Florida's African American Legal Pioneers: A Legacy of Courage and Achievement

By Kemie King, Esq. and Marck K. Joseph, Esq., BCS

Throughout U.S. history, African Americans have faced systemic barriers in law and other fields. In Florida, African American legal pioneers have fought discrimination, paving the way for future generations of lawyers.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, African Americans in Florida battled disenfranchisement, segregation, and unequal justice. Legal trailblazers like Henry S. Harmon and James Weldon Johnson led efforts for equality. Harmon, the first African American admitted to the Florida Bar in 1869, became a symbol of resilience during a segregated era. Johnson, admitted in 1897, also championed civil rights and wrote the iconic “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s brought further progress. Virgil Hawkins' legal fight for admission to the University of Florida Law School broke educational barriers, while Bernice Gaines became the first African American woman admitted to The Florida Bar in 1958, both of whom have inspired future generations.

Modern pioneers continue this legacy. Eugene Pettis became the first African American president of The Florida Bar in 2013, symbolizing progress in the legal field. Rosalyn Sia Baker Barnes, the first African American woman president-elect of The Florida Bar, highlights the ongoing strides toward diversity and inclusion.

Leaders like Tenesia Hall, poised to become the first Black chair of the Florida Bar’s Family Law Section, advocates for underserved families, reflecting increased representation and equity in Florida’s legal community.

Florida’s African American legal pioneers have reshaped the legal system, proving that perseverance and courage can overcome entrenched barriers. Their legacy inspires future generations to champion justice and equality for all.

Tech Tip – Making Connections with Love, Friendship and QR Codes: A Modern Guide to Networking

By Jenny Vargas de Perez-Corujo, Esq.

For family law practitioners, thoughtful greetings can help build rapport with others, such as clients, especially those from diverse backgrounds. When wishing a non-English-speaking client, “Happy Valentine’s Day,” making the effort to greet them in their native tongue can leave a lasting impression. A culturally sensitive phrase to use is “¡Feliz Día del Amor y la Amistad!”

This translates verbatim into “Happy Day of Love and Friendship!” This heartfelt message is not only warm and inclusive but shows your care for their culture. This can go a long way in building or strengthening professional connections and developing genuine bonds.

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romance, it’s about recognizing and celebrating all the meaningful relationships in our lives - both in and out of the courtroom. As a family lawyer, expanding your network and forming meaningful connections with clients or colleagues is integral to your success.

And what better way of forming connections—especially in professional settings—than by using a handy QR code at your next networking event?

What is a QR Code?

With just one scan of a QR code (short for "Quick Response" code), anyone can easily save your contact details, visit your website, pay one of your invoices or simply connect with you on social media, such as LinkedIn.

How Do You Create a QR Code?

Creating a QR code is a cost-free, surprisingly simple, and requires no technical expertise! There are several user-friendly online tools available, such as QR Code Generator, Canva,  or Google Chrome.

You could link your QR code to your firm website, your digital business card or even your LinkedIn profile. Once created, you can print it on business cards, display it on your phone, or even add it to your email signature.

Embracing Technology to Build Relationships

In a world where first impressions matter, using a QR code is a modern, efficient and tech-savvy way to stand out. This tool will prove your forward-thinking adaptability—qualities that people value in both personal and professional relationships. So, the next time you find yourself at a networking event, don’t worry about a business card. Simply pull up your QR code, and you’ll be making meaningful connections in no time. Who knows? That scan might just lead to a coffee, a future bestie, or even valuable business opportunities for years to come.

Here’s a pro tip: To make your QR code even more engaging, customize it with your law firm’s logo or brand colors. This subtle personalization can further enhance your professional image or business branding. Thus, making a lasting impression on clients and colleagues alike.

Celebrating Love as Well as Friendships

On this day of not only Love but also Friendship, let’s embrace the spirit of connection, creativity, and convenience in all its forms—whether it’s sharing your details through the simplicity of a QR code or wishing a non-English speaking client a heartfelt “¡Feliz Día del Amor y la Amistad!”

Technology may, at times, make our lives easier, but it’s the human connections we create that truly enrich our experiences.

Happy Day of Love AND Friendship, folks!

