Florida Republicans May Be Forced to Act on Voting Rights

Gary Fineout, Associated Press| April 25, 2018

Confronted with a federal judge's looming deadline, Florida Gov. Rick Scott called an extraordinary late-night meeting of top state officials Wednesday…

Miami Multifamily Property Sells for $1.3 Million

Daily Business Review| April 25, 2018

Address: 559 SW Third St. in Miami Property type: This is a 5,928-square-foot, two-story multifamily property with 13 units. Price: $1,315,000 Seller: 559…

Commentary

Can Cryptocurrency Be Claimed as Tenancy by the Entireties Property?

Alan R. Rosenberg| April 25, 2018

“Make everything TBE!” This pearl of wisdom was offered to me by a bankruptcy trustee shortly before my nuptials. TBE—or more properly stated, tenancy by the entireties—is a form of shared property ownership in Florida and other jurisdictions that is unique to married couples.

Wednesday Newspaper

Daily Business Review| April 25, 2018

Click on the selected day to download the News section of the The Daily Business Review in PDF format.

News

State Sen. Gary Farmer Joins Morgan & Morgan

Miriam Rozen | April 24, 2018

“A small sacrifice was autonomy,” Gary Farmer said of joining 400-lawyer Morgan & Morgan after having his own smaller firm. “But with autonomy comes extra headaches."

News

3 Big Florida Firms Remain on the Am Law 100

Brenda Sapino Jeffreys | April 24, 2018

Greenberg Traurig, Holland & Knight and Akerman continue to rank among the nation's 100 highest-grossing firms.

News

How a Florida Supreme Court Case Could Affect Attorney Pay

Samantha Joseph | April 24, 2018

Twelve law firms and legal aid groups weigh in with friend-of-the-court briefs in a case where a homeowner beat back a foreclosure lawsuit.

News

Caribbean Village Affordable Housing in South Miami-Dade on Tap for 2019

Lidia Dinkova | April 24, 2018

Construction of the 123-unit affordable housing complex for seniors is expected to start in June.

News

Meet the Florida Lawyer Who's Calling Foul on Workplace Rules for NFL Cheerleaders

Erin Mulvaney | April 24, 2018

"If a cheerleader says she wants to make a billion dollars from this, I would probably find them someone else," said Sara Blackwell, the Sarasota, Florida, lawyer representing cheerleaders who are challenging employment rules.

News

Drugmakers Focused on Profits Over Patients, Jurors Told During Xarelto Closings

Max Mitchell | April 24, 2018

If Janssen Pharmaceuticals was the Cleveland Cavaliers, then its blockbuster blood thinner medication Xarelto was the company's LeBron James, an attorney suing the drugmaker told a Philadelphia jury during closing arguments in the latest state court trial over the drug's safety.

News

State Commission Begins Parkland High School Shooting Probe

Lloyd Dunkelberger, News Service of Florida| April 24, 2018

A 16-member commission began reviewing the Feb. 14 mass shooting at a Broward County high school, looking into the circumstances of the crime, the background of the alleged shooter and recommendations to prevent future tragedies.

News

Minnesota Woman Suspected in 2 Killings Waives Extradition

Associated Press| April 24, 2018

It will be first come, first served for two states wanting to take custody of a Minnesota woman who is suspected in two killings, a Texas judge ruled.

News

Aztec Closes $19.15 Million Loan for New Hotel in Fort Lauderdale

Lidia Dinkova | April 24, 2018

This is the second loan in as many years Aztec secures for The Gale Boutique Hotel & Residences.

News

Greenberg Traurig's Kara MacCullough Closes $3.65B Deal for Wireless Company

Lidia Dinkova | April 24, 2018

MacCullough led a team of Greenberg Traurig attorneys to close financing for SBA Communications Corp.

News

Splintered Supreme Court Shields Foreign Corporations From Alien Tort Statute

Tony Mauro | April 24, 2018

The splintered 91-page decision in Jesner v. Arab Bank—Justice Kennedy wrote for the majority—narrows the reach of the Alien Tort Statute and finishes a task the court left incomplete in its 2013 ruling in Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Petroleum.

