application and additional information, go to http://www.orangecountybar.org/lris, or call our LRIS manager at 407-422-4551, ext. 226.

S u p p o rt t he o C B A! r e Com me n d t h i S Co u r S e!

Florida Online Traffic School • Fast, easy, convenient • Available 24/7 • Online instructions • Telephone support

Basic Driver Improvement 4-hour course (Traffic Ticket - TCAC) First-time Driver 4-hour course Advanced Driver Improvement 12-hour course (ADI / Judge-ordered class) Florida Mature Driver Program 6-hour course All traffic courses are approved by the Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles and sponsored by the American Safety Council. Register: orangecountybar.org.

Add the LRIS number to your playbook:

407-422-4537 Your support of LRIS helps fund member benefits, bar programs & community outreach activities.

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

PAGE 28

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theBriefs November 2017 Vol. 85 No. 9

YLS on the move

O

Jennifer Smith Thomas, Esq.

ur mantra this year is #wedomore, and here are some of the things we have been doing: On September 29, 2017, we hosted our 26th Annual YLS Golf Tournament at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club Grand Lakes. This year’s event included breakfast, door prizes, on-course games, raffle items, and an awards reception. The proceeds from the golf tournament will help fund our charitable endeavors throughout the year, including our Halloween Party at the Coalition for the Homeless, our events at Great Oaks Village, our scholarships, and our other charitable contributions. Congratulations to Stephanie Alcalde, Esq., and Brock Hankins, Esq., our co-chairs, for another successful tournament. Be sure to see the photos on pages 20 and 21 in this issue of The Briefs!

On October 7, 2017, YLS members and friends set off on their annual Gator Bus Trip adventure to Gainesville to watch the Gators play LSU. Even though the score didn’t favor the Boys of Florida, everyone had a blast! Thank you to cochairs, Brandon Sapp, Esq., Michael Barber, Esq., and Joey Chindamo, Esq., for organizing the event.

On October 20, 2017, Judge Bob LeBlanc was the guest speaker at our mentoring kickoff luncheon. Judge LeBlanc led a discussion with our members about the long-term value of mentoring for both the mentor and mentee. He also offered tips on various ways to enrich the mentoring experience, while our mentee and mentor pairs networked. Thanks to Judge LeBlanc for his time and incredible advice!

On October 20, 2017, YLS hosted its annual Charity Pub Crawl in downtown Orlando. All

proceeds raised were donated to One America Appeal to assist with Hurricane Maria relief efforts. Thank you to everyone who attended or donated money to this worthy cause. Special thanks go to YLS Social Committee co-chairs Rafael Rodriguez, Esq., and Brittany Melendez, Esq., and the entire Social Committee for their help in making this year’s annual charity pub crawl a success.

On October 26, 2017, the YLS hosted the 5th Annual Halloween Party for the children residing at the Center for Women & Families at the main campus of the Coalition for the Homeless. YLS members provided the children with new Halloween costumes and treated them to a wonderful evening of games, candy, and other Halloween treats. YLS members also performed a mock trial for the children to teach them about the court system. Thank you to Lauren Robertson, Esq., and John Hunt, Esq., for chairing this event.

Stay tuned for these upcoming YLS events: On November 14, 2017, YLS members will gather for a happy hour at the Brass Tap in Mills Park to raise money for the Central Florida Basket Brigade. YLS will collect money, food, and baskets to be delivered before Thanksgiving to local community members in need. For more information, please contact YLS Community Service co-chairs, Andrew Irvin, Esq., Lauren Robertson, Esq., and John Hunt, Esq. On November 16, 2017, join us for our monthly luncheon at the Citrus Club in downtown Orlando. Our speaker will be Benjamin Odom, Esq., Managing Director & Associate General Counsel for the International Speedway Corporation.

On December 1, 2017, we’ll be holding our annual YLS Holiday Party at Ace Café in downtown Orlando. Save the date today!

On January 20, 2018, get ready for our Charity Putt-Putt Golf Tournament. The new year is just around the corner, so mark your calendars now!

And don’t forget to find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @ ocbayls #ocbayls.

