Florida

Judge v. Judge: Banned Florida Jurist Sues Courthouse Chief

Banned from the main Broward County, Fla., courthouse and reassigned to work on traffic cases after a reported verbal altercation with another judge, Judge Jay Spechler resigned earlier this year. But now he has sued Broward Chief Judge Victor Tobin personally for defamation, contending also that Tobin created a hostile…

Jul 3, 2008 6:31 PM CDT

Another AG Sues Countrywide

The attorney general of Florida has sued Countrywide Financial Corp. over its mortgage lending practices, contending that they were deceptive and unfair and not properly disclosed in securities filings. “Underscoring the aggressiveness of its lending practices—aimed at maximizing the company’s profits regardless of credit risk—the complaint said Countrywide’s own underwriters…

Jul 1, 2008 6:44 PM CDT

Fla. Bar Investigates N.Y. Judge for Possible Practice Rule Violation

A complaint by a Miami lawyer to the Florida bar has prompted an investigation of a New York judge for possible violation of a registration rule in the Sunshine State. Judge O. Peter Sherwood, a former New York solicitor general who recently was appointed to the New York Court of…

Jun 30, 2008 5:15 PM CDT

Amicable Divorce for Partners of Dissolving Coffman Coleman in Fla.

A Jacksonville, Fla., employment boutique is dissolving, but the parting is a friendly one. Coffman Coleman Andrews & Grogan had been approached a number of times about merging with other firms, and when that didn’t happen, other firms “started cherry-picking” its attorneys a few years ago, partner Bill Andrews tells…

Jun 30, 2008 4:00 PM CDT

Construction Boom Leads to More ATM Machine Thefts

A construction boom has had an unexpected cost to banks in Florida and other high-growth areas. Thieves are stealing heavy equipment and using it to make away with ATM machines, apparently so they will have time to break into the machines and get the cash they contain, in a more…

Jun 27, 2008 6:08 PM CDT

Fla. Man Spent 2 Months in Jail for Drinking Herbal Tea

A Florida man facing a burglary charge is once again free on bond, after his lawyer persuaded a judge that he had seemingly violated the terms of his bond unintentionally, by drinking a cocaine-containing herbal tea. Meanwhile, however, suspect Jerome Klein spent two months in jail in Broward County after…

Jun 27, 2008 5:23 PM CDT

FAMU Law School Finds No Evidence Fen-Phen Lawyer’s Gift Was Tainted

The law school at Florida A&M University says there is “no objective evidence” that a fen-phen lawyer’s $1 million gift to the school in 2002 came from tainted money. The statement by FAMU officials said they are still deciding how to use the money donated by lawyer Shirley Cunningham, reports…

Jun 24, 2008 4:48 PM CDT

Lawyer to Use Google Search Stats to Defend Obscenity Case

A lawyer for a pornographic website operator plans to use statistics from Google to establish community standards in Florida. Lawyer Lawrence Walters plans to introduce evidence that Pensacola residents are more likely to search Google for terms like “orgy” than for “apple pie” or “watermelon,” the New York Times reports.…

Jun 24, 2008 1:53 PM CDT

13 Years, 10 Judges and 16 Lawyers Later: No Divorce Settlement for Marlene

Marlene hasn’t gotten much out of litigating against her husband, Bob, during the 13 years they’ve been battling in divorce court. He’s moved out of state, so Florida judges are essentially powerless to enforce a judgment against Bob—even if he would reveal the assets that Marlene believes he is hiding…

Jun 23, 2008 9:45 PM CDT

Miami Lawyer Jailed for Missing Trial Is Released on $10K Bond

A Florida judge who sent a Miami lawyer to jail for missing a trial agreed to set bond at $10,000 two days later. The lawyer, Jonathan S. Schwartz, was released Wednesday night after posting bond, the Naples Daily News reports. He appeared in court earlier that day in shackles and…

Jun 19, 2008 5:47 PM CDT

Another Layer of Mortgage Fraud in Vacant Condo Units

A glut of vacant condominium units due to the mortgage meltdown is creating increased opportunities for criminals. Among the scams now reportedly on the rise as a result: squatters (often engaging in undesirable activities, such as prostitution) and non-owners posing as legitimate landlords and renting vacant units out to unsuspecting…

Jun 19, 2008 4:59 PM CDT

Former Fla. PI Lawyer Pleads in $300K Client Theft Case

A lawyer in South Florida pleaded no contest today to stealing almost $300,000 in client settlement funds. Patrick Joseph Dooley, 45, is expected to get between five and 20 years in prison when he is sentenced in September, reports the Miami Herald. ”It’s a tragedy,” says Broward Assistant State Attorney…

Jun 18, 2008 9:02 PM CDT

Fla. Law Firm Traffic Case Guarantees Rile Clients

Clients in Collier County reportedly are complaining about several Florida law firms that have given money-back guarantees in traffic cases and then fought losing court battles on behalf of their clients. Although the guarantees apparently may work better on the state’s East Coast, where the law firms are based, they…

Jun 16, 2008 3:56 PM CDT

Fearing Foreclosure, Debtors Sue Lenders Over Excessive Mortgages

Rather than waiting for lenders to foreclose, a group of struggling borrowers in Florida has turned the tables by suing those who gave them mortgages they can’t afford to pay. “They have beaten their lender to the courthouse by filing lawsuits that allege the institutions committed fraud and violated federal…

Jun 12, 2008 6:27 PM CDT

National Fishing Registry—and Fee—Planned for US Anglers

A national registry for U.S. recreational anglers was proposed yesterday by the National Marine Fisheries Service, as part of a plan to keep track of the fish that are being caught throughout the country. The registration requirement, which would begin next year, will not immediately require individuals to pay a…

Jun 12, 2008 6:06 PM CDT