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Oct
17
Tue
Avoiding Ethical Pitfalls & Disciplinary Actions @ InReach Webinar
Oct 17 @ 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

**New Time:  10:30-11:30 AM** Live InReach webinar by Sia Baker-Barnes, Searcy Denney, West Palm Beach, and moderated by Rebekah S. Taylor, The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division Liaison to the Solo & Small Firm Section, Snedaker Law, Lake Mary. Course number is approved for 1 CLE, all of which may be applied toward Ethics. Solo & Small Firm Section members register for only $50, with 90-day, on-demand access. REGISTER

Join Florida Bar Board of Governors member and Florida Bar Board-Certified Civil Trial Lawyer Sia Baker-Barnes as she shares examples of ethical pitfalls that have trapped the unwary. Also highlighted will be ways for lawyers to avoid the disciplinary system.

Smiling womanRosalyn “Sia” Baker-Barnes is a Shareholder at Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A., and the Chairperson of the firm’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee. Ms. Baker-Barnes is Board-Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Florida Bar, and is recognized by US News & World Report as one of the “Best Lawyers in America,” by Lawdragon as one of America’s “500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers,” by Florida Super Lawyers magazine as a top lawyer in the state, by Florida Trend magazine as a “Legal Elite,” and by the Daily Business Review as one of South Florida’s Inaugural “Top 20 Women in Law.”

In her over 20-year career, she has successfully pursued justice for victims in personal injury, medical negligence and product liability cases and frequently lectures throughout the United States on catastrophic injury cases. She has achieved numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements, including a landmark $20 million compensatory and punitive damages verdict against tobacco giant RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company that was affirmed by the Florida Supreme Court and reached the United States Supreme Court. Read her bio here.

Oct
25
Wed
OSHA Enforcement Relating to Heat Related Illnesses & Injuries in the Workplace (Free CLE for All Florida Bar Members) @ Zoom Webinar
Oct 25 @ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Free Wednesday Wisdom live Zoom webinar by Michael Prendergast of FordHarrison, and moderated by Judge Jennifer Kuyrkendall Griffin, 3rd Judicial Circuit. Course number 8083; 1 General CLE. Open to all members of The Florida Bar. REGISTER

While the Occupational Safety & Health Administration has not yet issued regulations specifically addressing heat-related injuries and illnesses, OSHA has published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing an OSHA standard specifically related to these hazards. In the meantime, OSHA continues to address these issues through inspections, citations and enforcement proceedings under the Occupational Safety and Health Act’s “General Duty” clause. This course addresses the current and anticipated impact of these general industry enforcement procedures and regulations on agricultural employers and their workers in the Sunshine State.

Smiling man in business attireMike Prendergast is a partner in the Jacksonville, Florida office of FordHarrison LLP. Mike and his firm represent and counsel employers in litigation, administrative proceedings, and other matters related to employment law. Mike’s practice includes advising employers concerning their obligations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Mike also represents clients during OSHA inspections and in response to citations and enforcement proceedings brought by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Oct
27
Fri
Annual Ethics & Professionalism Update: Scary Tales of Unprofessional & Unethical Conduct @ InReach Webinar
Oct 27 @ 8:00 AM – 12:35 PM

Live InReach webinar. Course number 7844 is approved for 5 CLE, 2 of which may be applied toward Ethics; 2 Professionalism, and 1 Technology. Solo & Small Firm Section members register for only $250. View the presenter bios here. REGISTER

Annual Ethics & Professionalism Update:  Scary Tales of Unprofessional & Unethical Conduct
October 27, 2023
8:00 AM–12:35 PM

8:00 AM–8:10 AM
Welcome
Michelle Garcia Gilbert and Bill Curphey, Co-Program Chairs

