Taryn Phaneuf News
Trial lawyers gaining influence at statehouse, Florida Justice Reform Institute says
It has been a busy legislative session for the Florida Justice Reform Institute (FJRI), a lobbying group that encourages state lawmakers to curb litigation abuse that hurts businesses in the state.
Call for term limits pits judicial independence against accountability
TALLAHASSEE — A move to bring “good government and accountability,” by setting term limits on some judicial offices has Florida lawmakers squaring off in a debate over accountability versus independence of the state’s judicial branch.
House committee passes bill seeking judicial term limits
TALLAHASSEE — A joint resolution seeking to set term limits on certain judicial offices passed an initial hurdle Tuesday in the Florida House of Representatives.
'War Dogs' gunrunner blames Abilify for his actions
A smuggler who made headlines a decade ago and was the focus of the 2016 film War Dogs is making news again: Efraim Diveroli has joined the long line of plaintiffs suing the maker of the prescription drug Abilify for his compulsive behavior.
Bong maker looks to weed out counterfeits in Florida and elsewhere
An interpretation of trademark law might decide whether a California bong maker's claim that others are making phony and cheap versions of his product keeps rolling or goes up in smoke.
Florida court to hear consolidated cases against makers of Abilify
A district-court judge in Florida will oversee consolidated litigation against the makers of a brand of medications used to treat several mental disorders.
Florida floral business asks U.S. Supreme Court to hear tax dispute
TALLAHASSEE — A Florida florist has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review the state’s flower tax after the Florida Supreme Court upheld the levy in a decision issued in May.
Disbarred attorney headed to prison for insurance settlement scam
FORT LAUDERDALE — A former attorney faces seven years in prison after pleading guilty to charges related to an insurance settlement scam.
Individuals, attorneys benefit from a la carte legal services, one Florida attorney says
The traditional way of billing for legal services may not be working for the growing number of people who would rather represent themselves in state courthouses across the country because the cost of retaining a lawyer is too high.
Jury awards plaintiff $70 million in Johnson & Johnson talc case
ST. LOUIS — A circuit court jury on Thursday awarded $70 million in damages over a woman’s claims that using Johnson & Johnson’s products containing talc, such as baby powder, contributed to her ovarian cancer.
Investor Florida Bar serves on grievance committee
MIAMI — A Miami businessman has learned more about legal ethics and rules by serving on a Florida Bar grievance committee.
Judge urges Florida Supreme Court to hold off on emergency suspension of attorney
TALLAHASSEE — A judge acting as a referee won’t recommend the Florida Supreme Court suspend an attorney who is accused of barratry – "ambulance chasing" – in Texas and has pending complaints against him in Florida.
Attorney for abusers seeks to support domestic abuse victims instead
ORLANDO — An Orlando attorney specializing in helping people who are unsure of who to turn to for legal help has created an education and resource center on his website for victims of domestic violence.
Miami-based legal matchmaking business continues to grow
MIAMI — A Florida-based business offering a la carte legal services has grown by leaps and bounds, expanding into 23 states in just two years.
Florida lawyer accused of 'ambulance chasing' in Texas
DALLAS – A Florida attorney is on the other end of a lawsuit, facing allegations that he and a Dallas City Council member illegally solicited a woman in a wrongful death case – a crime known as ambulance chasing.
FPL defers request to charge consumers $22 million for new reactors
TALLAHASSEE – Florida Power & Light (FPL) will not raise rates in 2017 to pay for the long-term project of constructing two new nuclear reactors.
Customers will likely foot the bill for nuclear plant's saltwater plume recovery plan
MIAMI — Months after an administrative judge ruled that the canal cooling system at Florida Power & Light’s Turkey Point power plant is the major cause of an underground saltwater plume threatening South Florida drinking water, regulatory officials are considering the utility company’s proposal to remedy the problem.
Florida Super Lawyers names seven top-rated attorneys at Hopping Green & Sams
TALLAHASSEE – A rating service recently recognized 13 attorneys from Hopping Green & Sams in Tallahassee as top-rated lawyers in the state in several practice areas.
Lawsuit against police department will rely on dash cam video in K-9 case
PUNTA GORDA – A video captured by a police car’s dashboard camera shows an officer’s K-9 partner latched onto a man’s underarm and pulling like it’s a game of tug-of-war. The man is yelling, telling the officer to get the dog off of him, while the officer directs the man to stop resisting and lay on his chest.
Florida Supreme Court upholds tax on out-of-state flower orders
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Supreme Court recently determined it’s constitutional to tax the sale of flowers that are ordered online through a company that resides in the state even though the order is fulfilled outside the state.