OUR BLOG
An Attorney’s Ethical Duties Follow Into His Own Divorce
A lawyer is bound by Bar ethics rules when he is a party in a case the same as if he is acting as an attorney, according to the Florida Supreme Court. The court on July 19 upheld a referee’s finding that an attorney violated several rules by his actions related to his...
There is a Crack in Everything
From time to time I am asked how I cope, spending so much time dealing with peoples’ problems. I find people fascinating, so I can’t say that there has been a whole lot of heavy lifting. I have also been fortunate to work with great people, who make the burden of...
Women are Leaving the Law
In an age when women are graduating from law school at the same rate as men, why are they leaving the profession in such high numbers by age 50 and what can be done about it? These are questions Miami’s Hilarie Bass studied during her term as ABA president. The...
Judges Experience Stress
As compared to the lawyers who appear before them, trial judges have much less control of the outside causes of stress. For example, a family lawyer can control his or her stress level by guiding the case, as in the use of experts, and the use of mediation. There is...
Valuing and Dividing Military Pensions
Valuing and dividing military pension plans poses special challenges to family law practitioners and parties in family law cases. The military's defined benefit pension plan is not governed by ERISA, and maintains a unique and complicated set of plan rules. Because...
The Supreme Court and Family Law
On occasion, the Supreme Court of the United States makes decisions that affect the lives of real people in society. Such was the case of Loving v. Virginia (1967). In the summer of 1958, newlyweds Mildred and Richard Loving faced a choice: spend one year in jail,...
Does Your Wedding Affect the Success of Your Marriage?
Many couples spare no expense selecting the perfect wedding ring and planning an elaborate wedding, considering the financial investment to be an outward expression of love and commitment. But will spending more money ensure a more successful marriage? According to...
The Wisdom of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a Supreme Court Justice, cancer survivor and one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people. The woman knows a thing or two about how to succeed at life. At a Feb. 6 2017 speech at Stanford University, where she is a visiting fellow,...
Letter to a Law School Graduate
Recently, Judge Lane Smith, of Leon County, wrote an open Letter to a Law School Graduate.1 I find it to be instructive to all law school graduates, old and young. Here, I have pulled out some of the highlights. I place a comment after each quote. Diligently...