By John F. Kynes
They came ready to run. They ate great food. They enjoyed good company. And they left feeling full and gratified that they had helped support the Bar and pro bono work in the community.
That sums up the festivities on a beautiful Saturday afternoon on March 21 when more than 500 people participated in the HCBA’s 12th Annual Judicial Pig Roast/Food Festival and 5K Pro Bono River Run held on the grounds of Stetson Law’s Tampa campus.
“The Pig Roast and 5K are unique and fun HCBA events, and I am pleased that we had a huge turnout this year,” said HCBA President Ben Hill IV. “I believe the family-friendly atmosphere helps build greater camaraderie among HCBA members, and the tremendous support of the 5K certainly speaks volumes about the Bar’s commitment to pro bono service.”
There were more than 20 food and beverage booths at this year’s Pig Roast/Food Festival, which featured a wide variety of culinary delights and handcrafted concoctions.
The judges of the Thirteenth Circuit were “all in” again this year, and they took home the prize for Best Pig Sty, or most creative booth. Inspired by the 75th anniversary of the premiere of “The Wizard of Oz,” the judges decorated their food tent with Oz-themed paraphernalia. A sign hanging from their tent read “The Judges of Oz.”
Some judges also came dressed as characters from the movie. Wearing ruby slippers, Judge Samantha Ward came as Dorothy; Judge Caroline Tesche was quite a sight dressed in all silver as the Tin Man; Judge Lisa Campbell was the Scarecrow; and Judge Kimberly Fernandez was decked out as the Cowardly Lion.
Judge Jack Espinosa Jr. arrived just after 7 a.m. on Saturday morning and spent the next eight hours with a small group tending to 20 Boston pork butts cooking in a massive black 11-foot smoker parked behind Stetson under an oak tree. A Pig Roast veteran, Espinosa said the key to preparing the judges’ pulled pork entree was the special marinade applied to the meat the night before and cooking the pork at the proper temperature.
“Low and slow is best,” Espinosa said as smoke billowed from the smoker nearby.
GrayRobinson, P.A., took runner-up honors for Best Pig Sty for its strawberry-themed food booth, which was adorned with red balloons made to look like strawberries. Grace Yang, a GrayRobinson partner and HCBA board member, helped serve attendees strawberry shortcake and strawberry daiquiris made with fresh Plant City strawberries.
The award for Best Pig Slop, or best food, went to the law firm of Trenam Kemker. Eric Koenig, the firm’s own “Top Chef,” explained that Trenam’s culinary theme this year was called “Feed Your Inner Child.”
Koenig said he took familiar childhood food favorites ― chicken fingers, macaroni and cheese, and Rice Krispie s’mores ― and “elevated” them to a gourmet level using extra fresh ingredients and homemade bourbon barbeque sauce for the chicken fingers. He said he spent weeks creating handcrafted American wheat and Nutella beers that attendees were able to enjoy.
Wilkes & McHugh and the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit shared runner-up honors for Best Pig Slop.
The HCBA’s inaugural 5K run took place in 2009, and before this year’s Pig Roast, runners hit the streets for what is now called the 5K Pro Bono River Run.
“This year’s race was a great success with almost 300 runners and over 2,500 hours pledged in support of indigent citizens in our community,” said Judge John Conrad, who chaired the 5K event along with Judge Christopher Nash. “The 5K Committee deserves special thanks for their outstanding effort in making this race such a wonderful event.”
The overall 5K male winner was Alejandro Navas, and the overall female winner was Yova Borovska. The fastest male judge was Judge Gregory Holder, and the fastest female judge was Judge Linda Allen.
Of special note, Judge Conrad’s 85-year-old father, Joe, ran a remarkable time for his age, and Judge Nash’s 7-year-old son, Charlie, ran for the second year in a row.
Dick Woltmann, executive director of Bay Area Legal Services, said the 5K run not only raises pledges of pro bono hours, it also generates pro bono participation in various projects in the Thirteenth Circuit, such as Crossroads for Florida Kids and Are You Safe. Woltmann said this year’s pledges of more than 2,500 pro bono hours represent a 50 percent increase in hours pledged from last year.
No doubt both the Pig Roast and 5K run have experienced many changes over time, but the competitive spirit and camaraderie that exist among HCBA members remain the same. Many thanks to all the financial sponsors and tireless volunteers who, over the years, have helped make both these events a success.
See you around the Chet.
Saturday, May 9, 2015
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
YLD President's Message: The Practice of Law - Learning to Act like a Lawyer
By Anthony "Nino" Martino
According to about half the attorneys who responded to a Florida Bar survey in 2013, the most serious problem facing the legal profession today is too many lawyers. Objectively, since 2000, the number of law schools in Florida almost doubled with the addition of five new law schools. Not surprisingly, the number of lawyers in this state increased by more than 50 percent. By comparison, in 1980, the state had only 27,000 lawyers, approximately a quarter of the amount today.
A natural consequence of the increased competition is a decrease in available work and, thus, the opportunities to develop as a young lawyer. It is the practice of law, as opposed to only knowledge of it, that will prove vital to your development in the profession. I think this concept was well explained by Alasdair MacIntyre, who defined practice as involving a “coherent and complex form of socially established cooperative human activity.” This requirement, MacIntyre observes, distinguishes planting turnips from farming. Said another way, it is not enough to think like a lawyer, you must learn to act like one.