Jennifer A. Smith, Esq., partner at Southern Trial Counsel, PLC, has been a member of the OCBA since 2008.

YLS Gator Bus Trip

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PAGE 29

Legal Aid Society GAL Teaching Tips continued from page 16

As stated by Jamie Billotte Moses, Esq., senior counsel and board certified appellate specialist, Holland & Knight LLP, “Anyone can build a house, serve a meal, write a check. Only lawyers can provide legal services and thus it is our professional and moral obligation to provide legal services to those in need.”

For more information, please contact Bethanie Barber, Esq., program director of the Guardian ad Litem Program of the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, Inc., at bbarber@legalaidocba.org, or 407-843-8310. For more information about how to become a financial donor or help with our fundraising efforts, please contact Donna Haynes, director of development, at dhaynes@legalaidocba. org, or 407-515-1850.

Maria E. Espinosa, Esq. Mediation ServiceS Florida Attorney since 1987 Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator since 2005

Leigh Anne Vancol, Esq., litigation director of the Guardian ad Litem Program of the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, Inc., has been a member of the OCBA since 2012.

Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Mediator since 2009 Florida Supreme Court Certified Appellate Mediator since 2015 Bilingual English/Spanish

407-733-3662 espiesq@aol.com

PAGE 30 www.orangecountybar.org

theBriefs November 2017 Vol. 85 No. 9

We invite you to submit your

2018 Liberty Bell, Liberty Shield & Liberty Apple Award Nominees Sought

nominations today for the OCBA’s Liberty awards as part of our annual Law Week celebration! Recipients will be honored and receive their award at our annual Law Week Luncheon on April 19, 2018.

The Liberty Bell Award recognizes a person or organization in our community, outside the traditional legal profession, that best demonstrates a deep commitment to the rule of law and has worked to promote civic responsibility among our citizens.

The Liberty Shield Award recognizes a first responder who demonstrates exemplary service to the health or safety of our community.

The Liberty Apple Award recognizes a teacher who demonstrates exemplary service to the education of students in our community.

For all nominees, please consider those whose work meets the following criteria: • Promoted a better understanding of the rule of law; • Encouraged a greater respect for law and the courts; • Stimulated a sense of civic responsibility; and, • Contributed to good government within the community.

Please submit a one- to two-page nomination letter that enumerates the ways your nominee exemplifies the qualities above. Current submission deadline: February 28, 2018.

Some of our past Liberty Bell Award recipients include: Dick Batchelor, Florida House Representatives Michael Dippy, Executive Director of IDignity Tom Lares, Co-founder and Chairman of the Greater Orlando Human Trafficking Task Force David Medvec, Teen Court Program Coordinator Tico Perez, Community Leader Sara Trollinger, Founder of House of Hope Mail or email your nomination to: Kim Homer, Executive Director, OCBA, 880 N. Orange Ave., Orlando, FL 32801 or khomer@ocbanet.org.

For further information, contact Randy Bock at Randy.Bock@csklegal.com.

theBriefs November 2017 Vol. 85 No. 9

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PAGE 31

ParalegalPost

J

Lori M. Spangler, FRP

Profile of Judicial Assistant Melissa Goodwin

udge Donald Myers, an administrative judge in the Ninth Circuit Appellate Division, transferred to Orange County business court in January 2017 and brought along his judicial assistant, Melissa Goodwin. Melissa is not a newcomer to business court; she previously worked in business court with Judge Thomas Smith prior to his federal court appointment in 2011. The following is a brief profile of Melissa in which she answers questions one may not know about her.

Lori Spangler: Where have you worked before you became a JA? Melissa Goodwin: Before working in the state court system, I worked for Butler, McDonald, Moon & Hockman, P.A. Q: How long have you been a JA? A: I have been a judicial assistant for 32 years.

Q: When you first became a JA, did you have a mentor?

A: Yes, Joyce Brasher was my mentor, and Dottie Richardson helped me through my first year.

They were wonderful mentors!

Q: Tell me about your current job and what attracted you to it?

A: I am currently assigned to the business court division; I go where my judge goes.

Q: In which divisions have you worked?

