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

October 28, 8 AM – 12:30 PM live GoToWebinar. Course number 6247 has been approved for 5 General CLE credits, 3 of which may be applied toward Ethics; 1 of which may be applied toward Professionalism; and 1 Technology credit. Solo & Small Firm Section members register for only $250. REGISTER

8:00 AM – 8:10 AM
Welcome
John Maceluch
Stephanie Cagnet Myron
     

8:10 AM – 9:00 AM
Maintain Heading: Ethical Impacts of Recent Lawyer Advertising Decisions, Opinions, and Rule Changes
Jonathan Grabb, Director, Ethics & Advertising Department of The Florida Bar

9:00 AM – 9:50 AM
Secure Your Mooring: Effective Strategies to Boost Technology and Maintain Security
John Stewart, Melbourne

9:50 AM – 10:05 AM
Break

10:05 AM – 10:55 AM
Stay Aboveboard: Compliance Requirements Resulting From Recent Rule Changes and Ethics Opinions
Tim Chinaris, Nashville, TN

10:55 AM – 11:45 AM
Retain Your Bearing: Ethical and Professional Obligations of Practicing Virtually and in the Courtroom
Moderator: John Maceluch, Panama City
Panelists:
Judge Jessica Goodwin Costello, Tampa
Judge Keith Meyer, Clearwater
Judge William Dyer, Panama City

11:45 AM – 12:35 PM
Follow Your Compass: Professionalism and Civility in Trying Times and Difficult Situations
Elizabeth Hunter, Palm City

Live GoToWebinar presented by Marck Joseph, The Joseph Firm P.A., Miami.  Moderator:  Chris Johnson. Course number 6338 is approved for 1.0 General; 1.0 Technology credit. REGISTER

This seminar is intended to provide detailed information on various software, programs, and subscriptions to help streamline your practice from start to finish. From schedules and calendars to billing and invoicing, this CLE is here to make your practice efficient as well as successful. Attendees will leave with a great understanding of how technology can help us serve our clients while balancing work/life balance and keeping a team in sync.

Marck Joseph, Esq., is the founder and owner of The Joseph Firm, a South Florida-based practice focusing exclusively on Marital and Family Law. His strong passion for justice has resolved hundreds of cases for clients, involving divorce, alimony, equitable distribution, paternity (establishment and disestablishment), time-sharing (custody/visitation rights), child support, and domestic violence. He is also a Florida Supreme Court-certified family mediator and collaborative law practitioner. Marck also serves on various committees, including the 11th Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee, the Family Law Rules Committee, and The Florida Bar Family Law Sections Legislative Committee.

An experienced litigator who is dedicated to delivering his clients the results they deserve, Marck has a solid familiarity with each of the South Florida courts and agencies. The Joseph Firm has been trusted by national celebrities and maintains an established record for resolving high conflict cases and high net worth litigation.

Live GoToWebinar presented by Liz McCausland, Liz McCausland, P.A., Orlando, and Legal Tech Consultant, Law Tech Partners. Moderator: John Maceluch, Sunshine Legacy Law, PLLC, Panama City. Course number 6246 is approved for 1.0 General; 1.0 Technology CLE credit. Section members register for only $50. REGISTER

Today’s legal technology has given lawyers the ability to work from anywhere. They can gain a competitive edge and improve legal services to their clients without being in the room. Technology and remote work also have opened the doors to hiring and training staff members who are not “in our backyards.”  In this presentation, Liz McCausland, attorney and legal tech consultant, will explore opportunities for today’s lawyers to deliver service and value to their practice, clients, and cases while working remotely.

Liz McCausland has been practicing law for over 20 years after graduating from the University of Florida with both her Bachelor of Arts and JD degrees. She practiced civil litigation representing both individuals and national corporations before starting her own firm. Ms. McCausland now concentrates in bankruptcy and mediation. She is a Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator. She served on committees to establish both the Orlando Bankruptcy Division’s Mortgage Modification Mediation Program, as well as the Orange County Mortgage Modification Program.

She has conducted over 4,000 Mortgage Modification Mediations in every district in Florida, as well as in Indiana, California, Nevada, and Arizona. She travels throughout the US to teach other attorneys and mediators how to successfully obtain and mediate mortgage modifications in bankruptcy.

Liz has served in leadership positions in many voluntary bar associations and has won awards for her devoted service including being recognized with the Lawrence G. Matthews Professionalism Award. She is a past president of the Orange County Bar Association and serves on the executive council of the Florida Bar’s Solo and Small Firm Section. She has also previously served on the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Section, The Florida Bar’s Leadership Academy Committee, and on the executive board of the Central Florida Association For Women Lawyers.

Liz is a self-proclaimed gadget geek and has never met an app she didn’t try.

December 7, FREE CLE Zoom webinar for Solo & Small Firm Section members.* Presented by Nefra-Ann MacDonald, Clio Cloud-Based Legal Technology, Senior Manager, Strategic Engagement. Joshua Hertz will serve as moderator. Course number 6488 is approved for 1 General; 1 Technology CLE credit. REGISTER

*Registration will be approved when section membership is confirmed.

According to the 2020 Legal Trends Report, the average lawyer spends only 2.5 hours on billable work per day—which means nearly 70% of each workday is consumed by tasks like data entry, scheduling follow-ups, and timekeeping. Yet these tedious tasks also need to get done.

Luckily, there’s a way to get the non-billable work done faster and more efficiently. With the right technology, law firms can automate many time-consuming tasks—spending less time on administrative work and freeing up more time for billable hours and attention to clients.

Join Nefra MacDonald, Clio’s Senior Manager of Strategic Engagement, to learn how to leverage automation tools to increase productivity and profits at your firm.

In this session, you’ll learn:

• How to differentiate between busywork and billable work in your legal practice
• Three key areas in a law firm that are open to automation
• How to select legal technology that can save you time and money

Nefra-Ann MacDonald is a legal technology and wellness speaker who, as the Senior Manager of Strategic Engagement at Clio, works with bar associations and other legal organizations to help lawyers succeed in their practices. With over a decade of experience in the legal industry, Nefra understands the pain points that affect law firms, and she uses her expertise to help lawyers streamline processes and run a better business. A graduate of the University of Miami, Nefra is passionate about bringing a practical lens to each one of her presentations, so each attendee leaves with a takeaway that can improve their day-to-day. She has been a speaker at the Clio Cloud Conference, ABA TECHSHOW, and at many other legal conferences across North America.