In May, while BP’s oil surged toward our pristine beaches, BP hired my opponent’s law firm to defend the company.
There is little doubt that our next Attorney General will be engaged in multiple actions against BP on behalf of the people of this state. That person will be needed to do everything in his or her power to ensure that our state and our people are made whole.
To be effective, Florida’s AG must be independent of BP.
I had hoped that my opponent, Dan Gelber, would do the right thing and immediately resign from his law firm. He did not. He dismissed the problem as a “non-issue.”
On Monday, more than a month after BP hired Mr. Gelber’s law firm, I issued a statement to demand that Mr. Gelber resign immediately. In response, he said he would leave his law firm sometime in “early July.” He then denied he was a shareholder or partner at his law firm, even though he has been listed as such for years.
The Republican attack machine would have a field day with this.
As one of the leading critics of BP, you will never have to worry which side I’m on. Our next Attorney General needs to be the people’s attorney - and not the polluter’s attorney.
I’m not angry at my opponent. He and I served in the legislature together. The fact remains, however, that his employment by BP’s law firm could disqualify him from representing Florida against BP as Attorney General.
Every decision by the Attorney General is made under the glare of a public spotlight that is unblinking and harsh. I have prepared myself to take on BP without a cloud of conflict so the people of Florida can have confidence in their next Attorney General.
Friday, July 02, 2010
We shall overcome!
Rep. John Lewis (D-Georgia) spoke to 180 people at the 40th ACCORD civil rights luncheon today at Casa Monica Hotel. Rep. Lewis is the only person who spoke at the 1963 March on Washington who still survives.
Rep. Lewis spoke of the great strides made by the civil rights movement, as evidenced by the election of Barack Obama. Like many of us here in St. Augustine, Rev. Lewis cried upon Obama's election and inauguration, and was on national television. Lewis was arrested more than 40 times during civil rights demonstrations and was badly beaten in Selma, Alabama (above).
John Lewis was an inspirational speaker, talking of growing up on a farm in Alabama, practicing preaching to flocks of chickens, noting that the chickens seemed more attentive than some (Republican) members of Congress.
Lewis spoke of the man who beat him in Rock Hill, S.C. on May 9, 1965 visiting his office after President Obama's Inauguration, apologizing and asking forgiveness.
Lewis asked his parents about segregation as a child and was told "that's the way it is....don't get in trouble." In 1955, at age 15, John Lewis heard about Rosa Parks and resolved to "get in trouble," saying we still need to "get in trouble" and work for justice, peace and equality.
Both Rep. Lewis and Dr. Fentress spoke of winning hearts and minds through the spirit, and about a great awakening that will change the world through economic and environmental reforms. "Keep your eyes on the prize," Rep. Lewis said, speaking of the power of love, peace and nonviolence to bring change to our planet.
"We all live in the same house," Rep. Lewis saying "we may have come over on different ships, but we're all in the same boat now."
There was nary an eye without tears, and we all went away inspired at the need for a second civil rights movement, one aimed at economic and environmental change.
Dr. Kathryn Fentress was a young civil rights activist who happens to be white and who, at age 19 was arrested in St. Augustine with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Monson Motel here on June 11, 1964. Dr. Fentress said Dr. King invited her to get arrested with her and she agreed; she called her mother and asked her to bring her a dress from her home in Ormond Beach.
Dr. King and the future Dr. Fentress was arrested for going to the Monson Motel and seeking to eat lunch. Dr. Fentress spent six days in jail, part of the "fill the jails campaign." She was bonded out by the civil rights movement when they learned that the two white women with whom she shared a jail cell (one a murderer) were planning to kill her. She spoke of the terror and fear caused by local bigots, including SHeriff's deputies who used cattle prods on children who were arrested and jailed for asking for equal rights.
Dr. King told Dr. Fentress and other civil rights activists that no one should join his protests unless they have "love in your heart," preaching nonviolence and quoting Jesus and Gandhi.
She spoke of the anger of the KKK, and her own anger at the KKK, and how the Sheriff's Deputies in St. Johns County were mostly KKK members at the time, with the National Guard brandishing hostility toward the civil rights demonstrators with dogs.
It was after that arrest that Dr. King wrote rabbis that St. Augustine was the "most lawless city in America."
Also speaking was our City's civil rights hero, Dr. Robert Hayling, D.D.S., who spoke of the stump in the Slave Market Square upon which slaves were displayed. The stump is gone, but the stain remains, to be replaced with a new vision for new generations -- the Foot Soldiers Monument, which will be unveiled this Fall.
Dr. Hayling spoke of the ruthlessness with which the KKK got people fired and caused them to leave town. Their descendants are moving back to St. Augustine, Dr. Hayling said.
We shall overcome!
DAN GELBER CALLSED....
DAN GELBER CALLED ….
This morning, DAN GELBER called and said he is not a partner/shareholder of AKERMAN SENTERFITT and that he has never bought any shares. Furthermore, he said that under the Diamond decisions, it is illegal for a state legislator who is a lawyer to be a partner/shareholder in a law firm.
GELBER said the entries on the FLoirda legislature website and AKERMAN SENTERFITT website were “all wrong” when they said he was a partner/shareholder.
GELBER said he would show me his employment agreement with AKERMAN SENTERFITT when he visits St. Augustine.
GELBER said he was unaware of the AKERMAN SENTERFITT representation of the City of St. Augustine or any of the details about the illegal dumping.
GELBER said that as an “of counsel” (employee, not owner) in AKERMAN SENTERFITT, he did not attend shareholder/partner meetings and was caught unawares by AKERMAN SENTERFITT being hired by BP.
GELBER said he would not be disqualified from working on BP cases, or other cases involving clients of his former law firm, because under Florida Bar ethics rules, he would not be disqualified unless he had “substantial involvement” in representing a corporate client, which would not preclude him from representing the people of FLordia in lawsuits against BP.
GELBER attacked the record of Dave Aronberg on environmental issues, comparing their records on recorded votes. He said Aronberg cast votes favorable to Big Sugar, that would have delayed the cleanup of the Everglades. He said Aronberg has accepted some $50-60,000 dollars in Big Sugar contributions through a 527 organization.
GELBER also said Aronberg had voted to allow tobacco companies to appeal from jury verdicts and judgments without posting an adequate bond. He also said that Aronberg had voted in support of Rep. Proctor’s bill to deregulate residential property insurance (a bill that Gov. Crist twice vetoed. He said Aronberg had voted to “allow development without paying for it.”
I asked GELBER about why he went to work for AKERMAN SENTERFITT. GELBER said he went to work for AKERMAN SENTERFITT because the late Dan Chaiken, another former prosecutor, with whom he worked on corporate investigations, was changing firms and he went with him.
GELBER said he did not know much about who AKERMAN SENTERFITT lawyers were beyond his own clients (which he declined to disclosed), saying “they have 500 lawyers” and represent “the good , the bad and the ugly.”
GELBER said that he had “no idea” of AKERMAN SENTERFITT firing lawyer Mark Herron because of his representing Vice President Albert Gore, Jr. in the 2000 election recount case.
GELBER declined to name the clients he worked for at AKERMAN SENTERFITT, saying he investigated possible crimes by or at publicly traded companies pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (securities regulation reform passed in the wake of the ENRON debacle in 2001). His reports are given to federal or state prosecutors.
GELBER said he was unaware of AKERMAN SENTERFITT having defended Big Tobacco in more than 40 cases.
Asked what sort of pro bono work he and AKERMAN SENTERFITT did, he said he was proud to be a Big Brother and had mentored a young man in that program.
GELBER said he had a “really good environmental record,” and invited me to examine the respective records of him and Dave Aronberg on environmental and consumer issues. “You have a platform and people read you,” he said, adding that “nobody ever said [he] had a lousy environmental record.”
To be continued – I’ve asked both candidates the same 22 written questions and we look forward to receiving responses.
The Democratic Primary for Attorney General of Florida is August 26th.
More later.
This race is an important one, albeit one that the St. Augustine Record and other newspapers have barely covered yet. If you have any questions for the AG candidates, please share them with me, at EASlavin@aol.com.
Let’s demand answers and keep asking questions.
This morning, DAN GELBER called and said he is not a partner/shareholder of AKERMAN SENTERFITT and that he has never bought any shares. Furthermore, he said that under the Diamond decisions, it is illegal for a state legislator who is a lawyer to be a partner/shareholder in a law firm.
GELBER said the entries on the FLoirda legislature website and AKERMAN SENTERFITT website were “all wrong” when they said he was a partner/shareholder.
GELBER said he would show me his employment agreement with AKERMAN SENTERFITT when he visits St. Augustine.
GELBER said he was unaware of the AKERMAN SENTERFITT representation of the City of St. Augustine or any of the details about the illegal dumping.
GELBER said that as an “of counsel” (employee, not owner) in AKERMAN SENTERFITT, he did not attend shareholder/partner meetings and was caught unawares by AKERMAN SENTERFITT being hired by BP.
GELBER said he would not be disqualified from working on BP cases, or other cases involving clients of his former law firm, because under Florida Bar ethics rules, he would not be disqualified unless he had “substantial involvement” in representing a corporate client, which would not preclude him from representing the people of FLordia in lawsuits against BP.
GELBER attacked the record of Dave Aronberg on environmental issues, comparing their records on recorded votes. He said Aronberg cast votes favorable to Big Sugar, that would have delayed the cleanup of the Everglades. He said Aronberg has accepted some $50-60,000 dollars in Big Sugar contributions through a 527 organization.
GELBER also said Aronberg had voted to allow tobacco companies to appeal from jury verdicts and judgments without posting an adequate bond. He also said that Aronberg had voted in support of Rep. Proctor’s bill to deregulate residential property insurance (a bill that Gov. Crist twice vetoed. He said Aronberg had voted to “allow development without paying for it.”
I asked GELBER about why he went to work for AKERMAN SENTERFITT. GELBER said he went to work for AKERMAN SENTERFITT because the late Dan Chaiken, another former prosecutor, with whom he worked on corporate investigations, was changing firms and he went with him.
GELBER said he did not know much about who AKERMAN SENTERFITT lawyers were beyond his own clients (which he declined to disclosed), saying “they have 500 lawyers” and represent “the good , the bad and the ugly.”
GELBER said that he had “no idea” of AKERMAN SENTERFITT firing lawyer Mark Herron because of his representing Vice President Albert Gore, Jr. in the 2000 election recount case.
GELBER declined to name the clients he worked for at AKERMAN SENTERFITT, saying he investigated possible crimes by or at publicly traded companies pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (securities regulation reform passed in the wake of the ENRON debacle in 2001). His reports are given to federal or state prosecutors.
GELBER said he was unaware of AKERMAN SENTERFITT having defended Big Tobacco in more than 40 cases.
Asked what sort of pro bono work he and AKERMAN SENTERFITT did, he said he was proud to be a Big Brother and had mentored a young man in that program.
GELBER said he had a “really good environmental record,” and invited me to examine the respective records of him and Dave Aronberg on environmental and consumer issues. “You have a platform and people read you,” he said, adding that “nobody ever said [he] had a lousy environmental record.”
To be continued – I’ve asked both candidates the same 22 written questions and we look forward to receiving responses.
The Democratic Primary for Attorney General of Florida is August 26th.
More later.
This race is an important one, albeit one that the St. Augustine Record and other newspapers have barely covered yet. If you have any questions for the AG candidates, please share them with me, at EASlavin@aol.com.
Let’s demand answers and keep asking questions.
Why would a corporate law firm lawyer want to run for Florida Attorney General?
DANIEL SAUL GELBER works for corporations.
He does not work for what BP would call the "small people."
So why is he running in the Democratic Primary?
To defend corruption in Florida?
To defend the likes of St. Augustine's racist City Manager, WILLIAM B. HARRISS?
GELBER's partner, WILLIAM PENCE, called our petition challenging St. Augustine's illegal dumping "frivolous." We won. The waste is now in a Class I landfill.
IF GELBER's partner had his way, the waste would have been brought back to Lincolnville (2000 truckloads going down Riberia Street) and deposited to make a "park." That's sick.
He does not work for what BP would call the "small people."
So why is he running in the Democratic Primary?
To defend corruption in Florida?
To defend the likes of St. Augustine's racist City Manager, WILLIAM B. HARRISS?
GELBER's partner, WILLIAM PENCE, called our petition challenging St. Augustine's illegal dumping "frivolous." We won. The waste is now in a Class I landfill.
IF GELBER's partner had his way, the waste would have been brought back to Lincolnville (2000 truckloads going down Riberia Street) and deposited to make a "park." That's sick.