A: Traffic, misdemeanor, circuit criminal, juvenile, domestic relations, domestic violence, general civil, and business court.

Q: How long have you worked for Judge Myers?

A: I have worked for Judge Myers since June 2013.

Q: Who did you work for before you became Judge Myers’ judicial assistant?

A: I have worked for judges F. Rand Wallis, Thomas B. Smith, Charles N. Prather, and J.C. Stone, Jr.

PAGE 32 www.orangecountybar.org

Q: What do you like best about working in complex business court?

A: Judge Myers is wonderful to work for, and I like to provide the highest level of service to the attorneys practicing in this division.

Q: What do you find most challenging about working as a JA? A: We are public servants, but going beyond that, when dealing with anyone in a crisis situation, you have to have compassion for the human condition.

Q: How do you maintain a healthy work/life balance?

A: I try to keep a positive attitude about work and life in general. I have faith and know God is watching over me and those I love.

Q: Would you like to provide a little information about your personal background?

A: I am married with three adult children, and I have two bird dogs – English Setters.

Q: Where did you grow up?

A: I grew up in Maryland.

Q: What was your favorite toy or game as a child, and why?

A: I loved playing jacks, hopscotch, jump rope, and hide-and-seek. During the summer when I was young, we played outside all day until dark.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time and why do you enjoy doing it?

A: I enjoy gardening, sewing, reading, puzzles, and snorkeling. All are very relaxing. Also, since I have to cook, I have decided to like that, too!

Q: What are your top three favorite books?

A: My three favorite books are Colony by Anne Rivers Siddons, River God by Wilbur Smith, and Through the Narrow Gate by Karen Armstrong.

Q: Where have you traveled?

A: Great Smoky Mountains, Skyline Drive, Gettysburg, Antietam, and Canada.

theBriefs November 2017 Vol. 85 No. 9

Q: What is your favorite funny story about yourself?

A: I lost my passport on my honeymoon and it was my husband’s fault. Each plane we boarded had a smaller compartment for overhead luggage, and, as luck would have it, there was no room in the overhead compartment on the last plane. My husband quickly started to unpack my bag in the plane and handed me a number of items.

In my haste, I accidently dropped my passport without having realized it. I simply broke out into laughter when the flight attendant headed directly to us and said, “Sir, you must sit down and put your bag in the overhead compartment!” Needless to say, the first day of our “romantic” honeymoon was spent at the U.S. Consulate.

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Q: Do you have any advice to offer people who aspire to become a judicial assistant?

A: My advice is that one should be prepared to: work hard, learn to multi-task, maintain good notes, and above all, treat your co-workers, the general public, and attorneys as you would want to be treated.

The Team at Heinkel Tax Law Group includes a former IRS Appeals Officer; a CPA; EAs; a tax attorney and a criminal tax attorney. The Heinkel Tax Team has a combined average experience of over 30 years fighting the IRS and DOR. You can trust YOUR clients to the Heinkel Tax Team. Make the referral and make your clients happy you did.

We deeply appreciate all of our many referral relationships built over the years, and strive to establish trust and confidence in your clients, that we will try to resolve their tax dilemmas.

You can trust in our skills, and having a rewarding referral relationship with us.

Lori M. Spangler, FRP, is a senior litigation paralegal at Greenberg Traurig, P.A. She is a member of The Florida Bar Florida Registered Paralegals Standing Committee board, having been appointed to the seven-member board by the president of The Florida Bar. She has been a member of the OCBA since 1994.

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Invite your colleagues to join the OCBA today!

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

407-422-4551, ext. 225 theBriefs November 2017 Vol. 85 No. 9

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PAGE 33

Ne w M e mbe rs Attorneys Joseph Baker Neysa Borkert Jaclyn Clark Sekou M. Clarke Casey R. Eldemire Maureen Kelly Christopher J. Konicek Channa Lloyd

Richard B. Parker Gary Preston Colleen B. Rosaler Adam R. Sackrin Samantha J. Sauer Joseph E. Somake Ryan K. Young

Donna D. Culpepper Natalia G. Dick Mary E. Harper Joanne L. Montalvo Sydnie A. Pleasants Ashley J. Syrett

Affiliates

Stephanie Aguilar Christopher D. Mellado

Christian L. Suarez Liana D. Villaverde

Paralegal Students N. Renae Hicks Sara L. Spangler

Law Students

Laurianne Apollon

Thank you to the following OCBA members who referred their colleagues and encouraged them to join the Orange County Bar! Bruce Batts • Cindy Duque Bonilla • Elayne Conrique • John Dill • Randall Ellington • Vincent Falcone Elizabeth G. Henin • Paul Pelton • Lori Spangler

Congratulations to Members of the OCBA’s 100% Club 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. Wicker, Smith, O’Hara, et al.

