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

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.

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.

Wednesday Newspaper

Daily Business Review| April 18, 2018

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

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…

Tuesday Newspaper

Daily Business Review| April 17, 2018

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

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.

Monday Newspaper

Daily Business Review| April 16, 2018

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

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;…

News

Feds: Miami Escort Service Owner Reported Only Credit Card Sales on Taxes

Samantha Joseph | April 12, 2018

Dennis Zarudny operates Denzar Inc., which did business as “Elite Escort Service” in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and Palm Beach.

News

Miami-Dade Postpones Brightline Courthouse Site Decision

Lidia Dinkova | April 12, 2018

The Brightline rail system's parent is offering one option, and the county will seek bids for development on two public parcels.

News

State Judge Gives Green Light for Man to Grow Marijuana

Dara Kam, News Service of Florida| April 12, 2018

A Tallahassee judge gave the OK to Tampa entrepreneur Joe Redner to grow his own pot to treat cancer, prompting state health officials to immediately appeal a decision that could open the door to more legal skirmishes over Florida’s medical-marijuana regulations.

News

Fisher Potter Gets New West Palm Office After Merger

Lidia Dinkova | April 12, 2018

Divorce firm Fisher Potter Hodas was formed from the marriage of Fisher, Bendeck & Potter and The Law Office of Benjamin T. Hodas.

Coral Springs Apartments Sell for $3.4 Million

Daily Business Review| April 12, 2018

Address: 4329 NW 115th Ave. in Coral Springs Property type: This is a 28,797-square-foot, 20-unit multifamily development. Price: $3,350,000;…

Fort Lauderdale Mansion Sells for $1.3 Million

Daily Business Review| April 12, 2018

Address:  2456 NE 27th Ave. in Fort Lauderdale Property type: This is a 3,023-square-foot, four-bedroom and four-bathroom home built in the 1950s. Price: $1,345,000 Seller:…

News

Legal Education in 'Perilous Moment' as Leaders Gather to Examine Its Future

Karen Sloan | April 12, 2018

Law schools have yet to embrace significant structural change despite years of financial and market pressures, said educators at the Summit on the Future of Legal Education and Entry to the Profession in Miami.

News

Appellate Court Ruling Clarifies Derivative and Direct Claims in Fee Collection

Samantha Joseph | April 12, 2018

Miami attorney Arvin Peltz sought about $94,000 in legal fees, and also had a nearly $53,000 fee judgment against him.

Commentary

Why Being a Jerk at Mediation Is Counter-Productive

Oscar Sanchez| April 12, 2018

The civil justice system is intentionally adversarial. The rules pit one party against the other in a contest to see who will win the case. It is sometimes said that from these competitive, adversarial contests, justice will emerge when the court rules for one party or the other.

Analysis

ABA President Challenges Legal Technologists: ‘Be Bold, Be Adventurous, Be Courageous’

Mark Michels, Deloitte| April 12, 2018

At the Stanford CodeX FutureLaw conference, Hilarie Bass noted that the ABA has several initiatives underway to spur technology innovation.

News

11th Circuit Rules Constitution Allows GPS Search in Alien Smuggling Case

Katheryn Tucker | April 11, 2018

A GPS was the smoking gun in a Wednesday decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. In a per curiam decision, a panel of…

News

Miami-Dade Judge Resigns Amid Probe in Wake of Spouse's Arrest

Samantha Joseph | April 11, 2018

Prosecutors declined to bring criminal charges against the judge, but the allegations spurred a JQC inquiry.

Commentary

Facing Difficulties at the Ballpark, Marlins Seek Victory in Court

Corey Berman| April 11, 2018

A recent court filing by the Derek Jeter Marlins’ ownership group raised eyebrows: it claimed that the Miami Marlins were citizens of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and not Florida.

News

Trump Picks Winsor, Berger to Serve as Federal District Judges

Jim Saunders, News Service of Florida| April 11, 2018

President Donald Trump tapped two Florida appellate judges with ties to Attorney General Pam Bondi and former Gov. Jeb Bush to serve as federal district judges.

Wilton Manors Stores Sell for $1.6 Million

Daily Business Review| April 11, 2018

Address: 2500 NE 15th Ave. in Wilton Manors Property type: This is a 6,176-square-foot, one retail building. Price: $1,587,500 Seller: YMBR…

News

Appeals Court Takes Aim at Ruling on ‘Deer Dog’ Hunting

Jim Saunders, News Service of Florida| April 11, 2018

A divided appeals court overturned a ruling that would have forced state game officials to rein in “deer dog” hunting that some Northwest Florida residents argue has infringed on their property and created a nuisance.

