The Orange County Bar Association - The Briefs - May 2023

3 President’s Message

I Write this Last President’s Message with a Heart Full of Gratitude Karen L. Persis, Esq. 4 Clerk’s Corner 2023 Report to the Citizens of Orange County The Honorable Tiffany Moore Russell

5 Orange County Bar Association Installation Luncheon 2023 6 Professionalism Committee What Does Professionalism Mean to Me? Annie Po Lam Kwong, Esq.

the Briefs

Editor

John M. Hunt

Associate Editors

Karen L. Middlekauff & Lauren Brusca

Hearsay Columnist

Ana “Ani” Rodriguez-Newbern YLS on the Move

Vaughn Glinton

SideBar

Alena V. Baker

OFFICERS

Karen L. Persis, President

Amber N. Davis, President-Elect

Arti Ajit Hirani, Treasurer

Keshara Cowans, Secretary

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Michael Barber

Chris Carmody

Euribiades Cerrud, II

Lisa Gong Guerrero

Kate T. Hollis

Kristopher J. Kest

Bruce Mount

Alisia Adamson Profit

Rafael O. Rodriguez

C. Andrew Roy

Jessica A. Travis

Brandon M. Sapp

Eric C. Reed, Ex-Officio

Stephanie Alcalde, YLS President

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Rob Garay

Advertising & Sponsorship Manager

Ursla Gallagher

Marketing & Communications Coordinator

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All contents ©2023 Orange County Bar Association. All rights reserved. Designer: Catherine E. Hébert Cover photo: OCBA Law Week 2023 Posters

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I Write this Last President’s Message with a Heart Full of Gratitude

o one person could ever get through serving as the president of this organization living alone on an island. I am grateful for our resilient staff who experienced considerable change and uncertainty in their routines as we searched for a new executive director. I am grateful for committee chairs who were willing to take a chance with new programming, such as the Parents in the Law committee and the Diversity Certification program. And I am proud of our Executive Council, a group of attorneys that is always ready to respond, ready to work, and always looking out for the best interests of our members and staff.

Personally, I know I could not have survived this year juggling the titles of Mom, Wife, Lawyer, Business Owner, and OCBA President without the support of my family, but also, my friends.

My family is stuck with me. They jumped on this crazy train at birth or by marriage and have been riding this ride far too long to get off. That is not meant to dismiss the extra efforts my husband and parents go to to help make all the puzzle pieces fit in a day or a week. When it is seemingly impossible for me to meet every deadline, exceed all client expectations, and attend all the events and meetings, but also coordinate all of the sports practices and games, all of the school projects and programs, and get all of the homework done, my husband is always there to share in the responsibilities. And his schedule is no prize either. Yet, even with as much relief he provides at home while also managing his own challenging schedule, he and I both know that the two of us alone would not be enough to survive, and thrive, this past year. I am grateful to all of my parents, and particularly, my mom, for catching any ball we were about to drop on the parenting front during this eventful year, while also trying to manage our professional obligations.

My friends, though – this was a group of people that voluntarily boarded the train – with a first class ticket – with no return date booked. My friends were often the missing pieces to the puzzle for the day. Or, sometimes they were the hammer that smashed down a piece to make it fit into the puzzle just so, to make it work long enough. Friends are unique because they can leave at any time.

NInstead, they have supported my firm, my family, and me far more than I could have ever dreamed. They provide advice and guidance and wisdom at all hours of the day and night. They are there to calm me down, and they are there to pump me up. They are there to assure me, and more importantly, perhaps, they are there to tell me when I am wrong. They have helped with school pickups, dinners, babysitting in moments of desperation, and they have helped with elementary school projects, even when some of them don’t have kids of their own.

We often read the expression that “Behind every successful woman is …” Most frequently, you read it is a tribe of other successful women supporting her, or a group chat hyping her, or a friend fixing her makeup in the bathroom, or another woman answering her texts at midnight. Sometimes you read that behind every successful woman is herself. And every now and then, you read that behind every successful woman is a supportive spouse.

I would argue that all can be true. You most certainly need to believe in yourself to succeed. It certainly does not hinder success to have a spouse supporting you. But you also need your friends behind you. Sometimes, though, those friends are not behind you. Sometimes they are on the frontlines, fighting the battles so you don’t have to, and paving the way for your success. Sometimes they are in front of you, pulling you along, despite your reservations or self-doubt, because they believe in you in ways that you cannot even see for yourself - yet. Sometimes they are alongside you, walking with you to support your successes, but also to be there to catch you if you stumble. And they can definitely be behind you -supporting you, pushing you, cheering you, hyping you up, answering texts at midnight, and yes, even fixing makeup in the bathroom.

I learned a lot this past year. A lot of it was practical – about lawyers, and practice areas, and vendors, and sponsorships, and HR, and building security, and personalities, and technology, and health. But I also learned, or perhaps, realized, how lucky I am to have my family, my Bar family, and my friend family. That is a lesson I will never forget.

And for that, OCBA, I thank you.

2023 Report to the Citizens of Orange County

Ifeel that transparency in government is one of the most important obligations of elected officials, and that is why it is a core commitment I have made for me and my office. Therefore, I am delighted to share with you the Orange County Clerk of Court’s 2023 Report to the Citizens. Each year, providing this report is an important step in continuing to fulfill this pledge in transparency.

As you will see throughout the report, my office like many organizations continued to rebound from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. As we all were able to gather and get back to more in-person experiences, my office continued to emphasize virtual ways to do business with us to make it easier for citizens to access our services.

I invite you to read through this report to see real examples where my office worked alongside our stakeholders including the Orange County Bar Associations (OCBA) to provide better access to justice for our community and customers.

Examples of this include providing free legal forums & events, being recognized statewide for best practices, and holding community drives where we either raised money or collected donations.

The report also includes important data and information on case filings, our financial health, and it outlines our strategic plan which is our roadmap as we continue to evolve to serve our community.

I hope you will take some time to read the 2023 Report to The Citizens and see all we are doing to create a positive experience for everyone who does business with us. You can find our 2023 report on the Clerk’s Office website at www.myorangeclerk.com/annualreport.

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

The Legal Practice Productivity Solution

Supporting

ProfessionalismCommittee

What Does Professionalism Mean to Me?

My name is Annie Kwong. I was born in Orlando, Florida. My parents immigrated from China and owned a local Chinese restaurant for 25 years, where I waitressed and bused tables. Through that experience, I interacted with customers and often learned about legal issues. I gained an interest in the law and always had an interest in helping others.

My life motto is, “You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.” Always treat others as you would like to be treated.

Which leads me to the question: What does professionalism mean to me?

our clients to find a mutual resolution to the issues in their case. At times, we hide behind emails to get our points across. It is just simple enough to pick up a phone rather than write an email in which your tone or intention can be misconstrued by the other party.

Fourth, mentoring is critical, especially for new lawyers out of law school. I had many mentors in my legal career. Besides my mentors at work, I had mentors from many voluntary bar organizations who taught me how to lead by example. I had the great opportunity to be the president of the Greater Orlando American Asian Bar Association. It was through that organization that I met many long-lasting friends and colleagues. We continue to share legal experiences and discuss balancing our careers with our family life.

