The Docket January 2021 | Page 16

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review of the Clerk ’ s office 2020 real estate transaction data reveals that we were on an upward trajectory when the COVID- 19 pandemic derailed the upward trend . The second quarter of 2020 reflects a decline
CLERK ’ S CORNER
Karen E . Rushing Clerk of Court and County Comptroller in the recording of Deeds and Notices of Commencement . However , in the third quarter these numbers rebounded and surpassed the 2019 mark . The recording of mortgages has remained strong throughout the year .
Chart 1 ( right ) is a two-year comparison of the monthly recordings for Deeds , Mortgages and Notices of Commencement in Sarasota County .
As discussed earlier this year , case filings have been impacted by the pandemic . A year-over-year review concluded that April 2020 was the low point in civil case initiation filings during the pandemic to date .

CLERK ’ S CORNER Real estate filings seesaw as in the midst of COVID-19

Chart 1 : Monthly Real Estate filings , 2019 vs . 2020
Chart 2 : Civil Court filings , April 2019 vs . April 2020
The legal community is well aware of the Executive Orders and the court ’ s orders at the state and circuit level that impacted case filings . Chart 2 provides a breakdown of the April data by case type .
This office , along with Clerks throughout the state , are closely monitoring the filing data to identify trends and keep stakeholders informed in our communities .
NEWS OF NOTE
n Farr Law Firm announces the addition of Kimberly N . Rubino as an associate attorney in the Punta Gorda office . Rubino is the newest member of the firm ’ s experienced litigation team .
n For the eleventh straight year , Icard Merrill has been named to the list of “ Best Law Firms ” by U . S . News & World Report and Best Lawyers .
n Sarasota Partner , Daniel J . DeLeo , Shumaker , Loop & Kendrick , LLP , was elected to the board of directors for the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce for the 2020-2021 term .
n Sessums Law Group , P . A . has been recognized by U . S . News & World Report and Best Lawyers for being
named to the 2021 Best Law Firms rankings .
n Williams Parker has been named a 2021 “ Best Law Firm ” by U . S . News & World Report and Best Lawyers . The firm was regionally ranked in four categories – Land Use & Zoning Law , Real Estate Law , Trusts & Estates Law , and Tax Law .
n Williams Parker announces that partner Elizabeth P . Diaz and associate Steven D . Brownlee , M . D ., have obtained board certification by The Florida Bar in their areas of specialty , Wills , Trusts & Estates and Health Law , respectively .
n Fergeson Skipper has received Tier 1 Rankings in the 2021 Edition of U . S . News & World Report and
News of Note
Have you or a member of your firm achieved professional recognition ? Have you hired a new attorney ? Any other news of note ? If so , we would like to hear about it . Email your “ News of Note ” items to scba @ sarasotabar . com .
Best Lawyers list of “ Best Law Firms ” for its tax law and trusts and estates law practices . The law firm also announces that shareholder Rick
Gans has been named “ Lawyer of the Year ” in The Best Lawyers in America 2021 Edition .
n The France Litigation Group has opened its second office located in Venice at 355 West Venice Ave . France Litigation Group serves businesses and individuals with commercials disputes throughout the Gulf coast region .
n Fergeson Skipper , P . A . welcomes Daniel Tullidge as associate attorney . His focus is on estate planning and administration , trust administration , tax , and business succession planning .
16 The Docket · January 2021