Pompano Beach Industrial Property Sells for $1 Million

Daily Business Review| April 24, 2018

Address: 1650 NW 33rd St. in Pompano Beach Property type: This is a 19,095-square-foot warehouse and distribution terminal on a 1-acre property. Price: $1,029,200 Seller:…

Commentary

2018 Condo Legislation a Green Light for Electric Vehicle Owners

Jonathan Goldstein| April 24, 2018

House Bill 841, approved by the governor and taking effect on July 1, 2018, paves inroads for electric vehicles at condominium developments while extending the Distressed Condominium Relief Act and the deadline for associations to meet condominium website requirements, among various other changes intended to bring increased coherence to provisions of the Condominium Act.

Tuesday Newspaper

Daily Business Review| April 24, 2018

Click on the selected day to download the News section of the The Daily Business Review in PDF format.

News

Greenspoon Marder Opens LA Office With 6-Lawyer Group

Meghan Tribe | April 23, 2018

Fast-growing Am Law 200 firm Greenspoon Marder has set up shop in Los Angeles after adding four lawyers from local boutique Eisner Jaffe, as well as a former California judge and ex-solo practitioner.

News

West Palm Beach Attorney Wins $3.6 Million Verdict in Blood Filter MDL

Samantha Joseph | April 23, 2018

“The short story is this was a human experiment that went terribly wrong,” plaintiff lawyer Joe Johnson said.

News

Cryptocurrency Class Action Won't Be Arbitrated, Appeals Court Rules

P.J. D'Annunzio | April 23, 2018

A federal appeals court ruled U.S. District Judge Kenneth Marra was right to rule out arbitration in a class action alleging a cryptocurrency fraud.

News

Judge Merrilee Ehrlich Planned to Retire, But a Controversial Video Forced Her Out Sooner

Samantha Joseph | April 23, 2018

"That was not just a little off," Broward Public Defender Howard Finkelstein said. "That was mean, it was abusive, it was cruel, and it was gratuitous.”

News

Husband-and-Wife Attorneys Martin and Jane Raskin Join Trump Team

Ryan Lovelace | Catherine Wilson | April 23, 2018

Rudy Giuliani may have gotten all the headlines, but the former New York City mayor and on-again, off-again Greenberg Traurig partner isn’t the only new lawyer to join the president’s legal team.

News

Lawyers Debate Cole Scott's Move to Throw Judge David Miller Off Cases

Samantha Joseph | April 23, 2018

“I have no way to control where Ms. Espinosa runs for judge," Cole Scott & Kissane managing partner Richard Cole said. "That’s her decision.”

Jury Awards $4M to Artist Disabled by Car Accident

Verdict Search| April 23, 2018

An injured passenger was an artist who claimed he had to learn to paint with his nondominant hand.

Bystander Partly to Blame for Bar Fight Injury

Verdict Search| April 23, 2018

A jury decides a bystander was liable when his arm was cut by a broken champagne glass.

Miami Beach Multifamily Building Sells for $1.9 Million

Daily Business Review| April 23, 2018

  Address: 1561 Jefferson Ave. in Miami Beach  Property type: This is a 8,697-square-foot, two-story multifamily building with 12 units. Price: $1,950,000 Seller: Ocon…

Commentary

Made in China—Why the US Cares About Counterfeiting

A. Robert Weaver| April 23, 2018

At the heart of the Trump’s administration’s rationale for these latest tariffs is China’s widespread theft of intellectual property. China has historically been a counterfeit safe haven.

News

Deputies Hold Vote on Sheriff After Florida School Massacre

Terry Spencer, Associated Press| April 23, 2018

The union that represents the deputies who responded to the Florida high school massacre is holding a no-confidence vote on the sheriff, with the labor group’s leaders saying he should have accepted some blame for the shooting.

News

Judge Backs Hollywood Hills Nursing Home on Death Records

Jim Saunders, News Service of Florida| April 23, 2018

Ruling against the Florida Department of Health, a circuit judge said an embattled Broward County nursing home is entitled to receive copies of death certificates for people who died across the state around the time of Hurricane Irma.

News

Watch the Video: The Hearing That Ended Broward Judge Merrilee Ehrlich's Time on Bench

Samantha Joseph | April 23, 2018

Ehrlich appears exasperated throughout her interaction with Sandra Twiggs. The 59-year-old woman requested a breathing treatment during a brief video hearing and died days later.

