Legal Briefs (Tampa edition)

Legal Briefs (Tampa edition)

Clearwater Bar president rebukes governor

The Clearwater Bar Association board of directors, led by bar President Robert Dickinson III, sent a resolution to Gov. Jeb Bush criticizing his attempted involvement in the Terri Schiavo case as "improper."

The resolution addressed a letter sent Aug. 26 by Gov. Bush to Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge George Greer, presiding judge in the ongoing case involving Schiavo, who has been in a persistent vegetative state since a 1990 heart attack.

Schiavo's parents and husband have been unable to agree on a plan of treatment for Schiavo, resulting in continuing legal disputes since 1993.

In the governor's letter, in which he asked Greer to consider reappointing a guardian ad litem for Schiavo, Bush expressed his regret at writing to a judge about an active case, but said his office has received more than 27,000 e-mails concerning Schiavo. "To err on one side is to prolong her existence, perhaps against her wishes, and continue the debate," the letter states. "To err on the other side is an irrevocable act that affords no remediation."

The CBA board's resolution says the governor's action warrants "the rebuke of the citizens of the state of Florida," and undermines and threatens the public's confidence in the independence and objectivity of the judiciary, the rule of law and the state of Florida's ability to impartially administer justice through its state court system."

Sarasota lawyer named

to advisory council

Eugene George, 58, of Sarasota, an attorney with Bowman, George, Scheb, Toale & Robinson PA, was named to the state's Continuing Care Advisory Council for a term that began Oct. 1 and will end in 2006.

Attorneys join office of

Bavol Bush Graziano & Rice

Mark Sonnemann and Jason Miller joined the Tampa office of Bavol Bush Graziano & Rice PA. Both will practice in the area of product liability, medical malpractice and environmental litigation.

Sonnemann earned his JD with honors from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Miller earned his JD from Chicago-Kent College of Law at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago.

Attorney general announces

plans for mentoring program

Speaking recently at the Stetson University College of Law, Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist announced the creation of a program to attract new lawyers to public service.

The Attorney General's Honor Program for third year students or recent graduates will allow successful applicants to work in the AG's office for at least two years. After completing the program, applicants will be considered for retention as an assistant attorney general.

Applications are available online at http://myfloridalegal.com/honorsapp.