The elements of professionalism are

1) ethical responsibility, 2) excellence in service to clients, 3) promoting civility and civil relationships, 4) mentoring, and 5) an obligation to serve the public interest.

We have an ethical responsibility as lawyers. We need to be sure anything we say to opposing counsel, the court, and client is accurate and complete. Our duties are to zealously advocate for our clients and provide them sound advice. There are a lot of grey areas in the law, and it is our job to examine our choices and take responsibility for our decisions. If you make a mistake, it is better to apologize than to use a lie to cover it. Second, we need to provide excellent service to our clients. They depend on our legal knowledge to guide them through their case to get a satisfactory outcome. We must show them courtesy and respect. Clients may have unrealistic expectations, but it is our job to explain what they are getting themselves into and show them both sides of the equation. Sometimes before speaking, we need to listen to what clients say and what they want the final outcome to be.

Third, it is essential to promote civility and civil relationships. Our job is very adversarial at times, and it is our job to remain calm and collected. We win by using case law and being prepared. We must be willing to give each other the common courtesy or the benefit of the doubt. It requires us to treat everyone with respect. We should seek to cooperate with opposing counsel and

Last but not least, we should serve the public interest. It is essential to take on pro bono cases. In my case, it’s through the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, Inc. The community needs lawyers to help them. I have enjoyed participating in the Legal Aid Tax Clinic for the past 7 years. I can help others and also get them a tax refund.

I am honored and humbled to be the recipient of the Lawrence G. Matthews, Jr., Young Lawyer Professionalism Award. I congratulate Judge Dalton and Mary Ann Morgan, who also are award recipients. I thank the OCBA’s Professional Committee and the Executive Committee of the OCBA for this great honor. Thank you to my firm, Quintairos, Prieto, Wood, and Boyer, for providing the foundation to practice law and attorneys Tom Moore, Debrah Zeitler, and Kevin Murphy for mentoring me in workers’ compensation. Thank you to my parents, who instilled in me that hard work will get me far, and for always being there to advise me. Thank you to my sister, Alice, who is my biggest cheerleader. Thank you to my husband, Jim, for supporting me in my career and voluntary bar activities and always letting me know I can do anything I put my mind to. Thank you to my 4-month-old daughter Allie for being my sunshine and teaching me patience. Thank you to the legal community and all who nominated me for this award. Without you, I would not be the lawyer I am today.

Annie Po Lam Kwong, Esq., is an associate in the Orlando office of Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A., where she focuses her practice in workers’ compensation defense. Kwong is the recipient of the 2023 Lawrence G. Mathews, Jr. Young Lawyer Professionalism Award. She has been a member of the OCBA since 2015.

Chief’sColumn

Appellate Division News

Welcome to the appellate division of the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court! We are in the process of implementing several important changes to the division in light of recent jurisdictional modifications enacted by the Florida Legislature.

On January 1, 2021, a significant event in Florida impacted most appeals that originated from the county courts. On that date, the state’s circuit courts lost jurisdiction over appeals from, and petitions for extraordinary writs related to, county court criminal and civil cases. The legislature repealed both (1) the portion of § 26.012, Florida Statutes, that provided circuit courts with general appellate jurisdiction over final judgments of county courts, and (2) all of § 924.08, Florida Statutes, which provided circuit courts with appellate jurisdiction over county court judgments in criminal cases.

These changes impacted the appeals of all kinds of cases, including misdemeanor criminal violations and civil matters such as those involving personal injury protection (PIP), landlord-tenant, auto glass, and property damage. Instead of these often hotly litigated cases being heard on appeal in the circuit courts, the changes to the statutes require those cases to be appealed directly to the appropriate district court of appeal. Further, interlocutory appeals and petitions for writ of certiorari (often related to discovery disputes) are now also properly appealed to the district courts of appeal. I anticipate that this new process will provide the county courts with much-needed consistency and precedent and may result in reduced litigation. Before these changes, to obtain district court of appeal review of a county court or other decision which was formerly appealable to the circuit court, a party would be required to file for “second tier appellate review” through a certiorari proceeding in which that court was restricted to a very narrow review, extremely limited in scope.

The circuit court retains jurisdiction over appeals from final administrative orders of local government code enforcement boards, as well as over reviews and appeals as otherwise expressly provided by law. This includes cases involving decisions finding dogs to be dangerous, voluntary binding arbitrations, and traffic infractions. The Second District Court of Appeal has clarified that the circuit court retains jurisdiction over appeals involving traffic infractions filed by both the State and defendants. See State of Florida v. Islam, 352 So. 3d 956, 957 (Fla. 2d DCA 2022) (“[I]f the circuit court

has jurisdiction over a defendant’s appeal in these matters, then it follows that the circuit court has jurisdiction over a state’s appeal in these matters.”). Further, the circuit court retains jurisdiction to hear petitions for extraordinary writs that are not directed to the county court, such as petitions for writs of certiorari in driver’s license suspension cases.

The State of Florida, Office of the State Court Administrator, has prepared materials related to Florida’s appellate jurisdiction changes, including a comprehensive list of appellate case types staying in circuit court and a 19-page list of statutory provisions referencing extraordinary writs. The materials may be found at this web address: https://www.flcourts.gov/Know-Your-Court. That website also includes information on the recent jurisdictional changes for county court and links to videos discussing all of these changes. In the Ninth Circuit, we are working to facilitate the appellate jurisdictional changes by implementing a process for identifying cases that are still appropriate for appellate review in the circuit court with the goal of resolving appellate cases timely and efficiently. We are devising a new appellate case numbering system, and we expect that the new system will assist us in identifying appeals quickly and directing them to the appropriate judge or appellate panel for resolution.

We will continue to appoint circuit judges at random to “appellate panels” containing three judges, with one of the judges acting as the presiding judge. The presiding judge is responsible for issuing various orders during the life of the proceeding, including motions for extension of time, motions to consolidate, motions to strike, and motions to dismiss. All panel members will consider all dispositive motions, and final appellate decisions must be reviewed and approved by each panel member, or a member may dissent. The Ninth Circuit has an Administrative Order addressing the appellate process in our circuit that includes further information about how the court will handle your appeal, forms, and circuit-specific rules for attorneys and parties. See Administrative Order 2015-10-03, “Amended Order Governing Appellate Process, Ninth Judicial Circuit,” (Fla. 9th Cir. Ct. February 11, 2021). The order is available on the Ninth Circuit’s website at https://ninthcircuit.org/resources/admin-orders.

We welcome your input! If you have a suggestion to make our division run more smoothly, or if you have any questions or comments about the Appellate Division at the Ninth Judicial Circuit, please contact me through my judicial assistant, Jill Gay, at ctjajg1@ocnjcc.org.

