Business Law Section Newsletter

July 28, 2025

Message from the Chair

Hello BLS Members,

This is your final opportunity to join us for our Labor Day Retreat. Get ready for a weekend of connection, community, and fun! Whether you're coming for professional growth or just to unwind with colleagues, we’ve got something for everyone. Here are some of the highlights, in addition to the CLE programs:

Friday Night Illusion Show

We're kicking things off with a brand-new feature: an incredible Illusion Show that will leave you speechless. Bring your curiosity—and prepare to be amazed! Preview the magic here.

10K Alley

Bowling, arcade games, cocktails, and good vibes—need we say more?

Vendor Showcase & Wine Toss

Support our sponsors and vendors and score some goodies at the Vendor Showcase—and don’t miss the other new event this year, the Wine Toss, for a chance to win your favorite bottle!

Casino Night

An elegant evening for connection and collaboration, set against the stunning backdrop of the Florida Gulf Coast. This is event is fun for all ages with plenty of games and activities for kids and adults. Trade chips, toast to new connections, and don’t forget to stick around for the prizes and giveaways that cap off the evening.

Service Project: Give Back with Us

We're coming together to make a difference! Learn more about the Service Project and help us support Laces of Love.

Whether you're coming for fun, growth, or giving back, this retreat has it all. Don’t forget, registration will close on July 31st and there will be no onsite registration. As of today, the room block is 94% full, so sign-up today!

Click here for the brochure.

Click here to register.

It’s gonna be a great Retreat!

Stephanie Lieb, Chair

Year at a Glance

Upcoming Events

8/5/2025 Direct v Derivative Task Force Meeting

8/7/2025 IMF Committee Meeting

8/18/2025 CLE Committee Meeting

8/29-9/1/2025 Annual Labor Day Retreat

9/10/2025 E-Discovery Fundamentals: A Practical Introduction for New Florida Litigators

11/6/2025 View from the Bench Tampa Registration is now live.

11/7/2025 View from the Bench Miami Registration is now live.

1/28-1/29/2026 Mid-Year Meeting in Port Charlotte

3/4-8/2026 Executive Council Out of State Retreat to Iceland

Visit the Calendar

Member Articles

From the BLS Blog

An Updated Cheat Sheet for Practitioners: The New, New Florida Summary Judgment Rule: 10 Things to Know (Revised)

By Jocelyne Macelloni

On April 29, 2021, the Florida Supreme Court adopted a revised summary judgment standard, aligning it closely with the federal standard. On May 23, 2024, further amendments to Rule 1.510 were announced, followed by additional updates on December 5, 2024. This overview highlights 10 key points that every practitioner and judge should know about the evolving summary judgment rule in Florida state courts.

Read on

From The Florida Bar Journal

A Legal Roller Coaster: The Corporate Transparency Act

By Peter J. Guala and Morrie I. Levine

When originally enacted, millions of U.S. businesses and foreign entities registered to do business within the U.S. were impacted by the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), which resulted in multiple federal lawsuits. Injunctions were issued back and forth. This article summarizes what the CTA required and where we are with the implementation of the law.

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 LaRose

Judge LaRose is a long time member of the Executive Council, and was appointed to the Second District Court of Appeal in February 2005. He has served on the Task Force on Business Courts, Judicial Chair of the Business Litigation Committee, Legislation Committee, Task Force on UCRERA, Special Committee to Review Proposed Revisions to Florida Rules of Professional Conduct, Special Committee on Intellectual Property Certification, and Antitrust, Franchise & Trade Regulation Committee. Learn more about him here.

Past Chair Spotlight: Mark Wolfson, 2005-2006

Mark J. Wolfson has been practicing commercial litigation and bankruptcy for over 40 years, advising and representing clients in a wide variety of complex business bankruptcy reorganization cases and commercial litigation actions.

What have you gained from your involvement with the Section?

Chance to build professional relationships with other top business lawyers in my specific practice area (bankruptcy) throughout the State
Opportunity to meet other business lawyers highly interested in improving commercial law environment in Florida
Ability to work on drafting legal solutions to commercial law needs in Florida (e.g., UCC, judgment lien, ABC, assignment of rents) through the legislative process
High quality CLE and other learning experiences through task forces and study groups
Increased professionalism because of great examples set by predecessors and mentors.
Opportunity to lead and stay involved if willing to continue to work
Social relationships and friendships

Read on