Commentary

Considerations Regarding Attorney-Client Privilege in the Joint Representation of Multiple Clients

By Merrick L. “Rick” Gross and Yolanda P. Strader| April 11, 2018

The attorney-client privilege is one of the cornerstones of the legal profession. Despite the privilege’s sacrosanct nature, there are exceptions to the well-established rule that the communications between an attorney and his client are confidential.

News

Fowler White Adds Five Lawyers as Firm Turns 75

Meredith Hobbs | April 11, 2018

The firm recruited IP shareholder Joseph Englander and four associates for its maritime and insurance practices.

News

Flint Water Lawyer Calls Removal Attempt ‘Blatant Money Grab’

Amanda Bronstad | April 10, 2018

A lawyer accused of unethical conduct in the Flint water case called an attempt to oust him from his leadership appointment “nothing but a retaliatory smear campaign” and a “blatant money grab.”

News

Skadden Bankruptcy Veteran Joins Greenberg Traurig

Meghan Tribe | April 10, 2018

J. Gregory Milmoe, a former co-chair of the bankruptcy and restructuring practice at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, where he spent 47 years, has joined Greenberg Traurig in Boston and New York.

News

Propane Class Action Nets $1.65 Million for Florida Legal Aid

Samantha Joseph | April 10, 2018

A South Florida litigator's suit yielded $213,400 for Legal Services of Greater Miami, $141,800 for Legal Aid of Broward County and $53,500 for its Palm Beach County counterpart.

Q&A

Competitive Edge for Clarke Silverglate Comes in Part From Continuity

Catherine Wilson | April 10, 2018

The Miami litigation boutique is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

News

Tenet Defeats Medicare Advantage Class Action Alleging Overpayments

Samantha Joseph | April 10, 2018

Plaintiffs seek to recoup billions in payments under the Medicare Secondary Payer Act.

Miami Lakes Office Building Sells for $1.1 Million

Daily Business Review| April 10, 2018

Address: 8000 NW 155th St. in Miami Lakes Property type: This is a  3,104-square-foot office building constructed in 2003. Price: $1,125,517 Seller: Venus…

News

North Miami Beach Mayor Gets Plea Deal for Campaign Violations

Catherine Wilson | April 10, 2018

George Vallejo, a longtime mortgage broker, admitted shifting $5,000 in campaign funds to himself.

News

Florida ACLU Leader Simon Retiring After Decades of Battles

Dara Kam, News Service of Florida| April 10, 2018

Howard Simon began his career fighting for voting rights, and he’ll end more than four decades of civil-rights advocacy championing the same issue.

News

Meland Russin Attorneys Close $7.6 Million in Hialeah Health Care Deals

Lidia Dinkova | April 10, 2018

The tenants in the buildings are an urgent care center and a medical laboratory.

News

Trump to Nominate Justice Britt Grant to 11th Circuit

Katheryn Tucker | April 10, 2018

Grant has served on the state high court for one year and three months. Gov. Nathan Deal appointed her to fill one of two expansion positions. She has written opinions for some of the most-watched cases.

News

Greenberg Traurig Team Closes $120M Pavonia Insurance Purchase

Lidia Dinkova | April 10, 2018

An affiliate of Global Bankers Insurance Group buys Pavonia Holdings (US) Inc. with help from the Fort Lauderdale legal team.

Commentary

What Legal Professionals Want in 2018: Less Stress, More Appreciation

Debra Frank Montero| April 10, 2018

Happy employees are good for business, according to a Robert Half study on workplace happiness, It’s Time We All Work Happy™. They’re more loyal, productive, healthier and motivated to contribute to their company’s bottom line.

News

The Incredibly Shrinking Home: Miami Beach Developer Down to 350 Square Feet

Lidia Dinkova | April 09, 2018

Developer Domus Group is building a 70-unit condo-hotel at 6080 Collins Ave. that will offer 350-square-foot micro-units.

News

Class Action Targets CIBA Insurance as 'Ponzi Scheme'

Greg Land | April 09, 2018

One of nine filing attorneys for the putative class action, Coral Gables lawyer Adam Moskowitz, said CIBA Insurance "has been able to skirt the insurance regulators, so there are no regulators checking their books every month."

News

Attorneys Secure $5 Million for Woman Who Had 4 Amputations After Snakebite

Samantha Joseph | April 09, 2018

Joseph J. Slama and Brent Reitman had to overcome a common-law defense protecting property owners from liability for attacks by wild animals.