DANIEL SAUL GELBER'S WEBSITE SHOWS HE'S A PARTNER AT AKERMAN SENTERFITT (NOT "OF COUNSEL") -- FIRM REPRESENTS BP, BIG OIL, BIG SUGAR AND BIG TOBACCO
District 106
Sponsored Bills View Photo Album
Biographical Information
City of Residence:
Miami Beach
Occupation:
Partner, Akerman Senterfitt Law Firm, Miami
Spouse:
Joan Silverstein, of Miami
Child(ren):
Sophie, Hannah, Max
Education:
Tufts University, B.A., magna cum laude, 1982; University of Florida College of Law, J.D., 1985; Truman Scholar
Born:
November 26, 1960, Miami Beach, FL
History:
wife, Joan Silverstein, Federal Prosecutor; brother-in-law, John Barker, United States I.C.E. Prosecutor; father, Seymour Gelber, Mayor of Miami Beach, Circuit Judge, Miami-Dade 1974, Chief Assistant State Attorney, Legislative Aide to State Senator Joe Eaton; mother, Edith and Sister, Judy, Public School Teachers
Religious Affiliation:
Jewish
Recreational Interest:
basketball, football
Councils/Committee Membership
Rules & Calendar Council Democratic Ranking Member
Legislative Service
Elected to the House in 2000, reelected subsequently
Democratic Message Coordinator 2004-2006
Democratic Leader 2006-2008
Other Public Service
Chief Counsel to former United States Senator Sam Nunn 1994-1996
Staff Director of the U.S. Senate's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations 1994-1996
Assistant United States Attorney Southern District of Florida 1986-1994 (Public Corruption and Civil Rights Units)
Affiliations
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami, volunteer Big Brother 1985-present, past President
Camp Fiesta Summer Oncology Camp, Co-Founder and volunteer counselor 1985-present
Do the Write Thing, Chairman 1998-2000
United Way Board of Trustees 1997-present
Highlights
South Florida Legal Guide, "Top Lawyer" 2005
Best Lawyers in America 2004
Florida Trend, Legal Elite 2004
Legal Aide, Legislative Champion 2004
The Florida Bar, President's Legislative Award 2004
Communications Workers of America, "Most Effective Representative" 2002-2003
Florida Association of Counties, County Champion Award 2003
United HomeCare Services, Claude Pepper Memorial Award 2003
Florida Police Chiefs Association, Legislative Award 2002
State of Israel Bonds City of Peace Award 2002
The Trust for Public Land, Legislative Leadership Award 2001
Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association, House Leadership Award
Sponsored Bills View Photo Album
Biographical Information
City of Residence:
Miami Beach
Occupation:
Partner, Akerman Senterfitt Law Firm, Miami
Spouse:
Joan Silverstein, of Miami
Child(ren):
Sophie, Hannah, Max
Education:
Tufts University, B.A., magna cum laude, 1982; University of Florida College of Law, J.D., 1985; Truman Scholar
Born:
November 26, 1960, Miami Beach, FL
History:
wife, Joan Silverstein, Federal Prosecutor; brother-in-law, John Barker, United States I.C.E. Prosecutor; father, Seymour Gelber, Mayor of Miami Beach, Circuit Judge, Miami-Dade 1974, Chief Assistant State Attorney, Legislative Aide to State Senator Joe Eaton; mother, Edith and Sister, Judy, Public School Teachers
Religious Affiliation:
Jewish
Recreational Interest:
basketball, football
Councils/Committee Membership
Rules & Calendar Council Democratic Ranking Member
Legislative Service
Elected to the House in 2000, reelected subsequently
Democratic Message Coordinator 2004-2006
Democratic Leader 2006-2008
Other Public Service
Chief Counsel to former United States Senator Sam Nunn 1994-1996
Staff Director of the U.S. Senate's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations 1994-1996
Assistant United States Attorney Southern District of Florida 1986-1994 (Public Corruption and Civil Rights Units)
Affiliations
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami, volunteer Big Brother 1985-present, past President
Camp Fiesta Summer Oncology Camp, Co-Founder and volunteer counselor 1985-present
Do the Write Thing, Chairman 1998-2000
United Way Board of Trustees 1997-present
Highlights
South Florida Legal Guide, "Top Lawyer" 2005
Best Lawyers in America 2004
Florida Trend, Legal Elite 2004
Legal Aide, Legislative Champion 2004
The Florida Bar, President's Legislative Award 2004
Communications Workers of America, "Most Effective Representative" 2002-2003
Florida Association of Counties, County Champion Award 2003
United HomeCare Services, Claude Pepper Memorial Award 2003
Florida Police Chiefs Association, Legislative Award 2002
State of Israel Bonds City of Peace Award 2002
The Trust for Public Land, Legislative Leadership Award 2001
Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association, House Leadership Award
Thursday, July 01, 2010
AKERMAN SENTERFITT PRESS RELEASE: Akerman Senterfitt's Washington, D.C. Government Affairs & Public Policy Group Triples in Size
April 14, 2009
Akerman Senterfitt today announced that it has nearly tripled the size of its Government Affairs and Public Policy practice in Washington, D.C. since the beginning of the year. Akerman’s rapid growth has been occasioned principally by various economic stimulus projects and other initiatives of the Obama administration. Notable among the new hires are former U.S. House Representative Jon C. Porter (R-Nevada); Colorado State Representative, Anne McGihon (D-Denver); and the former external affairs chief of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Scott Brenner.
Akerman’s Policy practice is national in scope, comprised of experienced attorneys and government affairs professionals based in Tallahassee, Denver, New York, and Los Angeles, as well as Washington, D.C. The group has vast experience with a broad array of issues, with particular focus on transportation and infrastructure, education, healthcare, the environment, banking and gaming.
“Right now, there is so much happening in Washington, that our expansion is absolutely essential in order to respond to our clients’ needs, as well as new business opportunities,” said Richard L. Spees, managing shareholder of the firm’s D.C. office. “The Administration is potentially creating dramatic regulatory change in quite a number of areas. It is very clear our country is undergoing a transformation, thus the increased need for strong, representative voices on The Hill as well as a clear understanding of the rules of compliance,” Spees added.
The new additions to the practice bring a wide array of experience in local, state and national policy matters from both a public and private perspective, accentuating an already strong group of professionals. Several additions further the firm’s strong experience with government agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Transportation, Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of the Interior, and the Federal Aviation Administration, among others.
The Government Affairs and Public Policy practice also recently added several senior public affairs consultants from a specialized government relations firm in D.C., including, Jeanne Morin, Tom Donnelly Jr., and Tom Netting. This group brings to Akerman current and extensive experience in legislative advocacy, regulatory affairs and strategic planning, more specifically in higher education, small business, healthcare, non-profits, tribal and local governments and energy and the environment.
“As a firm, we have been making investments in several key practice areas to remain aligned with our clients' needs,” said Andrew Smulian, Chairman of Akerman. “These key additions to our Policy team are well-known and respected leaders. They each bring talent and experience that enable us to continue to provide world-class counsel, representation and perspective on critical issues facing our clients. With all that is changing during these turbulent times, it is vital that we are strategically resourced to provide the trusted advice and opinion our clients have come to expect from Akerman over years of close partnerships,” Smulian added.
In early March the firm added Rep. Jon C. Porter as the new Director of Public Policy. He brings over 25 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. Most recently, he was a three-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives, where he represented Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District, one of the largest and fastest growing Districts in the nation. He is joined by Colorado Rep. Anne McGihon, who resigned her seat in the General Assembly earlier this month. Rep. McGihon represented the Denver and Arapahoe communities and presided over significant health care reform for the State of Colorado. Both Rep. Porter and Rep. McGihon will assist clients nationally from Akerman’s Washington, D.C. office in addition to their continued work in their respective home states.
Scott Brenner, who was brought on in February, has experience working with Capitol Hill as well as a wide array of Federal agencies, ranging from the Department of Transportation to the Department of Homeland Security. Mr. Brenner is working with clients on broad scale public policy programs out of the firm’s D.C. office.
Akerman’s Government Affairs and Public Policy Group is a bi-partisan team of 40 experienced attorneys and government affairs professionals located in Washington, D.C., Florida, Colorado, Los Angeles and New York. Akerman assists Fortune 500 companies and governmental entities with a wide range of services, including federal and state appropriations, legislation and policy drafting, issue monitoring and research, regulatory analysis and strategic planning. The firm is particularly recognized for its experience in industries such as banking, education, gaming, healthcare, tax, water, energy, environmental, telecommunications, insurance, infrastructure and transportation.
About Akerman Senterfitt
Akerman is ranked among the top 100 law firms in the United States by The National Law Journal NLJ 250 (2008) in number of lawyers and is one of the largest firms in Florida. With more than 500 lawyers and governmental affairs professionals, the firm serves clients in major business centers throughout the United States, including Miami, New York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. For additional information, please visit the firm's Web site at www.akerman.com.
# # #
Contact:
Pat Tucker
RF|Binder Partners, Inc.
(212) 994-7561
patrick.Tucker@rfbinder.com
Walter Fowler
RF|Binder Partners, Inc.
(212) 994-7512
walter.fowler@rfbinder.com
Akerman Senterfitt today announced that it has nearly tripled the size of its Government Affairs and Public Policy practice in Washington, D.C. since the beginning of the year. Akerman’s rapid growth has been occasioned principally by various economic stimulus projects and other initiatives of the Obama administration. Notable among the new hires are former U.S. House Representative Jon C. Porter (R-Nevada); Colorado State Representative, Anne McGihon (D-Denver); and the former external affairs chief of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Scott Brenner.
Akerman’s Policy practice is national in scope, comprised of experienced attorneys and government affairs professionals based in Tallahassee, Denver, New York, and Los Angeles, as well as Washington, D.C. The group has vast experience with a broad array of issues, with particular focus on transportation and infrastructure, education, healthcare, the environment, banking and gaming.
“Right now, there is so much happening in Washington, that our expansion is absolutely essential in order to respond to our clients’ needs, as well as new business opportunities,” said Richard L. Spees, managing shareholder of the firm’s D.C. office. “The Administration is potentially creating dramatic regulatory change in quite a number of areas. It is very clear our country is undergoing a transformation, thus the increased need for strong, representative voices on The Hill as well as a clear understanding of the rules of compliance,” Spees added.
The new additions to the practice bring a wide array of experience in local, state and national policy matters from both a public and private perspective, accentuating an already strong group of professionals. Several additions further the firm’s strong experience with government agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Transportation, Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of the Interior, and the Federal Aviation Administration, among others.
The Government Affairs and Public Policy practice also recently added several senior public affairs consultants from a specialized government relations firm in D.C., including, Jeanne Morin, Tom Donnelly Jr., and Tom Netting. This group brings to Akerman current and extensive experience in legislative advocacy, regulatory affairs and strategic planning, more specifically in higher education, small business, healthcare, non-profits, tribal and local governments and energy and the environment.
“As a firm, we have been making investments in several key practice areas to remain aligned with our clients' needs,” said Andrew Smulian, Chairman of Akerman. “These key additions to our Policy team are well-known and respected leaders. They each bring talent and experience that enable us to continue to provide world-class counsel, representation and perspective on critical issues facing our clients. With all that is changing during these turbulent times, it is vital that we are strategically resourced to provide the trusted advice and opinion our clients have come to expect from Akerman over years of close partnerships,” Smulian added.
In early March the firm added Rep. Jon C. Porter as the new Director of Public Policy. He brings over 25 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. Most recently, he was a three-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives, where he represented Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District, one of the largest and fastest growing Districts in the nation. He is joined by Colorado Rep. Anne McGihon, who resigned her seat in the General Assembly earlier this month. Rep. McGihon represented the Denver and Arapahoe communities and presided over significant health care reform for the State of Colorado. Both Rep. Porter and Rep. McGihon will assist clients nationally from Akerman’s Washington, D.C. office in addition to their continued work in their respective home states.
Scott Brenner, who was brought on in February, has experience working with Capitol Hill as well as a wide array of Federal agencies, ranging from the Department of Transportation to the Department of Homeland Security. Mr. Brenner is working with clients on broad scale public policy programs out of the firm’s D.C. office.
Akerman’s Government Affairs and Public Policy Group is a bi-partisan team of 40 experienced attorneys and government affairs professionals located in Washington, D.C., Florida, Colorado, Los Angeles and New York. Akerman assists Fortune 500 companies and governmental entities with a wide range of services, including federal and state appropriations, legislation and policy drafting, issue monitoring and research, regulatory analysis and strategic planning. The firm is particularly recognized for its experience in industries such as banking, education, gaming, healthcare, tax, water, energy, environmental, telecommunications, insurance, infrastructure and transportation.
About Akerman Senterfitt
Akerman is ranked among the top 100 law firms in the United States by The National Law Journal NLJ 250 (2008) in number of lawyers and is one of the largest firms in Florida. With more than 500 lawyers and governmental affairs professionals, the firm serves clients in major business centers throughout the United States, including Miami, New York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. For additional information, please visit the firm's Web site at www.akerman.com.
# # #
Contact:
Pat Tucker
RF|Binder Partners, Inc.
(212) 994-7561
patrick.Tucker@rfbinder.com
Walter Fowler
RF|Binder Partners, Inc.
(212) 994-7512
walter.fowler@rfbinder.com
IN HAEC VERBA: Know Your Akerman Senterfitt Partners -- JONATHAN GOODMAN
Jonathan Goodman
Shareholder
Co-Chair, White Collar Crime and Government Investigations Practice
One Southeast Third Avenue
25th Floor
Miami, FL 33131-1714
Tel:
305.374.5600
Fax:
305.374.5095
jonathan.goodman@akerman.com
A former federal prosecutor, Jonathan Goodman is an experienced trial lawyer who has tried criminal and civil cases in federal and state court, arbitration hearings, and administrative proceedings. He was a criminal prosecutor and civil trial lawyer with the United States Attorney's Office in Miami. Jonathan has been in private practice since 1988 and represents individuals and corporations in federal and state investigations and trials and in commercial litigation, often in cases involving allegations of fraud or business misconduct.
