Briefs July 1, 2001 Regular News Briefs FSU’s Atkinson awarded for his professionalism Rob Atkinson, a professor at the Florida State University College of Law, was the unanimous choice to receive the 2000 Faculty Award of Professionalism presented by the Florida Supreme Court’s Commission on Professionalism. He received the award at The Florida Bar’s Annual Meeting June 21 in Orlando. “Rob has been an extremely dynamic and successful teacher of ethics, professional responsibility, and professionalism,” said Dean Donald Weidner. “He is the moving force on the faculty behind our new orientation for all entering students, which begins with an entire day on professionalism.” Atkinson’s scholarly work is widely published and is known for its use of literature, history, religion, and philosophy to illustrate lawyer responsibility. “I am deeply honored to have my work recognized by this commission of The Florida Bar and the Florida Supreme Court, two of the nation’s most active and effective custodians of lawyer professionalism,” Atkinson said. “And I’m profoundly grateful to Dean Weidner, not only for nominating me for this award, but also, and more importantly, for unfailingly supporting me and the commission in our professionalism projects.” Atkinson, a 1982 graduate of Yale Law School who joined the FSU faculty in 1987, was recognized for his service as a law professional and for his personal support on the Commission on Professionalism’s mission: “To promote the fundamental ideals and values of the justice system and the legal profession, and to instill those ideas in those persons serving and seeking to serve in the system.” UF trial team scores well in spring competitions The University of Florida Trial Competition Team recently completed a successful spring term with two high profile victories at the Florida Bar Chester Bedell Memorial Competition and the American Trial Lawyers Association Regional Competition. The Florida Bar victory — which amounts to the state championship — was particularly significant. UF garnered the top spot in Miami by defeating Stetson University, which has won the competition 13 times since 1983. (UF won twice in that period.) “This was a significant win because Stetson has won so many times over the past 18 years,” said Professor Kenneth Nunn, faculty adviser. “These students are establishing a winning tradition at UF.” UF continued its winning style in West Palm Beach at the ATLA Regional Trial Team Competition, capturing first place for the second year in a row. Competing were teams from Stetson, Barry, Florida Coastal, Georgia State, Miami, Florida State, St. Thomas, and Nova. Tom Farkash of Fine, Farkash & Parlapiano, and Brande Swartz, a Gainesville prosecutor who was on UF’s 2000 ATLA Regional Team, coached the UF group. The victory secured a spot in the national finals in New Orleans, where UF finished sixth out of 26 teams. “These are unbelievably motivated students and the hardest working group I ever met,” said Adjunct Professor Carl Schwait of Dell Graham in Gainesville, who also serves as a faculty advisor. The 40-member team likes to keep in mind the vision of the late Professor Gerald Bennett, former faculty advisor. They said they know he wanted them to be this successful, and members appreciate his dedication and time, which helped lay the foundation for success. The UF trial team is sponsored through endowed scholarships created by former Law Center Trustees Chair Ronnie H. Walker of Orlando, and the law firm of Coker, Myers, Schickel, Sorenson, Higginbotham & Green in Jacksonville. A scholarship funded by Law Alumni Council member S. William Fuller, Jr., a trial lawyer with Fuller, Johnson & Farrell in Tallahassee, rewards students competing in the annual Florida Bar Chester Bedell competition. Paralegals to gather The Pinellas County Chapter of the Paralegal Association of Florida, Inc., will meet July 9 beginning at 6:15 p.m. at the Holiday Inn on Ulmerton Road in Clearwater. Judge David A. Demers will discuss legal research. For more information or to make reservations call Patricia Weaver at (727) 586-4224. Beard to lead Martin Bar Deborah B. Beard was recently elected to serve as president of the Martin County Bar Association. Other new officers include Vice President Jack Sobel, Secretary Darren Steele, and Treasurer Edwin Mortell. O’Keefe named ‘Most Productive Young Lawyer’ Kelly O’Keefe of Tallahassee won the Young Lawyers Division’s 2001 Lynn Futch Award for the Most Productive Young Lawyer. This award is given to a young lawyer who is not a member of YLD Board of Governors, who has worked most diligently in the past year in Bar activities and/or law related public activities, and who has an excellent reputation for legal abilities and integrity. O’Keefe won the award based on her commitment to her work, her profession and her community, according to the YLD. O’Keefe, an associate with Broad and Cassel, served as Tallahassee Women Lawyer’s president in 2000. The two projects she was most proud of initiating as president were the TWL FSU Law Student Scholarship Project and the bi-monthly mentoring lunches, which give young attorneys an opportunity to discuss various topics with seasoned attorneys and judges in an informal setting. O’Keefe also served as secretary for the Florida Association for Women Lawyers during the past two years and has been primarily responsible for overhauling its website. She also testified before the legislature on behalf of FAWL this year in opposition to legislative efforts to weaken the Bar and the judiciary. O’Keefe was also part of the Florida First 150 Women Lawyers Committee, which sponsored programs in May and June 2000 honoring those women. O’Keefe was recently appointed to the Young Lawyers Section Board of the Tallahassee Bar Association. O’Keefe serves on the Judicial Administration Selection and Tenure Committee of The Florida Bar, and served on the Chief Justice’s Advisory Committee which selected the 2001 Tobias Simon Pro Bono Award recipient. O’Keefe also has been the Lincoln High School Mock Trial Team coach since 1996. 