Smiling woman8:10 AM–9:00 AM
Tricked or Treated: White Collar Ethics Issues for the Unwary Lawyer
Professor Ellen Podgor, St. Petersburg
Man in business attire, blue tie9:00 AM–9:50 AM
Villainy or Virtue: Unmask Your Client’s Story to Avoid Unethical Surprises
Andrew J. Oppenheim, Tampa
9:50 AM–10:05 AM
Break
Smiling man in business attire10:05 AM–10:55 AM
Toil or Trouble: Ensure that Technology Works Ethically for You – Not Against You
Marck Joseph, Miami
Smiling woman at desk, business attire10:55 AM–11:45 AM
Hocus or Pocus: How to Prevent and Defend Professionalism and Ethics Complaints
Gwen Daniel, Tampa
Smiling man in business attire11:45 AM–12:35 PM
Friend or Fiend: Building & Maintaining your Reputation Ethically & with Professionalism
Ret. Judge Greg Holder, Tampa
Smiling man in business attireRet. Judge Emmett (Lamar) Battles, Tampa
Nov
15
Wed
Ways to Thankfully Enjoy a Less Stressful Holiday Season (Free CLE for Section Members) @ Zoom Webinar
Nov 15 @ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Free Wednesday Wisdom Zoom webinar for Solo & Small Firm Section members* by Rebecca J. Bandy, Director of The Florida Bar’s Henry Latimer Center for Professionalism, and moderated by Judge Jennifer Kuyrkendall Griffin. Course number 8084 is approved for 1 CLE, 1 Mental Health & Wellness. REGISTER

While the holidays can be a beautiful time, many attorneys struggle with stress, depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Please join Rebecca Bandy as she gifts you with tangible ways to brighten your holidays and add cheer to your life so that you can be your best professional self during the season’s celebrations.

*Registration will be approved when section membership is confirmed. Free Wednesday Wisdom Zoom webinar for Solo & Small Firm Section members.

Smiling woman in blue dressRebecca J. Bandy serves as the Director of The Florida Bar’s Henry Latimer Center for Professionalism. She joined the Center as Assistant Director in March 2017.

Prior to joining The Florida Bar, Ms. Bandy was an associate attorney at the Law Offices of Thomas L. Powell, PA in Tallahassee, where she litigated in the areas of family and criminal law. She most recently taught college-level courses at Lawton Chiles High School, where she helped establish the school’s award-winning mock trial team along with The Honorable Mark Walker, The Honorable David Frank, and attorney David Grimes.

Ms. Bandy previously served as the Director of Alumni Relations at the Florida State University College of Business and as the Assistant Director of Alumni and Development at the Florida State University College of Law.

She earned her Juris Doctor from the Florida State University College of Law. A native of the tiny town of Hilliard in Nassau County, Florida, she earned her Bachelor’s in Communications with Honors from Jacksonville University and her teaching credentials at Georgia Southern University.

Since becoming director, Ms. Bandy has attended the National Legal Mentoring Symposium in Columbia, South Carolina; the Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute at Georgetown University; the National Mindfulness Summit in Washington, DC; resilience training at Johnson and Johnson’s Human Performance Institute; and has received a Mental Health First Aid certificate. She currently serves on the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Professionalism. She regularly speaks to legal professionals, law school students, and Florida Bar staff on general professionalism, mindfulness-based emotional intelligence, the impacts of loneliness, mentoring, networking, gratitude, resilience, interpersonal communications skills, active listening, implicit bias, and team building.
She is the 2021 recipient of the Champion of Professionalism Award given by the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel, 2nd District Court of Appeal.

Ms. Bandy is active in her church, is a community volunteer at an area elementary school, and she has supported causes including the March of Dimes, Epilepsy Association of the Big Bend, the Holocaust Education Resource Council (HERC), the Kearney Center, and Honor Flight Tallahassee.

Dec
12
Tue
A.I. & Ethics: What Lawyers Really Need to Know @ InReach Webinar
Dec 12 @ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

12–1 PM live Zoom webinar by Jonathan Grabb, The Florida Bar Director of Ethics & Advertising. Moderator:  Camara Williams. Course number 8085 is approved for 1 CLE, all of which may be applied toward Ethics, and 1 Technology credit. Solo & Small Firm Section members register for only $50, with 90-day, on-demand access. REGISTER

Learn how Artificial Intelligence is being used in the legal arena. Jonathan Grabb will identify weaknesses inherent in its use along with ethical considerations and discuss potential ways that it can be beneficial to lawyers.

