QuickLINK #185

12–1 PM live on Zoom, free Wednesday Wisdom CLE for Solo & Small Firm Section members* by Bill Curphey, Curphey & Badger, P.A., and moderated by Judge Jennifer Kuyrkendall Griffin, Third Judicial Circuit.

In this webinar, you will learn from a successful civil trial lawyer, Bill Curphey, tools and strategies to employ during jury selection and how to most effectively create and deliver your opening statement.

*Registration will be approved when section membership is confirmed. REGISTER

May 2, 12–1 PM Zoom webinar by Michal Meiler, a partner with Ver Ploeg & Marino in Miami, who focuses on insurance coverage and bad faith litigation. Moderated by Joshua Hertz, Miami Lakes.

Michal will detail the impact of Florida’s new tort reform act, having recently testified in hearings before the Florida legislature on the proposed tort reform. HB 837/SB 236, which became law upon signing on March 24, 2023, contains significant changes to tort litigation that favor insurers and business owners. The new law includes new challenges in bringing premises liability actions, caps on medical damages, a reduction in the statute of limitations for negligence claims, elimination of one-way attorneys’ fees recovery—and makes it more difficult to sue for insurance bad faith.

Course number 7397 is approved for 1 CLE; 1 Civil Trial credit. Section members register for only $45. REGISTER

The Solo & Small Firm Section annually honors lawyers and a paralegal for exceptional achievements, professionalism, and contributions. Nominations for our 2023 awards are due by the close of business on April 24. If you have questions, please contact Program Administrator Ricky Libbert at rlibbert@floridabar.org.

Download the PDF nomination forms below; submission instructions are on each form.

Mentor of the Year Award (PDF). This award recognizes an outstanding Florida-licensed attorney who has shown remarkable achievements in the area of mentorship to younger attorneys and/or law students in Florida. The award honors a lawyer who has demonstrated above-and-beyond efforts to achieve a high standard of professionalism in the delivery of mentorship.

Paralegal of the Year Award (PDF). This award is given to that singular paralegal who has contributed significantly to the community and/or (his) (her) law firm. The section’s purpose in providing this award is to recognize that very deserving individual for above-and-beyond efforts in achieving a high standard of professionalism in the delivery of paralegal services.

Tradition of Excellence Award (PDF). This prestigious award honors recipients whose efforts throughout that year have been beneficial to The Florida Bar and specifically to the general practitioner and is intended to encourage participation by all Bar members in activities that benefit the general practitioner and the community at large.

Walter S. Crumbley Award (PDF).  This award is given each year to an individual who has made a significant contribution to practice management in the State of Florida. The award was originally created by the Practice Management and Development Section in honor of the long service by Judge Walter S. Crumbley on the Practice Management and Development Committee and on the Technology Law Committee. This tradition has been carried on by the Solo & Small Firm Section.

Tap into more than 70 free or discounted products and services—more than offered by any other state bar. From sending packages to sending flowers, from booking hotels to searching case law, from refinancing loans to buying car insurance. The Florida Bar works diligently to identify potential discounted member benefits that Bar members will find useful, and more than a dozen Florida Bar member benefit providers offer free trials, demos or initial services, including practice resources, legal forms and legal research.

May 16—Ethical Concerns When Representing Crime Victims:  Emerging Issues Involving Technology & Cyberstalking. Live GoToWebinar by Stephanie Cagnet Myron, Cagnet Myron Law, P.A., Wellington, and moderated by Amanda Barton. Course number and Technology and Ethics CLE credit pending approval.

May 24—Elder Law Case: From Initial Consult to Funding. Free Wednesday Wisdom Zoom CLE for Solo & Small Firm Section members* by Zach Bloxham, Sandberg, Stettler, & Bloxham, Kaysville, Utah, and WealthCounsel. Moderator:  Judge Jennifer Kuyrkendall Griffin, Third Judicial Circuit. Course number and CLE credit pending approval. *Registration will be approved when section membership is confirmed. REGISTER