As South Florida’s industry sectors become increasingly diversified, the legal landscape has become more complex, with clients demanding a high level of service and sophistication in all practice areas. SFBW understands how much the region’s success depends on top-flight attorneys and are celebrating their accomplishments, acumen, and dedication with the Legal Awards.

John will be officially recognized as the Social Impact Honoree, during the in-person joint Awards Ceremony and Legal Guide Release Party on November 4th, 2021, at the Museum of Discovery and Science.

Click here for more information about the event.

The post WSHC+B Partner Recognized as Social Impact Honoree for the South Florida Business & Wealth 2021 Legal Awards appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

On March 31, 2015, Jamie Cole, Robert Meyers and Anthony Soroka provided ethics training to the members of the Broward City County Management Association (BCCMA) at the Carolina Club in Margate.  A large number of city managers of the municipalities in Broward County were in attendance and participated in the training.

Jamie Cole gave a presentation on International City County Management Association (ICMA) and Florida City and County Management Association (FCCMA) Ethical Standards.  Robert Meyers gave a presentation on State Ethics Laws.  Anthony Soroka gave a presentation on Public Records and the Sunshine Law.

The post Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman Attorneys provide ethics training to members of BCCMA appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

Author(s): Brooke P. Dolara

The post Florida Bar Says Undocumented Status Does Not Automatically Disqualify Applicant from Practicing Law appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

The 2013 Legislature created a new section entitled “dual public employment” prohibiting state and local elected officials from accepting public employment with the state or local governments unless certain conditions are met. The new law also covers public officers employed by public agencies before qualifying for office and permits the public officer to continue his or her public employment, but delineates steps that must be taken before the individual is promoted or receives additional compensation if such advancement occurs after he or she qualifies for office or is elected.

Other noteworthy amendments to the state ethics laws include revisions to the voting conflicts section of state ethics law by defining two important phrases: “principal by whom retained” and “special private gain or loss.” Furthermore, under the revised law, a public officer who establishes a qualified blind trust will be permitted to vote on matters pertaining to his or interests in the blind trust.

Financial disclosure was addressed by the 2013 Florida Legislature as well. The most controversial change was to treat an amended statement of financial interests filed prior to September 1 as the original regardless of whether a complaint is filed against the elected official based on the initial filing. Beginning with 2012 filing year, all financial disclosure forms filed with the state ethics commission must be scanned and made publicly available by the commission through a searchable Internet database.

Lastly, the 2013 ethics amendments prohibit reporting individuals (local elected officials and specified local government employees) from accepting a gift from a vendor doing business with the reporting individual’s agency in excess of $100.00 and establish an outright ban on gifts to the reporting individual and the individual’s immediate family from a political committee.

With more than thirty attorneys practicing day-to-day municipal law, WSH’s Local Government Law Division is one of the largest in the country. The Group includes many former city and county attorneys, and those that are Florida Bar Board Certified in this specialty. In addition, WSH attorneys include former State and local bar presidents and members of the Florida Bar Board of Governors. Our attorneys have extensive experience representing both elected and appointed government officials and local governments before local and State ethics commissions.

Robert Meyers, Of Counsel to WSH, is the immediate past Executive Director of the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust. As the Ethics Commission’s chief executive officer for the past thirteen years, he oversaw all operations, including enforcement, advice-giving and training/education. Robert frequently lectures on topics of ethics, governance, and leadership.

Author(s): Robert Meyers

The post Ethics Reform – A Primer for 2013 appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

The post Cities Spot ‘Sponsorship’ Loophole in Broward Ethics appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

Citing “acts of incivility among members of the legal profession,” the Florida Supreme Court modified the oath of admission to the Florida Bar to include a pledge that lawyers treat their adversaries with civility. The oath of admission now includes the following sentence:

“To opposing parties and their counsel, I pledge fairness, integrity, and civility, not only in court, but also in all written and oral communications.”

The new oath is effective immediately, and no rehearing is permitted.

You can read the entire oath of admission here.

Author(s): Brooke P. Dolara

The post Florida Supreme Court Now Requiring Attorneys To Be Civil appeared first on Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman.

Facing decades in federal prison, Rothstein has been offering testimony against individuals he alleged were complicit in the Ponzi scheme in an effort to reduce his sentence. Rothstein alleged that high-ranking bank officials participated in the Ponzi scheme, including John Harris of Gibraltar Bank and officials from TD Bank.

WSH Partner-in-Charge Michael S. Popok, who represents Harris, challenged Rothstein’s baseless allegations, stating that “the only thing [John Harris] ever did was go to a Dolphins game with a high-end client.” Miami attorney Eugene E. Stearns, who represents Gilbraltar Bank, responded that Rothstein is a “pathological liar” and that Gibraltar routinely investigates new investors to prevent fraud.

Rothstein’s mea culpa and offer of cooperation was unpersuasive to the sentencing judge; subsequent to his deposition testimony, Rothstein was sentenced to fifty years in federal prison.

To read a copy of the article, click here.

Author(s): Brooke P. Dolara

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