BULLETIN. Leslie Smith

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1 THE DADE COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION IN THIS ISSUE: Attorney fees in Family Law Cases Page 2 YLS Get Connected Page 3 Miami-Dade Native Young Attorney Serving as a Legal Advisor on the Front Lines in Afghanistan Page 4 A Century of Service to Miami-Dade County General Membership Luncheons Page 5 Programs and Services That Dade Legal Aid Page 6 Help You GROW Your Practice, Legal Business Development: A New Year... A Big Idea Page 7 GAIN Experience & GIVE Back BULLETIN PRESIDENT S MESSAGE Leslie Smith Last year s Bench & Bar Conference was the largest event in our s 97-year history and attended by over 750 attorneys, judges, and general counsels. A New Year s Resolution You Will Want To Keep! Love em or hate em, New Year s resolutions are something most of us think about when January rolls around. Whether personal or professional, we tend to give a bit more thought to our goals at the beginning of the year. While I can t pretend to help you shed those last ten pounds, help you run a four minute mile, or learn to shred on the guitar, I can try to help steer you to toward some career enhancing achievements. All I need from you is a one day of your time February 28, 2014 to be exact. On that date the Dade County Bar will host its Third Annual Bench & Bar Conference. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the historic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, the program brings together 124 prominent speakers. From the informative morning breakfast programs, to a lively presentation by our luncheon keynote speaker, Norman Braman, you will be educated and entertained by our community s most experienced judges, general counsels, trial attorneys, and business leaders. Our panelists range from members of the Florida Supreme Court, the U.S. District Court and Bankruptcy Courts for the Southern District of Florida, and the 11th Judicial Circuit, to some of Miami-Dade County s most well-regarded trial attorneys, corporate attorneys and general counsels of S&P 100 companies. With a roster of this caliber, you cannot afford to miss out on what is sure to be one of the upcoming year s best attended and most diverse conferences. Topics for the upcoming conference include Winning with Experts and Evidence, Developing and Growing Business in Latin American and Abroad, Real Estate Deals, Zoning and Litigation, Protecting the Crown JANUARY 2014 Jewels of the Corporation: An IP, Tort and Employment Perspective, Powerhouse Cross and Direct Examinations, and The Merger of Tax, M&A, and Banking Law. Whether your practice is the courtroom or the boardroom, you will find an array of programs designed to inform and enhance your practice. Last year s Bench & Bar Conference was the largest event in our s 97-year history and attended by over 750 attorneys, judges, and general counsels. The conference is designed to be educational and to improve working relationships between members of the bench, boardroom, in-house legal departments and the private bar. In addition to improving bench and bar relations, the conference offer programs of benefit to all members of the South Florida legal community. Besides strong educational programming, our Bench & Bar Conference gives you the opportunity to expand your professional network by personally meeting and interacting with hundreds of your colleagues from the legal profession before, during and after each session. In addition to the social and networking components of our conference, you will learn and see firsthand from our sponsors about cutting edge legal technology, litigation support, and financial products that will help you manage and grow your practice. So what are you waiting for? Get a head start on fulfilling your New Year s resolution to grow your network and your practice by registering today for the Third Annual Bench & Bar Conference at

