July 09, 2009

Judge makes Paris feel comfortable, even in killer heels

Hilton_Paris471 Chief U.S. District Judge Federico Moreno drew one tough assignment — make Paris Hilton feel at ease in his Miami courtroom.

Known for his topical banter, the judge was off the wall making Hilton laugh as the trial began.

She arrived with bodyguards in a gas-guzzling SUV and got no special perks from the court. The celebrity party girl walked in wearing a black-and-white ensemble and killer heels.

Moreno must decide whether the star of "The Simple Life" should pay $8 million demanded by a receiver in a fraud case for a production company that went belly up. She is accused of doing a lot less than her contract required to promote the movie bomb "Pledge This!" featuring Hilton as a sorority president at the fictional South Beach University.

25 Miami-Dade circuit seat finalists made the cut; interviews this month

Gavel4 Interviews are set for 25 finalists seeking to replace retiring Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Thomas Wilson Jr., who is leaving Oct. 1.

Applicants will be questioned July 27-28 at Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton’s Coral Gables offices.

The Miami-Dade Judicial Nominating Commission received 43 applications. Four finalists also are candidates hoping to pre-empt what already promises to be a contentious election season: Miami criminal defense attorneys Miguel de la O and Milton Hirsch, family lawyer Patricia Kopco and Samantha Ruiz Cohen, who is of counsel with Bennett Aiello Cohen & Fried.

The other finalists are:

Antonio Arzola

Victoria R. Brennan

Tanya J. Brinkley

Joseph I. Davis Jr.

Robin Faber

Alan S. Fine

Robert B. Galt III

Darrin Phillip Gayles

Steven Grossbard

Andrew Stuart Hague

Norma Shepard Lindsey

Bronwyn C. Miller

Anita Margot Moss

Gordon Murray

Edward Newman

Maria D. Ortiz

Alan D. Sackrin

Lourdes Simon

Marie Jo Toussaint

Lisa Sharon Walsh

Deborah White-Labora

Attorneys who applied but didn’t make the cut:

Olanike Annette Adebayo

William Altfield

Maria T. Armas

Beverly D. Eisenstadt

Ivy R. Ginsberg

Michaelle Gonzalez Paulson

Monica Gordo

Bonita Jones-Peabody

Kristi Flynn Kassebaum

Andreas M. Kelly

Robert James Kuntz, Jr.

Fleur J. Lobree

Stephen Mechanic

Alicia M. Otazo-Reyes

Jeffrey Joseph Pardo

Margaret A. Rosenbaum

Mercedes Saladrigas

Alan Adrian Taylor

July 08, 2009

46 apply for open Miami-Dade circuit judge position

Gavel4 The Miami-Dade Judicial Nominating Commission has received 46 applications to fill the circuit court slot opened by the resignation of Circuit Judge Thomas Wilson Jr., who is leaving Oct. 1.

Five applicants also are election candidates hoping to pre-empt what already promises to be a contentious election season: Miami criminal defense attorneys Miguel de la O and Milton Hirsch, family lawyer Patricia Kopco, Devine Goodman Rasco & Wells partner Robert Kuntz Jr. and Samantha Ruiz Cohen, who is of counsel with Bennett Aiello Cohen & Fried. Kuntz also applied to fill the seat vacated by former Miami-Dade County Judge Ada Beatriz Pozo but was not among the finalists announced last month.

Markowitz Davis Ringel & Trusty partner Joseph I. Davis, Fowler White Burnett shareholder A. Margot Moss, Assistant Public Defender Lourdes Simon and Assistant State Attorney Marie Jo Toussaint are finalists for Pozo’s position who applied for Wilson’s slot.

The other applicants are:

Olanike Annette Adebayo

William Altfield

Maria T. Armas

Antonio Arzola

Victoria R. Brennan

Tanya J. Brinkley

Joseph I. Davis Jr.

Beverly D. Eisenstadt

Robin Faber

Alan S. Fine

Robert B. Galt III

Darrin Phillip Gayles

Ivy R. Ginsberg

Michaelle Gonzalez Paulson

Monica Gordo

Steven Grossbard

Andrew Stuart Hague

Bonita Jones-Peabody

Kristi Flynn Kassebaum

Andreas M. Kelly

Norma Shepard Lindsey

Fleur J. Lobree

Stephen Mechanic

Bronwyn C. Miller

Anita Margot Moss

Gordon Murray

Edward Newman

Maria D. Ortiz

Alicia M. Otazo-Reyes

Jeffrey Joseph Pardo

Margaret A. Rosenbaum

Alan D. Sackrin

Mercedes Saladrigas

Lourdes Simon

Alan Adrian Taylor

Lisa Sharon Walsh

Deborah White-Labora

July 01, 2009

Next step for Broward Courthouse task force: Community advocates

Courtroom Members of the Broward Courthouse task force can look forward to a new title: "The Speakers Bureau for the Need for a New Courthouse."

