The Florida Bar Criminal Law Section

05/31/2026

Former Broward State Attorney Michael J. Satz, Florida’s longest-serving state attorney, will receive the Criminal Law Section’s 2026 Selig I. Goldin Award for his decades of service and contributions to Florida’s criminal justice system. Satz, known for leading major investigations into pill mills, organized crime, and public corruption, will be honored June 19 during The Florida Bar Convention in Orlando. Former South Carolina Circuit Judge Clifton Newman, who presided over the nationally watched Alex Murdaugh murder trial, will serve as keynote speaker. Luncheon tickets are $65 and may be purchased through Bar Convention registration at bit.ly/TFB_Convention.

Michael J. Satz, a former Broward state attorney who spent an unprecedented 44 years in office prosecuting pill mills, racketeers, and corrupt politicians, is the 2026 Selig I. Goldin Award recipient, the Criminal Law Section’s highest honor. Fourth Judicial Circuit Judge Tatiana R. Salvador, the ...

05/29/2026

Responding to the growing use — and misuse — of generative artificial intelligence in court filings, the Florida Supreme Court on May 28 amended statewide court rules to require attorneys and self-represented litigants to certify that legal authorities cited in filings are accurate. Here's what you need to know.

Responding to the growing use — and misuse — of generative artificial intelligence in court filings, the Florida Supreme Court has amended statewide court rules to require attorneys and self-represented litigants to certify that legal authorities cited in filings are accurate. The amended rules,...

05/25/2026

Never forget those who died while serving our country. 🇺🇸

05/21/2026

The Florida Supreme Court is being asked to decide whether a first-degree murder defendant who has a private lawyer is entitled to a co-counsel at taxpayer expense.

Last week, the Third District Court of Appeal said “No,” and overturned a trial judge’s order appointing a co-counsel for 32-year-old Ian Jackson, a Miami man facing first-degree murder charges.

Click below for details.

The Florida Supreme Court is being asked to decide whether a first-degree murder defendant who has a private lawyer is entitled to a co-counsel at taxpayer expense. Last week, the Third District Court of Appeal said “No,” and overturned a trial judge’s order appointing a co-counsel for 32-year...

05/19/2026

Save the dates! The Criminal Law Section is proud to be among the co-sponsors for the Honorable Elizabeth A. Kovachevich 35th Annual National Seminar on Federal Sentencing. Join us in Disney Springs from July 29–31 for updates, ethical issues, and practical strategies in federal sentencing law and practice.

The seminar is sponsored by the Federal Bar Association, Tampa Bay Chapter. Get details and register at bit.ly/35th_FS_Seminar.

05/11/2026

Big changes are coming, and Florida lawyers need to “level up” their technical prowess to survive a post-AI world, warns Jordan Furlong, an internationally known author, consultant, and North America’s leading “legal futurist.”

Furlong recently stepped away from the lecture circuit to appear on LegalFuel's podcast series with Practice Resource Center Director Christine Bilbrey and Practice Management Advisor Jamie Moore.

The hour-long episode, “As AI Allows Lawyers to Better Serve Clients, Firms Must Prepare for the Post AI-World,” is free and available on the LegalFuel website under Free CLE.

Big changes are coming, and Florida lawyers need to “level up” their technical prowess to survive a post-AI world, warns an internationally known author, consultant, and North America’s leading “legal futurist.” “Fundamentally, this is world-changing technology,” says Jordan Furlong. ....

05/07/2026

In celebration of its 30th anniversary, the Government Lawyer Section will present its first-ever Legacy & Leadership Symposium on Friday, June 5, from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at The Florida Bar Annex Building in Tallahassee.

Attendance is free and open to all: section members, law students, and those considering entering government law.

The two-part program offers 2 CLE credits and 1 certification credit each in City, County, and Local Government Law and State and Federal Government and Administrative Practice.

Click below to learn more and to register.

In celebration of its 30th anniversary, the Government Lawyer Section will present its first-ever Legacy & Leadership Symposium on Friday, June 5, from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at The Florida Bar Annex Building in Tallahassee. Attendance is free and open to section members, law students, and those consi...

04/30/2026

Florida Bar members can deepen their understanding of data privacy law at a two-day CIPP/US certification prep course, June 15–16 in Orlando during the Annual Convention. Led by privacy expert Bob Siegel, the program covers key U.S. laws, regulations, and global data transfer requirements.

Members of The Florida Bar will have the opportunity to strengthen their understanding of data privacy law through an exclusive U.S. Private-Sector Privacy (CIPP/US) certification prep course offered in conjunction with the Annual Florida Bar Convention and hosted by the Cybersecurity and Privacy La...