The Florida Bar News Updates http://www.flabar.org 06/01/2012 wwww.floridabar.org Fri, 1 Jun 2012 -0400Panel: Attorney referral services and medical providers should not mixBy Gary BlankenshipSenior Editor Lawyers should not be able to join referral services that also refer callers for medical help or other non-legal professional services, according to the Special Committee on Lawyer Referral Services. The committee voted unanimously to make that recommendation at its May 4 meeting, as it begins to put the finishing touches on a report that could go to the Bar Board of Governors in July. The committee is sch. . . ...http://www.flabar.org/DIVCOM/JN/JNNews01.nsf/RSSFeed/38CF0208D1436B0785257A05004557EAFri, 1 Jun 2012 -0400Justice O’Connor to speak at convention Seize your opportunity to hear retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor at The Florida Bar Annual Convention, when she will participate in a free seminar called “Choosing Our Judges.” The symposium — which provides 2 CLE credits toward ethics/2 hours certification for State, Federal Government and Administrative Practice — is Bar President Scott Hawkins’ Presidential Showcase event aimed at educating Bar members and the public about the merit retenti. . . ...http://www.flabar.org/DIVCOM/JN/JNNews01.nsf/RSSFeed/53E4DB2B064D875385257A0500453135Fri, 1 Jun 2012 -0400Guide is part of judicial election education effort With mailings, billboards, the Internet, and TV, voters will have plenty of information about candidates and issues on the 2012 election ballot. But when it comes to judicial races, it’s another matter. For one thing, candidates for judicial offices cannot make promises about how they’ll rule. They also are governed by judicial canons about their conduct. Consider that the judges and justices who serve on appeal courts and the Florida Supreme Court are not. . . ...http://www.flabar.org/DIVCOM/JN/JNNews01.nsf/RSSFeed/DD1207A5956DA82A85257A0500468F4BFri, 1 Jun 2012 -0400GEORGE F. INDEST III, AV-rated lawyer, over 30 years experience and other attorneys, available for representation of health professionals and other professionals in state and federal administrative hearings, licensure matters, petitions for variance and waiver, rule challenges, professional board appearances, DEA hearings, Medicare and Medicaid matters, emergency suspension orders, and other administrative proceedings. Referral fees paid i.a.w. Bar rules. Available throughout Fla. and other states. Offices: Orland. . . ...http://www.flabar.org/DIVCOM/JN/JNNews01.nsf/RSSFeed/5A850EC6A8D4A7B985257A0500457CFDFri, 1 Jun 2012 -0400Voluntary dismissals and foreclosure paperwork irregularities examinedBy Gary BlankenshipSenior Editor In a case that could affect thousands of pending and future mortgage foreclosures, the Florida Supreme Court has been asked to prevent lenders from escaping sanctions for using fraudulent documents by filing voluntary dismissals. But justices appeared skeptical of arguments in May 10 oral arguments that courts have inherent authority to reject the voluntary dropping of the case and instead impose sanctions. . . ...http://www.flabar.org/DIVCOM/JN/JNNews01.nsf/RSSFeed/9FA66ABE0E4CFF9385257A05004640F9Fri, 1 Jun 2012 -0400Keep an eye out for your fee statementBy Mark D. KillianManaging Editor Florida Bar members are now receiving their 2012-13 fee statements, reflecting no increase in annual fees, which are payable July 1 and late after August 15. Members should also note that the Supreme Court recently amended Bar rules to require lawyers who have business email addresses to report those to the Bar. The statement this year also includes the newly amended “Oath of Admission,” which contains new provisions emphasizing civilit. . . ...http://www.flabar.org/DIVCOM/JN/JNNews01.nsf/RSSFeed/EAC56BD59145653985257A050045CF73Fri, 1 Jun 2012 -0400Judicial Candidate Voluntary Self-disclosure Statement now available Candidates running for Florida’s trial courts this year will soon receive The Florida Bar Judicial Candidate Voluntary Self-disclosure Statement, approved by the Board of Governors to help educate voters about judicial races. The form was developed, with input from the Bar’s Citizens Forum among others, by the Judicial Administration and Evaluation Committee. Filing for county and circuit judgeships (along with public defenders and state a. . . ...http://www.flabar.org/DIVCOM/JN/JNNews01.nsf/RSSFeed/83852EE6F52F773C85257A050047C5D6Fri, 1 Jun 2012 -0400Kids deserve justiceA donation to the Foundation can further that goal Florida Bar members have the opportunity to support the legal needs of the state’s low-income children through the Children’s Legal Services check-off on the Bar’s fee statement. President-elect Gwynne Young urges members to make a voluntary contribution of at least $100 to The Florida Bar Foundation’s Children’s Legal Services campaign to help bring the benefits of the law and lawyers to the lives of poor children. “This is our opport. . . ...http://www.flabar.org/DIVCOM/JN/JNNews01.nsf/RSSFeed/1B8690A7FBA3B04185257A0500479AE1Fri, 1 Jun 2012 -0400Miami’s Zack to chair National Center for Access to Justice Steve Zack, immediate past president of the ABA and a former Florida Bar president, is the new chair of the National Center for Access to Justice.   The center is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, national advocacy organization based at Cardozo Law School in New York City dedicated exclusively to achieving reform on behalf of vulnerable people in the civil and criminal justice systems. “The rule of law begins with one word: access,” said Zack, who practic. . . ...http://www.flabar.org/DIVCOM/JN/JNNews01.nsf/RSSFeed/6BFE0968CAC626E185257A050048469AFri, 1 Jun 2012 -0400Hatchett headlines SEABC workshop A former Supreme Court justice and a disbarred lawyer are among the participants on a Florida Bar Annual Convention panel aimed at keeping lawyers on the straight and narrow as they navigate their careers. Former Justice Joseph W. Hatchett, now with Akerman Senterfitt in Tallahassee, and former Florida lawyer Robert L. Travis, Jr., will address, “How to Keep Your Integrity and Avoid Disciplinary Action from Law School to Retirement” at a free seminar presented by the Stude. . . ...http://www.flabar.org/DIVCOM/JN/JNNews01.nsf/RSSFeed/A6722C1483EBC23285257A0500490841