APRIL 2008
NEWSLETTER OF THE MARTIN COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION
IN THIS ISSUE MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
• President’s Message It is intended that this newsletter will reach you on the first
day of the month. To that end, I have big news: I am leaving my job
• News and Updates
as Chairman of the Unemployment Appeals Commission and Bill Roby
• Calendar of Events is leaving his job as Chief Judge of the Nineteenth Circuit. We are
joining forces with Organizer Extraordinaire Michelle Katzman (the
MCBA’s Executive Director) to set up a new business. Since Judge
Roby and I have issued thousands and thousands of decisions in the
THE SIDE BAR past decade, our new business will be called DECISIONS “R” US.
NEWSLETTER Confused what to serve for dinner? You’ll call us—we’ll make the
decision and Michelle will set your table! Going to court and not sure
whether to wear the dark suit or the light brown suit? You’ll call us—we’ll make the
Published monthly by the Martin decision and Michelle will dress you! You have a high-profile job and you’re considering
County Bar Association as a service
going Spitzer-style or Patterson-style (or even McGreevey-style)? You’ll call us—we’ll
to its membership.
make the decision and Michelle will . . . organize your affairs!
If you have an article, opinion, news or
other information for publication in the Confused by that opening paragraph? Please reread the first sentence. Still
SideBar, please call Michelle Katzman at confused? Don’t be a fool!
(772) 220-8018 or email information to:
martincountybarassociation@msn.com I was tempted to do an entire column April Fools’ style, but I’m a bit short on
time, what with the unemployment rate (and appeals) being up. March turned out to be
The due date for all advertisements, a very mixed month. On the one hand, we had some incredible weather, including
articles and announcements is the 20th
during our canoe “trip” in the middle of the month. Having grown up in Pittsburgh,
of the month preceding publication.
Continued On Next Page . . .
Contact Us:
MARTIN COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION
PO Box 2197
Stuart, FL 34995-2197
Voicemail Line:
(772) 220-8018
E-Mail:
martincountybarassociation@msn.com
Website:
www.martincountybar.org
MCBA EXECUTIVE BOARD:
President:
Honorable Alan O. Forst
Vice President:
Linda Weiksnar
Treasurer:
Scott Konopka
Secretary:
Preethi Sekharan
THE PLYMALE FAMILY PADDLE THE PEACE RIVER WITH ERIN KONOPKA.
THE SIDE BAR - APRIL 2008
Continued From Previous Page . . .
Buffalo, Chicago and Cherry Hill, plus a year of college in Montreal, I never take our beautiful late winter weather for
granted. The canoe trip was a lot of fun and Jim Sopko taught us all new (though highly questionable) uses for a beer
keg. Thank you to Amanda Sopko and Matthew Dale for warning us “it’s going to blow.” Also, a big thank you to Erica
and Shaun for putting this together, and to Judge Roby and Lee David for preparing a great breakfast. Our March lunch
program was fantastic—U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta was interesting, entertaining, and thought-provoking. It was also
great seeing so many new members at this luncheon—I hope they’re enjoying our group. Finally, please remember to
circle May 31—we’re going to have an outstanding banquet that will put the exclamation point on a great Bar year.
On the other hand, as more fully discussed elsewhere in this newsletter, we lost one of our members late in
February. One of the great things about our community is that our size provides us an opportunity to get to know each
other. Thus, many of us knew/know Juan and Sarah Vasquez and such a tragedy makes us all sit up and take notice.
We are all pretty lucky to be living and practicing law in this county, though sometimes everything doesn’t come
together the way we’d prefer. That is when it is important that we look for support from our family, friends, colleagues,
faith and professional assistance programs (also discussed in this newsletter). The Florida Bar is quite cognizant of
the pressures faced by its members and that there is a very significant amount of stress and degrees of depression
within our profession. We quite often represent parties that are demanding of us and hostile toward the opposing party.
It has been my experience that this enmity generally doesn’t color our dealings with opposing counsel and that we treat
each other with respect and consideration. By so doing, hopefully we’ll be able ratchet down the amount of stress
otherwise prevalent in our profession. As the Sergeant used to say on Hill Street Blues, “Let’s be safe out there.”
LAST CHANCE! ~2007-2008 MCBA COMPOSITE PHOTO ~ LAST CHANCE!
The 2007-2008 MCBA Composite Photo will be finalized April 30, 2008. All 19th Circuit Judges and MCBA
Members who have not yet had their Composite photo taken have one last opportunity to do so. Please visit the
photographer at her studio (address listed below) on April 9th or 10th during the hours of 10am – 7pm to have your
Composite Photo taken. Please identify yourself as a MCBA member.
ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS: Your name will appear on the Composite Photo exactly as listed on the
FLABAR Website (and using middle initials instead of middle names). If you have edits, please e-mail
Michelle Katzman at martincountybarassociation@msn.com by April 30, 2008 BY NOON.
Additionally, the digital image of your photo may be purchased on CD-ROM for $75 each. Please contact the
photographer directly for purchases.
