Happy 4th

Have a great weekend.

SPECIAL NOTE TO AUSAs and PDs -- on July 23rd we are having a lunch time talk (sponsored by the Federal Bar Association) on opening statements. The panel will include Chief Judge Moreno, Jan Smith, Ed Stamm, and Matt Menchel. Lunch will be served. RSVP to Lourdes at Lourdes_Fernandez@flsd.uscourts.gov AUSAs and PDs only for this one.

Judge Gold at the Fed Bar luncheon

Judge Gold spoke today at the Federal Bar Luncheon about ethics and used Mark Giminez's "The Color of Law" as the basis for the discussion. It was a very entertaining speech and it was well received. Judge Gold's premise: You can do good and do well as a lawyer. Those ideas are not mutually exclusive. Here are a couple of pictures from the event.

New Building

STOP THE PRESSES! There have been court proceedings in the new building. Some of the judges have moved in, others are moving this week, and the most junior judges.... well.... it's still going to be a while. But progress is progress. Here's a picture of the inside.

So, who's going to have the first trial?

And a reminder: Judge Gold will be speaking this Wednesday at the Federal Bar Association luncheon at the Banker's Club at noon. RSVP to Lourdes_Fernandez@flsd.uscourts.gov

Judge Gold to speak May 14

This should be a great talk. May 14th at the Banker's Club at noon. Cost is $35. RSVP to Lourdes Fernandez at Lourdes_Fernandez@flsd.uscourts.gov

Come see Judge Martinez speak Wednesday

This Wednesday from noon to 1:30 at the Banker's Club, you should come see Judge Martinez speak -- it will be entertaining for sure. Cost is $35; RSVP to Lourdes Fernandez at Lourdes_Fernandez@flsd.uscourts.gov

Judge Martinez to speak Wednesday, April 16th -- CORRECTION

In what promises to be a very entertaining lunch, Judge Martinez is speaking Wednesday APRIL 16th, at the Banker’s Club at noon. Lunch is $35. RSVP to Lourdes at Lourdes_Fernandez@flsd.uscourts.gov

CORRECTED POST -- I originally put this Wed -- that is incorrect. It is Wed the 16th. Thanks.

Judge Marcia Cooke speaks at the Federal Bar luncheon

While everyone else is wasting the day looking at "Kristen" pictures, we here at the SDFLA blog have pictures from yesterday's federal bar luncheon. Judge Cooke gave a very entertaining speech and demonstrated why she is so well liked by just about everyone who appears before her.

Upcoming Federal Bar (and other) events

1. For Federal PDs and AUSAs only -- this Thursday 2/21 from noon-2pm, the Federal Bar Association (South Florida Chapter) will be having a panel on voir dire, including Judges Huck and Altonaga, AUSA Jeff Sloman, and AFPD Michael Caruso. The seminar is free and includes lunch. RSVP now to Lourdes Fernandez -- Lourdes_Fernandez@flsd.uscourts.gov -- because there are only a couple spots left.

2. Judge Cooke will be addressing the South Florida Chapter of the Federal Bar Association at the Banker's Club on March 12. The cost is $35. Please RSVP to Lourdes at Lourdes_Fernandez@flsd.uscourts.gov

3. The American Constitutional Society will be having a lunch time discussion on "Terrorism trials in the Article III Courts: Do they work?" featuring Marcos Jiminez, Michael Caruso and Jon Eisenberg; moderated by Richard Rosenthal. It's this Friday at the White & Case offices from 12:15 to 1:30. RSVP to Yannick Morgan at ymorgan@acslaw.org

Fed Bar Judicial reception last night

The reception last night was a huge success. I think just about every federal judge and magistrate attended. And there were about 500 other attendees. I will post pictures as soon as I have some. Good times...

Next events:

A small luncheon on February 21 for PDs and AUSAs to discuss jury selection with panel of Judge Altonaga, Judge Huck, Jeff Sloman, and Michael Caruso. It's free and lunch will be served.

and

Judge Marcia Cooke to speak at lunch on March 12 at the Banker's Club.

If you are interested in either of these events, please email Lourdes Fernandez: Lourdes_Fernandez@flsd.uscourts.gov

Thanks!

It's not too late

The South Florida Federal Bar Association Judicial Reception is this Thursday night at the Hyatt from 5:30 to 8. RSVP now to Lourdes Fernandez at: Lourdes_Fernandez@flsd.uscourts.gov

Federal Bar Association Judicial Reception

The Federal Bar Association will have its 27th Annual Federal Judicial Reception on February 7, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Miami from 5:30-8p.m. $35 for government lawyers and $45 for private practitioners if you purchase in advance. Mail your checks to Federal Bar Association, 300 NE 1st Avenue, Rm. 112 Miami, Florida 33132, 305-52305770. Include a self-addressed return envelope for your tix. RSVP now.