The Orange County Bar Association - The Briefs - July 2023

7 Chief’s Column Circuit Criminal – Old Problems, New Solutions!

The Honorable Luis F. Calderon

8 New Members 11 Labor and Employment Committee Back to Basics – Building a Solid Foundation for Professional Growth in the Labor & Employment Law

Paralegal Post

Burnt Out on Burnout: New Outlook on Stress for 2023 Susan Stagg 19

OCBA Teaching Tips Change a Life in Sixteen Weeks Kristopher Kest, Esq.

Legal Aid Society Teaching Tips Story of Survival: The Violence Against Women Act

the Briefs

Editor

John M. Hunt

Associate Editors

Karen L. Middlekauff & Lauren Brusca

Hearsay Columnist

Ana “Ani” Rodriguez-Newbern YLS on the Move

Sean Mendez-Catlin

SideBar

Alena V. Baker

OFFICERS

Amber N. Davis, President

Arti Ajit Hirani, President-Elect

Lisa Gong Guerrero, Treasurer

Keshara Cowans, Secretary

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Stephanie Alcalde

Michael Barber

Lori Caldwell-Carr

Catherine T. “Kate” Hollis

Kristopher J. Kest

Jessica McGinnis

Bruce A. Mount

Alisia Adamson Profit

C. Andrew Roy

Brandon M. Sapp

Jennifer Smith Thomas

Jessica Travis

Karen L. Persis, Ex-Officio

Lauren Reynolds, YLS President

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Rob Garay

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President’sMessage

Love Languages in the Workplace?

his past weekend was our annual OCBA Board Retreat, and I chose Longboat Key for the location. Longboat Key is my happy place in Florida. As soon as we drive over the bridge from Sarasota to Longboat, I can literally feel all the stress in my life melt away. I wanted to share this little slice of heaven with my board, which is why I chose Longboat. We had a wonderful time on the retreat this weekend which was mixed with fun, teambuilding, brainstorming and strategic planning.

During the retreat, one of my icebreakers was for everyone to write a few questions on a beach ball and throw it from one person to another and each person had to answer at least two questions on the beach ball. One of the questions was, what is your favorite book? Like I said in my prior article, I love to read so it is hard to pick a favorite, but if I absolutely had to, I would choose The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. This is a book Ryan and I read together during pre-marriage counseling at our church at the time. I never thought one book could change my life as much as this one did. It was eye opening for both of us to learn about each love language, what our love languages are, and what each other’s love language is. Fast forward 14 years later, and I use this book to learn my children’s love languages, parents, brother, associates, and staff. Knowing someone’s love language is key to having a successful relationship whether that is a romantic relationship, friendship, or work relationship.

In this book, Chapman, a marriage counselor, discovered after many years of counseling that that there are five ways that people speak and understand emotional love. Chapman believes that once you identify and learn to speak your spouse’s love language, you will discover the key to a lasting marriage. The five love languages are:

1. Words of affirmation

2. Quality time

3. Receiving gifts

4. Acts of service

5. Physical touch

It may seem unusual to discuss love languages and work, but the general concepts translate to the workplace as well and can help in developing a strong team. Business relationships, just like marriages, need work to make sure they flourish. Chapman in fact wrote a book dedicated to the workplace titled The Five Love Languages in the Workplace, which is predicated on the same concepts, but has examples specifically tied to the workplace. Words of affirmation come in two different forms, verbal compliments and encouraging words. Verbal compliments are a powerful way to show love, admiration, respect, and support for

Tsomeone. Giving verbal compliments is one way to show words of affirmation and another is through encouraging words. If your spouse, significant other, friend or staff member’s love language is words of affirmation, you can show appreciation and love to them, depending on the circumstances, by saying things like “you look handsome,” “I really like your dress,” “great job on that project,” and “thank you for your insight.” If your paralegal’s love language is words of affirmation, you must choose your words wisely, but you can also use this to your advantage when they do well. Let them know and others at the firm how great they are, and they will be committed to you in a way you have never seen before. Quality time as your primary love language means you enjoy spending time and doing things with the people you love. To be considered “quality time,” at least one of you has to want to do the activity, the other must be willing to do it, and both of you are doing it to spend time together. Quality time is an easy one for me and Ryan. We love doing just about anything together whether it is sports, traveling, boating, or playing poker…yes, I said poker. One of our first trips together was to Las Vegas and I’m pretty sure he fell in love with me when he realized not only that I knew how to play Texas Hold ‘Em, but also that I was actually pretty good. To apply this in the workplace, if this is your paralegal or associate’s love language, he or she may prefer to be recognized and appreciated by going to lunch, attending a firm outing, or having one-on-one meetings with you. For some people, all they want is some face time with you and would prefer that over being told they are doing a good job.

Receiving gifts doesn’t have to mean that you are spending a ton of money on your spouse or loved one. It simply means, for example, that if you go away on a business trip that you think of them and grab them something, even if it is small. This could be a memento that they could look at and remember that you bought it for them. Again, this is an easy one at work because you can bring in doughnuts in the morning, get your paralegal his or her favorite coffee, or buy a personalized gift for a birthday. For people whose primary love language is gift giving, these gestures are far more meaningful than verbal praise or one-on-one meetings. Acts of service means doing things you know your spouse would like you to do. If your spouse has been traveling for work and the house is a complete mess, acts of service include cleaning up the house, having dinner ready, washing his or her car, offering to get your spouse gas, or shopping for some groceries. Basically, this includes doing anything to take it off his or her plate and doing it because you know it will help your spouse and because you know your spouse will feel loved as a result. At work, this could include bringing your staff member a coffee from the break room, arranging to have a car washing service at the office, or having food delivered on occasion. Having food delivered checks three boxes, namely, acts of service, receiving gifts, and quality time if you stay in the conference room and eat with your colleagues.

Physical touch does not only mean the touch you are thinking about. Typically, people with physical touch as their primary love language hold hands all the time and sit next to each other in the

Clerk’sCorner

Legislature Passes Bill to Help Stabilize and Diversify Funding for Clerks of Court

Iam pleased to share the Florida Court Clerk’s and Comptroller’s (FCCC) priority legislation – HB 977 by Rep. Botana (SB 1130 by Sen. Hutson) – was passed by the legislature with tremendous statewide support.

This proposed legislation will provide more stable revenue sources for court-related services. At the time of passage, the legislation was on its way to Governor Ron DeSantis for consideration to be signed into law.

This legislation is a significant step toward stabilizing the resources Clerks of Courts need to effectively serve our diverse communities and support our judicial and law enforcement partners.

Clerks across the state are grateful to Senator Travis Hutson and Representative Adam Botana for shepherding these bills through the legislative process, and we thank the entire Florida Legisla-

ture for recognizing the longstanding challenges and supporting this issue.

Passed unanimously by the full House and the full Senate at the end of April, this bill will diversify Clerk funding through the statutory distribution of certain revenues for court-related services, allowing Clerks to direct more funding towards the services they provide. Under the current distribution of revenues collected, Clerk budgets depend heavily on civil traffic citations, which are unstable and fluctuate from year-to-year.

These priorities are key to establishing long-term budget stability and closing the gap between available funds and current operating budgets for Clerks’ services. Clerks look forward to continuing to work with their partners in the Legislature to support their important services for residents and businesses in Florida.

There are not enough words to express my gratitude to our local Legislative Delegation for their support as my office and Clerk’s across the state continue to bring forward legislative solutions to further address the funding needed to support our offices and protect the critical services we provide.

The Honorable Tiffany Moore Russell, Esq., Orange County Clerk of Courts, has been a member of the OCBA since 2004.

Back Row:

Brandon M. Sapp, Esq.

Kristopher J. Kest, Esq.

Michael Barber, Esq.

Bruce A. Mount, Esq.

Middle Row:

Alisia Adamson Profit, Esq.

Lauren Reynolds, Esq., YLS President

Jessica Travis, Esq.

Lori Caldwell-Carr, Esq.

Karen L. Persis, Esq., Ex-Officio

Kate T. Hollis, Esq.

Jessica McGinnis, Esq.

Stephanie Alcalde, Esq.

Front Row:

Lisa Gong Guerrero, Esq., Treasurer

Amber N. Davis, Esq., President

Arti Ajit Hirani, Esq., President-Elect

Keshara D. Cowans, Esq., Secretary

(Not pictured: C. Andrew Roy, Esq.; Jennifer Smith Thomas, Esq.)

