2013 Legislative Review

LLC Bill, SB1300

Revised Florida Arbitration Code, SB530

Assignment for Benefit of Creditors, HB833

Maxine Long recipient of The Florida Bar President's Pro Bono Award for the 11th Judicial Circuit, Miami-Dade

(from The Florida Bar's website)

The Florida Bar will recognize 22 lawyers for their work on behalf of poor and indigent clients at a Jan. 31 ceremony at the Supreme Court of Florida.

In 2011-12, Florida lawyers provided 1.67 million hours of pro bono services to those in need and $4.88 million to legal aid organizations.

The Florida Bar President's Pro Bono Service Awards were established in 1981. They are intended to encourage lawyers to volunteer free legal services to the poor by recognizing those who make public service commitments and to raise public awareness of the substantial volunteer services provided by Florida lawyers to those who cannot afford legal fees. President Gwynne A. Young, of Tampa, will present the 2013 awards.

The awards recognize pro bono service in each of Florida's 20 judicial circuits and one Florida Bar member practicing outside the state of Florida. They are presented annually in conjunction with the Tobias Simon Pro Bono Service Award, which is given by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Florida. Awards recognizing pro bono contributions will also be presented by the Chief Justice for Distinguished Judicial Service, Law Firm Commendation, and Voluntary Bar Association and by The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division for a Young Lawyer during the Jan. 31 ceremony.

From the Legal Opinion Standards Committee

The "Report on Third Party Legal Opinion Customary Practice in Florida, dated December 3, 2011" is now available. To obtain a copy, click here.

New Lawyer and Law Student Mentoring Initiative

The Section's Membership Committee is seeking volunteers who will be added to a list of potential mentors to assist  new lawyers and/or law students.  We are particularly sensitive to the needs of new lawyers who find it necessary, given the current economic environment, to hang up their own shingle, while lacking the requisite practical skills.  We intend to maintain the list of potential mentors, and send you information about potential mentees from time to time.  You can decide at a later date if you have the time and wherewithal to assist.  Mentoring includes being able to field practice questions from a mentee and/or establishing a relationship to help a mentee through the challenges  of law school and/or the early years of practice.

You will not be contacted by a potential mentee without your prior consent. If you are interested, please email Alan Aronson ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ), and please specify if you have any  preference to mentor a law student or a newly admitted lawyer, and please indicate your practice area.       LET'S MAKE THIS INITIATIVE A HUGE SUCCESS!!

FICPA

The FICPA Liaison Committee is focused on our outreach to the FICPA community of accountants. Its goal is to facilitate communication and interaction between The Florida Bar and the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

click here to learn more ab out FICPA Liaison Committee

 Diversity Committee

Our newly-formed Diversity Committee is comprised of judges, academicians, and lawyers who represent a  broad cross-section of our membership. The focus of the Diversity Committee is to make the BLS an open and inclusive Section of the Bar, welcoming to all lawyers who are interested in enhancing diversity,  and mentoring lawyers of varied backgrounds and interests who want to become leaders of the Section and the Bar.  

click here to learn more about the Diversity Committee