2 DADE COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION Board of Directors Attorney fees in Family Law Cases BY: RAUL PEREZ-CEBALLOS Officers Mary Leslie Smith, President* Herman J. Russomanno, III, President-Elect* Jason M. Murray, Vice President* Jeffrey A. Rynor, Secretary* Jordan A. Dresnick, Treasurer* Matthew J. Ridgely, Executive Director Johnnie M. Ridgely, Executive Director ( ) Group One Pedro M. Allende Kayla Riera-Gomez Eric P. Hockman Jonathan Kaskel Natalie Rico Caitlin M. Trowbridge Group Two Zascha Blanco Abbott Gilbert K. Squires Monica F. Rossbach Adam J. Shapiro Elizabeth Ferry Effie D. Silva Group Three Tiffani G. Lee Sabrina Puglisi Stephanie L. Carman Katie S. Phang Jeff P. Cynamon Eric A. Hernandez Group Four Lisa Berlowe-Lehner D. Andrew Byrne Steven E. Eisenberg Robert B. Boyers David Alschuler Gregory P. Sreenan Group Five Richard M. Leslie Flora E. Seff Antonio Martinez, Jr. Jerome J. Kavulich Glenn B. Kritzer Jacquelyn P. Needelman Timothy M. Ravich, ABA Delegate Young Lawyers Section Board of Directors Officers Ethan Wall, President Geri Satin, President-Elect Joshua L. Wintle, Secretary Jacqueline C. Ledon, Treasurer Directors Eric Bluestein Zachariah Evangelista Samir Ghia Stephanie Grosman Daniela Gordon Schuyler A. Smith Evian White Directors Daryl A. Bloomberg Gregory d Incelli Jenna Fischman Berit Griffin Lacey Hofmeyer Mandy Mills Stuart J. Weissman The Bulletin Committee Jane Muir, Chair Mihai Vrasmasu, Vice-Chair 123 NW First Avenue #214 Miami, Florida Ex Officio Sookie Williams Unlike civil cases, Dissolution and Paternity cases allow a needy party to have the opposing party, in a superior financial position, to pay for all or part of their fees. Quite simply, attorney fee inquiries are premised on whether one spouse has a need for fees and the other spouse has the ability to pay them. Von Baillou v. Von Baillou, 959 So. 2d 821, 823 (4th DCA 2007). The Florida Legislature and Judiciary want to ensure that both parties have similar ability to secure competent counsel. The public policy behind attorney fee statutes, rules and cases is so commanding, that even a premarital agreement contracting away temporary attorney fees may be stricken as against public policy. See Belcher v. Belcher, 271 So.2d (Fla. 1972). The three most common statutory attorney fee vehicles in family law matters are: Fla. Stat In dissolution matters, Florida Statute 61.16(1) provides that [t]he court may from time to time, after considering the financial resources of both parties, order a party to pay a reasonable amount for attorney s fees, suit money, and the cost to the other party of maintaining or defending any proceeding under this chapter, including enforcement and modification proceedings and appeals. Fla. Stat Relative to paternity cases, Florida Statute states in pertinent part [i]f appropriate, the court shall order the father to pay... reasonable attorney s fees, hospital or medical expenses, cost of confinement, and any other expenses incident to the birth of the child and to pay all costs of the proceeding. Fla. Stat Florida Statute similarly provides for fees in paternity cases as follows: [t]he court may from time to time, after considering the financial resources of both parties, order a party to pay a reasonable amount for attorney s fees, suit money, and the cost to the other party of maintaining or defending any proceeding under this chapter, including enforcement and modification proceedings. It is not necessary to present corroborating expert testimony to receive the award under either statute. The party will simply have to prove the hourly rate, the number of hours reasonably expended and the appropriateness of reduction or enhancement factors. Powell v. Powell, 36 Fla. L. Weekly D449 (4th DCA 2011). See Kemp v. Kemp, 36 Fla. L. Weekly D1093 (5th DCA 2011) ( When someone other than an attorney s own client is required to pay their fees, the trial court must award a reasonable fee, determined from testimony (absent any stipulations) as to the prevailing rates for attorneys in comparable circumstances and the amount of time reasonably expended by the attorney on the matter. ) This determination requires the trial court to make findings of fact regarding the number of hours spent, and a reasonable hourly rate. The court has also held that in no case should the court-awarded fee exceed the fee agreement reached by the attorney and his client. If the attorney has billed his client $ an hour, it is error to take advantage and bill the opposing party $ per hour. In addition to the amount of hours and reasonable rate, the court will evaluate the following factors as enunciated in Florida Patient s