Winderweedle, Haines, et al.

10-19 Members

Colling Gilbert Wright & Carter, LLC Fisher Rushmer Legal Aid Society of OCBA Marshall, Dennehey, Warner, Coleman & Goggin McDonald Toole Wiggins, P.A.

2-9 Members Allen, Miller & Diaz, P.A. Allen, Norton & Blue, P.A. Anderson & Ferrin, Attorneys at Law, P.A. Anderson Hew PLLC Arwani Nava Law Firm PLLC Banker Lopez Gassler P.A. Barrister Law Firm, P.A. Benitez Law Group, P.L. Beshara, P.A. Billings, Morgan & Boatwright, LLC Carr Law Firm, P.A. Compass Law Cullen & Hemphill, P.A. Cynthia Conlin & Associates DeCiccio & Johnson Dellecker Wilson King McKenna Ruffier & Sos, LLP

Divine & Estes, P.A. Fassett, Anthony & Taylor, P.A. Gans Law, P.A. Gasdick Stanton Early, P.A. Giles & Robinson, P.A. GoodBlatt – Leo 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 Amber Jade F. Johnson, P.A. Law Offices of Brent C. Miller, P.A. Law Offices of Mark L. Horwitz, P.A. Lewis & Crichton Lim Law, P.A. 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 Murrah Doyle & Wigle, P.A.

PAGE 34 www.orangecountybar.org

N. Diane Holmes, P.A. O’Mara Law Group Provencher & Simmons, P.A. Ringer Henry Buckley & Seacord, P.A. Roman V. Hammes, P.L. Sasser & Weber, P.A. Sawyer & Sawyer, P.A. Schwam-Wilcox & Associates Small Business Counsel 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 Llabona Law Group The Maher Law Firm, P.A. The Orlando Law Group The Skambis Law Firm Vose Law Firm, LLP 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.

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fs November 2017 Vol. 85 No. 9

www.orangecountybar.org theBrie

Events Nov. 2 – 10 Annual Breakfast of Champions. 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. The Ballroom at Church Street. For details, contact Donna Haynes at dhaynes@legalaidocba.org.

Nov. 14 – Member Perks Speaker Series. 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

OCBA Center. Speaker: Ava Doppelt, Esq. Members only. Free.

Register by Nov. 13 at the OCBA Store.

Dec. 1 – Judicial Investitures. 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Orange County Courthouse, Jury Assembly Room. RSVPs not required.

Dec. 5 – Member Perks Speaker Series. 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

OCBA Center. Speaker: The Hon. Winifred Sharp. Members only.

Free. Register by Dec. 4 at the OCBA Store.

Jan. 9 – Member Perks Speaker Series. 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

OCBA Center. Speaker: John C. Jordan, Esq. Members only. Free.

Register by Dec. 4 at the OCBA Store.

Jan. 27 – Diversity Mentoring Picnic. 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Barry University School of Law. Free. Families welcome. th

Seminars Nov. 2 – Adventures in Estates, Guardianships & Trusts. Estate, Guardianship & Trust Committee Major Seminar. 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. OCBA Center. CLE: 7.0 general (pending). $40 (OCBA members); $25 (gov’t/students); $50 (non-members). Speakers: The Hon. Margaret Hudson; Keshara Davis Cowans, Esq.; David A. Yergey, Jr., Esq.; David A. Yergey, III, Esq.; Stacey Prince-Troutman, Esq.; Randy Bryan, Esq.; Gary Forster, Esq.; Eric C. Boughman, Esq. Sponsored by: PNC Wealth Management. Register by Oct. 31 at the OCBA Store.