Thursday, July 20, 2023

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Citrus Club

255 South Orange Avenue, Suite 1800 Orlando, FL 32801

Dr. Lorneka Joseph talks Mental Health and Wellness

Please RSVP by Monday, July 17, 2023

RSVPs will not be accepted after July 17, 2023

Please contact Ashley Velez at Ashleyv@ocbanet.org

www.orangecountybar.org/store

Title Sponsor:

Supporting Sponsors: Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Withum+ Florida Lawyers Mutual Insurance

Professionalism: THERE’S A PLACE FOR YOU!

hen I was sworn in as President of the OCBA in 2001, I started my speech by stating, “I am proud to be a lawyer!” I said it 3 times each time louder until I finally heard an “AMEN” from an excited person from the audience. I then thanked my mom for the Amen and began telling stories about my parents, especially my dad. He was from a tiny town in NC among the oldest of 10 kids. He quit school in 10th grade to get a job and help feed his family. He was always taking care of others. He enlisted after Pearl Harbor into the Air Force and was a radio operator in B 17 bombers in WWII. He met Churchill and flew on the wing of Doolittle. He put in his 50 missions and returned home to meet and marry the love of his life, my mom. They raised 4 awesome children! 75 years ago, this year, they opened an appliance store, Morgan Appliances which is still in business run by their son and grandkids. Morgan Appliances 1207 W. Church Street in Orlando! He used to say he had the greatest life of any human! He was rich with blessings!

Why is this important in a discussion about Professionalism? Because when my father turned 80, he was asked what, looking back on the last 80 years, stood out about his life. He said without blinking, “I never finished high school, but I have a daughter who’s a lawyer!” I am still proud to be a lawyer.

I am proud yet extremely humbled by this award. Especially when I look back at the names of tremendous legal giants who received this award before me. I am no legal giant. But I do have some thoughts on the issue of Professionalism. It’s a multi-faceted topic. So often we define that term as one of ethics or civility. And although Professionalism certainly involves those issues, I’d like to pivot a bit away from traditional definitions. You see I’d like to see us broaden our focus to include another aspect of professionalism, mentorship, and inclusion. Reaching back to lift others up.

I was incredibly blessed when I started practicing law. I had law partners who knew the importance of getting plugged in to bar work. They epitomized the importance of giving back. Lawyers like Jerry Billings, Jim Cunningham, and Joe Boatwright. They set me on the path of becoming engaged. Just like God blesses

Wus with unmerited favor, my partners blessed me with unmerited credibility and reputation. As a result, I appreciate the importance of having a mentor/ and being a mentor. It can change the trajectory of your professional life. And it also can determine whether we love or loathe the practice of law.

For those people who know me best, they know I hate to be left out of anything! I have to be in the loop. Don’t leave me loop-less! That’s probably why I have a heart to make sure new lawyers… and sometimes older lawyers…feel included. I don’t want anyone to be left out. Statistics show us women are leaving the profession in alarming numbers. Many for valid reasons, to raise a family, care for elderly parents, etc. But guess what?? WE WANT YOU BACK! THERE’S A PLACE FOR YOU! For the baby lawyers who are struggling to look for a job, worried about student loans and have no family or friends who are lawyers…Guess what… THERE’S A PLACE FOR YOU! For the sole practitioner who works 12 hours a day to keep the lights on and is feeling more and more isolated…Guess what? THERE’S A PLACE FOR YOU!

Professionalism also needs to extend outside the profession. It also demands we take seriously the responsibility to ensure the public has confidence in the profession. To do that, the profession needs to reflect our community. We need to embrace and promote our diversity. The best way to improve professionalism is to be intentional about bringing new lawyers along. I recently attended a luncheon forum for Seminole Florida Association of Women Lawyers in honor of Black History month featuring Iris Elijah, President of the Young Lawyers Division of the Florida Bar, and Sia Baker-Barnes who served with me on The Florida Bar Board of Governors and who hopefully will become the first female African American Florida Bar President. They made the point we need to not only take a seat at the table but make another seat at the table…and we are going to do that! Because guess what? THERE’S A PLACE FOR YOU!

I thank you for this award; for what it represents. And I thank you, my legal community, for making A PLACE FOR ME!

I so appreciate Gary Lesser taking time from his busy schedule to attend the awards ceremony with us. I congratulate the other award winners, Annie Kwong and Judge Skip Dalton. They are both very deserving award winners.

Mary Ann Morgan, Esq., is a managing partner at Morgan Trial Law. Morgan served as President of the OCBA from 2001- 2022 and sat on the Board of Governors for the Florida Bar for nine years.

Chief’sColumn

Circuit Criminal – Old Problems, New Solutions!

The effects and backlog of cases after the Covid pandemic in the court system throughout the state is well-documented and commonly referred to as the “Covid Backlog.” In our circuit, no division was spared, including circuit criminal.

Protocols created due to the pandemic required the criminal division to really rethink ways that our resources can best be utilized and operate most effectively. It presented us with an opportunity to learn from our past and innovate for the future. One such innovation was the creation of the Post-Conviction Relief (PCR) Division.

This division is designed to address the motions filed in cases where defendants allege that, among other things: their convictions were attributed to ineffective assistance of counsel, an illegal sentence was imposed, or there is new evidence discovered in their cases that would have resulted in a different outcome at trial (had that evidence been discovered at the time of trial).

Most people are aware of the backlog in active pending criminal cases that was created by the inability of the courts to conduct in-person hearings and jury trials because of Covid. What many who do not practice criminal law may not be aware of, is that a separate, different backlog was growing, even after the courthouse had re-opened in a limited capacity.

The Department of Corrections halted the transportation of inmates from the state prisons to the county jails during the pandemic citing health concerns and fear of creating an outbreak in the prison system. These prison transports often consist of a series of stops at multiple facilities where inmates are picked up and dropped off. Inmates are all placed in a transport vehicle – a confined space – for long periods of time. This ‘freeze’ of prison transports extended well beyond the time we resumed conducting jury trials under our local Covid protocols. These PCR hearings require the presence of the party seeking relief, so obviously these hearings could not go forward, but new filings were still being received. Hence, the backlog continued to grow with little that could be done to resolve PCR motions that were already pending. PCR motions, when the circumstances are appropriate, require lengthy evidentiary hearings. The challenges of getting the motions heard can vary, but require many moving parts to sync up, and can often create a logistical nightmare. Many of these motions require the availability of the original criminal defense attorneys who represented the defendant at trial, including public defenders with very busy caseloads. All too often, hearing dates conflict with trials that render the original trial attorneys unavailable on short notice. In addition, the State Attorney’s Office is required to respond and defend against these collateral attacks on the convic-

tions obtained by their office. In the past, Assistant State Attorneys were often assigned multiple PCR motions across 11 different criminal divisions. Finally, there may be other witnesses and experts whose schedules have to be taken into consideration when coordinating hearing dates.

These limitations, coupled with the sheer amount of time these hearings require, add to the difficulty in bringing these motions to hearing. A “short” hearing in this context is approximately 3-4 hours. Longer evidentiary hearings may take 8 hours or several days. Keep in mind that prior to June 1, 2022, a regular criminal division (which handles an average of about 500-600 active trial cases) would also be assigned approximately 60-80 of these pending PCR motions, at any given time.

Extended hearings for PCR motions require significant advanced scheduling. You are competing, in a sense, for hearing time with bond hearings, motions to suppress, pleas, scheduling conferences for competency hearings, violation of probation hearings, and trials. In the past, after all the potential conflicts were dealt with, these hearings would be set several weeks or months in advance. Often, they were canceled at the last minute because an essential witness, like the original trial counsel, was required to appear for trial where they are lead counsel. In those circumstances, this extended hearing time could often not be repurposed for another matter due to the last-minute cancellation. Meanwhile, the PCR motion remained pending, resulting in a significant and unfortunate waste of time and resources. I wish that I could say this was an uncommon occurrence, but many PCR hearings were canceled and reset several times, resulting in several months passing before an evidentiary hearing could take place.

So, the problem was clear. The solution, while not an entirely new concept, was to create a division dedicated exclusively to addressing post-conviction motions and this backlog. While this meant that we would be closing a trial division, each division would reassign its PCR motions to this new division, and in exchange receive a share of the former division’s pending trial cases (about 70-80 cases per division).

