Joint CLE program by The Florida Bar Alternative Dispute Resolution and Solo & Small Firm sections.

Live GoToWebinar presented by Christina Magee and Glenn Waldman, ADR Section members. Moderated by Jake Schickel, ADR and SSF Section member. Course number 5227. Approved for 1.0 General CLE credit, 0.5 of which may be applied toward Ethics. Section members register for only $45. Available for purchase through Florida Bar InReach.

Looking for a way to speed up your case even as post-COVID court dockets present obstacles to resolution?  Is your case bogged down as court dockets are too big to advance?  Are your motions and litigation strategies delayed or ineffective due to competition for the court’s time with unprecedented and unresolved civil matters and hearings in only virtual formats?  The Alternative Dispute Resolution and Solo & Small Firm Sections invite you to spend an hour to learn from an expert-moderated panel including a mediator and arbitrator about inventive ways arbitration and mediation are being used to move cases forward even in post-pandemic times.

Topics covered will include:

1. When is the best time to invoke mediation or arbitration in a case that is not progressing?
2. Should you arbitrate or mediate discovery disputes – what are the strategic advantages to each approach?
3. Are there ethical issues with the order of the selection of processes?
4. Are ethical issues involved if you mediate to a predetermined set of outcomes based on a court’s dispositive ruling on a pending motion?
5. Can you utilize “Baseball” arbitration – where the parties provide the arbitrator with a limited number of outcomes?

Christina Magee, Esq. of Satellite Beach is a mediator and arbitrator with a 100% neutral-oriented practice.  She is a public arbitrator on the FINRA panel.  She is a former Chair of The Florida Bar ADR Section, former Chair of The Florida Bar Small Claims Rules Committee, a Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator for Circuit Civil, Appellate and County, and is a designated Primary Trainer for Circuit Civil.  She has been practicing law for more than 30 years.

Photo by Chris Salata/CAPEHART
Taken on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
Copyright Capehart Photography 2020

Glenn J. Waldman, Esq. of Fort Lauderdale has been practicing law primarily in Florida’s state and federal courts (including appellate courts) for nearly four decades.

Glenn holds the maximum rating “AV” (pre-eminent) by the Martindale-Hubbell® Law Directory and is similarly rated the maximum 10.0 (“Superb”) by the AVVO ratings guide.

In addition to his complex commercial litigation practice, Glenn is a long-standing certified mediator (state and federal court) and arbitrator (certified by the American Arbitration Association, American Health Lawyers Association, AIDA Reinsurance and Insurance Arbitration Society, International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution, and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority).

He is a Member of the Executive Council of The Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of The Florida Bar.

He devotes a substantial amount of his practice to serve as a Mediator and Arbitrator in a broad range of commercial disputes, including general contract and business matters, large payer/provider health care disputes, intellectual property claims, shareholder and employment disputes (including restrictive covenants), real estate and construction, and probate and estate disputes.

Glenn also serves as an expert witness on issues concerning the standard of care for attorneys in Florida in matters of professional liability.

Jake Schickel’s decorated career could be considered the benchmark for success in the legal community. In addition to multiple professional leadership positions, he has been highly active in supporting legal professionalism and the cause of justice. He has been named a Florida Super Lawyer every year since the program’s inception and was honored by The Florida Bar in 2006 with the Justice Harry Lee Anstead Board-Certified Lawyer of the Year. In 2017, the E. Robert Williams American Inn of Court even named their chapter’s professionalism award in his honor.

Mr. Jake Schickel’s passion for justice is matched only by his long-term commitment to his community. He has served the Jacksonville community on several executive, strategic, economic and planning committees, including leadership positions with nonprofit and civic organizations. Prior to becoming a founding partner of Coker Law, Mr. Jake Schickel worked as an Assistant State Attorney and Chief Assistant Attorney for the 4^th Judicial Circuit.

Jake can be reached at his email address: jjs@cokerlaw.com.