The practice of law can only be achieved through clinical experience. In addition to seeking out mentors, young lawyers need to seek out the experiences necessary in their particular field. “Perhaps the most fundamental legal skill consists of determining what kind of legal problems a situation may involve, a skill that necessarily transcends any particular specialized knowledge.” Comment to Fla. Bar Rule 4-1.1. Perfecting your craft requires exposure to “lawyering” done in trials, hearings, client meetings, negotiations, and depositions. If you are not being provided these opportunities, then you must seek them out elsewhere. Experiential education is necessary to develop the ability to understand a concept on a level that you can then anticipate and apply to new situations.
In an attempt to broaden the experiences available to young lawyers, the YLD offers a number of programs designed to increase such exposure. Through the YLD, you can participate in our Judicial Shadowing program, where feedback is received directly from the bench; attend the State Court Trial Seminar on June 12, where established litigators take you from trial preparation through closing arguments; or volunteer for structured and supervised pro bono, where you can develop or enhance skills such as negotiating (with your client and with opposing counsel), drafting pleadings, handling discovery, arguing motions, representing clients at trial, learning about new courts, and writing briefs.
Recent & Upcoming YLD Events:
The State Court Trial Seminar will be June 12 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse, 6th Floor, Courtroom 1 (4.0 CLE Credits).
For more information on the YLD’s activities, check out our Facebook page.
According to about half the attorneys who responded to a Florida Bar survey in 2013, the most serious problem facing the legal profession today is too many lawyers. Objectively, since 2000, the number of law schools in Florida almost doubled with the addition of five new law schools. Not surprisingly, the number of lawyers in this state increased by more than 50 percent. By comparison, in 1980, the state had only 27,000 lawyers, approximately a quarter of the amount today.
A natural consequence of the increased competition is a decrease in available work and, thus, the opportunities to develop as a young lawyer. It is the practice of law, as opposed to only knowledge of it, that will prove vital to your development in the profession. I think this concept was well explained by Alasdair MacIntyre, who defined practice as involving a “coherent and complex form of socially established cooperative human activity.” This requirement, MacIntyre observes, distinguishes planting turnips from farming. Said another way, it is not enough to think like a lawyer, you must learn to act like one.
The practice of law can only be achieved through clinical experience. In addition to seeking out mentors, young lawyers need to seek out the experiences necessary in their particular field. “Perhaps the most fundamental legal skill consists of determining what kind of legal problems a situation may involve, a skill that necessarily transcends any particular specialized knowledge.” Comment to Fla. Bar Rule 4-1.1. Perfecting your craft requires exposure to “lawyering” done in trials, hearings, client meetings, negotiations, and depositions. If you are not being provided these opportunities, then you must seek them out elsewhere. Experiential education is necessary to develop the ability to understand a concept on a level that you can then anticipate and apply to new situations.
In an attempt to broaden the experiences available to young lawyers, the YLD offers a number of programs designed to increase such exposure. Through the YLD, you can participate in our Judicial Shadowing program, where feedback is received directly from the bench; attend the State Court Trial Seminar on June 12, where established litigators take you from trial preparation through closing arguments; or volunteer for structured and supervised pro bono, where you can develop or enhance skills such as negotiating (with your client and with opposing counsel), drafting pleadings, handling discovery, arguing motions, representing clients at trial, learning about new courts, and writing briefs.
Recent & Upcoming YLD Events:
The State Court Trial Seminar will be June 12 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse, 6th Floor, Courtroom 1 (4.0 CLE Credits).
For more information on the YLD’s activities, check out our Facebook page.
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Law Week Reminds Us Why We Are Lawyers
By Kevin B. Elmore
Why are you a lawyer? I have found myself asking this question periodically throughout my brief career. Usually, the question comes up around midnight when I have hours of work left to do and no energy to carry on. Other times, it is when I’m sitting across the table from another attorney who doesn’t seem to approach the practice of law with the honor I feel it deserves (invariably, not a member of our circuit). Regardless of when it comes up, the answer is always the same ― to do justice and advance the rule of law when others disregard it. I want to live a life of consequence, to stand against the tides of chaos, and balance freedom with anarchy. It can be hard to remember this laudable concept as a young lawyer, but each year my spirit is renewed by a small committee of very dedicated individuals.
The YLD Law Week Committee reaches out to our community through fellow Bar members who volunteer their time and teach students about the practice of law. This year, more than 2,400 students were able to participate in mock trials, classroom lectures, and courthouse tours. This year’s theme, “Magna Carta ― Symbol of Freedom Under Law,” was especially profound as we continue to debate the role of executive powers and judicial checks and balances. The Magna Carta is sometimes viewed as the starting point of democracy, but in truth, it did one simple thing ― placed the King of England under the rule of law.
I felt a tremendous sense of pride helping disseminate this message of accountability to our future leaders. It is quite likely many of the students won’t remember the exact details of our discussions, but there is no doubt their lives have been affected. This year, as with every year, our volunteers received packages full of letters from students thanking them for their time and inspiration. These brief notes are sometimes hilarious ― Why don’t you work for the big name firm on the billboard? How much money do you earn? ― but more than that, they are revitalizing. Each thank you note serves as a small reminder that the next generation still cares about our Great American Experiment.
As a young lawyer, it is not always easy to discern your importance to the world. Events like Law Week help put it into perspective. I would like to thank all of our volunteers and my fellow committee members: Amy Nath, Alexandra Haddad, Maja Lacevic, Sacha Dyson, Clinton Morrell, Melody Manning, Elizabeth Tosh, Crystal Russell, and Carlos Morales ― you are an inspiration. Thank you for blessing me with the sense of purpose that will get me through another year of legal nitpicking and attendant foot-high stacks of discovery.
