Florida

Florida lawyer faces ethics complaint over pit bull ads

Florida lawyer Robert Laurence Pelletier is facing an ethics complaint by the Florida Bar for describing himself as a pit bull lawyer and using an online image of a pit bull.

Mar 9, 2021 9:06 AM CST

Afternoon Briefs: BigLaw firm offers gifts on top of bonuses; second state adopts consumer privacy law

Associates at this BigLaw firm get pricey gifts Associates at Davis Polk & Wardwell are getting a choice of gifts as a thanks for their hard work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gift choices include an outdoor adventure excursion for two, a $1,000 Marriott gift card along with a Tumi suitcase,…

Mar 4, 2021 4:30 PM CST

Ex-prosecutor is accused of soliciting bribes from defense lawyers, defrauding man who had Coca-Cola stock

A federal indictment accuses a former Florida prosecutor of soliciting bribes for favorable case dispositions and defrauding an elderly man after obtaining guardianship.

Mar 1, 2021 12:10 PM CST

Public defender with Patreon for FOIA lawsuits shares her thoughts on lawyers and social media

Lawyer Beth Bourdon is willing to go places where other attorneys may be hesitant, including this summer when she joined Parler—to see how long she could post potentially offensive materials without getting kicked off the conservative social media site.

Feb 22, 2021 8:33 AM CST

As some jury trials resume, juror shortages create problems; one court sees a 5% yield on summonses

As jury trials resume in several states and continue in others, finding jurors willing to show up is a problem.

Feb 18, 2021 12:19 PM CST

Afternoon Briefs: California defends bar exam facial-recognition tech; pants-on-fire lawyer arrested

California bar responds to disparate impact allegation regarding facial recognition technology After receiving a Feb. 10 demand letter to remove facial recognition technology from the remote bar exam on the basis it could create an unlawful disparate impact for women and people of color, the State Bar of California issued…

Feb 17, 2021 4:45 PM CST

Former public defender agrees to suspension, partly for firing 3 women after confrontation with his wife

The former public defender in Jacksonville, Florida, has agreed to accept a six-month suspension, partly for firing three women when confronted by his wife.

Feb 12, 2021 1:39 PM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Lawyers knock ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome;’ attorney flashes medical pot card

Trump lawyers seek dismissal of impeachment case Lawyers for former President Donald Trump on Monday asked the Senate to dismiss the impeachment case against him. Their brief argues that the Senate has no jurisdiction under the Constitution to conduct an impeachment trial of a former president, and Trump’s comments before…

Feb 8, 2021 4:33 PM CST

Florida lawyer is arrested after refusing to put mask back on at city meeting

A lawyer in Gainesville, Florida, was arrested Thursday when he refused to put his face mask back on while addressing the city commission.

Feb 8, 2021 11:01 AM CST

Ethics case tossed against judge accused of allowing reality TV show to film in her courtroom

A hearing panel has dismissed ethics charges against a Florida judge accused of allowing a reality TV show to film domestic violence cases in her courtroom, according to an order filed Tuesday.

Feb 4, 2021 12:44 PM CST

Lawyer is arrested and disbarred after alleged threats and accusations of judicial witchcraft

A Florida lawyer accused of making outrageous and threatening online remarks was arrested earlier this month and disbarred last week.

Jan 27, 2021 9:33 AM CST

Courts discuss security after warning of potential protest threats

Courts across the country are discussing security after a news report said pro-Trump groups were considering storming courthouses.

Jan 14, 2021 9:49 AM CST

Florida lawyer disbarred more than a year after her death

The Florida Supreme Court has disbarred a lawyer who died more than a year ago.

Jan 5, 2021 10:42 AM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Dentons merges with another firm; dad can’t be banned from procreating, court rules

Dentons will combine with Alabama law firm Dentons has announced that it will combine with Sirote & Permutt, an Alabama law firm with 86 lawyers and offices in five locations. The merger will be Dentons’ fifth combination through Project Golden Spike, a U.S. expansion effort that uses a dual-partnership model.…

Dec 23, 2020 4:07 PM CST

For first time in history, federal government carried out more civilian executions than all 50 states

Ten federal inmates were executed this year as a result of a push by the Department of Justice, putting the total number of federal executions above that of all 50 states combined.

Dec 17, 2020 3:07 PM CST