Nov. 3 – Diverting, Departing, Trying & Appealing: A Comprehensive Trip Through Criminal Litigation. Criminal Law Committee Major Seminar. 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. OCBA Center. CLE: 6.0 general (pending). $40 (OCBA members); $25 (gov’t/students); $50 (non-members). Speakers: The Hon. Frederick J. Lauten; The Hon. Julie O’Kane; The Hon. John L. Woodard, III; Kelly Steele, Ryan Williams, Esq.; Richard E. Hornsby, Esq.; Lyle B. Mazin, Esq.; Nicholas D. Seidule, Esq.; Lisabeth J. Fryer, Esq.; William R. Ponall, Esq. Register by Nov. 1 at the OCBA Store.

Nov. 7 – The Impact of Preverbal Child Trauma: A Lifetime of Effects. LAS Lunchtime Training. 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Marks Street Senior Center, 99 E. Marks St., Orlando, FL 32803. CLE: pending. Speaker: Cherilyn Rowland. Contact: Marilyn Carbo at mcarbo@legalaidocba.org.

Nov. 7 – New Developments Regarding Accommodations and Accessibilities Under the ADA. Labor & Employment Committee Major Seminar. 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. OCBA Center. CLE: 2.5 general (approved); 1.0 technology (approved); 1.0 labor and employment (approved). $40 (OCBA members); $25 (gov’t/students); $50 (non-members). Speakers: David H. Spalter, Esq., and Lilian Chavez Moon, Esq. Sponsored by: The Mount and Nash Law Group, P.A. Register by Nov. 5 at the OCBA Store.

Nov. 10 – Taming the Dragon: Navigating ACCESS Cases. Elder Law Committee Seminar. 12:00 p.m - 2:00 p.m. OCBA Center. CLE: 2.5 general (approved) and 2.5 elder law (approved). Free (OCBA members/gov’t/students); $15 (non-members). Speaker: Stefanie Beach Camfield, Esq. Register by Nov. 8 at the OCBA Store.

Nov. 13 – Everything You Should Know About Attorneys’ Fees.

Brown Bagging with the Bobs. 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Orange County Courthouse, 23rd Floor. CLE: 1.0 ethics (pending). Speakers: The Hon. Bob Egan and The Hon. Bob LeBlanc. Free. RSVP to Lynn Harasti at ctjalh1@ocnjcc.org.

Nov. 14 – Human Trafficking. LAS Lunchtime Training. 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Marks Street Senior Center, 99 E. Marks St., Orlando, FL 32803. CLE: pending. Speaker: Ana Bernal Roberts, Esq. Contact: Marilyn Carbo at mcarbo@legalaidocba.org.

Nov. 17 – A Year in Trial: Mediation and Temporary Relief Motions. Family Law Committee Seminar. 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

OCBA Center. CLE: pending. Details to come.

Dec. 4 – Preservation of Error. Insurance Law Committee Seminar. 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. OCBA Center. CLE: 1.0 general (pending). Free (OCBA members/gov’t/students); $15 (non-members).

Speaker: TBD. Sponsored by: Orange Legal. Register by Dec. 2 at the OCBA Store.

Dec. 5 – Ethical Considerations in Immigration Law. Immigration Law Committee Seminar. 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. OCBA Center.

CLE: 1.0 general (pending). Free (OCBA members/gov’t/students); $15 (non-members). Speaker: TBD. Register by Dec. 3 at the OCBA Store.

Dec. 5 – Transition to Adulthood and Independent Living. LAS Lunchtime Training. 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Marks Street Senior Center, 99 E. Marks St., Orlando, FL 32803. CLE: pending. Speaker: Jennifer Works and Hannah Farber, Esq. Contact: Marilyn Carbo at mcarbo@legalaidocba.org.

Dec. 6 – Case Law Review. Business Law Committee Seminar.

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. OCBA Center. CLE: 1.0 (pending). Free (OCBA members/gov’t/students); $15 (non-members). Speakers: The Hon. Julie O’Kane; Kate Hollis, Esq.; Vincent Falcone, Esq. Register

by Dec. 4 at the OCBA Store.

