South Florida Newsletter App and Exhibits

2013 NEWSLETTER RECOGNITION AWARDS
Do not pass up this opportunity to let your newsletter be recognized. All chapters, sections, or
divisions that publish at least two newsletters per fiscal year are eligible to submit their newsletter
for a recognition award. Judges will focus on overall sustained quality of the publication and will
emphasize apparent service to the members. Content, creativity, and the layout/design of the
newsletter are also relevant factors.
All applications for this award shall include color PDF copies of at least two newsletters
published since October 1, 2012 and before September 30, 2013.
The deadline for receipt of nominations for the 2013 Award is July 16, 2013. The award will
be presented at the Awards Luncheon during the 2013 Annual Meeting and Convention in San Juan,
PR, as well as recognized in The Federal Lawyer. If a chapter representative is unable to attend, the
chapter should designate a representative to accept the award. Please contact the Federal Bar
Association at (571) 481-9100 if you have any questions.
Please email your completed application (including at least two color PDF issues of the newsletter)
to Jane Zaretskie at [email protected] and send one (1) printed copy to:
Federal Bar Association
Attn: Newsletter Award
1220 N Fillmore St, Ste 444
Arlington, VA 22201
2013 NEWSLETTER RECOGNITION AWARDS
APPLICATION
Chapter, Section, or Division Name:
South Florida Chapter
Category: Chapter Group I — Over 300 members
Chapter Group III — 50 — 99 members
Section or Division Group
Chapter Group II — 100 — 299 members
Chapter Group IV — Under 50 members
Name of newsletter:
FBA South Florida Chapter Newsletter
Chapter, Section, or Division Mailing address:
Chapter President or Section/Division Chair:
Bernie Pastor (President-Elect: Ana Maria Martinez)
Phone and email address:
305-375-1506, [email protected]
Newsletter Editor:
Yara Lorenzo (305 459 6662, [email protected]) and Clayton Solomon (305
459 6672, [email protected])
Phone and email address:
1. Newsletter Frequency: (Example: Monthly, Bimonthly, Quarterly, Semiannual)
Semiannual
2. How is the newsletter produced?
a. Template from FBA National
b. Word processing program for layout
c. Desktop publishing program for layout
d. Web page publishing program for layout
e. Professionally (graphic designer) or by FBA staff
f. Other (Please explain)
3. How is the newsletter printed?
a. Photocopied (law office/quick copy shop)
b. Professional printing press
c. Electronic copy emailed or posted on the Web
d. Other (Please explain)
4. Does the newsletter include a message from the chapter president or section/division
chair?
Yes X No
5. Does the newsletter contain announcements for upcoming events?
Yes X No
6. Does the newsletter contain stories about CLE or social activities?
Yes X No
7. Does the newsletter include substantive law articles or profiles of judges?
Yes X No
a. Frequency: (Example: every issue, every other issue, other)
b. Please list article titles or names of judges profiled below.
The Fall 2012 newsletter had a profile of newly-appointed Judge Kathleen M.
Williams. The Spring 2013 newsletter had a profile of Magistrate Judge Robert Dubé, a longtime president of our Chapter.
8. Does the newsletter include a section for either court or agency information? (Example:
Clerk of Court Column or General Counsel Column)
Yes
No X
9. Does the newsletter contain some type of discussion of recent cases of interest? (Example:
an article or summary paragraphs)
Yes
No X
10. Does the newsletter receive revenue from advertisements or from attorney donations?
Yes
No X
a. Advertisements
b. Sponsorships
c. Other (Please explain)
11. Does the newsletter include announcements about issues related to FBA matters outside
the chapter, section, or division such as association conventions, midyear meetings, section
activities, or circuit activities?
Yes
No X
12. Does the newsletter contain articles or announcements about members’ professional
achievements and personal milestones?
