Skip to main content

Practice Tips from Successful Solo & Small Firm Attorneys

By No Comments

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.

SSFS Book Club

By No Comments

You’re invited to the Solo & Small Firm Section’s inaugural book club! Join us on September 21 for a discussion about the book “Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine”  by Mike Michalowicz. In the book, which is available on Amazon, Michalowicz shows that by taking profit first and apportioning only what remains for expenses, entrepreneurs will transform their businesses from cash-eating monsters to profitable cash cows. REGISTER HERE

Our discussion leader is CPA Kelley Brubaker, the founder of Profit Scale Thrive, author of the book, “Stop Struggling and Start Thriving: A Guide To Transform Your Law Firm,” and a Certified Mastery-Level Profit First Professional. All details and the Zoom information are online at bit.ly/SSFS_9-21BookClub.

Upcoming sessions will be SSFS members-only and will be held on third Thursdays every other month. We hope to see you at book club!

Unleashing Legal AI: ChatGPT in Practice

By No Comments

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.

A.I. & Ethics: What Lawyers Really Need to Know

By No Comments

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.

Ways to Thankfully Enjoy a Less Stressful Holiday Season (Free CLE for Section Members)

By No Comments

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.

Traps of the Employment Law Trade: Keeping Your Law Firm Compliant With Ever-Changing Employment Laws

By No Comments

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.

OSHA Enforcement Relating to Heat Related Illnesses & Injuries in the Workplace (Free CLE for All Florida Bar Members)

By No Comments

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.

Attorneys as Medical Marijuana Patients: Considerations for Your Health & Wellness and Legal Practice

By No Comments

Live Zoom InReach webinar by Amanda Barton, Esq., of Mr. Cannabis Law and Dr. Michelle Weiner, Director of Integrative Pain Management at Spine and Wellness Centers of America. Moderator:  Stephanie Cagnet Myron. Course number 7869 is approved for 1 CLE; 1 Mental Health & Wellness credit. Solo & Small Firm Section members register for only $50. All registrants will have 90-day, on-demand access. REGISTER

Description:  Florida’s voters overwhelmingly approved the legalization of medical marijuana in 2016.  Yet, for attorneys, there is still a lot of uncertainty as to whether compliant use of medical marijuana could compromise their licensure or legal practice. Join Amanda Barton, Esq., a Partner in Mr. Cannabis Law, Dr. Michelle Weiner, a pain management physician and medical cannabis expert and a Florida Lawyers Assistance representative as they discuss the considerations of legally recommended medical marijuana use on a lawyer’s health & wellness and their practice of law.

Smiling woman in lab coat with arms crossedDr. Michelle Weiner is double board-certified in Interventional Pain Medicine, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. She is the Director of Integrative Pain Management at Spine and Wellness Centers of America. Dr. Weiner completed her residency and fellowship training at the University of Miami. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Weiner is a member of Florida’s Medical Cannabis Advisory Committee. Dr. Weiner’s unique approach to personalized integrative pain management allows her to treat the root cause of one’s pain and suffering, both physical and emotional, providing comprehensive and durable relief. She uses a biopsychosocial model including lifestyle and plant medicine to empower her patients to cultivate health and optimize quality of life. Dr. Weiner was trained in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy by the Ketamine Training Center and incorporates a multidisciplinary patient-centered approach. Her cannabis research focuses on using cannabis as a substitute for opioids in chronic pain patients and cannabis’s effect on seniors with chronic pain. Her research at the University of Miami compared psychedelic vs psycholytic doses of ketamine to treat chronic pain and depression. She is the Vice president of Mr. Psychedelic Law, a not-for-profit with the mission of responsible legal reform of psilocybin in Florida. Dr. Weiner is a clinical advisor for Iter investments, a psychedelic fund, and is passionate about exploring new paradigms.