Business LawCommittee

Why Your Employees’ Health Should Be Your Business

mployees now more than ever are prioritizing their health, wellness, and mental health. The 2022 SHRM Employee Benefits Survey revealed that the most important employer benefit offered to employees was “health-related benefits.”1 This came in as higher importance over retirement savings, flexible work, and even professional development benefits. Now, we could do an entire separate article on how to reduce attrition and retain quality employees and even make it specific to the different generations of employees or specific to lawyers, but that is not the purpose of this article. The purpose of this article is to open the eyes of business owners and stakeholders to the reality that truly caring about your employees’ health and wellness and implementing some of the ideas listed can correlate to employee attrition rates and overall affect your bottom line.

Employeers Spend Big Money on Sick Days:

A 2020 Forbes article revealed that U.S. employers spent about $575 billion dollars in 2019.2 This figure was derived primarily from lost productivity and missing work due to illness-related absences. This amounted to approximately 61 cents for every dollar that employers spent on health benefits or about $3,900 per employee. Keep in mind this data was pre Covid-19, however still useful as more recent statistical data is showing we are trending back towards pre-Covid numbers. When employers are looking to cut expenses, they may want to consider investing into their employees’ health and wellness instead. It is important to note that most employers are only taking into consideration the actual cost of health insurance or health related benefits and not factoring into that cost the loss of productivity or the effects on the business due to employee sick days or health related absences.

Promote Team Building and Camaraderie Amongst Employess and Management: Promoting team building and camaraderie among employees and management has benefits beyond financial measures. Offering a variety of health and wellness activities, such as charity walks or 5K runs, provides opportunities for engagement and interaction among employees who may not normally participate in after-work activities. It also fosters loyalty to the company and bridges the gap between management and employees, creating a win-win situation for all parties involved. As the General Counsel of Q1, LLC, I have personally experienced the positive impact of these health and wellness benefits in fostering a sense of community among employees.

Employer Health & Wellness Ideas to Implement:

I want to leave you with a wide variety of resources with the hope that you can either begin focusing on the health and wellness of your employees, or potentially add a new activity to your workplace that you have not tried before.

Goat Yoga

We just did this one at work, and it was a great success. Now be

Eforewarned, they are animals, so that is all I will say! We hired Lazy Day Farm to set up goat yoga at our office. Just imagine your firm partners or execs and employees doing yoga while goats hop on and off them. This is entertaining, somewhat active, and hilarious! I laughed so incredibly hard, and the goats were so precious, this is an endorphin release!

Participate in a Charity Walk/5K:

In the last year, we organized a work group and our furry friends to participate in the Harbor House of Central Florida’s Paws for Peace. The unique part about participating in these different types of walks is that each may appeal to a different part of your work population. For example, you may have extreme animal lovers that are more inclined to participate. You also get to meet the furry friends of your coworkers! We even held a “Bring Your Dog to Work Day” to raise money for this event.

Onsite Medical, Dental, and Other Wellness Services:

Several times a year we bring various businesses onsite to offer wellness benefits to employees. Examples have included onsite dental cleanings/teeth-whitening/xrays, walk-in clinics to provide vaccinations, IV therapy, and eye exams. Not only are these quite affordable, but employees can utilize them without having to schedule time off work. We have seen large numbers of participants, and I believe employees may not be getting these services otherwise.

Access to a Gym or a Gym Membership Stipend:

Not everyone is fortunate to have a gym on their premises, but some of the larger buildings have them or you may work for yourself or a company that has one onsite. Just as some companies offer a cell phone stipend, consider offering your employees a gym membership stipend. It can be a set amount, and you can let employees choose their fitness method of choice. This can be advertised as part of your employee benefits package to assist with recruiting good employees

Group Step Challenge:

The OCBA Health & Wellness committee has done a great job organizing these group fitness challenges using various apps. This can be replicated at your workplace. You can select a month, the activities that you want to count, and get a few prizes to encourage participation. The neat part about doing something like this for a month or a few months is that it can really establish good habits that continue well past the challenge itself.

Walk and Talks:

Not all meetings have to be confined to a work desk or computer. If you need to discuss something with someone at work that doesn’t require writing or a computer, maybe suggest a walk and talk. You can easily be getting in steps and working at the same time.

Family Field Day:

It can be difficult to plan something outside of work when employees have children and various family obligations. Consider picking a park and involving the entire family. You would be surprised how long a soccer ball, volleyball, football, and various yard games can entertain an entire group. We did an indoor version of this recently in December, which even included the classic game of hide and seek. Coworkers brought their own kids or even grandchildren, cousins, nephews, etc. After numerous games and activities, we concluded with a gingerbread house decorating contest and pizza. It was special to get to meet and interact with the family members of your coworkers.

Regular and Government

Francis M. BOYER

Shanice CAMERON

Reginald D. HICKS

Pedro Zasciurinskis LOPES

Nestor E. Nazario MUNOZ

Kelly Grace SANCHEZ

Affiliate

Patricio O. SOLANO

Law Student

Leonard A. ROLLMAN

Andrew I. SHERMAN

Patron

Maria Rae LOMBARDI

Austin Aaronson

David Abrams

Alexis Agosto

Michael Agranoff

James Auffant

Vanette Augustin

Lynn Aust

Joseph Baker

Michael Barber

Andres Beregovich

Michelle Berglund-Harper

Frank Blanco

Anne-Marie Bowen

Gary Boynton

Erin Brown

Benjamin Carpenter

Nathan Carter

Vanessa Clark

Corey Cohen

Nick Congelossi

Richard Culbertson

James Cunningham

Lee Karina Dani

Marie Delapena

Sarah DePalma

Tushaar Desai

Abigail Edelstein

Steven Eichenblatt

Mary Ann Etzler

Markos Eugenios

Thomas Feiter

Michael Ferrin

Robert Fisher

Russell Frank

Clifford Geismar

John Gierach

Stuart Glenn

Amy Goodblatt

Gary Israel

Mark Jamieson

Laurore Jean Pierre

Debra Johnson

Skiles Jones

Shaun Keough

Wayne Klinkbeil

Stephen Korshak

Steven Kronick

Jordan Kuveke-Guyton

Barry LaBoda

Jon Lambe

Zachary Leacox

Tatiana Leo

Jennifer Levy

Ana Lopez

James Magee

Imran Malik

Lyle Masnikoff

Bernie Mazaheri

Kim McGwier

Lisa McKellar Poursine

Zeffery Mims

Christie Mitchell

Thomas Mooney

Clint Moore

John Morey

Jodi Murphy

Juan Navarro

Evelyn J. Pabon Figueroa

Nikie Popovich

Jasmine Prosper-LeGrand

Jason Reid

Walter Rogers

Sidney “Sid” Roman

Desiree Sanchez

Camy Schwam-Wilcox

Katherine Schwartz

Daniel Sercombe

Kimberly Soto

Megan Steinmetz

Joseph Sternberg

Bethany Szewczyk

Jonathan Torres

Jessica Travis

William Umansky

Zahra Umansky

Jenny Vargas de Perez-Corujo

Roberto Vazquez

Amarillis Velez Diaz

Ka’Juel Washington

Damon Weiss

Hurley Whitaker

Jonathan Wolf

Lori Wurtzel

Benjamin Wurtzel

Gregory Zele Committee

Lynn Aust

Michael Barber

Mark Jamieson

Skiles Jones

Karen Persis

C. Todd Smith

Larri Thatcher

Tad Yates

Immigration LawCommittee

How Immigration Can Address the Shortage of Medical Professionals in the United States

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed significant shortages of medical professionals in the U.S. health system. As the U.S. fought the high number of COVID-19 infections, the number of patients needing medical attention rose substantially and exposed gaps and shortages in trained medical professionals. These shortages highlight the importance of well-trained healthcare staff, and U.S. immigration laws offer tools that can be used to address the urgent need for trained medical professionals.