What is AI and how is it being used?

A.      Description of AI programs
1.       ChatGPT
2.       MidJourney
3.       Other common programs

B.      Creation of new materials
1.       Document drafting and research
2.       Creation of images/video
3.       Recent events or incidents in the news

Weaknesses of AI and Ethical Implications

A.      Inaccurate information
1.       Examples in the news
2.       Garbage in, garbage out?
3.       False confidence

B.      Confidentiality of information?
1.       Learns from prior data
2.       No assurances that information won’t be reused

C.       No copyright or patent protection for results
1.       Decisions from the USPTO and USCO
2.       Plagiarism?

D.      Lawyers ultimately responsible for work product

How can AI be used?

A.      “Brainstorming”

B.      Initial drafting and research
1.       “Virtual paralegal” services
2.       Organization of documents
3.       Think calculators and Wikipedia

C.       Efficient use of time

D.      Marketing materials and image generation

Conclusion

A.      AI isn’t going away

B.      AI is a tool, and with any tool, it can be used improperly

C.       Proceed, but with caution

Image of a smiling man in front of a bookcase

Jonathan Grabb is the Director the Ethics & Advertising Department (Ethics Counsel) for The Florida Bar. Before becoming the Ethics Counsel in November 2021, Jonathan served the department for 8 years as an Assistant Ethics Counsel. Jonathan has fielded more than 20,000 calls on the ethics hotline, reviewed thousands of lawyer advertisements, and issued dozens of staff opinions. Jonathan is also the staff liaison to The Florida Bar’s Board Review Committee on Professional Ethics, Professional Ethics Committee, and Standing Committee on Advertising.

Jonathan’s work as The Florida Bar’s Ethics Counsel has involved presenting a variety of CLE presentations and publishing articles for The Florida Bar News, including the March 13, 2023, article: “Lawyers And AI: How Lawyers’ Use of Artificial Intelligence Could Implicate the Rules of Professional Conduct.”

Prior to his work with The Florida Bar, Jonathan served as a Senior Attorney for the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. Jonathan is a proud graduate of Florida State University’s College of Law and when not at work, Jonathan visits his local rock-climbing gym and dotes on his wife and two daughters.

Jan
18
Thu
Traps of the Employment Law Trade: Keeping Your Law Firm Compliant With Ever-Changing Employment Laws @ Zoom InReach Webinar
Jan 18 @ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Live Zoom webinar presented by Christopher Johnson, FordHarrison. Moderator:  Denise A. Mutamba. Course number 8024 is approved for 1 CLE; 1 Labor & Employment law certification credit. Solo & Small Firm Section members register for only $50, with 90-day, on-demand access.

Solo and small-firm attorneys have a lot on their plates. It can be easy to forget one of the most critical hats that a business-owning attorney wears: employer. This CLE by FordHarrison employment law partner, Chris Johnson, is designed to identify common employment laws that apply to small businesses, including law firms. You’ll also learn how to avoid issues that, if left unchecked, might result in you having to become the client to defend your business against an administrative charge or lawsuit from your own employee.

Smiling man in business attireChris Johnson is a partner in the FordHarrison Tampa office. He defends both local and national employers in litigation and administrative proceedings against all claims arising from the employment relationship. Chris also focuses a significant portion of his practice on litigation prevention efforts including the review and revision of personnel policies and procedures to ensure compliance with evolving labor and employment laws. He understands where an employer is most vulnerable and works with his clients to eliminate those vulnerabilities. However, when an employee does bring a claim, Chris is prepared to defend the procedures and policies that he works to create with his clients, as he has extensive experience litigating cases in state and federal courts throughout the United States in both single plaintiff matters as well as class and collective actions. Chris also assists clients with drafting and enforcing restrictive covenants, including non-competition, non-solicitation, and confidentiality provisions.

