Registration opens soon for the Annual Ethics & Professionalism Update 2024—Digital Dilemmas: Ethical and Professionalism Considerations for Attorneys in a Tech-Driven World. Live Zoom webinar. Program Chairs: Bill Curphey and Amanda Barton. Course number 8443 is approved for 5 CLE, 2 Ethics, 2 Professionalism, 1 Technology.
AGENDA & PRESENTERS
8:25 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Welcome
Program Chairs Bill Curphey and Amanda Barton
8:30 a.m. – 9:20 a.m.
Professionalism and Ethical Considerations for Attorneys
Scott Westheimer, Immediate Past President, The Florida Bar, and Partner, Syprett Meshad, P.A, Sarasota
9:20 a.m. – 10:10 a.m.
Ethical Perils of Communicating with Clients Using Text Messages
Peter A. Joy, Henry Hitchcock Professor of Law, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO. This presentation addresses three separate but related doctrines: the legal rule for attorney-client privilege, the work-product protection, and the ethical duty of client confidentiality. Lawyers, judges, and lay people often conflate or confuse these doctrines because there is some overlap among them. By the end of the session, participants will have a better understanding of these doctrines and the ethical perils of communicating with clients using text messages and other forms of communications that could be subject to waiver of attorney-client privilege under various circumstances.
10:20 a.m. – 11:10 a.m.
Ethical Trust Accounting – From Deposits to Disbursements
Debra J. Davis, Ethics Lawyer and CPA, Smith, Tozian, Daniel & Davis, P.A., Tampa, FL. This discussion of the ethical issues involved with lawyer trust accounts will provide practical tips to establish, manage and maintain a compliant trust account from deposits to disbursements.
11:10 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Professionalism and Ethical Issues When Practicing Virtually, Including in Transactions that Cross State Lines.
Tim Chinaris, Professor Emeritus of Law at Belmont University College of Law, Nashville and Of Counsel, Smith Tozian Daniel Davis, P.A., Tampa, FL. The virtual practice of law raises a host of ethical and professionalism issues such as whether a Florida attorney could face potential unlicensed practice of law or malpractice liability issues raised by a party in another state when the Florida lawyer handles a virtual transaction across state lines or when Florida authorized in-house counsel advise their employers in handling business transactions in other states. Ethical issues get complicated by the growth of “lead generators” that advertise nationally and parcel cases out to their “partners” in other states as well as the use of litigation funding companies. This discussion will provide a stronger understanding of some of the ethical issues inherent in multi-state virtual practice situations.
12:00 p.m. – 12:50 p.m.
AI & Ethics: 2 Years Later
Jonathan Grabb, The Florida Bar Ethics Counsel, Tallahassee, FL. This program will discuss how the use of technology, generative artificial intelligence has changed the practice of law nearly two years after the public release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in November 2022. We’ll discuss both the positives (Florida Ethics Opinion 24-1, ethics guidance from other jurisdictions, and generative AI programs made for lawyers) and the negatives (hallucinations, deepfakes, and court sanctions). Generative AI is here to stay and this presentation is meant to give you a primer on what to watch whether you plan to use AI in your own practice or not.
Registration opens soon for this live InReach webinar by Kevin Johnson, Johnson Jackson PLLC, Tampa, and Liz McCausland, Liz McCausland P.A., Orlando. Course number and CLE credit pending approval. Moderated by Zack Zuroweste. Solo & Small Firm Section members register for only $55, with 90-day, on-demand access.
Join Liz McCausland, attorney and legal tech consultant, and Kevin Johnson, attorney recognized by The Florida Bar for promoting legal technology and practice-management education, for this essential presentation for legal professionals navigating the digital landscape. The program will cover the intricacies of PACER filings, introduce cutting-edge third-party technologies, and provide invaluable tips to streamline your e-filing processes. Stay ahead of the curve and enhance your efficiency with expert insights and practical advice tailored for the modern legal practice.
Liz McCausland’s career journey is a testament to her commitment to service and innovation. Formerly a partner at a mid-sized insurance defense firm, Liz found herself at a crossroads, realizing that her true passion for helping others was unfulfilled. This epiphany led her to establish Liz McCausland PA, where she specializes in bankruptcy and mediation, particularly excelling in bankruptcy mortgage modification mediations. Liz’s expertise has seen her successfully mediate over 4,000 cases across five states, leveraging remote and cloud-based technology to achieve remarkable results.
Starting her own firm taught Liz the importance of efficiency, low overhead, and robust systems. She embraced technology to streamline her practice, ensuring her clients received top-tier representation without the high costs often associated with larger firms.