In creating this division, we eliminated the conflict in scheduling PCR hearings among 11 different criminal divisions. It also developed consistency and predictability in procedures since all motions are now handled by the same judge. This division conducts case management, sets deadlines, appoints counsel when appropriate, and deals with scheduling issues in a seamless fashion, so that a hearing can be reset to take place within days of the original date. It consolidates the efforts of our already overworked staff attorneys; they are no longer required to report to 11 different judges on these motions.

I am happy to report that in the approximate year the PCR Division has been in operation, we have significantly reduced the backlog in pending post-conviction motions by almost half. Furthermore, because of the efficiency in handling the PCR docket, we have been able to aid the other criminal trial divisions by providing trial assistance and hearing coverage. The PCR Division

continued page 10

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New Members

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Michael S. DAWKINS

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Michael FRIEDMAN

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Michelle E. MISSIGMAN

Melissa MUNROE

Derrick S. NATAL

Larissa Jean OWENS

Luis Miguel PEREZ

Winifred H. QUINLAN

ADRsource is pleased to announce that OCBA member Bob Henry has joined our panel of distinguished neutrals and is available to mediate in-person and online

Bob, has been a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator since 2006. Over the course of four decades of trial practice, Bob has gained insights that help him assist parties in the effective resolution of disputed claims. Put Bob’s experience in tort and commercial litigation and dispute resolution to work for you and your clients.

To learn more about Bob and to schedule a mediation please visit: adrsource.com or call 888.741.2224

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President’sMessage

continued from page 3

booth…you know who you are (I am not this person lol). Now, I am not advocating you to go out and start touching your staff members. That is obviously not a good idea, but if physical touch is your staff member’s love language, a quick pat on the back when he or she does something well or a high five are certainly acceptable and would go a long way. Another option is hiring a masseuse to come in and do 15–30-minute neck massages for your staff. Again, this would check a few boxes, namely, physical touch, acts of service, and gift giving.

You can determine your love language online by taking the quiz at www.5lovelanguages.com.Typically, the way you express love is your love language. So, if you are constantly buying your spouse presents, receiving gifts is your love language. If you like to spend time with your spouse and really enjoy doing things together, your love language is quality time. Whether in your marriage or serious relationship, with your kids, or in the workplace, knowing the love languages of the people around you that you spend most of your time with is vital to having successful relationships and building rockstar teams.

The Orange County Bar Association (OCBA) encourages all members to use the services of these vendors, who provide quality products and services and are supporters of the OCBA. Many businesses on the list offer special promotions or discounts to help you grow your practice.

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continued from page 7

is performing better than could have been expected. We are continuing to make progress in eliminating the remaining backlog and continue to move forward in an effort to further streamline the process from the time a PCR motion is filed to the time a final order is issued.

A special thanks to all the staff attorneys assisting the post-conviction division: Luke Cummings, Lauren Franklin, Edward Lavant, Brian Massey, Amber Perkins, Antoinette Romano, Michelle Snoberger, and Kimberly Viner. Ideas are great, but it is all in the execution! It is truly a team effort as this division continues to work towards achieving its mission!

The Honorable Luis F. Calderon is the current Administrative Judge for Circuit Criminal in the Ninth Judicial Circuit. He was elected to the Circuit Bench in 2016 and has served in the Unified Family Court Division in Osceola County, Circuit Civil and Circuit Criminal in Orange County. He is the Interpreter Judge for the Ninth Circuit and serves as the Sixth DCA representative on behalf of the Florida Conference of Circuit Court Judges. He has been a member of OCBA since 2006.

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The businesses listed herein (the “Vendors”) are not affiliated with the Orange County Bar Association (OCBA) and shall not under any circumstances be deemed to have any authority to act on behalf of the OCBA. The OCBA does not make, and expressly disclaims, any warranty, representation, responsibility, or guarantee as to (a) the quality or suitability of the Vendors, their products, or services, and (b) the duration or validity of any discount or other promotion offered by any of the Vendors.

“Where liberty dwells, there is my country.”

– Benjamin Franklin

Labor and EmploymentCommittee Back

to Basics–Building a Solid Foundation for Professional Growth in the Labor & Employment Law

Carlos Gracie, Jr., the son of one of the founders of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu said: “I’ve always been a fan of the basics. After having a good solid foundation of Jiu-Jitsu, the rest comes by instinct. You create, invent. The rest is easy. The difficult part is the beginning.” We, as legal practitioners, can learn a thing or two from Mr. Gracie and from the Gracie Family–innovators & practitioners in the mixed martial arts arena. However, though we could discuss the benefits of mixed martial arts, the purpose of this article is to get back to basics in the labor & employment law arena, discussing the various employment laws that impact employees and employers alike. As Mr. Gracie explained, the basics build a solid foundation.

Employment law governs the relationship between an employee and their employer. At its core, employment law ensures all parties involved in a business are treated fairly and ethically. The scope of employment law is extensive, so it is usually broken into five categories: 1) Civil Rights Laws; 2) Family & Medical Leave Laws; 3) Workplace Safety Laws

4) Compensation Laws; and 5) Work Eligibility Laws. These laws permeate all levels of government, but they are primarily defined at the Federal and State level. There are several attributes distinguishing Federal employment laws from State employment laws.

First, Federal and State governments differ on enforcement. While State governments generally enforce employment laws through a single agency, the Federal government enforces the laws through several agencies. The main Federal agencies enforcing Federal employment law are as follows:

1. The U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”), which primarily enforces Compensation Laws, Workplace Safety Laws, Work Eligibility Laws, and Federal Contracts;

2. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), which primarily enforces Civil Rights Laws; and

3. The National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”), which primarily enforces laws governing union and employer relations, as well as Compensation Laws.

Second, the Federal employment law field is vast, encompassing over 180 Federal employment laws. The most commonly litigated Federal employment laws are the Family & Medical Leave Act

(“FMLA”), the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”), the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ADEA”) and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VII”). Whether employer or employee, it is important to have a basic understanding of what these laws are and how it affects (or could affect) your every workday:

The Family & Medical Leave Act

The FMLA outlines employees’ rights regarding leave for personal and family medical emergencies, applying to private employers with at least 50 employees, governments, and their agencies. Under the FMLA, employees are entitled to twelve weeks of unpaid leave in a twelve-month period to handle medical emergencies, such as the birth of a child, or providing care for an employees’ spouse, child, or parent who has a serious health condition.

The Fair Labor Standards Act

The FLSA protects workers against unfair employment practices, and it establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor standards. The Act applies to both full and parttime public sector workers. Additionally, the Act applies to private sector employees, provided the employer has at least two employees and either 1) has enjoyed at least $500,000 in business, or 2) is a hospital or business providing medical or nursing care for residents, schools and preschools. Alternatively, private employees are protected if they engage in interstate commerce, meaning their work crosses State lines.

The Americans with Disabilities Act

The ADA requires private employers with more than 15 employees, governments, and their agencies, to afford equal rights for workers with disabilities. To receive protections under the ADA, an employee must have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity. Furthermore, protections are granted where the employee has a record of such an impairment or has been regarded as having such an impairment. Workers establishing either of these prerequisites are defined as a “qualified individual” and thus entitled to reasonable accommodations to perform the essential functions of a given job. Employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals unless it would result in undue hardship, such as a practical or monetary difficulty in offering the accommodation.

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967

The ADEA applies to private employers with 20 or more employees, governments, and their agencies, protecting applicants and employees at least 40 years old against discrimination due their age. The Act prohibits employers from considering an employee’s age in rendering hiring, promotion, discharge, compensation, and enforcement decisions. Furthermore, employers cannot express an age preference in job advertisements, nor can they offer employees different benefits based on age.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Title VII prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), and national origin (the protected

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Legal Aid SocietyWhat We Do... Pro Bono Feature – Kimberly Ashby

he Orange County Guardian ad Litem Program is unique in its structure; reliant on both staff attorneys and pro bono Orange County attorneys to represent the best interests of children who have been abused, abandoned, and neglected. Throughout the rest of the state of Florida, a lay volunteer (non-attorney) serves that role. Here at our Guardian ad Litem Program, we would not be able to serve the most vulnerable of our community to the extent we do without the dedication of volunteer attorneys who take cases. We have approximately 360 children who are currently served by 225 pro bono attorneys. One of those extraordinary volunteers is attorney Kimberly Ashby.