Abbey of London Studios, Treasure Coast Square Mall, 3098 NW Federal Highway
Jensen Beach, Florida 34957 - Near Macy’s
Telephone (772) 287-0676 - Hours: 10am-7pm
11" x 14" copies of the Composite Photo will be available for purchase directly from MCBA.
Look for more details coming to you soon.
PROFESSIONALISM COMMITTEE
George W. Bush, Jr.
The Professionalism Committee, in conjunction with the Judicial Relations Committee, is pleased to announce
the Professionalism/Bench-Bar Meeting. The Luncheon Seminar is scheduled for Friday, April 18, 2008, at Monarch
Country Club. The Bench-Bar format will have break-out sessions in which the Members of the Bar and the Judges
of Martin County will have the opportunity to discuss issues regarding the judicial assignments for 2008, the
Judges’ concerns for their divisions, as well as professionalism issues. Attendees will receive 3.0
professionalism/ethics hours of CLE credits.
This opportunity for the Bench-Bar to come together is anticipated to be heavily attended and we request
you make your reservations on or before April 15, 2008. See more details within this issue of the SideBar.
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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
April 2008
1 2 3 4 5
MCBA Happy Hour @
Committee Chairs’ FINZ 5:30pm
Website Updates
Due Trial Litigation Comm.
Meeting @ PMF&R
(Noon)
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Probate/Trust/
Guardianship (Noon) @
MCBA Officers’ YLD Habitat for
McCarthy Summers
Meeting @ Noon Humanity Project
Inns of Court Meeting
@Courthouse (5:30pm)
13 14 15 YLD meeting @ 16 17 18 19
Dos Amigos (6pm)
MCBA Luncheon @
Committee Chairs’ Monarch CC 11:45am
Website Updates Due
RSVP FOR 4/18
LUNCHEON DUE
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
SideBar
Articles/Ads Due
27 28 29 30
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THE SIDE BAR - APRIL 2008
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LAW LIBRARY COMMITTEE
Eric Buetens
The Law Library Committee, using funds provided by the Martin County Bar Association, has audiotape sets and
CD’s available free to Martin County Bar Members at the Law Library in the Courthouse. Hours can be reported
online or by scan form. Short sets (such as the Ethics Only tapes) may be checked out for one week. Longer sets
(8 + credits) may be checked out for two weeks, although the sooner they come back to the law library, the better.
The tapes also provide Martin County Bar Members the opportunity to earn CLE credits and stay up-to-date on the
state of the law. Stop by the Law Library to take advantage of this Martin County Bar Member benefit. The Law
Library is open Mon - Fri 9:00am-4:55pm.
NEWEST ACQUISITION - CIVIL TRIAL CERTIFICATION REVIEW COURSE:
15.5 credits - 2 ethics credit - expires 8/11/2009
Topics: 1. Civil Procedure; 2. Trial Skills: Opening, Closing & Trial Motions; 3. Trial Skills: Preserving the Record
For Appeal; 4. Pre-Trial Skills; 5. Trial Skills: Voir Dire, Examination of Witnesses & Objections; 6. Recent
Developments in Personal Injury & Wrongful Death; 7. Recent Developments in Commercial Litigation & 8.
Evidence
ADDITIONAL FLORIDA BAR CLE AUDIOTAPES and AUDIO CD’s AVAILABLE:
· Strategies for Smart Growth and Development - 7 credits - 1 ethics credit - expires 5/30/2009
· What it Costs to “Be Mine” - An Overview of Marital Agreements - 7.5 credits - 0 ethics credit - 0551R
expires 4/4/2009
· Basic Federal Practice 2007 - 7.5 credits - 1 ethics credit - Expires 9/29/2008
· Criminal Law Update 2007 - 8 credits - 1 ethics credit - expires 10/13/2008
· Advanced Evidence 2007 - 8 credits - 1 ethics credit - expires 9/15/2008
· Real Estate: It’s a Brand New World - 5.5 credits - 0.5 ethics credit - Expires 7/12/2008
To check on tape availability or rental charges for non-members, call the Law Library, 221-1427.
Questions or Comments call Eric Buetens 546-6633.
CRIMINAL LAW COMMITTEE
OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT Adam Guzi and Adrienne Fleming,
Co-Chairs
Please contact Adam Guzi
Downtown Stuart: 27 E. Ocean Blvd. AGuzi@sao19.org
or
Office sharing space available. Adrienne Fleming
Adrienne.Fleming@PD19.org
One block from the court house. with any questions regarding this committee.
Secretarial stations, conference
rooms, shared copier and LITIGATION/TRIAL LAW COMMITTEE
Gregory S. Weiss
free internet.
The Litigation Section of the MCBA meets
on first Thursday of the month at the office of
Rent month-to-month. Page, Mracheck, Fitzgerald and Rose, P.A. for
Referral possibilities. lunch. If you are interested in attending the next
meeting on April 3rd, please contact the Litigation
CONTACT: CHUCK GEARY Section Chair, Greg Weiss, by email at:
(772) 288-4357 gweiss@pm-law.com.
c.geary@yahoo.com
Approval for Florida Bar CLE credits pending.