During the fourth meeting of the task force Tuesday, County Commissioner Ilene Lieberman told members that since they had wrapped up planning duties for a new courthouse, they would have to go out in the community and advocate for it.

Looking forward, the task force members intend to create slide-show presentations, and hit up events, such as Rotary Club meetings and Bar events, to drum up support for the courthouse. They could continue to meet tri-annually.

The new plan calls for a 719,000-square-foot courthouse with 17 floors, including a shell floor that can be built out when needed. It is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2013, and should provide adequate space through 2020 or 2030. The project is eligible for federal stimulus money.

During the final planning meeting on Friday, task force members discussed the need to move up the proposed timetable.

Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler contended that his administration is fast-tracking the project, and the county should do the same.

"It seems like we’re going in the wrong direction," Seiler said. He said the project could help stimulate the economy, and it would be cheaper to build it now.

The courthouse project will be presented to the County Commission on Aug. 4. By that date, the clerk’s office also will present how much space it will need in the future. The clerk’s office aims to go paperless by 2012, but doesn’t know if it will still need all the storage space for paper files.

June 26, 2009

Spechler loses in spat against chief judge

Spechler_BELL Former Broward County Judge Jay Spechler’s nearly yearlong legal fight against the circuit’s chief judge for banishing him from the main courthouse has ended.

On Thursday, a three-judge appellate panel affirmed a federal judge’s decision to dismiss Spechler’s wrongful termination and false light suit against Broward Chief Judge Victor Tobin.

Spechler sued Tobin in Broward Circuit Court last July, claiming that his reassignment from the main courthouse in Fort Lauderdale to a satellite courthouse was "bogus" and forced him to quit. He contended that Tobin’s lack of comment to the press about the incident cast him in a bad light.

He wanted a judge to declare he is eligible for reinstatement, his banishment was unconstitutional and his reassignment was a sham.

The state attorney general’s office, which represented Tobin, removed the case to federal court.

In December, U.S. District Judge Federico Moreno dismissed the case, ruling that Tobin is protected by qualified immunity and Spechler lacked standing.

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the ruling in a three-paragraph unsigned decision Thursday. Summing up Moreno’s reasons for dismissing the case, the court wrote, "The district court reviewed Spechler’s claims ... and, in any event, they have no merit."

Tobin declined to comment on the decision.

Spechler and his attorney did not return calls for comment.

June 25, 2009

Klock noticeably absent from Steel Hector reunion

Klock_Joe When more than 100 former Steel Hector & Davis alumni gathered for the first reunion of lawyers from the defunct firm, one was noticeably absent: Joseph Klock Jr.

Klock, who was blamed by many for the demise of the once venerable Miami law firm, was a no-show. One alum who attended said many of the guests openly wondered to the end of the event if he’d show. Some openly criticized their one-time leader during the get-together held over the weekend at the rooftop Cabana One Lounge & Pool Club at the Mayfair Hotel & Spa in Miami’s Coconut Grove.

Another alumnus who didn’t attend said there was a lot of speculation about whether Klock would show.

"I’m not surprised only because I know when Joe stepped down as managing partner in 2005, there wasn’t a lot of love lost," the alumnus said on condition of anonymity.

Klock was forced to step down as the firm’s finances soured. Many of the firm’s former partners blame international growth driven by Klock for Steel’s reversal of fortunes. The firm was eventually forced into a merger with Squire Sanders & Dempsey in 2005.

Klock left for Epstein Becker & Green in February 2007 and became a name partner this year at Rasco Klock Reininger Perez Ezquenazi Vigil & Nieto in Coral Gables.

Abbe Mald Bunt, who served as Steel Hector’s director of recruitment before becoming president of a Fort Lauderdale-based legal search firm bearing her name, said Klock was a major force within the firm.

"I spent 11 years there. There’s no one who didn’t know he was credited with building the firm," Mald Bunt said. "He brought me down 20 years ago from New York. Many people’s careers started under Joe Klock’s leadership at the firm."

Klock did not return a call for comment.

"I would say his absence was noted," Mald Bunt said. For the rest, she said, "There was so much love, hugging and kissing going around. This was like going to the family reunion you truly look forward to."

Third judicial candidate from Broward PD office files

Gavel-Color There must be something in the water at the Broward public defender’s office. Maybe it’s the pay.

Assistant Public Defender Robert Jakovich is the third veteran attorney working for Howard Finkelstein to file to run for the bench in 2010.