Yes
No X
13. Does the newsletter contain photographs?
Yes X No
In addition to these criteria, the FBA recognizes that any particular chapter, section, or division may
have innovative ideas for their Newsletter. Thus, those submitting an award application may make
a one-page description of such feature(s).
Note — Not all criteria will apply to section/division newsletter entries.
All applications for this award shall include color PDF copies of at least two newsletters
published since October 1, 2012 and before September 30, 2013.
FBA South Florida Chapter Newsletter
Spring 2013
FEDERAL BAR ASSOCIATION
SOUTH FLORIDA CHAPTER
Officers
Member Spotlight
also extended beyond the legal
profession, including over twenty years
of coaching in the Pop Warner Football
and Howard Palmetto Khoury Girls
Softball league.
Former United States Magistrate Judge
Robert L. Dubé has been a member of the
South Florida Chapter of the Federal Bar
Association since graduating from law school.
He served as a chapter officer from 1968 until
2010, including Chapter President from
1973-1974. Judge Dubé was the driving force
behind commencing the Broward and Palm
Beach chapters of the FBA, and he
has
received
the
FBA's
Outstanding Service Award ten
times.
Lourdes Fernandez, Judge Dubé's
long-time clerk, recently remarked:
“Judge Dubé originally hired me for
three months, and I ended up
working for him almost ten years.
During that decade, Judge Dubé's
guidance, generosity, laughter
and love were amazing!
He
In March 2013, Judge Dubé
taught
me
not
only
the
law
retired from the federal bench after
aspects of our profession, but the
serving for seventeen years. The
human side as well. It truly has
French-speaking Judge was born
been both a joy and an honor
in Rhode Island and lived in New
England until he entered the
working for him.”
United States Marine Corps in
Hon. Robert L. Dubé
1948. Upon his discharge he Retired U.S. Magistrate During his years on the
came to Miami where he Judge; Member Since 1960 bench, he prided himself for
treating
everyone
fairly,
graduated from the University
whether the individual was a
of Miami School of Law in 1960. He began
defendant, attorney, or probation
his law career at the firm of Dixon,
officer.
In his own words, Judge Dubé
Dejarnette, Bradford, Williams, McKay and
was “an advocate of neither party, but
Kimbrell. He later becDme corporate counsel
for the law.”
for Avis Rent-A-Car before starting his own
firm, Dubé and Wright, P.A., which was an
Thank you, Judge Dubé, for your
“AV” rated firm specializing in litigation
ongoing dedication to the profession
involving negligence, insurance, contracts,
and the FBA!
products,
premises,
governmental,
construction and environmental liability. He
The “Member Spotlight” is a new Newsletter feature
that salutes long-standing members of the Chapter for
was appointed to the federal bench after
their leadership and civic service. To nominate a
thirty-five years as a practicing attorney.
member for recognition, please send an e-mail to
[email protected], Attn: Membership
Judge Dubé's contribution to the community
Bernardo Pastor
President
Ana Maria Martinez
President-Elect
Candace R. Duff
First Vice-President
Kevin P. Jacobs
Second Vice-President
Gerald J. Houlian
Treasurer
Barbara N. Papademetriou
Secretary
Oliver A. Ruiz
Director of IT and Social Media
Brett A. Barfield
Immediate Past President
Executive Board
Jacqueline Becerra
Benjamin Brodsky
Michael Caruso
Jeffrey B. Crockett
Wifredo Fernandez
Alaina Fotiu-Wojtowicz
Rachel Furst
Celeste Higgins
Dennis G. Kainen
Robin E. Kaplan
Russell Koonin
Yara Lorenzo
David Mandel
David O. Markus
Edward J. O’Donnell
Hon. John J. O’Sullivan
Hon. Peter R. Palermo
Dr. Amy D. Ronner
William V. Roppolo
Eduardo I. Sanchez
Vanessa S. Snyder
Michael S. Tarre
Stephen Warren
Hon. Kathleen M. Williams
Ryan C. Zagare
Committee.
In This Issue
Message from the President . . .