Ms. Ashby is well known in the legal community for her work as a Partner at the law firm Foley & Lardner working in the areas of commercial litigation, construction, and appellate practice. She is Board Certified in Construction Law and Appellate Law by the Florida Bar. What many do not know about Ms. Ashby is that she began serving as a Guardian ad Litem attorney in 2013 and has since represented 20 children in 9 cases. She is the epitome of a Guardian ad Litem. She is devoted to the children she is appointed to represent. She works tirelessly every day fighting for the needs of those kids. She is invested in all aspects of their lives, celebrating their successes, as well as lifting them up when they go through hard times. She is a fierce advocate for their needs, even if they may not agree with her decision, and she stays in touch with the children and families after her appointment ends. She is passionate about her work as a Guardian ad Litem and she has made an immense impact on the lives of the children who have been fortunate enough to have her appointed.

When discussing Guardian ad Litem work, Ms. Ashby was very open and shared her thoughts on the benefits of Guardian ad Litem attorney volunteerism.

Q: What made you want to be a pro bono Guardian ad Litem attorney?

A: My first GAL assignment was for a child who was my protégé under the Children’s Home Society’s Mentor Program. When his caretaker/grandmother died, he went into dependency, and I was asked to be GAL for him and his brother. I had known the family for several years and knowing that these boys were headed to a group home, it was important to me that I stay involved and try to achieve a reunification with their mother.

Q: What do you enjoy about being a pro bono Guardian ad Litem?

A: Kids are great, all of them. When circumstances put them in dependency, it is not their fault. They are scared, confused, and sometimes guilty that they may have done something to cause this

Tto happen. I am (almost) always big fans of the parents that have messed up somehow, and need help getting their own life on track so that they can reunite and support their kids.

Q: What do you feel is your biggest success as a pro bono Guardian ad Litem?

A: For me, these are not my successes. I have witnessed a lifelong mother [addicted to illegal substances] make it through Drug Court, achieving “reunification” with children that she had never had at her home; another mother with a dependency on meth[amphetamines], get the treatment and support she needed, getting and keeping her first job, and recovering her 2-year-old and 8-month-old baby. If we could open up the courtroom at the final hearings of these types of cases, you would invariably see the entire courtroom tear up, burst into applause, and celebrate the independent victories that these families and children experience. There is nothing like it in the world.

Q: Does the Guardian ad Litem Program assist you in being a pro bono Guardian ad Litem, if so, in what ways?

A: Yes, in so many ways. Dependency is overseen by the Florida Department of Children and Families, which is an administrative agency. The daily workings of any agency include many regulations and procedures that are technical and require experts who know where to go, and how to get remedies for the kids that are under the jurisdiction. Each case is so different, each child so unique, that without the support from the GAL Program it would be hard to conceive of helping even one child with access to the services they are entitled to, school education and medical issues, and support for the caregivers – foster parents, group homes.

Q: What would you say to someone who is thinking about volunteering as a pro bono Guardian ad Litem?

A: I would ask them this question: “How many of the children in dependency are George Bailey from It’s a Wonderful Life?” Answer: “All of them.” Each life affects so many others, and a chance to give them the support they need and deserve is the ultimate opportunity to serve.

Q: What advice would you give a new pro bono Guardian ad Litem?

A: Don’t worry if you don’t know it all when you get started–there are dozens of people who can help you along the way. The time investment is the type of payment of ‘civic rent’ that Raymer Maguire, Jr., taught us was our responsibility as part of being a citizen in our community. You will change the lives of young children in harm’s way. And they will change yours.

If you are interested in becoming a Guardian ad Litem or for more information, please contact Ronnie Syme, rsyme@legalaidocba. org at (407) 841-8310. For more information on how to become a financial donor or help with our fundraising efforts please contact Donna Haynes, Director of Development at (407) 515-1850 or email dhaynes@legalaidocba.org.

Solo & Small FirmCommittee

Networking Tips for New Attorneys

Whether we like it or not, networking is essential for attorneys. It’s not just what you know, but who you know, that determines your success. By growing your network, you are more likely to get new clients, learn from experienced attorneys, and expand your access to new opportunities. For many lawyers, this is not a skill that comes naturally.

Some attorneys just do not like networking, but the biggest challenge for most attorneys is finding the time to network given the demanding nature of our daily workload. Although we all have work that has to get done, without clients there wouldn’t be any work to do in the first place. It takes time and energy to network, and even more time to build the relationships that are necessary for your professional growth. But the time and effort necessary for networking is well worth it. To be successful at growing your network, you need a system to help you follow through. Here are some tips to get you started. Get involved in the community. Volunteering is a rewarding way to get involved in your community and expand your network. Joining local organizations and regularly attending events is an easy way to meet people and make connections. Whether it’s the Orange County Bar Association (“OCBA”), business networking groups, non-profit boards, or service organizations like Kiwanis and Rotary,, these types of organizations are a great place to meet like-minded professionals and build your community. When seeking out an organization to join, begin by identifying your networking goals and research organizations that align with those objectives. Consider the organization’s mission, reputation, and networking opportunities. Start by attending as a guest and ask around to get recommendations from people you know that already have some experience with the organization. If possible, choose an organization that is a good fit for your practice area and resonates with your own values. Remember that networking is a personal journey, and exploring different organizations can help you find the best fit for your professional growth and networking success.

Don’t forget to build relationships with professionals outside the legal field as well. Depending on your practice area, consider which professionals are doing business with your potential clients. For example, if you’re an estate planning attorney, you may want to connect with accountants and financial advisors. Find out what organizations they are participating in and join them. Meet other attorneys. Attending legal events and conferences, as well as joining the OCBA, can help you meet other attorneys and build relationships with attorneys who specialize in different practice areas. Attending OCBA events or joining an OCBA committee is the easiest way to meet other attorneys. Think about what practice areas are most complementary to yours that will

result in the best referrals. While at these events, ask for business cards and make sure to add them to your database. If you prefer meeting online, you can always join online groups, like a Facebook group for lawyers. To effectively participate in online communities, share valuable content, be an active participant, and consistently engage in conversations. Some attorneys do this using their personal network on their own Facebook page. Although it’s easy to hit the “like” button and keep scrolling, commenting is how you engage in a meaningful conversation.

Develop a top 20 list of referral sources. Identify the top twenty attorneys or contacts who consistently refer business to you. The purpose of creating a top twenty list is to prioritize and focus on nurturing relationships with the people who provide you with the best referrals. By maintaining regular communication and staying top-of-mind with these referral sources, you can strengthen those relationships and encourage continued referrals. When you start your list, you probably will not have twenty good referral sources, but that should be your minimum goal. Start with a list of people you want to meet and keep working toward adding more names to your list once they’ve made a referral.1 Then, make sure to regularly look at your list and continually make adjustments based on where your referrals are coming from. Prioritize the most beneficial relationships, and nurture those with the most potential.

Let’s do lunch. Orlando has some amazing restaurants, so get out of the office and go enjoy them with a colleague. Sharing a meal in a relaxed atmosphere allows you to connect with your colleague on a personal level. It provides an opportunity to get to know each other better, discuss shared interests, and build rapport. This requires getting out of the office and taking time out of your day, but it is still the best way to get to know someone and start the process of building a professional relationship.2 Much of my career I have done “random acts of lunch” by haphazardly scheduling lunch meetings. Instead, set a goal and have a system, such as scheduling a minimum of three meetings per week. At the end of the month, review the meetings you had and measure your results. If you’re not getting the results you want, you may not be meeting with the right people.

If lunch is not your thing, invite someone for coffee or just hop on Zoom for a quick chat. If you like golf or going to the gym, invite a colleague. Whatever it is you enjoy doing, involve someone else. When you do meet, make sure to be authentic and genuine. Instead of focusing on promoting yourself, ask questions and be an active listener. During the conversation, think of the ways you can help the other person or be a resource for them instead of trying to seek personal gain for yourself. As Zig Ziglar said, “You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” By contributing to the well-being and success of others, you can build trust, and create opportunities for personal growth and achievement.3

Use a Customer Relations Management (“CRM”) tool. While case management software may capture basic contact information, a CRM can help you keep track of your interactions

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classes), and applies to private employers with 15 or more employees, governments, and their agencies. Employees who sue under Title VII raise either disparate treatment or disparate impact claims. A disparate treatment claim alleges an employee was intentionally discriminated against because of their protected class; a disparate impact claim alleges an employee was adversely affected by an otherwise neutral rule, requirement, or process. For example, a disparate impact claim may arise when an otherwise neutral policy restricting certain hairstyles may adversely affect an employees’ culture.

