Florida

Lawyer Asserts First Amendment Right to Describe Judge as a Witch

A Florida lawyer who called a judge an “evil, unfair witch” on a blog has submitted a brief with the Florida Supreme Court that contends his comments were protected by the First Amendment. Lawyer Sean Conway submitted the legal papers after the court asked him and the Florida Bar to…

Jul 16, 2008 6:23 PM CDT

Unhappy Art Buyers File Lawsuits Over Cruise Ship Art Auctions

Customers dissatisfied with their purchases in cruise ship art auctions are filing lawsuits that claim the value of the artwork was misrepresented. Class action lawsuits filed by customers who live in Florida and California name auctioneer Park West Gallery, based in Southfield, Mich., the New York Times reports. The suits…

Jul 16, 2008 5:55 PM CDT

Potential Juror Curses Judge and Lands in Jail

A potential juror in Florida ended up in a jail cell rather than the courtroom when she apparently called the judge an asshole for refusing to dismiss her from jury service. Sarah Muller told the Ocala Star Banner she was unhappy that the judge dismissed another juror but refused to…

Jul 15, 2008 4:59 PM CDT

Lawyer’s Affair Leads to Firm Breakup, $2M Verdict

In a civil theft verdict that could hit two attorneys with some $2 million in damages, a Florida jury found late last month that two longtime associates of a well-known Tampa personal injury attorney essentially stripped the owner of their former firm of much of his practice. The verdict—which was…

Jul 14, 2008 8:26 PM CDT

Boy, 12, Takes Deal in Fla. Tot’s Murder, Gets 18 Months

In a case that lawyers hope will have a happier ending than that of another Florida 12-year-old convicted of murdering a much smaller child, a boy accused of beating a toddler to death with a baseball bat while babysitting her has pleaded no contest to second-degree murder. Under the plea…

Jul 10, 2008 8:50 PM CDT

Divorce Deli Offers Menu of Marriage Dissolution Options

Rather than fighting a trend toward more individual involvement in their own legal matters, a Florida matrimonial lawyer is joining it. For those seeking an end to their marriages on a low-budget basis, Steven Miller of Plantation offers an a la carte menu of legal services and self-help options on…

Jul 10, 2008 5:26 PM CDT

Insurer GC Agrees to Reprimand for Claim of ‘Paid Off’ Judges

The general counsel for United Automobile Insurance has agreed to a public reprimand for telling a journalist that Miami-area judges are being “paid off” by plaintiffs lawyers. As part of the discipline, general counsel Charles Grimsley agreed to write a letter of apology for his comments to the Daily Business…

Jul 10, 2008 5:08 PM CDT

Referee: Anti-Porn Lawyer Should Be Disbarred for Acting ‘With Vengeance’

A Miami judge is recommending that anti-porn lawyer Jack Thompson be permanently disbarred for acting “with vengeance” in an attempt to intimidate, harass or disparage lawyers and judges who opposed him or ruled against him. Judge Dava Tunis said Thompson attempted to harm his opponents’ reputations “with utter disregard to…

Jul 10, 2008 4:02 PM CDT

Fla. Law Firm Has Filed About 70 Fraud Suits Against Lenders

Some borrowers who say their lenders hid the true terms of their onerous loans are suing for fraud. One law firm that is eager to help is the Affirmative Defense Group in Margate, Fla. Lawyer Frank Ingrassia says the firm has filed about 70 such suits on behalf of borrowers…

Jul 10, 2008 11:08 AM CDT

5 Miami Judges Hold Court on Nation’s TV Airwaves

In what is surely a record for any one U.S. city, five former Miami criminal judges are now holding court on reality television shows, and two were nominated for Emmy awards this year. Among them: Marilyn Milian, who has presided over The People’s Court for eight years; David Young, whose…

Jul 8, 2008 7:54 PM CDT

Prepaid Legal Services in Fla. a 1st Step in FSBO Co.‘s National Plan

A real estate listing service that focuses on for-sale-by-owner properties is now offering to home sellers what it says is a nationwide first—an opportunity to purchase prepaid legal services for their real estate deals at below-market prices. While the legal services, which are being provided by Spira, Beadle & McGarrell,…

Jul 8, 2008 5:25 PM CDT

Termite Lawyer Bugged By Job But Likes the Independence

The life of a termite lawyer isn’t an easy one, particularly when he is new to the job, Pete Cardillo says. And the 50-year-old Columbia Law School graduate should know. Perhaps the only attorney in the nation who practices full-time suing pest control companies over allegedly breached contracts to keep…

Jul 8, 2008 3:40 PM CDT

As A-Rod’s Wife Files for Divorce, He Retains Shaq’s Attorney

Updated: Cynthia Rodriguez, the wife of famed New York Yankees third baseman Alex “A-Rod” Rodriguez filed for divorce in Florida today, alleging infidelity and emotional abandonment of his family. But her soon-to-be ex-husband has lost no time in retaining a high-profile Miami divorce attorney. Ira Elegant, who also represents basketball…

Jul 7, 2008 6:26 PM CDT

Lawyer, Paralegal Blame Each Other for $200,000 in Missing Client Money

Recent testimony by an ex-attorney in Florida and her former paralegal, office manager and best friend sheds considerable light on why their law firm had trouble managing its money and lost track, at least, of some $200,000 in missing client funds. The ex-attorney, Jessica Miller, who is currently being held…

Jul 7, 2008 3:35 PM CDT

Judge v. Judge: Banned Florida Jurist Sues Courthouse Chief

Banned from the main Broward County, Fla., courthouse and reassigned to work on traffic cases after a reported verbal altercation with another judge, Judge Jay Spechler resigned earlier this year. But now he has sued Broward Chief Judge Victor Tobin personally for defamation, contending also that Tobin created a hostile…

Jul 3, 2008 6:31 PM CDT