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THE SIDE BAR - APRIL 2008
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THE SIDE BAR - APRIL 2008
Office Space Wanted
Litigator with 25 years
complex litigation
experience seeks
space-sharing
arrangement with
compatible attorneys.
Respond to:
litigator4@aol.com
Moving time is flexible.
He’s a winner in court.
He’s a winner with his family.
He’s desperately unhappy.
As lawyers, we spend most of our time dealing with
other people’s problems. We often ignore our own.
The daily pressures and deadlines of practice can result
in difficulties such as anxiety, depression, or substance
abuse. Without help understanding how to deal with FOR LEASE – OFFICE SUITES
these obstacles, our families, work, clients, and lives Professional Office Building
can be drastically affected. 215 S. Federal Highway
Florida Lawyers Assistance (FLA) provides Stuart, FL
confidential assessment, referral, and help to attorneys,
judges, and law students experiencing difficulty with a Suites Available:
psychological, stress, or substance abuse issue. FLA 620 & 1975 square feet
is a non-profit organization created by the Florida
Supreme Court that works cooperatively with, but is Call 772-220-4096
not an agency of, The Florida Bar.
www.slccommercial.com
Remember - you never have to be alone.
Contact FLA
800-282-8981
www.fla-lap.org
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THE SIDE BAR - APRIL 2008
MARTIN COUNTY LEGAL: A MCBA PRACTICE SPOTLIGHT
In 2000, Stephen C. Page and L. Louis Mrachek spearheaded the formation
of Page, Mrachek, Fitzgerald & Rose, P.A., a boutique law firm specializing in the
practice of complex commercial litigation. Page, Mrachek has grown to 15 lawyers
and is known as a law firm that specializes in defending large and complex state and
federal lawsuits. Representative clients include numerous publicly owned and private
companies, including Callaway Golf, Citigroup, Automobili Lamborghini U.S.A., Inc.,
Chase Enterprises, Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation, Somerset
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., United Rentals, Inc., as well as many local builders and
developers, business owners, commercial and residential real estate owners,
Stephen C. Page pharmaceutical manufacturers, and several of Florida’s largest law firms, which have
retained Page, Mrachek to defend complex legal malpractice claims. Representative
cases and recent trials can be viewed here: http://www.pm-law.com/CM/Custom/
Cases.asp
Steve Page is the managing shareholder of Page, Mrachek’s Stuart office.
Steve is a long-time resident of Stuart. Steve graduated cum laude from Stetson
University School of Law in 1977, where he was Managing Editor of the Law Review.
An avid fisherman and boater, Steve has practiced in Stuart for more than thirty
years. Steve and his wife Joyce, an interior decorator, are active members of the
community. They enjoy spending time with their five children at their vacation home
on the island of Useppa. Steve has been, and remains, an active supporter of the
Treasure Coast legal community. In addition to being a Past President of the Martin
County Bar Association, Steve has been the President of the Gold Coast Chapter of
the Federal Bar Association, Chairman of the Small Firm and General Practice Division
L. Louis Mrachek of the Florida Bar, and Chairman of the Law Office Management Advisory Service
for the Florida Bar.
Scott Konopka, a shareholder of Page, Mrachek, assisted Steve in setting
up the Stuart office. Steve and Scott worked together at Gunster, Yoakley for many
years. Scott obtained his B.A. from the University of Florida in 1992, and earned a
double major in Russian and English and graduated Phi Beta Kappa. While in college,
Scott worked in a Russian orphanage in Taldom, Russia. Scott attended the
University of Florida College of Law, where he graduated Order of the Coif in 1995.
While at UF, Scott met his future wife, Julie, who was studying to become a pediatric
nurse. Upon graduating from law school, Scott and Julie moved to Stuart, where
Scott joined Gunster, Yoakley. Scott is an avid boater, soccer and tennis player.
When not working, you can find Scott on Hutchinson Island, enjoying the beach and
spending time with Julie and their three young children, Taylor, Erin and Kelsey.
Scott Konopka
Scott serves as Treasurer of the Martin County Bar Association, is on the Executive
Committee of the Justice Major B. Harding American Inn of Court, and is an active
Rotarian.
Page, Mrachek’s Stuart office has three associates, Preethi Sekharan, Erica
Lester Sadowski and Greg Weiss. Preethi obtained her Masters in Public Health
from Tulane University in 1997 and her Juris Doctorate from New York Law School in
2001. Preethi is admitted to the New York and Florida Bars. While in law school,
Preethi served as a law clerk for the Honorable Edward H. Lehner of the Supreme
Court of New York and a legal intern with the United States District Court for the
Eastern District of New York. Preethi initially worked at an intellectual property law
firm in Manhattan before joining Page, Mrachek in 2003. Currently, Preethi is the
Secretary of the Martin County Bar Association. She is also a member of the Justice
Major B. Harding American Inn of Court.