Third, State laws must afford the same or more rights than what the Federal law provides. For example, the FMLA entitles protected employees to twelve weeks of unpaid leave in a twelve-month period to

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with the contacts that you make. There are free options available, like HubSpot, or you can use a spreadsheet, but the important thing is to track your activity. Meeting someone is just the first step in building a relationship. It takes repeated interactions to establish the trust necessary for referrals. The ability of a CRM to track and record interactions helps to maintain a history of your relationships, and more easily schedule reminders and follow-up tasks. Whether it’s sending a follow-up email, making a phone call, or scheduling a meeting, a CRM can help you stay organized and consistent in nurturing your relationships. Follow up with clients and referral sources. Sending a follow-up email or handwritten note after meeting with a client or referral source can show your appreciation and keep the relationship alive. Make sure to use your CRM or calendar to schedule time to follow up with your con-

handle medical emergencies. The States are not permitted to provide less than twelve weeks of unpaid leave for medical emergencies; however, they can enact laws that provide more employee rights, such as entitling workers to more time off, or requiring that employers pay the workers during their time off. For example, in Washington State, employees are paid while on FMLA leave.

Employment law is ever developing. Just recently, the DOL announced a significant increase in FMLA Audits for employers in certain industries, specifically the warehouse and logistics industries. This means employment practices are being more federally monitored. Also, for the FLSA, the DOL announced a rule proposing further distinctions between an employee and independent contractor.

Ultimately, it is best to defer to your legal counsel in the labor & employment arena. The rules change, and they change rapidly, requiring an innovator and practitioner that can stay ahead of the curve. So, whether you practice labor & employment law or not, you have a leg up if you can get back to basics. As Mr. Gracie noted, the basics build a solid foundation.

Juan P. Camacho, Esq., is Partner at Kaufman Dolowich & Voluck in Orlando, Florida and is also Chair of the Labor & Employment Committee for the Orange County Bar Association. He has been a member of the OCBA since 2021.

Jessica Cousset, Esq., is an Associate Attorney at Kaufman Dolowich & Voluck in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

tacts. When you see an article or news story that might be relevant to a colleague, send them a quick email with the link. Schedule time on your calendar to make phone calls or send text messages to your contacts just to say hello.

Start an email newsletter. Sending out a monthly or quarterly newsletter to keep your contacts informed about your practice can be an effective way to stay in touch and build your reputation. You can share relevant industry news, legal updates, or your practice’s recent achievements. This helps position you as a valuable resource and keeps you top of mind. It doesn’t have to be a lengthy email with lots of original content. It could be as simple as sharing links to three of your favorite articles of the month. At my firm, we have different newsletters for different mailing lists. For clients, we have a monthly newsletter that includes firm news, safety tips, and a

community calendar for upcoming events. For colleagues, we have a newsletter called, “Todd’s Three Things,” that includes three random things I am interested in that month, and a “Marketing Minute” email that includes a monthly marketing tip.4 These are just a few suggestions to get you started on your professional network. Remember, building a network takes time and effort. At the core of any good relationship is trust and likability, so approach networking with authenticity, a willingness to help others, and a genuine interest in building mutually beneficial relationships. As a result, you’ll have more meaningful professional relationships and a more meaningful career.

OCBA Installation Luncheon

May 18, 2023

Embassy Suites Downtown Orlando

Title Sponsor:

Burnt Out on Burnout: New Outlook on Stress for 2023

s we are in the three-year mark of the global pandemic with up and down waives of new variants that continue to sweep the country, many of us are experiencing more burnout than ever. Not to mention that many firms are still adjusting to staff working remotely and reinstating back to working in-office polices which inevitably brings about new issues.

We’re burnt out on being burnt out. From the essential workers who had to continue to show up for our community to those still working from home, where the lines between professional and personal life have blurred, the burnout has, quite literally, reached epidemic proportions. According to a American Psychological Association report, burnout is at an all-time high across professions. 79% of employees had experienced work-related stress in the last year prior to their survey, and nearly 3 in 5 employees reported negative impacts of work-related stress, including lack of interest, motivation, or energy at work. 36% reported cognitive weariness, 32% reported emotional exhaustion, and 44% reported physical fatigue, which is a 38% increase since 2019.

The inconvenient reality is there’s no quick fix for burnout, especially the extreme kind so many are experiencing now. But with summer approaching and children out of school, it’s a fruitful time to reconsider our personal outlooks and strategies. Here, experts break down what burnout is, the optimal strategies for treating it, and how to ultimately change your outlook.

What is burnout?

The “occupational phenomenon” of burnout, as the World Health Organization refers to it, is commonly understood as a condition that is the result of chronic stress in the workplace that hasn’t been successfully managed. It was originally thought to be specific to the human-services sector, but nowadays it is recognized as a serious occupational health condition in most sectors. It’s very insidious and can sneak up on us when we burn the candle at both ends for an extended amount of time. While burnout is a form of stress, it’s important to know the distinction between the two. You can recover from stress with certain management techniques, but burnout is a totally different animal resulting from cumulative stress that hasn’t been managed. Once burnout gets its hooks into you, you can’t cure it by taking a long vacation, slowing down, or working fewer hours.

What are the symptoms of burnout?

The key symptoms of burnout boil down to exhaustion in the form of a deep kind of fatigue that isn’t curable by resting. This permanent state of exhaustion can have ripple effects, too. It also tends to be accompanied by a very negative assessment of our accomplishments, skills, efficacy and the value of our work, and feelings of resentment about the people with whom we work – be that colleagues, clients, or the organizations in which we are embedded. When we are in a state of burnout, we may also experience brain fog and an inability to concentrate. We may be prone to procrastinate and engage in endless displacement activities. We may even have a proper nervous breakdown and become completely unable to function at work.

How did the global pandemic impact burnout?

The isolation spurred by the pandemic had a dramatic impact on the work lives of many. If we are working from home, that blurs the boundaries between our private and our work lives, between leisure and work time,” explains Anna Katharina Schaffner, a cultural historian. “The work/non-work boundary is no longer marked by walks or commutes to work and changes of location. It is much easier for work to bleed into our lives in a boundaryless kind of way.”

The isolation of the pandemic also cut people off from friends and support systems. We all experienced, and quite frankly, got used to Zooming with them, but after being on screen all day, more screen time certainly was not appealing, and we know that people suffer from Zoom burnout. Along with fear of getting sick, concerns about children falling behind in school, it is no surprise burnout has become dramatically worse.

It can be said that there was disproportionate impact the pandemic had on women, with many experience the stress of working, with childcare and home-schooling. With the same number of hours available in a day, people had to do the same amount of work plus care for our children 24/7. With that environment and lifestyle, getting some sleep and practicing basic self-care, is almost mathematically and practically impossible. What’s more: These compromises come at a psychological cost. The idea of failing at work and at the education/parenting front resulted in constant feelings of guilt and failure. It is totally unsurprising that many women suffered from severe burnout during the pandemic.

How to Find Relief From Burnout – here is what my research found: Set Firm Boundaries In today’s world, setting boundaries is becoming increasingly harder and harder by the day – but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. To start, saying no to things more often and creating structure, such as not checking work email or taking work phone calls after certain hours and, on your days off.

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AWhile burnout is a form of stress, it’s important to know the distinction between the two. You can recover from stress with certain management techniques, but burnout is a totally different animal resulting from cumulative stress that hasn’t been managed.

Change a Life in Sixteen Weeks

What if I told you that you could change the world in just 16 weeks? Well, that’s not what this article is about. But you can change the life of a fellow lawyer in just 16 weeks. Not only that, but in those 16 weeks you could garner more business, gain new perspectives, and boost your self-confidence. What is this amazing activity? Mentoring, of course!

If you have been a mentor to a young lawyer, then you already appreciate much of this. But if not, let me explain. Brand new lawyers have lots of questions. Questions about handling cases. Questions about running a law practice. Questions about dealing with opposing counsel. Most of the questions are fairly simple and straightforward for a lawyer that’s been practicing ten years or more, but they can be daunting issues to the new lawyer.

One of the things that mentoring teaches you pretty quickly is how much you’ve learned since you started practicing. While most lawyers are not lacking in confidence (at least not outwardly), everyone can use a little pick-me-up. After meeting a mentee for lunch, you might walk away feeling pretty good about yourself because you will likely have known the answers to the myriad questions that this new lawyer was throwing at you.