Criminal Law: Clemency Project 2014 Needs Your Help
By Matt Luka
Clemency Project 2014 is a national pro bono program helping federal prisoners obtain early release from unfairly long sentences, and the program needs your help. After decades of extremely harsh sentences, the Department of Justice announced an initiative to award clemency to deserving federal inmates. In asking the legal profession to provide pro bono assistance to federal prisoners who would likely have received a shorter sentence if they had been sentenced today, Deputy Attorney General James Cole said, “For our criminal justice system to be effective, it needs to not only be fair, but it also must be perceived as being fair. Older, stringent punishments that are out of line with sentences imposed under today’s laws erode people’s confidence in our criminal justice system, and I am confident that this initiative will go far to promote the most fundamental of American ideals ― equal justice under law.”
Under the new initiative, the Department of Justice will prioritize clemency applications from inmates who meet all of the following factors:
Clemency Project 2014 is a national pro bono effort with a working group made up of lawyers and advocates, including the American Bar Association, the American Civil Liberties Union, Families Against Mandatory Minimums, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Federal Public and Community Defenders, and lawyers within those groups. CP 2014 members have collaborated to recruit and train lawyers on how to screen for eligible inmates and represent those inmates in the clemency process. For those attorneys who currently serve as members in good standing on a Criminal Justice Act Panel, you need not complete the training if you can provide a copy of your CJA appointment letter. But you do not need to have handled criminal cases to be eligible and capable of participating in this work. The training program is available on the Internet, so you can complete the five-hour program on any computer. CP 2014 staff and volunteers are available to provide resource and guidance to you as you analyze the cases, and the project has developed a toolkit of templates to streamline the process. To volunteer for this important project, please visit the Clemency Project 2014 website at www.clemencyproject2014.org, or email volunteer@clemencyproject2014.org. You can also volunteer at clemencyproject@nacdl.org or contact the Federal Public Defenders Office for the Middle District of Florida.
Clemency Project 2014 is a national pro bono program helping federal prisoners obtain early release from unfairly long sentences, and the program needs your help. After decades of extremely harsh sentences, the Department of Justice announced an initiative to award clemency to deserving federal inmates. In asking the legal profession to provide pro bono assistance to federal prisoners who would likely have received a shorter sentence if they had been sentenced today, Deputy Attorney General James Cole said, “For our criminal justice system to be effective, it needs to not only be fair, but it also must be perceived as being fair. Older, stringent punishments that are out of line with sentences imposed under today’s laws erode people’s confidence in our criminal justice system, and I am confident that this initiative will go far to promote the most fundamental of American ideals ― equal justice under law.”
Under the new initiative, the Department of Justice will prioritize clemency applications from inmates who meet all of the following factors:
- They are currently serving a federal sentence in prison and, by operation of law, likely would have received a substantially lower sentence if convicted of the same offense(s) today;
- They are non-violent, low-level offenders without significant ties to large-scale criminal organizations, gangs, or cartels;
- They served at least 10 years of their prison sentence;
- They do not have a significant criminal history;
- They have demonstrated good conduct in prison; and
- They have no history of violence before or during their current term of imprisonment.
Clemency Project 2014 is a national pro bono effort with a working group made up of lawyers and advocates, including the American Bar Association, the American Civil Liberties Union, Families Against Mandatory Minimums, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Federal Public and Community Defenders, and lawyers within those groups. CP 2014 members have collaborated to recruit and train lawyers on how to screen for eligible inmates and represent those inmates in the clemency process. For those attorneys who currently serve as members in good standing on a Criminal Justice Act Panel, you need not complete the training if you can provide a copy of your CJA appointment letter. But you do not need to have handled criminal cases to be eligible and capable of participating in this work. The training program is available on the Internet, so you can complete the five-hour program on any computer. CP 2014 staff and volunteers are available to provide resource and guidance to you as you analyze the cases, and the project has developed a toolkit of templates to streamline the process. To volunteer for this important project, please visit the Clemency Project 2014 website at www.clemencyproject2014.org, or email volunteer@clemencyproject2014.org. You can also volunteer at clemencyproject@nacdl.org or contact the Federal Public Defenders Office for the Middle District of Florida.
Monday, May 4, 2015
News from Around the Association
Erin Smith Aebel, partner at Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts. The purpose of the Museum of Fine Arts is to increase knowledge and appreciation of art, to collect and preserve objects of artistic interest and merit, to protect works of art, to provide facilities for research, and to offer instruction and opportunities for aesthetic enjoyment of art. Aebel focuses her practice on health care and data breach.
Alexander Caballero, partner at Mason Black & Caballero P.A., has been named a fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers ― one of only 1,600 lawyers in the U.S. to hold this credential. Membership in the organization indicates the highest degree of professionalism and excellence in the practice of family law.
Michael G. Cooke, an attorney at Greenberg Traurig, P.A., has been selected as a member of Law360’s 2015 Environmental Editorial Advisory Board. Cooke is one of 16 environmental lawyers across the country named to the 2015 board. Cooke concentrates his practice in administrative law, including environmental, utility, and land use law.
Kacy Donlon and Dionne Fajardo of Wiand Guerra King P.L. presented an anti-money-laundering webinar to Financial Services Institute members on January 15, titled “A Penny for Your Thoughts: Recent AML Enforcement Cases.” Donlon concentrates her practice on the defense of businesses and individuals involved in the securities and financial services industries. Fajardo’s practice includes representation of broker-dealers, investment advisors, and their associated persons, as well as regulatory matters.