Compensation Fund v. Rowe, 472 So.2d 1145 (Fla. 1985): Time and labor, novelty and difficulty; Likelihood of preventing other employment by the lawyer; Customary Fee; Results; Nature and length or professional relationship with client; Time limitations imposed by client or circumstances; Experience, reputation and ability of lawyer; The fixed or contingent nature of the fee. The court is required to consider the Rowe factors, as well as need and ability, in evaluating whether the fees are reasonable. The following cases are indicative of same: Phillips v. Ford, 35 Fla. L. Weekly D2590 (Fla. 4th DCA Nov. 24, 2010)( in awarding fees pursuant to section 61.16, Florida Statutes, the trial court must make factual findings concerning both need and ability to pay. ) Glass v. Glass, 36 Fla. L Weekly D42 (4th DCA 2011)(reversing an award of attorney fees because there was finding of need but no ability to pay). The need element, is defined as the necessity for some financial assistance to engage an attorney and pay attorney fees. Where both parties to a dissolution are equally able to pay attorney s fees, Where both parties to a dissolution are equally able to pay attorney s fees, the trial court abuses its discretion by requiring one spouse to pay the other s attorney s fees. -Galligar v. Galligar, 37 Fla. L. Weekly D59 (1st DCA 2012) the trial court abuses its discretion by requiring one spouse to pay the other s attorney s fees. Galligar v. Galligar, 37 Fla. L. Weekly D59 (1st DCA 2012); See also Von Baillou v. Von Baillou, 959 So.2d 821, 823 (Fla. 4th DCA 2007)( If one party has no financial need for fees, the other party cannot be compelled to pay them solely because his or her sizeable assets minimize the financial strain of such payment. ) Equal financial circumstances should not require one party to substantially deplete his or her overall equitable distribution, or cause the inequitable diminution of an alimony award in order to pay attorney s fees and costs for the other party. Diaz v. Diaz, 36 Fla. L. Weekly D1392 (3rd DCA 2011). In sum, the (3) ways described above to secure attorney fees are the most common ways to secure attorney fees in family law cases; however, many lawyers are arguing for attorney fees in family law cases simply because they won a motion or had to attend more hearings then expected. Attorney fee awards are loosely ordered despite all of the statutory and judicial obstacles available. It is crucial for every lawyer to master not only securing the award, but how to appropriately defend against it. Raul Perez-Ceballos practices family law in Coral Gables, FL and is currently serving as the Vice Chair of the Dade County Bar Family Law Section 2 DCBA BULLETIN JANUARY 2014

3 Get Connected BY: ETHAN WALL Get Connected to Networking The Young Lawyers Section is pleased to offer exclusive opportunities to expand your network, build relationships, and connect with members of the bench, the bar, and young professional in January. Connect with the Judiciary On Thursday January 23, we are hosting an Evening with the Judges at Le Chat Noir where you will have the opportunity to network with members of our judiciary in an intimate and informal setting. Attendees will mix and mingle with the Honorable Maria Korvick, Maria Espinosa Dennis, and Rodney Smith while enjoying wine, cheese, salad, and sandwiches from 6:00-8:00pm. Tickets are only $35 and space is limited, so please RSVP today at Connect with Young Professionals On Monday January 27, we are hosting a Joint Networking Happy Hour with the Chartered Financial Analyst Society of South Florida and the Florida Institute of Young CPAs South Florida Group from 5:30 7:30 PM at Gulf Stream in Aventura. Attendees will enjoy two drink tickets and appetizers. Tickets are only $15 in advance when purchased online and $20 at the door. RSVP today at JDCFASocial for your opportunity to take part in this exclusive networking event. On February 6, the Rainmakers Committee is hosting a speednetworking event at Pride and Joy located at 2800 N Miami Ave., Miami, FL at 6:30 p.m. This speed-networking happy hour event will help you build new connections, strengthen relationships, and enhance your referral base. If you would like to become a part of the Rainmakers Committee, please Stuart Weissman at stuartw@ ratlzanlawgroup.com. Make a Special Connection On Saturday February 8, we are hosting a Social Saturday Valentine s Day Stoplight Pub Crawl in Brickell from 2:00- The Young Lawyers Section is pleased to offer exclusive opportunities to expand your network, build relationships, and connect with members of the bench, the bar, and young professional in January. 