February 2016 Barrister Online - BCBA's Monthly Digital Publication.

Broward County Bar Association

Barrister Online

February 2016

ON THE COVER:

This month's issue features article around the theme of love as it relates to jobs, communication and the law.

To view this month's full publication Click HERE!

A Letter from the BCBA President

by Robin S. Moselle

In Remembrance

The close of 2015 brought with it the passing of three Broward County attorneys, each who epitomized the very best in our legal profession. I had the honor of knowing these three notable individuals, and each contributed to the Broward County Bar Association in their own unique way.

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A Letter from the YLS President

by Jeffrey M. Wank

Social Media Pitfalls

As young lawyers, we are all plugged-in. In fact, most "seasoned" lawyers are also connected and in tune with current social media sites. Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter are some of the popular social media outlets that most lawyers are familiar with, and likely use on a daily basis. Naturally, one can see the benefit and upside to having a social media presence. For starters, it provides more visibility, name recognition and an alternative way to interact with potential clients and your network. There are even specific groups designed to refer cases. Thus, social media can be a huge benefit to one's practice and a cost-effective way to increase business.

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Our Barrister monthly print publication is directly and digitally mailed to our 3000 Broward County Bar Association Members and available on-line for the entire legal community.

Our upcoming March 2016 issue's deadline is February 10. This is a great opportunity to announce new associates, a change in address, your business and more! Inquire today! Contact us at [email protected].

Diamonds are Forever...Maybe?

by Shari Scalone

There is a long-standing history of presenting an engagement ring as a token of one's devotion and in contemplation of marriage. However, the symbol of eternal love may not culminate in nuptials; as such, the principles of contract law have been used to determine which party gets to keep the engagement ring.

I Love My Job: The Positive Culture of Broward's Legal Aid Organizations

by Melisa Malone

During a recent employee recognition event, Legal Aid Service of Broward County (LAS) and Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida (CCLA) celebrated milestone employment anniversaries for eleven employees. This annual event, held each December, highlights the dedication that employees have for the organizations and for the clients they serve. Here is a listing of their years of service plus what a few of them had to say.

Legal Health Corner: The Language of Love

by Shari Scalone

Lawyers are trained in the art of persuasion and legal discourse, but this skill set may not directly overlap when communicating effectively with a significant other. What is a lawyer to do as Valentine's Day approaches? Luckily, one can get into the spirit of love by reviewing the key concepts described by Gary Chapman, The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate (1995). Chapman begins by explaining that everyone speaks his or her own "love language," the primary method of giving and receiving love. He points out 5 different categories or methods of communicating and expressing love: words of affirmation, acts of service, affection, quality time, and gifts.

2016 Workers' Compensation Conference

by Mary Beth Ricke

Don't Miss the 2016 Workers' Compensation Conference!

Mark your calendars for an exciting and informative conference hosted by the Broward County Bar Association Workers' Compensation Section! On Friday, February 26, 2016, the Section is presenting the

2016 Workers' Compensation Section Conference and Reception: Shaping the Future at the Riverside Hotel in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The conference offers an afternoon of 4.5 General CLE credits and networking, including lunch and a cocktail reception.

It's a TECH-nicality

How to Combat the Seven Financial Problems Facing Law Firms Today

Insights on how to be more profitable and efficient with technology, while saving your clients money at the same time.

by Andy Sokol

This article is part two of the May 2015 Barrister article titled "E-Discovery as an Efficient Tool.". This series focuses on use of the latest legal technology to solve problems law firms face.

Over the last several years, the landscape of the legal industry has drastically changed. In looking to cut costs in a turbulent economy, clients are now challenging the traditional law firm business model. Meanwhile, law firms' costs are increasing.

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Recent Developments in the Law

by Nancy Little Hoffman

U.S. SUPREME COURT STRIKES DOWN FLORIDA'S CAPITAL SENTENCING SCHEME.

In an opinion authored by Justice Sotomayor, the U. S. Supreme Court held that Florida's statutory sentencing scheme violates the Sixth Amendment's right to a trial by an impartial jury, in light of its 2002 opinion in Ring v. Arizona. As did Arizona's, the Florida statute provides that a judge and not the jury makes the critical findings necessary to impose the death penalty. In this case, the maximum punishment the defendant could receive as a result of the jury's verdict was life without parole. Because that punishment was increased by the judge's independent finding of aggravating circumstances, it violated his right to a jury trial. The Court found that the statute's provision for an advisory recommendation by the jury did not satisfy the Sixth Amendment.