The Florida Bar’s Post

If our firm has helped you or one of your clients, we'd be honored if you would nominate us! Clink on the link in the post below and vote "Hendershot Cowart, PC" for Commercial Litigation and Contract Law. #VOTE #LawyerRay

As to my "give back" to all Florida Bar Members to celebrate the start of 44th year, how about a FREE CLE with following approved Florida Bar accreditation: General 2.0 - Professionalism 1.0 - Ethics 1.0 - Technology 1.5. This is a gift from Judge Ralph Artigliere (retired) and me, with help from EDRM - Electronic Discovery Reference Model. Put it in your calendar for June 28th. You can download for 18 months thereafter for full credit. Name of the Course: "My AI Did It!" Is No Excuse for Unethical or Unprofessional Conduct: Consideration of recent case law and ethics opinions. More details to follow.

#Bressler’s Birmingham Office Managing Principal and Management Committee Member Josh Jones has once again been selected to the Birmingham Business Journal's annual “Who’s Who in Law” list! This list recognizes the top leaders in Birmingham’s legal industry. Congratulations to Josh on this recognition! Visit the link below to view the full list of honorees. https://lnkd.in/eyWQsWSk * A subscription may be required   #BBJ #birminghamlawyers #birminghamlawfirms #birminghambusinessjournal #alabamalawyers #alabamalaw #birminghamlegalcommunity

The American Bar Association Annual meeting begins today for a week in Chicago. I’ll be wrapping up my second of three years on the Board of Governors for the organization. The progress we’re making can be slow at times but meaningful. Last week, the Board passed its first five year strategic plan. One of first goals is ensuring that we make the organization the home for ALL lawyers and nurture thriving inclusive member communities. The ABA has already been a home for me since I was a young lawyer. I remember going to my first young lawyer meeting in Scottsdale years ago (note how I am purposely vague on how long ago) and feeling a sense of belonging. I had found my “people”. We have to continue to do this for others. Providing meaning and value to membership is just important, even in (or perhaps especially to) an organization as large as the ABA. As we meet over the next few days; I look forward to continuing to discuss ways we can improve both the organization but the member experience. Already, we are investing more to improve the member experience. A new CLE platform is in the works for example. If you’re around, drop me a line so we can connect and talk.

Honored and humbled to be selected in two practice areas for the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. I am pleased that 15 other attorneys at Seigfreid Bingham, PC were also honored. #bestlawyers #attorneys #estateplanning #taxlaw #realestate #litigation #closelyheldbusiness

Well, everyone has seen that 2025 Best Lawyers is out. I've seen posts ranging from the "I'm honored, humbled, grateful, [insert all the grateful-sounding words here], etc. . . . " to "don't worry if you didn't make the list; these lists don't mean anything." If you weren't nominated, know that you have value!! How you work with people, your work product, and your client service is more important than being on a list. Also, funny story about these lists . . . I have been recognized as One to Watch for construction, corporate, and tax law. Corporate and tax law make sense, but at some point in my career, at least one of my peers nominated me for construction law. Here's the thing: I do NOT practice construction law. I've worked on deals in the construction space, but I'm not a construction lawyer. Nevertheless, thank you to my peers and colleagues who have nominated me over the years!! May we celebrate and be thankful but continue to focus on providing excellent client service and work product.

Know (or admire from afar) someone who has a significant and proven track record of furthering access to justice for people in Ontario? Nominate them for a Guthrie Award by April 5. See details on the streamlined nomination process, and please share: https://bit.ly/3G1G9t3 Image: A round, bronze medal with the words "The Guthrie Medal" embossed on it. Beside it is text that says "Nominate an access to justice champion by April 5. Learn more."

It's great when someone calls you "best." But even better when your peers select you for the 2025 Best Lawyers in America list. Read more about our honorees: https://lnkd.in/enknuQFf

Another great article posted by the Director of Second Look Network at The Sentencing Project regarding use of clemency powers to address excessive sentences. The number of older people in State & Federal prisons is increasing faster than any other age group. How could anyone claim that the point of incarceration was to incapacitate the truly dangerous when there are more people older than 55 in US prisons (165,000) than there are people in the high-crime range of 18-24? Geriatric healthcare in prison is both disgraceful and expensive. It costs on average, 3x more to incarcerate an older person than a younger one. Governor Andy Beshear could help alleviate the excessive costs mass incarceration has incurred on Kentucky as a proponent for second chances, and providing additional resources to protect public education and access to affordable healthcare-basic rights to the citizens of the Commonwealth. #SecondLookLaws #FreeKarenBrown  

Another great article posted by the Director of Second Look Network at The Sentencing Project regarding use of clemency powers to address excessive sentences. The number of older people in State & Federal prisons is increasing faster than any other age group. How could anyone claim that the point of incarceration was to incapacitate the truly dangerous when there are more people older than 55 in US prisons than there are people in high crime range of 18-24? Geriatric healthcare in prison is both disgraceful and expensive. It costs on average, 3x more to incarcerate an older person than a younger one. National survey data according to the Prison Policy Initiative show that most victims support violence prevention, social investment, and alternatives to incarceration that address the root causes of crime, not more investment in carceral systems that cause more harm. Governor Andy Beshear could help alleviate the excessive costs mass incarceration has incurred on Kentucky as a proponent for second chances, and providing additional resources to protect public education and access to affordable healthcare-basic rights to the citizens of the Commonwealth. #SecondLookLaws #KyFreeKarenBrown