FLABOTA President Jeff Adelman goes over the agenda for the 26th Annual FLABOTA Convention at the end of July, 2024.

Just added!! 

Maegen Luka will be going over the recent changes to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure!

For registration and sponsorship opportunities, contact us at [email protected] or call Jeff directly at 754-702-7316. Can't wait to see you there! 

Here the rundown:

THURSDAY, JULY 25;
5:30PM – 7:00PM Welcome Reception

7:30PM – 9:30PM Private Dinner (invite only)

FRIDAY, JULY 26
8:00AM – 8:30AM Continental Breakfast

8:30AM – 8:45AM CLE Program Introductions

8:45AM – 9:35AM Ethics for the Skilled Civil Trial Lawyer Ed Cheffy, Cheffy Passidomo, P.A.

9:35AM – 9:50AM Sponsor Networking Break 

9:50AM – 10:40AM Why We Need HB617 (Law Clerks for Circuit Court Judges) Florida State Representative Michael Beltran Update on the Rules of Civil Procedure Changes Maegen Peek Luka, Newsome Melton Law Firm 

10:40AM – 10:55AM Sponsor Networking Break 

10:55AM – 11:45AM Artificial Intelligence: How and When Should We Use It Jon Garon, Professor of Law Nova Southeastern University
 
11:45AM – 12:00PM Sponsor Networking Break

12:00PM – 1:00PM Fireside Chat: Florida Supreme Court Justice Renatha Francis Moderated by Judge Nelly Khouzam

3:00PM – 4:00PM FLABOTA Board of Directors Meeting

6:00PM – 8:00PM Awards Reception

SATURDAY, JULY 27

8:30AM – 10:00AM Past Presidents Breakfast (invite only)

5:00PM – 7:00PM Cocktail Reception

7:00PM – 10:00PM Awards and Installation Banquet

CLE program APPROVED by The Florida Bar for 4 General, 1 Ethics, 1 Professionalism, 1 Technology, and 4 Civil Trial Certification Credits

FLABOTA President Jeff Adelman interviews National President La'Verne Edney regarding her open letter to ABOTA members in the aftermath of unfair attacks on jurors and the justice system after the recent "hush money" trial of Donald Trump in New York.


She wrote: "STAND UP FOR OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM: DEFEND THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY


Dear ABOTA Members:

As trial lawyers, we know that the diligent work of judges and jurors is paramount to a functional democracy. Recently, the world watched as twelve ordinary citizens listened to six weeks of evidence, deliberated for two days, and served as judges of the facts during the trial of a former President. The burden of responsibility shouldered by the presiding judge, jurors, and trial lawyers was enormous. Yet, the very process that guarantees everyone’s rights, was attacked. We must stand up for the twelve members of the community who completed their civic duty in the most challenging of circumstances. No single person or entity can control the law for their own purposes.


Further supporting that principle, our system of checks and balances guaranteed by the right to appeal is engrained in our history and consciousness. It signifies our Nation’s respect for the opinions of mankind. It remains our pathway to preserve the rights of all people in a democratic society. ABOTA will not stop fighting for the right to trial by jury. It works. It gives voice to justice. It preserves our humanity.


The judge and jurors who sacrificed six weeks of their lives deserve our gratitude and respect. As ABOTA members, I hope you will join me in standing strong for the integrity of the third branch of government. We know there is more work to be done. I urge you to actively oppose those who unfairly attack the citizens serving as jurors and the judges who protect and defend our Constitution. Give your voice to promoting and maintaining reverence for our system of justice. It is the responsibility of each of us, as leaders of our profession, to be active and vocal guardians of the right to trial by jury.


Sincerely, A. La'Verne Edney National President

 For more information about the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and what we stand for, go to www.abota.org .


Ms. Edney can be reached at [email protected] . This podcast was produced on June 13, 2024, by host Jeff Adelman ([email protected]) and Mitch Chester at [email protected]) for the Florida Chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates and the Fort Lauderdale Chapter.


Video production performed by proud FLABOTA sponsor Trilogy Trial Consultants www.trilogytrial.com . For more information about the Florida Chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates, go to www.flabota.org . For information regarding the Ft. Lauderdale ABOTA chapter, go to www.abotaftl.org . All video podcasts are also available on your favorite audio podcast platforms including: Apple Podcasts, go to https://shorturl.at/hFMY5  Spotify: https://shorturl.at/abcdm.

Retired Judge Jennifer Bailey has important messages for the civil trial bar and Judiciary.​

In this inspiring interview the innovative jurist carefully analyzes why there are not as many lawyers with civil trial experience as there used to be, especially following the height of the challenges and changes produced by COVID-19.

Her Honor also explains concerns about the “Graying of the Trial Bar,” as it impacts new generations of trial lawyers.​The Judge provides simple and easy strategies to educate young litigators to instill greater confidence in an era where less than 3 percent of cases go to full trials, and are often outshined by older, more experienced senior partners.

