The Florida Bar Criminal Law Section

06/05/2026

The American Bar Association is warning attorneys and the public about a growing immigration fraud scheme in which scammers impersonate licensed lawyers, legal aid organizations, and even the ABA. Using real attorney names, bar numbers, fake retainer agreements, and fraudulent immigration documents, scammers are targeting individuals seeking legal assistance through platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and TikTok. Victims have suffered financial losses and serious immigration consequences, including missed filing deadlines and deportation orders.

The ABA is warning attorneys about a sophisticated immigration fraud scheme in which scammers impersonate licensed lawyers, legal aid organizations, and the ABA to target individuals seeking immigration assistance. According to an ABA alert, fraudsters have used real attorneys' names and bar numbers...

06/03/2026

REMINDER: June 18–19 Criminal Law Section events during The Florida Bar Convention.

Join your Criminal Law Section friends and colleagues at The Florida Bar Convention in Orlando for meetings, networking receptions, Criminal Law Update, the annual Selig I. Goldin Award Luncheon honoring Michael J. Satz, and more. The schedule details are below. All events will be held at Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. Register for the Criminal Law Update and the Selig I. Goldin Luncheon through the Convention at bit.ly/TFB_Convention.

Thursday, June 18
- 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Criminal Law Update CLE (Floridan Ballroom J). Sessions include a Q&A with members of the bench, a presentation from Florida Supreme Court Justice Jorge Labarga, case law, "crimmigration" updates, legislation and technology updates, and a keynote address from retired Supreme Court Justice Peggy Ann Quince. View the schedule and presenters here.
- 5–6:30 p.m. Criminal Law Section Reception and Scholarship Awards presentation (Dade)

Friday, June 19
- 8:30–11:30 a.m. Criminal Law Section Executive Council Meeting (Floridian Ballroom J)
- 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m. 2026 Selig I. Goldin Award Luncheon (Floridian Ballroom L). 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. Tickets are $65 and may be purchased through Florida Bar Convention registration.

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. ....