Michelle Drab, Web Melton, and Josh Welsh have been named shareholders of Bush Ross, P.A. Drab's practice focuses on general civil litigation, primarily in the areas of contract disputes, professional liability, and residential and commercial mortgage foreclosures. Melton’s practice focuses on assisting association officers, directors, and property managers with corporate operations, including litigation, arbitration, mediation, and transactions. Welsh's practice focuses on motion practice, litigation support, and appeals.
Thomas Newcomb Hyde has been appointed by Gov. Rick Scott to the Judicial Nominating Commission for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit for a term that began September 10, 2014, and ends July 1, 2018.
Peter B. King, a founding member of Wiand Guerra King, was recently inducted as president of the Tampa Bay Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, the largest voluntary bar organization in the U.S. devoted to the federal courts and federal court practitioners. King practices commercial and complex litigation.
Kevin P. McCoy of Carlton Fields Jorden Burt has been elected to shareholder at the firm’s Tampa office. McCoy practices complex commercial and civil litigation with an emphasis on efficient dispute resolution.
Carol Moody, Senior Advocacy Unit team leader at Bay Area Legal Services, was awarded the 2014 Jane Kennedy Excellence in Aging Award by the Southeastern Association of Area Agencies on Aging (SE4A) for her outstanding contributions in promoting the safety, welfare, and well-being of older people in the Southeast.
Andrew M. O’Malley, an attorney for Carey, O’Malley, Whitaker & Mueller, P.A., and Kevin McCoy, an attorney shareholder at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, have been selected to serve as the 2015 chair and chair-elect for the Board of Directors of Bay Area Legal Services Inc.
Andrew J. Patch has been elevated to Of Counsel at the Tampa office of Greenberg Traurig, P.A. Patch is a member of the Litigation Practice Group and concentrates his law practice on International Trade Commission's Section 337 litigation matters.
Scott P. Pence of Carlton Fields Jorden Burt has been elected to shareholder at the firm’s Tampa office. Pence’s practice focuses primarily on representing developers, owners, architects, and contractors in the preparation, negotiation, and administration of contracts and forms.
Shannon M. Sheppard has been appointed as a managing shareholder at Smolker, Bartlett, Loeb, Hinds & Sheppard, P.A. Sheppard will oversee all aspects of firm management, including strategic and long-range planning, business development, and client relations. She focuses her practice on commercial real estate transactions and professional and business licensing.
Murray B. Silverstein has been elevated to shareholder at the Tampa office of Greenberg Traurig, P.A. Silverstein, a member of the Litigation Practice Group, focuses his practice on business, commercial, and real property litigation.
Robert A. Soriano, a shareholder in the Tampa office of Greenberg Traurig, P.A., spoke at the 39th Annual Alexander L. Paskay Memorial Bankruptcy Seminar in March. Soriano presented on the topic of health care issues during a business bankruptcy breakout session. At Greenberg Traurig, Soriano focuses his practice on bankruptcy litigation, business restructuring, and creditor rights representation.
Robert Stern, a shareholder at Trenam Kemker, has been appointed as a trustee for the University of Florida by Gov. Rick Scott. In this role, Stern will assist UF in its budgetary process, with the provision of important resources and by facilitating mentor programs. His practice focuses on commercial real estate, with an emphasis on transactional and financing matters.
Robert M. Stoler, John D. Russell, Robin P. Keener, and Catherine M. Verona have formed Stoler Russell Keener Verona P.A. in downtown Tampa. Greg A. Gidus and Joel R. Mohorter have joined the firm as associates.
Seth P. Traub has been named a partner at Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP. Traub is a member of the Bankruptcy and Creditors Rights and Litigation practice groups. His principal areas of practice include business litigation and appellate representation, with a focus on creditors, trustees, and business entities litigating disputes in bankruptcy court.
Luis Viera of Ogden & Sullivan was elected vice chairman of the City of Tampa Civil Service Board. Viera practices in the areas of automobile liability, personal injury, and transportation litigation.
Jeffrey W. Warren, president of Bush Ross, P.A., was a featured speaker at the 39th Annual Alexander L. Paskay Memorial Bankruptcy Seminar. The seminar is a CLE program honoring the lifetime achievements of the late Judge Alexander L. Paskay. The program featured prominent regional and national speakers, joined by bankruptcy judges, who discussed both commercial and consumer bankruptcy issues.
Susan Miles Whitaker, managing attorney for Bay Area Legal Services’ Legal Information Center, was presented with the Theodore Millison Professionalism Award plaque. Tampa’s Family Law Inn of Court’s Professionalism Award is the highest honor that the inn presents. Whitaker focuses her practice in family law.
Edmund S. Whitson III is joining the Tampa office of Arnstein & Lehr as a partner in its Litigation Practice Group. Whitson handles complex litigation matters in both district and bankruptcy courts, and he deals with sophisticated collection/garnishment and judgment recovery litigation.
Howard J. Williams has joined Golden Scaz Gagain, PLLC, as an associate in the firm’s general liability practice group. Howard will focus his practice on the defense of retail, premises, automobile, and trucking liability claims.
Brian C. Willis, an associate at Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP, has been elected vice-chair of the Citizen Advisory Committee for the Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). The MPO is responsible for establishing a continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive transportation planning process for Hillsborough County. Willis was also a panelist at Tampa Bay Startup Week, discussing “Fostering a Startup and Innovation Ecosystem.” He focuses his practice on contract and lease disputes, easements, and restrictive covenant violations.