Dec. 11 – Estates, Guardianship & Trust Legislative Update.

Estate, Guardianship & Trust Committee Seminar. OCBA Center.

Details to come.

Dec. 12 – Restoration of Rights. LAS Lunchtime Training. 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Marks Street Senior Center, 99 E. Marks St., Orlando, FL 32803. CLE: pending. Speaker: Larri Thatcher, Esq. Contact: Marilyn Carbo at mcarbo@legalaidocba.org.

Jan. 8 – Estate Planning with IRA’s, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Estate, Guardianship & Trust Committee Seminar. 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. OCBA Center. CLE: 1.0 general (approved); 1.0 Wills, Trust, & Estates (approved). Free (OCBA members/gov’t/students); $15 (non-members). Speaker: Amber J. Johnson, Esq. Register by Jan. 6 at the OCBA Store.

Jan. 9 – Orange County Courthouse Technology Training. Technology Committee Seminar. 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Orange County Courthouse, Courtroom 18A. CLE: pending. Speakers: The Hon. Lisa Munyon and Ryan Vesico, Esq. Registration details to come.

Jan. 10 – Understanding PTSD and the Impact on Family Law. Veterans Committee Major Seminar. 12:00 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. OCBA Center. CLE: 2.5 general (approved); 2.5 mental health (approved). $40 (OCBA member); $25 (gov’t/student); $50 (non-member).

Speakers: Danielle Archer, LMHC, Ed.D., and Donald Morrell, Esq. Register by: Jan. 8 at the OCBA Store.

Jan. 12 – Labor & Employment Committee Seminar. OCBA Center. Details to come.

Jan. 18 – Criminal Law Committee Seminar. OCBA Center. Details to come.

Jan. 19 – Family Law Committee Seminar. OCBA Center. Details to come.

Jan. 26 – Bankruptcy Law Committee Seminar. OCBA Center.

Details to come.

For seminar updates, please see the OCBA Store at orangecountybar.org/store.

An n o unce ments

theBriefs November 2017 Vol. 85 No. 9

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CLASSIFIED ADS EMPLOYMENT Fast paced Insurance Defense Firm located in Maitland, FL 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 the jmccallister@ rocklawpa.com.

PIP/BI Attorney Needed. Immediate opening available for attorney with 3+ years of PIP/BI litigation experience.

Salary will be commensurate with civil litigation experience and does include an extensive benefits package. Ideal candidate will have good academic credentials, excellent analytical and writing skills and the ability to manage caseload from inception through trial. Send resumes to mheaberlin@gobelflakes. com.

Health attorney for small law firm concentrating on physicians & health professionals in the N.W. Orlando area. Civil litigation, admin litigation, or healthcare experience a plus. Must be self-starters, & have excellent academic credentials. Admin law, health law, litigation or contract law experience helpful. Fax to (407) 3313030 or email TMesibov@ TheHealthLawFirm.com. NO TELEPHONE CALLS, PLEASE. DSK Law is looking for a Florida licensed attorney with 2 - 7 years of civil litigation experience.

The attorney will primarily focus on insurance defense litigation. A successful candidate has exceptional oral and written PAGE 38

communication skills. We are seeking motivated individuals who are looking to grow with the Firm for many years to come. We offer a comprehensive compensation package, which includes a salary commensurate with your experience and accomplishments. Please send your resume along with writing samples to Heather Dickerson at hdickerson@dsklawgroup. com.

Successful community association law firm is looking for an associate attorney with similar focus.

Should have 2-6 years of experience in real estate law and/or mortgage foreclosure. Community Association experience a plus. Must be motivated, detail oriented and have excellent writing skills.

A great opportunity for the right person. Creative compensation arrangements available. Please email resumes to: sheilasullivan@ ruggierilawfirm.com.

The City of Clermont is accepting statement of qualifications for an Attorney to serve as Special Magistrate for Code Enforcement pursuant to Chapter 162, Florida Statutes (RFI 1810-009).