6:00pm. Attendees will wear red, green, or yellow badges to reflect whether taken, single, or something in between. Tickets are only $15 for DCBA member and $20 for non-members so feel free to invite some friends and make a special connection. Register today at and contact Stephanie Grosman at [email protected] for more information. Connect with the Young Lawyers Section on Social Media Be sure to like the Dade County Bar on Facebook at facebook.com/ DadeCountyBar to learn more about upcoming events and find out which of your colleagues will be attending. You can also view and upload photos from DCBA events on Instagram by following DCBAYLS and using #DCBAgetconnected hashtag. We look forward to connecting with you at these events! Ethan Wall practices social media, Internet, and intellectual property law at Richman Greer, P.A. in Miami and may be reached at [email protected]. Get Connected to Exclusive CLE Programs BY: GERI SATIN They say you learn more from failure than from success. And that is certainly true. However, losing can be a costly endeavor. Never more so than for a young attorney in today s precarious legal market. At the YLS we are not in the business of watching our members fail. We pride ourselves in giving YLS members the educational and business tools they need to succeed in practice. Over the course of the last year we have asked you, our members, how we can improve your DCBA experience and from which programs you would most benefit. Your responses have included requests for basic 101 CLEs, clinical pretrial and trial seminars, and programming geared toward Your requests for basic 101 CLEs, clinical pretrial and trial seminars, and programming geared toward navigating a dwindling job market and developing the business skills needed to start your own practice. navigating a dwindling job market and developing the business skills needed to start your own practice. Since receiving your feedback, the YLS Continuing Education Committee, chaired by Greg d Incelli, Daryl Greenberg, and Eric Bluestein, has been hard at work putting together some of the best YLS educational programming I have seen in my five years on the board. Here is what you can expect this to see this year: On February 7, 2014 and March 28, 2014, the YLS CLE Committee will be hosting a twopart pretrial and trial practice seminar taught by some of Miami s top litigators and judges. The pretrial seminar will include 101 segments on initial case evaluation, discovery, experts, depositions, brief writing, and ADR. The trial seminar will take attendees through voir dire, openings/closings, witness testimony, evidentiary and demonstrative issues, damages, juror misconduct, and appellate issues. This interactive, two-part series will provide attendees with the practical skills needed to take a case from start to finish. The CLE Committee is also pleased to announce that it will be hosting its second annual professionalism CLE at the AmericanAirlinesArena on March 3, Attendees will be treated to a lively panel discussion followed by seating at the 100 level to the Miami Heat basketball game versus the Charlotte Bobcats. Finally, later this spring, the CLE committee will be hosting a Hang Your Own Shingle CLE seminar. This practical course will provide attendees with the tools needed to set up their own practice, and will include segments on client relations, office administration, advertising and marketing, and law firm technology. This year s CLE programming is truly second to none. But, as with all great events, space is limited. So mark your calendars, register on the DCBA website now, and I hope to see you there! Geri Satin is the President- Elect of the YLS and a founding partner of Focus Litigation Consulting, LLC, specializing in mock trials, jury selection, and juror decision-making research, and. Geri can be reached at gsatin@ focuslitigation.com or (305)