Monday Newspaper

Daily Business Review| April 23, 2018

Click on the selected day to download the News section of the The Daily Business Review in PDF format.

News

Law Grad Employment Rate Improves Thanks to Smaller Class

Karen Sloan | April 20, 2018

The class of 2017 posted gains in jobs requiring a law degree, but the number of jobs in which a law degree offers an advantage declined significantly.

News

11th Circuit Turns Down Gay Rights Asylum Appeal

Katheryn Tucker | April 20, 2018

A student in Cameroon said he was attacked, cut with a knife and threatened with death after posting a message in a university publication asking for equal rights and treatment of homosexuals.

News

In First Post-Merger Hires, Hunton Andrews Kurth Adds Real Estate Duo

Miriam Rozen | April 20, 2018

Jonathan Kurry, who joined from GrayRobinson, said he plans to help newly formed Hunton Andrews Kurth build up its real estate practice in Miami.

News

Election Rivalry Fuels Law Firm's Bid to Remove Judge

Samantha Joseph | April 20, 2018

The move prompted claims Florida law firm used its deep pockets to strategically throw a sitting judge from its litigation.

Commentary

Law Day 2018: Reflecting on the Great Gift of the Separation of Powers

Linda Leali| April 20, 2018

This year marks the 60th anniversary of Law Day, which was first established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958 as "a day of national dedication to the principles of government under law." This year’s theme as proposed by the American Bar Association is "Separation of Powers."

Homestead Retail Property Sells for $1.15 Million

Daily Business Review| April 20, 2018

Address: 815 N. Krome Ave. in Homestead Property type: This is a 6,615-square-foot retail property built in 1934 and situated on less than half…

Profile

Litigator Jill Nexon Berman Recalls Career Risks, Personal Tragedy

Lidia Dinkova | April 20, 2018

Berman left a secure job at one law firm to help start a new firm from scratch.

Friday Newspaper

Daily Business Review| April 20, 2018

Click on the selected day to download the News section of the The Daily Business Review in PDF format.

News

Giuliani Joins Trump Legal Team, Takes Leave from Greenberg Traurig

Christine Simmons | April 19, 2018

The former New York mayor will serve as a personal lawyer for the president.

'Lost His Way': Outpouring of Support for Imprisoned South Florida Lawyer

Samantha Joseph | April 19, 2018

Several attorneys and longtime friends spoke out on behalf of Jason Dalley, who was sentenced to prison for fraud.

News

February Bar Exam Performance Hits Record Low

Karen Sloan | April 19, 2018

A decline in the average MBE score from the February 2018 bar exam does not bode well for pass rates, which are beginning to trickle out.

News

Governor, Seminole Tribe Reach Deal on State’s Gambling Money

Dara Kam and Jim Saunders, News Service of Florida| April 19, 2018

As legislative leaders hold behind-the-scenes talks about revamping the gambling industry, Gov. Rick Scott announced a deal that will lead to the Seminole Tribe continuing to pay more than $300 million a year in casino money to the state.

News

Rubio, Nelson Back Hospitals on Medicare Payment Challenges

Christine Sexton, News Service of Florida| April 19, 2018

Tampa General Hospital is throwing its support behind a bipartisan proposal that, if passed by Congress, would allow it and other large health care systems to challenge how the government estimates additional Medicare payments.

Miami Multifamily Buildings Trade for $2.5 Million

Daily Business Review| April 19, 2018

Address: 829 SW 18th Ave. in Miami Property type: This is a 21,742-square-foot, three-story multifamily building with 36 bedrooms. Price: $2,500,000 Seller: Aijde…

Kendall Home with Pool, Tennis Court Sells for $1.2 Million

Daily Business Review| April 19, 2018

Address: 8987 SW 117th St., Kendall Property type: This is a 5,172-square-foot, four-bedroom home on a nearly 1-acre lot. It has a swimming pool…

Commentary

New Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Impacts Law Firms and Attorneys: What’s in It for You?

Howard E. Hammer| April 19, 2018

Late in December, many local attorneys and law firm administrators were following the Republican tax plan with great anticipation of bringing home fatter paychecks with all that was being negotiated between the House and Senate.