Gregory C. Yadley, partner at Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP, was principal chair of the 33rd Annual Federal Securities Institute in Miami on February 5 and 6. The institute, a major advanced-level securities law symposium, featured leading practitioners, members of the judiciary, and officials of the Securities and Exchange Commission to discuss the cutting issues of securities regulation and litigation and mergers and acquisitions. Yadley practices corporate and securities law at the firm.
Grace H. Yang, a shareholder in GrayRobinson’s Tampa office, has begun a two-year term of service on the board of directors of the Westshore Alliance. Established in 1983, the Westshore Alliance is a business-based, membership-driven organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for employees and member companies in the Westshore Business District of Tampa. Yang’s areas of legal practice include food law, land use, and liquor licensing.
Stolberg & Townsend, P.A., has relocated to a new office at 3321 Henderson Blvd., Suite 201, Tampa FL 33609-2931. The building is also home to Tampa Title Company and Gibbons, Neuman, P.A. The firm practices in all areas of injury and disability law, including auto accidents, personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, social security disability, workers’ compensation, and state disability retirement.
The Family Law Inn of Tampa is now officially the Stann W. Givens Family Law Inn of Tampa. Givens Givens Sparks founding partner Stann Givens began this Tampa chapter of The American Inns of Court 20 years ago and remained its leader for 19 years. Givens focuses his practice on family law.
Alexander Caballero, partner at Mason Black & Caballero P.A., has been named a fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers ― one of only 1,600 lawyers in the U.S. to hold this credential. Membership in the organization indicates the highest degree of professionalism and excellence in the practice of family law.
Michael G. Cooke, an attorney at Greenberg Traurig, P.A., has been selected as a member of Law360’s 2015 Environmental Editorial Advisory Board. Cooke is one of 16 environmental lawyers across the country named to the 2015 board. Cooke concentrates his practice in administrative law, including environmental, utility, and land use law.
Kacy Donlon and Dionne Fajardo of Wiand Guerra King P.L. presented an anti-money-laundering webinar to Financial Services Institute members on January 15, titled “A Penny for Your Thoughts: Recent AML Enforcement Cases.” Donlon concentrates her practice on the defense of businesses and individuals involved in the securities and financial services industries. Fajardo’s practice includes representation of broker-dealers, investment advisors, and their associated persons, as well as regulatory matters.
Michelle Drab, Web Melton, and Josh Welsh have been named shareholders of Bush Ross, P.A. Drab's practice focuses on general civil litigation, primarily in the areas of contract disputes, professional liability, and residential and commercial mortgage foreclosures. Melton’s practice focuses on assisting association officers, directors, and property managers with corporate operations, including litigation, arbitration, mediation, and transactions. Welsh's practice focuses on motion practice, litigation support, and appeals.
Thomas Newcomb Hyde has been appointed by Gov. Rick Scott to the Judicial Nominating Commission for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit for a term that began September 10, 2014, and ends July 1, 2018.
Peter B. King, a founding member of Wiand Guerra King, was recently inducted as president of the Tampa Bay Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, the largest voluntary bar organization in the U.S. devoted to the federal courts and federal court practitioners. King practices commercial and complex litigation.
Kevin P. McCoy of Carlton Fields Jorden Burt has been elected to shareholder at the firm’s Tampa office. McCoy practices complex commercial and civil litigation with an emphasis on efficient dispute resolution.
Carol Moody, Senior Advocacy Unit team leader at Bay Area Legal Services, was awarded the 2014 Jane Kennedy Excellence in Aging Award by the Southeastern Association of Area Agencies on Aging (SE4A) for her outstanding contributions in promoting the safety, welfare, and well-being of older people in the Southeast.
Andrew M. O’Malley, an attorney for Carey, O’Malley, Whitaker & Mueller, P.A., and Kevin McCoy, an attorney shareholder at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, have been selected to serve as the 2015 chair and chair-elect for the Board of Directors of Bay Area Legal Services Inc.
Andrew J. Patch has been elevated to Of Counsel at the Tampa office of Greenberg Traurig, P.A. Patch is a member of the Litigation Practice Group and concentrates his law practice on International Trade Commission's Section 337 litigation matters.
Scott P. Pence of Carlton Fields Jorden Burt has been elected to shareholder at the firm’s Tampa office. Pence’s practice focuses primarily on representing developers, owners, architects, and contractors in the preparation, negotiation, and administration of contracts and forms.
Shannon M. Sheppard has been appointed as a managing shareholder at Smolker, Bartlett, Loeb, Hinds & Sheppard, P.A. Sheppard will oversee all aspects of firm management, including strategic and long-range planning, business development, and client relations. She focuses her practice on commercial real estate transactions and professional and business licensing.
Murray B. Silverstein has been elevated to shareholder at the Tampa office of Greenberg Traurig, P.A. Silverstein, a member of the Litigation Practice Group, focuses his practice on business, commercial, and real property litigation.
Robert A. Soriano, a shareholder in the Tampa office of Greenberg Traurig, P.A., spoke at the 39th Annual Alexander L. Paskay Memorial Bankruptcy Seminar in March. Soriano presented on the topic of health care issues during a business bankruptcy breakout session. At Greenberg Traurig, Soriano focuses his practice on bankruptcy litigation, business restructuring, and creditor rights representation.
Robert Stern, a shareholder at Trenam Kemker, has been appointed as a trustee for the University of Florida by Gov. Rick Scott. In this role, Stern will assist UF in its budgetary process, with the provision of important resources and by facilitating mentor programs. His practice focuses on commercial real estate, with an emphasis on transactional and financing matters.
Robert M. Stoler, John D. Russell, Robin P. Keener, and Catherine M. Verona have formed Stoler Russell Keener Verona P.A. in downtown Tampa. Greg A. Gidus and Joel R. Mohorter have joined the firm as associates.