Judge Bailey also proactively discusses:
• Active listening during witness examinations,
• Using Zoom to educate practitioners by watching other hearings,
• Relationship building between advocates and their opponents, and
• Going beyond cold emails and developing “Rich Media” communications.

The interview also explains how the Eleventh Judicial Circuit General Jurisdiction Division, under her supervision as past Administrative Judge of the Civil Division, tackled the daunting challenges of the pandemic and creatively fashioned juror pool management procedures for trials.​Working with the Miami Chapter of ABOTA, the Circuit became a leader in continuing meaningful and productive civil justice at a time of great uncertainty about public health.

Now working as a Private Judge, Jennifer Bailey serves the community as an arbitrator and mediator, and also participates with the American Arbitration Association as a panelist. In 2015, she was awarded FLABOTA Jurist of the Year.

Very importantly, Judge Bailey travels across the nation to discuss and implement judicial management strategies for civil justice improvement.

Every Judge and trial lawyer, every law student, every law professor, and more, can benefit from this heartening and uplifting interview, with your host, Jeffrey Adelman, President of the Florida Chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates. This podcast was produced on May 24, 2024, by Jeff Adelman ([email protected]) and Mitch Chester ([email protected]) for the Florida Chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates and the Fort Lauderdale Chapter. Video production performed by proud FLABOTA sponsor Trilogy Trial Consultants www.trilogytrial.com . For more information about the Florida Chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates, go to www.flabota.org .

In this episode, FLABOTA President Jeff Adelman interviews Biomechanical Engineer Alexandra Maddox of CED Technologies about the practical uses of Artificial Intelligence in Litigation. The most visual of our podcast series to date, Ms. Maddox shows how AI can be an effective tool for enhancing video such as surveillance, a staple of personal injury litigation.

She will also demonstrate how to make documentation clearer through the proper use of AI.

While this is newer technology, and there is understandable fear of AI being abused, Ms. Maddox shows us how beneficial it can be to the presentation of evidence, and how it can actually be a valuable cost saver for tasks in a way that was unthinkable just a few years ago. 

*** NOTE, there was a technical problem during the recording of the opening and the visual starts around 1:44 of the video.

For more information about Alexandra Maddox and CED Technologies, please visit www.cedtechnologies.com .

In additional to prior podcast guest Professor Jon Garon of Nova Southeastern University, Ms. Maddox will be a participant in an AI Panel at the annual FLABOTA Convention CLE this year held at the Boca Raton Marriott on July 26, 2024 that you will not want to miss.

This podcast was produced on April 11, 2024, by Jeff Adelman ([email protected]) and Mitch Chester ([email protected]) for the Florida Chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates and the Fort Lauderdale Chapter. Video production performed by proud FLABOTA sponsor Trilogy Trial Consultants www.trilogytrial.com .

For more information about the Florida Chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates, go to www.flabota.org .

State Representative Michael Beltran (R-District 70) discusses his proposed legislation, House Bill 617, which would provide law clerks for Circuit Court Judges.

This episode explores the reasons which prompted the bill, including:

• How this idea will help replicate, for Civil and Criminal Division Judges, some of the advantages enjoyed by Federal Judges in terms of staffing resources;
• Addressing the lack of important opportunities which are needed for judicial efficiency when reading briefs, doing research, helping to draft written Orders and in reviewing motions with supporting documents prior to hearings; and
• Suggesting how Law Clerks can help Civil Divisions have hearings to achieve faster adjudications by increasing Judicial “bandwidth.”

Rep. Beltran also discusses Legislative funding for the Judicial Branch of government in Florida, in a State where the budget is between $115 billion to $120 billion, but only a small percentage of those funds are devoted to the Courts.

The Florida Senate Related Bill is SB 1204. The full House Bill text can be seen at https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=79188. The Bill was introduced on November 21, 2023, and if enacted, would go into effect July 1, 2024.

The podcast was recorded on February 6, 2024. Hosted by Jeffrey Adelman and produced by Mitch Chester. Sponsored by Trilogy Trial Consultants. https://trilogytrial.com/

Season 1, Episode 9: Professor Jon M. Garon on Artificial Intelligence and the Impact on the Practice of Law

Jon M. Garon is Director of the Intellectual Property, Cybersecurity and Technology Law Program and a Professor of Law at Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law. He is a nationally recognized authority on technology law and intellectual property, particularly copyright law, entertainment, and information privacy.

A Minnesota native, he received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota in 1985 and his juris doctor degree from Columbia University School of Law in 1988.

