Michael Carroll News
Some attorneys urging DeSantis to name African-American high court justice
Calls for Gov. Ron DeSantis to appoint an African-American judge to the state Supreme Court have intensified in recent weeks as the deadline nears for him to fill two vacant judicial seats.
Florida can't deny indigent felons right to vote, U.S. appeals panel rules
A federal appeals panel on Wednesday struck down a Florida law requiring that felons who want to re-establish their voting rights under Amendment 4 pay all imposed fines, restitution and fees.
Florida bill to limit attorney fee awards in property insurance claims advances
Legislation to curb excessive attorney fees charged in property insurance claims passed the Florida House Commerce Committee on a 16-7 vote, setting up a floor vote on the reform measure.
Ruling may put the brakes on abusive TCPA litigation in Florida
Florida businesses may see a reduction in serial lawsuits brought under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act in the wake of a ruling by a federal appeals court last month, legal observers told the Florida Record.
Bill dubbed 'lawyer relief act' could foster more lawsuits between local agencies and Florida property owners
A bill advancing in the state legislature would stifle local governments’ ability to settle land-use disputes with property owners, leading to a rise in civil litigation and additional financial burdens for local taxpayers, opponents say.
Florida lawmakers urged to reject insurance law reference guide
An insurance association is urging the Florida legislature not to recognize a legal reference guide drawn up by the American Law Institute (ALI), whose texts have traditionally been viewed as authoritative summaries of existing law.
Florida bill to preempt local sunscreen bans advances
A bill that would draw a line in the sand to stop local governments in Florida from banning certain types of sunscreen passed the state Senate Jan. 22 on a 25-14 vote.
Bill would crack down on 'bad drug ads' aired in Florida markets
In the wake of a workshop it held last month, a Florida House subcommittee has filed a bill to regulate “bad drug ads” aimed largely at recruiting plaintiffs for class-action lawsuits.
'Tort tax' of $719 per resident fuels push for Florida legal reforms
Armed with new data pointing to how out-of-control civil litigation affects the Florida economy, business leaders launched a push for tort reform measures they say will reduce the “tort tax” residents pay.
Nine Florida Supreme Court finalists named
TALLAHASSEE – The process to fill two vacant Florida Supreme Court seats nears the finish line as a nominating panel released a list of nine finalists headed for Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk.
Marijuana proponents' lawsuit targets new Florida law that reformed initiative process
Ongoing legal skirmishes involving a proposed Florida constitutional amendment to legalize recreational marijuana will shape how direct democracy functions in the future, according to those familiar with the litigation.
Florida felons must pay all legal obligations in order to vote, high court rules
TALLAHASSEE – Nonviolent felons who have served their time must also pay all fines, costs and restitution they owe before they can vote under the terms of voter-passed Amendment 4, Florida's highest court said in an advisory ruling.
More opportunities for personal injury suits seen in wake of Florida high court ruling
A Florida Supreme Court decision handed down last month will make it easier for plaintiffs to pursue personal injury lawsuits in pollution-related cases, according to those familiar with the case.
Florida Bar's Business Law Section urges change in summary judgment standard
Calls for the Florida Supreme Court to adopt the federal standard for issuing summary judgments in civil cases has intensified in recent weeks, with attorney and business groups arguing that such a change will curb meritless lawsuits
Non-activists seen as having inside track to Florida Supreme Court posts
TALLAHASSEE – Candidates who share a non-activist, follow-the-word-of-the-law philosophy will have the upper hand during the selection of finalists to fill two vacant seats on the Florida Supreme Court, according to those familiar with the process.
ExxonMobil climate-change ruling seen as red flag to Florida local governments
A New York legal ruling earlier this month that exonerated ExxonMobil of misleading investors about climate change should further dissuade Florida local governments from joining similar lawsuits against energy companies.
Nonviolent felons challenging Florida law can still register to vote
The legal wrangling over the meaning of Amendment 4, the ballot measure that granted Florida nonviolent felons the right to vote once they fulfill the terms of their sentences, will continue into the new year.
Cracks emerge in campaign to pass auto-glass AOB reforms
TALLAHASSEE – A bill aimed at putting the brakes on excess litigation related to alleged fraudulent practices in the auto glass industry failed to pass a key Florida Senate panel earlier this month.
Florida appeals court upholds cap on medical malpractice awards in arbitration
A southern Florida appeals court this week affirmed that the state’s limits on punitive damages in certain medical malpractice cases do not violate the state constitution’s guarantees of equal protection.
Florida attorney charged with filing hundreds of bogus ADA lawsuits
A Florida man who allegedly filed hundreds of fraudulent Americans With Disabilities Act lawsuits has a scheduled court appearance Tuesday in New York.