Case Law Update

Kerrigan v. Kerrigan-Page, 2024 WL 5230427 (Fla. 2d DCA 2024)

By Reuben A. Doupé, Esq., BCS

The Second District has shown us an imperfection in the Kaaa fix statute, 61.075 (6)(a)1.c. There is long-standing law that the use of a non-marital asset as security for a marital loan, does NOT change the status of the non-marital asset. Farrior v. Farrior, 736 So. 2d 1177 (Fla. 2d DCA 1998). The pledging of such an asset as security does not create any enhancement of the asset. 

Turning to the relatively new statute, a coverture fraction is used and calculates the marital contribution to the equity of a non-marital property. The numerator of that fraction is “the total payment of principal from marital funds of all notes and mortgages secured by the property during the marriage….” The plain language of this statute is clear, it looks at ALL mortgages, even if the mortgage is taken during the marriage and is a marital debt. Kerrigan, demonstrates this exact situation. The husband owned a premarital home, where the parties resided, and during the marriage the parties took out a $1 million mortgage loan against the premarital home. This marital debt is a mortgage, so the principal paydown has to be used to create the formula. 

As a result of the statute, the Farrior rule has been hollowed. It has been hollowed because the use of the asset as collateral has not changed the classification of that asset. However, the paydown of the resulting loan, with marital funds, has created a marital asset, in the form of the total amount paid and the resulting equity. Moreover, if this additional loan was incurred to purchase an additional asset during the marriage, it has now created another marital asset, in the form of the equity of that new asset. 

Woodward v. Woodward, 2025 WL 258917 (Fla. 2d DCA 2025).

By Cash A. Eaton, Esq.

Happy New Year to all! In a brand new case from the Second District, we revisit an old friend, permanent alimony.

In this divorce case, the parties were married 24 years. The trial court awarded the Former Husband permanent alimony. The final judgment of dissolution was rendered February 17, 2023. The Former Wife appealed, and that appeal remained pending past July 1, 2023.

Effective July 1, 2023, § 61.08, Fla. Stat. was significantly amended, and permanent alimony was no longer available. These amendments applied to cases that remained pending as of July 1, 2023. The Former Wife argued that, because the appeal was pending, the case remained pending, and, therefore, permanent alimony could no longer be awarded by the trial court.

The Appellate Court agreed with the Former Wife. It held that, “The general rule is that an action remains pending in the trial court until after a final judgment and such time as an appeal is taken or time for an appeal expires. If an appeal is taken, the action is still pending until final disposition.” As the matter remained pending on July 1, 2023, the Former Husband was no longer entitled to permanent alimony.

Separately, the Appellate Court held that the trial court erred by using the Former Wife’s monthly gross income in determining her ability to pay. As has been held in numerous prior opinions, it is reversible error to base an alimony award on gross income rather than net income. The trial court calculated the Former Wife’s monthly net income to be $15,116. This was despite the fact that the parties had agreed that $15,116 was the Former Wife’s gross income. Therefore, this was reversible error.  

Rojas v. Londono, No. 3D24-0455, 2025 WL 44389 (Fla. 3d DCA Jan. 8, 2025)

By Ronald H. Kauffman, Esq.

A husband appeals the denial of his petition for annulment. The husband testified he never proposed to his wife, they just mutually agreed to marry. He wanted a companion as he was getting older, and that he never consummated the marriage, had never seen her naked, didn’t know her bra size or any intimate detail about her body. He testified that she only married him to obtain legal status.

The wife admitted she never received an engagement ring, but said she signed a prenuptial agreement, that they had consummated the marriage, and had intercourse on several occasions, but only in the dark. Accordingly, she had never visually inspected his body. The husband’s girlfriend testified he told her he was married and was in process of divorcing. On those fact the trial court found it was a real marriage and they did have sex.

On appeal, the court found the record contained ample evidence supporting the trial court's findings that the parties consummated the marriage, she did not enter the marriage to commit fraud. The panel cited to Sack v. Sack, 184 So. 2d 434, 436 (Fla. 3d DCA 1966) (“Where a marriage is validly contracted it should not be dissolved other than by divorce, or by a decree of annulment supported by allegation and proof of recognized grounds for annulment of marriage.

The record of this case discloses no asserted ground or evidence to justify a decree of annulment in favor of the husband ... Here the parties, according to the allegations and proof, entered into a valid marriage contract ... The evidence does not establish existence of any of the grounds for annulment as outlined above.”). The court held the petition was properly denied.