As a natural problem solver, Liz has a knack for helping others navigate complex issues. She has been an invaluable resource to fellow lawyers, offering guidance on establishing and running efficient law practices. Recently the Solo & Small Firm Section of the Florida Bar awarded her The Walter S. Crumbley Award for her contributions in the area of Practice Management.
Liz’s impressive legal career spans over 25 years, marked by her distinction as a proud double Gator from the University of Florida. Her leadership roles include serving as Past President of the Orange County Bar Association and being an active member of the Executive Council of the Florida Bar’s Solo/Small Firm Section. A sought-after speaker, Liz has shared her insights at numerous conferences and on podcasts. Recently, she contributed to the Florida Bar’s Special Committee on AI and is helping to develop a “Best Practices Guide” for implementing AI in legal practices.
Liz’s dedication extends beyond her practice; she travels across the US to teach attorneys and mediators the intricacies of mediating mortgage modifications in bankruptcy.
A self-proclaimed gadget geek, Liz has never met an app she didn’t try.
Kevin D. Johnson is a founding shareholder of Johnson Jackson PLLC, a Tampa law firm specializing in management-side labor and employment law. Kevin graduated from the University of Florida’s Levin College of Law in 1994. He has been board certified by The Florida Bar in Labor and Employment Law since 2007. Kevin has been named to the SuperLawyers list of the Top 100 lawyers in Florida eleven times since 2012.
Kevin is a past chair of The Florida Bar’s Civil Procedure Rules Committee, its Standing Committee on Technology, its Solo and Small Firm Section, and its Council of Sections. He currently serves on The Florida Bar’s Special Committee on Artificial Intelligence. Kevin is also a past President of the Tampa Bay Chapter of the Federal Bar Association.
Kevin has litigated cases in courts throughout the United States. He enjoys helping employers work through challenging circumstances to make good decisions about their employees and their employment practices.
Live InReach Zoom webinar by Vanessa Vasquez de Lara, Vasquez de Lara Law Group, Miami; and Elina Magaly Santana, Santana Rodriguez Law, P.A., Coral Gables. Moderator: Megan Murray, Tampa. Course number and CLE credit pending approval. Solo & Small Firm Section members register for only $55 with 90-day, on-demand access.
Join Vanessa Vasquez de Lara and Elina Magaly Santana for an insightful session on “5 Top Tips on Using AI to Be a Better Lawyer,” where we’ll delve into the latest advancements in technology to enhance your legal practice. Learn how AI can cost-effectively improve efficiency, uphold ethics and professionalism, and support personal well-being in the legal profession. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and stay ahead in the ever-evolving legal landscape.
Free Wednesday Wisdom Zoom webinar for Solo & Small Firm Section members* by Scott W. Spradley, Flagler Beach. Moderator: Jennifer Kuyrkendall Griffin, Suwannee County Judge. Course number and CLE credit pending approval. REGISTER
*Registration will be approved when section membership is confirmed. You will receive an email registration confirmation from “professionaldevelopment8zoom@floridabar.org.” If you do not receive the confirmation, please check your spam folder.
This webinar will detail the higher incidences of substance abuse among lawyers, and Identify signs and symptoms of substance abuse/dependence. Scott W. Spradley will discuss some of the alternative paths to recovery.
Scott W. Spradley is a member of the Florida Bar and is in his 36th year of practice, with the last 30 being primarily in the Bankruptcy arena and in Estate Planning. While at the GrayRobinson firm in Orlando, Scott founded that firm’s Bankruptcy Group in 1997. Scott now lives in Flagler Beach where he maintains his Bankruptcy Practice and where he has a growing Landscape and Seascape Photography business. In 2023, Scott was elected by the residents of Flagler Beach to serve as a City Commissioner, where Scott presently serves as Chairman of the Board. Scott’s greatest accomplishments are (with Susan Spradley) his 23-year-old daughter, Alyson Spradley, who is a recent graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University, and his Continuous Sobriety, which currently stands at 14 years and 8 months. But who’s counting.
Registration opens soon for this live InReach Zoom webinar by attorney, author, and journalist Nicole Black of Rochester, NY. Course number and CLE credit pending approval. Moderator TBD. Solo & Small Firm Section members register for only $55, with 90-day, on-demand access.
This webinar will provide an in-depth update on the rapidly advancing landscape of AI in the legal industry. Niki Black, New York Legal Insight Strategist, will explore the latest trends in AI adoption, with a special focus on emerging generative AI tools that have the potential to dramatically change the practice of law. Attendees will learn about new AI software categories from the past year, including applications for advanced document creation and review, enhanced legal research, and AI-driven business and financial analytics for law firms. The session will also address the evolving challenges of integrating AI into legal workflows and will equip you with up-to-date knowledge and practical strategies to effectively incorporate the latest AI technologies into your practice.