Antitrust & Trade Regulation
Appellate
Business Disputes
E-Discovery & Information Management
Employment Contracts, Non-Competes, Unfair Business Competition & Trade Secrets
Employment Investigations & Audits
Healthcare Fraud & Abuse
Healthcare Litigation
Securities Litigation
Trade Secrets
Whistleblower & Retaliation Claims
White Collar Crime & Government Investigations
Public Corruption - Representation of real estate developer in federal bribery investigation triggered by elected city councilman who went to the FBI with allegations that our client had tried to bribe him by leaving cash on the seat of his car during a lunch outing.
Health Care Fraud - Representation of former executive of public health care plan company in FBI criminal investigation into the accuracy of the company's financial reporting to state regulators. The investigation became known when 200 FBI agents arrived at company headquarters to execute a search warrant.
Educational Program Fraud - Representation of private vocational school and its owner in a federal criminal investigation involving the receipt of several million dollars of federal "Pell' grants. The investigators and prosecutors alleged grade manipulation, cash payments to students, phony test scores and fraudulent applications for federal aid.
Securities Fraud/10b-5 - Representation of former company employee in federal criminal securities investigation involving the mass faxing and mass emailing of a purported letter (supposedly signed and sent by the former employee) touting the performance of certain stocks.
Theft of Trade Secrets/Unfair Competition - Representation of pharmaceutical corporation sued in federal civil lawsuit for allegedly stealing trade secrets and unfairly competing by retaining private investigation firm to pick up plaintiff corporation’s trash after defendant’s executives were threatened and intimidated.
Fraudulent Overbilling - Representation of environmental remediation company in criminal theft/fraud/racketeering prosecution alleging that company submitted inflated invoices under a contract to provide services at the airport and also alleging that the company stole jet fuel from the airport fuel farm.
Internet Pharmacy - Representation of individual client and her internet marketing company in a federal criminal investigation targeting internet-based pharmacies which sold prescription medication after consultant physicians issued a prescription after reviewing a questionnaire submitted on-line (but without an actual physical exam or in-person consult).
Environmental Crimes - Representation of engineer for Norway-based cruise ship company in U.S. Justice Department criminal investigation and prosecution of environmental crimes involving alleged illegal dumping of oil from cruise ships and obstruction of justice charges for making fraudulent entries into official ship logbooks.
Civil and Criminal Forfeiture - Representation of a significant Fort Lauderdale-based company involved in the leasing of high-end luxury automobiles in multiple civil and criminal forfeiture proceedings filed by government prosecutors and lawyers.
Election Law Crimes - Representation of several high-level executives of Florida-based insurance company in a criminal investigation and prosecution involving the illegal reimbursement of campaign contributions made by executives at the company's request.
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act - Representation of U.S. aviation subsidiary in internal investigation of criminal accusations that company executives and employees bribed foreign officials in order to cause them to enter into multi-million-dollar contracts for avionics equipment and technical services relating to an airport terminal.
Medical Devices/Improper Termination - Representation of medical device distributor in arbitration trial filed by sales agent corporation which alleged unfair and improper termination of agreement.
Trading With the Enemy - Representation of U.S. national in federal criminal prosecution for "trading with the enemy" in a case involving the shipment of multiple cargo containers of merchandise to Cuba.
Electronic Eavesdropping - Representation of board-certified physicians involved in business dispute with their doctor partners -- a dispute which led to the placement of illegal 'bugging" equipment in the doctors' offices, the theft of computers and allegations to police of a conspiracy to harm the physician president of the professional association.
Pyramid/Ponzi Scheme - Representation of doctor (turned into de facto investment promoter) in a state court civil lawsuit and related federal bankruptcy. The doctor was alleged to have illegally participated in an unlawful "Ponzi" scheme involving the receipt of millions of dollars from investors hoping to earn returns in a business which purchased distressed properties.
Fraud - food mislabeling - Representation of U.S. seafood importer in federal criminal investigation concerning the "mislabeling" of fish imported from Vietnam and sold in the U.S. through distributors who sold the product with incorrect descriptions.
Cargo Container Theft - Representation of liquidation specialist in federal criminal prosecution for trafficking in stolen property (i.e., cargo containers containing stolen merchandise).
Vocational School Fraud - Representation of vocational school in federal criminal investigation triggered by disgruntled employee who alleged kickbacks and payments to students for filling out materially false school loan applications.
Securities Fraud - Insider Trading - Representation of several executives of public company in federal criminal investigation of insider trading involving independent contractor and in-house marketing executive.
Public Corruption - government contract - Representation of waste disposal company and several employees in federal criminal investigation into alleged public corruption involving elected government official who approved a government contract with the company and who supposedly had improper financial ties to the company.
Vehicle Title Fraud/Civil Forfeiture - Representation of national insurance company in criminal investigation into alleged fraud surrounding the salvage sale of $2 million of vehicles damaged in a flood and sold under questionable out-of-state titles. The case also involved the government's seizure of more than 100 vehicles and its unsuccessful effort to forfeit those vehicles.
Securities Fraud - Fraudulent Reporting to SEC - Representation of former CFO of public company in federal criminal investigation of fraudulent SEC reporting which allegedly overstated income and alleged manipulation of financial data by principals who secretly accessed the company's computers at night.
The Best Lawyers in America 2007-2010, Listed in Florida for Commercial Litigation and White-Collar Criminal Defense
The Best Lawyers in America 2010, Listed in Florida for Bet-the-Company Litigation
Super Lawyers Magazine 2007-2010, Listed in Florida for Criminal Defense: White Collar and General Litigation
Florida Monthly 2009, Listed in the "Best Legal Eagles in the State"
South Florida Legal Guide 2008, Listed in "Top Lawyers" for Litigation, White Collar, Criminal Defense
Florida Trend's Legal Elite 2004, 2007, Listed for Business Litigation
South Florida Legal Guide 2007, Listed in "Top Lawyers" for White Collar, Criminal Defense
Daily Business Review 2006, Listed in "Most Effective Lawyers" for Civil Litigation
Verdict Search 2006, Listed in "Top 100 Verdicts of 2006," Reversing $78 million verdict
Martindale-Hubbell, AV Rated
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
The Florida Bar, Member
Dade County Bar Association, Judicial Campaign Practices Committee, Chairman, September 2001-Present
Dade County Bar Association, Grievance Committee "1", Past Chairman, 1993-1994
American Bar Association, White Collar Crime Sub-Committee, Member
Federal Bar Association, Member
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member
Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member
Assistant United States Attorney, January 1984-April 1988
News
South Florida Business Journal Honors Akerman Senterfitt Attorneys at 2009 Key Partners Awards (Nov. 18, 2009)
The 2010 Best Lawyers Ranking Honors 100 Akerman Senterfitt Attorneys (Aug. 26, 2009)
27 Akerman Senterfitt Attorneys Honored in 2009 South Florida Legal Guide (Mar. 27, 2009)
89 Akerman Senterfitt Attorneys Named to The 2009 Best Lawyers Ranking (Oct. 29, 2008)
36 Akerman Senterfitt Attorneys Named as Florida Legal Elite (Jul. 5, 2008)
Shareholder
Co-Chair, White Collar Crime and Government Investigations Practice
One Southeast Third Avenue
25th Floor
Miami, FL 33131-1714
Tel:
305.374.5600
Fax:
305.374.5095
jonathan.goodman@akerman.com
A former federal prosecutor, Jonathan Goodman is an experienced trial lawyer who has tried criminal and civil cases in federal and state court, arbitration hearings, and administrative proceedings. He was a criminal prosecutor and civil trial lawyer with the United States Attorney's Office in Miami. Jonathan has been in private practice since 1988 and represents individuals and corporations in federal and state investigations and trials and in commercial litigation, often in cases involving allegations of fraud or business misconduct.
Antitrust & Trade Regulation
Appellate
Business Disputes
E-Discovery & Information Management
Employment Contracts, Non-Competes, Unfair Business Competition & Trade Secrets
Employment Investigations & Audits
Healthcare Fraud & Abuse
Healthcare Litigation
Securities Litigation
Trade Secrets
Whistleblower & Retaliation Claims
White Collar Crime & Government Investigations
Public Corruption - Representation of real estate developer in federal bribery investigation triggered by elected city councilman who went to the FBI with allegations that our client had tried to bribe him by leaving cash on the seat of his car during a lunch outing.
Health Care Fraud - Representation of former executive of public health care plan company in FBI criminal investigation into the accuracy of the company's financial reporting to state regulators. The investigation became known when 200 FBI agents arrived at company headquarters to execute a search warrant.
Educational Program Fraud - Representation of private vocational school and its owner in a federal criminal investigation involving the receipt of several million dollars of federal "Pell' grants. The investigators and prosecutors alleged grade manipulation, cash payments to students, phony test scores and fraudulent applications for federal aid.
Securities Fraud/10b-5 - Representation of former company employee in federal criminal securities investigation involving the mass faxing and mass emailing of a purported letter (supposedly signed and sent by the former employee) touting the performance of certain stocks.
Theft of Trade Secrets/Unfair Competition - Representation of pharmaceutical corporation sued in federal civil lawsuit for allegedly stealing trade secrets and unfairly competing by retaining private investigation firm to pick up plaintiff corporation’s trash after defendant’s executives were threatened and intimidated.
Fraudulent Overbilling - Representation of environmental remediation company in criminal theft/fraud/racketeering prosecution alleging that company submitted inflated invoices under a contract to provide services at the airport and also alleging that the company stole jet fuel from the airport fuel farm.
Internet Pharmacy - Representation of individual client and her internet marketing company in a federal criminal investigation targeting internet-based pharmacies which sold prescription medication after consultant physicians issued a prescription after reviewing a questionnaire submitted on-line (but without an actual physical exam or in-person consult).
Environmental Crimes - Representation of engineer for Norway-based cruise ship company in U.S. Justice Department criminal investigation and prosecution of environmental crimes involving alleged illegal dumping of oil from cruise ships and obstruction of justice charges for making fraudulent entries into official ship logbooks.
Civil and Criminal Forfeiture - Representation of a significant Fort Lauderdale-based company involved in the leasing of high-end luxury automobiles in multiple civil and criminal forfeiture proceedings filed by government prosecutors and lawyers.
Election Law Crimes - Representation of several high-level executives of Florida-based insurance company in a criminal investigation and prosecution involving the illegal reimbursement of campaign contributions made by executives at the company's request.
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act - Representation of U.S. aviation subsidiary in internal investigation of criminal accusations that company executives and employees bribed foreign officials in order to cause them to enter into multi-million-dollar contracts for avionics equipment and technical services relating to an airport terminal.
Medical Devices/Improper Termination - Representation of medical device distributor in arbitration trial filed by sales agent corporation which alleged unfair and improper termination of agreement.
Trading With the Enemy - Representation of U.S. national in federal criminal prosecution for "trading with the enemy" in a case involving the shipment of multiple cargo containers of merchandise to Cuba.
Electronic Eavesdropping - Representation of board-certified physicians involved in business dispute with their doctor partners -- a dispute which led to the placement of illegal 'bugging" equipment in the doctors' offices, the theft of computers and allegations to police of a conspiracy to harm the physician president of the professional association.
Pyramid/Ponzi Scheme - Representation of doctor (turned into de facto investment promoter) in a state court civil lawsuit and related federal bankruptcy. The doctor was alleged to have illegally participated in an unlawful "Ponzi" scheme involving the receipt of millions of dollars from investors hoping to earn returns in a business which purchased distressed properties.
Fraud - food mislabeling - Representation of U.S. seafood importer in federal criminal investigation concerning the "mislabeling" of fish imported from Vietnam and sold in the U.S. through distributors who sold the product with incorrect descriptions.
Cargo Container Theft - Representation of liquidation specialist in federal criminal prosecution for trafficking in stolen property (i.e., cargo containers containing stolen merchandise).
Vocational School Fraud - Representation of vocational school in federal criminal investigation triggered by disgruntled employee who alleged kickbacks and payments to students for filling out materially false school loan applications.
Securities Fraud - Insider Trading - Representation of several executives of public company in federal criminal investigation of insider trading involving independent contractor and in-house marketing executive.
Public Corruption - government contract - Representation of waste disposal company and several employees in federal criminal investigation into alleged public corruption involving elected government official who approved a government contract with the company and who supposedly had improper financial ties to the company.
Vehicle Title Fraud/Civil Forfeiture - Representation of national insurance company in criminal investigation into alleged fraud surrounding the salvage sale of $2 million of vehicles damaged in a flood and sold under questionable out-of-state titles. The case also involved the government's seizure of more than 100 vehicles and its unsuccessful effort to forfeit those vehicles.
Securities Fraud - Fraudulent Reporting to SEC - Representation of former CFO of public company in federal criminal investigation of fraudulent SEC reporting which allegedly overstated income and alleged manipulation of financial data by principals who secretly accessed the company's computers at night.