Prior to joining FordHarrison, Chris was a partner at a labor and employment boutique firm in Tampa. While earning his J.D. from the University of Florida, Chris completed a judicial externship for the Honorable Don F. Briggs and the Honorable T. Michael Johnson in the Fifth Judicial Circuit of Florida.

Jan
23
Tue
Unleashing Legal AI: ChatGPT in Practice @ InReach Zoom Webinar
Jan 23 @ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Live Zoom webinar by Nicole Black, MyCase. Moderator:  Brandon Sapp. Solo & Small Firm Section members register for only $50, with 90-day, on-demand access. Course number 8247 is approved for 1 CLE; 1 Technology credit. REGISTER

This webinar offers a comprehensive exploration of AI and ChatGPT in the legal field by renowned legal tech author Nicole Black. You’ll learn about the technology’s evolution, 10 practical applications, including document summaries and drafting assistance. You’ll also gain insights into additional AI use cases within the legal field, while examining potential challenges like ethical concerns, algorithmic bias, accuracy issues, and the relative infancy of this rapidly evolving technology. This presentation will equip you with the knowledge to harness AI’s power and Image of a smiling womanimplement it into your legal practice.

Nicole Black is a Rochester, New York attorney, author, journalist, and Senior Director, SME and External Education, at MyCase, legal practice management software. She is the nationally-recognized author of “Cloud Computing for Lawyers” (2012) and co-author of “Social Media for Lawyers: The Next Frontier” (2010), both published by the American Bar Association. She also was the co-author of “Criminal Law in New York,” a Thomson Reuters treatise. She writes regular columns for Above the Law, ABA Journal, and The Daily Record, has authored hundreds of articles for other publications, and regularly speaks at conferences regarding the intersection of law and emerging technologies. She is an ABA Legal Rebel and is listed on the Fastcase 50 and ABA LTRC Women in Legal Tech.

Jan
31
Wed
Practice Tips from Successful Solo & Small Firm Attorneys @ Zoom
Jan 31 @ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Free Wednesday Wisdom Zoom webinar for Solo & Small Firm Section members* by John Maceluch, Jr., Panama City; Chrissy Davis, Tallahassee; and Zack Zuroweste, Clearwater. Moderator: Judge Jennifer Kuyrkendall Griffin, 3rd Judicial Circuit. Course number 8248 is approved for 1 CLE credit. Members may self-report credit through their Florida Bar member portals.

Image of a smiling man wearing business attireJohn Maceluch, Jr. operates an Estate Planning and Elder Law firm along the beautiful Florida Gulf Coast with offices in Panama City and Tallahassee. His experience covers a wide variety of practice areas with clients from every background. He appeared in almost all the 67 counties in Florida with over 70 jury trials.  John has presented numerous CLEs and seminars on professionalism and productivity. He has served as Secretary of the Tallahassee Bar Association, on the 13th Circuit Grievance Committee, and the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division Board of Governors. He is currently on the Judicial Nominating Commission for the 14th Circuit of Florida, is the President of the St. Andrew’s Bay Inn of Court, and Treasurer of the Solo & Small Firm Section of the Florida Bar. He is a graduate of Florida State University with dual degrees in Political Science and Economics and received his Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School in New Orleans.

 

Smiling woman with blonde hairChristine Davis is a Florida Bar board-certified appellate specialist who handles civil appeals and extraordinary writ proceedings in state and federal courts in all areas of civil law. She also regularly prepares amicus briefs in high-profile, precedential cases for industry groups and associations.

In addition to her traditional appellate work, Christine’s practice includes extensive participation at the trial court level. In this role, she has participated in lengthy, high-profile trials throughout the state during which she strategizes with trial counsel; ensures the record is properly preserved for appeal; prepares and argues legal motions; and handles post-trial issues, such as post-trial briefing and argument and securing stays through supersedeas bonds. Christine began her legal career in 2002 at the Florida Supreme Court through a clerkship with Justice Charles T. Wells. She then spent 17 years at a large, national law firm specializing in appellate practice before opening her own firm—Davis Appeals, PLLC—as a solo appellate practitioner.

