February 2021

Greetings Appellate Practice Section Members,

But, I would like to thank the Retreat Planning Committee: Judge Alan Forst, Kristin Norse, Diane DeWolf, Carrie Ann Wozniak, and our Program Administrator, Cheri Wright. Thank you for planning and re-planning (and re-re-planning?) this retreat several times.

Now, for some much-needed good news:

• We had a great Winter Meeting. Attendance was up and our Committees have exciting things in the works. Thank you, all, for attending.

• Despite the retreat’s cancellation, the June Bar Convention is currently still on for June 9-10, 2021. And, even better news, we just found out that our Section’s joint CLE program with the Criminal Law Section and Trial Lawyers Section was officially selected for The Florida Bar Presidential Showcase this year. This is a very prestigious honor. The CLE will concern preservation of error and is called Look Out Below! Flaws and Fumbles and Blunders and Landmines. Big thanks to Elaine Walter and Courtney Brewer for their work in making this happen!

• Chair-Elect Kim Jones and Cheri Wright have also been working hard in helping our appellate judges plan the 2021 Florida Conference of District Court of Appeal Judges, which the Section is invited to attend this year. This is currently scheduled for August 25-27, 2021 at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation. Definitely mark your calendar and watch for updates.

• Finally, check out our Pro Bono spotlight, which is a new column in the Section’s The Record that highlights our Section’s pro bono superstars! Our first two featured superstars are Sarah Lahlou-Amine and Melissa Giasi. Check out the column about Sarah, here, while Melissa’s column is up next. Thank you, Sarah and Melissa, for your service and hard work.

Despite the disappointing news, the Section still has a lot to brag about. And, our Vice Chair Carrie Ann Wozniak is already thinking about the next retreat, which will take place during her Chair year in 2022. Watch for the survey we’ll be sending out soon, and if you have any ideas for the retreat, let us know and we’ll relay them to the Retreat Planning Committee.

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!!!