Annual “Out-of-Country” CLE Trip

This year we are staying in the U.S. and visiting the big island of Hawaii and Oahu. Instead of going through a travel agent, you will make your own reservations directly with the hotels, airlines, and group tours (excursion details will be provided as they become available).

This page provides the trip schedule, activities, and hotel reservation links. When making your flight arrangements, don’t forget to include the flight from Hawaii to Oahu on June 1. Flight destinations are Kona International Airport and Honolulu International Airport.

Online reservation information for the group tours and airport transfers will be available soon. View the event brochure.

Florida Law Update 2022 Thursday, June 23, 2022 (8 credits ). Live (in-person) during The Florida Bar Annual Convention and live GoToWebinar. Registration opens soon.

Business Law Update, Clay Roesch, Orlando; Employment Law Update, Kevin Johnson, Tampa; Animal Law, Ralph DeMeo, Tallahassee; Elder Law & Estate Planning, Peggy Hoyt, Oviedo, and Alex Douglas, Orlando; Criminal Law, Brice Aikens, Orlando; Personal Injury Law Update, James Gordon, Oviedo; Real Estate Law, Patrick Neale, Naples. Course number 5722 and 8.0 General credits pending.
Moderator and Program Chair: Peggy Hoyt.

7:55 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Opening Remarks
Peggy Hoyt, Oviedo, Program Chair

 8:00 a.m. – 8:50 a.m. Business Law Update
Clay Roesch, Orlando

 8:50 a.m. – 9:40 a.m. Employment Law Update
Kevin Johnson, Tampa

9:40 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Animal Law
Ralph DeMeo, Tallahassee

10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Break

10:45 a.m. – 11:35 a.m. Elder Law
Peggy Hoyt, Oviedo
Alex Douglas, Orlando

11:35 – 12:20 p.m. Estate Planning
Peggy Hoyt, Oviedo
Alex Douglas, Orlando

12:20 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Lunch  (on your own)

1:45 p.m. – 2:35 p.m. Criminal Law
Brice Aikens, Orlando                                              

2:35 p.m. –3:25p.m. Personal Injury Law Update
James Gordon, Oviedo

3:25 p.m. – 3:35 p.m. Break

3:35 p.m. – 4:25 p.m. Real Estate Law
Patrick Neale, Naples

Details coming soon. This meeting takes place during The Florida Bar Annual Meeting.

Live GoToWebinar presented by Don Blackwell of Bowman and Brooks LLP and moderated by Cristina Alonso. Course number and Professionalism and Mental Health Awareness CLE credit pending approval. Registration opens soon.

Don Blackwell, who has written and spoken extensively on issues relating to mental health and professionalism, will share an account of the personal challenges that often overlay our already highly stressful and demanding professional lives as attorneys – challenges that not only can affect our own professionalism, but be profoundly impacted by the professionalism or lack of professionalism of others.  He will highlight the alarming statistics relating to attorney mental health, discuss commons triggers and signs of depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and eating disorders, before suggesting everyday practices that attorneys can utilize to be more mindful of their and their colleagues’ (friends and foes) mental and emotional well-being and, in the process, enhance everyone’s level of professionalism.  He will conclude by educating attendees on the myriad resources that exist through The Florida Bar to assist those in need of mental health counseling, support, and professional guidance.

The goals of this presentation are fivefold:

1. To share a firsthand account of the personal challenges that often overlay our already highly stressful and demanding professional lives;
2. To highlight the alarming statistics relating to attorney mental health;
3. To discuss common triggers and signs of depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and eating disorders;
4. To suggest everyday practices that attorneys can utilize to be more mindful of their and their colleagues’ (friends and foes) mental and emotional well-being; and
5. To educate attendees on the myriad of resources that exist through The Florida Bar to assist those in need of mental health counseling, support, and professional guidance

Don Blackwell is a trial lawyer at Bowman and Brooke, LLP, in Lake Mary, who, for the past 38 years has defended designers, manufacturers, and retailers of automobiles, watercraft, medical devices, power tools, heavy equipment, chemicals, and friction products in personal injury and wrongful death actions. He earned his Bachelor’s in English with Honors from Spring Hill College and his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law. Don has written and spoken extensively on issues relating to mental health and professionalism, including several articles that have appeared in The Professional: “Compassionate Professionalism,” “The Time Has Come to Give Mental Health’s No. 1 Killer a Seat at the Table,” “Who Cries at Texas Roadhouse,” “The Help Desk,” and “The Price of Needing to Be Right.”