News

11th Circuit Revives False Claims Lawsuit in Three-Way Circuit Split

Greg Land | April 19, 2018

In reversing an Alabama judge, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals held that the False Claims Act's statute of limitations for bringing a claim starts when the government learns of the fraud, not when the whistleblower finds out about it.

Thursday Newspaper

Daily Business Review| April 19, 2018

Click on the selected day to download the News section of the The Daily Business Review in PDF format.

News

Southwest Airlines Passengers Looking to Lawyer Up After Emergency Landing

Samantha Joseph | April 18, 2018

Less than 24 hours after a Dallas-bound Southwest Airlines jet made an emergency landing in Philadelphia Tuesday, attorney Ladd Sanger had already fielded two calls from passengers.

Slideshow

See Plans for Development Near Miami's Grove Metrorail Station

Lidia Dinkova | April 18, 2018

Grass River Property proposed the project and is now working with Terra Group as development plans progress.

News

Disbarred Ex-Law Firm Chairman Scott Rothstein Stuck With 50-Year Sentence

Catherine Wilson | April 18, 2018

A judge says federal prosecutors have the discretion to yank an offer of a reduced prison sentence.

News

Proposed Student Loan Cap Could Devastate Law Schools

Karen Sloan | April 18, 2018

Experts worry that provisions within the pending reauthorization of the Higher Education Act will exacerbate legal education's diversity challenges and put a J.D. out of reach of low-income students.

News

Terra Gets in on Grove Metrorail Station Project With Grass River Property

Lidia Dinkova | April 18, 2018

The development proposal also outlines an enhanced bus depot, which could mean upgrades to the existing bus stop.

News

Why FIU Dominates the Florida Bar Exam

Samantha Joseph | April 18, 2018

Eighty-five percent of FIU's first-time test takers sitting the bar exam in February passed.

News

Florida Voters to Weigh 13 Ballot Proposals in November

Lloyd Dunkelberger, News Service of Florida| April 18, 2018

Florida voters will get a chance to decide in November whether 13 is a lucky or unlucky number.

Sweetwater Multifamily Property Sells for $2.6 Million

Daily Business Review| April 18, 2018

Address: 10922 and 10912 SW Sixth St. in Sweetwater Property type: This is a two-building multifamily property. Price: $2,600,000 Seller:…

Commentary

How Accounting Claims Can Be Game-Changers in International Litigation

 Jason Domark, Charles C. Kline and Reid Kline| April 18, 2018

Imagine that your client invested in a foreign partnership, and the “partner” ran off with the funds. Or maybe your client relied on the wrong offshore wealth adviser, or placed funds with the wrong trust company.

News

Nasty Law Firm Breakup Includes Claim Florida Lawyer Stole Clients from Multiple Firms

Samantha Joseph | April 18, 2018

The plaintiff alleges personal injury attorney Thomas Schmitt left a trail of law firm victims from South Florida to Orlando.

News

Breyer Tosses Government Actions Against Volkswagen

Amanda Bronstad | April 17, 2018

A federal judge has dismissed cases brought by two counties in Utah and Florida alleging Volkswagen’s emissions fraud violated their state environmental laws.

News

Miami Sues Drugmakers, Distributors for Opioid Crisis

P.J. D'Annunzio | April 17, 2018

Miami joins other jurisdictions blaming drugmakers and distributors for opioid deaths and overdoses.

News

With DOJ Asking to Vacate Joe Arpaio's Contempt Record, Ninth Circuit to Appoint Special Prosecutor

Ross Todd | April 17, 2018

In dissent from the motion panel's order, Circuit Judge Richard Tallman wrote that Perkins Coie, which has represented amici pushing for a special prosecutor, should be precluded from getting the nod since the firm "represented President Trump’s former political rival, Hillary Clinton."

News

No Power? Coral Gables Can Chase FPL for Hurricane Outages

Catherine Wilson | April 17, 2018

A lawsuit against Florida Power & Light by Coral Gables over extended power outages after Hurricane Irma survives a dismissal motion.

News

Constitution Commission Scuttles Immigration Verification Proposal

Jim Turner, News Service of Florida| April 17, 2018

Florida businesses won’t have to worry about voters requiring them to verify the immigration status of new employees.