11th Circuit JNC to fill county seat The 11th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission is now accepting applications to fill a seat on the Dade County bench, created by the elevation of Judge Kevin M. Emas to the circuit court Applicants must be registered voters, have been members of the Bar in good standing for the preceding five years, and reside in Dade County. Application forms may be picked up at the offices of H.T. Smith, JNC chair, 1017 N.W. 9th Court, Miami 33136. Applicants should note that this JNC requires certain information not contained in the application form available on The Florida Bar’s website. An original and nine copies of the completed application and the applicant’s e-mail address for notification purposes must be received by Smith no later than 5 p.m., July 9. 15th Circuit JNC to fill county seat The 15th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission is now accepting applications to fill a seat on the Palm Beach County bench. Applicants must be registered voters, have been members of the Bar in good standing for the preceding five years, and reside in Palm Beach County. Applications are available at the law libraries in the main West Palm Beach and South County courthouses, at the information desks of the North County and Belle Glade courthouses, at the Palm Beach and South Palm Beach Bar associations, and at the offices of Silber & Valente, 1801 Australian Avenue, South, Suite 201, West Palm Beach 33400. The application also can be downloaded from the Bar’s website. Applications must be received by Silber & Valente no later than 5 p.m., July 15. Frank Johnson petitions for Bar reinstatement Frank T. Johnson has petitioned the Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement. Johnson was suspended from the practice of law for 91 days, effective January 21, by a December 21 Supreme Court order. Johnson was suspended for violating Bar rules relating to providing competent representation, acting with reasonable diligence, keeping a client reasonably informed, and providing a client with a reasonable explanation sufficient to enable the client to make an informed decision. Johnson was found guilty pursuant to his filing of a conditional guilty plea for consent judgment. Anyone wanting to comment on Johnson’s petition for reinstatement may contact William L. Thompson, assistant staff counsel, The Florida Bar, Suite C-49, Tampa 33607, (813) 875-9821. Gutierrez petitions for Florida Bar reinstatement Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, Armando Gutierrez has petitioned the Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement. Guiterrez was suspended pursuant to an August 8, 1994, court order as a result of misrepresentation, conflict of interest, and a lack of diligence. Any person having knowledge bearing on Gutierrez’ fitness or qualifications to resume the practice of law should contact William Mulligan, Assistant Staff Counsel, The Florida Bar, Suite M-100, 444 Brickell Ave., Miami 33131, (305) 377-4445. Second DCA JNC taking applications The Second District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission is now accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the Second District Court of Appeal created by the resignation of Judge David F. Patterson, effective July 10. Applicants must be registered voters, have been members of the Bar in good standing for the preceding five years, and reside in the territorial jurisdiction of the court. Application forms are available from Wallace Pope, Jr., JNC chair, 911 Chestnut Street, P.O. Box 1368, Clearwater 33757-1368 or can be downloaded from the Bar’s website. Ten copies of the completed application must be returned to Pope no later than 5 p.m., July 18 FLA slates annual workshop Florida Lawyers Assistance, Inc., will hold its 15th annual workshop and seminar July 27-28, at the Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club on Gulf Shore Boulevard. Michael J. Cohen, FLA’s executive director will open the workshop with a report of FLA’s activities and accomplishments and objectives for the future. Other topics to be discussed include a private practitioner’s perspective on representing attorneys and bar applicants with issues of impairment, character, and fitness; a description of the Bar’s new ACAP program and its place in the discipline system; the Board of Bar Examiners’ character and fitness examination; addiction and mental health issues, the ADA, and conditional admissions; intervention and addiction treatment for professionals; a physician’s view of the biochemistry of alcoholism and the AA model of recovery; and finding satisfaction in the practice of law. The advance registration fee for the workshop by July 7 is $110. Registration after July 7 is $140, and the guest fee is $55. Scholarships are available on an as needed basis, and written requests for scholarships must be mailed or faxed to FLA at (954) 568-0803. For more information visit www.fla-lap.org/workshop01.html. Mills to remain as UF’s