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Staff ReportsDecember 27, 2018

Grab your iPhones Xs, Pixels and Galaxy Notes: The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday debuted its first ever “smartphone-friendly” website. “We were one of the first courts in the world to use the web starting in 1994,” Chief Justice Charles Canady said in a statement. “Our new site continues a long heritage of transparency and openness […]

Michael MolineNovember 15, 2018

A divided Florida Supreme Court has given judges permission to maintain Facebook friendships with trial attorneys, settling a divide between lower state appeals courts and siding with the majority of courts and ethics overseers in other states. The majority opinion, by Chief Justice Charles Canady, noted that the court hasn’t considered actual friendships between judges […]

Michael MolineOctober 25, 2018

The Florida Supreme Court, as promised, issued its written decision explaining why it allowed the Constitution Revision Commission’s victims’ rights amendment on the Nov. 6 ballot — and the majority swept aside complaints the ballot language is misleading. ”In this case, the ballot title and summary comply with the statutory word limitations. Additionally, the title and […]

Michael MolineOctober 19, 2018

The Florida Supreme Court has explained why it removed Dana Marie Santino from the Palm Beach County trial bench — and it looks like the days when judges could remain on the bench notwithstanding egregious campaign ethics violations are over. The high court stripped Santino of office in July amid complaints she’d engaged in ugly, “Donald Trump-like” […]

Michael MolineSeptember 20, 2018

A closely divided Florida Supreme Court on Thursday reinstated a bad faith judgment against Geico Insurance, concluding in a 4-3 decision that the insurer had improperly exposed a policyholder to an $8.5 million judgment in a wrongful death action. Writing for the majority, Justice Peggy A. Quince emphasized insurers’ duty to zealously represent customers against potential […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 12, 2018

The Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission on Wednesday announced it would start accepting applications to fill three upcoming vacancies. Justices Barbara Pariente, R. Fred Lewis, and Peggy A. Quince face mandatory retirement on the same day that term-limited Republican Gov. Rick Scott will leave office. Under the state constitution, judges and justices face mandatory retirement at […]

Jim RosicaAugust 17, 2018

Rachel Nordby, who’s been a deputy solicitor general for Attorney General Pam Bondi, is heading to the Shutts & Bowen law firm as a partner in the Tallahassee office, the firm announced Friday. Nordby, who starts Sept. 10, will be vice chair of the firm’s Appellate Practice Group. Her hire follows another recent high-profile addition […]

Jim RosicaMay 15, 2018

In another gambling case that could reach the state Supreme Court, a Jacksonville casino is appealing the state’s ending of its quest for a slot machine license. Jacksonville Kennel Club, which does business as bestbet, filed a notice of appeal to the 1st District Court of Appeal on Tuesday after the Department of Business and […]

Jim RosicaJune 14, 2017

When Gov. Rick Scott appointed a conservative jurist to the state’s Supreme Court in December, he made clear he wasn’t done. “I will appoint three more justices the morning I finish my term,” he said, referring to the mandatory retirement in early 2019 of the court’s liberal-leaning triumvirate of Justices Barbara Pariente, Peggy A. Quince and […]

Jim RosicaJune 5, 2017

Lawyers for a North Florida racetrack have asked the state’s Supreme Court to rehear argument in a case over whether pari-mutuels can add slot machines in counties that passed referendums allowing them. Gretna Racing‘s motion for rehearing was filed late Friday, court dockets show. The horse track, also known as Creek Entertainment/Gretna, is managed and operated […]

Tag: Charles Canady
Mike Johnson. Image via AP.

Florida Supreme Court launches smartphone-friendly website

Supreme Court greenlights judge-lawyer Facebook friendships

Supreme Court explains its OK of victims’ rights ballot language

Florida Supreme Court cracking down on judicial campaign misconduct

Supreme Court reinstates $8.5M verdict against Geico

Apply within: Panel starts process to replace Supreme Court justices

Personnel note: Rachel Nordby joins Shutts & Bowen

Spin ’em: Jacksonville race track appeals slot machine denial

Progressive groups sue over Rick Scott’s judicial appointment power

New deal? Gretna asks court to reconsider slots ruling