News

After CRC Approval, Crime Victims Measure to Go on November Ballot

Jim Saunders, News Service of Florida| April 17, 2018

With the measure drawing support from state leaders and law-enforcement officials, Florida voters in November will decide whether to approve a proposed constitutional amendment that would spell out a series of rights of crime victims.

News

Akerman Closes Illinois-Based Grossinger Auto Group Sale to Canadian Buyer

Lidia Dinkova | April 17, 2018

The majority of Akerman attorneys who worked on this are based in Miami and one partner is based in Chicago.

Commentary

Legal PR 101: What You Need to Know to Get the Word Out

Julie Talenfeld| April 17, 2018

So you’ve just won a huge case for your client. You worked long hours doing research, preparing your client for court, and gathering evidence. Now it’s time to let the world know about the verdict.

News

Marcus & Millichap Brokers Close $7.8 Million Coral Springs Office Sale

Lidia Dinkova | April 17, 2018

The buyer wants to build a hotel and residences in place of the office building.

News

Hector Lombana, Mary Hoelle Form New Litigation Firm

Catherine Wilson | April 17, 2018

Lombana leaves Gamba Lombana & Herrera, and Hoelle departs from Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr.

News

South Florida Lawyer Sentenced to 21 Months in Prison

Samantha Joseph | April 17, 2018

He must also pay nearly $1.84 million in restitution.

Southwest Ranches Commercial Building Trades for $2.1 Million

Daily Business Review| April 17, 2018

Address: 6670 Dykes Road in Southwest Ranches Property type: This is a 6,154-square-foot, one-story commercial building that used to be an Applebee's…

News

Downtown Miami Hyatt, Courtyard Marriott on Path to Tall Towers

Lidia Dinkova | April 16, 2018

The city-owned James L. Knight Center would disappear as part of the transformation.

Commentary

Accepting That LinkedIn Invitation May Be a Violation of a Nonsolicitation Agreement

Hugo V. Alvarez| April 16, 2018

Social media sites like Facebook and LinkedIn are increasingly being used today for professional purposes. Those purposes include maintaining professional networks and promoting certain brands and companies. On the other hand, an individual’s social media activity may serve as the basis for a claim involving the breach of a nonsolicitation agreement.

News

LSAT's Grip on Law Schools Loosens With ABA's Latest Move

Karen Sloan | April 16, 2018

An American Bar Association committee has recommended axing the accreditation standard mandating that schools use a standardized test in admissions.

News

NFL Accuses Lawyers, Doctors of 'Widespread Fraud' on Concussion Settlement

Max Mitchell | April 16, 2018

The NFL has asked a Pennsylvania federal judge to appoint a special investigator to look into alleged "widespread fraud" that is "infecting" the $1 billion concussion litigation settlement.

Fort Lauderdale Office Building Sells for $3.4 Million

Daily Business Review| April 16, 2018

Address: 2901 NW 62nd St. in Fort Lauderdale Property type: This is a 39,990-square-foot office building on a 2.8-acre lot. Price: $3,400,000 Seller: JV…

News

Felons’ Lawyers Chide State in Voting Rights Restoration Fight

Dara Kam, News Service of Florida| April 16, 2018

Attorneys for felons trying to have their voting rights restored are accusing Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet of “foot-dragging” by trying to block a federal judge’s order that gave the state until April 26 to revamp its controversial rights-restoration process.

News

Catholic University Alumni Protest DeVos’ Upcoming Speech

Associated Press| April 16, 2018

A group of alumni from Ave Maria University wants the school to rescind an invitation to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to speak at the school’s graduation, citing rollbacks she has made to programs aimed at protecting civil rights and the disabled.

Holland & Knight Grabs Baker's Mexico City Litigation Chief Salvador Fonseca

Catherine Wilson | April 16, 2018

Fonseca had been the head of litigation and arbitration in Baker McKenzie’s Mexico City office.

News

FIU Is No. 1 on Bar Exam Passage

Samantha Joseph | April 16, 2018

University of Florida landed in last place for the off-peak exam.

Dress Shop Fall Left Bride's Mother in Wheelchair for Wedding

Verdict Search| April 16, 2018

A jury awards $626,000 in damages against a Plantation bridal shop.