When your mentee calls you in the middle of the afternoon in a panic because of something that happened in a case, you might surprise yourself at how well you are able to guide them toward a resolution. If you’ve been practicing for a while, you have certainly had moments in a case where everything was going wrong, and you weren’t quite sure how to proceed. Your experience has given you the perspective and resources to navigate the situation. But as a newly-minted lawyer, your mentee likely doesn’t know where to turn – unless they can turn to you, their mentor, for some advice. Often the mentee is not looking for “the answer” but, instead, just needs someone to talk them through the issues.

Mentors often report gaining valuable perspective from their mentee. Mentees tend to be younger than their mentors (although there are exceptions) which gives mentors the opportunity to gain insight into the younger generation. Since some members of that younger generation will likely be the mentor’s clients and colleagues, this can lead to better and more successful partnerships. Finally, an often-overlooked but very real side-benefit to mentoring is that it can be a great source of referrals. Your mentee probably doesn’t know too many experienced attorneys. So, when your mentee has an issue come across his or her desk that they can’t or don’t handle, you are likely to be their first phone call. I have received quite a few referrals over the years from lawyers that I first met while mentoring them.

The OCBA Mentoring Program is, of course, 16 weeks long. It pairs lawyers that have ten years or more of experience (or are board certified) with young lawyers looking for a mentor. Over those 16 weeks, a mentor is expected to connect with their mentee at least four times. Those can be in-person or virtual, but in-person is generally more effective at building a relationship and facilitating discussion. And it does not have to add much to your schedule. You can simply bring your mentee along to whatever you’re already doing (OCBA monthly luncheon, happy hours, hearings, etc.). Indeed, the Mentoring Program kick-off luncheon that happens at the OCBA offices can count as one of your four meetings.

The program begins in the fall and runs through the first of the year. Applications are online and can be accessed from the OCBA’s website at the Programs tab. The entire application process takes only a couple of minutes. Please consider completing an application and encouraging your colleagues to do so. The more mentors that sign up, the better job the program can do of matching mentors with mentees. Better matches, in turn, create better relationships and facilitate all of the benefits of mentoring.

Prioritize Self-Care Making time for self-care, whatever that looks like to you, is an essential part of preventing and treating burning out. Some people gain energy via socializing and connecting with others, while others will refuel by walking in nature, reading, painting, baking, cooking, and doing sports. Find out what re-energizes you.

Find Balance If you spend a lot of time sitting and staring at a screen at work, you should do something else to recharge in the evening and at weekends. If you are out all day moving and talking to people, you might need quiet and stillness. Your resting behaviors should be different from what we do at work. Trying and experiencing new things, learning about new topics and seeing new places and people.

Take Microbreaks and Implement Microchillers

Microbreaks are tiny, impromptu respites during the workday. Five or 10 minutes is the ticket throughout the day: get up, look out a window, get a snack, step outside, and feel the breeze on your face, walk around the block. Microchillers, which are small doses of selfcare of five minutes or less throughout the day. Think: mindful observation and/or meditation. Practice being in the present moment—listing as many sounds and sights as you can: the birds, traffic, just notice all the sounds you are aware of, things you see around you, smells in the air, breeze through your hair for three to five minutes. Take a deep breath. This activates your rest and digest response of your parasympathetic system or the brakes.”

Seek Support If Needed If all else fails, seek out a professional who can help you see the water you’re swimming in and guide you to develop a self-care plan to prevent burnout.

Change your outlook Break down what is or isn’t in your control. Your outlook is one thing you can adjust, and that can be a good place to start when looking to break out of burnout. Turn the stressor around and ask, ‘How can I make this work to my advantage?’; ‘Can I find something positive in the negativity?’; or ‘What can I overcome or manage in this situation?’”

Legal Aid SocietyTeaching Tips

Story of Survival: The Violence Against Women Act

Isabel was only 15 when she fell in love with an older man named Ben. He told her he was 25, but, in reality, he was 31. This would be one of the many lies Ben would tell her. She loved the way he made her feel at first. However, a few weeks into their relationship, he forced her to have sex with him. She had never been with anyone else, and she was scared the first time it happened. He became possessive and jealous. During the first incident of physical violence, Isabel was still only 15 years old. She was showering when he pulled her out wet and naked and accused her of cheating on him. He threw her on the floor and started recording while she was naked and crying. He pushed her down the stairs and dragged her to the garage. He told her that she could sleep there or leave. She said she wanted to leave but needed clothes. He pushed her out of the garage naked and closed the door. Her friend came out and gave her his clothes to cover herself. She called a friend and left. She felt humiliated and all alone, but she did not want to go back to him. Unfortunately, he started following her, trying to convince her to return. She did not want to. He told her that she needed to be with him because he had HIV and if his plan worked, she probably had it too. She did not believe him, as she thought he was trying to trap her. However, she found out she was pregnant, and when she went to see a doctor, tests determined that she was in fact HIV positive. She felt her world shattering around her. Was she going to die? She was terrified that her child would also have the virus. The doctors gave her medicines to prevent the HIV from passing to her child. Ben had no remorse for what he had done, and Isabel fell into a deep depression. He convinced her to marry him, and he promised that he would take care of her and their baby. However, the abuse never stopped. It only got worse. When she was 5 weeks pregnant, he dragged her out of their apartment, ripped her clothes off, and left her outside naked and pregnant. She hid in a corner hoping no one would see her. An hour later, he finally opened the door and told her she can never argue with him and that she always has to do exactly as he said.

When her baby girl was born, Isabel was terrified she would also have HIV and would die. The doctors ran tests on the baby for the first 3 months of her life, and thankfully, Isabel had not passed on the virus. Isabel was so relieved, and she described it as a moment of happiness that she had not felt in years!

After the baby was born, Isabel remembers a horrific incident that started when her husband wrongfully claimed she was cheating on him. He chased her down the street. She felt something hit her head, and she fell to the ground. He got on top of her, began punching her, and ripped off her clothes. While she was naked, Ben started kicking Isabel so hard she thought he was going to kill her. Imagine being naked, on the street with people that may be able to see you in this demeaned and embarrassed state. Isabel was humil-

iated. After kicking her, Ben dragged her to their apartment, threw her in the bathroom, and locked the door. She fell asleep in there. In the morning she was crying because she was in pain from the beating and also very cold. He never cared. She never reported it. Isabel never felt strong enough to leave him because she did not think anyone would want her since she had HIV. She also wanted her daughter to grow up in a family with both a mother and father; however, she realized the violence her child was witnessing was hurting her. Isabel recalls one of the last incidents of abuse looking up as she was being punched on the floor and only seeing her daughter crying as she looked straight at her. Isabel could not forgive her husband for that, and she hated herself for staying with him, for allowing the abuse to continue, and for having HIV. She finally got the courage to report the domestic violence to the police, and she filed an Injunction for Protection Against Domestic Violence, which was granted. She came to the Legal Aid Society for help. We determined that she had a strong case under the Violence Against Women Act (“VAWA”). Her husband had never filed for her immigration documents, as he used her undocumented status as a means to control her. We assured Isabel she did not need him and we would be by her side throughout the entire immigration process. We prepared the legal documents with the required evidence and filed them with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. As a result, Isabel received a work authorization card. This is what she desperately needed, as she was able to legally work and earn money to be able to provide for herself and her child. It also allowed her to get a driver’s license. Her VAWA case was eventually approved, and she recently became a legal permanent resident of the U.S. She was ecstatic! She no longer needed to rely on her abusive husband for food or money. Her child no longer witnesses her father striking her mother. As we have seen, children that grow up in an abusive home are more likely to be abusers or be abused themselves. Exposure to abuse is detrimental to a child’s physical, emotional, and educational well-being. The cycle in this case was thankfully broken, as her child now lives in an environment full of love and free of violence.

Domestic Violence is a crime of power. Being an undocumented immigrant presents another layer of obstacles. VAWA provides protection to all victims of this horrible crime regardless of one’s immigration status. Being able to become a legal permanent resident allows victims the opportunity and resources to take care of themselves and their children. All victims of domestic violence need to know that they will be offered the help that they need and deserve to move on with their lives and bring perpetrators to justice. Each of us can, and must, work together to identify, report, and prevent violence.

If you have questions regarding VAWA or any other immigration matters that the Legal Aid Society handles, please contact Ana Bernal Roberts at aroberts@legalaidocba.org. For information on how to become a financial donor or help with our fundraising efforts, please contact Donna Haynes, Development Director, at dhaynes@legalaidocba.org.

FoundationNews

The OCBA Foundation is grateful to the OCBA for the contribution! With the support of the OCBA and contributions from the community we are able to provide an annual scholarship, several book awards, grant opportunities, and community legal education programs.