4 Miami-Dade Native Young Attorney Serving as a Legal Advisor on the Front Lines in Afghanistan BY JASON SILVER While most young attorneys fresh out of law school in Miami-Dade County are worrying about traffic to the Dade County Courthouse, or whether their pleadings were properly efiled with the Court, Miami native, Killian High School Graduate, University of Florida and Florida International University College of Law alum Matthew Bernstein wakes up every day to practice law on the front lines of the battle field in Kabul, Afghanistan. Deployment Bernstein, who is currently assigned the III Corps, based out of Fort Hood, Texas, was recently deployed to Afghanistan to be part of the International Security Assistance Force - Joint Command (IJC) which is the operational headquarters for the NATO mission in Afghanistan. Took us several days to get from Fort Hood to Afghanistan, Bernstein said. Significant Legal Issues With thousands of soldiers serving in Afghanistan, there is no shortage of legal issues that arise. Bernstein has very quickly undertaken a serious and busy legal role at the base. I am an administrative law attorney (we are called assistant LEGADs here - legal advisor). I pretty much handle whatever legal actions that come into our office - sort of like a general counsel. I mostly draft ethics opinions and am the legal advisor for non-criminal investigations, Bernstein said. Conditions When first arriving in Afghanistan, the weather and conditions were quite different than South Florida, Bernstein recalls. It was really hot, dusty and exhausting. It took a handful of days until I was acclimated here because of the environment, being 6000 feet above sea level and with all the pollution. Kabul sits in a bowl in the mountains so a lot of the pollution lingers, Bernstein said. Routine While a normal day for an attorney in Miami may include running to the local coffee house or navigating I-95, Bernstein keeps up a very detailed and military-style routine. A normal day is wake up around go to the gym, breakfast, Civil Litigation Meeting The first meeting of the DCBA Civil Litigation Committee took place on October 3, 2013 at the DCBA and opened with a reception with guest of honor the Honorable John W. Thornton, Jr., 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida.. work, lunch, work, dinner, work, go home around , Bernstein said. The end of the day really depends on what work we have that day or what we need to accomplish for the following day. We work 7 days a week but 2 days we have the mornings off, he said. Many friends from home in South Florida wonder why Bernstein has chosen a path which has taken him so far away, and to some, quite risky. I wanted to do something different than everyone else and always wanted to join the military as a little kid. I did my 2L summer internship with the Army JAG Corps at Fort Stewart, Georgia, and loved my time there and the people were just outstanding. Most people in the JAG Corps are here because they want to be here, we all have a similar purpose and mindset, Bernstein said. Non-Traditional Practice The opportunities to see and practice law around the world in places other than the traditional office or courtroom also appeal to Bernstein: I also wanted to travel around and so far the Army has sent me to Germany, Afghanistan, Charlottesville, Virginia, Fort Benning, Georgia, and Fort Hood, Texas. And there is the plus factor of never having to worry about what suit or tie or shirt to wear - same camouflage pattern everyday! While Bernstein is far from his home in South Miami at this time, he has the hope to continue to serve the United States as an attorney in South Florida sometime in the future. I hope to be back in South Florida at some point. I d love to be an Assistant United States Attorney, or work for a federal agency, he said. Bernstein makes efforts to keep in touch with his friends and family back home. He has a simple message for the legal community back home in Miami-Dade County. I appreciate all the support of our mission, Bernstein said. International Law Committee Seminar Juan Farach, Javier Reyes, Elizabeth Ferry, Judge John Thornton, Jr., and Carlos Castillo Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres, Judge Ursula Ungaro, Edward Davis, Jr., Judge Lisa Walsh and Rafael Valdes Members and Guests of the Civil Litigation Committee 4 DCBA BULLETIN JANUARY 2014