Condo Owes $7.5 Million for Man's Fall Getting in Hot Tub

Verdict Search| April 16, 2018

A resident was startled when he found the hot tub was partially empty.

News

Miami Lawyers Tussle Over $53M Judgment in Toll Software Dispute

Celia Ampel | April 16, 2018

The Miami-Dade Expressway Authority is appealing the judgment for breaching a contract with a company tasked with developing and implementing a toll collection system.

Bilzin Sumberg Reports Down Year in 2017 After Earning Big Fees the Year Before

Catherine Wilson | April 16, 2018

The Miami midsize law firm said its financial results were down in 2017, but only because 2016 brought in noteworthy collections.

News

Industrial Market Thriving on High Demand, Limited New Supply

Lidia Dinkova | April 16, 2018

South Florida's tight industrial real estate market is setting records as demand rises without much new in the pipeline.

Slideshow

Miami Design District Commands Top-Dollar Rent, Grows After Iffy Start

Lidia Dinkova | April 16, 2018

The district is home to high-end shops like Gucci and Eres and now commands some of the highest retail rents in Miami-Dade County. This for an area called "more of a disappointment" by real estate analysts six years ago.

Commentary

National Owners Weigh the Future of South Florida's Industrial Market

Steven Wasserman| April 16, 2018

As the region's strongest real estate sector, the industrial market has robust fundamentals.

News

Retailers, Developers Compete for Space Left Open by Disappearing Big-Box Stores

Lidia Dinkova | April 16, 2018

The downtown Miami Macy's, the Sears in Boca Raton, and multiple Toys R Us and Winn-Dixie stores throughout South Florida either have closed or will close. But the retail spaces won't stay vacant.

News

Miami Boasts Less Retail Space Availability Than New York, Los Angeles, Data Show

Lidia Dinkova | April 16, 2018

The demand comes with one of the fastest-growing rental rates in the past five years, a CBRE report finds.

Commentary

Retail Redevelopment: Oh, What a Tangled Web We Lawyers Must Unweave

Ira Teicher| April 16, 2018

Attorneys must be thorough and thoughtful to cover all the potential responses to the "retail apocalypse."

News

Read the Documents: Deputies Outline Whereabouts in Minutes Following Parkland School Shooting

Samantha Joseph | April 13, 2018

The Broward Sheriff's Office releases incident reports outlining the response by deputies to the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Profile

View From the Top: Formidable Litigator David Bianchi Used to Raise the Flag at the US Capitol

Samantha Joseph | April 13, 2018

To get to the flagpole, David Bianchi had to climb a ladder, slide open a trapdoor and make his way to the roof.

On the Move

ALM Staff| April 13, 2018

Legal industry hiring and promotions in South Florida.

News

Power Company's Legal Malpractice Suit Against Greenberg Traurig Gets Tossed

Christine Simmons | April 13, 2018

NextEra Energy Inc. claimed it was damaged in the form of legal fees paid to Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and trial and appeal fees "amounting to millions of dollars."

News

'A Lot of Fighting': Retired Attorney Battles Siblings for $100 Million Fortune

Samantha Joseph | April 13, 2018

Retired attorney Ronald Dubner filed trust, probate and tort actions in Palm Beach and Broward counties.

News

In Parkland’s Wake, Cities and Counties Take Aim at State Gun Law

Dara Kam, News Service of Florida| April 13, 2018

Challenges to the 2011 “preemption” law, which bans local governments from imposing gun restrictions tougher than those in state laws, are just one of the ways local officials are fighting for stricter regulations in the wake of the Feb. 14 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.

News

Business Coalition Fights Immigration Verification Proposal

Jim Turner, News Service of Florida| April 13, 2018

The state Constitution Revision Commission is expected next week to consider putting the proposal on the November ballot.

News

In Wake of Merger, Gardere Loses Another Partner to Akerman

Brenda Sapino Jeffreys | April 13, 2018

Litigator Matthew Schroeder had spent his career at Gardere before the Foley-Gardere merger prompted his departure.

Wilton Manors Multifamily Building Sells for $2.5 Million

Daily Business Review| April 13, 2018

Address: 530 NE 20th St. in Wilton Manors Property type: This is a 12,686-square-foot multifamily building with 18 units. Price: $2,470,000;…