32nd Annual Judicial Reception .
Women’s Law Initiative . . . .
CLE Committee . . . . . . . . .
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Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Bankers Club Luncheons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Federal Court Orientation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Message from the President.
What an exciting time
to be a member of the South Florida Chapter of the FBA! I
am proud to report that we are in the midst of
unprecedented growth as an organization and
expect to continue our tradition of
hosting interesting and informative
events tailored to those who practice in
federal court. This year promises to be
an exciting one for our Chapter, and I am
proud to announce that we have reached
several notable goals.
Our "Bankers Club" luncheons continue to be well
attended, averaging over 125 practitioners and
federal judges in attendance. We are especially
proud to host General William K. Suter, Clerk of the
United States Supreme Court.
First, we have successfully established
permanent FBA law student
organizations in area law schools
(University of Miami, Florida International University
College of Law, and St. Thomas School of Law). We plan
on sponsoring several events throughout the year at the
schools and to launch a mentorship program with the students
in the fall. We look forward to exposing future lawyers to
the distinguished and talented members of this organization
and to provide networking opportunities for all students.
On behalf of the South Florida Chapter’s Executive
Board, I thank you for your support and look forward
to seeing you soon at one of our many events.
We also successfully launched the newly formed Women
Lawyers Initiative, which just held its inaugural
event. If
its first event is any indication, the WLI promises to be a
catalyst for the development of a stronger, more gender
balanced bar.
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Immediate Past President, Brett A. Barfield, President, Bernardo
Pastor, President-Elect, Ana Maria Martinez
The 32nd Annual Judicial Reception was
our Chapter's biggest and best ever! We
reached a milestone with 800 guests,
including most of the local federal
judiciary, law clerks, lawyers, and a record
number of law students.
We love this event because it is our most
casual evening, with no speeches and no
sit-down dinner—just meeting and talking
with our federal bench and bar over food
and drinks. We outgrew the room at the
Hyatt we have enjoyed for over two
decades and moved upstairs to a larger room
with gorgeous views of the river. The crowd
loved the new space and the Hyatt did a great job
dressing it up in a modern and elegant style. For the
second year we invited local law school students to
assist with the event and sign up new Chapter
members at the event. If you have any suggestions for
next year's event, please don't hesitate to send an email
to [email protected]. Mark your calendars
and we'll see you next year on Thursday, February
27, 2014!
To join or become active in an FBA committee, visit our
chapter website, www.fedbar.org/Chapters/ South-FloridaChapter, or send an email to
[email protected]
32nd Annual Federal Judicial Reception
Soon, we will be launching our Chapter’s own
website, which will give our members even greater
access to the Chapter’s events and will provide our
growing community with more information
regarding the many activities and initiatives in which
we participate.
Women's Law Initiative.
On February 19, 2013,
the South Florida Chapter officially launched its
Women’s Lawyers Initiative, the aim of which is to
encourage dialogue in our legal community about the
unique challenges facing women lawyers. In its kick-off
event, the WLI hosted a panel discussion titled, “Having
It All: A Forum On Balancing Life and the Ethical
Practice of Law,” featuring five of our community’s most
successful and influential women lawyers (featured
above, left to right): Hon. Cecilia M. Altonaga, U.S.
District Judge; Hon. Chris McAliley, U.S. Magistrate
Judge; Hilarie Bass, Co-President, Greenberg Traurig;
Julie Siefkas-Marin, Senior Counsel, Royal Caribbean;
Celeste Higgins, Assistant Federal Public Defender. Each
panelist brought a unique perspective to the difficult
question of work-life balance.
In addition to hosting panel discussions, the WLI hopes
to foster networking and business generation
opportunities for women lawyers in South Florida.
Future events will include trial practice seminars, speedmentoring events between senior and junior lawyers, and
some fun after work happy hours!
CLE Committee.
