TALLAHASSEE, Oct. 21, 2004 --The Florida Bar Board of Governors has voted to oppose Amendment 3, a proposed constitutional amendment on the November 2 general election ballot that would limit lawyers' contingency fees in medical malpractice and possibly other legal matters.
Bar President Kelly Overstreet Johnson said that "the amendment strikes at fundamental legal rights, and will limit citizen access to our court system - which is of immense concern to the Bar. The Bar's role is to regulate lawyers and protect access to the courts, both of which are affected by Amendment 3."
The proposed amendment - backed by the Florida Medical Association - would limit contingency fees to 30 percent of the first $250,000 awarded and to 10 percent above that amount. The fact that the amendment would further damage a citizen's freedom to contract was another concern voiced by Bar leaders.
"Amendment 3 would place unreasonable limits on the ability of private parties to contract in the normal course of legitimate business, setting a dangerous precedent not only for lawyers but for other professionals," said Johnson.
CONTACT: Jennifer Krell Davis, The Florida Bar
DATE: Oct. 21, 2004
TELEPHONE: 850/561-5669
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SIXTH CIRCUIT JUDICIAL VACANCY
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TALLAHASSEE, Nov. 8, 2004 -- The Sixth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission is now accepting applications to fill an opening on the circuit bench created by the retirement resignation of Judge Susan Schaeffer.
Applicants must be registered Florida voters, members of The Florida Bar in good standing for the preceding five years, and reside in the Sixth Circuit upon assuming office.
Applications may be obtained from The Florida Bar's Web site at www.flabar.org.
An original with nine copies of the completed application must be received by attorney Joshua Magidson, at McFarland, Ferguson, 625 Court Street, Suite 200, Intervest Bank Building, Clearwater, Florida, no later than Monday, November 22, 2004, at 5 p.m. Applicants who fail to strictly comply with the application deadline and filing requirements may be treated as if they had not applied. Those who have submitted applications to the Sixth JNC for recent vacancies must submit new applications.
Applications will be reviewed and nominees selected by the Sixth JNC on or before January 2, 2005. The selected nominees' applications will be sent to Gov. Jeb Bush, who then has 60 days from the receipt of the nominees tomake the appointment.
Applications: click here
CONTACT: Joshua Magidson
DATE: Nov. 8, 2004
TELEPHONE: 727/441-8966
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