The Best Lawyers in America 2007-2010, Listed in Florida for Commercial Litigation and White-Collar Criminal Defense
The Best Lawyers in America 2010, Listed in Florida for Bet-the-Company Litigation
Super Lawyers Magazine 2007-2010, Listed in Florida for Criminal Defense: White Collar and General Litigation
Florida Monthly 2009, Listed in the "Best Legal Eagles in the State"
South Florida Legal Guide 2008, Listed in "Top Lawyers" for Litigation, White Collar, Criminal Defense
Florida Trend's Legal Elite 2004, 2007, Listed for Business Litigation
South Florida Legal Guide 2007, Listed in "Top Lawyers" for White Collar, Criminal Defense
Daily Business Review 2006, Listed in "Most Effective Lawyers" for Civil Litigation
Verdict Search 2006, Listed in "Top 100 Verdicts of 2006," Reversing $78 million verdict
Martindale-Hubbell, AV Rated
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
The Florida Bar, Member
Dade County Bar Association, Judicial Campaign Practices Committee, Chairman, September 2001-Present
Dade County Bar Association, Grievance Committee "1", Past Chairman, 1993-1994
American Bar Association, White Collar Crime Sub-Committee, Member
Federal Bar Association, Member
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member
Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member
Assistant United States Attorney, January 1984-April 1988
News
South Florida Business Journal Honors Akerman Senterfitt Attorneys at 2009 Key Partners Awards (Nov. 18, 2009)
The 2010 Best Lawyers Ranking Honors 100 Akerman Senterfitt Attorneys (Aug. 26, 2009)
27 Akerman Senterfitt Attorneys Honored in 2009 South Florida Legal Guide (Mar. 27, 2009)
89 Akerman Senterfitt Attorneys Named to The 2009 Best Lawyers Ranking (Oct. 29, 2008)
36 Akerman Senterfitt Attorneys Named as Florida Legal Elite (Jul. 5, 2008)
FOLIO WEEKLY: Flight of the Evader
Flight of the Evader
When Maj. Gen. Douglas Burnett retired from the
Florida National Guard on June 26, the guard
planned to pull out all the stops to honor him.
The highlight of the ceremony in St. Augustine
was to be a flyover by two F-15 Eagle tactical
fighter jets and two F-22 Raptors. Folio Weekly
asked National Guard public information officer
Crystal McNairy the cost of the fighter jet
production. She suggested e-mailing a formal
Freedom of Information Request. Hours later, the
flyover was cancelled.
When Maj. Gen. Douglas Burnett retired from the
Florida National Guard on June 26, the guard
planned to pull out all the stops to honor him.
The highlight of the ceremony in St. Augustine
was to be a flyover by two F-15 Eagle tactical
fighter jets and two F-22 Raptors. Folio Weekly
asked National Guard public information officer
Crystal McNairy the cost of the fighter jet
production. She suggested e-mailing a formal
Freedom of Information Request. Hours later, the
flyover was cancelled.
KNOW YOUR AKERMAN SENTERFITT PARTNERS: RALPH CACCIA, WHITE COLLAR CRIME DEFENSE
Shareholder
Co-Chair, White Collar Crime and Government Investigations Practice
750 9th Street, N.W.
Suite 750
Washington, D.C. 20001
Tel:
202.824.1721
Fax:
202.393.5959
ralph.caccia@akerman.com
Ralph Caccia is Co-Chair of Akerman's White Collar Crime and Government Investigations practice. He is a former federal prosecutor and trial lawyer who for more than 20 years has focused his practice on white collar crime, the defense of government enforcement actions, political and congressional investigations, corporate internal investigations, and healthcare fraud. He has defended defense contractors and healthcare providers in criminal and civil False Claims Act investigations. Additionally, Ralph has handled numerous internal investigations for a variety of companies including a major aviation manufacturer, defense contractors, and healthcare providers and insurers. He recently concluded the defense of one of the nation’s largest scrap metal companies in a five-year Department of Justice antitrust investigation and the representation of a prominent non-profit association in a congressional investigation relating to pharmaceutical marketing. Presently, Ralph is defending executives in criminal antitrust investigations, off-label marketing of medical device investigations, and tax investigations.
Ralph has represented several individuals in public corruption investigations including a number of individuals identified in the investigation of Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff, including U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.). He guided several individuals through the investigation of former U.S. Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-Calif.), the investigation of Atlanta’s Mayor Bill Campbell, and the investigation of U.S. Congressman Tom Delay (R-Texas). Earlier in his career he represented Enid Waldholtz, the Utah congresswoman who was the focus of a campaign finance investigation, as well as several witnesses in the Independent Counsel investigation of President Clinton.
During his tenure as Assistant U.S. Attorney, Ralph prosecuted numerous jury trials in both the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and the Superior Court of the District of Columbia and has argued appeals before the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. For two years, he exclusively prosecuted economic crimes. Ralph has received Special Achievement Awards from the Department of Justice for his work as a prosecutor and has received commendations from the Secret Service and the FBI for his successful prosecution of complex financial fraud cases.
Antitrust & Trade Regulation
Federal Tax Litigation & Controversy
Healthcare Fraud & Abuse
Healthcare Litigation
Securities Litigation
White Collar Crime & Government Investigations
Public Corruption
Representation of a United States Senator in Department of Justice public corruption investigation of Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
Representation of a member of the United States House of Representative in an investigation alleging violations of campaign financing laws.
Criminal Antitrust
Representation of nation’s largest privately held scrap metal company in criminal antitrust investigation involving allegations of price fixing and market allocation.
Representation of various air freight executives in ongoing antitrust investigations being conducted by U.S. and foreign government agencies involving allegations of cartel activity and price fixing in the worldwide air and ocean freight market.
Representation of various airline executives in ongoing antitrust investigations being conducted by U.S. and foreign government agencies involving allegations of cartel activity and price fixing.
Criminal Tax
Representation of the manager of a tax preparation service in an investigation alleging the preparation of false tax returns for members of the Washington, DC police department.
Congressional Investigations
Representation of a prominent health care non-profit association in Congressional investigation relating to pharmaceutical marketing.
Representation of a non-profit organization in Senate Congressional Investigation and Department of Justice investigation relating to Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
Healthcare Fraud
Representation of a Florida hospital in Department of Justice False Claims Act investigation relating to allegation that the hospital had submitted duplicate claims for the same services as both outpatient clinic and inpatient services.
Representation of a Tennessee hospital in parallel criminal and civil False Claims Act investigation involving allegations of payments to physician groups designed to induce referrals in violation of the Federal Anti-kickback and Stark Law.
Representation of a Georgia hospital in parallel civil and criminal False claims act investigation arising out of a whistleblower complaint alleging that the hospital submitted claims to the Medicare program that were tainted by improper financial and referral relationships with a physical group.
Government Contracts
Representation of a major defense contractor in an investigation relating to allegations that it submitted false test certifications.
Durable Medical Equipment
Representation of a durable medical equipment supplier in a criminal investigation relating to allegations that improper payments were made to sales representatives as inducements to have patients purchase nebulizer medications through a company owned pharmacy.
Medical Device Off-Label Marketing
Representation of several high level executives of medical device company in Department of Justice investigation alleging that company illegally promoted its product for a procedure which had not been approved by the FDA for that purpose.
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
Representation of aircraft manufacturer in an investigation relating to allegations that improper payments were made to help secure the sale of its product to a company owned by a foreign government.
Conducted several internal investigations for publicly traded companies involving allegations of violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Securities Fraud
Representation of Comptroller of major software company in an investigation relating to misstatement of quarterly earnings.
The Best Lawyers in America 2009-2010, Listed in the District of Columbia for Criminal Defense: White Collar
Super Lawyers Magazine 2007-2009, Listed in Washington DC for Criminal Defense: White Collar
Super Lawyers Magazine, Listed in the "Corporate Counsel Edition" in D.C.
Washingtonian Magazine 2008-2009, Listed as a Top Lawyer: Criminal Defender
Federal Sentencing for Business Crimes Treatise, Co-Author, "Tax Offenses," December 2007
American Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section, White Collar Crime Committee, Member
Edward Bennett Williams Inn of Court, Member
District of Columbia Assistant United States Attorney's Association, Past President
United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, Assistant U.S. Attorney, 1990-1995
News
The 2010 Best Lawyers Ranking Honors 100 Akerman Senterfitt Attorneys (Aug. 26, 2009)
William C. Crenshaw Joins Akerman Senterfitt Litigation Practice in Washington, D.C. (Jun. 3, 2009)
Akerman Senterfitt Expands White Collar Crime and Government Investigations Practice in Washington, D.C. (May. 21, 2009)
Ralph Caccia
Litigation
J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 1986
B.A., Fordham University, 1983; summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa
District of Columbia
Georgia
New York
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IN HAEC VERBA: Akerman Senterfitt Brags on U.S. Attorney, Ambassador, Magistrate Judge and Financial Regulator Among its Alumni
amela Marsh Confirmed as United States Attorney
June 28, 2010
Akerman Senterfitt is pleased to announce that Pamela Marsh, a former member of the firm's Litigation practice, has been confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. The Northern District of Florida includes offices of federal civil attorneys and criminal prosecutors across the Panhandle from Pensacola to Gainesville. President Barack Obama nominated Ms. Marsh on April 14, 2010.
"Pam's deep understanding of the law and commitment to excellence and ethics in her work made her a strong asset to the firm and she is the perfect choice to lead this important office," said Andrew Smulian, Chairman and CEO of Akerman Senterfitt. "Pam has had great success in both the public and private sector and I am confident she will bring these impressive talents to her new role. We are particularly proud that Pam continues the tradition of Akerman attorneys who have made a special commitment to public service."
Recently, several Akerman attorneys have taken on significant public offices in service to the citizens of Florida and the nation. Among those, Allan Katz was recently sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to Portugal; Jonathan Goodman was appointed to be a U.S. Magistrate Judge, and Thomas Cardwell is now the Commissioner of Florida’s Office of Financial Regulation.
A Tallahassee native, Ms. Marsh graduated from Lincoln High School in 1983 and received her Bachelor degree in Foreign Service, magna cum laude, from Georgetown University. She received her juris doctorate, cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center. She will be the first woman ever to serve the Northern District as the presidentially appointed U.S. attorney.
About Akerman Senterfitt
Akerman is ranked among the top 100 law firms in the U.S. by The National Law Journal NLJ 250 (2009) in number of lawyers and is the leading Florida firm. With 500 lawyers and government affairs professionals, Akerman serves clients throughout the U.S. and overseas from Florida, New York, Washington, D.C., California, Virginia, Colorado, Nevada, and Texas. More information can be found at www.akerman.com or www.twitter.com/akerman_llp
###
Contact:
Pat Tucker
RF|Binder Partners, Inc.
(212) 994-7561
Patrick.Tucker@rfbinder.com
June 28, 2010
Akerman Senterfitt is pleased to announce that Pamela Marsh, a former member of the firm's Litigation practice, has been confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. The Northern District of Florida includes offices of federal civil attorneys and criminal prosecutors across the Panhandle from Pensacola to Gainesville. President Barack Obama nominated Ms. Marsh on April 14, 2010.
"Pam's deep understanding of the law and commitment to excellence and ethics in her work made her a strong asset to the firm and she is the perfect choice to lead this important office," said Andrew Smulian, Chairman and CEO of Akerman Senterfitt. "Pam has had great success in both the public and private sector and I am confident she will bring these impressive talents to her new role. We are particularly proud that Pam continues the tradition of Akerman attorneys who have made a special commitment to public service."
Recently, several Akerman attorneys have taken on significant public offices in service to the citizens of Florida and the nation. Among those, Allan Katz was recently sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to Portugal; Jonathan Goodman was appointed to be a U.S. Magistrate Judge, and Thomas Cardwell is now the Commissioner of Florida’s Office of Financial Regulation.
A Tallahassee native, Ms. Marsh graduated from Lincoln High School in 1983 and received her Bachelor degree in Foreign Service, magna cum laude, from Georgetown University. She received her juris doctorate, cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center. She will be the first woman ever to serve the Northern District as the presidentially appointed U.S. attorney.
About Akerman Senterfitt
Akerman is ranked among the top 100 law firms in the U.S. by The National Law Journal NLJ 250 (2009) in number of lawyers and is the leading Florida firm. With 500 lawyers and government affairs professionals, Akerman serves clients throughout the U.S. and overseas from Florida, New York, Washington, D.C., California, Virginia, Colorado, Nevada, and Texas. More information can be found at www.akerman.com or www.twitter.com/akerman_llp
###
Contact:
Pat Tucker
RF|Binder Partners, Inc.
(212) 994-7561
Patrick.Tucker@rfbinder.com
IN HAEC VERBA: DAN GELBER IN ST. AUGUSTINE JULY 7, 2010 AT GYPSY CAB RESTAURANT (AKERMAN SENTERFITT PARTNER RUNNING FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL OF FLORIDA)
July 7, 2010, 5-7 PM
Please join Hon. Joe Boles, Hon. Doug Wiles, Patrick Canan, and
Bill Hamilton, for a Reception in Honor of
Senator Dan Gelber, Candidate for Attorney General
at Gypsy Cab Compay, 828 Anastasia Blvd., St. Augustine, 32080
Telephone: 904-209-3893 or send an email to: doug@wiles.com to RSVP
Donations can be made online at: www.dangelber.com
Checks should be made payable to Dan Gelber for AG,
801 Arthur Godfrey Road #300, Miami Beach, 33140.
Daily Business Report: Discovery dispute leads SEC to seek attorney sanctions
May 20, 2009 By: John Pacenti
or decades, attorneys have conducted a dance of pretrial discovery. Sometimes one partner gets sick of getting its toes stepped on.