In light of this, the American Medical Association (AMA) requested that the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) take critical steps to expand the foreign-trained physician workforce to meet the increasing demands on the American health system during the COVID-19 pandemic. The AMA stated in an urgent bulletin, in pertinent part:

I am writing to strongly urge the U.S. Department of State (DoS) to work with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure that non-U.S. citizen international medical graduates (IMG) are not negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and can either continue, or begin, to serve a vital role in caring for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. was already facing a serious shortage of physicians largely due to the growth and aging of the population and the impending retirement of many physicians. Non-U.S. citizen IMGs [international medical graduates] play a critical role in providing health care to many Americans… During this pandemic it is even more critical that our non-U.S. citizen IMGs have the support they need from the Administration to provide healthcare to those patients battling COVID-19.1

There have long existed different options for temporary visas for foreign trained doctors and medical personnel, including the H-1B and J-1 visas. However, these options have drawbacks for physicians since they are temporary visas and depend on a U.S. employer or agency as the sponsor. Likewise, the United States has long held a path to residency through the National Interest Waiver specifically designed for physicians (Physician NIW). 8 C.F.R. § 204.12 (2023). Nurses and physical therapists are designated as Schedule A are occupations, for which the U.S. Department of Labor determined there are insufficient workers in the United States. 20 C.F.R. § 656.5 (2023). However, these opportunities

also suffer from significant drawbacks. Specifically, in addition to other requirements, the Physician NIW has historically taken some time to obtain and further requires that most applicants obtain an attestation from a federal agency or the department of health stating that the work is in the public interest in addition to a commitment to full-time clinical practice in an underserved area for a period of five years. 8 C.F.R. § 204.12 (2023). Schedule A occupations still require that U.S. employers file a petition which can be time consuming and very costly for the employers.

In the alternative and based on the continued demand, the U.S. can address the increasing needs of Americans with foreign medical professionals interested in immigrating to the U.S. with the EB-2 National Interest Waiver (EB-2 NIW) category. The EB-2 NIW is an excellent path to U.S permanent residency for those professionals with a doctorate or master’s degree or a bachelor’s degree and at least five years of progressive experience in the field of expertise, which can show they will benefit the interest of the U.S. by being allowed to enter the U.S. job market. 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(2) (2023).

Many foreign medical professionals will easily meet or exceed these educational or experience requirements. Many medical professionals are U.S.-educated as well or already have U.S. licenses but lack the immigration status to remain in the U.S. to benefit Americans.

The traditional EB-2 requires sponsorship by an employer, which can be very lengthy and costly. The company must undergo a labor certification process before the U.S. Department of Labor, to prove that not enough U.S. workers are available to fill the offered positions. After the labor certification process is concluded, the employer must file a petition with the USCIS. The entire process often lasts over two years, which for many U.S. employers is too long to wait for a position to be filled. Conversely, an EB-2 NIW can be obtained in as little as six months. Because individuals cannot petition on their own with the Traditional EB-2 and obtaining a labor certification can be a lengthy process, many foreign nationals choose to obtain their own EB2-NIW.

The USCIS employs a three-part test to determine if an EB2NIW should be granted. An applicant must demonstrate:

1. That their proposed endeavor has both substantial merit and national importance;

2. That they are well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor; and

3. That, on balance, it would be beneficial to the United States to waive the job offer and labor certification requirements.

Matter of Dhanasar, 26 I&N Dec. 884 (AAO 2016). As to the first prong, an applicant must show that his or her work is related to an important national goal and that their work is beneficial to the United States. USCIS will consider its potential impact on the country, both in geographic terms and more broadly. Health professionals can be doctors, nurses, or work in research or public health initiatives.

Coping With Losses at Trial

hose of us who watched basketball great, Michael Jordan, play during his college and professional career were witness to his amazing skillset on the court as a shooting guard and small forward. We remember his extraordinary ability that earned him the nickname “Air Jordan” where he would drive down the court, leap from the top of the free-throw line, soar through the air, and dunk the ball through the hoop. A brief listing of Jordan’s top accomplishments would include the following: Rookie of the Year; Five-time NBA MVP; Six-time NBA champion; Six-time NBA Finals MVP; Ten-time All-NBA First Team; Nine time NBA All-Defensive First Team; Defensive Player of the Year; 14-time NBA All-Star; Three-time NBA All-Star MVP; 50th Anniversary All-Time Team; Ten scoring titles – an NBA record; Retired with the NBA’s highest scoring average of 30.1 points per game; and NBA Hall of Fame inductee.1

You didn’t have to be a fan of “His Airness,” the Chicago Bulls, or the University of North Carolina Tar Heels to appreciate Jordan’s athleticism and drive to win. However, in his book, Driven From Within, 2 Jordan put his winning career in perspective: “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life…” Despite his skill, athleticism, accomplishments, and accolades, Jordan knew what it was like to lose.

If you’re a trial lawyer or trial paralegal, you will lose some cases; it’s almost certain. Losing is a part of life. We like to talk about our wins, forget our losses, and put on the best face we can muster; that’s just how we are. But that doesn’t change the realities of life. We hate losing. Losing isn’t fun. Losing is hard. We try to minimize the risk of losing and maximize our chances of winning by gathering certain evidence, hiring the right experts, navigating the litigation process, researching case law, preparing our client(s), presenting the evidence to a judge or jury in a light most favorable to our client’s position, and making our arguments and objections where appropriate along the way. But there are no guarantees. And losing is especially heartbreaking when that loss comes after investing our time, talent, and treasure in a case we believe in, a case we have worked on for an extended period – sometimes many years. The scenario is familiar to those of us who do trial work: We did the best we could, but the judge ruled against our client; or the jury returned a verdict for the opposing party.

Following a loss at trial, oftentimes we’re left with a mixture of feelings such as shock, disbelief, frustration or anger, resentment, shame, hopelessness, and/or depression. Moreover, many times, our clients look to us for help to make sense of it all, to put it in perspective, to ease the suffering. This can compound the anxiety and stress we already feel, especially when there are questions that

we just can’t answer. We’re left to cope with the outcome and these feelings and emotions.

TSo, how can we cope with losing a case, help our clients, and move forward to face the next case with fresh vision, renewed purpose, renewed passion, and a solid commitment to preparing our next case for trial? I sat down with attorney, licensed clinical social worker, and psychodramatist, Michael Traynor, Esq.,3 to address these issues and get some perspective with the goal of improving the mental health of trial team members after such a loss.