Through the generous support of the Orange County Bar Association, each year, we can award this scholarship to a deserving University of Central Florida (UCF) B.S./B.A. Legal Studies student or Valencia A.S. Paralegal Studies student. The scholarship award recipient will have demonstrated leadership, academic excellence, and involvement on campus and in the general community.

Congratulations Olivia!

Some of the OCBA Foundation members woke up bright and early on Saturday for a deserving cause! They shopped and packed summer snack packs for children at the Orange County Mercy Dr., Kidzone!

The 2023-2024 OCBA Foundation board was sworn in on May 18th! We look forward to seeing what Michael and the board will accomplish this upcoming year!

Member Benefit! Remote Online Notarization

The OCBA offers members a remote notarization service (small administrative fee applies). OCBA staff will guide you through the process and manage the identity verification and video conference components of each transaction, as well as a record-keeping as legally required.

Hearsay

NOTE: The Hearsay column of The Briefs was created to share news and happenings around the OCBA. In each publication over the next year, we’ll hear from leaders, past, present, and future, on the topics of the day.

From investing in our careers to investing in our communities, our OCBA members are taking the time to invest in each other and our future. When asked how we would recommend investing our time, talent, or treasure, here’s what members said:

1. “I’d recommend investing inwardly. Invest in yourself, look inward, heal, give yourself grace if you’re too harsh on yourself, exercise self discipline if you struggle with self control. Gift yourself time, patience, and consideration. When we heal and are whole from the inside, we are better able to effectively care, give help, and improve our surroundings.” – Ritcy Canelon, YLS Investitures Committee and Health and Wellness Committee Chair

2. “The most important thing to invest in is relationships. People you trust, who will keep you grounded and also help you grow.” – Judge Amy Carter

3. “I recommend investing in pro bono work because it’s 100%, unapologetically, selfishly investing in yourself. You make your community better when you do it. You improve your lawyering skills when you do it. You improve your professional reputation when you do it. You expand your personal and professional network when you do it. You make the world safer for your loved ones when you do it.” – Bethanie Barber, Executive Director of the Legal Aid Society of the OCBA, Inc.

4. “It sounds cliché, but invest in yourself. Not just financially, but mentally & physically. Keep your goals at the forefront, but don’t sacrifice your true self for them.”

– Kate T. Hollis, Esq., Partner, Milne Law Group, P.A. | OCBA Executive Council

5. “I’m a huge proponent for investing in relationships, both within the bar and within organizations in the broader community. Meaningful relationships are integral to personal and professional satisfaction.”

– Judge Tom Young

Ana “Ani” Rodriguez-Newbern, Esq., practices Family Law at Tangel-Rodriguez & Associates. She has been an OCBA Member since 2014.

LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF THE ORANGE COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION

July 11, 2023

VIRTUAL and IN-PERSON

The Use of Technology in Preparing Advanced Directives

Pro bono Attorney Matthew H. Rosenthal, Esq. & Larri Thatcher, Deputy Director CLE Pending | Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85718246988?pwd=dm5WUkh0R2dlYjVVaFZxTkw2b25Ldz09

The Effects of Trauma: When Children are the Perpetrators of Sexual Abuse

Noon –1:30 p.m.

In-Person Location: Orange County Bar Association 880 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801 | Palm Room

July 25, 2023

VIRTUAL ONLY

Guest Speaker Heather Galvin, the Healing Tree & Marie Priebe, GAL Director of Special Projects

CLE Pending | Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85692811124?pwd=NnAyVTA1RE5nR1o3WU90Rmp0UHQ4QT09

Legally Transitioning: The Transgender Name & Gender Marker Change Process in Florida

August 8, 2023

VIRTUAL ONLY

Jamos Mobley, Senior Housing & Consumer Attorney CLE Pending | Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84473522073?pwd=OXViUTVCWUt1UnZCQWRheFBrQnlmQT09

Adoption is Possible. Securing Forever Families for Florida’s Foster Youth

Deondra Milton, Embrace Families Adoptions Manager & Coravious L. Cowart, Guardian ad

August 22, 2023

VIRTUAL ONLY

Litem Program Director of Administrative Services CLE Pending | Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86378174727?pwd=SmZzSFBEWnVrZmk0SXhFQXc5S3FiQT09

Virtual Sessions: Prerecorded and on our Website: www.legalaidocba.org. Alltrainingswillbeavailableto viewonourwebsite.

Questions: info@legalaidocba.org www.legalaidocba.org

Young Lawyers SectionNews

YLS New Beginnings

YLShit the new bar year running! The 20232024 YLS board is excited about everything that we have prepared for you. Stay tuned to The Briefs and social media for updates, and if you haven’t already, sign up to receive YLS emails here, so you stay in the know: https://www.orangecountybar.org/about/young-lawyers-section/.

Ninth Circuit about best practices in working within the courtroom. There was also a demonstration of courtroom technology in practice. Finally, a panel of Ninth Circuit judges provided insight into practice and how to grow as an attorney. Everyone left with a new understanding of the courtroom and the professionalism required to advance in their career.

We have some great events coming up and can’t wait to see everyone there!

Upcoming Events

• Young Lawyers and Law Clerks Reception at the History Center – 7/13/2023

Sean Mendez-Catlin, Esq.

On June 16th, we had the pleasure and honor of hearing from Carolyn Fennell with the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority at the YLS lunch about the challenges and importance of building relationships and how doing so is critical to career development. She was a dynamic and inspirational speaker.

On June 30th, we had a wonderful Morning at the Courthouse. After being greeted by the Honorable Chief Judge Munyon, we were taught by the judicial assistants of various judges in the

• Book Drive Donation Drop Off and Tour – 7/19/2023

• Joint Lunch with the Hispanic Bar Association featuring Dr. Keita Joy speaking on the Formula to Success –7/21/2023

Sean Mendez-Catlin, Esq. Sean is a founding partner of MC & J Law, PLLC, where he practices business and intellectual property law. He has been a member of OCBA since 2016.

CFAWL

Lauren Millcarek, Nequosha Anderson, Celia Thacker Dorn, Sharlene Stanford, Eve Lumsden, Alena Baker, Christina Russo Walters, Nicolette Kramer, Nikita Hinton, Ayana Barrow, Annie Blanc, Meranda Landes

Camara Williams, Laurore Jean-Pierre, Andre Young

Voluntary BarNews

School may be out for the summer, but our voluntary bar associations continue to be hard at work.

The Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers

On May 6, 2023, The Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers hosted their first blacktie gala, the Spotlight Soiree: A Night of Old Hollywood Glamour. The event was held at the historic Woman’s Club of Winter Park. This glamorous evening celebrated the end of CFAWL’s 2022-2023 year under the leadership of Lauren Millcarek. In addition to all the fun, history was made as Nequosha Anderson was sworn in as the first female black president for CFAWL.

Then on May 5, 2023, CFAWL hosted their monthly luncheon at the Citrus Club featuring Orange County Bar Association President Karen Persis. On May 13, 2023, CFAWL partnered with the Orange County Bar Associations Young Lawyers Section (YLS) for their annual volunteer opportunity at Great Oaks Village. On May 27, 2023, the Honorable Andrew Bain and his lovely bride hosted a CFAWL Table for 8 with a traditional seafood boil. Finally on June 2, 2023, CFAWL hosted their final monthly luncheon of the 2022-2023 year at the Citrus Club. The featured speaker was the Honorable Lisa Munyon.

The Federal Bar Association Orlando Chapter

The Orlando Chapter of the Federal Bar Association (FBA) wishes to congratulate the winners of their Inaugural Young Attorney Moot Court Competition. Congratulations to Semi-Finalists Ava Sigman and Cheyenne Lewis; Finalist Justin Delise; and Champion Audrey Gangloff. The FBA wishes to thank: everyone who competed in this year’s program, all the volunteers who assisted in preparing and judging rounds, the U.S. District Court for providing facilities, and Barry Law School for creating a one-of-a-kind fact pattern.

The FBA also hosted an Introduction to Bankruptcy Lunch and Learn on May 12, 2023 with Judge Lori. V. Vaughan, United States Bankruptcy Judge. The FBA hosts monthly programming at the Federal Courthouse, and all are welcome to come learn. In addition, FBA teamed up with the Federal Courthouse and hosted students from Florida A&M University College of Law. Students toured the courthouse and were able to meet our judges and courtroom staff.

