FAMSEG, the Family Law Section Email GroupFebruary 2014 
        
 
    Spring Retreat 2014!
 
 March 26-30, 2014
in Las Vegas, NV at the 
Bellagio Resort!

 


Fabulous town, fabulous hotel, fabulous speakers, fabulous events planned, you just can't miss this!

One Price = All Shows & Excursions are INCLUDED!!




Chair's Message

    

        
Elisha Roy

     Hello...is it too late to be saying Happy New Year!  I cannot believe it is half way through my year as Chair of this amazing Section... the time has flown! 
 
  If you were at the Certification Review Course (which it is likely you were seeing that almost 1400 people were in attendance) I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.  The highlight for me was also my opportunity to give the Chair's Visionary Award. Picking the recipient was easy. The award winner is one of the single most dedicated individuals I know. He has chaired virtually every committee in the Family Law Section. He has assisted and been integral in the drafting and creation of virtually all of family law related statutes in Florida. He had a vision of growing the certification review course from 250 people who originally attended this event at the Tampa Airport Marriott to the almost 1400 attendees at the Royal Pacific from January 31 - February 1, 2014. He's a second generation Chair of the Family Law Section, second generation President of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, he's been my mentor, my boss, and most importantly, my friend, Tom Sasser.

 

     Many people are curious about the state of alimony "reform" in Florida this year and I'll let you know what I know, which is not too much, and can change on a dime, as with most legislative issues... until the Session is over (and it really has not technically begun) anything can happen.  However, in light of the crazy speed with which last year's terrible alimony reform bill sailed through the Legislature, the Section came up with a proposed bill in September, however, the Governor's office has essentially requested an avoidance of controversial bills for this year...and without a doubt... the "reform" no matter who drafted by, has some controversy associated with it.  I am very proud of the work created by the Section and in the event "reform" happens, I believe our bill does it best... however this year, I do not believe we will be seeing any major reform.  It is likely a bill may be filed, not by the Section, codifying some existing case law, and I know this because we have been approached for comment on the language proposed, but right now, we really do not know too much.  As things unfold, I will use this forum to keep you updated!

 

      Enjoy February... and don't forget to come join us in Vegas in March.. VIRTUALLY ALL INCLUSIVE TRIP TO THE BELLAGIO.. YOUR REGISTRIATOIN INCLUDES:

  • AMAZING TWO DAY SEMINAR WITH MARK O'MEARA, DR. DEBORAH DAY AND CHRIS AND SHANNON CARLISLE
  • WELCOME COCKTAIL RECEPTION WITH GAMBLING LESSONS AND SHOWGIRLS!
  • HELICOPTER TOUR OF THE GRAND CANYON
  • TICKETS TO O! (AND PRETTY GOOD SEATS)
  • COCKTAIL RECEPTION AT THE CHANDELIER BAR AT THE COSMPOLITAN, FOLLOWED BY DINNER

      Can't wait to see you there!  

 

Sincerely,

Elisha

Elisha Roy

Chair, Family Law Section, 2013-2014

 

"Making a Difference" 
Award Recipient
January 2014
Sharon L. Langer
   
 
      We would like to congratulate our January 2014 "Making a Difference" Award winner, Sharon L Langer, who has embodies the true meaning of the "Making a Differene". She has dedicated her life and career to helping women and children in the area of family law and is above and beyond outstanding in all categories -- professional, lawyer, leader, attorney ad litem, speaker, mentor.

     Kimberly Rommel-Enright, Esq., Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, Inc., worked closely with her for the past 23 years in my capacity as Coordinator of "Put Something Back Pro Bono Project" which she noted as but one of dozens of successful programs Sharon launched during her career.  "She is professional, inspirational and absolutely dedicated to public interest law,"  said Rommel-Enright.  "She has not only helped countless clients in family law but also helped thousands of family lawyers to excel at the practice of law and also helped thousands of women, children and families during her past 28 years as the Executive Director of the Dade County Bar Legal Aid Society."  
 
