Florida Bar News – Court Amends Family Law Summary Judgment Rule to Better Inform Self-Represented Litigants

The Supreme Court has amended Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.510 to provide more information to self-represented litigants regarding summary judgment actions. “First, we amend subdivision (a) (Motion for Summary Judgment or Partial Summary Judgment) to require a detailed explanation for pro se parties of the need to respond to a summary judgment motion,”…

Florida Bar News – Privacy Protections Measure for City and County Attorneys Moves in the Senate

     Sen. Danny Burgess A measure that would give city and county attorneys, and their assistants, greater privacy protections is one step closer to the Senate floor. The Senate Commerce Committee voted unanimously on February 2 to approve SB 1420 by Sen. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills. “Now city and county attorneys will have the same public records…

Florida Bar News – The Evolution of Discipline Cases and the Court’s Treatment of Professionalism

Most Florida Bar members uphold the high ethical standards the profession demands. But for the small fraction who risk discipline through unprofessional conduct, “The First Amendment is a poor defense.” So warns Tampa attorney Scott Tozian, a former prosecutor and former Florida Bar staff counsel who primarily defends lawyers in grievance cases. The Supreme Court…

Florida Bar News – Senate Judiciary Moves Measure to Protect City and County Attorneys

“Such attorneys have received death threats and emails from disgruntled persons. Other incidents have included the stalking of such attorneys and their spouses and children.”   Sen. Danny Burgess Citing a rash of death threats, the Senate Judiciary Committee has approved a proposal to shield the personal identifying information of current and former city and…

Florida Bar News – House Panel Moves Bill to Allow Businesses to Sue Over Lost Income Due to Ordinances

 Rep. Lawrence McClure Over the strong objection of  cities and counties, a House panel has approved a measure that would give businesses a right to sue when a local ordinance hurts their bottom line. The Civil Justice and Property Rights Subcommittee voted 12-3 on January 13 to approve HB 569 by Rep. Lawrence McClure, R-Plant City. “It’s…