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An electronic digest of media coverage of interest to members of The Florida Bar compiled each workday by the Public Information and Bar Services Department. Electronic links are only active in today's edition. For information on previous articles, please contact the publishing newspaper directly.

Feb. 14, 2012

--The Florida Bar--

FLORIDA BAR SEEKS JNC APPLICANTS-- Jacksonville Daily Record, http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com, Feb. 13, 2012.
The Florida Bar seeks nominations for lawyer vacancies this year on the 26 judicial nominating commissions. The Bar said it can nominate three lawyers for each vacancy. "I would like to personally encourage you and your local or specialty bar association to vigorously advertise these vacancies on the Judicial Nominating Commission," Florida Bar President Scott Hawkins wrote in a letter provided by Jacksonville Bar Association President Michael Freed. Each appointee serves a four-year term starting July 1. The application deadline is Feb. 22. [See news release]

PANEL TO LET FLORIDA BAR COMMITTEE WRITE SNITCH RULES-- Winter Haven News Chief, http://www.newschief.com, Feb. 14, 2012.
The article is by The Associated Press. The Florida Innocence Commission, a state panel that examines wrongful convictions, agreed to let a Florida Bar committee resolve differences over a proposed court rule on jailhouse snitches. No final action was taken. The commission agreed its staff should draw up two versions of the proposal for submission to the Bar's Committee on Criminal Court Rules. A national study indicates 15 percent of wrongful convictions discovered through DNA testing involved testimony by jailhouse snitches.

--Judiciary--

BEWARE THE JUDICIAL FIX-- The Tampa Tribune, column, http://www.tbo.com, Feb. 14, 2012.
The guest column by Coral Gables attorney Stuart Z. Grossman, founding partner of the statewide trial law firm Grossman Roth, P.A., states: "Imagine what would happen if a football coach were allowed to hand-pick the referees for all of his games. What if he had the power to fire any referee who dared to call a penalty against his team? . . . Now imagine giving anyone similar influence over the rulings issued by a court of law. That is exactly what some politicians and special interest groups are plotting — and it poses a severe threat to individuals and businesses alike. I am talking. . . about the November 2012 merit retention election concerning Florida Supreme Court justices Barbara Pariente, Peggy Quince and Fred Lewis. . . . Politicians are expected to take another run at allowing Gov. Rick Scott to appoint all new members to the judicial nominating commissions. . . . Some of these politicians have already signaled plans to go after the three justices who will come up for retention in November. . . The current members of the court have repeatedly fulfilled [their] duty, coming down on the side of the Constitution and the citizens of Florida against government overreach. . . . These justices and the entire current court bring an impressive background and diversity to the fair and impartial manner in which they make their rulings."

BANKRUPTCY CHIEF JUDGE STRESSES COOPERATION-- Jacksonville Daily Record, http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com, Feb. 13, 2012.
Chief Judge Karen Jennemann of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court Middle District of Florida told members of the Jacksonville Bankruptcy Bar Association that she has several goals for her term, including an emphasis on civility, cooperation, collaboration and communication. Jennemann was appointed to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida in November 1993. She succeeded Judge Paul Glenn of the court's Jacksonville Division as chief judge last fall. Jennemann said her goals include greater uniformity in districtwide procedures, improved communication and training.

THE EXPERIENCES OF ONE LAWYER-JUROR-- Jacksonville Daily Record, column, http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com, Feb. 13, 2012.
The guest column by attorney and Jacksonville Bar Association Board of Governors member Braxton Gillam states: "Last fall, I had a special opportunity presented to me. I was selected as a juror for a criminal trial in state court. I say 'special' because though most citizens have had the experience of receiving a jury summons, many fewer actually get selected for a panel to hear a case, and far fewer still of those selected are practicing attorneys. Of those attorneys who are actually picked to try a case, an even smaller pool consists of litigators or trial lawyers, my occupation."

MIAMI JUDGE JORDAN LIKELY TO BE CONFIRMED FOR 11TH CIRCUIT, BUT IN MESSY PROCESS-- The Miami Herald, http://www.miamiherald.com, Feb. 14, 2012.
The article is by McClatchy Newspapers. A dispute in the U.S. Senate over President Barack Obama's executive branch nominees threatens to snag the appointment of the first Cuban-born judge to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The U.S. Senate is scheduled this afternoon to vote on Adalberto Jose Jordan, a Miami federal judge who was confirmed unanimously last year by the Senate Judiciary committee and has the support of Florida Sens. Bill Nelson, a Democrat, and Marco Rubio, a Republican. No one has any ideological objections to Jordan, a well-regarded judge. However, Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, who objects to the way Obama has been appointing federal nominees has said he'll vote against Jordan's confirmation.

--Legal Profession--

STATE ATTORNEY CANDIDATE RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT OSCEOLA CASELOADS-- WFTV Orlando, http://www.wftv.com, Feb. 14, 2012.
New numbers released by state attorney candidate Ryan Williams show prosecutors in Osceola County are handling far more cases compared to Orange County prosecutors. Williams said in some instances, Osceola prosecutors take on 400 percent more cases. In a division in Osceola County, the prosecutor who handles the most serious felonies is handling 80 cases. In an average division in Orange County, a prosecutor with the same role is only handling 18. Lawson Lamar's campaign said the real problem is funding from the state to the courts. Orange County has 12 courtrooms. Osceola county only has two. Williams argues that resources aren't the problem. He said cases need to be better prioritized.

--Civil Justice Issues--

WOMAN SAYS SHE WAS FIRED OVER JURY DUTY, COURT APPOINTS ATTORNEY TO SUE EMPLOYER-- Orlando Sentinel, http://www.orlandosentinel.com, Feb. 14, 2012.
Last month, interstate truck driver Kadyra Reddick served as a juror in a criminal trial in Orlando federal court that lasted several days. Soon after, Reddick received a "separation notice" from her employer, which stated she quit because of marital, family or personal problems. Reddick says she never resigned, and instead, Swift Transportation fired her because of her jury service. Now, Reddick is suing her former employer and is being represented by a lawyer appointed by the court. Federal law states no employer shall fire, threaten to fire, intimidate or coerce a permanent employee because of their jury service. Stetson University College of Law professor Charles Rose said such cases are rare, and Ninth Circuit Chief Judge Belvin Perry couldn't recall an instance in his circuit when a person was fired because they served on a jury, a court spokeswoman said.