Business Law Section Newsletter
BLS Annual Labor Day Retreat Returns to Ritz Naples
The BLS Labor Day Retreat returns to Ritz Naples this year September 1-4, 2023. Join us for a fun filled trip Back to the Future. As always, the family friendly retreat will offer CLE, networking opportunities, great food and fun, and ample time to relax and enjoy the beautiful Ritz Naples.

Retreat Brochure with full schedule of events.
BLS Blog: Florida-Based McDonald’s Franchisee Sued For Failure to Accommodate
by Deedee Bitran
Shutts & Bowen LLP
Last month, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) sued a Florida-based McDonald’s franchisee (Houcorp, Inc.) for allegedly failing to accommodate a deaf job applicant under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). The Complaint alleges that a job applicant who is hard of hearing requested and was denied an American Sign Language (“ASL”) interpreter at her job orientation.
Practical Preservation, Collection and Use of ESI and Digital Evidence During Litigation and Trial Seminar

This program, presented during The Florida Bar Annual Convention, provided 4 modules consisting of ESI case law review, a tips and trick ESI practitioner presentation, a mock ESI hearing with judicial panel, and a judicial panel Q&A.


Coming soon on demand
In Case You Missed It
Mental Health First Aid CLE Series

The BLS Health and Wellness Task Force concluded its 4 part series, Mental Health First Aid. All episodes are available through the BLS website and each one is 1.0 hour of CLE. Topics include Mental Health Issues in Those Around Us, Identifying Acute Mental Health Crises, Skills and Strategies for Handling Everyday Emotions and Stress, and concluded with Dealing with Difficult Clients and Building Resilience.

The New UCC Article 12: Why, When and What Does It Do?
Live Program was June 22, 2023
Speakers: Bankruptcy Judge Mindy A. Mora (SDFL), Prof. Charles W. Mooney, Jr. (UPenn Carey Law School), Edwin Smith, Steven Weise, Joanne Gelfand, and Andrew Hinkes, with an introduction by Michael Dunn

The program explains the rationale for the creation of UCC Art. 12, the status of the efforts for its adoption in Florida, how it will impact modern electronic commercial transactions and digital assets, and critical terminology used in the proposed statute.
Veterans Financial Literacy Program Goes Statewide

The Business Law Section’s Financial Literacy Task Force is proud to announce the launching of their statewide Veterans Financial Literacy Program to take place this coming November 4, 2023 (Veterans Month) in Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville and Pensacola. You can help veterans across Florida learn to make educated financial decisions and avoid pitfalls.

Learn more and volunteer today!
Chris DeCort names Outstanding Member of the Year
Congratulations to Chris DeCort on being named Outstanding Member of the Year for 2022-2023.

Selecting a “Member of the Year” is a difficult task in an organization like The Florida Bar Business Law Section. The Section produces top shelf work, and we do so because of first class professionals like Chris DeCort.