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Oct
17
Tue
Avoiding Ethical Pitfalls & Disciplinary Actions @ InReach Webinar
Oct 17 @ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Live InReach webinar by Sia Baker-Barnes, Searcy Denney, West Palm Beach, and moderated by Rebekah S. Taylor, The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division Liaison to the Solo & Small Firm Section, Snedaker Law, Lake Mary. Course number is approved for 1 CLE, all of which may be applied toward Ethics. REGISTER

Join Florida Bar Board of Governors member and Florida Bar Board-Certified Civil Trial Lawyer Sia Baker-Barnes as she shares examples of ethical pitfalls that have trapped the unwary. Also highlighted will be ways for lawyers to avoid the disciplinary system.

Smiling womanRosalyn “Sia” Baker-Barnes is a Shareholder at Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A., and the Chairperson of the firm’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee. Ms. Baker-Barnes is Board-Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Florida Bar, and is recognized by US News & World Report as one of the “Best Lawyers in America,” by Lawdragon as one of America’s “500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers,” by Florida Super Lawyers magazine as a top lawyer in the state, by Florida Trend magazine as a “Legal Elite,” and by the Daily Business Review as one of South Florida’s Inaugural “Top 20 Women in Law.”

In her over 20-year career, she has successfully pursued justice for victims in personal injury, medical negligence and product liability cases and frequently lectures throughout the United States on catastrophic injury cases. She has achieved numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements, including a landmark $20 million compensatory and punitive damages verdict against tobacco giant RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company that was affirmed by the Florida Supreme Court and reached the United States Supreme Court. Read her bio here.

Oct
25
Wed
OSHA Enforcement Relating to Heat Related Illnesses & Injuries in the Workplace (Free CLE for All Florida Bar Members) @ Zoom Webinar
Oct 25 @ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Free Wednesday Wisdom live Zoom webinar by Michael Prendergast of FordHarrison, and moderated by Judge Jennifer Kuyrkendall Griffin, 3rd Judicial Circuit. Course number 8083; 1 General CLE. Open to all members of The Florida Bar. REGISTER

While the Occupational Safety & Health Administration has not yet issued regulations specifically addressing heat-related injuries and illnesses, OSHA has published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing an OSHA standard specifically related to these hazards. In the meantime, OSHA continues to address these issues through inspections, citations and enforcement proceedings under the Occupational Safety and Health Act’s “General Duty” clause. This course addresses the current and anticipated impact of these general industry enforcement procedures and regulations on agricultural employers and their workers in the Sunshine State.

Smiling man in business attireMike Prendergast is a partner in the Jacksonville, Florida office of FordHarrison LLP. Mike and his firm represent and counsel employers in litigation, administrative proceedings, and other matters related to employment law. Mike’s practice includes advising employers concerning their obligations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Mike also represents clients during OSHA inspections and in response to citations and enforcement proceedings brought by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Oct
27
Fri
Annual Ethics & Professionalism Update: Scary Tales of Unprofessional & Unethical Conduct @ InReach Webinar
Oct 27 @ 8:00 AM – 12:35 PM

Live InReach webinar. Course number 7844 is approved for 5 CLE, 2 of which may be applied toward Ethics; 2 Professionalism, and 1 Technology. Solo & Small Firm Section members register for only $250. View the presenter bios here. REGISTER

Annual Ethics & Professionalism Update:  Scary Tales of Unprofessional & Unethical Conduct
October 27, 2023
8:00 AM–12:35 PM

8:00 AM–8:10 AM
Welcome
Michelle Garcia Gilbert and Bill Curphey, Co-Program Chairs

Smiling woman8:10 AM–9:00 AM
Tricked or Treated: White Collar Ethics Issues for the Unwary Lawyer
Professor Ellen Podgor, St. Petersburg
Man in business attire, blue tie9:00 AM–9:50 AM
Villainy or Virtue: Unmask Your Client’s Story to Avoid Unethical Surprises
Andrew J. Oppenheim, Tampa
9:50 AM–10:05 AM
Break
Smiling man in business attire10:05 AM–10:55 AM
Toil or Trouble: Ensure that Technology Works Ethically for You – Not Against You
Marck Joseph, Miami
Smiling man in business attire10:55 AM–11:45 AM
Hocus or Pocus: How to Prevent and Defend Professionalism and Ethics Complaints
Scott Tozian, Tampa
Smiling man in business attire11:45 AM–12:35 PM
Friend or Fiend: Building & Maintaining your Reputation Ethically & with Professionalism
Ret. Judge Greg Holder, Tampa
Smiling man in business attireRet. Judge Emmett (Lamar) Battles, Tampa
Nov
14
Tue
Traps of the Employment Law Trade: Keeping Your Law Firm Compliant with Ever-Changing Employment Laws @ Zoom InReach Webinar
Nov 14 @ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Live Zoom webinar presented by Christopher Johnson, FordHarrison. Moderator:  Denise A. Mutamba. Course number and 1 CLE pending approval. Solo & Small Firm Section members register for only $50, with 90-day, on-demand access. Registration opens soon.

