Annual Labor Day Retreat Highlights

View the full album here.

Save the Date: Portrait Unveiling of Michael G. Williamson, United States Bankruptcy Judge

On November 5, 2025, there will be a Portrait Unveiling of Judge Michael G. Williamson United States Bankruptcy Judge prior to the View from the Bench Reception. Formal invitation to follow.

Additional details will be posted here.

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 held 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

From The Florida Bar Journal

Bricks, Mortar, and Misconceptions: The Gold Mine Hidden in Commercial Real Estate (The Many Impacts of Misunderstood Legal Standards)

This article examines critical differences between the federal and state definitions of real estate and the financial implications of the resultant valuation methodology disconnect between the two. The two legal definitions differ dramatically. Property appraisers who value commercial income-producing real estate for mortgage contracts value much more than the real estate, and business valuers, conversely, understate the contributory value of the real estate when they value a business. Defining exactly what transfers when commercial income-producing real estate sells resolves this dichotomy.

Read the full article

From The Florida Bar Journal

Scam Alert — phishing DocuSign email making the rounds is not from The Florida Bar

The Florida Bar is receiving numerous reports from members regarding fraudulent emails that appear to come from The Florida Bar. These emails are falsely “signed” by Bar staff members and contain a request to download documents via DocuSign for signature.

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.

Judge Brown was appointed United States Bankruptcy Judge after his tenure as Chair of the Business Law Section.  

After over 20 years in private practice, I was honored to be appointed to serve as a United States Bankruptcy Judge in 2021. Prior to law school I worked as a chemical engineer in pulp and paper mills throughout the southeast United States and Ketchikan, Alaska. When I am not working, I enjoy travel and outdoor activities.

What have you gained from your involvement with the Section?

I was introduced to the Business Law Section as a young lawyer and drawn to its great work. From legislative projects to being able to interact with a great group of business lawyers and judges on committees and task forces, I was able to hone my skills and become a better lawyer. As I worked my way up through leadership, I continued to learn from other leaders in the section. I am no doubt a better lawyer and judge due to my involvement in the Section.

Learn more about him here.

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, August 2025

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.