Most of those that work in the legal field are not just busy, they are consumed with the number of tasks they have to perform each day. There is never enough time to get it all done. Increasingly, those tasks no longer lead to lasting results. Instead, there is more busy work that can lead […]
On May 23, 2024, the Florida Supreme Court rewrote the rules of engagement for civil discovery in state court. In re: Amendments to Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, 386 So. 3d 497 (Fla. 2024). The Court adopted sweeping amendments to Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.280, effective January 1, 2025, with further refinements issued on […]
Florida’s first-party property litigation landscape has changed dramatically over the past few years. Pre-suit requirements are stricter, fee shifting has almost disappeared and summary judgment is elusive at best. These changes have altered one central question: When is the right time to mediate? Unfortunately, there is no universal answer. Timing now depends on leverage, risk […]
Mediation in Florida is a decision event, not just a docket event. Florida’s court ordered mediation framework is designed to encourage a real settlement conversation while parties can still control the outcome. When lawyers treat mediation as a procedural checkpoint or just something that must be done in the early stages of a case, the […]
As long as I can remember, the central question in each of the cases I handled on the civil side was “What is the value of this case? What would a jury award if it goes to trial?” As a mediator, I encounter this question every day, and since none of us can truly foresee […]
Atul Gawande’s The Checklist Manifesto was a revolutionary evaluation of how basic checklists and procedures can guarantee error free success time and time again.[1] Many of us may chafe at having to following a basic list of things to do, but his book makes a simple point: no matter how expert we are, a well-designed […]
Last month I discussed observations about a seminar during a recent local Bench and Bar conference hosted by the Hillsborough County Bar Association. Among the many excellent seminars, one stood out to me in particular: a panel of jurors who had served on various civil trials in Hillsborough County. They had returned for the conference […]
I recently had the good fortune to attend the Hillsborough County Bar Association’s Annual Bench and Bar Conference in early October. Among the many excellent seminars, one stood out to me in particular: a panel of jurors who had served on various civil trials in Hillsborough County. They had returned for the conference to discuss […]
Divorce is rarely a simple event, instead it is frequently a process with multiple twists and turns. In Florida, where equitable distribution and time-sharing statutes govern many outcomes, preparation is one of the best predictors of a fair, calm and efficient resolution. Whether you anticipate mediation, collaborative law, or believe litigation is necessary, taking practical […]
Florida’s tort reform, enacted through House Bill 837 in 2023, introduced significant changes to the state’s civil litigation landscape. One notable provision affects how insurers handle liability claims that may exceed policy limits. This blog post explores the use of interpleader in such scenarios and how it is evolving in the current litigation landscape. What […]
Where Persistence Meets Resolution