Business Law Section Newsletter
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Greetings Business Law Section!
I am looking forward to joining the 325+ of you who have registered for the Labor Day Retreat in Marco Island! Whether you are joining us later this month in person or not, there are many ways to get involved with our Section and take advantage of all that membership in our group has to offer. As a Section we have many initiatives, but our main focuses are continuing legal education, legislation, professional development and networking. We put on dozens of CLE programs each year addressing cutting edge legal issues affecting the business community in our great state of Florida. Further, every year we pursue both proactive and reactive legislative positions that shape the legal landscape within which businesses operate in Florida. Through these initiatives, we build meaningful, long-term relationships and a powerful network with the over 6,500 bright and talented lawyers, judges and academics in our Section, of all ages, backgrounds and experiences. Take a look at our At-A-Glance calendar. I ask each of you to join us and participate at some point this year, whether that is by coming to a meeting, joining a study group, signing up to learn about a new development in the law, or volunteering to serve. Like most things in life, the more energy you put into our group the more you will get out of it. I hope to see you soon.
Stephanie Lieb, Chair
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Service Project: Give Back with Us
We're coming together to make a difference! Donate to our Labor Day Retreat Service Project and help us support Laces of Love who has provided over 300,000 kids with new shoes in Southwest Florida for 20 years. Bring your donation to the Labor Day Retreat, or order from their wish list. Learn more here.
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E-Discovery Fundamentals: A Practical Introduction for New Florida Litigators
Webinar, September 10, 2025 at noon.
This CLE is meant to provide early-career litigators with a practical foundation in e-discovery within Florida state courts. The presentation will walk through the basic structure of electronic discovery, including litigation holds, initial client ESI assessments and intake, custodian identification, the role of joint protective orders, negotiating search terms, and understanding the basics of burden and proportionality objections. It aims to simplify common e-discovery concepts so attorneys can approach document discovery with confidence.
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The Judge Michael G. Williamson View from the Florida Bankruptcy Bench
November 6, 2025 in Tampa
November 7, 2025 in Miami
Registration is now live for Florida's pre-eminent one of a kind bankruptcy seminar, an interactive panel discussion between a number of sitting bankruptcy judges and a seasoned practitioner moderator.
Please note that these programs will not be recorded. These are live in-person events only.
Register before October 24, 2025!
Practical E-discovery Under the New Florida Rules of Civil Procedure
Live program was during the 2025 Florida Bar Annual Convention.
Now available ON DEMAND
- When You and Your Client's Duty to Preserve Arises
- Suit Gets Filed – What Now?
- Objections and Conferral
- Judicial Panel, Judge Matthewman and Judge Bell
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From The Florida Bar News
Pro Bono Service Awards
Each year, the Florida Supreme Court and The Florida Bar honor and recognize lawyers, groups and members of the judiciary who have freely given their time and expertise in ensuring access to justice for those who otherwise could not afford it. The deadline to submit nominations for the 2026 awards is 11:59 p.m. Friday, September 19, 2025.
Read on
From The Florida Bar News
‘Counsel to Counsel’ returns with goal of 800 lawyers in year three
Registration is now open for the third mentoring cycle of Counsel to Counsel! This free, app-based mentoring program launched a Florida Bar presidency and quickly captured the Supreme Court’s attention.
Read on
From Law.com
South Florida Federal Magistrate Judge Rises to Chief
William Matthewman will become the Chief Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Read the full article
Do you have an idea for an article? Submit Business Law Section blog articles here. Submit Florida Bar Journal articles here.
| | Judicial Spotlight: Judge Walsh | | |
Judge Lisa Walsh was appointed to the Circuit Court for the 11th Judicial Circuit in Miami-Dade County, Florida in 2011. She currently is assigned to the Complex Business Litigation and the International Commercial Arbitration divisions. Before becoming a judge, Judge Walsh was a trial and appellate lawyer for sixteen years. As a judge, she has tried approximately 200 jury trials. Judge Walsh has authored 80 published appellate decisions, including decisions she wrote sitting by designation on the Fourth District Court of Appeal of Florida.
What have you gained from your involvement with the Section?
I have learned from the opportunity to present jointly on substantive areas of law. Furthermore, the section provides a critical opportunity to liaise with stakeholders on the management and administration of a Complex Business Law court.
Learn more about her here.
| | Past Chair Spotlight: James Murphy, 2003-2004 | | |
Jim Murphy graduated from the University of Florida College of Law in 1979. After completing a clerkship with U. S. District Judge Wm. Terrell Hodges of the Middle District of Florida, he entered private practice with the Tampa law firm of Shackleford Farrior, Stallings & Evans, P.A. and later practiced with Shook Hardy & Bacon, where he concentrated in business litigation. He is now retired from the practice of law but continues to be active with the Business Law Section.
What have you gained from your involvement with the Section?
I have immensely enjoyed my over 35-year association with the BLS. During my legal career, the Section not only afforded me the opportunity to stay current on developments in the law and enhance my expertise in business litigation, but also to create strong and lasting relationships with many other practitioners, judges, and law professors with similar interests in business law. Moreover, I have been most gratified to be involved in legislative efforts as well as in litigation on behalf of the Section that have improved the law, the rules of procedure, and the ethical standards for lawyers practicing in this state.
Read on
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National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges
It's not too late to join the NCBJ Conference in Chicago September 17-20, 2025. Learn more here.
CLE on Demand
Need CLE? Miss a program? Many of our past programs are available on demand.
Planning a CLE
Do you have an idea for a great CLE? Learn more here.
Business Litigation and Real Property Case Law Updates
July 2025
| | Why Sponsor the Business Law Section of The Florida Bar? | | |
Florida isn’t just a state—it’s a global economic powerhouse. If it were an independent nation, Florida would rank among the top 15 largest economies in the world, boasting a GDP that rivals many major countries. The Business Law Section of The Florida Bar plays a critical role in shaping the commercial legal landscape of this economic titan. Our members are not only top-tier business lawyers—they’re the very individuals Florida legislators turn to when drafting or revising key commercial statutes. Sponsoring Business Law Section events like the Labor Day Retreat puts your organization directly in front of the thought leaders, power brokers, and policy shapers who influence business law and practice statewide—and often nationally.
This is more than a networking opportunity. It’s your chance to engage with the legal professionals guiding Florida’s economic future. In addition to the Labor Day Retreat, there are plenty of other sponsorship opportunities that provide year-round exposure through our Section’s ongoing programming, communications, and events. If your brand wants to be seen, respected, and remembered by the attorneys who help write the laws that govern business in one of the world’s most dynamic markets, this is where you need to be.
Please reach out to Michele Moss and Bob Charbonneau for sponsorship opportunities.
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