Seth P. Traub has been named a partner at Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP. Traub is a member of the Bankruptcy and Creditors Rights and Litigation practice groups. His principal areas of practice include business litigation and appellate representation, with a focus on creditors, trustees, and business entities litigating disputes in bankruptcy court.
Luis Viera of Ogden & Sullivan was elected vice chairman of the City of Tampa Civil Service Board. Viera practices in the areas of automobile liability, personal injury, and transportation litigation.
Jeffrey W. Warren, president of Bush Ross, P.A., was a featured speaker at the 39th Annual Alexander L. Paskay Memorial Bankruptcy Seminar. The seminar is a CLE program honoring the lifetime achievements of the late Judge Alexander L. Paskay. The program featured prominent regional and national speakers, joined by bankruptcy judges, who discussed both commercial and consumer bankruptcy issues.
Susan Miles Whitaker, managing attorney for Bay Area Legal Services’ Legal Information Center, was presented with the Theodore Millison Professionalism Award plaque. Tampa’s Family Law Inn of Court’s Professionalism Award is the highest honor that the inn presents. Whitaker focuses her practice in family law.
Edmund S. Whitson III is joining the Tampa office of Arnstein & Lehr as a partner in its Litigation Practice Group. Whitson handles complex litigation matters in both district and bankruptcy courts, and he deals with sophisticated collection/garnishment and judgment recovery litigation.
Howard J. Williams has joined Golden Scaz Gagain, PLLC, as an associate in the firm’s general liability practice group. Howard will focus his practice on the defense of retail, premises, automobile, and trucking liability claims.
Brian C. Willis, an associate at Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP, has been elected vice-chair of the Citizen Advisory Committee for the Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). The MPO is responsible for establishing a continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive transportation planning process for Hillsborough County. Willis was also a panelist at Tampa Bay Startup Week, discussing “Fostering a Startup and Innovation Ecosystem.” He focuses his practice on contract and lease disputes, easements, and restrictive covenant violations.
Gregory C. Yadley, partner at Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP, was principal chair of the 33rd Annual Federal Securities Institute in Miami on February 5 and 6. The institute, a major advanced-level securities law symposium, featured leading practitioners, members of the judiciary, and officials of the Securities and Exchange Commission to discuss the cutting issues of securities regulation and litigation and mergers and acquisitions. Yadley practices corporate and securities law at the firm.
Grace H. Yang, a shareholder in GrayRobinson’s Tampa office, has begun a two-year term of service on the board of directors of the Westshore Alliance. Established in 1983, the Westshore Alliance is a business-based, membership-driven organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for employees and member companies in the Westshore Business District of Tampa. Yang’s areas of legal practice include food law, land use, and liquor licensing.
Stolberg & Townsend, P.A., has relocated to a new office at 3321 Henderson Blvd., Suite 201, Tampa FL 33609-2931. The building is also home to Tampa Title Company and Gibbons, Neuman, P.A. The firm practices in all areas of injury and disability law, including auto accidents, personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, social security disability, workers’ compensation, and state disability retirement.
The Family Law Inn of Tampa is now officially the Stann W. Givens Family Law Inn of Tampa. Givens Givens Sparks founding partner Stann Givens began this Tampa chapter of The American Inns of Court 20 years ago and remained its leader for 19 years. Givens focuses his practice on family law.
HCBA President's Message: 10 Tips for Young Lawyers
By Benjamin H. Hill IV
I live in denial. I refuse to believe that I am no longer a young lawyer. In reality, I am now quite removed from the Bar's definition of a "young lawyer" as I am no longer near being “under 36 years old or admitted to practice for five years or less.” Perhaps like many of you, my young lawyer days have faded somehow to a point where I can hardly see, hear, or recall moments that just yesterday I swore I would never forget. Curiously, this seems to resemble a phenomenon that has arisen on the home front as my wife and daughters diligently point out how much I fail to see, hear, or remember (of course, they don't know what they're talking about).
Kidding aside, I am a huge fan of young lawyers and submit that our local Bar is fortunate to count so many talented and professional young attorneys as active members. Perhaps I am biased as I "grew up" in the HCBA-YLD, but in this year's role I have observed firsthand our YLD continuing its tradition to do, serve, and achieve greatly. As such, it firmly remains a leader among its peers not only throughout Florida, but nationally as well. Indeed, the success of our YLD bodes well for our local Bar as it attracts lawyers early in their careers and helps to nurture and shape them into servant leaders who, through the relationships they build and the respect for the law they develop, go on to assure that our area remains one of the most professional places to practice in the country.
The above said, a number of young lawyers have asked me this past year for advice, tips, and, generally speaking, what I have learned that might help them in the early parts of their careers. Although I feel wholly inadequate to answer such and recognize that I am far from an authority, I recall that line from The Faces’ hit, Ooh La La, "I wish that I knew what I know now when I was younger ..." and offer the following:
1. Be professional at every turn. Each case, transaction, or matter has pivotal moments, and one of them usually occurs early on. When it does, set the tone for all involved by extending professional courtesy.
2. Find a mentor. Sooner or later, we all need some help within the profession. Try to identify someone who will genuinely listen and really share what he/she thinks. Although many workplaces foster and even structure such mentoring, others do not. Here, I shamelessly plug and recommend the HCBA and Thirteenth Judicial Circuit's Mentoring Program.
