Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryNovember 8, 2017

Despite lingering questions, mostly about liability, a House panel on Wednesday unanimously cleared a proposal that would encourage autonomous vehicles in Florida. The legislation (HB 353), sponsored by Sanford Republican Jason Brodeur and Jacksonville Republican Jason Fischer, aims to update sections of Florida’s motor vehicle laws that “require or presume” there’s a human behind the wheel. Fischer told […]

Jim RosicaOctober 18, 2017

Tobacco companies are hoping next year’s try at a bond cap repeal doesn’t go up in smoke. Legislation that would do away with the limit on the amount of money tobacco companies have to put up as appellate bonds has again been filed, this time for the 2018 Legislative Session. The one-line bill (SB 124) simply repeals the section […]

Peter SchorschOctober 9, 2017

Paul Jess has become executive director of the Florida Justice Association (FJA), the group announced Monday. Jess, a veteran attorney and association executive, had been acting as FJA’s interim executive director since January. “Paul has been with FJA for almost three decades, during which time he served in just about every professional capacity at the association, including […]

Staff ReportsAugust 14, 2017

The second quarter was good to Brecht Heuchan. With eight legislative clients and 10 executive branch clients, The Labrador Company earned at least $130,000 — $70,000 for legislative clients and and $60,000 for executive branch clients — during the second quarter of 2017, which included the second half of the Legislative Session and a brief special […]

Staff ReportsJune 19, 2017

Tampa attorney Dale Swope has been named the 58th president of the Florida Justice Association, the group announced in a press release Monday. Swope took the presidency at the Association’s 2017 Annual Conference in St. Pete Beach last week. The group is the only statewide professional association dedicated to trial attorneys and their clients in the state. “I’m honored my colleagues […]

Michael MolineMay 3, 2017

The sponsor of the Senate workers’ compensation bill has edged toward the House position regarding the maximum attorney fees payable in claims litigation. Sen. Rob Bradley filed an amendment to his bill Wednesday trimming the maximum hourly fee to $200 — down from $250 in his original bill, but more than the $150 contemplated in […]

Staff ReportsApril 10, 2017

Trial attorneys issued a denunciation Monday of the workers’ compensation reform package now headed for a House floor vote. HB 7085 is “a handout to the insurance industry and its big-business allies – one that does little to benefit injured workers or most employers,” the Florida Justice Association said in a written statement. “The plan wipes […]

Jim RosicaMarch 8, 2017

A lawyer for the widow of a Florida man “addict(ed) to cigarettes” asked the state Supreme Court Monday to reinstate her $30 million jury award for punitive damages. Tallahassee attorney John S. Mills, who represents Joan Schoeff, told the court the conduct of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.(RJR)—in selling a product they knew was killing 500,000 people a year—stopped just short […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 9, 2017

A House bill (HB 6011) that would repeal the cap on the amount of money tobacco companies have to put up as appellate bonds was “temporarily postponed” Thursday. With its Senate companion (SB 100) also indefinitely put off, the proposal’s fate is uncertain for the 2017 Legislative Session. The House version was slated to be heard in the Civil […]

Michael MolineJanuary 5, 2017

The Florida Legislature could consider legislation that would make it more expensive for tobacco companies to appeal verdicts in liability cases filed by smokers made sick or injured by their products. SB 100, filed by Sen. Greg Steube, contains just two lines: “Section 569.23, Florida Statutes, is repealed.” And “This act shall take effect July 1, […]

Tag: Florida Justice Association

‘Autonomous vehicles’ bill advances despite liability concerns

Tobacco bond cap repeal teed up again in Legislature

Personnel note: Paul Jess becomes FJA executive director

Brecht Heuchan’s firm could earn up to $189K in Q2

Personnel note: Dale Swope named president of Florida Justice Association

Amendment would move Senate workers’ comp fix closer to House language

Florida Justice Association denounces House workers’ comp package

Smoker’s widow fights for multimillion-dollar jury award

Tobacco bond repealer is again postponed, this time in House

Bills would eliminate tobacco companies’ discounted appeals