ABOTA Fort Lauderdale

Updated Program Schedule for 26th Annual FLABOTA Convention; July 25-27 Boca Raton Marriott

FLABOTA President Jeff Adelman goes over the agenda for the 26th Annual FLABOTA Convention at the end of July, 2024. Just added!!  Maegen Luka will be going over the recent changes to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure! For registration and sponsorship opportunities, contact us at flabota@florida.org or call Jeff directly at 754-702-7316. Can't wait to see you there!  Here the rundown: THURSDAY, JULY 25; 5:30PM – 7:00PM Welcome Reception 7:30PM – 9:30PM Private Dinner (invite only) FRIDAY, JULY 26 8:00AM – 8:30AM Continental Breakfast 8:30AM – 8:45AM CLE Program Introductions 8:45AM – 9:35AM Ethics for the Skilled Civil Trial Lawyer Ed Cheffy, Cheffy Passidomo, P.A. 9:35AM – 9:50AM Sponsor Networking Break  9:50AM – 10:40AM Why We Need HB617 (Law Clerks for Circuit Court Judges) Florida State Representative Michael Beltran Update on the Rules of Civil Procedure Changes Maegen Peek Luka, Newsome Melton Law Firm  10:40AM – 10:55AM Sponsor Networking Break  10:55AM – 11:45AM Artificial Intelligence: How and When Should We Use It Jon Garon, Professor of Law Nova Southeastern University   11:45AM – 12:00PM Sponsor Networking Break 12:00PM – 1:00PM Fireside Chat: Florida Supreme Court Justice Renatha Francis Moderated by Judge Nelly Khouzam 3:00PM – 4:00PM FLABOTA Board of Directors Meeting 6:00PM – 8:00PM Awards Reception SATURDAY, JULY 27 8:30AM – 10:00AM Past Presidents Breakfast (invite only) 5:00PM – 7:00PM Cocktail Reception 7:00PM – 10:00PM Awards and Installation Banquet CLE program APPROVED by The Florida Bar for 4 General, 1 Ethics, 1 Professionalism, 1 Technology, and 4 Civil Trial Certification Credits

FLABOTA presents: National ABOTA President - La’Verne Edney, Standing up for our jury system

FLABOTA President Jeff Adelman interviews National President La'Verne Edney regarding her open letter to ABOTA members in the aftermath of unfair attacks on jurors and the justice system after the recent "hush money" trial of Donald Trump in New York. She wrote: "STAND UP FOR OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM: DEFEND THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY Dear ABOTA Members: As trial lawyers, we know that the diligent work of judges and jurors is paramount to a functional democracy. Recently, the world watched as twelve ordinary citizens listened to six weeks of evidence, deliberated for two days, and served as judges of the facts during the trial of a former President. The burden of responsibility shouldered by the presiding judge, jurors, and trial lawyers was enormous. Yet, the very process that guarantees everyone’s rights, was attacked. We must stand up for the twelve members of the community who completed their civic duty in the most challenging of circumstances. No single person or entity can control the law for their own purposes. Further supporting that principle, our system of checks and balances guaranteed by the right to appeal is engrained in our history and consciousness. It signifies our Nation’s respect for the opinions of mankind. It remains our pathway to preserve the rights of all people in a democratic society. ABOTA will not stop fighting for the right to trial by jury. It works. It gives voice to justice. It preserves our humanity. The judge and jurors who sacrificed six weeks of their lives deserve our gratitude and respect. As ABOTA members, I hope you will join me in standing strong for the integrity of the third branch of government. We know there is more work to be done. I urge you to actively oppose those who unfairly attack the citizens serving as jurors and the judges who protect and defend our Constitution. Give your voice to promoting and maintaining reverence for our system of justice. It is the responsibility of each of us, as leaders of our profession, to be active and vocal guardians of the right to trial by jury. Sincerely, A. La'Verne Edney National President  For more information about the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and what we stand for, go to www.abota.org [http://www.abota.org/] . Ms. Edney can be reached at LaVerne.Edney@butlersnow.com [https://butlersnow.com] . This podcast was produced on June 13, 2024, by host Jeff Adelman (jeff@lawbni.com [https://lawbni.com]) and Mitch Chester at https://mitchellchester.commchester@mitchellchester.com [https://mitchellchester.com]) for the Florida Chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates and the Fort Lauderdale Chapter. Video production performed by proud FLABOTA sponsor Trilogy Trial Consultants www.trilogytrial.com [http://www.trilogytrial.com/] . For more information about the Florida Chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates, go to www.flabota.org [http://www.flabota.org/] . For information regarding the Ft. Lauderdale ABOTA chapter, go to www.abotaftl.org [http://www.abotaftl.org/] . All video podcasts are also available on your favorite audio podcast platforms including: Apple Podcasts, go to https://shorturl.at/hFMY5 [https://shorturl.at/hFMY5]  Spotify: https://shorturl.at/abcdm. [https://shorturl.at/abcdm]