Nicole Black is a Rochester, New York attorney, author, journalist, and Principal Legal Insight Strategist, MyCase, CASEpeer, and Docketwise legal practice management software and LawPay legal payment processing, AffiniPay companies. She is the nationally-recognized author of “Cloud Computing for Lawyers” (2012) and co-author of “Social Media for Lawyers: The Next Frontier” (2010), both published by the American Bar Association. She also was the co-author of “Criminal Law in New York,” a Thomson Reuters treatise. She writes regular columns for Above the Law, ABA Journal, and The Daily Record, has authored hundreds of articles for other publications, and regularly speaks at conferences regarding the intersection of law and emerging technologies. She is an ABA Legal Rebel, and is listed on the Fastcase 50 and ABA LTRC Women in Legal Tech.
Free Wednesday Wisdom Zoom webinar for Solo & Small Firm Section members* by Jennifer Feld, a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil mediator at Feld Legal, Tampa. Moderator: Judge Jennifer Kuyrkendall Griffin. Course number and credit Pending approval. REGISTER
*Registration will be approved when section membership is confirmed. You will receive an email registration confirmation from “professionaldevelopment8zoom@floridabar.org.” If you do not receive the confirmation, please check your spam folder.
Join Jennifer Feld, mediator and former litigator, for a discussion of Florida HB 837, in particular the impact on bad faith insurance claim litigation and the safe harbors provided for insurers facing competing claims from multiple third parties, arising from a single occurrence. Learn how to navigate these claims and effectuate settlements before they are sent to the interpleader stage.
Jennifer Feld is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil mediator at Feld Legal.
Jennifer is AV-Preeminent Rated by Martindale Hubbell, Florida Trend Magazine Legal Elite 2019, and Florida’s Super Lawyers Rising Star for seven consecutive years, 2017-2024. In 2020, Ms. Feld was named among Tampa’s top 100 women in KNOW Tampa. Before she was a full-time neutral, Jennifer litigated for over a decade and was a partner at a multi-state firm.
Jennifer is an advocate in and out of the courtroom. Her experiences as a mother and a trial attorney have made her a pioneer for parental leave and lactation space awareness, and she has published a number of articles on these topics. Her work has been published in the Daily Business Review, the St. Pete Paraclete, and recognized by Fox13 News, Law.com, the Florida Bar, the American Bar Association, and Above the Law. Many of Jennifer’s works have been featured in professional publications and she frequently speaks on emerging topics at industry events.
As a devotee to community service, Jennifer is the President of the Board of TJFS, which provides a food bank, financial and social wellness services to those in need in Tampa Bay. She is also sits on the UF Law Alumni Council. Jennifer holds a position on Statewide FAWL (Florida Association for Women Lawyers), as well as the Hillsborough Chapter. Recently, Jennifer opened a 501(c)(3) non-profit, The FAWL Support Organization, to support the mission of FAWL.
Jennifer is the proud mother of two boys, Kameron (6) and Micah (4) and spouse to fellow attorney, Eric Feld.
Free Wednesday Wisdom Zoom webinar for Solo & Small Firm Section members* by Joy Lutz, CPA and Certified Tax Coach, Aligned CPA, LLC, Lake City. Course number and CLE credit pending approval. Moderator: Judge Jennifer Kuyrkendall Griffin. REGISTER
*Registration will be approved when section membership is confirmed. You will receive an email confirmation of your registration from “professionaldevelopment8zoom@floridabar.org.” If you do not receive the confirmation, please check your spam folder.
DESCRIPTION: Learn how your financials can help you make better decisions, get a hold on your cash flow and use metrics to achieve your goals. Presented by Joy Lutz, a CPA, certified tax coach, and owner of Aligned CPA, LLC in Lake City, FL, where she helps solo and small law firms with accounting, tax prep and planning and advisory services.
Joy Lutz is a CPA, certified tax coach, and owner of Aligned CPA, LLC in Lake City, FL where she helps solo and small law firms with accounting, tax prep and planning, and advisory services.
Joy is a certified Tax Coach with the American Institute of Certified Tax Planners and was named a top “40 Under 40” CPA in the accounting profession for 2015 by the CPA Practice Advisor, as well as earning the Small Business of the Year award in 2016 by the Lake City‐Columbia County Chamber of Commerce.
She is involved in many organizations and has held leadership positions with the Lake City Chamber of Commerce, Ronald McDonald House, Happy House, and Altrusa.