Preethi Sekharan
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THE SIDE BAR - APRIL 2008
Erica Lester Sadowski is a Florida native who received her Bachelors Degree
in Psychology and Spanish from Washington University in St. Louis, including a
semester of study abroad in Seville, Spain, and her Juris Doctor from Northeastern
University School of Law in Boston. While in law school, Erica interned with Federal
Magistrate Joyce London Alexander at the United States Court for the District of
Massachusetts, with the Appeals Division of the Massachusetts Department of
Revenue. In her spare time, Erica is a member of the World Adult Kickball Association.
She was recently wed to Adam Sadowski, and they enjoyed honeymooning in Costa
Rica.
Greg Weiss graduated from the University of Florida with his Bachelor of Arts
in 1995, and his Juris Doctor in 1998. He is an active member of the Florida and
Erica Lester
California Bars. While in Gainesville, Greg was a Florida Cicerone, the Executive
Sadowski
Officer of the Army R.O.T.C., an active member of Florida Blue Key and the Chairman
of Moot Court. More importantly, Greg was a member of Phi Delta Theta with Scott
Konopka. After law school Greg served on Active Duty as an officer in the U.S. Army
JAG Corps, including assignments as the Chief of Operational Law, 82d Airborne
Division, Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, and Chief of Military Justice in Central Iraq, with
jurisdiction over 25,000 soldiers. Greg was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his
service in Iraq. Greg enjoys fishing tournaments, soccer, and Ironman® triathlons.
In September 2007, Greg married the former Bettina Hakerem in the U.S. Virgin
Islands.
Page, Mrachek has five shareholders in its West Palm Beach office. Recently,
the four named shareholders, Steve Page, Lou Mrachek, Roy Fitzgerald, and Alan
Rose, were re-named Florida SuperLawyers for 2008. Collectively, Page, Mrachek’s
shareholders have been trying cases both within and outside Florida for more than
100 years. The firm is proud that it has consistently been listed as one of the top law
Greg Weiss firms in South Florida by The South Florida Legal Guide.
MCBA members, Barb Cook and Carrie Lavargna, represented the Lady Lawyers at Women Build on
Saturday, March 1st along with the United Methodist Women from FUMC Stuart.
9
THE SIDE BAR - APRIL 2008
Results Matter – We Open Doors
to Successful Resolutions
We understand that a good settlement can often Wi-Fi internet access offers high-speed wireless
provide a better result for the client than winning broadband Internet service
at trial.
Professional and courteous scheduling assistants.
All of our Circuit Civil mediators are Supreme Court
Certified and active members of the Florida Bar A Beautiful facility with 13 mediation rooms.
and all have trial experience. Conference room complete with projection
Our Family mediators are Supreme Court certified screen, TV, DVD player and oversized dry-erase
Family Mediators. Some have additional qualifications board.
which you can review in their résumés. Trendy Retro Kitchen complete with a wide variety of
Serving Indian River, St Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach drinks and snacks
and Broward County.
Conveniently located off I-95.
Rodney Romano • Michael McManus • Robert Ponzan • John Kops • Theodore Deckert • George Supran
MATRIX MEDIATION, INC.
1655 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard, Suite 700, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401
Scheduling Line (561) 340-3515 or (561) 340-3502 • www.matrixmediation.com
10
THE SIDE BAR - APRIL 2008
EMPLOYMENT / BOARD POSITIONS AVAILABLE WITH THE FLORIDA BAR
• The Florida Bar’s Orlando Branch is seeking applicants for a Bar Counsel Position. Contact
Jan K. Wichrowski, Chief Branch Discipline Counsel for more information.
• The Board of Governors is seeking applicants for vacancies in the following areas to
be filled during its May 31, 2008, meeting: ABA House of Delegates, Florida Legal Services, Inc.,
Florida Lawyers Assistance, Inc. Board of Directors, Florida Medical Malpractice Joint
Underwriting Association Board of Governors, Supreme Court’s Judicial Ethics Advisory
Committee, and the Supreme Court’s Judicial Management Council of Florida. Application
deadline is April 25, 2008.
• Florida Board of Bar Examiners and the Supreme Court’s Commission on Professionalism has
vacancies. Application deadline is April 11, 2008.
Persons interested in applying for any of these position vacancies may download the Application for Special
Appointment from the Bar’s website, www.floridabar.org, or should call Bar headquarters at (850) 561-5600, ext. 5757.
Juan Carlos Vazquez
(January 24, 1977 - February 26, 2008)
Juan Vazquez passed away on February 26,
2008. Juan was an attorney with Harvin, Harvin and
Pinnock, and was a member of our Bar Association
and Young Lawyers Division. He was also an active
member of First Presbyterian Church of Stuart. Juan
grew up in Miami and graduated from the University of
Florida, where he received his Bachelor of Science and
Juris Doctor degrees. Juan enjoyed spending time with
his friends and family, and was an avid reader with a
special interest in military history and nautical matters.
