Industry News
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Lawyers, We’re Having the Wrong Conversation About AI
Picture this: You’re at a bar function, someone mentions they’re using AI for legal research, and immediately three people jump in with: “Oh, you have to check the citations!”… “It hallucinates!”… “I heard it gave someone completely fake cases!” Yes, we know. That was 2023. Don’t get me wrong—those were valid concerns when ChatGPT first…
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Florida’s New “Gold Standard” and Documentary Stamp Tax
As a real estate lawyer practicing in Lakewood Ranch, our profession constantly navigates the interplay of property law, financial mechanisms, and state taxation. The recent enactment of Florida House Bill 999 (HB 999), effective July 1, 2026, which formally recognizes qualifying gold and silver coins as “specie legal tender,” will undoubtedly have wide-reaching implications. However,…
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I Can’t Get No “Satisfaction”: Florida Supreme Court Tweaks Discovery Timing in Florida Civil Rule 1.280
For the busy Florida litigator, a subtle but significant change to the rules governing the timing of discovery is now in effect. The Florida Supreme Court has amended Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.280(f), a move designed to curb a frustrating delay tactic and streamline the discovery process. In a recent order, the state’s highest…
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Band-Aid, Not a Cure: Medical Debt Banned from Credit Reports
Easing the Burden of a Broken Medical System Millions of Americans burdened by medical debt are about to receive significant financial relief. A new federal rule finalized by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) will remove and prevent all medical debt from appearing on credit reports, significantly improving credit scores and boosting access to loans…
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A Trojan Horse for Insurers? Florida’s 2025 Civil Procedure Rule Changes and their Impact on Injury Claims.
As of January 1, 2025, significant amendments to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure take effect, raising serious concerns about access to justice for consumers, particularly in the context of injury claims against insurance companies. As someone who follows legal trends and advocates for consumer protection, I’ve been closely examining these changes, especially in light…
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The Right to Repair is the Right to be Free From Tyranny
From Light Bulbs to Washing Machines. A Culture of Disposable Tech. In the 1920s, a cartel of lightbulb manufacturers, including Osram, Philips, and General Electric, banded together and agreed to intentionally shorten the lifespans of light bulbs that they manufactured. A light bulb that breaks is a light bulb that needs to be replaced. A…
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New Florida Law Aims to Keep Unsuspecting Buyers From Being Flooded by Loopholes
Florida is a state that is prone to flooding. This is due to a number of factors, including the state’s low-lying geography, its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, and its susceptibility to hurricanes. 2024 has definitely been one for the books, but it is likely to be a glimpse of…
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Old School Bankruptcy Exemption Gets a Modern Facelift
A Victory for Florida Debtors. There was a recent change to Florida law that benefits the vast majority of individuals filing for bankruptcy protection in Florida. Specifically, the change in law provides a long-overdue increase to the bankruptcy property exemptions that Florida debtors are able to claim. What’s a Bankruptcy Property Exemption? When facing financial…
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Lawyers, Don’t Fear the Reaper
A.I. may be new and scary, but the legal profession should embrace it, not bogeyman it. One of the benefits of being a licensed Florida attorney is that, every month, without fail, I receive a nice, crisp copy of The Florida Bar News. This month was like no other as I recently received the September…
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Contracts of Adhesion, Binding Arbitration, and The House Of Mouse
Is clicking “I agree” a ticking timebomb? In the digital age, the seemingly innocuous act of clicking “I agree” on a terms and conditions agreement can have far-reaching implications for our legal rights. This is particularly true when it comes to arbitration clauses, which can significantly limit consumers’ ability to seek justice. A recent Florida…