3. Be accountable. Like life, each day is filled with choices. Sometimes, we screw up. When we do, don't cover up ― own up. As the saying goes, the cover-up is often worse than the crime. Save yourself, and those around you, a lot of heartburn. Admit your mistakes, accept their consequences, fix them (if you can), learn, and move on.
4. Give back to our profession. Everyone has some time and talent. Take a pro bono case. Volunteer and serve on a committee. Write an article for this magazine. Speak at a CLE or similar program. When opportunity presents, educate friends, neighbors, and kids on our justice system and the importance of judicial independence. Toward this end and with a focus on delivering civics education to others, The Florida Bar's Benchmarks programming is excellent. To learn more about Benchmarks while receiving CLE credit, I encourage you to attend the May 29 program that our friends at HAWL have coordinated (see the HCBA website for more info).
5. Be nice. Although I am sure I borrowed this from someone, does this one really need any commentary? Seriously, just be nice.
6. Establish and build relationships. If you value networking and its benefits, go to a YLD lunch or, perhaps better yet, a YLD Happy Hour or other event like the YLD Golf Tournament. Email friends or acquaintances and meet them at the Law Day Lunch on May 20. Go to a lunch sponsored by a section or committee that involves one of your practice areas. You never know where your next idea, tip, case strategy, referral, or friendship will originate, but your odds improve when you join other lawyers at such events.
7. Smile, laugh, and have some fun. The practice of law can be stressful. The hours are long. Clients can be demanding. Each issue is someone's crisis. I recognize it can be difficult at times, but find the humor in things and embrace it. Lighten up and laugh at yourself.
8. Get active in our local Bar. You have chosen a career path, so share it with others, especially your YLD peers with, and even against, whom you may well be practicing for years. You will not only learn from each other, but over time you will inevitably help and support each other, all the while becoming better lawyers. One of the best opportunities to grow more active is to participate in the HCBA’s Bar Leadership Institute. If you have not considered applying to this terrific program, please do and visit the HCBA’s new website for more information.
9. Be a doer and never stop. Although one should not say "yes" to every opportunity and should analyze the cost/benefit of each commitment, it is good to stretch yourself every now and then. Challenge yourself to do something outside of your comfort zone. You will not only grow in unexpected ways, you will positively impact ― perhaps even unknowingly ― someone else.
10. Enjoy the moment. As implied above, you will not be a young lawyer forever. Ask your rookie questions now and understand the answers. As King Solomon wrote, "[t]here is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1. Enjoy your "season" as a young lawyer!
I live in denial. I refuse to believe that I am no longer a young lawyer. In reality, I am now quite removed from the Bar's definition of a "young lawyer" as I am no longer near being “under 36 years old or admitted to practice for five years or less.” Perhaps like many of you, my young lawyer days have faded somehow to a point where I can hardly see, hear, or recall moments that just yesterday I swore I would never forget. Curiously, this seems to resemble a phenomenon that has arisen on the home front as my wife and daughters diligently point out how much I fail to see, hear, or remember (of course, they don't know what they're talking about).
Kidding aside, I am a huge fan of young lawyers and submit that our local Bar is fortunate to count so many talented and professional young attorneys as active members. Perhaps I am biased as I "grew up" in the HCBA-YLD, but in this year's role I have observed firsthand our YLD continuing its tradition to do, serve, and achieve greatly. As such, it firmly remains a leader among its peers not only throughout Florida, but nationally as well. Indeed, the success of our YLD bodes well for our local Bar as it attracts lawyers early in their careers and helps to nurture and shape them into servant leaders who, through the relationships they build and the respect for the law they develop, go on to assure that our area remains one of the most professional places to practice in the country.
The above said, a number of young lawyers have asked me this past year for advice, tips, and, generally speaking, what I have learned that might help them in the early parts of their careers. Although I feel wholly inadequate to answer such and recognize that I am far from an authority, I recall that line from The Faces’ hit, Ooh La La, "I wish that I knew what I know now when I was younger ..." and offer the following:
1. Be professional at every turn. Each case, transaction, or matter has pivotal moments, and one of them usually occurs early on. When it does, set the tone for all involved by extending professional courtesy.
2. Find a mentor. Sooner or later, we all need some help within the profession. Try to identify someone who will genuinely listen and really share what he/she thinks. Although many workplaces foster and even structure such mentoring, others do not. Here, I shamelessly plug and recommend the HCBA and Thirteenth Judicial Circuit's Mentoring Program.
3. Be accountable. Like life, each day is filled with choices. Sometimes, we screw up. When we do, don't cover up ― own up. As the saying goes, the cover-up is often worse than the crime. Save yourself, and those around you, a lot of heartburn. Admit your mistakes, accept their consequences, fix them (if you can), learn, and move on.
4. Give back to our profession. Everyone has some time and talent. Take a pro bono case. Volunteer and serve on a committee. Write an article for this magazine. Speak at a CLE or similar program. When opportunity presents, educate friends, neighbors, and kids on our justice system and the importance of judicial independence. Toward this end and with a focus on delivering civics education to others, The Florida Bar's Benchmarks programming is excellent. To learn more about Benchmarks while receiving CLE credit, I encourage you to attend the May 29 program that our friends at HAWL have coordinated (see the HCBA website for more info).
5. Be nice. Although I am sure I borrowed this from someone, does this one really need any commentary? Seriously, just be nice.
6. Establish and build relationships. If you value networking and its benefits, go to a YLD lunch or, perhaps better yet, a YLD Happy Hour or other event like the YLD Golf Tournament. Email friends or acquaintances and meet them at the Law Day Lunch on May 20. Go to a lunch sponsored by a section or committee that involves one of your practice areas. You never know where your next idea, tip, case strategy, referral, or friendship will originate, but your odds improve when you join other lawyers at such events.
