Reprinted with permission from University of Miami School of Law After years of effort, the Eleanor R. Cristol and Judge A. Jay Cristol Bankruptcy Pro Bono Assistance Clinic recently successfully completed the longest-pending case in the clinic’s history. Since 2010, students of the clinic have lent their time and expertise to assist a client in his effort...Read More

Happy Autumn Business Law Section, As the days grow shorter and the air (hopefully) turns a little crisp, I want to take a moment to thank all of you who have worked to make the first quarter of our bar year a success. Your steady efforts keep our Section thriving and help us prepare for the...Read More

Through a referral from Dade Legal Aid – Put Something Back, I had the privilege of representing an individual in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The client had accumulated significant unsecured medical and credit card debts she could no longer manage, and with her limited resources, she was desperate for a way out. With the assistance...Read More

Providing pro bono services becomes a passion for those who do it. The following are remarks from our newest bankruptcy judge in the Middle District of Florida, the Honorable Luis Rivera.  You too can feel good about what you give back to the community in which you work. Please read Judge Rivera’s words and consider...Read More

Specializing in securities arbitration, commercial litigation, and receivership work, I have been practicing law in Tampa for 30 years. During that time, I am proud to have led the Florida Bar Business Law Section, the Tampa Bay Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, and the Florida Securities Dealers & Advisors association. As a partner at...Read More

Judges fill an integral role on our Executive Council. Meet one of them, Judge Specie. I became licensed to practice in Florida in 1978 and New York in 1979; I attended my first BLS meeting in Orlando in 1980. While in private practice I represented all types of parties in commercial litigation and a wide...Read More

By Deedee Bitran Think Small Businesses Are Immune from Discrimination Laws? Think Again. A recent case involving Jewish therapists facing workplace discrimination has sent a clear message to small employers: being under the 15-employee threshold of Title VII does not give employers a free pass to discriminate. The therapists, who were employed at a practice...Read More

The CFBLA and US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida are both seeking nominations for their pro bono awards. Criteria is below. The Central Florida Bankruptcy Law Association is pleased to announce the return of the Kevin E. Mangum Memorial Pro Bono Excellence Award for 2025. This meaningful recognition celebrates attorneys who demonstrate exceptional commitment...Read More

Happy Monday BLS! Our members are hard at work planning continuing education programs for you throughout the fall. In October we have a number of virtual program offerings: 2025 Legislative Update, Practical Evidence, Drafting and Enforcement of Employment Agreements, and Health and Wellness. Registration is also open for the ever-popular live program View from the Bench in Tampa and Miami, which will likely sell...Read More

By Manny Farach September 20, 2025 Zoble v. Kensington Estates Homeowners Assn of Hillsborough, Inc., Case No. 2D2023-2625 (Fla. 2d DCA 2025). https://2dca.flcourts.gov/content/download/2457438/opinion/Opinion_2023-2625.pdf A community association's exercise of business judgment regarding common area maintenance is subject to the factual question of the whether the association’s right unreasonably interferes with the easement holder’s right to access....Read More