Lawyers Check out Freedom Tower

 By John R. Byrne

Yesterday, a group of lawyers and Chief Judge Altonaga toured the soon-to-be re-opened Freedom Tower. The museum there is incredible and a must visit if you work downtown (and worth the trip if you don't). The tower was built in 1925 as a home for the The Miami Daily News and Metropolis (later shortened to just The Miami News). But from 1962 to 1974, it served as the Cuban Refugee Center, a help center for Cuban refugees fleeing the Castro regime. The recently updated museum has several very cool, interactive exhibits that memorialize the refugee center.

Picture of the touring group below. Thank you to Boies Schiller partner Laselve Harrison for organizing the tour on behalf of the Federal Bar Association and to former US Attorney and current Colson Hicks partner Bob Martinez for sharing this 1962 article about the Cuban Refugee Program. 

James Comey pleads not guilty

 He’s represented by Patrick Fitzgerald, the former U.S. Attorney in Chicago.  I am not sure if he’s ever represented a criminal defendant who went to trial.  At the arraignment, he said it was the honor of a lifetime to be representing Comey.

If you were representing Comey, what would your strategy be?

Speedy demand?

Vindictive prosecution motion? (If so, speedy trial is tolled).

Talk to the media? (Comey has already given a video statement).

What would you do?

Congrats to Jonathan Osborne

By John R. Byrne

On Tuesday, September 30^th, the Federal Bar Association – Broward Chapter held its Annual Installation Luncheon at the Tower Club in Fort Lauderdale. U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom swore in this year’s Board and President Jonathan K. Osborne. Judge Bloom also served as the event’s featured speaker and shared remarks on the critical importance of safeguarding judicial independence. The Broward Chapter honored outgoing President, Darren Spielman, as well as Latoya C. Brown, and Dora F. Kaufman for their outstanding service to the Broward County federal bench and bar.

Pictures below!

Havana Docks Heading to SCOTUS

 By John R. Byrne

The SDFLA is headed to the Supreme Court. Well, at least a case from the SDFLA. It's the Havana Docks case that we've blogged on several times. 

Brief recap for those who have moved the case off your brain docket. 

(1) A corporation, Havana Docks, sued cruise lines for violating the Helms Burton Act ("trafficking" in the docks and piers that had been stolen from the corporation by the Cuban government).

(2) Havana Docks wins a $400M judgment at the trial level (good for Havana Docks)

(3) Eleventh Circuit overturns the judgment, saying that the corporation's concession to operate the docks expired before the trafficking occurred (bad for Havana Docks)

(4) The Supreme Court grants Havana Docks's cert petition (Havana Docks feeling good again!)

Very exciting stuff. Congrats to Stephanie Casey, Thomas Kroeger, Zach Lipshultz, and Bob Martinez of Colson Hicks. 

Cert order below. Glad to see that the Supremes are still knocking out these orders on typewriters. Somebody's got to keep that industry in business. 

The Sun Sets on an Incredible Career

By John R. Byrne

Congratulations to Judge Scola, who retired from the federal bench after fourteen years of service. Before that, he was a long-time state court judge. I, like many others in our district, had the pleasure of appearing before Judge Scola. Before I tried a case in front of him, a seasoned trial lawyer told me, "He'll give you a great trial." What he meant by that was that Judge Scola would be engaged, informed, and would rule with fairness and a heavy dose of common sense. Exactly what you'd expect from a judge who was once a highly skilled trial lawyer himself. Plus, the man sounds like Tom Brokaw when he speaks, which adds to the aura. 

We wish him well in his retirement, which I'm sure will involve long days on the golf course and tennis court. 

His law clerks threw a retirement bash this past Saturday at the Salt Waterfront Restaurant (first picture below).

2025 Federal Bar Association Awards and Installation Gala

 By Jordi C. Martínez-Cid

As previewed by the blog's leader, the Federal Bar Association’s South Florida Chapter hosted its Annual Awards & Installation Gala this past Saturday, September 27, at the Mayfair House Hotel & Garden in Coconut Grove. The blog's own John R. Byrne was sworn in as the organization's 2025–2026 President.

If only Giorgio Armani could see him now...

                                            

Congratulations to: him; the new board; Tanisha Castro, recipient of the Judge Marcia G. Cooke Public Interest Scholarship; Oliver Ruiz, honored with the Distinguished Member Service Award; and the Hon. Beth Bloom who was recognized with the Edward B. Davis Award for Service to the Federal Bench and Bar.

In memory of Judge Brannon

Magistrate Judge Dave Lee Brannon passed away in 2021.

On September 18, 2025, his ashes were interred at the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT. It was a beautiful military ceremony. 

From left to right are Magistrate Judge Pat Hunt, Magistrate Judge Penny Augustin-Birch, Judge Brannon’s wife Dr. Pam Brannon, District Judge Kathleen Williams, and Chief Magistrate Judge William Matthewman. 

It was a fitting ceremony for a great human being who served his country as a Coast Guard Officer, as an AFPD, and as a United States Magistrate Judge with honor, dedication, and integrity.

 

Congratulations to John Byrne and Courtney Cunningham

 Big ups to John Byrne, the incoming president of the Federal Bar Association, South Florida Chapter.  It's a great organization and John is the perfect leader for it.  Courtney Cunningham had a great year as president -- thanks to him for his service.  

Tonight is the big shindig for the organization at the Mayfair Hotel.  Have fun everyone!