Q: Is there a way to mentally prepare for this type of loss?

A: Trial is risk-taking, adversarial warfare. I would not recommend preparing for a loss any more than a boxer stepping in the ring should be prepared to lose. Deal with it if and when it occurs.

Q: What are some coping mechanisms we can employ after experiencing a loss at trial?

A: When loss occurs, it’s really too late to look for new self-care mechanisms. Please have good self-care mechanisms in place beforehand. Common examples of good self-care include being with family and friends where you can freely vent and process loss, exercising your faith or engaging in your religious or spiritual beliefs, meditating on positive things, mindfulness, getting good consistent exercise, maintaining healthy good nutrition, or getting a massage to help us relax when we’re stressed and tense. Also finding creative or artistic outlets, cooking, gardening, being in movement somehow.

Another good self-care mechanism is to turn to a friend who has experienced a similar loss or faced a similar problem and ask, “How did you handle this? What did you find helpful in coping with this?”

Q: Recognizing that everyone is different, how long should we allow ourselves to grieve after experiencing a loss at trial?

A: I have a good attorney friend who says, “Take 24 hours to celebrate a victory and 48 hours to grieve a loss; then get back on the horse.” The paradox of mental health is that you can’t think your way to better mental health; you have to act your way into better mental health. You have to put in the work – actually do the thing that brings relief. Sitting at home in a dark room thinking about what you should have done at trial that you didn’t do, or thinking about what you did at trial that you should not have done, is not going to relieve your suffering. Get moving, step by step.

Q: Assuming that there are no appealable issues, how can we help our client(s) move forward after they’ve lost their case at trial?

A: You may have to repeat what you probably said before trial, and you may have to say this more than once. Remind them kindly, “Going into trial, you knew that there was a risk of losing, and while we can be upset about this loss, you decided to take that risk and stand up for yourself. In standing up for yourself, you were

continued page

Legal Aid SocietyTeaching Tips

Tips in Professionalism in Communicating with Pro-Se Litigants

lawyer’s word should be his or her bond. This is a short, sweet, yet powerful statement reiterated many times by different committees, sections, and sources within the Florida Bar, with respect to professionalism and codes of conduct for attorneys. As professionals in this sphere, we are impounded with a duty of maintaining (yes, maintaining, as in the present and active tense of the word) trust and confidence in our judicial system and our profession. This means our communications with others – clients, opposing counsel, judges, and yes, pro-se litigants – must be honest, diligent, respectful, courteous, and civil at the very least. Pro-se litigants, or unrepresented parties, often present communication struggles. During these moments of frustration, remember there are a few tips provided to us by and through the Florida Bar that can help keep your communications on-par with what is expected of you.

A good place to start is for you to identify the type of unrepresented party and your role in this interaction. Are you a third-party neutral? Counsel for the other party? Providing limited representation? Once you know the type of relationship you have with the unrepresented party, it is important you also explain this to them. What should you expect from this unrepresented party and what should they expect from you?

If you are a third-party neutral, let them understand that you do not represent either party, however, you cannot assist them personally in their case nor provide any kind of legal advice. The Rules Regulating the Florida Bar, Rule 4-2.4 states that the unrepresented party should understand your role. Are you a mediator? Arbitrator? Explaining your role is not giving legal advice, therefore, take a moment to explain your position, and provide the unrepresented party a thorough understanding of what purpose you serve.

If a litigant is represented by counsel for one matter, but not another, tread carefully, especially if both matters are similar in nature, or may overlap. The Rules Regulating the Florida Bar, Rule 4-4.2 advise the legal professional to contact the other lawyer, understand the scope of the representation provided in the other case, and possibly get consent from the other lawyer to engage with the party in question. It’s important you also let the unrepresented party know the limited scope of your intended interaction with them.

When providing limited representation, such as only helping someone with forms to be filed with the court, or limited sub-

Aject matter representation on a case, be clear with the person you are dealing with. It is your duty that they fully understand how limited your scope of service is to them. Don’t avoid awkward conversations regarding your representation, or lack thereof, of them. It is preferable you explain it to them, at the very minimum in writing, how limited your work for them is in length, subject matter, and scope.

When engaging in communication with a pro-se litigant, first things first: breathe. The Rules Regulating the Florida Bar, Rule 4-4.3 talks about making it clear to unrepresented parties you are not a disinterested player on the board. State your position clearly, indicating who you represent, what case you are representing them for, and that you cannot give them legal advice (expect for advising them to retain counsel). Section 454.18, Florida Statutes, indicates that “Any person, whether an attorney or not… may conduct his own cause in any court of this state… subject to the lawful rules and discipline of such court.’’ Can v. Grace, 321 So. 2d 618 (Fla. 3d DCA 1975), states in part that, a party’s “self-representation does not relieve her of the obligation to comply with any appropriate rules of the court and the rules of civil procedure.” Meaning, you can still engage in negotiating, settling, and of course, moving forward with the case, despite the pro-se litigant being unknowledgeable on the proper course of action. Sometimes, pro ses will go out of their way to ignore you, request you place them on a do-not contact list (despite having an open case), or block you entirely. Other times, you will get 5 emails a day with a truckload of gibberish. Your duty as a legal professional is to respond within a reasonable time, set and establish healthy boundaries, and communicate with the (possibly very confused and very stressed) human beings on the other side.

Protect your license. You worked hard to get it. Have all your communications with unrepresented litigants in writing. If you have a phone call with them, follow it up with a letter or an email, re-capping everything you spoke about, AND the fact that you don’t represent them and cannot give them legal advice. It can be helpful to have a short paragraph with this basic information that you can attach to all of your communications with an unrepresented party. Clear communication with these individuals can make a world of difference.

For more information, please contact Ritcy Canelon at rcanelon@legalaidocba.org. For more information on becoming a financial donor or helping with our fundraising efforts, please contact Donna Haynes, Development Director, dhaynes@ legalaidocba.org or by calling 407-515-1850.

Ritcy Canelon, Esq., is a Family Law Staff Attorney at the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, Inc. She has been a member of the OCBA since 2021.

OCBA February Luncheon

Deborah Enix- Ross Presents: CornerstonesofDemocracy: Civics,Civility,andCollaboration

Thursday, January 23, 2023 | Embassy Suites Downtown Orlando

2023 OCBA Gala

Back to the 80s

2023 OCBA Professionalism Awards Ceremony and Reception

March 23, 2023

Orange County Courthouse Jury Assembly Room

Thank You to Our Sponsors & Community Partners

Platinum: Silver:

9th Annual OCBA Law Day 5K

Cornerstones of Democracy

March 25, 2023

Harbor Park at Lake Baldwin

In Kind:

Congratulations to the winners!

Male Overall

1. Jake Lille

2. DeWitt Revels

3. Eric Jones

Female Overall

1. Grace Casagrande

2. Elizabeth Choi

3. Mary Rychlik

Male Master (40+)

Scott Shelton

Female Master (40+)

Jill Traver

Male Grandmaster (50+)

Jeremy Thomas

Female Grandmaster (50+)

Michelle Radcliffe

Team Award:

Most Spirited Team

Quintairos Prieto Wood & Boyer, P.A.