Smiling woman in business attire with arms crossedAmanda Barton, Esq. is a partner in Mr. Cannabis Law. She is an active member of The Florida Bar and is admitted to practice in all U.S. District Courts and U.S. Bankruptcy Courts within the State of Florida. Ms. Barton has over thirteen years of legal experience handling complex corporate matters, with a strong focus on corporate governance, corporate finance, and regulatory compliance. As someone who loves written language, she excels in drafting and negotiating a vast array of legal documents.  At Mr. Cannabis Law, Ms. Barton applies her extensive experience as a corporate attorney exclusively to the niche cannabis and psychedelic industries.

Prior to joining Mr. Cannabis Law, Ms. Barton had unique legal opportunities that have made her a well-versed, seasoned transactional business attorney.  Previously, she led the transactional department at a boutique Fort Lauderdale firm, where she assisted business clients with strategic business structuring, mergers and acquisitions, asset protection, business succession planning, and contract drafting. She served as senior in-house counsel for Knight Capital Funding, a fintech company, where she built a legal department that leveraged technology, data analysis, and innovative resolution and recovery strategies. Ms. Barton also served as in-house counsel to a private investment firm, where she handled all in-house transactions with a concentration in Debtor-in-Possession financing for Chapter 11 debtors, secured lending transactions, fund management, and various aspects of municipal bond financing.

Ms. Barton currently serves on the Executive Counsel of the Solo and Small Firm Section of the Florida Bar.  She also volunteers her time to serve on the leadership board of CannabisLAB, a networking and education group for professionals who are in or are looking to get involved in the cannabis marketplace.

About Mr. Cannabis Law:

Mr. Cannabis Law is a full-service law firm focusing on the unique and highly regulated cannabis and psychedelic industries, from startups to established businesses. The firm stays abreast of current legal developments and helps clients understand and comply with regulations in the cannabis and psychedelic industries. It advises and consults in myriad areas of the industries, including corporate formation and asset management, licensing and registration, regulatory compliance, financing transactions, mergers and acquisitions, real estate transactions, intellectual property, supply chain management, and employment matters. The firm is located in Fort Lauderdale, FL. For more information about Mr. Cannabis Law, visit mrcannabislaw.com, call 786-526-1155, or email info@mrcannabislaw.com.

 

Solo & Small Firm Section Annual Meeting, Awards and Installation Ceremony

By No Comments

Please join us during the Annual Florida Bar Convention for the Solo & Small Firm Section’s 2023 Annual Meeting at The Boca Raton in the Yacht Club’s Santa Margherita room. We’ll present our annual awards; present and elect the slate of new officers, Executive Council members, and the CLA Representative; and the gavel will pass to 2023-2024 Section Chair Cristina Alonso. We hope to see you there.

DUI Tips: What to Know Before You are Pulled Over

By No Comments

Live InReach Webinar by Justin Petredis, Petredis Law, Tampa, and moderated by Paige Greenlee, Greenlee Law, Tampa. Course number 7914 is approved for 1 CLE credit and 1 certification credit each in Criminal Appellate and Criminal Trial. All registrants will have 90-day, on-demand access. REGISTER

DESCRIPTION: Florida Bar Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer Justin Petredis will discuss the legal aspects of a DUI including your rights when you are pulled over as well as what is required of you. He will also explain the typical police investigative tactics and several new State Attorney DUI diversion programs.

Smiling man in business suitJustin Petredis was raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He attended Miami (OH) for undergrad and Tulane for law school. Justin moved to Tampa, his wife’s hometown, after graduation and worked as an Assistant State Attorney in the 6th Circuit (Dade City branch) from 2004 until 2012.  In 2012 he opened his own practice where he practices almost exclusively in Criminal law. Justin became Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law in 2013. He handles all types of criminal cases, although approximately half of his practice involves handling 1st-degree homicide cases as conflict counsel for the State of Florida, through the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel.  As an Asst. State Attorney and private defense attorney, Justin has handled nearly 100 jury trials, including 8 first-degree homicide cases, of which he prevailed in 4. He has been chair of the Hillsborough County Bar Association Criminal Section for 7+ years, current chair of a Florida Bar Grievance Committee and was recently appointed to the Florida Bar Criminal Procedure Rules Committee.