He was an avid Gator fan.
He was a well known handyman who happened
to practice law. Juan, known to all for his loving and
giving spirit, leaves behind his loving wife, Sarah Baggett
Vazquez of Port St. Lucie, who is also a member of our IN MEMORY OF JUAN C. VAZQUEZ, ESQ.
Bar Association and our Young Lawyers Division; his
brother, Joe Vazquez (Jenny) and his nephew and niece, Checks can be made payable to:
Ethan and Emily, all of Miramar; and his mother and The Vazquez Memorial Fund
father, Gloria and Jose Vazquez of Miami. To visit the
memorial Guest Book Online, go to Please deliver your check to:
www.MiamiHerald.com/obituaries. Martin County Bar Association
P.O. Box 2197
In Memoriam Stuart, FL 34995-2197
Our little systems have their day;
For more information, please contact
They have their day and cease to be:
Jennifer Ahern of Bank of America at:
They are but broken lights of thee,
jennifer.ahern@ustrust.com
And thou, O Lord, art more than they.
Account Reference #: 898011398515
Alfred Lord Tennyson, In Memoriam
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THE SIDE BAR - APRIL 2008
EXCEPTIONAL OPPORTUNITY OFFICE SUITES
FOR RENT
Busy Stuart Plaintiff’s personal injury firm.
Immediate need for an experienced and Single or Multiple Office
independent trial attorney. Must be a self- Suites Available
starter and able to handle all phases of litigation.
Six (6+) years of experience and five (5+) jury ¼ Mile from Martin County Courthouse
trials. Excellent benefits and great growth 1 Block from Downtown Stuart
potential. Fax cover letter and resume to
State of the Art Conference Room
772-286-9893 or E-Mail ljg735@aol.com.
Receptionist Available
Large On-Site Parking Lot
Brand New Building
Any article appearing herein may be reproduced provided
credit is given both to the SideBar and the author of the article.
Available February 2008
Views and conclusions expressed in articles and ads herein
are those of the authors or advertisers and not necessarily
those of the officers, directors, or staff of the Martin County For Details Contact:
Bar Association. Further, the Martin County Bar Association Gene Zweben at
and staff do not endorse any product or service advertised. 772-223-5454
All advertising is subject to approval. We regret any errors or or
omissions and such, if applicable, will be noted in future gzweben@szalaw.com
issues.
probate litigation
estate planning malpractice
(561) pankauski
514 – 0906
LAW FIRM
www.pankauskilawfirm.com P. L. L. C.
referral fees
west palm beach
12
THE SIDE BAR - APRIL 2008
THE MCBA YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION
ANIKA HARDMON AND ERICA J. LESTER,
COMMITTEE CO-CHAIRS
OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT YLD is joining forces with the American Red Cross
Youth Leadership of Martin County and Habitat for
Humanity to build a home in Jensen Beach on
1 or 2 Attorneys Offices Saturday, April 12, 2008. All Martin County YLD
members and friends and family are invited to help
SunTrust Building build. No tools or building experience are
US1 and Monterey Triangle necessary. For more information, please contact
Erica Lester at elester@pm-law.com.
Fully furnished with Secretarial We look forward to seeing you there! Our next
meeting will be held at Dos Amigos, 300 S. Federal
Station, Conference Room, Highway, Stuart, FL on Tuesday, April 15, 2008, at
Internet, File Cabinets, 6:00pm.
2 available phone lines
CHEERS - NEWS FROM THE FRIENDLY
NEIGHBORHOOD BAR
Covered Parking • The Law Firm of Reich & Mancini, P.A.
proudly welcomes Kathleen E.
Referrals Possible McNulty, who will be leading the
Criminal Defense Division.
Contact: Joseph Beckman • The MCBA is pleased to add Jeffrey C.
772-283-8224 Cosby to its elite list of board certified
attorney members. Attorney Cosby is
board certified in the area of civil trial law
and is a partner at Williams, Leininger
& Cosby, P. A.
PROBATE, TRUST, & GUARDIANSHIP LAW COMMITTEE • Philip DeBerard announces that
Anthony K. Goodman has joined the
The committee hosted Law Day on March 7, 2008 at Accident Law Offices of Philip DeBerard
the Blake Library. We are pleased to report that it and will be practicing in the areas of
was a great success with an eager audience of over personal injury and wrongful death.
eighty attendees from the community.
• Congratulations to Susan Jensen
This year’s event, similar to events in the past, Caruso, Assistant to Jane L. Cornett,
featured engaging, competent speakers. MCTV Esq., of Cornett, Googe & Associates,
Channel 20 will rebroadcast the event throughout the P.A. for her recent appointment by
year so those unable to attend may still view the Senator Pruitt to the Advisory Council
program. on Condominiums.
Future meetings of this committee will now be • Williams, Leininger & Cosby, P. A.
held on the 2nd Wednesday, every other month. welcomes Maura M. Burgreen and
The next meeting will be April 9th at noon at McCarthy, Jordan R. Wagner to the firm.