Most Spirited Team

Health & WellnessCommittee

Let’s Run… No, Seriously, Let’s Run

Running is a beneficial form of exercise for both physical and mental health. It can improve mood, energy levels, memory, focus, cardiovascular health, respiratory function, and bone density. It requires minimal equipment, can be done indoors or outdoors, and is a natural activity for humans.

To help those who are interested in starting a running routine, attorney and experienced runner Sean McCormack provides some tips. He suggests finding beginner running options online or through local training groups, getting properly fitted for running shoes based on foot pronation, and starting with a distance that feels comfortable and gradually increasing it. He also recommends warming up with active movement before running, cooling down with a walk or jog after running, and staying hydrated and refueling with protein after each run. Additionally, listening to your body, cross-training to give legs a rest, and adjusting frequency and hydration based on weather and distance are important considerations.

Q: How can someone start running?

A: A bunch of beginning options are available on the internet or through local training groups and programs. Track Shack, a local running store, has beginning running groups available at every level. Some people help to keep themselves motivated if they run with a group or another individual.

Q: What type of shoe/equipment should someone use/are the best for a beginner? How does someone know when they need new shoes?

A: Make sure you are fit correctly for running shoes. I recommend getting your feet measured and having your running stride watched. Track Shack will size your feet, watch your running stride, and make the necessary recommendations for shoes depending on the pronation of your feet, which is the normal movement of your foot that occurs during landing while running or walking. There are three types: overpronation, underpronation, and neutral. To avoid injuries, you want a pair of shoes with an appropriate fit and wear for your type of pronation.

Q: How does someone control their breathing while running?

A: Most importantly, remember to breath while running. Eighty percent of your runs should be at an easy to comfortable pace, and your breathing will follow naturally. Keep the chest up and allow oxygen into the lungs. For a beginner, I recommend doing these easy to comfortable runs. Most advanced runners will run with a heart rate monitor, either as a chest strap or built into their watch. The heart rate level is a great gauge of your intensity level and whether your breathing needs to be adjusted.

Q: What distance is it reasonable to start with? How should someone increase the distance?

A: Start with a distance that feels comfortable, perhaps running for 15 to 20 minutes and slowly building from there. Increasing the distance will come with comfort and fitness.

Q: What steps should someone take before each run? Is it necessary to warm up before each run?

A: I find that active movement as opposed to passive stretching is best. Walking can be a great warm-up, or try doing an easy jog for the first five to 10 minutes before starting your run workout.

Q: What steps should someone take after each run?

A: Remember to cool down by doing an easy walk or jog for about five minutes. Also, make sure you help your recovery by eating and drinking afterward. Remember to stay hydrated and to eat some sort of protein after each run.

Q: How does someone prevent injuries while running?

A: Listen to your body. Slowly ease into a running training plan. Don’t continue to run if something hurts. There is a difference between feeling fatigued and feeling an uncomfortable pain or twinge in your body. Cross training is helpful to give your legs a rest. yoga, Pilates, and swimming are great alternatives that don’t involve impact on the legs.

Q: How often should someone run? Should this change as they progress?

A: This is going to depend on your purpose and the race distance. If you are training for a race, the frequency will be different than for someone who is running for fitness. If you are running your first 5K, you will want to run/walk at least three times a week and slowly increase your workout frequency depending on your fitness goals or race distance. For a beginner, a workout could consist of a 20- to 30-minute timed session where you alternate running/ walking for one minute each and repeat. For my half Ironman distances, I typically run at least five days a week.

Q: How much water should someone drink before, during, and after each run?

A: This will depend on circumstances like the weather and the distance of the run. Anyone who is going to tackle a running race should keep themselves hydrated during the day, including before and after a workout. Listen to your body and try to run on a route that has water fountains available.

Q: What should someone eat before, during, and after each run?

A: This depends on the distance or length of the workout. Something light like a banana or a protein bar is a good snack to have before a run. You may feel like you need nothing if your workout is less than 30 minutes. I would avoid eating anything heavy like a full meal before a run. After the run, it is important to refuel your body with some protein. If you are doing a long run, look into nutritional choices like gels or gummy chews that are easy to carry and

digest during a longer run. My personal favorite are the CLIF BLOKS, which come in packages of six flavored gummies.

Q: What other exercises are good to help with running?

A: Anything you enjoy. Yoga, biking, lifting weights, and swimming are all alternatives that don’t require impact on your knees.

Q: What type of surface is better for beginner runners (e.g., paved, non-paved, beach)?

A: This is a personal preference. There are some gravel trails in Central Florida like on North Apopka Lake, which can provide great scenery. If you are a beginner, I recommend running on a flat surface and avoiding any type of hiking trails. Some runners enjoy the beach, but make sure you are running on compacted sand to avoid any injuries from soft sand, which can cause falls or missteps.

Q: What can someone do after a run to help loosen/relax my muscles?

A: Foam rolling, massage, and rest are all options.

Q: Do you have any other tips?

A: Whether it is running or any type of physical exercise, find something you enjoy and that relieves your stress.

Now, it’s time to get out and start running. Follow these tips and you will be ready for next year’s OCBA Law Day 5K!

Evelyn J. Pabon Figueroa, Esq, is an attorney at CPLS, P.A., where she practices immigration and bankruptcy. She has been a member of the OCBA since 2006.

Sean McCormack, Esq., is a shareholder at Colling Gilbert & Wright, where he practices workers’ compensation and social security disability. He has been a member of the OCBA since 2011.

For complex immigration matters made simple, this is where you want to

Next, the applicant must show that they are in a good position to advance their proposed endeavor. This can be demonstrated through their experience, education, record of success, interest of potential customers or investors, and a number of other factors. Affidavits from colleagues, clients, and employers are often helpful to establish that an applicant has played a significant role in past endeavors, and therefore is well-positioned to advance future endeavors.

Finally, to prove that issuing the waiver would be beneficial to the U.S., USCIS will evaluate a number of factors, and determine if – on balance – it would be impractical for the applicant to secure a job offer or a labor certification. One of the key

criteria used in this evaluation is whether qualified U.S. workers are available, and if so, the country would still benefit from the foreign national’s contributions. Another important factor is the urgency of the proposed endeavor, which in this case is caused by the serious shortage of medical professionals.

Based on the national importance of addressing systemic issues in the U.S. health system exposed by the pandemic, the aging U.S. population, the rapidly growing shortage of U.S. medical staff, and the urgent need as expressed by the AMA, foreign trained medical personnel that meet the above criteria and are interested in developing a career in the U.S. can make a significant difference in the healthcare of Americans.

Sal Picataggio, Esq., is an attorney with Colombo and Hurd. Mr. Picataggio practices in the area of immigration law, focusing on business, employment, and investment processes. He is a former chair and current board member of the OCBA Immigration Law Committee. He has been a member of the OCBA since 2011.

