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Senior Counsel Section Chairs : ThomasNewcombHyde , ThomasNewcombHyde – AttorneyatLaw & DonSmith , Smith , Tozian , DanielandDavis , P . A .
Thank you to all the lawyers and judges who joined us at our Senior Counsel luncheons . I would like to highlight a few of our interesting speakers who have presented at our luncheons in the last two years .
Our first event in September 2019 was a joint luncheon with the Military and Veterans Affairs Committee featuring Judge Michael Scionti , a decorated combat veteran , discussing the Veterans Treatment Court which he oversees . The goal of the Veterans Treatment Court is to develop treatment plans to meet the individual needs of veterans , rehabilitate them to foster their reintegration into society , and promote safety by lowering crime rates and reducing recidivism . The judge in the Veterans Treatment Court works together with the State Attorney ’ s Office , Public Defender Julianne Holt , and the Veterans Administration to identify mental health and substance abuse risk factors , implement therapeutic measures and incentives to encourage treatment , and develop problemsolving skills for long-term care and recovery .
pleasejoinusfor moreexceptional speakersatthe seniorCounsel luncheons inthefuture .
Our next speaker , United States District Court Judge James S . Moody , Jr . discussed how scammers earn a “ Ph . D . in Fraud ” at our luncheon in November 2019 . He described the prosecution of fraud cases in his court including Nigerian scams on the elderly , where scammers often play on the emotions of their victims by professing their love . Working with the FBI , federal prosecutors work to prevent mail fraud , bank fraud and what Judge Moody referred to as “ love fraud .” Several of Judge Moody ’ s former law clerks were present , including Monica Williams Harris who led the Pledge of Allegiance and Judge Lisa Allen who introduced Judge Moody .
The Law of Drones was the topic of the presentation by Sasha Lohn , the General Counsel and Executive Director of the Sun Coast Police Benevolent Association , at our luncheon in January 2020 . Ms . Lohn bravely demonstrated the operation of a drone at the luncheon . She explained that under Florida law , a drone is a powered , aerial vehicle
Speaker Sasha Lohn and the chairs at the luncheon in January 2020 .
that does not carry a human operator , uses aerodynamic forces to provide vehicle lift , can fly autonomously or be piloted remotely , can be expendable or recoverable , and can carry a lethal or nonlethal payload . Drones provide an incomparable opportunity for law enforcement agencies to keep their personnel and the public safe , at a price that allows agencies of almost any size to participate .
Dr . Charles Lockwood , the Dean of the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine , was the speaker at our luncheon in October 2020 . Dr . Lockwood has been at USF since 2014 . He spoke proudly of the College of Medicine , ranked by U . S . News & World Report as one of the best medical schools in research and primary care . He stated that these rankings provide clear and unequivocal evidence of the sustained and disciplined commitment by all of those at USF Health in the pursuit of excellence .
Please join us for more exceptional speakers at the Senior Counsel luncheons in the future . n
join the senior counsel section at hillsbar . com .
Author : Thomas Newcomb Hyde – Attorney at Law
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