Take the U.S. Pension Trust case. The Securities and Exchange Commission is seeking sanctions against the company and four attorneys for allegedly failing to produce numerous documents in its civil fraud case.
“Defense counsel should be sanctioned because many of the violations are the result of defendants’ legal tactics and maneuvers concerning discovery,” according to a 16-page motion by SEC senior trial counsel Amie Riggle Berlin and Scott Masel.
The SEC is targeting three Akerman Senterfitt attorneys: Leonard Bloom, Brian Miller and Ryan Roman. The agency is also asking for sanctions against Miami solo practitioner Robert Dunlap.
The matter appears far from closed with Bloom, a Miami shareholder with Akerman, saying the client, U.S. Pension Trust, complied with all requests following an April 20 hearing before U.S. Magistrate Stephen Brown in Miami that centered on a database containing thousands of client files.
“We’ve responded to the discovery dispute, which was resolved by the magistrate,” Bloom said. A defense reply to the SEC motion for contempt said more than 7,200 pages of documents and detailed answers have been turned over to the SEC.
“The commission’s request for an order to show cause and for severe monetary sanctions are unsupported by the facts of this case or applicable law,” reads the April 3 response filed by Roman, an Akerman Senterfitt associate in the case.
Dunlap, who represents U.S. Pension Trust owners Iliana Maceiras, Leonardo Maceiras and Nildo Verdeja, did not return a call for comment.
Berlin maintains there are still numerous discovery issues and the “matter is still pending.”
The SEC accuses the attorneys of dragging out the discovery process by erroneously arguing documents sent by U.S. Pension Trust to regional directors and sales agents are outside the company’s control when it clearly had a legal right to them. The SEC also accused the attorneys of refusing for nearly a year to provide access to electronic documents in a usable format.
The dispute spilled out at an April 20 hearing — the third on the discovery issue in about a month — when Brown found himself parenting the two sides, warning the attorneys that he was tired of wasting time in the case.
“It’s not like you are paying rent for this courtroom,” the magistrate said.
He said he had little sympathy for the defendants, but “I’m not throwing them to the wolves here either.” He also pointedly criticized the government, saying, “I think the SEC is far more interested in discovery than they are in bringing this case to a conclusion.”
The SEC asked U.S. District Court Judge Jose E. Martinez to hold all defendants and their attorneys in contempt of court and fine them on a sliding scale starting with $5,000 for the first five days and increasing to $20,000 a day after four weeks if they didn’t comply. The SEC also asked the court to order the defendants to pay any fees and court costs related to the alleged procrastination.
The contempt motion said the company did not comply with Brown’s March 12 discovery order to supplement responses nearly a year after they were due and 10 months after the close of discovery. Trial is set for Aug. 3.
The SEC claimed the follow-up response had 50 deficiencies.
Web Extra:
Plaintiff's show cause order
Defendant's response
The SEC filed a complaint in September 2007 against Coral Gables-based U.S. Pension Trust, U.S. College Trust and the funds’ owners, claiming 14,000 mostly Latin American investors were taken for $178 million. The companies ostensibly offered mutual funds through a series of investment plans.
“Defendants have failed to disclose that they are siphoning off as much as 85 percent of investors’ funds paid in the annual contribution plans to pay exorbitant commissions to sales agents, administrative fees and other fees,” the complaint said.
The company denied 49 of the 53 fact allegations laid out by the SEC and raised a number of affirmative defenses, such as the defendants marketed trust relationships and not mutual funds. The SEC attorneys asked for proof but claimed they were given incomplete answers.
For example, the SEC requested software that would allow it access to U.S. Pension’s electronic documents. Rather than comply, the defense attorneys told the SEC to contact a software expert who could help them, but investigators could get only remote access, according to the agency’s motion.
“This is a problem for a number of reasons,” the sanctions motion reads. “First, it is not the same access the defendants enjoy. Second, the remote access the defendants offer would show and create a record of exactly what documents the commission reviews and prints.”
Brown held yet another hearing on the matter April 20 in which the SEC got some cooperation, including access to the database.
Bloom said defense attorneys never had the capability to see what documents the SEC was viewing and the agency has had access to those documents for a year.
Berlin said at the April 20 hearing that defense attorneys dumped the whole database — in Spanish — on the SEC without any indication of pertinent files. She accused Miller, an Akerman shareholder, of “confusing fact with fiction” and rewriting the history of the case.
The database, which by the defense’s own admission is akin to a load from a dump truck, is key to the SEC’s case, containing financial records as well as customer and agent files. It also is supposed to bear out U.S. Pension Trust’s affirmative defenses.
“I understand your problem. I don’t understand your solution,” Magistrate Brown told the SEC’s Berlin, according to a transcript of the hearing.
Miller said the defendants have been more than cooperative.
“This is the SEC saying whatever you’ve been given isn’t enough. We need more. We need more. We need more,” he said.
Akerman Senterfitt attorneys say the database conundrum has been worked out. “The commission cannot even establish the violation of a single order, let alone the pattern of violative behavior that would result in such severe sanctions,” a filing by the firm said.
Bloom said the contempt request is before Martinez, who has not indicated whether he will hold a hearing. Brown said he hasn’t been given direction by the trial judge.
Berlin, though, was adamant Monday that the SEC is not yet satisfied with the cooperation of U.S Pension Trust or its attorneys.
John Pacenti can be reached at (305) 347-6638.
or decades, attorneys have conducted a dance of pretrial discovery. Sometimes one partner gets sick of getting its toes stepped on.
Take the U.S. Pension Trust case. The Securities and Exchange Commission is seeking sanctions against the company and four attorneys for allegedly failing to produce numerous documents in its civil fraud case.
“Defense counsel should be sanctioned because many of the violations are the result of defendants’ legal tactics and maneuvers concerning discovery,” according to a 16-page motion by SEC senior trial counsel Amie Riggle Berlin and Scott Masel.
The SEC is targeting three Akerman Senterfitt attorneys: Leonard Bloom, Brian Miller and Ryan Roman. The agency is also asking for sanctions against Miami solo practitioner Robert Dunlap.
The matter appears far from closed with Bloom, a Miami shareholder with Akerman, saying the client, U.S. Pension Trust, complied with all requests following an April 20 hearing before U.S. Magistrate Stephen Brown in Miami that centered on a database containing thousands of client files.
“We’ve responded to the discovery dispute, which was resolved by the magistrate,” Bloom said. A defense reply to the SEC motion for contempt said more than 7,200 pages of documents and detailed answers have been turned over to the SEC.
“The commission’s request for an order to show cause and for severe monetary sanctions are unsupported by the facts of this case or applicable law,” reads the April 3 response filed by Roman, an Akerman Senterfitt associate in the case.
Dunlap, who represents U.S. Pension Trust owners Iliana Maceiras, Leonardo Maceiras and Nildo Verdeja, did not return a call for comment.
Berlin maintains there are still numerous discovery issues and the “matter is still pending.”
The SEC accuses the attorneys of dragging out the discovery process by erroneously arguing documents sent by U.S. Pension Trust to regional directors and sales agents are outside the company’s control when it clearly had a legal right to them. The SEC also accused the attorneys of refusing for nearly a year to provide access to electronic documents in a usable format.
The dispute spilled out at an April 20 hearing — the third on the discovery issue in about a month — when Brown found himself parenting the two sides, warning the attorneys that he was tired of wasting time in the case.
“It’s not like you are paying rent for this courtroom,” the magistrate said.
He said he had little sympathy for the defendants, but “I’m not throwing them to the wolves here either.” He also pointedly criticized the government, saying, “I think the SEC is far more interested in discovery than they are in bringing this case to a conclusion.”
The SEC asked U.S. District Court Judge Jose E. Martinez to hold all defendants and their attorneys in contempt of court and fine them on a sliding scale starting with $5,000 for the first five days and increasing to $20,000 a day after four weeks if they didn’t comply. The SEC also asked the court to order the defendants to pay any fees and court costs related to the alleged procrastination.
The contempt motion said the company did not comply with Brown’s March 12 discovery order to supplement responses nearly a year after they were due and 10 months after the close of discovery. Trial is set for Aug. 3.
The SEC claimed the follow-up response had 50 deficiencies.
Web Extra:
Plaintiff's show cause order
Defendant's response
The SEC filed a complaint in September 2007 against Coral Gables-based U.S. Pension Trust, U.S. College Trust and the funds’ owners, claiming 14,000 mostly Latin American investors were taken for $178 million. The companies ostensibly offered mutual funds through a series of investment plans.
“Defendants have failed to disclose that they are siphoning off as much as 85 percent of investors’ funds paid in the annual contribution plans to pay exorbitant commissions to sales agents, administrative fees and other fees,” the complaint said.
The company denied 49 of the 53 fact allegations laid out by the SEC and raised a number of affirmative defenses, such as the defendants marketed trust relationships and not mutual funds. The SEC attorneys asked for proof but claimed they were given incomplete answers.
For example, the SEC requested software that would allow it access to U.S. Pension’s electronic documents. Rather than comply, the defense attorneys told the SEC to contact a software expert who could help them, but investigators could get only remote access, according to the agency’s motion.
“This is a problem for a number of reasons,” the sanctions motion reads. “First, it is not the same access the defendants enjoy. Second, the remote access the defendants offer would show and create a record of exactly what documents the commission reviews and prints.”
Brown held yet another hearing on the matter April 20 in which the SEC got some cooperation, including access to the database.
Bloom said defense attorneys never had the capability to see what documents the SEC was viewing and the agency has had access to those documents for a year.
Berlin said at the April 20 hearing that defense attorneys dumped the whole database — in Spanish — on the SEC without any indication of pertinent files. She accused Miller, an Akerman shareholder, of “confusing fact with fiction” and rewriting the history of the case.
The database, which by the defense’s own admission is akin to a load from a dump truck, is key to the SEC’s case, containing financial records as well as customer and agent files. It also is supposed to bear out U.S. Pension Trust’s affirmative defenses.
“I understand your problem. I don’t understand your solution,” Magistrate Brown told the SEC’s Berlin, according to a transcript of the hearing.
Miller said the defendants have been more than cooperative.
“This is the SEC saying whatever you’ve been given isn’t enough. We need more. We need more. We need more,” he said.
Akerman Senterfitt attorneys say the database conundrum has been worked out. “The commission cannot even establish the violation of a single order, let alone the pattern of violative behavior that would result in such severe sanctions,” a filing by the firm said.
Bloom said the contempt request is before Martinez, who has not indicated whether he will hold a hearing. Brown said he hasn’t been given direction by the trial judge.
Berlin, though, was adamant Monday that the SEC is not yet satisfied with the cooperation of U.S Pension Trust or its attorneys.
John Pacenti can be reached at (305) 347-6638.
American Bar Association Journal: SEC Seeks Sanctions Against Three Akerman Lawyers in Discovery Dustup
Posted May 21, 2009 7:33 AM CDT
By Debra Cassens Weiss
The Securities and Exchange Commission is seeking sanctions of up to $20,000 a day against three Akerman Senterfitt lawyers, a Miami solo practitioner and the company they represent.
The agency says the lawyers should be held in contempt of court and prodded to comply with discovery orders with the imposition of sliding-scale daily fines that end when electronic documents are turned over in a usable format and supplemental discovery orders are satisfied, the Daily Business Review reports. The fines would start at $5,000 a day for the first five days and gradually increase over the next four weeks until they reach $20,000 a day.
The lawyers targeted are Leonard Bloom, Brian Miller and Ryan Roman, all from Akerman Senterfitt, and solo Robert Dunlap, the story says. The motion is pending before U.S. District Court Judge Jose Martinez.
The SEC says the lawyers, who represented U.S. Pension Trust, were wrong when they argued that documents sought by the agency were outside of the company’s control. SEC lawyer Amie Riggle Berlin also said at an April 20 hearing that the lawyers turned over an entire company database—in Spanish—without earmarking pertinent files.
The company has been accused of cheating investors out of $178 million.
During the hearing, Berlin also accused Miller of "confusing fact with fiction" and rewriting the history of the case, the story says.
Bloom told the Business Review that U.S. Pension Trust complied with all discovery requests after the April 20 hearing. "We've responded to the discovery dispute, which was resolved by the magistrate," Bloom said. A reply to the SEC contempt motion says the sanction request is without merit. More than 7,200 pages of documents have already been turned over to the SEC, satisfying discovery obligations, the reply (PDF posted by the Business Review) says.
Berlin, however, told the publication that discovery issues are still unresolved, and the SEC is not satisfied with defense cooperation.
By Debra Cassens Weiss
The Securities and Exchange Commission is seeking sanctions of up to $20,000 a day against three Akerman Senterfitt lawyers, a Miami solo practitioner and the company they represent.
The agency says the lawyers should be held in contempt of court and prodded to comply with discovery orders with the imposition of sliding-scale daily fines that end when electronic documents are turned over in a usable format and supplemental discovery orders are satisfied, the Daily Business Review reports. The fines would start at $5,000 a day for the first five days and gradually increase over the next four weeks until they reach $20,000 a day.
