Florida

Judge chides lawyers for ‘tit-for-tat squabbles’ and ‘shenanigans,’ sanctions one for shut-up command

A federal magistrate judge in Florida has criticized two lawyers for “needless and inappropriate bickering” during depositions and sanctioned one of them partly for telling the opposing counsel to “shut the f- - - up.”

Jun 15, 2021 2:42 PM CDT

Florida resident loses First Amendment appeal in suit over rejection of his mansion plans

A federal appeals court has rejected constitutional claims by a Florida resident who sued when a town rejected his plans for a new beachfront mansion that would be dissimilar to nearby homes.

Jun 9, 2021 1:20 PM CDT

Teach-out plan for Florida Coastal approved; classes will end after summer term

Following the U.S. Department of Education recently pulling federal financial aid at the Florida Coastal School of Law, a teach-out plan has been approved, with current students finishing courses at other ABA-approved law schools.

Jun 9, 2021 11:40 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Lawyer, 75, is oldest American to scale Mount Everest; fake claims made of SCOTUS justice’s arrest

Retired lawyer is oldest American to climb Mount Everest Retired Chicago lawyer Arthur Muir became the oldest American to scale Mount Everest last month. Muir, 75, tried to climb the mountain in 2019, but he had to turn back after hurting his ankle. Muir took up mountain climbing seven years…

Jun 1, 2021 4:34 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Judge rejects $2B Roundup settlement; Dershowitz pursues defamation suits

Judge rejects $2B settlement in Roundup litigation U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria of the Northern District of California has rejected a proposed $2 billion settlement of future claims in litigation alleging that Roundup weed killer causes cancer. Chhabria said the settlement would accomplish a lot for Monsanto, the maker of…

May 27, 2021 3:25 PM CDT

Florida law dean hopes school will rescind his firing; faculty resolution also supports him

Anthony Varona, dean of the University of Miami School of Law, has been fired, leading tenured faculty members and Varona himself to call for a reversal of the decision.

May 27, 2021 9:29 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: BigLaw firm requires tests for unvaccinated; Florida will fine social media for candidate bans

BigLaw firm requires COVID-19 tests for unvaccinated Lawyers and staff members at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom who don’t get vaccines will have to test negative for COVID-19 within 48 hours of their return to the office. The law firm hopes to formally reopen its U.S. offices Sept. 13…

May 25, 2021 4:39 PM CDT

Lawyers in Florida can’t get credit for ABA’s new CLE programs because of state ban on diversity quotas

The ABA’s diversity policy for panelists on continuing legal education programs has gotten the cold shoulder in Florida, which is refusing to give its state lawyers CLE credit for new association programs.

May 25, 2021 10:52 AM CDT

Remote practice from home in Florida isn’t unauthorized practice, advisory opinion says

A New Jersey lawyer’s remote practice from his home in Florida does not constitute the unlicensed practice of law in Florida, according to an advisory ethics opinion approved May 20 by the Florida Supreme Court.

May 24, 2021 11:51 AM CDT

Florida Coastal’s teach-out plan rejected again; another school demonstrates compliance on bar pass rates

For the second time in a month, the council and an executive committee of the ABA’s Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar has rejected a teach-out plan submitted by the Florida Coastal School of Law.

May 19, 2021 3:26 PM CDT

Disbarment recommended for lawyer accused of ramming car into rented vehicle on ex’s driveway, spitting on cops

A disciplinary referee is recommending immediate disbarment for a suspended Orlando, Florida, lawyer accused of ramming her car into a rented vehicle on her ex-husband’s driveway, breaking his girlfriend’s car windows and spitting on police.

May 13, 2021 12:52 PM CDT

Removal of ‘Holy Spirit’ juror requires new trial for former lawmaker, en banc 11th Circuit rules

Former U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown of Florida is entitled to a new trial in an alleged charity scam because a federal judge removed a juror for his "Holy Spirit" remark, a federal appeals court ruled Thursday in a 7-4 en banc decision.

May 10, 2021 1:31 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Former music executive sues Trump lawyer; attorney charged with sex trafficking minors

Former music executive sues Trump lawyer Marc Kasowitz Litigator Marc Kasowitz, known for his representation of former President Donald Trump, is facing a malpractice lawsuit by a former Universal Music Group top executive. Charlie Walk has claimed that he was pressured to sign a one-sided settlement agreement after facing a…

May 4, 2021 4:33 PM CDT

Judge says court documents resemble Jerry Springer script, orders lawyers to rewrite ‘inflammatory’ filings

A federal judge in Miami ordered lawyers in a lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises to rewrite several court filings because of “unprofessional” and “inflammatory” language.

May 4, 2021 10:41 AM CDT

How Florida’s new anti-riot law could run afoul of the First Amendment

Legal experts see First Amendment problems with Florida’s new anti-riot bill, signed into law by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday.

Apr 21, 2021 12:13 PM CDT