Mark Killian

Editor at The Florida Bar Journal

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Articles

Judge Martha Adams ordered to appear for public reprimand over inappropriate comments

1 week ago | floridabar.org | Mark Killian

Judge Martha Adams ordered to appear for public reprimand over inappropriate comments Editor Top Stories The Florida Supreme Court has ordered Orange County Judge Martha Adams to appear for a public reprimand, citing courtroom comments it described as “well outside the bounds of what is acceptable for members of our judiciary.” Acting May 8 in Case No. SC2025-0278, the court accepted a stipulation that Judge Adams violated the Canons of Judicial Conduct through “biased, impatient,...
Florida Bar updates process for evaluating unapproved CLE courses

1 week ago | floridabar.org | Mark Killian

Florida Bar updates process for evaluating unapproved CLE courses Editor Top Stories The Florida Bar has updated its process for evaluating and approving Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits for members who attend unapproved courses. Because Florida is not a reciprocal CLE state, course certificates alone are no longer sufficient for credit consideration.
Bar fee season is underway - members may pay their annual fees online now

2 weeks ago | floridabar.org | Mark Killian

Bar fee season is underway — members may pay their annual fees online now Editor Top Stories As The Florida Bar prepares to celebrate its 75th anniversary this year, it’s annual fee season is underway with the traditional early option of paying online by signing into the Member Portal at member.floridabar.org and clicking the “Pay My Fees” button. This may be paid via credit card or e-check.
Documentary participation could risk lending judicial prestige

3 weeks ago | floridabar.org | Mark Killian

Documentary participation could risk lending judicial prestige Editor Top Stories A judge may not appear in a potentially for-profit documentary about high-conflict custody cases, citing concerns over judicial impartiality, confidentiality, and the risk of lending judicial prestige to commercial ventures, the Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee has ruled.
Can judges serve in the Florida State Guard?

3 weeks ago | floridabar.org | Mark Killian

Can judges serve in the Florida State Guard? Editor Top Stories A judge may serve as a volunteer in the Florida State Guard, with limits, according to the Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee. The ethics panel acted April 16 in Opinion Number: 2025-09, but not without dissent.
Judicial ethics panel clears judges to join sponsored trip to Israel

1 month ago | floridabar.org | Mark Killian

Judicial ethics panel clears judges to join sponsored trip to Israel Editor Top Stories Florida’s judicial ethics panel says judges may accept reasonable expense reimbursements for participating in educational trips or other extrajudicial activities — including those not directly related to the law — as long as such involvement doesn’t compromise their impartiality or violate reporting rules. The Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee acted April 6 in .
Senate approves bill to protect vulnerable adults from internet scammers

1 month ago | floridabar.org | Mark Killian

Senate approves bill to protect vulnerable adults from internet scammers Editor Top Stories The Senate has approved an Elder Law Section proposal aimed at protecting vulnerable victims by making it easier to halt bank transfers to “unascertainable” internet scammers. Without debate, the Senate voted 37-0 March 27 to approve SB 106, introduced by Sen. Jonathan Martin, a Ft. Myers attorney.
Court establishes Workgroup on Judicial Security to address growing threats

1 month ago | floridabar.org | Mark Killian

Court establishes Workgroup on Judicial Security to address growing threats Editor Top Stories The Florida Supreme Court has established a Workgroup on Judicial Security to address rising threats and violence against judges and court staff. The group will make recommendations on improving security measures, including threat detection, response, and risk reduction.
Five Young Lawyer Division board races decided

1 month ago | floridabar.org | Mark Killian

Five Young Lawyer Division board races decided Editor Top Stories Five races were decided in March balloting for Young Lawyers Division Board of Governors. In the race for Ninth Circuit, Seat 3, Melissa A. Bryan received 75 votes to defeat XiXi Li with 67 votes. In the race for 11th Circuit, Seat 2, Magbis Sanchez bested Brittany Herndon 118 to 77.
Judicial ethics panel says judges must refrain from sharing foreclosure sale details outside public channels

2 months ago | floridabar.org | Mark Killian

Judicial ethics panel says judges must refrain from sharing foreclosure sale details outside public channels Editor Top Stories A judge should not extrajudicially notify others of upcoming foreclosure sales or details about those cases in mortgage foreclosures over which the judge presided.