Local FBA Chapter Scores Some National Awards

 By John R. Byrne

Our local Federal Bar Association chapter received two national awards at the national convention held in Minneapolis this past Friday and Saturday (the Presidential Excellence Award for the organization's programming and the Outstanding Newsletter Award for, you guessed it, the newsletter). Pictured below is past President Stephanie Turk holding said awards (other guy pictured is the outgoing National FBA president). 

If you haven't yet, get your tickets for the FBA's Annual Awards & Installation gala, which will be held on Saturday, September 27th. You can buy them here. This is always one of the year's best lawyer events to attend and is being held at the revamped Mayfair hotel in the Grove. 

FOR THE DEFENSE WITH CNN'S ELIE HONIG

 We've got a new pod for you and it's a fun one.  Elie Honig sits down with me to talk about the intersection of law, media, and justice — and his new book, When You Come At The King.  It's a great read and I highly recommend it. 

Here's the release for the episode:  Elie Honig, CNN senior legal analyst, bestselling author, and former federal prosecutor, joins David Oscar Markus for a wide-ranging conversation about how the media shapes public understanding of criminal justice. From his time prosecuting mob cases in the SDNY to becoming one of TV’s most trusted voices on legal issues, Honig shares what he’s learned about storytelling in the courtroom — and in front of the camera.

They cover everything from the rise of “celebrity prosecutors,” to whether cameras belong in the courtroom, to how defense lawyers should respond to DOJ press releases and media narratives. Plus, Honig talks about the writing of his latest book, including the behind-the-scenes research that uncovered some of the wildest stories from the Justice Department’s history.

 You can listen to the episode on Apple, Spotify, or on your computer.  You can also watch it on YouTube.

Here's a little clip:

 

2025 Bench & Bar Conference

By Jordi C. Martínez-Cid

The Bench & Bar Conference returned to the Miami Beach Convention Center last Friday, and drew a packed house of lawyers and judges. It offered a full day of programming and networking opportunities, including panels analyzing recent Supreme Court decisions, free speech on college campuses, and all manner of topics relevant to the practice of law, ranging from discussion of local rules to the obligatory panel on artificial intelligence. Fancy coffee, as displayed by the Chief Judge, was consumed.

Best-selling local novelist Brad Meltzer gave the keynote speech during lunch, delivering a version of his viral Make Magic commencement address.

The event was hosted by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and the South Florida Chapter of the Federal Bar Association with special recognition due to Judge Altman, Lindsey Lazopoulos Friedman, and Stephanie Casey for organizing.

RIP Larry Hoffman and Dave Coulson

It's been an awful stretch for legal legends in Miami.  We lost two more this week -- Founding partner of Greenberg Traurig, Larry Hoffman, and Winston & Strawn's partner, Dave Coulson.

 

More about Hoffman:

Larry J. Hoffman, one of three co-founders of Greenberg Traurig, P.A., with Mel Greenberg and Robert Traurig, played a key role in charting the firm’s course from its Miami inception in 1967 to its growth today as a global law firm with more than 2,850 lawyers worldwide and 49 locations on four continents. Larry passed away Sept. 11 at his Coconut Grove home, just weeks after his 95th birthday.

Larry’s prescient plan for building a global law firm proved so successful that Greenberg Traurig became the example other law firms follow. He was a leader in the profession who recognized the need to bring a business-minded approach to managing a law firm – a concept that today has become universal.

A successful business owner prior to practicing law, Larry pioneered the concept of running a law firm like a business. He was one of the first law firm leaders to hire experienced professionals to manage the business side of the firm so lawyers could focus on practicing law. He created staff positions in the roles of marketing, professional development, and IT long before they were commonplace in law firms.

 

More about Coulson:

David Andrew Coulson passed away unexpectedly on September 8, 2025, in Philadelphia, PA, while on his way back to Miami from a dream vacation in Italy with the love of his life, his wife Jeannie Etter Coulson. He is survived by Jeannie and their twin children, Chloe Coulson and Connor Coulson, each just starting college. David spoke of his children often, to anyone who would listenso proud of all their accomplishments in school, on the field, or on the golf course. His family, friends and colleagues are so saddened by his sudden loss.

David had a full and inspiring life, which ended way too quickly. He was loved by all who knew him. He was 62 years old, born on October 11, 1962, in Elgin, Illinois to Alan J. Coulson and Carol Y. (Aurand) Coulson, both deceased. He graduated from Larkin High School in Elgin, IL, and then attended and graduated from the University of Miami in 1985. From there, he went on to attend and graduate from Harvard Law School in 1988. He was especially proud that, after law school, he had clerked for the Honorable Stanley Marcus when he was Judge for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. 

 

Lord Stanley makes an appearance in Judge Gayles' chambers