The lawyers targeted are Leonard Bloom, Brian Miller and Ryan Roman, all from Akerman Senterfitt, and solo Robert Dunlap, the story says. The motion is pending before U.S. District Court Judge Jose Martinez.
The SEC says the lawyers, who represented U.S. Pension Trust, were wrong when they argued that documents sought by the agency were outside of the company’s control. SEC lawyer Amie Riggle Berlin also said at an April 20 hearing that the lawyers turned over an entire company database—in Spanish—without earmarking pertinent files.
The company has been accused of cheating investors out of $178 million.
During the hearing, Berlin also accused Miller of "confusing fact with fiction" and rewriting the history of the case, the story says.
Bloom told the Business Review that U.S. Pension Trust complied with all discovery requests after the April 20 hearing. "We've responded to the discovery dispute, which was resolved by the magistrate," Bloom said. A reply to the SEC contempt motion says the sanction request is without merit. More than 7,200 pages of documents have already been turned over to the SEC, satisfying discovery obligations, the reply (PDF posted by the Business Review) says.
Berlin, however, told the publication that discovery issues are still unresolved, and the SEC is not satisfied with defense cooperation.
SENATOR DANIEL GELBER'S LAW FIRM REPRESENTS BIG OIL, BIG TOBACCO AND BIG SUGAR
Those cartels are poison in Tallahassee and poison with the voters.
Can Gelber answer questions? Or will he invoke his Fifth Amendment right to remain silent? Here are the questions posed to him a week ago, after his Campaign Manager called about my reporting on his law firm's work for BP:
In the immortal words of William F. Buckley, Jr., "why does baloney reject the grinder?" See below.
Dear Mr. Gelber:
Please respond to my questions. Also, could you please provide copies of some of the internal investigations that you have done for U.S. Sugar, other Fortune 500 companies and other organizations, and a list of companies for whom you have done such investigations?
Thank you.
With kindest regards, I am,
Sincerely yours,
Ed Slavin
Clean Up City of St. Augustine, Florida
www.cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com
Box 3084
St. Augustine, Florida 32085-3084
-----Original Message-----
From: easlavin@aol.com
To: daniel.gelber@akerman.com
Cc: EASlavin@aol.com
Sent: Fri, Jun 25, 2010 5:10 pm
Subject: Representation of BP and City of St. Augustine in Cases Involving Reckless or Intentional Pollution of Florida's Waters
Dear Mr. Gelber:
1. I met you last year at the St. Johns County DEC fundraiser at the St. Augustine Rod & Gun Club.
2. It has come to my attention that Akerman Senterfitt, a law firm in which you are a shareholder, now represents BP in pollution cases arising from the Gulf oil spill. Please comment.
3. Your law firm (William Pence) also defended our City of St. Augustine and billed hundreds of thousands of dollars after our City dumped 40,000 cubic yards of solid waste in our Old CIty Reservoir, a case in which Akerman Senterfitt proposed contaminated solid waste be brought back to the African-American community of Lincolnville for use as a park. Please comment.
4. Would you please comment on Akerman Senterfitt's representing polluters and recidivists?
5. Would your work for Akerman Senterfitt present disqualificaiton/recusal/conflicts issues if youweare elected?
[6.] Also, could you please send me a list of all of the clients of Akerman Senterfitt?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you.
With kindest regards, I am,
Sincerely yours,
Ed Slavin
Clean Up City of St. Augustine, Florida
www.cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com
Box 3084
St. Augustine, Florida 32085-3084
Can Gelber answer questions? Or will he invoke his Fifth Amendment right to remain silent? Here are the questions posed to him a week ago, after his Campaign Manager called about my reporting on his law firm's work for BP:
In the immortal words of William F. Buckley, Jr., "why does baloney reject the grinder?" See below.
Dear Mr. Gelber:
Please respond to my questions. Also, could you please provide copies of some of the internal investigations that you have done for U.S. Sugar, other Fortune 500 companies and other organizations, and a list of companies for whom you have done such investigations?
Thank you.
With kindest regards, I am,
Sincerely yours,
Ed Slavin
Clean Up City of St. Augustine, Florida
www.cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com
Box 3084
St. Augustine, Florida 32085-3084
-----Original Message-----
From: easlavin@aol.com
To: daniel.gelber@akerman.com
Cc: EASlavin@aol.com
Sent: Fri, Jun 25, 2010 5:10 pm
Subject: Representation of BP and City of St. Augustine in Cases Involving Reckless or Intentional Pollution of Florida's Waters
Dear Mr. Gelber:
1. I met you last year at the St. Johns County DEC fundraiser at the St. Augustine Rod & Gun Club.
2. It has come to my attention that Akerman Senterfitt, a law firm in which you are a shareholder, now represents BP in pollution cases arising from the Gulf oil spill. Please comment.
3. Your law firm (William Pence) also defended our City of St. Augustine and billed hundreds of thousands of dollars after our City dumped 40,000 cubic yards of solid waste in our Old CIty Reservoir, a case in which Akerman Senterfitt proposed contaminated solid waste be brought back to the African-American community of Lincolnville for use as a park. Please comment.
4. Would you please comment on Akerman Senterfitt's representing polluters and recidivists?
5. Would your work for Akerman Senterfitt present disqualificaiton/recusal/conflicts issues if youweare elected?
[6.] Also, could you please send me a list of all of the clients of Akerman Senterfitt?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you.
With kindest regards, I am,
Sincerely yours,
Ed Slavin
Clean Up City of St. Augustine, Florida
www.cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com
Box 3084
St. Augustine, Florida 32085-3084
Akerman Senterfitt Was Defense Counsel for BIG TOBACCO in cases brought by the State of Florida on behalf of Florida residents!
AKERMAN SENTERFITT's corporate lawyers provided "Defense of multi-national companies in defense of products liability, mass tort, and class actions, including the defense of Ford Pinto cases, Jeep roll-over claims, and B.A.T. Industries, and British American Tobacco in the State of Florida tobacco litigation in Palm Beach County, and in over 40 tobacco lawsuits by labor unions and Latin American countries and cities in state and federal courts. State of Florida v. American Tobacco Company, et al., 707 So. 2d 851 (Fla. 4th DCA)."
Source: Akerman Senterfitt biography of shareholder JAMES McCANN
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:ZlUj2i7dS9cJ:www.akerman.com/bios/bio.asp%3Fid%3D350+akerman+senterfitt+tobzcco&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a
7.5% (Three in 40) -- You Do the Math -- Akerman Senterfitt Already Has Excessive Influence in Florida State Government
7.5% of Florida State Senators are Akerman Senterfitt shareholders (partners).
What's going on here?
That's an awful lot of influence for a 500-lawyer law firm that represented the City of ST. Augustine in racist City Manager WILLIAM B. HARRISS' efforts to bring contaminated solid waste from West Augustine (where it was illegally dumped in our Old City Reservoir) to Lincolnville (where it was originally illegal dumped).
What's going on here?
That's an awful lot of influence for a 500-lawyer law firm that represented the City of ST. Augustine in racist City Manager WILLIAM B. HARRISS' efforts to bring contaminated solid waste from West Augustine (where it was illegally dumped in our Old City Reservoir) to Lincolnville (where it was originally illegal dumped).
St. Petersburg Times: In Democratic race for attorney general, candidates offer contrast in style, experience
January 22, 2010
By Steve Bousquet, Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau
TALLAHASSEE - At first glance, they seem alike: Both men are politically ambitious lawyers and state senators from South Florida.
But real differences separate Dave Aronberg and Dan Gelber, who are fighting for the Democratic nomination for attorney general. The contest is one of three down-ballot statewide races likely to be decided by TV ads and obscured by high-profile free-for-alls for U.S. Senate and governor.
As Florida's chief legal officer, the attorney general oversees 475 lawyers and is expected to protect consumers from fraud and discrimination, represent the state in legal matters including death penalty appeals, and set policy as a Cabinet member on everything from open space to state investments.
For months, Aronberg and Gelber have criss-crossed the peninsula raising money, collecting endorsements and honing their messages in advance of their showdown, the Aug. 24 primary.
Gelber, 49, has a much more extensive legal background, as a federal prosecutor for nearly a decade and as counsel to a U.S. Senate committee. He was a forceful House Democratic leader who helped his party win back nine seats in 2006, while offering frequent policy alternatives to the Republican agenda. Gov. Charlie Crist credits Gelber with his decision to expand early voting in 2008, a decision seen as having favored Barack Obama's fortunes in Florida.
Gelber's prosecutorial style, with an emphasis on public corruption, was on display in a recent speech to Polk County Democrats. "You give me 400 lawyers and I will prosecute Ponzi schemes. I will prosecute public officials," Gelber told them. "I am not afraid to make enemies."
If elected, he promises to immediately sue the Legislature for failing to adequately pay for public education.
Aronberg, 38, is an affable, boyish politician who represents a more diverse Senate district than his rival. He has the backing of 10 Democratic sheriffs, some in small counties not often hospitable to Democratic candidates. He also has the support of the Fraternal Order of Police.
As a senator, Aronberg has worked on privacy and consumer issues, such as his sponsorship of laws banning hidden cameras in public - the so-called "video voyeurism" law - and a requirement that companies tell customers when personal data is compromised. A former assistant attorney general for two years in the Bob Butterworth era, Aronberg emphasizes fighting consumer fraud and protecting civil rights.
"This is my passion," Aronberg says of the office. "My model as attorney general is Bob Butterworth. He was dedicated to the job. He didn't use it as a political stepping stone."
Neither man has run statewide, and both know that legal skills alone won't decide the outcome. Other things matter, like raising enough money to pay for a last-minute barrage of TV ads in the middle of August.
"This race is going to boil down to who communicates best on television," said Gelber's top adviser, Steve Schale.
Gelber has raised slightly more money but also has spent more than Aronberg, who had about $500,000 in the bank at the start of the year, compared to Gelber's $400,000. In recent weeks Gelber has trimmed overhead, such as by cutting Schale's monthly fee from $8,000 to $5,000. Gelber said he decided to pay some consulting fees up front.
The son of Seymour Gelber, a well-known judge and mayor of Miami Beach, Gelber served eight years in the state House before he won a state Senate seat in 2008. He ran for the U.S. Senate until last June but was struggling to raise money against U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, D-Miami, and switched races after Crist entered the contest.
Gelber's supporters include former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno, former Gov. Buddy MacKay and former USF President and Commissioner of Education Betty Castor.
Money is always a factor in statewide races, and Aronberg is so effective at raising money that even Gelber's campaign manager, Christian Ulvert, calls him a "relentless" fundraiser.
Aronberg has directed two soft-money machines: the Florida Mainstream Democrats, which aided legislative candidates, and the shuttered Citizens for Political Accountability, which raised $477,000 from an array of special interests. Nearly half of the money was given to the Democratic Party, Aronberg paid fund-raiser Joe Perry about $76,000, and $14,000 went directly to individual candidates.
The largest donor to that group was a fund controlled by Hollywood eye surgeon Alan Mendelsohn, which gave $50,000 in 2008. Mendelsohn is facing felony fraud charges.
Aronberg has been a state senator since 2002, representing an oddly shaped, moderate cross-state district that runs from West Palm Beach to Fort Myers, with almost equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans, and taking in rural Glades and Hendry counties.
Gelber's political base is in Miami-Dade, the source of about half of his campaign money. Aronberg's base is in Palm Beach, making Broward, the state's biggest Democratic county, a critical battleground.
"The mood of the voters is one of anger and frustration," said Mitch Ceasar, chairman of the Broward Democratic Party. "The best candidate will be the one who does the best job describing how his life experience fits this job specifically."
Each man insists he's uniquely qualified to hold the office.
As an assistant U.S. attorney in Miami, Gelber said he oversaw 200 lawyers handling complex criminal cases.
As minority counsel to the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations for two years in the mid 1990s, Gelber worked for Sen. Sam Nunn, D-Ga., and researched and wrote extensively on terrorism issues.
Aronberg worked on civil matters - children's legal services and economic crimes - as assistant attorney general.
Former Deputy Attorney General Pete Antonacci, an Aronberg supporter, said of the candidates: "Dave is a person who has broad appeal. Sen. Gelber is a little scary. He's a tough guy, and I mean that in the most positive way. … He should run for U.S. attorney."
A Democrat has not been attorney general since 2002. When Democrat Bob Butterworth left after 16 years, he was succeeded by Republican Charlie Crist, who served one term and was succeeded by Republican Bill McCollum, who's leaving after one term to run for governor.
The winner of the Aronberg-Gelber race will face one of three Republicans in the fall: Former state Rep. Holly Benson, former Hillsborough County prosecutor Pam Bondi or Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp.
Steve Bousquet can be reached at bousquet@sptimes.com or (850) 224-7263.