law dean Jon Mills has lost the “interim” part of his title. University of Florida Provost David Colburn announced June 13 that Mills, the former Speaker of the Florida House who has been serving as interim dean since September 1999, has been named as permanent dean of the Fredric G. Levin College of Law. “Jon Mills has done an excellent job as interim dean and has earned the respect of the law school faculty and students, and faculty and administrators across campus,” Colburn said. “His actions and leadership on an interim basis clearly displayed his abilities to be an effective dean and his dedication to the school, its students and alumni.” Mills served in the legislature from 1978-88, including the last two as House Speaker. He went on to become the head of the law school’s Center for Responsible Government, of which he is a founding director. He also served as a member of the state’s 1998 Constitution Revision Commission and has been involved in a wide variety of court cases, including voting and civil rights issues, before state and federal courts. As interim dean, Mills steered the law school through controversies about the diversity of its faculty and dealt with ABA mandates on school facilities. He headed a $7.5-million fund-raising drive for a library addition and a new student/faculty center, to be built by 2004. “Jon has done an outstanding job as interim dean and will be an excellent permanent dean,” said Robie Robinson, chair of the Law Center Association board of trustees. “He is a leader who has not only capably handled difficult issues he has faced, but he also has begun taking the College of Law to the next level.” Court amends family law rule Following legislative amendments to F.S. § 61.30(11)(b) on child support guidelines, the Florida Supreme Court has amended the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(e) to conform to the law. Change affects the child support guideline worksheet. The court noted it received input from the Advisory Workgroup on The Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Forms before okaying the changes. “approval of this form, we express no opinion as to its correctness or applicability,” the court said in its per curiam order. The order and the revised form are available on the court’s website at www.flcourts.org. The case is Amendments to Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902.(e), Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, case No. SC01-1138. Ludovici to lead HAWL The Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers has elected Lorena Hart Ludovici as its new president. Established in 1982, the Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers’ mission is to promote and recognize the contributions of women in the legal profession, offer peer support, and contribute to the community through civic and pro bono activities. FALSS sets Pensacola meeting The Florida Association of Legal Support Specialists will hold its First Quarterly Membership Meeting at the Ramada Inn Bayview Hotel in Pensacola July 20-21. Two legal education workshops will be offered dealing with “Understanding a Residential Closing Settlement Statement” and a mock trial involving a wrongful death action. A “power luncheon” also will be held July 21 to afford attendees an opportunity to network and exchange ideas with state officers. For more information call Robin White, registration chair, at (850) 435-7116 or rwhite@levinlaw.com. Del Amo to lead Coral Gables Bar The Coral Gables Bar Association recently installed Carlos C. del Amo as the first Cuban-American president in the history of the organization at its 50th annivarsary ball. Del Amo was born in Havana, Cuba, and came to the United States in 1961. He graduated from Florida International University in 1976 and began graduate school at Barry University but left the program before completion to help support his family. In 1985, at the age of 32, del Amo returned to school, this time to earn his J.D. from the University of Miami. He graduated in 1988. Also installed as officers and directors of the Coral Gables Bar Association were: Allison L. Friedman, (president-elect), David B. Mitchell, treasurer, Kenneth P. Hassett, secretary, and directors Rex E Russo, Ignacio Arango, Daniel Davis, Kenneth R. Harrison, Sr., James P.E. Roen, T. Nicole Saunders-Meske, Linley Schatzman, and Ignacio J. Segurola. Florida Receivers Forum sets high tech seminar The Florida Receivers Forum, a support goup for court-appointed receivers and other related professionals, will present “Conducting High Tech Investigations: Techniques for the Effective Use of Electronic Discovery” June 28 at 5 p.m. at the Bankers Club, One Biscayne Tower in Miami. Today’s “scene of the crime” may be a computer’s hard drive or the World Wide Web. The Florida Receivers Forum will present an educational progam featuring a leading security expert discussing how data can be stored, sources of evidence, where to find deleted files, recoverable data, swap files, audit trails, browser and cookie histories, logs, and handling evidence. The fee for this progam is complimentary for Florida Receivers Forum members, who have paid their 2001 dues, and govenment employees. For non-members, the cost is $35 per person if registered by June 26 and $40 at the door. Registration, networking and hors d’ouevres begin at 5 p.m. and the presentation is from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. For more information and to register, call (305) 443-6622, ext. 509, or visit www.florida receivers.org. read more