Legal Briefs (Tampa)

Legal Briefs (Tampa

Sun Microstamping defaults

on job discrimination action

It's not often Palm Harbor attorney Chris Gray wins a federal job discrimination action by default. But that's what happened in a lawsuit filed by a man who'd worked for Clearwater-based Sun Microstamping Technologies Inc.

"It's completely unusual," Gray says.

Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge James S. Moody authorized Gray, a Florin Roebig PA lawyer, to prepare a proposed order on damages on behalf of Thomas McBee. At a Jan. 28 hearing in Tampa, the judge entered a judgment for McBee against his former employer, Sun Microstamping.

"It's our intention once we get the (final) judgment from Judge Moody to pursue a collection," Gray says. "It should be a six-figure amount."

McBee, who was a third-shift manager, contends he endured racial slurs from a Sun Microstamping general manager.

It's not certain why the manufacturer defaulted, Gray says. An attorney at Orlando's Fisher & Phillips LLP, which had represented the manufacturer, told Gray the owners at the time of the allegations had sold the firm's assets. The firm reportedly generates around annual revenue of $27 million.

"I think they believe they're immune from liability and judgment," Gray says.

Lawyer awareness campaign

relies on Ebsary's expertise

Over the past few months, a committee of Florida Bar board certified lawyers has embarked on a consumer-service campaign to raise awareness about their level of expertise. It includes public service notices written by board certified lawyers, which are then sent to all Florida weekly newspapers and radio stations.

In its most recent e-mail alert, the committee distributed an advisory on computer crime written by W.F. "Casey" Ebsary, a Tampa board certified criminal trial lawyer.

In the alert, Ebsary focuses on the potential loss of confidential information through illegal access of personal and corporate computers. He writes about the use of firewalls and threats from computer viruses and spyware.

Besides his trial work, Ebsary has become a resource for lawyers on computer technology issues. For instance, he has conducted seminars for the Hillsborough County Bar Association on the federal courts' case management/electronic case filing system.

Attorneys pad Davis, Smith's

gubernatorial campaign coffers

Only about $22,000 in campaign contributions separates U.S. Rep. Jim Davis, D-Tampa, from gubernatorial challenger state Sen. Rod Smith, D-Gainesville. It appears the largest percentage of their money comes from lawyers.

So far, Davis, a former Bush Ross PA attorney, and Smith, a former prosecutor, are the top fundraisers among those who have filed as of April 25 to run in 2006 for Florida governor.

Other candidates include Democrats Lawton "Bud" Chiles, who has announced his intention to withdraw, Monroe Lee and Robert L. Pribble. Scott Maddox, the former Florida Democratic Party chairman, also is considering a bid for the elected job.

The only Republican candidate filed so far is Richard Paul Dembinsky. However, Lt. Gov. Toni Jennings, Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist and Florida Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher have expressed their interests in the race.

Non-party candidates filed so far include Piotr Blass, Jamie Gannon, Wilfredo Papa-Roqui Maneiro II, C.C. Reed and Mickey Richardson.

Davis collected $419,251 from 1,156 contributors during the quarter ended March 31, state federal election records show. That compares with the $397,501 from 1,023 contributors who gave to Smith.

Nearly 57%, or $240,981, of the Davis campaign funds comes from contributors with a Tampa address. About 26%, or $121,980, comes from individuals who listed attorney as their occupation.

Smith has raised nearly 42%, or $167,390, of his campaign funds from contributors who list an address in either Gainesville or Tallahassee. Of the total amount, contributors who identify themselves as attorneys account for about 21%, or $84,800, of his total.

- David R. Corder