On December 8, 2023, Professor Garon was interviewed by FLABOTA President Jeff Adelman. The discussion includes:

• What Artificial Intelligence (AI) encompasses
• Use of AI in the practice of law, including the extraction of data in discovery
• Legal issues when using AI software and services
• Why you need AI in your practice today and in the future
• Generative vs. Extractive AI, predictability, and accuracy issues
• Implications of AI in relation to evidence codes in dealing with “deep fakes” and “synthetic media,” and identifying truth from fiction
• Ethical implications of using AI
• Expert witnesses in the AI detection field
• Cybersecurity issues and AI
• Steps to take to protect lawyers and clients
• Privacy and confidentiality concerns when using generative AI
• AI and copyright issues, including the Fair Use Doctrine

• For more information about Professor Garon, including his published works, please visit https://www.law.nova.edu/faculty/administration/garon-jon.html This podcast was produced on December 8, 2023, by Jeff Adelman ([email protected]) and Mitch Chester ([email protected]) for the Florida Chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates and the Fort Lauderdale Chapter. Video production performed by Trilogy Trial Consultants www.trilogytrial.com . For more information about the Florida Chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates, go to www.flabota.org . To watch the video for this interview, go to https://youtu.be/0u4pQS7HiXw

In a groundbreaking and proactive initiative, Florida Bar President Scott Westheimer explains innovative free Trust Accounting Management software which is now available to Florida lawyers.

One of the four top ethical violations reported to the Florida Bar includes Trust Account issues. According to President Westheimer, approximately one non-sufficient fund violation involving trust accounts is reported to the Bar each day.

In the past four to five months, the Bar has been working in close cooperation with banks on this "stand alone software" offered by Nota, a third-party vendor. That company has worked with Florida Bar Auditors and Staff Attorneys to beta test this vital member benefit. The software was rolled out in September 2023.

With one-on-one onboarding, the software is easy to use, according to President Westheimer. Lawyers can integrate their trust account data to the software.

This project is an ingenious attempt to help attorneys, who are fiduciaries, act in compliance with trust account rules and procedures. Significantly, Florida is the first state in the nation to offer this product to lawyers. For more information and how to obtain the program, go to https://www.trustnota.com/TheFloridaBar.

This podcast was produced on September 24, 2023, by Jeff Adelman and Mitch Chester for the Florida Chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates, and the Fort Lauderdale Chapter. Music is courtesy Pixabay.com, and Evgeny Bardyuzha.

In this important and timely episode, Chief Judge Jack Tuter and Trial Court Administrator Joseph D'Amico are interviewed by FLABOTA President Jeff Adelman about the expansion of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit's email and text emergency alert system.

With hurricanes, severe weather and wildfires threatening the nation with Court closures and interruptions, Court systems across the nation can follow the example of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit by expanding access to lawyers, litigants, and the general public for immediate notification about Courthouse emergencies.

This episode explores the history of the Circuit's internal emergency alert system, and how, working with the Fort Lauderdale Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, the system was expanded earlier in 2023 for use by the general public.

When closures or other emergency events affect the Courthouses in Broward County, this system is often faster than waiting for reports from the news media. Expansion of the existing ReadyOp System for wider distribution was extremely easy and cost effective.

The service has been used to report Courthouse safety alerts, closures, electrical interruptions, floor closures and flooding.

Other Circuits can add this expanded service to their communities. To sign up for the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit's email and text alert system, please go to https://www.17th.flcourts.org.

This podcast was produced on August 25th, 2023 by Jeff Adelman and Mitch Chester for the Florida Chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates and the Fort Lauderdale Chapter. Music is courtesy Pixabay.com, and Evgeny Bardyuzha.

In this August 4, 2023 interview Host Jeff Adelman, Esq., speaks with universally respected Southern District of Florida Federal District Court Judge Raag Singhal on a wide variety of topics, including:

• His background as a criminal defense lawyer and what it is like to try 204 jury trials;
• The differences between serving as a State Circuit Court Judge and then being elevated to the Federal Bench in the Southern District of Florida in 2019.
• What Judge Singhal learned in the 22 years prior to becoming a state Court Judge about judicial styles.
• The interesting dimensions of serving in the Circuit Civil Division of the 17th Judicial Circuit as compared to serving in the Criminal Division.
• The need to train younger lawyers about the art of trying jury trials.
• What Federal Court practitioners can do to make Judges’ jobs easier.
• The Judge’s amazing personal fitness goals and the need to achieve a healthy work/life balance.

Produced by Mitchell A. Chester, Esq. for the Florida Chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates and the ABOTA Fort Lauderdale Chapter. Music courtesy Pixabay.com/Music and Evgeny Bardyuzha.

Host Jeff Adelman, Esq., interviews past Florida Bar President Miles McGrane III, Esq. about his accomplished legal career.

In this interview, Mr. McGrane discusses his experience in leadership positions for the Bar, how the Kent State tragedy impacted his career goals, his meeting with former Florida Governor Leroy Collins, the importance of the Junior College System in Florida, what qualities he would look for when hiring lawyers, the importance of mentors, his views of Professionalism, how the legal profession has changed over the years, his work with the Florida Board of Bar Examiners, and his experience in getting cases to jury trials.

He also discusses important thoughts about the Jury System and how the American Board of Trial Advocates has become a part of his life.

Music courtesy Pixabay.com/Music and Evgeny Bardyuzha.

Produced by Mitchell A. Chester, Esq. for ABOTA Fort Lauderdale.