The Federal Bar Association
held its Ethics in Federal Practice CLE seminar on
March 8, 2013 at the Hyatt Regency. The half-day
program included three panels of distinguished judges
and seasoned lawyers. The many lawyers who
attended received useful practice tips through
discussions that were entertaining as well.
The first panel, which addressed criminal ethics issues,
included Chief U.S. District Judge Federico A. Moreno,
U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division Chief Edward
Stamm, and experienced private practitioner Jacqueline
Becerra. The panel was moderated by Assistant Federal
Public Defender Celeste Higgins. Using hypothetical
examples, the panel discussed ethics rules that prohibit
offering testimony that a lawyer knows to be false, even
in a narrative format. The panel also discussed how the
U.S. Attorney’s Office handles information regarding
government witnesses.
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The second panel, on appellate ethics issues, included
U.S. Circuit Judge Adalberto Jordan, former Florida
Supreme Court Justice Raoul G. Cantero, and former
Florida Third District Court of Appeal Judge Rodolfo
Sorondo, Jr. The panel was moderated by Assistant
U.S. Attorney Ed Sanchez. The panel discussed the
duty of competence. Practice tips included when to cite
unfavorable case law, and how to accurately present
what happened at the trial level even when it was
unfavorable. The panel also discussed conflicts of
interest.
The third panel focused on ethics issues in civil cases,
and included U.S. District Judge Robin S. Rosenbaum,
U.S. Magistrate Judge Edwin G. Torres, and experienced
private practitioner Isaac J. Mitrani. The panel was
moderated by Assistant U.S. States Attorney Steve Petri.
The panel provided practical tips regarding e-discovery
and the obligation to preserve evidence. The panel also
addressed ethics questions regarding the use of social
media.
The FBA is grateful to the distinguished panelists who
participated in the half-day Ethics in Federal Practice
seminar, as well as in FBA lunch presentations which
have also been approved for CLE credits. The FBA
looks forward to continuing its CLE programs.
Inaugural Federal Court Orientation & Luncheon.
Upcoming Events
FBA Luncheon
Featuring Gen. William Suter
May 8, 2013
Young Lawyers Division
Art Space Happy Hour
May 23, 2013
Bankers Club Luncheon
June 12, 2013
Boardroom Luncheon
Featuring Hon. Alan S. Gold
June 21, 2013
On
December 12, 2012, the Chapter sponsored the first “Southern District of Florida
Federal Court Orientation and Luncheon.” The orientation provided 40 young
practitioners with a close look at the key players in the federal court system. The
program was designed to better acquaint attendees with practice in federal court in
order to help the attendees build a more confident federal court practice. To this end,
the program featured a panel of distinguished judges: Senior United States District
Judge Paul C. Huck; United States District Court Judge Robert N. Scola, Jr.; and United
States Magistrate Judge Chris M. McAliley. The judges discussed federal court
litigation, federal court structure, and gave invaluable practice pointers about pitfalls
to avoid when litigating in federal court.
Following the judges’ presentations, Wifredo Ferrer, United States Attorney, and
Michael Caruso, Federal Public Defender, discussed their respective offices and the
types of federal crimes prosecuted and defended in our district. The court’s
technology team then brought their iPads and dazzled attendees with a
demonstration of the state-of-the-art technology available in the courtroom.
Annual Awards
& Installation Dinner
October 25, 2013
Federal Court Orientation
December 2013
Bankers Club Luncheon
January , 2014
Federal Judicial Reception
February 27, 2014
Newsletter Editors
Yara Lorenzo
Clayton Solomon
Have a suggestion for future
newsletter content?
Email the committee at
[email protected]
Attn: Newsletter Committee
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Bankers Club Luncheon Series.
The Federal Bar Association's South
Florida Chapter's Monthly Bankers Club Luncheons have continued to provide our
members a valuable opportunity to connect with one another and keep abreast of
important issues in our legal community. Below are highlights from several of our
most recent lunches.