7. Smile, laugh, and have some fun. The practice of law can be stressful. The hours are long. Clients can be demanding. Each issue is someone's crisis. I recognize it can be difficult at times, but find the humor in things and embrace it. Lighten up and laugh at yourself.
8. Get active in our local Bar. You have chosen a career path, so share it with others, especially your YLD peers with, and even against, whom you may well be practicing for years. You will not only learn from each other, but over time you will inevitably help and support each other, all the while becoming better lawyers. One of the best opportunities to grow more active is to participate in the HCBA’s Bar Leadership Institute. If you have not considered applying to this terrific program, please do and visit the HCBA’s new website for more information.
9. Be a doer and never stop. Although one should not say "yes" to every opportunity and should analyze the cost/benefit of each commitment, it is good to stretch yourself every now and then. Challenge yourself to do something outside of your comfort zone. You will not only grow in unexpected ways, you will positively impact ― perhaps even unknowingly ― someone else.
10. Enjoy the moment. As implied above, you will not be a young lawyer forever. Ask your rookie questions now and understand the answers. As King Solomon wrote, "[t]here is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1. Enjoy your "season" as a young lawyer!
Saturday, May 2, 2015
Editor's Message: Documenting the HCBA's History
By Ed Comey
“The memories of men are too frail a thread to hang history from.” I have to confess I’ve never been good at analyzing literature. So I have no real idea what John Still meant when he wrote that line in The Jungle Tide. (That could be, in part, because I haven’t read the book.) But I do know what the quote meant to me when I came across it online: Our history is so important that we must write it down so it can be passed on to successive generations. For the past 25 years, the Lawyer magazine has been doing a fantastic job of documenting the HCBA’s history for those who will come after us.
Before becoming editor, I always thought of the legal articles when I thought of the Lawyer magazine. When I practiced, it was great to be able to flip through a copy of the Lawyer and read about the latest developments in a variety of practice areas. As the editor now, I appreciate how much time and effort (by others, not me) is devoted to turning out such a high-quality legal publication. There is no question in my mind that the Lawyer magazine is the best local Bar publication around. But as I’ve been editing this year’s 25th anniversary edition, I’ve really come to appreciate how all of the articles and snippets about what the HCBA is up to tell a compelling story about who we are as a Bar association.
Just look at the special features in this year’s editions alone. In the September-October issue, there was a nice feature about the birth of the Bench Bar Conference 18 years ago and how it has turned into the HCBA’s signature event, featuring a full day of CLE classes, a membership luncheon, and a judicial luncheon. This issue’s feature documents the history of the Chester H. Ferguson Law Center, which has become the hub for the HCBA’s activities. Last issue, there was a great feature about how the 1st Annual Barrister Bash Pig Roast from 11 years ago has evolved into the Judicial Pig Roast/Food Festival and 5k Pro Bono River Run we know today. But perhaps my favorite was Cory Person’s touching feature in the January-February issue about the legacy of George E. Edgecomb and how he paved the way for a whole generation of lawyers who came after him.
As I mentioned in my initial editor’s message, historian David McCullough once observed, “History is who we are and why we are the way we are.” We are fortunate to be part of such a vibrant Bar association with a rich history. While I tremendously appreciate all of the lawyers who take time to keep us up-to-date on the latest legal developments, I hope the Lawyer magazine continues to fill its role of telling who we are and why we are the way we are for many years to come.
“The memories of men are too frail a thread to hang history from.” I have to confess I’ve never been good at analyzing literature. So I have no real idea what John Still meant when he wrote that line in The Jungle Tide. (That could be, in part, because I haven’t read the book.) But I do know what the quote meant to me when I came across it online: Our history is so important that we must write it down so it can be passed on to successive generations. For the past 25 years, the Lawyer magazine has been doing a fantastic job of documenting the HCBA’s history for those who will come after us.
Before becoming editor, I always thought of the legal articles when I thought of the Lawyer magazine. When I practiced, it was great to be able to flip through a copy of the Lawyer and read about the latest developments in a variety of practice areas. As the editor now, I appreciate how much time and effort (by others, not me) is devoted to turning out such a high-quality legal publication. There is no question in my mind that the Lawyer magazine is the best local Bar publication around. But as I’ve been editing this year’s 25th anniversary edition, I’ve really come to appreciate how all of the articles and snippets about what the HCBA is up to tell a compelling story about who we are as a Bar association.
Just look at the special features in this year’s editions alone. In the September-October issue, there was a nice feature about the birth of the Bench Bar Conference 18 years ago and how it has turned into the HCBA’s signature event, featuring a full day of CLE classes, a membership luncheon, and a judicial luncheon. This issue’s feature documents the history of the Chester H. Ferguson Law Center, which has become the hub for the HCBA’s activities. Last issue, there was a great feature about how the 1st Annual Barrister Bash Pig Roast from 11 years ago has evolved into the Judicial Pig Roast/Food Festival and 5k Pro Bono River Run we know today. But perhaps my favorite was Cory Person’s touching feature in the January-February issue about the legacy of George E. Edgecomb and how he paved the way for a whole generation of lawyers who came after him.
As I mentioned in my initial editor’s message, historian David McCullough once observed, “History is who we are and why we are the way we are.” We are fortunate to be part of such a vibrant Bar association with a rich history. While I tremendously appreciate all of the lawyers who take time to keep us up-to-date on the latest legal developments, I hope the Lawyer magazine continues to fill its role of telling who we are and why we are the way we are for many years to come.
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