Summers et al. Lunch will be served.
Please send us your news of new hires, promotions,
awards, engagements, marriages, child births, new
Contact Wesley Harvin at wii@harvinpinnock.com for addresses and the like for future issues of the
more information. SideBar.
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THE SIDE BAR - APRIL 2008
SPECIAL PROFESSIONALISM CLE PRESENTATION
AT THE MCBA APRIL CLE LUNCHEON
On Friday, April 18, the Martin County Bar
Association (MCBA) is pleased to present a special
Bench-Bar professionalism CLE program, jointly
presented by the 19th Circuit Court Judges, the MCBA’s
Professionalism Committee (chaired by George W.
Bush, Jr.) and the MCBA’s Judicial Relations
Committee (chaired by Jack Cox and Richard
Levenstein).
The Bench-Bar format will have break-out
sessions in which Members of the Bar and the Judges
of Martin County will have the opportunity to discuss
issues regarding the judicial assignments for 2008,
and the Judges’ concerns for their divisions, with an emphasis on professionalism.
Earlier in the program, there will be screening of the video produced by the Martin County Bar
Association which is intended to be played at every jury assembly and which emphasizes the importance
of a fair and independent judiciary. Chief Judge William Roby and Richard Levenstein will lead a discussion
regarding the importance of a fair and independent judiciary. They will also lead the discussion of the 19th
Judicial Circuit’s Civil Division Procedures and Administrative Orders and Amended Orders, and the Creed
of Professionalism as an introduction to the next segment.
From 12:50 to 1:40, Jack Sobel and George W. Bush, Jr. will be leading a discussion in break-out
sessions regarding the Henry Latimer Center for Professionalism, the Supreme Court’s Commission on
Professionalism and the Standing Committee on Professionalism’s recent discussions of promoting
professionalism, including the road map for the future and needed changes to enhance professionalism.
The break-out discussions will include the Ideals and Goals of Professionalism adopted by the Board of
Governors of The Florida Bar on May 16, 1990, and the Guidelines for Professional Conduct.
The final session will run from 1:50 to 2:40, and will be lead by Jack Cox. He will lead the discussion
in break-out sessions (“speed-dating”), featuring the Judges of Martin County. Invited judges include Chief
Judge William Roby, as well as The Honorable Gary L. Sweet, The Honorable Steven J. Levin, The Honorable
Robert R. Makemson, The Honorable Elizabeth A. Metzger, The Honorable Sherwood Bauer, Jr., The
Honorable David Harper, The Honorable Stewart R. Hershey and The Honorable Kathleen H. Roberts.
Discussions will address the standing orders of each Judge regarding maintaining and enhancing
professionalism, professionalism guidelines, and criminal and civil division procedures.
Individuals who attend the entire seminar will be able to receive 3 CLE ethics’ credits. There will
also be written hand-out materials.
This will be a very enriching program, along with an opportunity to gain more than one-half of the
required ethics credits required during a three year CLE cycle. We look forward to another great turnout at
the April 18 luncheon at Monarch Country Club.
Please call 772-220-8018 to RSVP if you would like to attend. It is important that you RSVP by April
15 to guarantee a meal. The lunch is free to MCBA members and $25 for non-members. IF YOU RSVP,
PLEASE NOTIFY US IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND THE LUNCH—WE ARE CHARGED FOR
EVERY LUNCH RESERVED AND WE ONCE AGAIN HAD TO PAY FOR 18 NO SHOWS AT THE LAST
LUNCHEON.
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THE SIDE BAR - APRIL 2008
MARTIN COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION’S 2008 CANOE & CAMPING TRIP
Scott Konopka, Treasurer
Thirty five paddlers braved strong headwinds (and alligator mating season) to run the Peace
River for MCBA’s annual canoe and camping trip. The trip, which was organized by social
directors Shaun Plymale and Erica Lester Sadowski, was an adventure that my kids and I
will remember for years to come. Our group departed the Canoe Outpost in Arcadia around
10:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, March 15. After more than an hour of paddling into the
wind, we arrived at the primitive camp site, where Judge Roby led 7 able-bodied campers into
the woods to gather firewood. Large firewood. A bonfire was soon roaring. Kids and adults
scampered around camp, set up tents, enjoyed the river, and wore out the rope swing. The
boys roamed the beach and chased the girls with a palm frond branches. The girls made
sandcastles on the beach. New friendships were made and old ones rekindled.
After dinner (which included beef tips, hotdogs, burgers, beer and wine), we sat around the bonfire and discussed
many things, but not the law, while enjoying cold beverages and cool breezes. As the fire and stories grew, someone
started a game of “let’s see what makes the biggest explosion in the camp fire.” The Heineken mini-keg won with a
blast. Undeterred by the shrapnel, the campers continued melting various bottles and sundries. The fire and fun
lasted late into the night.