August 25, 12 – 1 PM, free Wednesday Wisdom Zoom webinar for Solo & Small Firm Section members.* Presented by Karen Lapekas, Principal, Lapekas Law. Course number 5386. Approved for1.0 General; 1.0 Mental Health CLE credit. *Registration will be approved when section membership is confirmed. REGISTER

The practice of law can be stressful, especially when balancing life, family and the events of this past year. Join Karen Lapekas to hear about strategies for fighting depression and how using these techniques helps her to find happiness as a busy tax lawyer.

Karen J. Lapekas, Esq. is board-certified in tax law by the Florida Bar. She grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan and attended Michigan Technological University (coursework: Civil Engineering), Western Michigan University (Bachelor’s: Psychology, Minor: Mathematics), and Thomas M. Cooley Law School (Juris Doctor: Litigation), before earning a Master’s in Tax Law (LLM) from the University of Florida

Levin College of Law.  As a former senior attorney with the IRS Office of Chief Counsel, she was the lead attorney on over 170 cases in U.S. Tax Court.  She also teaches Federal Tax Practice & Procedure at the University of Miami School of Law as an Adjunct Professor.

September 21 Live GoToWebinar presented by Mindi Wells of Wells Law in Columbus, Ohio, and moderated by Paige Greenlee of Greenlee Law in Tampa. Course number 5109. Approved for 1.0 General CLE credit. Section members register for only $50. REGISTER

Many law firms, more especially solo and smaller firms, do not have a succession plan in place for the continued operation or wind-down of their law firms. Lack of planning for what happens next—whether the change is from the loss of a partner, sale by founding attorneys, retirement or other unanticipated events—can throw a firm, its clients, employees, and business colleagues into a nosedive.  Join us for this workshop on the fundamentals of succession planning for law firms of all sizes.

In this session, you will learn:

• Why you need to start planning for your exit now—even if it is years away
• What to consider in your succession plan
• How to get started now
• Who you need to get involved

Mindi Wells is the Founder and Managing Attorney of Wells Law, a boutique firm offering legal counsel, investigations, and training to businesses.  An attorney for over two decades, Mindi comes from a family of small business owners and spent much of her career on the business side of organizations. Her commitment to assisting growing businesses in proactively addressing workplace legal issues led her to develop a unique concierge legal service package that includes “house calls” to the C-suite.  Mindi’s clients appreciate her practical approach in simplifying legal complexities developed from years as a business professional herself.  Her no-nonsense style and humorous stories come from over 20 years’ experience in human resources, financial and organizational leadership, operations management, and higher education. Mindi splits her time between Columbus, Ohio, and Sarasota, Florida and serves clients throughout both states.

Sept. 22, 12 – 1 PM, free Wednesday Wisdom Zoom webinar for Solo & Small Firm Section members.* Presented by Janelle Esposito, Managing Partner of the Bradenton firm, Esposito Law Firm. Moderated by Solo & Small Firm Section Executive Council member Joshua Hertz of Law Office of Joshua J. Hertz, P.A. and Business and Professional Development Coach Paula Black.

Course number 5395. Approved for 1.0 General; 1.0 Technology CLE credit. *Registration will be approved when section membership is confirmed. REGISTER

As large numbers of people turn to technology and video-teleconferencing platforms to stay connected; it is more important than ever that lawyers use best practices not only in communicating with clients but with the Court. Learn more about how to properly utilize technology to advance your practice while at the same time ensure your client’s confidential information is protected.