5 General Membership Luncheons On October 11, 2013 the DCBA hosted their monthly Membership Luncheon with guest speaker Coach James Larranaga of the University of Miami Basketball Team. Attendees were able to mingle with Coach Larranaga as well have their photos taken with him. Rick Kuci, Leslie Smith, DCBA President and Coach James Larranaga Coconut Grove Bank was a proud sponsor of this luncheon Coach James Larranaga Joe Grossman, Stuart Grossman and Judge Celeste Muir Judge Alan Fine and Herman Russomanno, DCBA Past-President Melissa Katz and Bernie Allen Neal Sonnett, DCBA Past-President and Dennis Kainen, DCBA Past-President Bruce Blaise, Leslie Smith, DCBA President and Luis Vanegas Leslie Smith, DCBA President, Jason Murray, DCBA Vice President and Olivia Benson Coach Larranaga was a very charming speaker. The November Distinguished Speakers Luncheon featured Governor Rick Scott, Wilfredo Ferrer, US Attorney for the Southern District of Florida and was held at the JW Marriott on November 1, Governor Rick Scott and the panelists gave a great presentation. Eduardo Sanchez, Wilfredo Ferrer and Douglas Ray Jordan Dresnick, DCBA Treasurer, Diane Don, Governor Rick Scott and Leslie Smith, DCBA President Jorge Perez, Judge Lisa Walsh and Judge Darrin Gayles Stephanie Carman, YLS PastPresident, Marili Cancio and Sharon Cox Teresita Chavez-Pedrosa and Oliver Ruiz Stephanie Marrow and Miranda Soto Jason Murray, DCBA Vice President, Leslie Smith, DCBA President and Judge Alan Fine Marcia Reisman and Sharon Langer Mike Joblove and Judge Vance Salter Pedro Allende, Jason Murray, DCBA Vice President and Steven W. Davis, DCBA PastPresident Wilfredo Ferrer Susan Snitcovsky and Jill Kramer Brian Dervishi and Cristina Sanchez Al Smith and Leslie Smith, DCBA President 5

6 Where there s a way there s a Will Litigating a Family Case Pronounced Huge Success This year s Litigating a Family Case was a new endeavor for DCBA Family Courts Committee. Joining forces with Dade Legal Aid, the seminar featured excellent panels including Honorable Scott M. Bernstein, Associate Administrative Judge, Family Division, Honorable Gill S. Freeman and Honorable Reemberto Diaz offering a Judicial Panel and Discussion, Maria Gonzalez, Esquire, Bonnie Sockel- Stone, Evan R. Marks, Esquire, Dr. Vanessa Archer and Paul Garcia, CPA providing a brief opening statement, closing argument and the direct and cross examination of a neutral forensic expert and an expert psychologist. Other topics included how to qualify an expert, avoid objections on privilege, aplication of recent family law changes, ethics and much more. Dolly Hernandez, Esquire, Chair, Sandy T. Fox, Esquire, and Marie Abigail Davidson, Esquire served as superb moderators. It is always a pleasure working with our DCBA Family Courts Committee, said Karen Ladis, Esquire, on behalf of Dade Legal Aid/Put Something Back. Each year, we recruit and train more attorneys with our bar s support to handle the growing number of family law cases we are experiencing at Put Something Back pro bono project. This year s seminar featured several generous sponsors. We thank them and encourage you to support them: Sabadell Bank and Bagel Emporium & Grille. For additional information on how you can get involved to make a difference, contact Karen Ladis [email protected] Hats off to David Miller, an associate attorney at Lee, Hernandez, Landrum, Garofalo & Blake an insurance defense firm in Miami that practices with an emphasis on construction litigation. Last year, Mr. Miller volunteered to represent a client as part of the Put Something Back project. The client was a middle aged man in need of a will. He lived in Miami with his wife and three lovely (and very polite) children, ages 16, 13 and 10. As the sole provider of the family, he made the 50 mile round trip trek in an 18 year old truck to work as a cook at a hotel on Ft. Lauderdale beach where a one night stay costs more than he earns in one week. After paying the regular monthly expenses house payment, utility bills, telephone bills, insurance and gas for the truck, food, laundry, and donation to their church there was little left over for their family to enjoy. Nevertheless, he was fortunate and wise to save what little money he could. After meeting and speaking with the client and his family, it was