Dave Aronberg
Age: 38
Occupation: attorney, Greenspoon Marder, West Palm Beach
Education: Harvard, 1993; Harvard Law School, 1996
Career highlight: assistant attorney general, 1999-2000, 2001-2002
Dan Gelber
Age: 49
Occupation: attorney, Akerman Senterfitt, Miami
Education: Tufts University, 1982; University of Florida Law School, 1985
Career highlight: assistant U.S. attorney, 1986-1995
Where they differ
Issues on which Aronberg and Gelber voted differently Aronberg Gelber
Growth: Changes to growth management laws opposed by environmentalists (SB 360, 2009) Yes No
Insurance: "Consumer choice" bill would deregulate well-capitalized insurers (HB 1171, 2009)* Yes No
Self-defense: Expanded "castle doctrine" to let people shoot intruders in home (SB 436, 2005) Yes No
Telecommunications: Allowed higher phone rates, promised greater competition (SB 654, 2003) Yes No
By Steve Bousquet, Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau
TALLAHASSEE - At first glance, they seem alike: Both men are politically ambitious lawyers and state senators from South Florida.
But real differences separate Dave Aronberg and Dan Gelber, who are fighting for the Democratic nomination for attorney general. The contest is one of three down-ballot statewide races likely to be decided by TV ads and obscured by high-profile free-for-alls for U.S. Senate and governor.
As Florida's chief legal officer, the attorney general oversees 475 lawyers and is expected to protect consumers from fraud and discrimination, represent the state in legal matters including death penalty appeals, and set policy as a Cabinet member on everything from open space to state investments.
For months, Aronberg and Gelber have criss-crossed the peninsula raising money, collecting endorsements and honing their messages in advance of their showdown, the Aug. 24 primary.
Gelber, 49, has a much more extensive legal background, as a federal prosecutor for nearly a decade and as counsel to a U.S. Senate committee. He was a forceful House Democratic leader who helped his party win back nine seats in 2006, while offering frequent policy alternatives to the Republican agenda. Gov. Charlie Crist credits Gelber with his decision to expand early voting in 2008, a decision seen as having favored Barack Obama's fortunes in Florida.
Gelber's prosecutorial style, with an emphasis on public corruption, was on display in a recent speech to Polk County Democrats. "You give me 400 lawyers and I will prosecute Ponzi schemes. I will prosecute public officials," Gelber told them. "I am not afraid to make enemies."
If elected, he promises to immediately sue the Legislature for failing to adequately pay for public education.
Aronberg, 38, is an affable, boyish politician who represents a more diverse Senate district than his rival. He has the backing of 10 Democratic sheriffs, some in small counties not often hospitable to Democratic candidates. He also has the support of the Fraternal Order of Police.
As a senator, Aronberg has worked on privacy and consumer issues, such as his sponsorship of laws banning hidden cameras in public - the so-called "video voyeurism" law - and a requirement that companies tell customers when personal data is compromised. A former assistant attorney general for two years in the Bob Butterworth era, Aronberg emphasizes fighting consumer fraud and protecting civil rights.
"This is my passion," Aronberg says of the office. "My model as attorney general is Bob Butterworth. He was dedicated to the job. He didn't use it as a political stepping stone."
Neither man has run statewide, and both know that legal skills alone won't decide the outcome. Other things matter, like raising enough money to pay for a last-minute barrage of TV ads in the middle of August.
"This race is going to boil down to who communicates best on television," said Gelber's top adviser, Steve Schale.
Gelber has raised slightly more money but also has spent more than Aronberg, who had about $500,000 in the bank at the start of the year, compared to Gelber's $400,000. In recent weeks Gelber has trimmed overhead, such as by cutting Schale's monthly fee from $8,000 to $5,000. Gelber said he decided to pay some consulting fees up front.
The son of Seymour Gelber, a well-known judge and mayor of Miami Beach, Gelber served eight years in the state House before he won a state Senate seat in 2008. He ran for the U.S. Senate until last June but was struggling to raise money against U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, D-Miami, and switched races after Crist entered the contest.
Gelber's supporters include former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno, former Gov. Buddy MacKay and former USF President and Commissioner of Education Betty Castor.
Money is always a factor in statewide races, and Aronberg is so effective at raising money that even Gelber's campaign manager, Christian Ulvert, calls him a "relentless" fundraiser.
Aronberg has directed two soft-money machines: the Florida Mainstream Democrats, which aided legislative candidates, and the shuttered Citizens for Political Accountability, which raised $477,000 from an array of special interests. Nearly half of the money was given to the Democratic Party, Aronberg paid fund-raiser Joe Perry about $76,000, and $14,000 went directly to individual candidates.
The largest donor to that group was a fund controlled by Hollywood eye surgeon Alan Mendelsohn, which gave $50,000 in 2008. Mendelsohn is facing felony fraud charges.
Aronberg has been a state senator since 2002, representing an oddly shaped, moderate cross-state district that runs from West Palm Beach to Fort Myers, with almost equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans, and taking in rural Glades and Hendry counties.
Gelber's political base is in Miami-Dade, the source of about half of his campaign money. Aronberg's base is in Palm Beach, making Broward, the state's biggest Democratic county, a critical battleground.
"The mood of the voters is one of anger and frustration," said Mitch Ceasar, chairman of the Broward Democratic Party. "The best candidate will be the one who does the best job describing how his life experience fits this job specifically."
Each man insists he's uniquely qualified to hold the office.
As an assistant U.S. attorney in Miami, Gelber said he oversaw 200 lawyers handling complex criminal cases.
As minority counsel to the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations for two years in the mid 1990s, Gelber worked for Sen. Sam Nunn, D-Ga., and researched and wrote extensively on terrorism issues.
Aronberg worked on civil matters - children's legal services and economic crimes - as assistant attorney general.
Former Deputy Attorney General Pete Antonacci, an Aronberg supporter, said of the candidates: "Dave is a person who has broad appeal. Sen. Gelber is a little scary. He's a tough guy, and I mean that in the most positive way. … He should run for U.S. attorney."
A Democrat has not been attorney general since 2002. When Democrat Bob Butterworth left after 16 years, he was succeeded by Republican Charlie Crist, who served one term and was succeeded by Republican Bill McCollum, who's leaving after one term to run for governor.
The winner of the Aronberg-Gelber race will face one of three Republicans in the fall: Former state Rep. Holly Benson, former Hillsborough County prosecutor Pam Bondi or Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp.
Steve Bousquet can be reached at bousquet@sptimes.com or (850) 224-7263.
Dave Aronberg
Age: 38
Occupation: attorney, Greenspoon Marder, West Palm Beach
Education: Harvard, 1993; Harvard Law School, 1996
Career highlight: assistant attorney general, 1999-2000, 2001-2002
Dan Gelber
Age: 49
Occupation: attorney, Akerman Senterfitt, Miami
Education: Tufts University, 1982; University of Florida Law School, 1985
Career highlight: assistant U.S. attorney, 1986-1995
Where they differ
Issues on which Aronberg and Gelber voted differently Aronberg Gelber
Growth: Changes to growth management laws opposed by environmentalists (SB 360, 2009) Yes No
Insurance: "Consumer choice" bill would deregulate well-capitalized insurers (HB 1171, 2009)* Yes No
Self-defense: Expanded "castle doctrine" to let people shoot intruders in home (SB 436, 2005) Yes No
Telecommunications: Allowed higher phone rates, promised greater competition (SB 654, 2003) Yes No
Jacksonville Observer: Five Questions for Heather Beaven, Democratic Candidate to Unseat "TARBALL," a/k/a JOHN MICA, a/k/a "JOHN LUIGI MICA"
The November 2010 election may be months away, but Democrat Heather Beaven has been campaigning for nearly a year to replace U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Orlando, an 18-year veteran of Congress.
Beaven, a Missouri native who moved to Florida in 1990, is a Navy veteran who runs an education foundation geared at upping the number of high school graduates and moving them into high tech fields. But while she has a strong candidate profile, she faces an uphill battle against Mica, who is well known throughout the district and has strong backers in the Republican Party.
He's working with a pot of $1 million and she has $35,000. The Republican Congressional Campaign Committee doesn't see her as a contender and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has thus far not been too active in her campaign, though former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle has spoken out in support of her candidacy.
She sat down with the News Service a couple weeks ago, immediately after wrapping up a summer science and math camp for girls in Flagler Beach, to talk about her Congressional bid.
Here is a snippet of the interview.
--------------------------------------------
NSF: You've got a pretty formidable opponnent. John Mica's been around for a long time, has a lot of money. So, that's a tough race to break into. Why not go into the state House or state Senate?
BEAVEN: “Well, because the issues I care about are really national issues. My three platform issues , which are education, jobs and veterans' affairs. The rubber meets the road at the national level on those. You know when I take office, I'll be the only female veteran serving in Congress. And you know, we have 15 percent of our military are women and we're returning home from combat really for the first time ever. And the VA has very publicly said that it's not prepared for the onslaught of female specific injuries and mental health needs.
“In so many ways, we've learned nothing from Vietnam on how to smoothly transition folks home from war. And I think that's because we have really slid. Being a military veteran used to be a right of passage for Congress and now there's only 120 vets there at all and no women.
“There's things like that are so important and go to the very character of who we are as a country that who you're running against is irrelevant. It's what you're running for.”
NSF: Do you think you might benefit – you know they keep talking about the year of the oustider, obviously in Pennsylvania and Utah -- do you think you might benefit from a little bit of that?
BEAVEN: “I don't know. We'll see. I'm definitely a political outsider, although I have a masters' degree in public administration and I spent most of my career in policy development as a public servant in a non-profit world. So, it's not that I'm naïve to the political realities of the world or the political process, but I've never been elected to office before. And so we'll see if that benefits.
“I'd obviously like to think that people do their homework and they're thoughtful on who they elect. I'd still like to believe that people vote for people because they're aligned with their philosophies versus voting people out. So I think i'd rather prefer to think the voters do that.
NSF: “So, what's been the most surprising part of the campaign so far? Have you learned anything or been struck by anything since you've been in the campaign?
BEAVEN: “Yes, the incestual relationship that campaigns and money have. I wasn't prepared for that kind of underbelly. I mean, obviously you know races are expensive. You know that you have to raise a lot of money. But I wasn't prepared for how incredibly twisted the actual financing of a campaign can get and how easy it is to slip on a slippery slope of you know family dynasties and huge amounts of money that are directly related to earmarks and directly relate to how you vote and things like that.
“I guess I really thought people gave you money because they believed in you and they were investing in your campaign. And I think individuals still do, but I don't think corporations do and that has been eye opening to me, to really watch how people message. Like the BP disaster for example. And then it doesn't take long to follow the money and figure out why that message is coming out of their mouths. And I find that disheartening, very disheartening.
“Campaign finance was never one of my top issues. I'm much more into domestic policy and good policy, and good government, smart government and effective government, things like that. Campaign finance probably wouldn't have made my top 10 priorities until this. I think it's really the root that bears all of the rest of the fruit.”
NSF: So how much campaiging have you been doing? Are you trying to do weekend events, local meet-and greets, going door-to-door?
BEAVEN: “I work, I'm still the CEO of my company and I'm running for my kids. So I'm certainly not going to abandon them now. I have almost 5,000 kids throughout the state who depend on us. And I just can't, I wouldn't walk away from that.
“So yeah, that means that campaigning happens, you know, a lot of 2:30 in the morning on Facebook kind of talk. Stuff like that. My husband I raised the first $20,000 or so literally in bed, with him on one laptop, me on the other laptop, Facebooking everyone we could think of at 1:30 in the morning.
“But that's reality, right? That's the real world. And you know, when your friends are working two shifts at a restaurant to make ends meet because they've been laid off and when you've got moms in Afghanistan away from their families for years at a time, taking on an additional job of being a candidate seems pretty minor.”
Beaven and her husband Doug, also a Kansas City, Mo., native, have two daughters, Olivia, 6, and Bella, 5. The girls are entering first grade and kindergarten respectively.
NSF: So did you have a conversation with them saying 'I'm going to try to run for office'? How did that play out?
BEAVEN: “My girls started really realizing what's going on when Barack Obama was campaigning. They just fell in love with him and they started...something exciting is happening
“What I tell them is -- they think they are meetings. They're meetings, they're meetings, they're meetings. Why are you always going to meetings?
“What I say is we've got big issues in America and Mommy's trying to get to Washington to help with those issues. So they're getting it. They understand I'm asking people to vote for me. They really, really grasp the oil. Every time the news is on, they say ‘Mommy, is that the oil? Mommy, is that the oil?'
“Kids really have an innate understanding that this is not how we should not be treating the world. They just really get it. I don't know if it's a generational thing. I don't know if this is an especially environmentally sensitive genration or if when you're little you understand when you – I mean, pick up your trash. I don't know. But they're really interested in the oil and what that means, and why are the birds dying?”
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Beaven, a Missouri native who moved to Florida in 1990, is a Navy veteran who runs an education foundation geared at upping the number of high school graduates and moving them into high tech fields. But while she has a strong candidate profile, she faces an uphill battle against Mica, who is well known throughout the district and has strong backers in the Republican Party.
He's working with a pot of $1 million and she has $35,000. The Republican Congressional Campaign Committee doesn't see her as a contender and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has thus far not been too active in her campaign, though former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle has spoken out in support of her candidacy.
She sat down with the News Service a couple weeks ago, immediately after wrapping up a summer science and math camp for girls in Flagler Beach, to talk about her Congressional bid.
Here is a snippet of the interview.
--------------------------------------------
NSF: You've got a pretty formidable opponnent. John Mica's been around for a long time, has a lot of money. So, that's a tough race to break into. Why not go into the state House or state Senate?
