Navigation The First Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission interviewed 10 applicants to fill the vacancy on the Okaloosa County Court created by the elevation of Judge Jonathan Schlechter. Following deliberations, the JNC nominates the following individuals (in alphabetical order and without any preference) to Gov. Ron Desantis: Casey Etheridge
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May 1, 2025 News and Notes
Joanne M. O’Connor of Jones Foster, recently served as a member of a merit selection panel for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida to consider the reappointment of a federal magistrate judge. Steven M. Harris wrote feature articles, “Firearm Discharge ‘Lawfully Defending Life or Property,’” in the February 2025 issue, and, […]
Full legislature moves court efficiency reforms
Sen. Jennifer Bradley The House has granted final legislative approval to a series of non-controversial statutory revisions designed to make the court system function more efficiently. The House voted 115-0 Tuesday to approve SB 538 by Republican Sen. Jennifer Bradley, a Fleming Island attorney.
Partner of Butler Weihmuller Katz Craig LLP: HB 1551 ‘takes away a tried and true mechanism’
Matthew Lavisky, a partner at Butler Weihmuller Katz Craig LLP, said House Bill 1551 reinstates excessive attorney fees and undermines previous insurance litigation reforms. “We have experts making $86,000 for testifying as to what another lawyer ought to make for suing an insurance company,” said Lavisky. “There was already a proposal for settlement mechanism… This […]
Legislative affairs director for Gov. DeSantis on tort reform: ‘Florida finally stabilized its insurance market’
Peter Cuderman, Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs of the Executive Office, said that Florida’s insurance market has stabilized following major tort reforms. These changes have resulted in more insurers entering the market, lower costs, and fewer lawsuits. “Florida finally stabilized its insurance market after landmark tort reforms in 2022 and 2023,” said Cuderman. “12 […]