Pedro Dearaujo, Esq., is an attorney at PD Law Firm. Mr. Dearaujo practices in the area of immigration law, focusing on employment, investment, and family. He currently serves on the board of the OCBA Immigration Law Committee. He has been a member of the OCBA since 2016.

1James L. Madara, MD, Comment Letter to U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Homeland Security, American Medical Association (Mar. 24, 2020),https://searchlf.ama-assn.org/letter/documentDownload?uri=%2Funstructured%2Fbinary%2Fletter%2FLETTERS%2F2020-3-24-AMA-Letter-to-DoS-and-DHS-re-COVID-19.pdf (last visited Mar. 23, 2023) (emphasis added).

courageous. You got a chance to tell your story. I listened to your story, and others heard your story as well. We only have power over doing the right thing. In our judicial system, we turn this story over to a judge or a jury and put the evidence in their hands. We can’t say what the outcome would have been had we given this case to a different judge or jury; we will never know because that didn’t happen. You can go to bed knowing that you did the best job you could with your testimony. There are no perfect clients, jurors, witnesses, or judges. It takes courage to do what you did – you stood up for yourself, and that’s all you could do.”

Takeaway Thoughts

Losing a trial doesn’t have to get the best of us mentally, emotionally, and physically. There are mechanisms we can employ to help us cope with such a loss such as:

• Remembering our victories and the fact that we can win again.

• Putting in place and exercising good self-care mechanisms before loss occurs so we can draw from those resources if and when the need arises.

• Grieving our losses in a healthy way and for a limited time.

• Reminding our client that, while this loss is upsetting, he or she took the risk and told his or her story as best as possible at the moment.

• Learning from our failures; and

• Getting up again and getting back on the horse.

Think for a minute about what might have happened had Michael Jordan quit after losing a few games: More likely than not, he would not have become the great basketball player that he became. He would not have influenced the game of basketball the way he did. And he would not have become the leader, role model, businessman, and philanthropist that he has become.

Like Jordan, we’re not quitters. We get back up again, shake off the dust, and move for-

ward because in each of us beats the heart of a champion, a warrior that doesn’t quit even in the face of adversity or loss. So, suit up, get back on the court, and meet the challenge with renewed courage

Paul Pelton, FRP, is a Senior Litigation Paralegal at Paul, Knopf, Bigger, PLLC in Winter Park, FL. and serves in various capacities at the OCBA, The Florida Bar, and Valencia College Paralegal Program Advisory Panel. He has been a member of the OCBA since 2015.

1Legends Profile: Michael Jordan.NBA.com. September 14, 2021. Accessed March 9, 2023.

2Jordan, Michael and Mark Vancil. Driven From Within New York, Atria Books, 2005.

3MICHAEL TRAYNOR, JD, LCSW, TEP, Albany, NY, and Winter Park, FL, facilitates psychodrama groups and training workshops in national and international settings. Michael was formerly a psychodrama instructor for the Trial Lawyers College from 20102021. He also facilitates psychodrama training for attorneys and is a trial consultant using psychodramatic methods with clients and in focus groups. He may be reached at traynormr@me.com.

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Evening with the Judiciary

Young Lawyers SectionNews

YLS on the Move

YLShas been extremely active over the last few months!

In honor of Women’s History Month, we partnered with CFAWL for our March luncheon entitled “Preparing to Have a Family as a Lawyer.” Our panelists provided their unique perspectives on balancing their professional careers and family lives. Thank you to our esteemed panelists: Sarah Rodriguez, Charity Tonelli, and Judge Denise Beamer! Special thank you to our attendees!

On March 9, 2023, YLS elected Jacob Schumer as President-Elect. He will serve as President-Elect for 2023-2024 and as President for 2024-2025. He is a current board member and a chair of several committees. Congrats Jacob!

On March 11, 2023, YLS headed outdoors and had a great time at Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park. After getting harnessed up, YLS members completed four tree top ropes courses and a zip line. The courses included regular climbing, walking a rope, navigating through nets, and more. Thanks to the Health and Wellness Committee for putting this together! Thank you to the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division Health and Wellness Grant for making this happen!

On March 16, 2023, YLS’ annual BBQ and Bingo with Vets made its triumphant return after nearly four years. YLS treated our amazing veterans at the VA in Baldwin to a fun evening of great barbeque and bingo! Thank you to chair Katrina Mosciski for organizing such an amazing event. Thank you to the volunteers who helped make this event a success!

On March 23, 2023, YLS hosted a Tequila Tasting at Eola Lounge. Attendees were treated to different popular brands of Tequila and learned the history behind Tequila. The event was an excellent follow-up to last year’s Whisky Tasting. Thank you to chairs James Davis and Eloisa Pino Hicks for organizing this awesome event! YLS continued its momentum in April! On April 1st and April 20th, YLS hosted its annual Wills for Heroes event. This year we were only to help over a hundred heroes in Central Florida, including deputy sheriffs and police officers, with their estate planning. Thank you to chairs Linnea Eberhart and Cooper Powell for continuing this event’s success! Special shout out to all the volunteers!

On April 21, 2023, YLS held its April luncheon. James Greene from the FBI Tampa Field Office provided an amazing presentation on all the roles an attorney can take on as a legal advisor to the FBI. Everyone in attendance also received CLE credit!

On May 13, 2023, YLS will hold its annual field day at Great Oaks Village. Volunteers will spend the afternoon with the children participating in traditional field day games including water balloon toss, three legged race, tug-of-war, and many more!

YLS will put on its first ever End of the Year Happy Hour on May 17, 2023, to honor all of the sponsors that have made this year a success. Thank you to our amazing sponsors whose contributions have made it all possible!

On May 19, 2023, YLS will host its Pass the Gavel ceremony. The gavel will officially pass to YLS 2023-2024 President Lauren Reynolds. True to tradition, past YLS presidents are sure to give her sage advice for her new role. Congrats and good luck Lauren! Vaughn G.S. Glinton, Esq., is an attorney with Jackson Lewis P.C., where he practices employment law. He has been a member of OCBA since 2017.

Voluntary BarNews

SideBar

Summer is in full swing but our voluntary bar associations are still at work. Here are some of the amazing events that our voluntary bar associations have had this Spring.

The Hispanic Bar Association of Central Florida

On February 28, 2023, the Hispanic Bar Association of Central Florida (HBACF) hosted their first in person luncheon of the year at the Orange County Bar Association. Then on March 21, 2023, HBACF hosted a complimentary virtual luncheon titled “Challenges to Ethical Legal Practice” with speaker Juan Carlos Arias.

On March 23, 2023, the HBACF hosted a “Conozca Sus Derechos Penales” session at the Orlando Public Library where members fluent in Spanish provided legal information to Spanish speakers needing legal help.

Then on March 25, 2023, members of the HBACF participated in the Orange County Bar Association’s Law Day 5K. Finally, on April 26, 2023, the Hispanic Bar Association of Central Florida hosted a Path to the Bench luncheon moderated by the Honorable Gisela Laurent.

