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Woman Used a Commercial Will Instead of a Lawyer

The Florida Bar News edition from June 1, 2014 features an article about a woman who chose to use a commercial or generic will instead of working with a lawyer to prepare a specific will for her needs.

In this case the commercial will form saved her some money in preparing the document.  But it cost her family much more in litigating the will that the initial lawyer would have been.  The problem experienced by this woman could have been easily avoided by addressing all the necessary items in the will had she chosen to use an attorney.  This is not an uncommon story

US House Passes Deployed Troop Support Act (H.R. 1756)


You can help our deployed troops with no cost to you or other taxpayers.  This bill allows empty space on military transports be utilized to deliver to our troops goods supplied by non-profit organizations.  The military is already authorized to use empty space to deliver goods from non profits to foreign nationals overseas.  This bill passed the House with bipartisan support and is under consideration by the Senate.  Contact your Senators and urge them to make sure this bill passes.
Locals Kim & Garren Cone of AVET Project, Inc. have been instrumental in getting this great idea before our legislators.
This is a chance to give something back to our troops and it only takes a minute – call or email:
Bill Nelson: 407-872-7161 / 888-671-4091
(www.billnelson.senate.gov/contact-bill)
Marco Rubio 407-254-2573 / 866-630-7106
(http://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact)

May Press Release from Bill Posey's Office

Ken Rhoden Volunteers at Barry Law Review Symposium

Barry Law School (Orlando) hosted it’s annual Law Review Symposium last week.  The topic was focused on issues from the recent trial of George Zimmerman in Seminole County.  Ken was invited to participate as a panelist based on his almost 30 years in practice with the Public Defender’s Office and in private practice defending those accused of crimes and in civil cases.

Attorneys Mark O’Mara and Don West, both central defense figures in the 2013 George Zimmerman murder/manslaughter trial, were among the speakers at the Feb. 21 symposium, “Florida Self-Defense & Ethical Prosecution in the Wake of the Zimmerman Trial” at Barry University School of Law in Orlando.  Specific topics included:   jury selection and perception, ethical prosecution, and several issues related to Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law.

In addition to Ken Rhoden, Mark O’Mara and Don West, other speakers included: former Florida Sen. Steven Geller, former U.S. Marshal Tom Hurlburt, former NYPD Officer Dennis Bootle, and attorneys Diana Tennis, Carey Haughwout, Mimi Smith, Scott Santos, and Cynthia Schmidt.

The symposium was well attended and Barry presented a beautiful plaque of appreciation to Ken.

2014 Barry Law Review Symposium – Jury Selection

I am proud to support the local legal community and Barry University School of Law  by participating in this symposium. It will be a good day – look for me in “Jury Selection” from 11am – 12noon.  I bring a unique combination of experience in trials and jury selection as I have 12 years as an Assistant Public Defender and 16 years as a private civil and criminal attorney.  Many people do not consider that a family law attorney with criminal experience can be the difference between a successful trial and a trial filled with missed opportunities, inadmissible evidence, and other issues that may make or break a case.

2014 Barry Law Review Symposium