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Pa t Fr a n k – C l e r k o f C o u r t & C o m p t r o l l e r, T h i r t e e n t h Ju d i c i a l C i r c u i t
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That rule provides three ways an attorney can appear
in a case:
“(1) By serving and filing, on behalf of a party, the
party’s first pleading or paper in the proceeding.
(2) By substitution of counsel, but only by order of
court and with written consent of the client, filed with
the court. The court may condition substitution upon
payment of, or security for, the substituted attorney’s fees
and expenses, or upon such other terms as may be just.
(3) By filing with the court and serving upon all parties
a notice of appearance as counsel for a party that has
already appeared in a proceeding pro se or as co-counsel
for a party that has already appeared in a proceeding by
non-withdrawing counsel.”
As you know, the Clerk’s Office is responsible for
creating and maintaining accurate records of all court
proceedings, including the role of an attorney.
I understand that in court, especially in criminal cases,
a judge is notified orally that an attorney is appearing
for the attorney of record. But often that oral notification
isn’t specific. So unless the court or defendant objects
to the oral notification, the clerks enter the attorney as
co-counsel under Rule 2.505(e)(3). Thus all of those
unwanted notices.
We understand attorneys are busy, and sometimes
circumstances prevent you from filing a written notice.
Being specific in an oral notice allows the clerks to make
that role clear in the court record. It also saves time and
needless effort thereafter, and for corrective filings by the
attorney to amend the role reflected in the court record.
All attorneys and all court clerks must abide by all of the
court rules. By working together, and assiduously following
the court rules, efficiency and camaraderie will prevail.
I look forward to continuing to serve you in a
courteous, professional, and efficient manner in order to
make your practice less stressful. n
Michael Bedke Receives 2019
Florida Bar Foundation Medal of Honor
HCBA member Michael Bedke, a partner with dLA piper’s tampa office, was recognized with the florida Bar
foundation’s 2019 Medal of Honor Award, the foundation’s highest honor, at the florida Bar’s annual convention
in june.
Bedke was recognized for his exceptional dedication to providing pro bono service, his advocacy for Aids
patients and domestic violence survivors both locally and internationally, his invaluable support developing the
no place Like Home program, and his commitment to improving the lives of veterans, disaster survivors and law
students.
Amongst his many achievements, after Hurricane Andrew, Bedke worked to pass good samaritan legislation
Michael Bedke
that removed an impediment to lawyers providing pro bono help to disaster survivors. He also led legal relief
efforts in response to Hurricane iniki in Hawaii, the bombing of the Alfred p. Murrah federal Building in oklahoma City, and the terrorist attack of
september 11, 2001. He founded the greater Access and Assistance project while chair of the ABA’s YLd, modeling it after the Courthouse
Assistance project he created as a member of Bay Area Legal services’ board of directors.
Bedke also has worked on behalf of domestic violence survivors for more than 25 years. He was appointed to the
national Advisory Committee on violence Against women in 2002 and has served on numerous boards working to
improve access to legal help for survivors. He worked with the women’s Caucus of the peruvian parliament
to draft model domestic violence legislation.
As president of the board of Bay Area Legal services in 2015, Bedke spearheaded a fundraising effort that
created a $400,000 endowment for a veterans program. He also led the development and implementation
of Bay Area’s no place Like Home project, which engages rpptL members to provide pro bono help to
low-income homeowners experiencing title issues.
Congratulations to Michael Bedke on this well-deserved recognition!
SEPT - OCT 2019
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HCBA LAWYER
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