Free Wednesday Wisdom Zoom CLE that is open to all members of The Florida Bar. Presented by Tom Boyle, CPA and Co-founder TrustBooks, Raleigh. Course number 6119 is approved for 1.0 General CLE credit. Moderator: Renee E. Thompson, Upchurch, Watson, White & Max Mediation Group, Ocala. REGISTER

Join us to learn about the trust accounting needs of solo and small firms. Tom Boyle will explain how TrustBooks trust accounting software program, a Florida Bar member benefit, can help streamline the record-keeping process to help attorneys better maintain compliance.

Tom Boyle, CPA and Co-Founder of TrustBooks (now part of Paradigm):

• CPA in NC – past experience with Deloitte & Touche and McGladrey & Pullen
• Founded Boyle CPA, PLLC in April 2010 (sold CPA practice in June 2014).  Boyle CPA provided outsourced accounting services for small law firms.
• Presented over 100 webinars and CLE presentations on trust accounting and legal accounting to over 10,000 attorneys and legal staff over the past 5 years.
• Co-founder of TrustBooks – software created specifically to help attorneys manage, record, and reconcile their trust accounts. TrustBooks was acquired by Paradigm in January 2022 and now helps lead the TrustBooks team at Paradigm.

August 10, 12 – 1 PM, free Wednesday Wisdom Zoom CLE open to all members of The Florida Bar. Presented by Third Judicial Circuit Court Judge Leandra G. Johnson, Lake City, and former General Magistrate Jennifer Kuyrkendall Griffin, Live Oak, and moderated by Joshua Hertz.

Join Circuit Court Judge Leandra Johnson and former Magistrate Jennifer Kuyrkendall Griffin as they discuss professionalism tips from the bench. Everyone has encountered a situation where opposing counsel acts with less than professionalism, but how do you handle it when it happens in court? Join this panel discussion to hear about different situations, tactics, and suggestions that these veteran officers of the Court have to offer.  Course 6244 is approved for 1.0 General; 1.0 Professionalism credit. REGISTER

3rd Circuit Judge Leandra Johnson

The Honorable Leandra G. Johnson has served as a circuit judge in the Third Judicial Circuit for more than 16 years, during which time she has presided over several divisions, including criminal, civil, juvenile delinquency, family, and dependency. Before becoming a circuit judge, Judge Johnson was a prosecutor for 17 years and subsequently practiced law in Lake City for 7 years in the areas of civil litigation, family law and criminal defense. Judge Johnson has served as chief judge and as family law administrative judge in the Third Judicial Circuit. Additionally, Judge Johnson served for more than 10 years, by appointment of the Supreme Court, on the Trial Court Performance and Accountability Commission.

Jennifer Kuyrkendall Griffin

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 then as the General Magistrate, where she presided 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.

Details coming soon.

Live GoToWebinar presented by Nora Riva Bergman, JD, Tarpon Springs; and Chelsy A. Castro, JD, MA, AM, LSCW, Chicago. Course number 6245 is approved for 1.0 General; 1.0 Mental Illness Awareness CLE credit. Section members register for only $50. REGISTER

Join Nora Bergman and Chelsy Castro, authors of the new book 50 Lessons for Happy Lawyers, as they share research-based strategies that will help you increase your personal and professional happiness. The lessons in this book—written by lawyers for lawyers—will show you how to take small steps each day to boost your wellness, well-being, and resilience to live a happier, healthier life.