Janelle Esposito is President and Managing Shareholder of Esposito Law Group.  She represents multiple large financial institutions on a variety of matters, including compliance, administration, personnel, operations and credit. Janelle has documented loans and assisted in various loan modifications, workouts and closings, served as title agent as requested, assisted in correcting title defects and documentation deficiencies and generally provided advice on other banking and credit issues. She has represented creditors in simple and complicated litigation and commercial foreclosure matters in both state and federal court. She is well versed in areas relating to debt restructure, forbearance and/or settlement, documentation, lender liability issues and creditor’s rights in bankruptcy including a creditor’s right to relief from the automatic stay and proceedings to value assets. Janelle has represented clients in both federal and state court in commercial litigation matters, corporate matters, contract disputes, landlord/tenant issues, trust and estate litigation and governmental law.

Live GoToWebinar presented by the Chair of the Cannabis & Controlled Substances Group for Lowndes Law, Tara Tedrow, will focus on the quickly evolving legal and ethical issues in Florida with representing medical marijuana and/or hemp growers, distributors and sellers. Tara also teaches “Marijuana Law and Policy” as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. General Magistrate Jennifer Kuyrkendall Griffin will moderate. Course number 5309. Approved for 1.0 General; 1.0 Ethics CLE credit. Section members register for only $50. REGISTER

Tara Tedrow is a shareholder at Lowndes Law and the Chair of the Cannabis & Controlled Substances Group.  In addition to working with clients statewide on land use, zoning and development issues, Tara handles complex regulated industries such as alcoholic beverage and marijuana and hemp licensing.  Tara is a regular presenter and speaker at industry seminars and conferences and advises a variety of clients on the impacts of cannabis regulations.  Tara is also an adjunct professor at the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where she was the first to teach a course on Marijuana Law and Policy and continues to teach today. Tara is the only person in the state to be appointed by the Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services to serve on both the Industrial Hemp Advisory Board the state Hemp Advisory Committee, which she chairs. Tara serves on many community and philanthropic boards, and is most proud of founding an educational non-profit called the Florida Debate Initiative, where she helps establish competitive speech and debate programs statewide.

Oct. 27, 12 – 1 PM, free Wednesday Wisdom Zoom webinar for Solo & Small Firm Section members. Presented by Diana Abril. Moderated by Solo & Small Firm Section Executive Council member Joshua Hertz of Law Office of Joshua J. Hertz, P.A. and Business and Professional Development Coach Paula Black. Course number 5400 is approved for 1.0 General CLE credit. Registration will be approved when section membership is confirmed. REGISTER

Diana Abril is an executive with 17 years of legal and business experience having worked in the Corporate and M&A department of an AMLAW 200 law firm and for 12 years as General Counsel to two medium-sized companies, one of which was publicly traded. She is a proud graduate of the Florida Developmental Disability Council’s Florida Partners in Policymaking program, a leadership and advocacy training program for individuals with developmental disabilities and caregivers focusing on becoming community leaders and catalysts for systems change, and a member of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA).

During 2020, Abril founded ABRIL LAW, PLLC to focus on child advocacy and special education law. As the mom to a neurodiverse child, Diana has been focusing on disability rights advocacy for the past four years—and this is her passion project. Learn the art of disability rights advocacy from a corporate lawyer-mom with first-hand experience.

“Malpractice & Ethical Perils for Law Firms to Avoid,” will be presented by Florida Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company’s Cathy M. Sargent, Esq., Executive Vice President & COO, and Margaret “Peggy” Hewitt, Esq., Resources and Services Manager, and moderated by Renée E. Thompson, Upchurch Watson White & Max. Live GoToWebinar. Course number 5406. Approved for 1.0 General; 1.0 Ethics CLE credit. Section members register for only $50. REGISTER

Even the best lawyers can be sued for malpractice, and in our litigious environment, lawyers can face a number of risks from clients due to real or perceived errors.  No one single error accounts for the majority of claims against attorneys from a myriad of possibilities: substantive law error, administrative mistakes, client relations faux pas, and intentional wrongs are at the top.  Join Florida Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company’s Executive Vice President & COO Cathy M. Sargent and Resources and Services Manager Peggy Hewitt to understand from where and why claims happen to help you take proactive steps to reduce the likelihood a claim will be successfully made against you.