In October we hosted a panel discussion titled "Narrowing the Field," which featured
current and past chairs of Florida's state-wide Federal Judicial Nominating
Commission and its Southern District Conference. The panel, comprised of
Thomas Schultz, a highly-regarded practitioner in South Florida, and Roberto
Martinez and Kendall Coffey—both former U.S. Attorneys—discussed the
nominating process for U.S. District Judges, U.S. Marshals, and U.S. Attorneys.
In November we hosted Amy Howe, the Editor of Scotusblog, a popular law blog
that provides comprehensive coverage of issues germane to the Supreme Court of
the United States. Howe discussed cases of interest for the current term, as well as
the potential impact of the presidential election on the Court.
In January we hosted a panel titled "Trends in U.S. Enforcement." The panelists were
Eric I. Bustillo, SEC Regional Director; David Nanz, FBI Supervisory Special Agent;
and Joan Silverstein, Chief of the U.S. Attorney's Office's Economic Crimes Section.
The panelists spoke about enforcement trends in South Florida.
Finally, in March we held a panel discussion on jury trial skills with U.S. District Court
Judges Cecilia Altonaga, Jose Martinez, and Robert Scola.
In March, we hosted a panel discussion titled Presenting Your Best Case to the Jury:
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FBA South Florida Chapter Newsletter
Fall 2012
FEDERAL BAR ASSOCIATION
SOUTH FLORIDA CHAPTER
Message From the President
The South Florida chapter of the Federal Bar
Association is strong and poised to become a
leading voice in the national FBA—the only
association dedicated to advocating
exclusively for the federal bench and bar, and
to advancing all aspects of federal practice. As
you will read in the highlights from each of
our committees, our chapter has made
amazing strides in the areas of outreach and
diversity, membership (we’re
now the largest chapter in the
Eleventh Circuit and the 12th
largest in the nation),
continuing education, and our
commitment to improving
federal practice through
consistent, educational, and
meaningful interaction between
Approximately 50 current and former law
clerks regularly attend our events. Federal
law clerks have long sought an
organization to keep them in touch with
each other, both during and after their
clerkships, and now they have it! The
group is also a community and pro bono
services arm of our chapter. Personal
thanks to our LC/YLD committee and, in
particular, to Ben Brodsky
for his impressive (and
tireless!) work building this
division.
Tonight we celebrate our
new president, Bernie Pastor,
as well as all of our new
officers and board members,
and we honor our own
the bench and bar and among
Kathleen Williams, the 2012
Brett A. Barfield,
federal practitioners from both
recipient of the Edward B.
Partner, Holland &
the public and private sectors.
Davis Award for Service to
Knight LLP
the Federal Bench & Bar.
For the second year in a row, our chapter will We are so happy that Mrs. Pat Davis joins
be presented a Presidential Award of
us again this year to say thank you to
Excellence from the national FBA at its
Judge Williams for her decades of service to
annual meeting later this month.
the federal system and to her community,
Congratulations to our board and all of our
including as the Federal Public Defender
membership on this important recognition of
and as our former FBA chapter president.
our achievements—it really is a team effort!
And thank you to the members of our federal
I have been honored and humbled to hold
judiciary, who have been a constant support
the title of president of this amazing group.
to all our programming and made this award
We all look forward to building on our
possible.
successes and to taking our chapter to new
heights under Bernie's leadership and with
I am especially proud of our new Law
the vision and hard work of our new
Clerks/Young Lawyers Division, now well
officers, the board, and all our committees.
into its second year and growing fast.
Thank you for all your support. Cheers!