FLABOTA Podcast: Ret. Judge Jennifer Bailey

Retired Judge Jennifer Bailey has important messages for the civil trial bar and Judiciary. In this inspiring interview the innovative jurist carefully analyzes why there are not as many lawyers with civil trial experience as there used to be, especially following the height of the challenges and changes produced by COVID-19. Her Honor also explains concerns about the “Graying of the Trial Bar,” as it impacts new generations of trial lawyers. The Judge provides simple and easy strategies to educate young litigators to instill greater confidence in an era where less than 3 percent of cases go to full trials, and are often outshined by older, more experienced senior partners. Judge Bailey also proactively discusses: • Active listening during witness examinations, • Using Zoom to educate practitioners by watching other hearings, • Relationship building between advocates and their opponents, and • Going beyond cold emails and developing “Rich Media” communications. The interview also explains how the Eleventh Judicial Circuit General Jurisdiction Division, under her supervision as past Administrative Judge of the Civil Division, tackled the daunting challenges of the pandemic and creatively fashioned juror pool management procedures for trials. Working with the Miami Chapter of ABOTA, the Circuit became a leader in continuing meaningful and productive civil justice at a time of great uncertainty about public health. Now working as a Private Judge, Jennifer Bailey serves the community as an arbitrator and mediator, and also participates with the American Arbitration Association as a panelist. In 2015, she was awarded FLABOTA Jurist of the Year. Very importantly, Judge Bailey travels across the nation to discuss and implement judicial management strategies for civil justice improvement. Every Judge and trial lawyer, every law student, every law professor, and more, can benefit from this heartening and uplifting interview, with your host, Jeffrey Adelman, President of the Florida Chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates. This podcast was produced on May 24, 2024, by Jeff Adelman (jeff@lawbni.com [https://lawbni.com]) and Mitch Chester (mchester@mitchellchester.com [https://mitchellchester.com]) for the Florida Chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates and the Fort Lauderdale Chapter. Video production performed by proud FLABOTA sponsor Trilogy Trial Consultants www.trilogytrial.com [http://www.trilogytrial.com/] . For more information about the Florida Chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates, go to www.flabota.org [http://www.flabota.org/] .

S2 E2 - Alexandra Maddox - Practical uses for AI in Litigation

In this episode, FLABOTA President Jeff Adelman interviews Biomechanical Engineer Alexandra Maddox of CED Technologies about the practical uses of Artificial Intelligence in Litigation. The most visual of our podcast series to date, Ms. Maddox shows how AI can be an effective tool for enhancing video such as surveillance, a staple of personal injury litigation. She will also demonstrate how to make documentation clearer through the proper use of AI. While this is newer technology, and there is understandable fear of AI being abused, Ms. Maddox shows us how beneficial it can be to the presentation of evidence, and how it can actually be a valuable cost saver for tasks in a way that was unthinkable just a few years ago.  *** NOTE, there was a technical problem during the recording of the opening and the visual starts around 1:44 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a90OPg9hXkI&t=104s] of the video. For more information about Alexandra Maddox and CED Technologies, please visit www.cedtechnologies.com . In additional to prior podcast guest Professor Jon Garon of Nova Southeastern University, Ms. Maddox will be a participant in an AI Panel at the annual FLABOTA Convention CLE this year held at the Boca Raton Marriott on July 26, 2024 that you will not want to miss. This podcast was produced on April 11, 2024, by Jeff Adelman (jeff@lawbni.com) and Mitch Chester (mchester@mitchellchester.com) for the Florida Chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates and the Fort Lauderdale Chapter. Video production performed by proud FLABOTA sponsor Trilogy Trial Consultants www.trilogytrial.com . For more information about the Florida Chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates, go to www.flabota.org .

Proposed: Law Clerks for Florida Circuit Court Judges

State Representative Michael Beltran (R-District 70) discusses his proposed legislation, House Bill 617, which would provide law clerks for Circuit Court Judges. This episode explores the reasons which prompted the bill, including: * How this idea will help replicate, for Civil and Criminal Division Judges, some of the advantages enjoyed by Federal Judges in terms of staffing resources; * Addressing the lack of important opportunities which are needed for judicial efficiency when reading briefs, doing research, helping to draft written Orders and in reviewing motions with supporting documents prior to hearings; and * Suggesting how Law Clerks can help Civil Divisions have hearings to achieve faster adjudications by increasing Judicial “bandwidth.” Rep. Beltran also discusses Legislative funding for the Judicial Branch of government in Florida, in a State where the budget is between $115 billion to $120 billion, but only a small percentage of those funds are devoted to the Courts. The Florida Senate Related Bill is SB 1204. The full House Bill text can be seen at https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=79188 [https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=79188]. The Bill was introduced on November 21, 2023, and if enacted, would go into effect July 1, 2024. The podcast was recorded on February 6, 2024. Hosted by Jeffrey Adelman and produced by Mitch Chester. Sponsored by Trilogy Trial Consultants. https://trilogytrial.com/ [https://trilogytrial.com/]