Cathy M. Sargent is Executive Vice President & COO of Florida Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company, responsible for overseeing the Company’s day-to-day operations.

Prior to joining FLMIC, Ms. Sargent led for 34 years at Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company of California, serving as Vice President of Development and Outreach, Vice President of Underwriting & Marketing, and General Counsel for Claims. She was a founding member of the California Lawyers Association Lawyer Well-Being Committee, reflecting a personal passion for lawyer well-being and personal and professional happiness — a passion she brings to FLMIC in furtherance of our commitment to serving our member lawyers.

Additionally, Ms. Sargent served as a guest speaker at the international 2019 NABRICO conference. She is currently a nominee for the ABA Standing Committee on professional liability insurance.

Ms. Sargent is a graduate of the Loyola Law School, where she worked in the Domestic Violence Clinic and served as Certified Student District Attorney, a trial advocate, and as a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals extern. After graduating with a Juris Doctorate, she served as defense counsel in a California law firm handling legal malpractice claims and coverage disputes. Prior to entering law school, Ms. Sargent graduated Magna Cum Laude from Loyola Marymount, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and was recognized as part of the University Honors Program during each of her four years. While enrolled at Loyola Marymount, she served as Vice President of Tri Sigma and was a member of distinguished scholarship society Alpha Sigma Nu.

Before coming to Florida Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company, Margaret “Peggy” Hewitt, Esq. was a 20-year partner of Jones, Hurley & Hand, P.A.  Before joining a law firm, Ms. Hewitt was in-house counsel for the Walt Disney Company; before Disney, she was Counsel to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and an Assistant State Attorney.  Her practice experience included over 120 jury trials, and countless administrative hearings and appeals in the areas of Insurance Defense, Employment and Labor Law, and Workers’ Compensation.  She has been designated an “AV” Peer Review Rated Lawyer by Martindale Hubbell.

Ms. Hewitt has an extensive library of articles and advisories for legal and risk management publications, including the National Retail and Restaurant Defense Association News and LinkedIn.  Her Florida Bar CLE manuals and presentations include “Trying a Difficult Liability Case in Florida.”  She has been an accredited CEU presenter for the Florida Department of Finance since 2002, has created and presented dozens of Power Point assisted seminars both for the CEU Institute and for her self-insured and self-administering clients, and has presented at the ABA Annual Conference and the NRRDA National Conference.

Ms. Hewitt was raised in Florida.   She received her BA in History and Music from the University of Florida in 1980, while working full time and participating in the UF Band.  She also earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida in 1983.  She was recently nominated by the City of Winter Park Chamber of Commerce for Volunteer of the Year, for her years on the Winter Park Autumn Art Festival Committee as their Entertainment Committee Director.

321-663-9017
peggyh@FLMIC.com

Nov. 17, 12 – 1 PM, free Wednesday Wisdom Zoom webinar for Solo & Small Firm Section members.* Presented by Patrick Russell, Salmon & Dulberg Dispute Resolution and Meaningful Mediation. Moderated by Solo & Small Firm Section Executive Council member Joshua Hertz of Law Office of Joshua J. Hertz, P.A. and Business and Professional Development Coach Paula Black.

Course number and 1.0 General; 1.0 Ethics CLE credit pending. *Registration will be approved when section membership is confirmed. REGISTER

Learn the mediation approach that rests on the powerful foundation of tactical thinking, ethics, and diplomacy from ADR Section Chair, Mediator, and former Florida Bar Ethics counsel and trial lawyer, Patrick Russell. His mediation goal is to unleash peace to have less conflict and more resolution. When parties mindfully listen, speak and act during mediation, they can better understand one another, trust one another, and are in a better position to resolve their differences.