2012-2013 Officers
Bernardo Pastor
President
Ana M. Martinez
President-Elect
Candace R. Duff
First Vice-President
Kevin P. Jacobs
Second Vice-President
Gerald J. Houlihan
Treasurer
Barbara N. Papademetriou
Secretary
Oliver A. Ruiz
Director of IT and Social Media
Brett Barfield
2012-2013
Executive Board
Stewart G. Abrams
Rudolph F. Aragon
Jacqueline Becerra
Benjamin Brodsky
Michael Caruso
Jeffrey B. Crockett
Candace R. Duff
Wifredo Fernandez
Alaina Fotiu-Wojtowicz
Rachel Furst
Celeste Higgins
Dennis G. Kainen
Russell Koonin
Yara Lorenzo
David Mandel
David O. Markus
Edward J. O’Donnell
Hon. John J. O’Sullivan
Hon. Peter R. Palermo
Dr. Amy D. Ronner
William v. Roppolo
Eduardo I. Sanchez
Vanessa S. Snyder
Michael S. Tarre
Stephen Warren
Hon. Kathleen M. Williams
In This Issue
Edward B. Davis Award . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Boardroom Lunches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Message from the President-Elect . . . . . . . . . .
Law Clerk / Young Lawyers Division . . . . . . . .
31st Annual Judicial Reception . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Membership Update . . . . . . . . . . .
Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FBA CLE Program . . . . . . . . . . .
Mindfulness in the Law Joint Task Force .
Bankers’ Club Luncheon Series . . . . . .
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Edward B. Davis Award for Service to the
Federal Bench and Bar.
FBA, South Florida Chapter
Committee Chairs
This year’s recipient of the Honorable Edward B. Davis
Award for Service to the Federal Bench and Bar is the
Honorable Kathleen M. Williams. The “NED,” as the
award is affectionately named, is given annually to honor
our own and those who most exemplify the values and
actions we treasure as a legal community.
Awards/Installation Dinner—Vanessa Snyder
Bankers’ Club Lunch Series—Kevin P. Jacobs
Boardroom Lunch Series—Stephen Warren
Education / CLE—Ana Maria Martinez
Federal Judicial Reception—Brett Barfield
IT/Social Media — Oliver Ruiz
Law Clerks / Young Lawyers—Benjamin Brodsky
Membership—Stephen Warren
Mindfulness In The Law—Candace Duff
Newsletter—Yara Lorenzo & Clayton Solomon
Judge Williams, who joined the federal bench on August
4, 2011, is no stranger to public service. She has been
serving the Southern
District of Florida
since 1984, first as an
Assistant United States
Attorney until 1988,
and then as the Chief
Assistant Federal
Public Defender from
1990 to 1995,
whereupon she was
appointed as our
Federal Public Defender. In addition, from 1999 to 2000,
at the request of the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals,
she assumed duties as the Acting Federal Public
Defender for the Middle District of Florida.
We are grateful for all that Judge Williams has so
selflessly contributed to our legal community. Tonight
we honor her and her service to our district.
Boardroom Lunches.
The FBA organizes a
series of "boardroom" lunches (featured above) that are
open only to FBA members. Boardroom lunches are
limited to 25 guests, do not involve speeches, and
consist of conversational, question-and-answer type
interchange. The primary benefit of these lunches—in
addition to being free—is that they provide a group of
attorneys the opportunity to get to better know
distinguished members of the bench and bar in an
informal, intimate setting. This year, the Boardroom
Lunch Committee held four lunches. Our guests of
honor included Chief U.S. District Judge Federico
Moreno, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams, U.S.
Magistrate Judges Edwin Torres and John O'Sullivan,
and U.S. Attorney Wifredo Ferrer.
Looking Forward. I am truly honored to have the opportunity to serve as the president
of the FBA’s South Florida Chapter, and feel especially privileged to carry on the
tremendous work of our outgoing president, Brett Barfield, who has worked tirelessly for
our organization over the past two years, leading us to incredible growth. Among many
other accomplishments, Brett has assembled a diverse team of skilled and energetic lawyers
and judges to assist the Board and me in accomplishing our ambitious goals in the coming
year—chief among them, to encourage the many fine attorneys who regularly attend our
events, but who are not yet members, to join our Chapter. I look forward to a great year
ahead! Incoming FBA South Florida Chapter President, Bernardo “Bernie” Pastor.