Jakovich has worked for the public defender’s office for 25 years since interning there during law school. He has spent the past two years representing convicted, sexually violent predators facing involuntary Jimmy Ryce civil commitments. He previously represented defendants charged with everything from murder to drunken driving and has had more than 200 jury trials.

Jakovich joins Chief Assistant Public Defender Mindy Solomon and Assistant Public Defender Sandra Perlman on the 2010 ballot.

When asked why so many public defenders have filed to run this year, Jakovich responded: "It’s become apparent to most people that unless you’re a Republican, in my opinion, that you’re never going to get appointed through the Judicial Nominating Committee [sic] process, and this is really the only venue open to us."

Jakovich will be running against family law practitioner Rhoda Sokoloff for the seat being vacated by Linda Vitale in his first attempt to become a judge.

"I have the experience, I have the qualifications," Jakovich said. "I have been in this community and this courthouse long enough to really understand the nature and everything that goes on around here."

June 24, 2009

Lunch landscape changes again

Manny's signAnother power lunch spot is no more.

Manny’s Steakhouse is gone, and Miami’s Chophouse is in. The change comes on the heels of the sudden closure of Prime Blue Grille just across the street.

The name change is the result of a partnership split.

Gone is Minnesota-based Parasole Restaurant Holdings, which took the restaurant’s name with it. Partner Premier Restaurant Management — also of Minnesota — stayed put at 300 Biscayne Blvd. and renamed the upscale eatery Miami’s Chophouse. The name change is still under way, but the logo remains essentially unchanged with the word "Miami’s" replacing "Manny’s" and "Chophouse" replacing "Steakhouse." Without a close look, the change would probably go unnoticed, especially since the phone is still answered: "Manny’s Steakhouse."

Manny’s opened last year on the ground floor of the newly built Met 1 condominium.

Both parties agreed to the name change about five months ago, when Parasole sold its interest in the business to Premier, said Kip Clayton, Parasole vice president of business development.

"We just decided to focus our energies elsewhere, and the partner wanted to continue with the concept," Clayton said.

Restaurateurs Korey Bannerman and Robert Carlson now own Miami’s Chophouse.

For years Parasole has developed and grown restaurants in partnerships to later sell its interest and move on to a next venture, Clayton said.

Parasole, founded about 30 years ago, has become one of the nation’s largest restaurant concept generators, operators and developers, according to its Web site. Two restaurant chains that Parasole spun off are the Oceanaire Seafood Room and Buca di Beppo, Clayton said. Parasole still owns Manny’s Steakhouse in downtown Minneapolis, which opened in the mid-1980s.

June 19, 2009

Mortgage brokers, beware: HUD secretary warns of new accountability

HUD-Shaun-Donovan Mortgage brokers should expect to see changes in how they are paid and will be held accountable for loans they sell, Secretary for Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan said during a keynote speech at the National Association of Real Estate Editors conference in Washington.

Donovan on Thursday said the housing market is showing some signs of stabilization and the Obama administration remains focused on the economy’s recovery. But Donovan said steps are needed "to ensure the kind of behavior that got us into this situation never happens again."

One proposal would require that mortgage brokers get paid based on the loan performance over time, rather than a lump sum at closing.

"The days of lenders and brokers shopping for the most lenient regulators will be over," he added.

The new plan will be designed to "reward responsibility, not recklessness," he said. "It’s real accountability."

Donovan said he met with President Obama on Wednesday to discuss a regulatory plan and new rules. Obama has proposed a new federal regulatory agency, the Consumer Financial Agency, which would have the authority to rewrite the rules governing mortgages and homeowners.

The new rules would require that borrowers receive detailed disclosures on the risks of the mortgages; require lenders to offer "plain vanilla products" that are easy to understand.

The plan being discussed also would restrict or ban prepayment penalties on mortgage loans and would require loan originators and sponsors of securitizations to retain 5 percent of the credit risk.

June 18, 2009

Judge candidate one step closer to dream

Gavel5 Rhoda Sokoloff dreamed about going to law school and becoming a judge since she was 16.

Forty years later, she is one step closer to making that happen.

Sokoloff has filed to run for a seat being vacated by Broward Circuit Judge Linda Vitale. The state’s Elections Division posted her filing Tuesday.

Sokoloff has practiced family law since she graduated from Nova Southeastern University law school in 1999. She has worked as a solo practitioner since 2001 in Fort Lauderdale and serves as a guardian ad litem.

Her road to the race has been a winding one. The Toronto native started her undergraduate degree in her 30s, taking part-time classes. While she worked to complete her degrees during the next nine years, she suffered personal tragedy, including the death of both parents and a brain tumor in her son.

She said her life experiences would help her be a better judge.

"I would be an excellent judge based on all the barriers I had to overcome," Sokoloff said.