June 15, 2004 Notices Notices Construction Law Certification Committee members needed On May 20, the Supreme Court approved standards for board certification in construction law.Members of The Florida Bar who have an interest in serving on the inaugural nine-member certification committee should send a letter of interest and a resume to: The Florida Bar, 651 East Jefferson Street, Tallahassee 32399-2300 to the attention of Vicki Brand, assistant to the executive director, by July 15.Pursuant to Rule 6-3.2, Rules Regulating The Florida Bar: “Initial committee appointees shall be eminent attorneys in each field, shall be members in good standing of The Florida Bar, and shall have been admitted to The Florida Bar no less than 10 years.” Rule 6-24.2(c) also provides that the “construction law certification committee shall include a minimum of 3 members with experience in transactional construction law and 3 members with experience in construction law litigation.” Members appointed to the initial committee are certified by virtue of appointment.As stated by the court in Amendment to the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, case no. SC03-705 [May 20, 2004], “Addition of construction law further expands the existing certification plan as a resource for the public to identify lawyers who have met established standards in particular practice areas and who are committed to excellence and professionalism in the practice of law. The opportunity is likewise broadened for lawyers to achieve board certification as a visible way to demonstrate their commitment to quality and professionalism in the delivery of legal services.”It is anticipated that applications for board certification in this area will be available in the fall, 2004, and the first exam scheduled in the spring, 2005. Individuals interested in applying for certification in construction law, or any of the other 19 practice fields, may contact The Florida Bar Legal Specialization & Education Department at (850) 561-5842 or visit www.flabar.org for more information. Fee statements are on the way Florida Bar members are now receiving their 2004-2005 annual fee statements — reflecting no increase in fees.The statements were mailed in late May. The fees are payable July 1 and are late after August 15.Members will receive one of two fee statements: one designed for active members and another for those who have elected inactive status. Annual fees are still $265. Inactive members pay $175. Eligible members may pay online at www.FLABAR.org.Members also have an option to make a voluntary $45 contribution to The Florida Bar Foundation’s Lawyers’ Challenge for Children campaign to help bring the benefits of the law and lawyers to the lives of poor children. The Foundation will dedicate Bar members’ contributions to legal assistance to children through grants to legal aid and legal services programs across the state. Elliott petitions for Bar reinstatement Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10(b), Nadege Elliott of Cape Coral has petitioned the Florida Supreme Court for Bar reinstatement.Elliott was suspended from the practice of law for six months by a June 26, 2003 order of the Supreme Court for violating Rules 4-8.4(b), (c), and (d); 4-1.15(a); 4-8.4(a); 5-1.2(b)(2), (4), (5), (6); and 5-1.2(c)(1), (2), and (3).The suspension was served from July 26, 2003 through January 25, 2004.Anyone having knowledge bearing upon Elliott’s fitness or qualifications to resume the practice of law should contact Stephen C. Whalen, assistant staff counsel, The Florida Bar, 5521 W. Spruce St., Suite C-49, Tampa 33607, telephone (800) 940-4759. U.S. Middle District increases its fees On March 16, the United States Judicial Conference approved an amendment to the District Court Miscellaneous Fee Schedule, promulgated under 28 U.S.C. §1914. Copies of the amended schedule are available on the court’s Web site at www.flmd.uscourts.gov. Copies can also be obtained free of charge at the intake counters in each divisional office in the Middle District of Florida.Due to amendment to the District Court Miscellaneous Fee Schedule, pursuant to Rule 2.01(d) of the Local Rules of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, effective June 1, notice is hereby given of an increase in the attorney admission fee for admission and membership in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida Bar.All attorneys admitted to practice in the Middle District of Florida pursuant to the conditions prescribed in Rule 2.01 on or after June 1, are required to pay to the clerk an admission fee of $165.All members of the Middle District Bar who are admitted before June 1shall not be required to pay the increased admission fee, but shall be required to pay annual renewals in accordance with local rules and administrative orders entered by the court. Comments sought on workers’ comp judges The Statewide Nominating Commission for Judges of Compensation Claims will hold a public hearing July 12 at 9 a.m., at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport to conduct the interviews of the following applicants for reappointment as judges of compensation claims: Daniel A. Lewis, Jonathan D. Ohlman, W. James Condry, Richard S. Thompson, and Robert D. McAliley.Written commentary concerning any applicant by any person is welcome and must be submitted to the commission chair and a copy to each commission member. Names and addresses of commission members are also available from the commission chair.Any questions should be directed to Victor V. Marrero, commission chair, 1560 Sawgrass Corporate Parkway, Sunrise 33323, telephone (954) 838-3451, fax (954) 838-3700. Three added to Bar’s Executive Committee The Board of Governors has elected three representatives to the Bar Executive Committee, completing the makeup of that panel for the 2004-05 Bar year.The Executive Committee is empowered to act for the board between its bi-monthly meetings, a particularly important role during Florida legislative sessions.At their recent meeting in Hollywood, governors elected board members Hank Coxe, Jesse Diner, and David Rothman as their representatives on the Executive Committee.They will join incoming Bar President Kelly Overstreet Johnson, incoming President-elect Alan Bookman, incoming Budget Committee Chair Jerald Beer, incoming Legislation Committee Chair Sharon Langer, incoming Communications Committee Chair Michael Glazer, incoming Young Lawyers Division President Michael Faehner, and board members Ervin Gonzalez and Mayanne Downs, who were appointed by Johnson. June 15, 2004 Notices read more