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In justifying its decision , the Court states that the federal standard is “ more rational , more fair , and more consistent with the structure and purpose of our Rules of Civil Procedure .” Further , citing Celotex , the Court noted that summary judgment should not be looked upon as a ‘“[ d ] isfavored procedural shortcut , but rather an integral part of [ our rules ] as a whole .”’

In his lone dissent , Justice LaBarga asserts that the majority opinion discards long-settled law in Florida in favor of a less-restrictive federal interpretation , where the trial court ’ s analysis is simply not whether to determine if there is an issue of material fact , but to enter judgment if “ the trial court concludes that no reasonable jury could render a verdict in favor of the nonmoving party .” Justice LaBarga opines that this standard invites the court to weigh evidence , a role traditionally reserved for the jury , thus infringing upon “ jury ’ s sacred role .”

In order to allow for public comment and consider whether the text of the rule should be changed or even replaced in its entirety with the text of Rule 56 , the Court has provided the amendment would not take effect until May 1st . Will the adoption of the federal standard lead to state court judges being more inclined to grant summary judgment ? Time will tell .

Continued from Page 16 the proposed guardian has any of the potential conflicts-of-interest listed in Section 744.446 ( 3 ), F . S . This change follows an amendment to Section 744.334 and parallels the first change in Rule 5.555 above . See Ch . 2020-35 , Section 2 , Laws of Fla .

Rule 5.630 – The court approved the re-numbering and re-lettering of the contents of this rule . It did not change any text . This change follows an amendment to Section 744.441 , F . S . See Ch . 2020-35 , Section 6 , Laws of Fla .

Rule 5.900 – The court approved re-numbering former Rule 5.850 . It had re-numbered former Rule 5.900 as Rule 5.850 as part of its September 3 , 2020 , amendments . It did not change any text .

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 .

Continued from Page 3 an economist and dean of Princeton University ’ s School of Public and International Affairs . n U . S . Trade Representative : Katherine Tai , who serves as chief trade counsel for the United States House Committee on Ways and Means . n Director of the Office of Management and Budget : Neera

Tanden , a longtime Democratic policy adviser and president of the Center for American Progress . n Ambassador to the United Nations : Linda Thomas-Greenfield , a career foreign service officer who served as Assistant Secretary of State for Africa during the Obama administration . n Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality : Brenda

Mallory , an environmental lawyer and former general counsel for the CEQ and current director of regulatory policy at the Southern Environmental Law Center . n Chair of the Domestic Policy Council : Ambassador Susan Rice , former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs under Clinton , Ambassador to the UN under Obama , and then National Security Advisor . n Director of Office of Intergovernmental Affairs : Julie Chavez Rodriguez , Cesar Chavez ’ granddaughter , who served in the Obama administration working for the Secretary of the Interior and later in the Office of Public Engagement .

National Climate Advisor , Dr . Marcella Nunez-Smith was named the COVID-19 Equity Task Force Chair , and Dr . Elizabeth

Sherwood-Randall was named Homeland Security Advisor and Deputy National Security Advisor . Additionally , women have been nominated to at least nine deputy secretary positions in the Cabinet . Even if not all are confirmed , the number of women hired in senior White House positions and as advisors , and the number of women nominated for confirmation in the Biden-Harris administration is historic . As a bonus , this historic number also honors the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg , who fervently believed that “ Women belong in all places where decisions are being made .” This is a good start .

CLASSIFIED ADS

OFFICE SPACE

Wallace Ave Professional Center . Walk to Courthouse . 1400 Sq . Ft . 3 offices and conference room . Perfect for 2 – 3-person firm . $ 2,500 mo . gross + sales tax , utilities . Available 1 / 1 / 21 tia @ jlerealty . com 941-906-4000

Great opportunity to improve your firm ’ s visibility . Building for rent at 544 S . Washington Blvd near the Courthouse . 6300 square feet would be ideal for a larger firm or would be an opportunity for several attorneys to share expenses . Contact Pam at 941-366- 9826 for details .

HOW TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD

To place a classified advertisement , call the Bar office or send an email to scba @ sarasotabar . com .

Continued from Page 15 The 2016 President ’ s Pro Bono

Service Award recipient , William

Drumm , has been volunteering his time since before he was an attorney . He found that volunteering broadened his horizons as a person , and that attitude has applied to his family law practice . Like the other Award recipients , for Bill , once he finishes a pro bono family law case , it is time for another . As a solo practitioner with his own private practice , he has found that it is manageable to have one pro bono case at any given time while also maintaining his clientele and receiving the emotional benefits of assisting a client in need . He is also found that the family court judges and lawyers are more patient with attorneys who are working pro bono cases because it keeps another pro se litigant from being stuck in the system .

As Bill stated , being a lawyer is an honor and privilege ; it is our responsibility to use that privilege to make a positive difference in a direct and personal way , which creates appreciation for our work and gratification by helping others . He has found that in much of life , people do not appreciate it when they receive something for free , but pro bono service is an exception to that rule . His biggest takeaway is that pro bono work is a great way to learn and expand your horizons while assisting both a client in need and the judicial system .

To learn more about the pro bono opportunities in our community , please contact the Access to Justice ( A2J ) Task Force by emailing the Chair , Neil Lyons , Esq . at ntl @ lginjuryfirm . com .