abundantly clear that each of them, even the youngest child, understood the value of a dollar and the importance of working hard and saving. A lot of people are blessed in that they do not have to live pay check by pay check. Unfortunately, many of these people take that blessing for granted. Ultimately, I was able to draft a will for the client that devised his property according to his wishes. Although he did not have much, it was important to him to make sure that his family received what he believed they should. Even though I volunteered to assist the client and his family for free, it was one of the most rewarding experiences I have had professionally. I intend to volunteer again for the Put Something Back project and urge each and every one of you to do the same. This article is part of a series called Success Stories which highlight pro bono attorney accomplishments. If you have a story you would like to share, please it to [email protected] St. Thomas University School of Law Bar Fair The Dade County Bar participated in St. Thomas Law s 2013 Bar Fair on October 24, Joshua Wintel, a Director on the DCBA/Young Lawyers Section board and Matthew Ridgely, Executive Director of the DCBA met with students and discussed the importance of bar involvement. The Fair featured a dozen local and specialty bar associations and afforded students the opportunity to visit with a diverse group of bar leaders. Matthew Ridgely, Gamila Elmaadawy a 2 nd year law student and Teresita Chavez Pedrosa, St. Thomas Law s Outreach Coordinator & Career Counselor. 6 DCBA BULLETIN JANUARY 2014

7 DADE COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION Third District Court of Appeal Legal Business Development: A New Year... A Big Idea 31st Annual Fall Seminar and Reception BY: PAULA BLACK I love this time of year because it signals a fresh start. We can look at our lives and decide what might need some adjusting. You noticed that I didn t say, New Year s Resolutions, since we generally make them and break them in record time. What I have found works much better is committing to a big idea, one that is important and that inspires you. Progress Over Perfection - One of the obstacles that get in the way of progress for many of my clients is waiting for things to be perfect before they make the next step. Sometimes achieving positive results just requires a little faith in yourself, not perfection. Let me ask you: When was the last time you, really failed at something? Probably never. You wouldn t be where you are if you had. Yes... you have made mistakes and taken the wrong path... we all have. But you are smart and have many experiences that will help you avoid pitfalls, so have a little faith in yourself and take the leap even if things aren t perfect. Your instincts will guide you. Let s face it... perfect doesn t exist anyway. Everything single thing can be improved. For example, when is an article ready for publication... after 4 hours, 40 hours or 400 hours? If you are writing about what you know it can be 4 hours or even less for that matter. Some people work on an article for weeks. If it is for business development purposes... stop! Think about the results you could achieve this year if you take a leap of faith... then assess the situation, make adjustments and try again. I have had the pleasure of watching many clients do just that and the results are amazing. So, you can choose to adjust and adjust until you think something is perfect OR you can choose progress. What would you like your 2014 results to look like? Make your 2014 Big Idea... Progress Over Perfection! Paula Black is a legal business development and branding expert, author, consultant and coach. She has advised individual lawyers and law firms around the globe on everything from powerful and innovative design to marketing and business development strategy and implementation. She is the award-winning author of The Little Black Book series and the Amazonbestselling The Little Black Book: A Lawyer s Guide To Creating A Marketing Habit in 21 Days. For more information visit: or Grand Benefactors Carlton Fields, P.A. Cole, Scott & Kissane, P.A. Demahy Labrador Drake Victor & Cabeza Greenberg Traurig, P.A. Hightower, Stratton, Wilhelm Lauri Waldman Ross Benefactors Adams Adams Baca & McMillen A.J. Barranco, Jr. Astigarraga