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Upcoming Events
Bankers’ Club Luncheon
The Federal JNC
October 10, 2012
Bankers’ Club Luncheon
November 14, 2012
Bankers’ Club Luncheon
January 9, 2013
Federal Judicial Reception
February 21, 2013
Bankers’ Club Luncheon
March 13, 2013
Bankers’ Club Luncheon
April 10, 2012
FBA Luncheon at the Hyatt
Regency
Gen. William Suter
May 8, 2013
Inaugural Federal Courthouse
Orientation & Luncheon
December 7, 2012
Patterned after a similar, successful
annual program hosted by the
Palm Beach FBA chapter, we will
hold our first guided courthouse
tour, orientation and luncheon on
December 7th, 2012. The aim of
the event is to familiarize young
lawyers with federal court practice
and procedure, and to provide a
guided tour of the Wilkie D.
Ferguson,
Jr.,
United
States
Courthouse.
The event will
include a walk-through of a stateof-the-art courtroom for insight
into the technology available to
practitioners appearing in court. It
will also provide participants the
opportunity to meet and interact
with some of our federal district
court judges and magistrate judges,
as well as representatives from the
United States Attorney's Office, the
Federal Public Defender's Office,
the United States Marshall Service
and the Court Security Office.
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Law Clerks / Young Lawyers Division.
The Law Clerks/Young
Lawyers Division is devoted to providing networking and pro bono/community
service opportunities to current and former federal law clerks. It has been a very
busy and productive year for the LC/YLD. At our bimonthly “law clerk lunches,”
we have hosted a number of distinguished guests who have presented on a wide
variety of pro bono opportunities for young lawyers and community service
activities for current law clerks who cannot perform legal services while clerking.
For example, we hosted the Honorable Ursuala Ungaro, who talked about the Legal
Up! Program, and Randy Berg of the
Volunteer Lawyers’ Project for the U.S.
District Court for the Southern District
of Florida.
The LC/YLD has also been fortunate to
team up with other local organizations
to host some terrific events for our
current and former federal law clerks,
including a joint happy hour with the
Young Lawyers’ Committee of the
Bankruptcy Bar Association of the Southern District of Florida, and a nighttime tour
of the historic Dade County Courthouse with HistoryMiami, which was led by
Judge Scott J. Silverman (Ret.). In the coming year, the LC/YLD will continue its
bimonthly lunches and social events, beginning on Saturday, September 29, 2012,
when we will be sponsoring teams for the First Annual “Bowl For Books” Bowl-AThon, a worthwhile event of the Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers
Association. Proceeds from the event will provide book awards and book stipends
for deserving law students and undergraduate students preparing for the LSAT.
31st Annual Judicial Reception.
On February 9th, we held our 31st Annual
Federal Judicial Reception honoring the Federal Judiciary of the United States Court
of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, the United States District Court for the
Southern District of Florida, and the United States Bankruptcy Court for the
Southern District of Florida. We had an impressive 700 guests, including more than
20 federal judges. We also had many law
students and professors in attendance,
including our traditional volunteers from
the three local law schools who helped
make the evening a
success. Undoubtedly our most popular
event each year, the Federal Judicial
Reception features no speeches and no
fuss—just a good time among friends,
colleagues, the bench, and the bar. This
event raises most of the funds for our
annual programming and we could not
do it without the generous support of our
sponsors, to whom we want to give special thanks. We hope you can join us at our
next Judicial Reception on February 21, 2013.
Membership.
The FBA’s Membership Committee is tasked with attracting and
retaining members of the South Florida Chapter. In 2012, our efforts have resulted
in phenomenal growth, increasing more than 20% in only six months! That
represents largest percentage increase of all FBA chapters with more than 100
members, and ranks the South Florida Chapter as the 12th largest FBA chapter in
the country. Significantly, for the first time, we are the largest chapter in the
Eleventh Circuit. If you are not already a member, join today!