On Sunday morning, Chief Judge William Roby and Hearing Officer Lee David cooked up a breakfast of fresh crepes,
bacon and eggs. The kids took a few more turns on the rope swing, we broke down the camp, and departed in the
canoes around 10:00 a.m. Several canoes stopped at a shallow sandbar and collected more than 50 sharks teeth.
The kids and adults enjoyed the weekend immensely, and we are already looking forward to next year’s trip. Thanks
to Todd Thurlow, you can view some of our amazing adventure at:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5985900668607174988.
15
THE SIDE BAR - APRIL 2008
To: Friends and Members of the Martin County Bar
Association
Re: The SIXTH Annual President’s Cup Golf Tournament
Saturday, May 17th, at The Fox Club (formerly Cobblestone)
You are cordially invited to participate in the Sixth Annual Martin County
Bar Association President’s Cup Golf Tournament. We are again
fortunate to be able to play at the beautiful Fox Club (formerly
Cobblestone) in Palm City.
The tournament will take place on Saturday, May 17, 2008. A
continental breakfast will be served during registration starting at 7:30
AM followed by a shotgun start at 8:30 sharp. Beer, soda, water and
Gatorade will be free on the course and a full luncheon and awards
presentation will follow the tournament.
The format is four person scramble with a handicap division, so all skill levels can compete. The names
of the low gross foursome will be engraved on the President’s Cup, which already bears the names of past
winners. It will be entrusted to the winning team for display over the next year. Trophies will also be
awarded to winners with lowest net scores in the handicap division. We anticipate being able to award
other prizes and “goodies” through the generosity of our sponsors. The cost is $125 per person, ($100 for
government lawyers and $25 for Judges), out of which $25 will go to the Martin County Bar Association’s
Scholarship Fund. Last year we raised enough money to award $1,000 college scholarships to two local
high school seniors.
The tournament is open to members and non-members, lawyers and non-lawyers, so put your team
together or sign up individually. Space is limited so please secure your spot by getting your application and
entry fee in right away. The application can be found on page 17.
We look forward to seeing you on May 17th!
Larry M. Stewart Jack Sobel
Golf Committee Co-Chairman Golf Committee Co-Chairman
(772) 283-8191, ext 3 (772) 287-4444, ext 221
Fax: (772) 283-4396 Fax: (772) 220-1489
Attorney Golf League Starts May 6, 2008
The MCBA is organizing an attorneys’ golf league which will play 9 holes every Tuesday afternoon starting May 6th at
The Florida Club. It will cost $25 to join and there will be a fee to play each week. Contact Jack Sobel for more
details.
Pro Bono Committee
Jane L. Cornett, Esq.
Please contact Jane Cornett for more information regarding Pro Bono opportunities and/or participation
on this committee (286-2990 or JLC@CGRElaw.com).
16
THE SIDE BAR - APRIL 2008
Sixth Annual
Martin County Bar Association President’s Cup Golf Tournament Application
Location: The Fox Club (formerly known as Cobblestone Country Club)
Date/Time: Saturday, May 17th, 2008; 8:30 A.M. shotgun start
Continental breakfast and registration begins at 7:30 A.M.; Luncheon/awards
ceremony immediately following the tournament
Entry Fee: $125.00 per person (government lawyers: $100 and Judges: $25)
($25 from each entry will benefit the scholarship fund)
Format: 4 person scramble. You can form your own foursome (membership to Martin
County Bar Association is NOT required) or we will assign you to a team.
Your Name: ______________________________________________________________
Phone numbers: ________________________ __________________________
Business Cell
Email: _______________________________ @ _____________________ . ___________
Handicap: ___________________ (Please be honest!)
Country Club Affiliation, if any:__________________________________________
If you don’t have an established handicap, what was your lowest score for 18 holes in
the last year?: ____________ (Please be honest!)
Others you would like to play with: Handicap or low 18 hole score:
1.____________________________________ ____________
2.____________________________________ ____________
3.____________________________________ ____________
Entry fee of $125 per player ($25 for Judges; $100 for government lawyers). Space is limited
and your participation cannot be guaranteed until we receive your payment.
Please complete this form and send it with your check payable to “MCBA” to:
Jack Sobel
P.O. Drawer 6
Stuart, FL 34995-0006.
17
THE SIDE BAR - APRIL 2008
THE SOCIAL COMMITTEE
Shaun Plymale and Erica J. Lester, Committee Co-Chairs
Please join us for Happy Hour this Thursday, April 3rd at 5:30 p.m. at FINZ and for the MCBA Annual
Banquet, scheduled for May 31, 2008. Look for your personal Banquet Invitation arriving in the mail soon:
The Executive Board of the Martin County Bar Association
cordially invites you to attend
MARTINIS AND MADISON
2008 Martin County Bar Association Banquet
Celebrating the 200th Anniversary of the election of
James Madison with chilled Martinis and Piano Bar
Saturday, May 31st
at
Willoughby Golf Club
3001 S.E. Doubleton Drive
Stuart, Florida 34997
Telephone 772-220-6000
Cocktail Attire
6:30 pm Cocktails & Hors d’oeuvres
7:30 pm Dinner
Tickets: $75 per person for MCBA members and their guests
$90 per person for non-members and their guests
As with last year, our Annual Banquet will feature a Cocktail Hour, Seated Dinner, and Entertainment. In
addition, the Annual Banquet is the venue at which the new MCBA Officers are sworn in. This year, the
MCBA will also award the first annual Madison Award to Chief Judge William Roby. The Annual Banquet
presents unique and successful marketing opportunities for sponsors given the large turnout of lawyers
and judges, numerous posters, invitations, programs, website listings, flyers, and other announcements
made in connection with the event.