Davis Mullins & Grossman, P.A. Benedict P. Kuehne, P.A. Berk Merchant & Sims, PLC Clarke Silvergate, P.A. Diaz, Reus & Targ, LLP Falk, Waas, Hernandez, Cortina, Solomon & Bonner P. A. Grossman Roth, P.A. Hicks Porter Ebenfeld & Stein, P.A. Klein Glasser Park Lowe & Pelstring P.L. Kozyak, Tropin, Throckmorton, P.A. La Ley Con John H. Ruiz Lash & Goldberg LLP Mase Lara Eversole Philip D. Parrish, P.A. Podhurst Orseck, P.A. Rothman & Associates, P.A. Shutts & Bowen LLP Stanley M. Rosenblatt PA Timothy Carl Blake, P.A. Ver Ploeg & Lumpkin, P.A. Weiss Serota Helfman Pastoriza Cole & Boniske PL White & Case LLP Appellate Court Committee Seminar and Reception On October 18, 2013 the Appellate Courts Committee hosted the DCBA s 31st Annual Fall Seminar and Reception at the Third District Court of Appeal. The event featured guest speakers Judge Leslie Rothenberg, Judge Ivan Fernandez, Professor Anthony Musto, Professor Keith Rizzardi and Professor Jan Jacobowitz. The event was capped off by an evening cocktail reception. Keith Rizzardi and Jan Jacobowitz Daniel Rogers, Herman Russomanno, III, DCBA President-Elect, Keith Rizzardi, Judge Leslie Rothenberg, Judge Ivan Fernandez, Jan Jacobowitz, Anthony Musto and Lauri Waldman Ross A great turn out. Judge Ivan Fernandez and Judge Leslie Rothenberg Keith Rizzardi and Jan Jacobowitz Ed Sanchez and Judge Rick Suarez Anthony Musto Caryn Bellus, Sharon Dognan, Calianne Lantz Bambi Blum, Eric Lundt, Thersa Girten Frost Walker, Judge Lance Salter, Herman Russamanno 7

8 DCBA OPPORTUNITIES Dade County Bar 123 N.W. First Avenue Miami, Florida PRSRT STD U.S.POSTAGE PAID SOUTH FLORIDA, FL PERMIT NO Members Opportunities to Get Involved 33 Committees Opportunities to Serve the Profession 100 CLE Programs Opportunities to Increase Your Knowledge More Than 250 Events a Year Opportunities to Increase Your Referral Network MARK YOUR CALENDAR JANUARY 21 Law & Technology Committee Webinar Location: Online Admission: $25 JANUARY 23 YLS Evening with the Judges Location: Le Chat Noir Time: 6:30 pm Member Admission: $35 *This is a Members Only Event JANUARY 24 Bankruptcy Committee and Federal Courts Committee Joint Luncheon Location: Banker s Club Members Admission: $55 Non-Members Admission: $65 JANUARY 27 YLS Joint Happy Hour Mixer for Attorneys, Bankers & CPA s Location: Paladar Latin Kitchen & Rum Bar Admission: $13 in advance $20 at the door JANUARY 29 Sharon Langer s Retirement Celebration Luncheon Location: Hyatt Regency Downtown Time: 11:30 am Members & Non-Members: $50 Government Service Attorneys: $40 JANUARY 30 Grow Your Practice Seminar Time: 8:30 am Admission: $295 FEBRUARY 4 YLS Board Meeting Time: 6:00 pm FEBRUARY 6 Family Law Committee Meeting Time: 12:30 pm FEBRUARY 6 Mindfulness CLE Location: InterContinental Miami Time: 4:00 pm FEBRUARY 6 Criminal Courts Committee Meeting FEBRUARY 7 YLS Symposium (Day 1 of 2) Location: Banker s Club Time: 9:00 am Admission: $75 for 1 day or $125 for both sessions FEBRUARY 8 YLS Stoplight Pub Crawl Location: Brickell Time: TBA Member Admission: $15 Non-Member Admission: $20 FEBRUARY 11 Professionalism Committee Seminar Location: Lawson Thomas Courthouse Time: 9:00 am FEBRUARY 12 Real Property Committee Seminar Location: Lawson Thomas Courthouse Member Admission: $15 Non-Member Admission: $25 FEBRUARY 12 DCBA Board Meeting Time: 4:00 pm FEBRUARY 13 Probate & Guardianship Committee Seminar Location: Lawson Thomas Courthouse Members: $10 Non-Members: $20 FEBRUARY 13 Criminal Courts Committee Happy Hour Mixer Location: Tobacco Road FEBRUARY 14 Solo/Small Firm & Law & Technology Committee Seminar FEBRUARY 14 PSB Bankruptcy Seminar Location: Stearns Weaver Time: 8:30 am FEBRUARY 18 Law & Technology Committee Webinar Location: Online FEBRUARY 19 FRP CLE Seminar FEBRUARY 20 YLS Lunch with the Judges Location: Le Char Noir Member Admission: $35 *This is a Members Only Event FEBRUARY 20 YLS Membership Committee Seminar Location: TBA FEBRUARY 28 Bench & Bar Conference Location: Biltmore Hotel Time: 9:00 am MARCH 3 YLS CLE Heat Seminar Location: American Airlines Arena Time: TBA MARCH 4 YLS Board Meeting Time: 6:00 pm Articles published in The Bulletin reflect the research and opinions of their authors, and are not the opinions of the Dade County Bar. For more information visit 8 DCBA BULLETIN JANUARY 2014