FBA CLE Program.
Mindfulness in the Law Task Force.
The Federal Bar Association held its first CLE Program of the
year on March 8th, 2012, when over 250 federal practitioners
from around South Florida met at the Hyatt Regency for the
Ethics in Federal Practice CLE Program. Attendees heard
the latest on ethical issues from the perspective of several of
our federal judges, seasoned lawyers, and other
professionals from the Bar.
The half-day program included three panels made up of
judges and attorneys who tackle various ethical issues as a
part of their daily routine. The first panel, which was titled
Civil Ethics Issues, was comprised of Federal District Court
Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga, Federal Magistrate Judge
Jonathan Goodman, and the head of South Florida litigation
at Holland & Knight, Adolfo Jimenez. The panel was
moderated by Candace R. Huff of Greenberg Traurig.
The second panel on Ethics & Discipline included Federal
District Court Judge Paul C. Huck, Florida Bar Counsel
Jennifer Moore, and the Chair of the United States District
Court Attorney Grievance Committee, John Delionado. The
panel was moderated by Ana M. Martinez, AUSA.
The Final Panel on Criminal Ethics Issues was comprised of
Federal District Court Judge Kathleen M. Williams, Assistant
Federal Public Defender Miguel Caridad, and First Assistant
United States Attorney Ben Greenberg. The panel, which
was moderated by David O. Markus of Markus & Markus,
focused on ethical obligations such as proper discovery and
other issues that arise in criminal cases.
The Mindfulness in the Law Joint Task Force was
formed by the DCBA and the FBA South Florida
Chapter to introduce our legal community to the
practice of mindfulness in the law. Mindfulness is the
practice of paying attention to what is taking place in
the present moment. Neuroscience research suggests
that practicing mindfulness offers a series of benefits
that can enhance the personal and professional lives of
attorneys, judges, and other members of the legal
profession.
On March 20, 2012, the Joint Task Force held its
inaugural meeting, which was attended by more than
forty federal and state court judges, attorneys, law
professors and students. Since then, the task force has
organized subcommittees that are developing
mindfulness in the law programming and a website for
the Joint Task Force. We have also conducted monthly
sittings for mindfulness practitioners at the DCBA
office.
On April 27, 2012, District Judge Alan Gold, Magistrate
Judge Chris McAliley, and U.M. law professor Scott
Rogers presented a much touted and very well
attended mindfulness in the law session at the Southern
District Biennial Bench and Bar Conference. Upcoming
mindfulness in the law events include a retreat to be
held in October 2012, and a program to be presented at
the National Association of Women Judges Annual
Conference on November 9, 2012.
We look forward to offering more CLE events in the near
future.
Brett Barfield, President, FBA South Florida Chapter,
Wifredo Ferrer, United States Attorney, Bernie Pastor,
Assistant County Attorney and FBA South Florida
Chapter President-Elect, Eduardo Sanchez, Assistant
United States Attorney, Vanessa Snyder, Associate,
Hogan Lovells
4
The Chapter’s monthly luncheons at the
Bankers’ Club of Miami once again drew
capacity crowds this year. The May event
set an attendance record, as members and
non-members came out in droves to ask
Judge Adalberto Jordan questions about his
recent appointment to the Eleventh Circuit
Court of Appeals. This season we will have
more luncheons than ever, with events
planned for September (featuring Judge
Rosemary Barkett), October (Florida’s
Federal Judicial Nominating Commission),
November, January, March, April, and
May. We anticipate that the May luncheon will
be the largest in the event’s history, with the Clerk
for the United States Supreme Court, General
William Suter, joining us to speak at the Hyatt
Regency in downtown Miami. You won't want to
miss this event, which will be preceded by a U.S.
Supreme Court swearing in ceremony.
To join or become active in an FBA committee, visit
our chapter website, www.fedbar.org/Chapters/
South-Florida-Chapter, or send an email to
[email protected]
Bankers’ Club Lunch Series.