Best in the U.S.
The 2006 edition of Woodward/White’s “The Best Lawyers in America” includes four Smith, Hulsey and Busey attorneys: Stephen D. Busey for Litigation and Bankruptcy, William Kuntz in Litigation, Tim Sleeth in Environmental Law and Harry Wilson in Real Estate. This is Busey’s 16th year in the publication and Wilson’s 11th.
Florida Bar supports DNA reforms
The Florida Bar’s news service reports that the Bar is calling for a permanent system that would allow Florida inmates to seek DNA testing. The Bar’s legislative position reads: “The Florida Bar supports making DNA testing a permanent and meaningful component of Florida’s criminal justice system to help ensure that the real perpetrators of crimes are punished, that the freedom of innocent people is protected, and that the public’s trust and confidence in the judicial process are not diminished.” According to the Bar News, the Bar’s Board of Governors unanimously passed the legislative position at a recent meeting.
New hires at Fowler White Boggs Banker
Attorneys Mark A. Addington and Carrie O. Boyles have joined the firm as associates. Addington will practice in the firm’s employment law practice group while Boyles will practice in the firm’s real estate practice group.
Addington graduated from the University of Florida College of Law and Boyles received her juris doctorate from the University of Nebraska College of Law.
Judicial/Bar Symposium highlights professionalism
The Jacksonville Bar Association’s 2005 Annual Judicial/Bar Symposium: Lawyers, Professionalism and Peacemaking, will feature presentations from author Susan Daicoff and Talbot “Sandy” D’Alemberte, former president of the American Bar Association and Florida State University. Daicoff is a national expert in the field of lawyer personality and author of the book “Lawyer, Know thyself”. Her presentation will focus on professionalism in the lawyer/judge relationship. D’Alemberte’s keynote presentation will focus on ethics. The presentations will be followed by group discussions and question-and-answer sessions on professionalism best practices. The symposium is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Nov. 17 at the Omni Hotel following the JBA’s monthly meeting. Registration costs $100 for JBA members, $125 for non-members. Registration deadline is Nov. 10.
DCA favors City on tree ordinance
The First District Court of Appeal upheld a prior ruling by Circuit Judge Richard Watson that the City’s tree protection ordinance does not constitute an unlawful tax or an unlawful taking of property without compensation. The challenge to the ordinance was brought by a number of developers backed by the Northeast Florida Builders Association. The City’s Office of the General Counsel got an assist on the case from Jim Terrell and Wayne Hogan.
Democrats’ “Shadow Commission” gets into Cecil Field act
The “Shadow Commission” promised by Linda Whipple, chairwoman of the Duval County Democratic Party and a Spohrer, Wilner, Maxwell and Matthews paralegal, to keep an eye on the mayor’s own Cecil Field commission is up and running. Whipple told Mayor John Peyton in an e-mail that the shadow commission would “check and double check the numbers that your... Commission puts forth for the public to consider with regard to reopening Cecil Field.” The e-mail was accompanied by public records request seeking names and biographies of Peyton’s commission members and meeting minutes and agendas as well as copies of all governmental impact studies, economic analyses and other documents relating to the Department of Defense’s Base Relocation and Closure process, which started the debate over reopening a Navy jet base at Cecil. Whipple said the Democratic Party is not opposed to the Navy returning to Cecil, but wants to provoke an “in-depth” discussion about the matter.
UNF offers help on CLA exam
The University of North Florida has opened a preparatory course for the Dec. 2 Certified Legal Assistant Examination. The class costs $215 for UNF alumni, $265 otherwise. Classes will be offered at the UNF campus and the Duval County Courthouse. Call 620-4260 to register.