The SDFLA Blog is dedicated to providing news and notes regarding federal practice in the Southern District of Florida. The New Times calls the blog "the definitive source on South Florida's federal court system." All tips on court happenings are welcome and will remain anonymous. Please email David Markus at dmarkus@markuslaw.com
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?
By John R. Byrne
On Tuesday, September 30th, 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!
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.
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).
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.
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| 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.
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.
Tonight is the big shindig for the organization at the Mayfair Hotel. Have fun everyone!
1. Judge Altman has given speeches across the country about Israeli history as well as its legal system (and also has written a book about these issues that will be published in March). Based in part on those efforts, The Jerusalem Post recently listed him as one of 25 Young Visionaries. Write up can be found here.
2. To celebrate Hispanic Heritage month, our local chapter of the Federal Bar Association has arranged for a private tour of Miami's Freedom Tower on Wednesday, October 8th at 3 p.m. This is for judges and attorneys only. You can RSVP here.
3. A few days ago, the man charged with attempting to assassinate President Trump, Ryan Wesley Routh, was convicted. He defended himself in the case, which (predictably) led to a fair number of strange moments. The DOJ tapped AUSA Christopher Browne to deliver the closing argument for the government. Referring to a note Routh wrote before he was arrested, Browne told the jury that "It is not every case where the defendant writes his intent down on a piece of paper." The note, which Routh had left in a box at a friend's home, was addressed "To the World" and stated, "This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump." NBC covers the case here.
4. Random bit of non-legal trivia for you. Publix celebrates its 95th anniversary this year. Ever wonder where the name came from? Its founder, George Jenkins, took the name from a chain of movie theaters that were operating in Florida at the time. Jenkins wrote in his memoir, "Most of them were closing up, and I liked the sound of the name so I just took it for my store."