Smiling man wearing business attireZack Zuroweste is Shareholder and Managing Partner at Persante Zuroweste, P.A., in Clearwater. He practices probate and trust litigation, business litigation, and securities litigation and arbitration.

Mr. Zuroweste graduated from Stetson University College of Law in 2006 with a joint degree in Law and Master in Business Administration. He is a Graduate of the Trial Lawyers College, Senior Fellow of Litigation Counsel of America, and Member of the Trial Law Institute.

Mr. Zuroweste maintains an AV Rating from Martindale Hubbell, and is named in Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, Florida Super Lawyers, and Best Lawyers in America.

Mr. Zuroweste has been very active in voluntary bar associations and other professional organizations across Florida, including The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division Board of Governors, Clearwater Bar Association, Barney Masterson American Inn of Court, Pinellas County Trial Lawyers Association, and The Florida Bar’s Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section. He served as the 2017-2018 President of The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division Board of Governors and is the Immediate Past President of the Clearwater Bar Association.

Feb
9
Fri
Solo & Small Firm Section Executive Council Meeting @ TradeWinds Island Grand Beach Resort
Feb 9 @ 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Make plans to join your Solo & Small Firm Section friends and colleagues at the TradeWinds Island Grand Beach Resort for meetings, networking and fun! The agenda and details will be available soon.

Feb
20
Tue
A-Z: Legal and Practical Considerations When Advising Entrepreneurs and Start Ups @ Zoom
Feb 20 @ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Live Zoom webinar by Luca L. Hickman, Dinsmore, Tampa, and moderated by Amanda Barton, Fort Lauderdale. Course number 8270 is approved for 1 CLE, all of which may be applied toward Ethics, and 1 Intellectual Property Law certification credit. Solo & Small Firm Section members register for only $50. All registrants have 90-day, on-demand access. REGISTER

Description:  Clients may seek your advice about a side hustle or concept they are entertaining without fully understanding the life cycle of the proposed endeavor.  Board Certified IP lawyer and registered patent agent, Luca L. Hickman, will provide the framework for new firms or companies starting out or seeking to expand their practice or business.  He also will discuss potential ethical issues that may impact who you can represent.

Link to Luca Hickman bioLuca L. Hickman is a registered patent attorney with experience in litigation. Clients often call upon him to prepare patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret cease and desist letters and to handle all phases of IP litigation. Luca has also expanded his practice into the emerging digital IP world, working with clients to successfully recover misappropriated domain names, social media accounts, and other digital assets. Luca also works with clients to assert and defend UDRP proceedings and various e-commerce infringement matters on Amazon, eBay, and other online retail platforms. He also works with clients to protect software-related inventions and to prepare end-user
license agreements, software as a service agreements, and other related materials.After earning honors degrees in electrical engineering from institutions in both the U.S. and Germany, Luca graduated valedictorian from his law school and began his career in intellectual property law. He has experience in a wide variety of intellectual property law matters, ranging from prosecuting patent and trademark applications and conducting patent and trademark clearance searches to negotiating licensing agreements and managing global trademark portfolios for multinational companies. Luca also has extensive copyright experience, including assisting in clearance searches, preparing and filing copyright applications, drafting work-for-hire and assignment documents, and overseeing copyright compliance and production agreements for film and television projects.Luca is board-certified in intellectual property law by The Florida Bar and is certified by the Florida Supreme Court as a Circuit Court Mediator. He is also an active lecturer in the field of intellectual property law, having presented through the Entertainment, Arts & Sports Law Section of the Florida Bar, the Solo & Small Firm Section of the Florida Bar, the National Coffee Association, Florida Gulf Coast University, various local bar associations, and other organizations.

Services:
• Intellectual Property
• Intellectual Property Litigation
• Privacy, Data Protection & Internet Technologies