All responses must be received prior to 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, November 22, 2017. Information may be obtained from the City’s website at https:// www.clermontfl.gov/ departments/purchasing/ A growing family law practice firm in Orlando is seeking an associate. The candidate must be hard-working,

To reply to BRIEFS box number, address as follows: Briefs Reply Box # _____ c/o Orange County Bar Association Orlando, FL 32801

loyal, and have excellent client counseling skills. Ideal candidate must be able to manage and prioritize a caseload of their own, and assist two additional attorneys on an as needed basis. No actual Family Law experience required; ideal candidate would commit to the firm longterm. Salary commensurate with experience. Health insurance, cell phone stipend provided, and 401k benefits after one year.

Please provide a cover letter, resume, and three references to: familylawfirmorlando@ gmail.com. All candidates will be considered but bilingual candidates are preferred.

OFFICE SPACE/SALE/ RENT/LEASE OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE FOR RENT. Close to Downtown Orlando.

Easily accessible with free parking. Conference and kitchen facilities. Copier/fax available. Reception area.

Please call John Pierce at (407) 898-4848.

Maitland/Altamonte Springs: 700 sq. ft. four room office suite available.

Electric and ample parking included. 407-425-0234 or info@wfmblaw.com.

LAW OFFICE WITH SECRETARIAL OFFICE: Lk Highland Prep area.

Completely Renovated/ Updated Old House (Circa 1926), HARDWOOD FLOORS/ WOOD TRIM – MUST SEE Copier & fax. First Month Free. Parking included.

(407)648-1500.

Office space available. East Jefferson Street. Include internet, fax and copier. 407-843-4310.

Office space available 1515 E. Livingston. Free standing building, 3 offices, reception and free parking. $1500/mo. Unfurnished, $1600/mo. Furnished.

Contact Jessica Travis at jessicatravispa@gmail.com.

You are in business to deliver a valuable service.

Toot your own horn!

The Briefs is the perfect forum to herald your message.

OCBA advertising specialist Amanda Nethero stands ready to assist in your media investment.

407-422-4551 x. 244 // amandan@ocbanet.org

www.orangecountybar.org

theBriefs November 2017 Vol. 85 No. 9

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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 Registration Fees: $20 – Oct. 1 - Nov. 30 $25 – Dec. 1 - Jan. 31 $30 – Feb. 1 - March 26 $35 – March 27 - race day NEW! Virtual Race Registration - $30 Chip timing, custom shirts, kid’s run, entertainment, refreshments, finisher medals, and FUN!

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

For details and to register, go to http://www.runsignup.com/ocbalawday5k

Net proceeds benefit the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, Inc., and the OCBA Foundation, Inc.

FAST. ACCURATE. RESPONSIVE.

COURT REPORTING & VIDEOGRAPHY Milestone Reporting Company is focused on the advancement of the latest technologies in the court reporting industry. We have introduced innovations such as working video, live deposition streaming, video-to-text synchronization, transcript editors for your tablets and many others.

For more information, visit us at MilestoneReporting.com Available 24/7 After hours (407) 793-7779 Daytime 855 (MY-DEPOS)

Reporters & Conference Rooms Available Worldwide www.milestonereporting.com / scheduling@milestonereporting.com / Fax (407) 841-2779

theBriefs November 2017 Vol. 85 No. 9

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OCBA Calendar

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER - JANUARY 2018 November

2

10th Annual Breakfast of Champions 7:30 a.m. • The Ballroom at Church Street Estate, Guardianship & Trust Committee Major Seminar Adventures in Estates, Guardianships & Trusts 9:00 a.m. • OCBA Center Criminal Law Committee Major Seminar Diverting, Departing,Trying & Appealing: A Comprehensive Trip Through Criminal Litigation 9:00 a.m. • OCBA Center LAS Lunchtime Training The Impact of Preverbal Child Trauma: A Lifetime of Effects 12:00 p.m. • Marks St. Senior Center Labor & Employment Committee Major Seminar New Developments Regarding Accommodations and Accessibilities Under the ADA 9:00 a.m. • OCBA Center Law Day 5k Committee Meeting 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center Professionalism Committee Meeting 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center Lawyers Literary Society 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center Elder Law Committee Meeting 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center Executive Council Meeting 4:30 p.m. • OCBA Center ADR Committee Meeting 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center Social Security Committee Meeting 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center Elder Law Committee Major Seminar Taming the Dragon: Navigating ACCESS Cases 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center Brown Bagging with the Bobs Everything You Should Know About Attorneys’ Fees 12:00 p.m. • Orange County Courthouse, 23rd Floor Member Perks Speaker Series 8:00 a.m. • OCBA Center LAS Lunchtime Training Human Trafficking 12:00 p.m. • Marks St. Senior Center

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No November & December OCBA Luncheon Happy Holidays!