Sponsorships are encouraged for individual portions of the Annual Banquet, such as the cocktail hour,
entertainment, invitations, programs, or other elements of the Banquet, or may, of course, be provided via
a monetary donation. The attendance at our 2007 Annual Banquet was our largest turnout to date, and
we expect the attendance this year to be even greater. Contact Shaun Plymale (stp@crarybuchanan.com)
or Erica Lester (elester@pm-law.com) for a listing of remaining sponsorship opportunities for the Annual
Banquet.
18
THE SIDE BAR - APRIL 2008
LEADERSHIP ACADEMY SEMINAR IMMIGRATION LAW COMMITTEE
The Palm Beach County Bar Association is Karen P. Mentor, Esq., Chair
sponsoring a Leadership Academy Seminar on April
25, 2008 (8:00 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.) featuring FL If you are Interested in becoming a member of the
Supreme Court Justice Raoul Cantero, former ABA Immigration Law Committee or for more information
President Dennis Archer, FL Bar President-elect Jay on planned programming, please email
White and Atticus Practice Advisor Nora Bergman. mentorlawfirm@bellsouth.net.
This course has been approved for 4.0 CLER and
1.0 Ethics Credits.
INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING OR SPONSORING A
The cost is $100 for PBCBA Members; $140 non-
members; if registered by 4/18/08. After that date, MCBA EVENT?
add $25. Visit https://ftppbbar.securesites.com/
event.php?form=278 for an application and more Call Michelle Katzman at
details. 772-288-6245 or
visit our website at www.martincountybar.org
Recommendations Wanted:
The MCBA has been asked to add a regular section to
for more information.
the SideBar for members to request resource
recommendations and other advice regarding law
office management from the general membership. MEMBER BENEFITS
Please send your requests and
We are pleased to introduce this new service to
recommendations to our email address at:
martincountybarassociation@msn.com. MCBA members. Please visit the member benefits
We include responses in the section of our website at www.martincountybar.org for
following month’s issue. special discounts and offers. Also, if you know of any
local business which may want to participate, please
• Can you recommend an excellent software have them contact Michelle at 772-220-8018 or by email
billing or accounting program for small law
firm use?
at martincountybarassociation@msn.com.
MCBA FAMILY LAW COMMITTEE
Joseph Gufford, III
REQUEST FOR PHOTOS
For more information regarding We are looking to fill our Photo Gallery! If you have any photos
programming, please contact taken at any MCBA past event or if you take them at future events,
please forward via email to:
joe@treasurecoastlawfirm.com. martincountybarassociation@msn.com.
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR/OFFICE
ORDINANCE ADOPTIONS FROM THE
MANAGER’S MONTHLY MEETING
MARTIN COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY
Meetings are held once a month at the COMMISSIONERS
offices of Crary, Buchanan, et al. for lunch and
an exchange of ideas. Please contact Jim Please visit www.martin.fl.us then click on “Martin County
Codes” for an updated list of approved ordinances.
Menendez at 287-2600 for more information.
19
April Luncheon MCBA WEBSITE IS NEW & IMPROVED
When: Friday, April 18, 2008 at 11:45am – 3:00pm The MCBA is pleased to announce that the website
Where: Monarch Country Club
is now being managed by Graphics and Media
1801 SW Monarch Club Drive in Palm City
Solutions.
Menu*: Monarch Gourmet Salad, Grilled 6oz Strip
Loin & Icee
Updates will be done bi-monthly.
Program: Bench–Bar Professionalism Meeting Contact Michelle Katzman at 772-220-8018 or
CLEs: 3.0 Professionalism/Ethics Credits martincountybarassociation@msn.com to submit
content or with any website questions.
RSVP:.
No later than Tuesday, April 15th
772-220-8018 or via
martincountybarassociation@msn.com
There is no charge for MCBA members; guests are
welcome to attend for $25 each
(to be paid at the luncheon). RSVP required.
*If you require a specialty meal, please notify
Michelle Katzman when you RSVP.
Please check the MCBA website
To keep costs down, we are only having meals www.martincountybar.org
prepared for the # of MCBA members and guests for updated information between
who RSVP. We would love to see you, but need to issues of The SideBar.
know you are coming! Please RSVP.
MARTIN COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION
PO BOX 2197
STUART, FL 34995-2197