Business Law Section Newsletter
February 3, 2022
Now Accepting Applications for BLS Fellows, Class of 2022-2024
The Fellowship Program is designed to assist a diverse and inclusive group of lawyers in becoming better leaders within our profession and the Section, while enhancing their leadership skills. To learn more or to apply, visit our website.
Judge McEwen Honored by NCBJ for Pro Bono Service
Reprinted with permission from Court Connection Volume No. 10 – Issue No. 4 October 2021

By: Chief Judge Caryl E. Delano

One of the things I enjoy most about being the chief bankruptcy judge in the Middle District is the opportunity to brag about the incredible work being done by our judges. Today, I am delighted to shine the spotlight on our own Judge Catherine Peek McEwen.

Last summer, the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges announced its solicitation for nominations for the NCBJ’s 2021 Public Outreach Award. Almost immediately, our judges decided to nominate Judge McEwen, and before we could make the nomination, Chief Judge Laurel Isicoff of the Southern District and Chief Judge Karen Specie of the Northern District contacted me with the same suggestion.

In choosing a recipient of the Public Outreach Award, the selection committee considered the extent to which the nominee’s public outreach activities have had a significant impact in the community; have involved, increased the profile of, or positively affected the bankruptcy courts and the federal courts generally; and have demonstrated a commitment to volunteerism and community service.
Intellectual Property Committee Monthly Roundtable
February 9, 2022, noon


Series LLC Monthly Zoom Call
February 9, 2022, noon

Judge Vaughan's Investiture
February 25, 2022

Judge Vaughan’s Investiture is scheduled for Friday, February 25, 2022 at 4pm at the Sam M. Gibbons U.S. Courthouse in Tampa with a reception immediately following at Bizou Basserie in Le Meridien.

Given the number of events that have gone virtual or been cancelled, we just want to be clear that this event is going forward, with an outdoor option, and there is still time to RSVP.

RSVP here, deadline extended
Twitter Poll!
How do you pronounce AMICUS?
Florida Bar Leadership Academy Accepting Applications
The deadline to apply for the 2022-2023 Wm. Reece Smith, Jr., Leadership Academy Class X has been extended until February 11, 2022. For more details and to apply, click here.
2022 Financial Literacy Legislation
 
January 2022 Update

Bills have been introduced in the both the Florida House and Senate known as “The “Dorothy L. Hukill Financial Literacy Act” (SB 1054 Financial Literacy Instruction in Public Schools, and HB 1115: High School Graduation Requirements in Personal Finance). The bills, although not exactly the same, are very similar. The proposed legislation would mandate a one-half credit of instruction in personal financial literacy and money management for all students.

The bills were recently referred to Committees and Subcommittees in the Senate and the House. BLS MEMBERS, WE NEED YOUR HELP!! We ask that you write to each of the senators and representatives on those committees and subcommittees to express our support for the legislation. Our Task Force has made it easy for you to help in this endeavor.
 
All you have to do is download the sample letter, modify it to your writing style if you so choose, address it to each of the senators, print the letters on your letterhead, and just sign and mail (and/or email) them. THAT’S IT! IT IS AS SIMPLE AS THAT! 
 
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!
 
Carlos E. Sardi
View from the Bench
May 12, 2022 Tampa
May 12, 2022 Miami
New dates! If you previously registered for either program, you do not need to do anything, your registration will automatically be moved to the new date.
Helpful Links
In keeping with our mission to make everyone’s lives easier and more efficient, Michael Moecker and Associates, in conjunction with the Business Law Section of the Florida Bar, is excited to roll out the Helpful Links page. As we previewed at the Labor Day Retreat, the page has many of the links everyone uses on a frequent basis. The current page has the most recent versions of the US Bankruptcy Code, federal rules of procedure, Florida Statute 727 – ABC’s, local rules for all districts in Florida, UCRERA, the UCC, corporation statutes, and other helpful links.

The page is on the BLS website and can be found at the following link https://flabizlaw.org/library/helpful-links/. To bookmark the page on your desktop, phone, or tablet, follow these instructions. The page will be reviewed periodically for updates, so please do not hesitate to contact me at Mhealy@moecker.com if you have any suggestions.

Thank you,
Michael Moecker and Associates