Week Committee Meeting 1 Meeting 5 Judicial Relations Committee 7 Law 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center 12:00 p.m. • Orange County Guardianship & Courthouse, 23 Floor 11 Estate, Trust Committee Seminar

rd

Appellate Law Committee Meeting 12:00 p.m. • Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, P.A. Law Week Committee Meeting 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center

YLS Monthly Luncheon 11:30 a.m. • Citrus Club Family Law Committee Seminar A Year in Trial: Mediation and Temporary Relief Motions 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center Solo & Small Firm Committee Meeting 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center

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23 – 24 Thanksgiving Holiday

OCBA Offices Closed Social Committee Meeting 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center

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December

Estates, Guardianship & Trust Legislative Update 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center

LAS Lunchtime Training Restoration of Rights 12:00 p.m. • Marks St. Senior Center Lawyers Literary Society 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center Elder Law Committee Meeting 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center Social Security Committee Meeting 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center YLS Monthly Luncheon 11:30 a.m. • Citrus Club Social Committee Meeting 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center Appellate Law Committee Meeting 12:00 p.m. • Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, P.A. ADR Committee Meeting 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center

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Judicial Investitures 1 2 1 4:00 p.m. • Orange County Courthouse, Jury Assembly Room 25 – 29 Winter Holiday Insurance Law Committee 4 OCBA Offices Closed Seminar Preservation of Error 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center Member Perks Speaker Series 8:00 a.m. • OCBA Center Immigration Law Committee Seminar Ethical Considerations in Immigration Law 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center LAS Lunchtime Training Transition to Adulthood and Independent Living 12:00 p.m. • Marks St. Senior Center Law Day 5k Committee Meeting 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center Professionalism Committee Meeting 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center Family Law Committee Holiday Happy Hour 6:00 p.m. • DoveCote Brassiere Business Law Committee Seminar Case Law Review 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center

5

6

January

New Year’s Holiday 1 OCBA Offices Closed 2 Law Day 5k Committee Meeting

12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center Professionalism Committee Meeting 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center Estate, Guardianship Trust Committee Seminar Estate Planning with IRA’s, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center Member Perks Speaker Series 8:00 a.m. • OCBA Center Technology Committee Seminar Orange County Courthouse Technology Training 12:00 p.m.• Orange County Courthouse, Courtroom 18A Judicial Relations Committee Meeting 12:00 p.m. • Orange County Courthouse, 23rd Floor

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www.orangecountybar.org

Lawyers Literary Society 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center Veterans Committee Major Seminar Understanding PTSD and the Impact on Family Law 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center Executive Council Meeting 4:30 p.m. • OCBA Center Social Security Committee Meeting 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center Labor & Employment Committee Seminar TBD 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center Law Week Committee Meeting 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center Solo & Small Firm Committee Meeting 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center Appellate Law Committee Meeting 12:00 p.m. • Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, P.A. Elder Law Committee Meeting 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center OCBA Luncheon 11:30 a.m. • The Ballroom at Church Street ADR Committee Meeting 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center Criminal Law Committee Seminar TBD 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center YLS Monthly Luncheon 11:30 a.m. • Citrus Club Family Law Committee Seminar TBD 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center Social Committee Meeting 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center Bankruptcy Law Committee Seminar TBD 12:00 p.m. • OCBA Center Diversity Mentoring Picnic 11:00 a.m. • Barry University

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For the latest news about committee meetings, seminars, and events, see the OCBA website at www. orangecountybar.org.

theBriefs November 2017 Vol. 85 No. 9

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