Solo & Small Firm attorneys have a lot on their plates. It can be easy to forget one of the most critical hats that a business-owning attorney wears: employer. This CLE by FordHarrison employment law partner, Chris Johnson, is designed to identify common employment laws that apply to small businesses, including law firms, and how to avoid issues that, if left unchecked, might result in you having to become the client to defend your business against an administrative charge or lawsuit from your own employee.

Smiling man in business attireChris Johnson is a partner in the FordHarrison Tampa office. He defends both local and national employers in litigation and administrative proceedings against all claims arising from the employment relationship. Chris also focuses a significant portion of his practice on litigation prevention efforts including the review and revision of personnel policies and procedures to ensure compliance with evolving labor and employment laws. He understands where an employer is most vulnerable and works with his clients to eliminate those vulnerabilities. However, when an employee does bring a claim, Chris is prepared to defend the procedures and policies that he works to create with his clients, as he has extensive experience litigating cases in state and federal courts throughout the United States in both single plaintiff matters as well as class and collective actions. Chris also assists clients with drafting and enforcing restrictive covenants, including non-competition, non-solicitation, and confidentiality provisions.

Prior to joining FordHarrison, Chris was a partner at a labor and employment boutique firm in Tampa. While earning his J.D. from the University of Florida, Chris completed a judicial externship for the Honorable Don F. Briggs and the Honorable T. Michael Johnson in the Fifth Judicial Circuit of Florida.

Nov
15
Wed
Ways to Thankfully Enjoy a Less Stressful Holiday Season (Free CLE for Section Members) @ Zoom Webinar
Nov 15 @ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Free Wednesday Wisdom Zoom webinar for Solo & Small Firm Section members* by Katie Young, Assistant Director of The Florida Bar’s Henry Latimer Center for Professionalism, and moderated by Judge Jennifer Kuyrkendall Griffin. Course number and CLE credit pending approval. REGISTER

DESCRIPTION: While the holidays can be a beautiful time, many attorneys struggle with stress, depression, anxiety, and loneliness.

*Registration will be approved when section membership is confirmed.Free Wednesday Wisdom Zoom webinar for Solo & Small Firm Section members.

Smiling woman outdoors

Katie Young is the Assistant Director of The Florida Bar’s Henry Latimer Center for Professionalism. She joined the Center in January 2020.

Before joining the Florida Bar, she was a Program Specialist with the Florida Department of Education, focusing on School Improvement Grants. She also managed all aspects of Florida’s School Advisory Council (SAC) program. She is a Tallahassee native and a graduate of Florida State University, where she earned her Bachelor’s in English Literature with Minors in Business and Education. After graduation, she worked as an elementary school teacher before pursuing leadership opportunities by obtaining her Master’s in Educational Leadership from the University of West Florida.

Since becoming the Assistant Director, Ms. Young has become a Certified Everything DiSC Workplace® Facilitator. She serves on the Board of Directors for the National Legal Mentoring Consortium and staffs the Florida Bar’s Special Committee on Mentoring New Lawyers. Ms. Young regularly speaks to legal professionals and Florida Bar staff on general professionalism and time management.

Dec
12
Tue
A.I. & Ethics: What Lawyers Really Need to Know @ InReach Webinar
Dec 12 @ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Live InReach webinar presented by Jonathan Grabb, The Florida Bar Director of Ethics & Advertising. Moderator:  Camara Williams. Course number and 1 CLE; 1 Ethics and 1 Technology credit pending approval.

Image of a smiling man in front of a bookcase (Jonathan Grabb)

Jonathan Grabb is the Ethics Counsel for The Florida Bar. He previously served the department for eight years as an Assistant Ethics Counsel. He’s fielded more than 20,000 calls on the ethics hotline, reviewed thousands of lawyer advertisements, and issued dozens of staff opinions during his employment with the Bar.

Jan
23
Tue
Unleashing Legal AI: ChatGPT in Practice @ InReach Zoom Webinar
Jan 23 @ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Live Zoom webinar by Nicole Black, MyCase. Moderator:  TBA. Course number and technology credit pending approval. Solo & Small Firm Section members register for only $50, with 90-day, on-demand access. Registration opens soon.