Many litigators leave behind a legacy of conflict. Throughout his entire career, Patrick has maintained mutual respect with opposing counsel, many of whom are and remain friends. With courtesy, honesty, and respect as his guiding principles, Patrick prides himself on having a reputation as a relationship-builder who looks to the lessons of history to guide solutions for the future.
Patrick Russell has been a Florida Supreme Court Certified Civil Circuit Court Mediator since 2009 and has been practicing law since 1994. Before joining Salmon & Dulberg, he was a Trial Partner at Lydecker | Diaz, where he also created and led the firm’s first statewide Mediation Division. Before Lydecker | Diaz, Patrick managed his own law firm for almost twenty years and then worked with The Florida Bar. Patrick’s diverse legal experience includes insurance law and first-party property claims, high-exposure personal injury claims and premises liability matters, ethics and professional responsibility issues, and commercial litigation.

EDUCATION:

University of Miami School of Law, Juris Doctor, 1993
Marquette University, Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude, 1990

PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS:

• Member, The Florida Bar
• Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator
• Chair: The Florida Bar Alternative Dispute Resolution Section (2021)
• Secretary: The Florida Bar Alternative Dispute Resolution Section (2019)
• Executive Council: The Florida Bar Alternative Dispute Resolution Section (2019 – present)
• Chair of the Health & Wellness Committee: The Florida Bar Alternative Dispute Resolution Section (2018 – present)
• Member, The Florida Bar Trial Lawyers Section
• Member, Miami-Dade County Bar Association
• Member, Broward County Bar Association
• Florida Academy of Professional Mediators
• Director for the Making History Project, a non-profit oral history project that preserves the experiences of combat veterans and studies the impact that combat trauma can have on military service members.
• Member, Windstorm Insurance Network
• Former Member, Florida Grievance Committee, 11th Circuit
• Former Partner, Lydecker | Diaz
• Former Ethics Trial Lawyer, The Florida Bar
• Founding Lawyer, Russell | Law

Live GoToWebinar presented by General Magistrate Jennifer Kuyrkendall Griffin and moderated by Theresa Jean-Pierre Coy. Course number 5673 is approved for 1 General; 1 Technology CLE credit. Section members register for only $50. REGISTER

Learn pro tips that let you skip trial-and-error tutorials and find out how to fully integrate Microsoft Word into your law practice. Magistrate Jennifer Kuyrkendall Griffin will teach you exactly what you need to make your practice more efficient and will walk you through, step-by-step, how to set up and use Microsoft Word effectively. Practice with your PC or laptop while you listen. Learn Word features that can make formatting nightmares go away—and master shortcuts that will take your efficiency in Word to new levels.

Jennifer Kuyrkendall Griffin has presided over more than 20,000 hearings and trials since 2010. First as the Third Judicial Circuit Child Support Enforcement Hearing Officer and now as the General Magistrate. Jennifer currently presides over domestic relations, probate, guardianship and foreclosure cases.

Jennifer obtained her J.D. from the University of Florida, where she graduated Cum Laude. Jennifer received her B.S. from the University of South Florida, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude.

Jennifer’s extensive service within The Florida Bar includes: Past Chair of the Solo and Small Firm Section; Executive Council member of the Solo and Small Firm Section (past secretary, treasurer); Chair of the Solo and Small Firm Technology Conference 2015, 2016, 2017; Family Law Section of The Florida Bar – Magistrate and Hearing Officer Committee Chair 2014-15, 2015-16; Third Judicial Circuit Young Lawyer’s Division Board of Governor’s Representative 2009-2015; Vision 2016; Statewide Advertising Grievance Committee; and The Florida Bar Ad Hoc Committee to Study SCOPE Program.

Jennifer has served her local bar as the President of the Third Judicial Bar Association, as the Vice Chair of the Third Circuit Grievance Committee and as the President and founder of the Young Lawyer’s Section.

Jennifer holds the maximum rating, AV Preeminent® by the Martindale-Hubbell® Law Directory. Jennifer’s pride and joy is her four-year-old daughter, Kendall.