The Greater Orlando Asian American Bar Association

On January 26, 2023, The Greater Orlando Asian American Bar Association (GOAABA) hosted a Lunar New Year celebration at Dim Dim Sum.

Then on February 23, 2023, GOAABA joined the Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers (CFAWL), and The Paul C. Perkins Bar Association (PCPBA) for a “Love Yourself, Love Others, Love Among the Voluntary Bar Organizations” Wall Crawl Event. Finally on March 2, 2023, GOAABA hosted a Coffee with the Court with Judge Steve Jewett, Judge Jeanette Dejuras Bigney, Judge Gisela T. Laurent and Judge Luis F. Calderon at the Orange County Bar Association.

The Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers

On March 3, 2023, CFAWL teamed up with the Orange County Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section (OCBA YLS) and hosted a panel on preparing and having a family as a lawyer at the Citrus Club. A special thank you to panelists: Sarah Rodriguez, Charity Tonelli and Judge Denise Beamer for sharing your words of wisdom.

In honor of the 2023 National Women’s History Month’s Theme “Celebrating Women who tell Our Stories” CFAWL hosted a courthouse tour and lunch with the PACE center for Girls on March 24, 2023. The event included a tour of the courthouse lead by Judge Denise Beamer and concluded with an interactive lunch session. The luncheon featured panelists: Judge Gisela T. Laurent, Judge Tarlika Nunez Navarro, Trial Clerk Meisha Lawrence, and attorneys Sharlene Stanford and Alena Baker. Thank you to Leia Leitner for moderating the luncheon and thank you as well to CFAWL members Meranda Landes, Ruchi Kapadia and Kay Phatprasit who joined the girls on their tour and answered questions.

Then on March 26, 2023, CFAWL members attended the Florida Association for Women Lawyers (FAWL) Lobby Days in Tallahassee. On March 30, 2023, CFAWL members Marina Ellis and Vanessa Clark hosted a “Friends” themed Table for 8 at Tuttu Café (aka Baldwin Perk) in Baldwin Park with food and trivia.

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.

CFAWL,

and

Love Yourself, Love Others, Love Among the Voluntary Bar Associations Wall Crawl Event

GOAABA Lunar New Year Celebration

First row: Onchantho Am, Christine Berk, Judge Vincent Chiu, XiXi Li, Cynthia Winter, Orange County Major Jerry L. Demings, Cathleen Winter, Kenway Wong, Vanessa Braga, Vi Ma, S. Joe Panyanouvong; Second row: Jay Shah, Kim Gray, Amy Akamine, Alisha Haste, Alicia Chiu, Joe Braga; Third row: Scott Leitner, Jim Chung, Annie Kwong, Leia Leitner, Eric Bensen, Ani Newbern, Scott Newbern, Kevin Fedotov, Katie Nguyen; Fourth row: Andrew Reath, Anthony Thompson, David Yau, Eugene Stilianopoulos, Jimmy Pham, Stephen Chong, Judge Andrew Bain

GOAABA’s Coffee with the Court

First row: XiXi Li, Judge Luis F. Calderon, Christine Berk, Cynthia Winter, Judge Jeanette Dejuras Bigney, Cathleen Winter, Andrew Reath, Kenway Wong, Sharlene Stanford; Second row: Ayana Barrow, Judge Steve Jewett, Judge Gisela T. Laurent, Jessica Travis

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ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY NEEDED IN NEW SMYRNA BEACH. Wright & Casey, PA has an opening for a 1-4 year attorney to join our community association and litigation team. Experience in both condo/HOA law and civil litigation preferred. We offer competitive pay and benefits. Please send your resume and cover letter (or email) to basey@surfcostlaw.com. All submissions will be held in the strictest confidence.

THE STATE ATTORNEY’S OFFICE FOR THE NINTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT is seeking Assistant State Attorneys with a minimum of (7) years of criminal law experience to serve in our Homicide Unit. Prior experience as a prosecutor is preferred but is not required if the applicant has experience handling homicide cases as defense counsel. The candidate must have experience in conducting jury trials, evidentiary hearings, and handling expert testimonies. Applicant should be comfortable working closely with victim advocates, homicide survivors, and our law enforcement partners. Applicant will have a work record that reflects good judgment, a passion for justice and a commitment to the office’s mission of ensuring public safety through prosecution that is just, transparent, and fair to the people we serve. Salary: $90,000.00 (commensurate with experience) Please send a cover letter, resume,

and two references via e-mail to ASA-Recruiting@sao9.org.

DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Great opportunity for advancement for an attorney with excellent writing skills. You will have the ability to participate in and manage a caseload to prepare for trial and also to use your research and writing skills to prepare for trial and also to use your research and writing skills to prepare briefs at the trial and appellate level. Interesting issues, fast-paced environment, excellent compensation, great people to work with. Send your resume ASAP to mheaberlin@gobelflakes. com

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: dianna@vasko.net

DOWNTOWN ORLANDO

LAW FIRM seeking a BI Insurance Defense trial paralegal. Starting salary of $95,000 annually with a $5,000 signing bonus. All applications will be kept confidential. Please send resumes to mheaberlin@gobelflakes.com

ESTABLISHED DOWNTOWN ORLANDO LAW FIRM IS SEEKING AN ATTORNEY WITH 5+ YEARS OF LITIGATION EXPERIENCE with the ability to manage a case load. Federal Court experience is a plus. Candidate must have strong research skills and be an excellent writer. Our compensation package will exceed expectations for the right candidate. Please send resume to mheaberlin@gobelflakes.com.

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 close-knit 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

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

$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.

INEXPENSIVE OFFICE

SPACE 2 BLOCKS FROM DR. PHILLIPS PERFORMANCE

CENTER, has 545 Delaney St., Bldg. #5, includes free ample parking and shared use of a nice conference room. Larger office $900; Smaller office $600. Please leave a voice mail at 407-228-9522 or email Raymer@maguire-EminentDomain.com

2680 SF OFFICE SPACE

AVAILABLE located on beautiful Lake Eola. Fully renovated suite with 5 private offices or conference rooms, 4 secretarial stations, located one block fro the Orange County Courthouse. Amenities include common breakroom and reception services. For further information, please call: (407) 843-2111 or email: Lskinner@ fisherlawfirm.com

CLASS A OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT – located in the heart of downtown Orlando at the Plaza building. Furnished for attorneys and assistants. All office amenities included. Great views with balcony. Call 407-999-9955 or email inquiries to jsherris@sherrislegal. com or receptionist@sherrislegal.com

OCBA Installation Luncheon

Thursday, May 18, 2023

11:30

MAY - JUNE

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.

Trial Lawyers Bootcamp

A one-day bootcamp training program for young lawyers featuring trial lawyers from Florida and across the U.S. Based on the fictional trial of Al Capone for the St. Valentine's Day Massacre on February 14, 1929, this training will cover topics including opening statements, direct examination, cross-examination, closing arguments, and a discussion with federal judges on what they want from a trial lawyer.

Presented by:

June 2, 2023

George C. Young

Federal Annex Courthouse 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Sponsored by: