A Night in Vegas

By The Honorable John Guy, 4th Judicial Circuit

It was billed as “A Night in Vegas.” But to the students of a local high school’s Exceptional Student Education program, it was their Junior-Senior Prom. It was a chance for the school’s special needs students to be just like everyone else.

As each student entered the spacious gymnasium, the doors were opened by a band of hosts. Cameras clicked and eyes focused as each student made their way down the aisle of red carpet, to an arch of red, black, and gold balloons. Giant dice anchored more balloons on each side of the arch.

The gym walls and retracted wooden bleachers were covered with oversized playing cards, massive poker chips, and large hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades.

The gym floor was bisected by a makeshift D.J. booth and speakers that played the same songs that played at the school’s other prom. Small disco lights flashed from tables around the D.J.’s working space. On one side of the gym was a photo booth, and on the other was a large sign that read, “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada.”

After a quick meal in the attached school cafeteria, the attendees hurried back into the gym for the main event – the dancing.

There was no standing around at this prom. Without exception, the approximately 25 students delighted in the open space cleared just for them. Each student danced in their own way, but they all danced together. Dancing partners were exchanged as frequently as smiles and hugs.

While most students bounced and moved in the center of the floor, a couple of students danced by themselves on either side. Another student skipped continually from one side of the basketball court to the other, smiling the entire time.

The young men wore jackets and ties, the young ladies arrived in dresses. When one of their classmates arrived late, everyone stopped as the gym doors swung open. Then they all rushed to the arch to embrace their slightly tardy friend.

The dancing paused only once and only long enough for the 11 seniors to take a class photo in front of the Welcome-to-Vegas sign.

The only things missing from the school’s other prom were cell phones and cliques. Everyone was just as popular and just as important as everyone else. And no one had time or need for Tik-Tok or Instagram.

My daughter was one of three students who would arrive and leave in a wheelchair. But her diagnosis and limitations of FOXG1 syndrome mattered not on this night. As my wife twirled her at the free-throw line, our daughter’s wide smile was all anyone could see. Her sky-blue dress was matched in brilliance only by the color of her eyes.

As I took it all in, tears filled my eyes, thinking of all the challenges these children faced outside the gym, and all the unbridled joy they felt inside it.

No curious stares that night. Not there.

If only for a night, one moment in their high school experience, the entire place was theirs. On this night, the special needs students needed nothing.

Hopefully, what happened in Vegas won’t stay there.

It's Important To Prioritize Your Well-Being

By Stacey Cohen, Esq.

As family law attorneys, we navigate emotionally charged cases, complex legal issues, and demanding schedules daily. It’s a rewarding profession, but one that can also be incredibly draining. For the past 14 years, I've dedicated my practice exclusively to marital and family law, and I'm incredibly proud of the culture we have built as a firm. Through my experience, I've come to deeply appreciate the critical importance of self-care and personal wellness—not just as buzzwords, but as essential components for sustainable practice and personal well-being.

Summer often brings a slight shift in pace, offering a unique opportunity to hit the reset button. I know how easy it is to get caught in the relentless cycle of deadlines and client needs, but taking intentional time to recharge isn't a luxury; it's a necessity. Personally, my Peloton is a non-negotiable part of my routine. It's not just "if I have time"; it's on my calendar, scheduled just like any other important meeting. This commitment to physical and mental breaks allows me to show up as my best self, both for my team and for my clients.

I strongly encourage all my colleagues to leverage the summer months to prioritize their own well-being. Whether it's through exercise, spending time outdoors, pursuing a hobby, or simply disconnecting, make a conscious effort to step away from the demands of practice. Go into the next year with a tangible plan for self-care and wellness, embedding it into your schedule. A recharged mind is a more effective mind, and a healthy attorney is a better advocate.

Let's make this summer a season of renewal, ensuring we're all poised for a productive and balanced year ahead.

Tech Tip: Secure Confidential Communication with Clients

By Matthew E. Thatcher, Esq.

One of the most fundamental responsibilities that we have as attorneys is the obligation to maintain the confidentiality of our client’s information. This obligation is memorialized in Florida Bar Rule 4-1.6. While on a surface level, a practitioner’s ability to comply with the obligation to maintain client confidentiality seems rudimentary; technology that we rely upon to enhance our practices poses inherent risks of inadvertent disclosure. In previously published ethics opinions, the Florida Bar has reminded practitioners to be cognizant of the need to protect client confidentiality when utilizing generative artificial intelligence [Fla. Bar Ethics Opinion 24-1], when using cloud computing platforms [Florda Bar Ethics Opinion 12-3], and even when using mundane physical devices such as printers, copies and scanners that contain storage media [Fla. Bar Ethics Opinion 10-2]. 

A common tool that most practitioners use daily is text messaging. Attorneys use text messages to communicate with family, friends, members of their office and even clients. The problem with text messages is that they are not secure communications and are at risk of interception and inadvertent disclosure.

On December 18, 2024, the Federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Administration (“CISA”) published a best practice guide for use of mobile communications, guidance-mobile-communications-best-practices.pdf In this publication CISA advised that people should stop using SMS based text messages because this format is encrypted and is subject to interception by anyone who accesses a telecommunication provider’s network. Put simply, a text message between you and a client sent through SMS is potentially not private.

There is a form of secure text message available on most phones. Apple iMessage sends end-to-end encrypted messages, but only between two Apple devices using Apple iMessage. RCS chats in Google messages are similarly protected through end-to-end encryption, but only between two devices using Google messages. The fundamental problem is that an iPhone user will not be able to send an encrypted message to an Android phone user. 

There is a solution. The simplest way to ensure that your messages exchanged with your clients can remain confidential is to use an end-to-end encrypted app. Three of the most popular are WhatsApp, Signal and Telegram. Each of these apps can be used without cost for their basic service. It does not matter what app you choose to use so long as you are taking steps to ensure that your electronic communications with your client remain confidential.

Honoring Juneteenth: Celebrating Freedom and Family

By Lakia Broomfield, Esq. and Kemie King, Esq.

June 19, 1865, marks the day Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, finally enforcing the Emancipation Proclamation; more than two years after it was signed. On that day, more than 250,000 enslaved African Americans in Texas were informed of their freedom. This moment, now commemorated annually as Juneteenth, symbolizes not only the end of slavery in the United States but also the resilience, strength, and enduring hope of a people who never gave up on justice. Today, Juneteenth stands as a federal holiday and a national celebration of freedom, unity, and the ongoing pursuit of equality.

For those of us in the family law community, Juneteenth offers a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the values that guide our work. It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of recognizing and respecting the unique histories, cultures, and experiences that shape every family. Family law professionals serve people from a wide range of backgrounds—each with their own traditions, values, and challenges. Embracing this diversity isn’t just a matter of fairness; it’s about ensuring every voice is heard and every family is treated with dignity and compassion.

Juneteenth is a time to celebrate together, learn from our shared history, and look ahead with optimism. It’s also a chance to highlight progress—through inclusivity, outreach in underserved communities, and mentorship programs that open doors for the next generation of legal professionals.

Judges, attorneys, and community providers must continue to respect the cultural differences of those they serve. From language and religion to parenting styles and family structures, this cultural competence helps prevent bias and misunderstanding—ultimately leading to better outcomes for children and families.

Honoring Juneteenth isn’t just about remembering history; it’s about fostering an inclusive and equitable future. It means championing diversity in our profession, listening to varied perspectives, and striving to meet the unique needs of every community.

As we celebrate this important day, let’s reaffirm our commitment to building a family law system where diversity is embraced, inclusion is the standard, and justice is truly for all.