The statistics are clear. Lawyers are challenged with depression, stress, anxiety, and alcohol abuse at levels much higher than the general public. But there are things we can do to increase our happiness quotient and avoid burnout. In this interactive webinar, you’ll learn why happiness, wellness, and resilience are essential to your health, your well-being, and your effectiveness as a lawyer. And you’ll learn things you can do right now to get happy and stay happy.

Nora Riva Bergman is the creator of the 50 Lessons for Lawyers book series designed to support lawyers throughout every stage of their careers. A licensed attorney since 1992, Nora has been a Certified Atticus Practice Advisor since 2006. She has coached lawyers across the country and brings a deep understanding of the practice and business of law to her work with lawyers, law firms, and bar associations. Before her work as an author and business coach, she practiced as an employment law attorney and certified mediator and has served as an adjunct professor at both Stetson University College of Law and the University of South Florida.

Chelsy A. Castro is CEO and Founder of Castro Jacobs Psychotherapy and Consulting (CJPC), a firm specializing in lawyer well-being. An attorney-turned-psychotherapist and performance coach, Chelsy counsels individuals and the organizations they work for on how to achieve their goals in healthy and productive ways. Chelsy’s publications and trainings focus on science-based skills and strategies for improving performance and increasing well-being in high-pressure professions.

After practicing law as a multilingual attorney in the field of international regulatory compliance, Chelsy later earned her clinical degree at the University of Chicago and shifted her focus to lawyer well-being. Prior to launching CJPC, Chelsy designed, developed, and managed clinical programs for the legal profession, and provided evidence-based psychotherapy and training for lawyers, judges, and law students.

October 21, 12 – 1 PM Live GoToWebinar.  Presented by Professor Chad G. Marzen, J.D., American General Insurance Associate Professor of Insurance Law, Florida State University College of Business, Tallahassee. Moderator: Dr. Michael T. Olexa, Professor & Director Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources Law, University of Florida, Gainesville. Course number 6337 is approved for 1 General CLE credit. REGISTER

The federal crop insurance program is a significant one for America’s agricultural producers. This webinar provides a brief overview of contemporary legal issues with crop insurance that some producers and practitioners may encounter. This webinar will review recent caselaw from courts throughout the United States as well as Final Agency Determinations (FADs) of the United States Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency.

Learn more about Professor Chad G. Marzen here.

Oct. 26, 12 – 1 PM, free Wednesday Wisdom Zoom webinar for Solo & Small Firm Section members.* Presented by Peggy Hoyt, Law Offices of Hoyt and Bryan, LLC, Oviedo. Moderator Joshua Hertz. Course number 6633 is approved for .5 General CLE credit; .5 Technology, and .5 Ethics. REGISTER

*Registration will be approved when section membership is confirmed.

Peggy R. Hoyt, J.D., M.B.A., B.C.S.* is a Stetson University graduate receiving her B.B.A., cum laude, in 1981, her M.B.A. in 1982, and her J.D., cum laude, in 1993. Her work experience includes time as a college recruiter, financial consultant, account executive, and chief financial officer before entering law school. She is a founding partner of Hoyt & Bryan, LLC. Peggy is dual certified by the Florida Bar in Wills, Trusts, and Estates and in Elder Law.

Peggy describes herself as “an attorney, animal advocate, and pet mom.” Her love for animals was developed as a child when her father, John A. Hoyt, was the President and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States.

She is the author of All My Children Wear Fur Coats – How to Leave a Legacy for Your Pet, a book for pet parents on the importance of including their pets as part of their estate plan. She also hosts a weekly “paw-cast” on Buzzsprout called All My Children Wear Fur Coats.

Peggy is the Founder and CEO of Animal Care Trust USA, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping pet parents keep loved pets in loving homes. The organization offers several Forever Loved Pet Trust solutions including Forever Home, Forever Family, and Forever Sanctuary. Animal Care Trust USA can act as a corporate Pet Trustee and is leading the animal estate planning world with the creation of the Forever Loved Pet Trust, a community Pet Trust.

*Board Certified Specialist