The Paul CA Perkins Bar Association

On May 23, 2023, The Paul C. Perkins Bar Association (PCPBA) recently hosted an Estate Planning Clinic at the Winter Park Li-

brary. During this event, speakers discussed the importance of a will, the difference between a will versus a trust, and so much more. Community residents also had the opportunity to present questions to the speakers as they prepared for their estate planning journey. PCPBA extends a special thank you to their speakers: Camara Williams, Esq., Laurore Jean-Pierre, Esq. and Andre Young, Esq.

Then on May 24, 2023, PCPBA hosted their last general body meeting of the year. PCPBA wishes to thank their speaker Ms. Kerry Kathleen Heaps who shared relevant insight regarding body language basics: reading & interpreting movement, confidence v. discomfort gestures, positive and negative evaluations, eye contact, posture and the significance of color in wardrobe. Attendees received CLE credit and were able to take away some golden nuggets for trial, mediation and jury selection preparation.

The Greater Orlando Asian American Bar Association

On May 11, 2023 the Greater Orlando Asian American Bar Association (GOAABA) hosted a member appreciation happy hour at Mathers Social Gathering. Then on May 25, 2023, GOAABA hosted an Asian Fusion Night at Hawkers.

The Central Florida Gay and Lesbian Law Association

The Central Florida Gay and Lesbian Law Association held a joint Karaoke night with GOAABA on April 29, 2023 at Orlando OBT Karaoke.

Alena V. Baker, Esq., of Alena Baker Criminal Defense, P.A., is a solo practitioner who practices primarily in the area of criminal law throughout Central Florida. She has been a member of the OCBA since 2011.

CLASSIFIED ADS

NEW Category! “ANNOUNCEMENTS”

Place advertising on new partnerships, employee promotions, and thank you listings to exemplary employees, assistants, paralegals, etc. Contact Ursla Gallagher to place your ad today! 407-422-4551, Ext. 244 or urslag@ocbanet.org

EMPLOYMENT

DOWNTOWN ORLANDO LAW OFFICE SEEKING A 5+ YEAR FULL-TIME LITIGATION PARALEGAL with experience in insurance defense and/or plaintiff’s personal injury litigation. Benefits and salary are based on experience. E-mail your resume to: katie@vasko.net

FAMILY LAW FIRM SEEKING EXPERIENCED PARALEGAL

The Marks Law Firm is seeking an experienced Family Law Paralegal to provide a range of legal support to our Team and Attorneys. We are looking for someone with good communication skills, Client services oriented, and strong attention to detail and accuracy to join our closeknit team. Please check out our website www.markslawfla.com and send resumes to kathy@markslawfla.com

FAST-PACED INSURANCE DEFENSE FIRM LOCATED IN MAITLAND, FL is searching for a Legal Assistant. The firm handles first-party property/liability coverage issues. Insurance defense and strong litigation experience preferred. Experience with calendaring, scheduling of depositions, and court reporters as

needed. and follow up as it relates to discovery matters

Experience with E-Filing software and procedures. Familiarity and compliance with judicial orders Please send resumes: jmccallister@rocklawpa.com.

FISHER RUSHMER P.A. SEEKING AN ASSOCIATE WITH A MINIMUM OF 3 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE IN THE AREA OF INSURANCE DEFENSE/PERSONAL INJURY. Ideal candidate must have strong written, communication and organizational skills, ability to work independently as well as in a team environment, strong research and analytical skills, ability to handle a large caseload and juggle multiple priorities and deadlines. Generous benefits package available, competitive wages as well as bonus programs. Please rely with resume to: Lskinner@fisherlawfirm.com.

GROWING ORLANDO AV RATED CIVIL LITIGATION FIRM SEEKING TWO ATTORNEYS one with 2-5 years experience and one with 5 to 10 years experience. Prior trial experience is a plus. Excellent salary and benefits. Please send resume in confidence to Gary@vasko.net

INSURANCE DEFENSE

FIRM handling first-party property/liability coverage issues, PIP, and contractual/ tort litigation seeks attorneys for statewide practice. Insurance defense experience preferred. Email/Fax/Mail resume to Office Manager jmccallister@rocklawpa.com, (407) 647-9966, The Rock Law Group, P.A., 1760 Fennell St., Maitland, Florida 32751.

FOR SALE OR RENT

THREE OFFICE SUITES WITH RECEPTION/SUPPORT STAFF AREA AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE OC -

CUPANCY One block east of Colonial Drive in NoDo/Lake Highlands area. Free surface parking, concierge services; fitness facility on-site; additional conference/meeting room spaces available to use as well. Virtual Tour: https:// bit.ly/iWorkspacesVirtualTour contact: atyoung@younglawfl.com or call 407 422 4000.

SHARED EXECUTIVE OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE IN THE REGIONS TOWER BUILDING IN DOWNTOWN

ORLANDO. The space is fully furnished and shared with a family law practice. Use of shared conference rooms and kitchen included. Phone, copier, and scanner options available. Please call 407 757 2883 to inquire.

$1,250/MO – Shared office space for attorney (downtown Orlando). Professionally decorated, newly refurbished office located in the Milk District. First floor offices with established construction and immigration attorneys. Fully furnished or bring your own furniture for your office. Includes internet, utilities, shared conference room, reception area and copy room. Secretarial space available if required. Free parking on site. Please call Chris Weiss at (407) 928-6737. Find

20 or More Members

Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell P.A.

Shutts & Bowen, LLP

Wicker, Smith, O’Hara, et al.

Winderweedle, Haines, et al.

10-19 Members

Colling Gilbert Wright & Carter, LLC

Fisher Rushmer

Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, Inc.

Marshall, Dennehey, Warner, Coleman & Goggin

McDonald Toole Wiggins, P.A.

Stovash, Case & Tingley

2-9 Members

Anderson & Ferrin, Attorneys at Law, P.A.

Artemis Family Law Group, PLLC

Aust Law Firm

Barrister Law Firm, P.A.

Barry Miller Law

Carr Law Firm, P.A.

Compass Law

Culbertson Law Group

Davey Law Group, P.A.

Debra Wilkinson Botwin, LLC

DeCiccio & Johnson

Dellecker Wilson King McKenna Ruffier & Sos, LLP

Divine & Estes, P.A.

Fassett, Anthony & Taylor, P.A

Flammia Elder Law Firm

Forward Law Firm P.A.

Gasdick Stanton Early, P.A.

GoodBlatt – Leo

Green Family Law, P.A.

Haliczer Pettis & Schwamm Attorneys at Law

Harris Harris Bauerle Lopez

Hilyard, Bogan & Palmer, P.A.

Hornsby Law

Infocus Family Law Firm, P.L.

Jill S. Schwartz & Associates, P.A.

Keating & Schlitt, P.A.

King, Blackwell, Zehnder & Wermuth, P.A.

Korshak & Associates, P.A.

Kosto & Rotella, P.A.

Law Offices of Brent C. Miller, P.A.

Law Offices of Horwitz & Citro, P.A.

Lebron Law PLLC

Marcus & Myers, P.A.

McMichen, Cinami & Demps PLLC

McShane & McShane Law Firm, P.A.

Meenakshi A. Hirani, P.A.

Men’s Divorce Law Firm

Morgan, White-Davis & Martinez, P.A.

Murphy & Berglund, PLLC

N. Diane Holmes, P.A.

O’Mara Law Group

Page & Eichenblatt, P.A.

Perez LaSure, LLC

Rebecca L. Palmer Law Group

Sawyer & Sawyer, P.A.

Schwam-Wilcox & Associates

SeifertMiller, LLC

Shannin Law Firm, P.A.

Stovash, Case & Tingley

Tangel-Rodriguez & Associates

The Aikin Family Law Group

The Arnold Law Group

The Brennan Law Firm

The Elder Law Center of Kirson & Fuller

The Fighter Law Firm, P.A.

The Law Office of Michael L. Dear, PLLC

The Llabona Law Group

The Marks Law Firm, P.A.

The Skambis Law Firm

Warner & Warner, P.L.

West Family Law Group

Wieland & DeLattre, P.A.

Wilson McCoy, P.A.

Wooten Kimbrough, P.A.

Yergey & Yergey, P.A.

JULY - AUGUST

Please note that live OCBA and Legal Aid seminars and events may be offered virtually, prerecorded, postponed, or canceled. Please follow the most current news in the OCBA’s weekly newsletter eblast and on the OCBA and LAS websites and social media.

OCBA July Luncheon