      Legal Aid is only one of the numerous nonprofit groups that have greatly benefited by Sharon Langer's leadership.  She launched another program to help women about a decade ago called Casa Valentina which provides housing, career training and legal representation for older foster teens aging out of the system.  She also started the Human Sex Trafficking Pro Bono Child Advocacy Project in 2012 which currently has 28 open pro bono cases.  Sharon L. Langer's legacy will long be remembered as a tireless advocate in the family law arena. 

    Ms. Langer is a 1979 graduate of the University of Miami School of Law, cum laude, Ms. Langer has been the Executive Director of Dade Legal Aid since 1986. Ms. Langer has served on the Florida Bar Board of Governors, many Florida Bar committees including serving as the Legislative Chair, Vice Chair of The Florida Bar's Legal Needs Of Children Commission for three years and still serves on the Commission to date. Ms Langer has served on numerous community boards, including the Coral Gables Historic Preservation Board, the Miami-Dade County Domestic Violence Oversight Board, the Dade County Alliance Against Domestic Violence, the Eleventh Circuit Domestic Violence Standing Committee, The Women's Political Caucus, The Journey Institute and is currently the Chair of the Board of Directors of Casa Valentina, a group home to help young women in the foster care system transition into independent living. Ms. Langer has received numerous honors for her community service and distinguished career as a tireless advocate for the protection of children, women, victims of domestic violence and other vulnerable population. 
     
      We are all proud to honor Sharon Langer with the January 2014, Making a Difference Award.  Congratulations!
          

Click HERE for January Squibs.

Squib of the month:

Hahamovitch v. Hahamovitch, 39 Fla.L.Weekly D102 (Fla. 4th DCA 2014).  4th DCA determines a waiver to acquisition of future property includes a waiver of active appreciation in those assets as well.  4th DCA certifies conflict with 2nd and 3rd DCA.

 

 

Eddie Stephens is a Board Certified Marital & Family Law Attorney and a partner in the firm Ward, Damon, Posner, Pherterson and Bleau.

Editor:  Luis E Insignares 
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Call For Articles

FAMSEG is a monthly electronic newsletter.
Areas of Interest

Wanted:

Your Articles! 


 

 

Have you just finished a case or appeal where you had to become well-versed in a particular family-law issue?  Well, how about sharing your genius with the rest of us?!

We are accepting submissions for upcoming issues of
The Florida Bar Journal, The Family Law Commentator, and even
FAMSEG.

 

 

The Journal 
 To be considered for publication in The Florida Bar Journal, the article should be scholarly and relate in some manner to family law.  It should be twelve to fifteen pages in length, complete 
with end notes.
Please contact:

Sarah Kay
at: 
Sarah@mbc-lawoffice.com.

 

 

The Commentator  
Commentator
articles are theme-specific. Upcoming theme issues include:
  Children's Issues, Tax Issues, Hot Tips, Alimony, and Agreements. 

 

Send  your Commentator submissions to:

Ron Kauffman
 at:
Ron@rhkauffman.com.

  

Wanted:

 

Your Articles! 

 

 

 

Have you just finished a case or appeal where you had to become well-versed in a particular family-law issue?  Well, how about sharing your genius with the rest of us?!

We are accepting submissions for upcoming issues of
The Florida Bar Journal, The Family Law Commentator, and even
FAMSEG.

 

 

The Journal 
 To be considered for publication in The Florida Bar Journal, the article should be scholarly and relate in some manner to family law.  It should be twelve to fifteen pages in length, complete 
with end notes.
Please contact:

Sarah Kay
at: 
Sarah@mbc-lawoffice.com.

 

 

The Commentator  
Commentator
articles are theme-specific. Upcoming theme issues include:
  Children's Issues, Tax Issues, Hot Tips, Alimony, and Agreements. 

 

Send  your Commentator submissions to:

Ron Kauffman
 at:
Ron@rhkauffman.com.

  

The MRW Group provides compreshensive forensic accounting,
consulting and advisory services for law firms, law enforcement, government agencies, businesses and individuals.

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For information: Contact Diana Polston at dpolston@flabar.org