This webinar offers a comprehensive exploration of AI and ChatGPT in the legal field by renowned legal tech author, Nicole Black. You’ll learn about the technology’s evolution, 10 practical applications, including document summaries and drafting assistance. You’ll also gain insights into additional AI use cases within the legal field, while examining potential challenges like ethical concerns, algorithmic bias, accuracy issues, and the relative infancy of this rapidly evolving technology. This presentation will equip you with the knowledge to harness AI’s power and implement it into your legal practice.

Image of a smiling woman

Nicole Black is a Rochester, New York attorney, author, journalist, and Senior Director, SME and External Education, at MyCase, legal practice management software. 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.

Feb
23
Fri
2024 Solo and Small Firm Conference @ Zoom Webinar
Feb 23 @ 8:00 AM – 12:35 PM

Save the Date! The annual Solo and Small Firm Conference is an excellent opportunity to learn pro tips on best practices to take your firm to the next level! Course number and 5 CLE; 1 Mental Health & Wellness; 3 Ethics; and 4 Technology credits pending approval. Registration opens soon.

Agenda and Presenters

8:00 AM – 8:10 AM:  WELCOME
Camara Williams and Stephanie Cagnet Myron, Program Chairs
F. Scott Westheimer, The Florida Bar President (
Recorded Message)

8:10 AM – 9:00 AM:  UNPLUG BEFORE YOU PLUG IN: 10 STRATEGIES TO HELP YOU LIVE A HAPPIER, HEALTHIER, MORE RESILIENT LIFE
Nora Riva Bergman, Real Life Practice, Tarpon Springs. Technology and the advent of AI have given lawyers the tools to live the lives we choose and work when and where we want to. But to make the most of what technology and AI can offer, we’ve got to first take care of ourselves. In this interactive presentation, author, attorney, and business coach Nora Riva Bergman will share 10 strategies from her book 50 Lessons for Happy Lawyers: Boost Wellness. Build Resilience. Yes, you can! If you’re feeling burned out, stressed out, or just want to be happier and healthier, this presentation will give you tools to make positive changes in your life. You’ll not only learn these strategies, but you’ll also get tips on how to start living them right now. Get ready to shift your thinking and begin experimenting with research-based strategies to increase your personal and professional happiness.

9:00 AM – 9:50 AM:  HOW AI WILL MAKE YOU A BETTER ATTORNEY
Mark Doble, Toronto, CEO of Alexi. AI can take the most stressful, tedious elements of being a lawyer, and provide you with a head start in everything you do. From the moment you open a file to the moment you settle or receive a verdict, AI can remove stress, automate frustrating and tedious tasks, and increase your bandwidth to provide better service to your clients. Mark Doble, CEO of Alexi (an AI company for litigators) will walk you through some tips and tricks on how to properly think about, and leverage AI.

9:50 AM – 10:40 AM:  AI  IN THE PRACTICE OF LAW
Tom Martin, Vancouver, Founder & CEO of LawDroid, a Generative AI Legal Technology company. AI is taking the world by storm, but how can it best be applied to the practice of law? In this session, Tom Martin will explain how generative AI works, discuss the ethical issues it raises, demonstrate a real use case, and explore the practical ways you can use AI today to get more done with less to grow a more profitable law practice.

10:40 AM – 10:55 AM:  Break

10:55 AM – 11:45 AM:  GENERATIVE AI FOR LAWYERS: WHAT IT IS AND HOW TO USE IT IN YOUR PRACTICE
Carolyn Elefant, Washington, D.C. Generative AI has infiltrated the legal profession faster than any legal tech change in recent memory. And while generative AI carries enormous promise, the speed of adoption has overwhelmed many lawyers. After providing the basics of generative AI technology, practice management specialist, Carolyn Elefant, will provide real-world examples of how generative AI can power substantive research, client relations and marketing and best practices for choosing the appropriate generative AI tools and incorporating them ethically and responsibly into your law practice.

11:45 AM – 12:35 P.M.:  THE FLORIDA BAR AND NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
E. Duffy Myrtetus, Richmond, VA and Gordon Glover, Ocala, Co-Chairs of Florida Board of Governors Special Committee on Artificial Intelligence Tools & Resources. The Co-chairs of the Florida Board of Governors Special Committee on Artificial Intelligence Tools & Resources, Gordon Glover and E. Duffy Myrtetus will recap the Committee’s work while providing an update on The Florida Bar and Committee efforts in the areas of Lawyer Regulation, ethics and the Courts as impacted by AI.  Additionally, they will share information on notable trends in AI affecting lawyers, ethics and on general developments in courts around the country involving the use of Artificial Intelligence.

Apr
11
Thu
Solo & Small Firm Section EC/Florida Bar YLD Meeting in Puerto Rico
Apr 11 @ 12:00 AM – Apr 14 @ 12:00 AM

Details coming soon.