BEAVEN: “Well, because the issues I care about are really national issues. My three platform issues , which are education, jobs and veterans' affairs. The rubber meets the road at the national level on those. You know when I take office, I'll be the only female veteran serving in Congress. And you know, we have 15 percent of our military are women and we're returning home from combat really for the first time ever. And the VA has very publicly said that it's not prepared for the onslaught of female specific injuries and mental health needs.
“In so many ways, we've learned nothing from Vietnam on how to smoothly transition folks home from war. And I think that's because we have really slid. Being a military veteran used to be a right of passage for Congress and now there's only 120 vets there at all and no women.
“There's things like that are so important and go to the very character of who we are as a country that who you're running against is irrelevant. It's what you're running for.”
NSF: Do you think you might benefit – you know they keep talking about the year of the oustider, obviously in Pennsylvania and Utah -- do you think you might benefit from a little bit of that?
BEAVEN: “I don't know. We'll see. I'm definitely a political outsider, although I have a masters' degree in public administration and I spent most of my career in policy development as a public servant in a non-profit world. So, it's not that I'm naïve to the political realities of the world or the political process, but I've never been elected to office before. And so we'll see if that benefits.
“I'd obviously like to think that people do their homework and they're thoughtful on who they elect. I'd still like to believe that people vote for people because they're aligned with their philosophies versus voting people out. So I think i'd rather prefer to think the voters do that.
NSF: “So, what's been the most surprising part of the campaign so far? Have you learned anything or been struck by anything since you've been in the campaign?
BEAVEN: “Yes, the incestual relationship that campaigns and money have. I wasn't prepared for that kind of underbelly. I mean, obviously you know races are expensive. You know that you have to raise a lot of money. But I wasn't prepared for how incredibly twisted the actual financing of a campaign can get and how easy it is to slip on a slippery slope of you know family dynasties and huge amounts of money that are directly related to earmarks and directly relate to how you vote and things like that.
“I guess I really thought people gave you money because they believed in you and they were investing in your campaign. And I think individuals still do, but I don't think corporations do and that has been eye opening to me, to really watch how people message. Like the BP disaster for example. And then it doesn't take long to follow the money and figure out why that message is coming out of their mouths. And I find that disheartening, very disheartening.
“Campaign finance was never one of my top issues. I'm much more into domestic policy and good policy, and good government, smart government and effective government, things like that. Campaign finance probably wouldn't have made my top 10 priorities until this. I think it's really the root that bears all of the rest of the fruit.”
NSF: So how much campaiging have you been doing? Are you trying to do weekend events, local meet-and greets, going door-to-door?
BEAVEN: “I work, I'm still the CEO of my company and I'm running for my kids. So I'm certainly not going to abandon them now. I have almost 5,000 kids throughout the state who depend on us. And I just can't, I wouldn't walk away from that.
“So yeah, that means that campaigning happens, you know, a lot of 2:30 in the morning on Facebook kind of talk. Stuff like that. My husband I raised the first $20,000 or so literally in bed, with him on one laptop, me on the other laptop, Facebooking everyone we could think of at 1:30 in the morning.
“But that's reality, right? That's the real world. And you know, when your friends are working two shifts at a restaurant to make ends meet because they've been laid off and when you've got moms in Afghanistan away from their families for years at a time, taking on an additional job of being a candidate seems pretty minor.”
Beaven and her husband Doug, also a Kansas City, Mo., native, have two daughters, Olivia, 6, and Bella, 5. The girls are entering first grade and kindergarten respectively.
NSF: So did you have a conversation with them saying 'I'm going to try to run for office'? How did that play out?
BEAVEN: “My girls started really realizing what's going on when Barack Obama was campaigning. They just fell in love with him and they started...something exciting is happening
“What I tell them is -- they think they are meetings. They're meetings, they're meetings, they're meetings. Why are you always going to meetings?
“What I say is we've got big issues in America and Mommy's trying to get to Washington to help with those issues. So they're getting it. They understand I'm asking people to vote for me. They really, really grasp the oil. Every time the news is on, they say ‘Mommy, is that the oil? Mommy, is that the oil?'
“Kids really have an innate understanding that this is not how we should not be treating the world. They just really get it. I don't know if it's a generational thing. I don't know if this is an especially environmentally sensitive genration or if when you're little you understand when you – I mean, pick up your trash. I don't know. But they're really interested in the oil and what that means, and why are the birds dying?”
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DANIEL GELBER'S LINKED-IN PROFILE SAYS HE'S A SHAREHOLDER IN AKERMAN SENTERFITT AND WAS A PARTNER IN HOLLAND & KNIGHT AND HANZMAN CRIDEN
Dan Gelber
Attorney at Akerman Senterfitt
Miami/Fort Lauderdale Area
* Contact Dan Gelber
* Add Dan Gelber to your network
Current
* State Senator at Florida Senate
* Attorney at Akerman Senterfitt
Past
* State Representative at Florida House of Representatives
* Attorney at Zuckerman Spaeder LLP
* Partner at Hanzman Criden
* Partner at Holland & Knight LLP
* Staff Director and Chief Counsel of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations at U.S. Senate
* Assistant U.S. Attorney at United States Attorney's Office
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3 more...
Education
* University of Florida - Fredric G. Levin College of Law
* Tufts University
Industry
Government Administration
Dan Gelber’s Experience
*
State Senator
Florida Senate
(Government Administration industry)
2008 — Present (2 years )
Committee Appointments:
• Commerce, Vice Chair
• Higher Education Appropriations, Vice Chair
• Policy and Steering Committee on Social Responsibility
• Policy and Steering Committee on Ways and Means
• Communications, Energy, and Public Utilities
• Judiciary
• Select Committee on Florida's Economy
• Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight
*
Attorney
Akerman Senterfitt
(Privately Held; Law Practice industry)
2006 — Present (4 years )
Shareholder and a member of the Litigation and Policy Practice Groups. Practice focuses on complex, civil, criminal and quasi-criminal litigation. Extensive civil and criminal trial experience in public corruption, civil rights, contracts, trademark, environmental, employment and health care, and has conducted numerous internal investigations for clients. Has argued in the state and federal appellate courts in Florida, Georgia and Washington, D.C.
*
State Representative
Florida House of Representatives
(Government Agency; Government Administration industry)
2000 — 2008 (8 years )
• Minority Leader (2006-2008)
• Rules & Calendar Council (2006-2008)
• Domestic Security Committee, Vice Chair (2005-2006)
• Choice & Innovation Committee (2005-2006)
• Criminal Justice Appropriations Committee (2006)
• Judiciary (2004-2006)
• Workgroup on Affordable Housing (2006)
• Coordinating Committee on Public Safety (2003- 2004)
• Insurance (2003-2004)
• Select Committee of the Whole (2002-2004)
• Select Committee on Article V (2003-2004)
• Select Committee on Condominium Association Governance (2004)
• Select Committee on Juvenile Detention Facilities (2004)
• Select Committee on Medical Liability Insurance (2003-2004)
• Subcommittee on Claims (2003-2004)
• Subcommittee on Health Access & Financing (2003-2004)
• Subcommittee on Judicial Appropriations (2003-2004)
• Council for Healthy Communities (2001-2002)
• Information Technology (2001-2002)
• Joint Legislative Committee on Article V (2001-2002)
• Judicial Oversight (2001-2002)
• Juvenile Justice (2001-2002)
• Select Committee on Oversight & Accountability for Florida's
• Pension Funds (2002)
• Select Committee on Security (2002)
• Tourism (2001-2002)
*
Attorney
Zuckerman Spaeder LLP
(Partnership; Law Practice industry)
2001 — 2006 (5 years )
*
Partner
Hanzman Criden
(Law Practice industry)
1999 — 2001 (2 years )
*
Partner
Holland & Knight LLP
(Partnership; Law Practice industry)
1996 — 1999 (3 years )
Law Clerk (1984); Associate (1985-1986, 1994)
*
Staff Director and Chief Counsel of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations
U.S. Senate
(Government Agency; Legislative Office industry)
1994 — 1996 (2 years )
Directed Senate investigations and studies into terrorism, cybersecurity, organized crime, and money laundering.
*
Assistant U.S. Attorney
United States Attorney's Office
(Government Agency; Law Practice industry)
1986 — 1994 (8 years )
Served as a federal prosecutor in the Public Corruption Section of the Miami U.S. Attorney's office of the Civil Rights Section, and was ultimately appointed Senior Counselor for the U.S. Attorney.
Dan Gelber’s Education
*
University of Florida - Fredric G. Levin College of Law
J.D. , Law , 1985
Truman Scholar
*
Tufts University
1982
magna cum laude
Additional Information
Dan Gelber’s Interests:
Playing Wii with my 4 year old son (he's better), being lectured by my daughters, basketball, going through my in-box, public service
Dan Gelber’s Groups:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami (Volunteer Big Brother, 1985-present, past President), Camp Fiesta Summer Oncology Camp (Co-Founder and volunteer counselor, 1985-present), Do the Write Thing (Chairman, 1998-2000), United Way Board of Trustees (1997-present)
Dan Gelber’s Honors:
• Listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2008 for White-Collar Criminal Defense
• South Florida Legal Guide, "Top Lawyer", 2005
• Best Lawyers in America, 2004
• Florida Trend, Legal Elite, 2004
• Legal Aide, Legislative Champion, 2004
• The Florida Bar, President's Legislative Award, 2004
• Communications Workers of America "Most Effective Representative", 2002-2003
• Florida Association of Counties, County Champion Award, 2003
• United HomeCare Services, Claude Pepper Memorial Award, 2003
• Florida Police Chiefs Association, Legislative Award, 2002
• State of Israel Bonds, City of Peace Award, 2002
• The Trust for Public Land, Legislative Leadership Award, 2001
• Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association, House Leadership Award
CORAL GABLES ART CINEMA webpage (December 2009): DANIEL GELBER IS A SHAREHOLDER (PARTNER) IN AKERMAN SENTERFITT
DANIEL S. GELBER
I am also pleased to announce that Daniel S. Gelber has agreed to serve on our board of directors. Daniel Gelber is also an attorney. He is a Shareholder in Miami, Florida office of the firm of Akerman & Senterfit. Daniel has extensive civil and criminal trial experience in public corruption, civil rights, contracts, trademark, environmental, employment and health care, and has conducted numerous internal investigations for clients. In addition to his trial court experience, Mr. Gelber has argued in the state and federal appellate courts in Florida, Georgia and Washington, D.C.
Before being elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2000, Mr. Gelber served as Chief Counsel and Staff Director of the U.S. Senate’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, where he directed Senate investigations and studies into terrorism, cyber security, organized crime, and money laundering.
For nearly ten years, Mr. Gelber served as a federal prosecutor in the Public Corruption Section of the Miami U.S. Attorney’s office of the Civil Rights Section, and was ultimately appointed Senior Counselor for the U.S. Attorney.
We are very pleased to add Daniel to our Board.
http://www.cinemateque.org/newsdec.html
I am also pleased to announce that Daniel S. Gelber has agreed to serve on our board of directors. Daniel Gelber is also an attorney. He is a Shareholder in Miami, Florida office of the firm of Akerman & Senterfit. Daniel has extensive civil and criminal trial experience in public corruption, civil rights, contracts, trademark, environmental, employment and health care, and has conducted numerous internal investigations for clients. In addition to his trial court experience, Mr. Gelber has argued in the state and federal appellate courts in Florida, Georgia and Washington, D.C.
Before being elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2000, Mr. Gelber served as Chief Counsel and Staff Director of the U.S. Senate’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, where he directed Senate investigations and studies into terrorism, cyber security, organized crime, and money laundering.
For nearly ten years, Mr. Gelber served as a federal prosecutor in the Public Corruption Section of the Miami U.S. Attorney’s office of the Civil Rights Section, and was ultimately appointed Senior Counselor for the U.S. Attorney.
We are very pleased to add Daniel to our Board.
http://www.cinemateque.org/newsdec.html
"It's not a spill, it's a flood."
With thanks to Bill Smirnow: "F-L-O-O-D. Let's call it what it is. You 'spill' a glass of water."
By that logic, the Oak Ridge, Tennessee mercury pollution we got declassified was not a "spill" either -- it was a "flood." (4.2 million pounds of mercury, the largest mercury pollution event in world history, bigger than Minimata in Japan).
We're going to hold sleazy politicians accountable for this spill, starting with "TARBALL," our reprobate Seventh Congressional District Representative JOHN MICA, a/k/a JOHN LUIGI MICA, an energumen who supports offshore oil drilling (and drilling in the Everglades National Park). His brother is Big Oil's head lobbyist in Florida, and MICA's son and daughter are lobbyists for oil and petrochemical interests, too.
IN THE IMMORTAL WORDS OF SENATOR DANIEL K. INOUYE DURING WATERGATE, "WHAT A LIAR"
AKERMAN SENTERFITT PARTNER/SHAREHOLDER DANIEL GELBER, STATE SENATOR AND CANDIDATE FOR FLORIDA ATTORNEY GENERAL IN THE AUGUST 26, 2010 DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
CONVICTED WATERGATE BREAK-IN AND COVERUP CONSPIRATOR JOHN EHRLICHMAN
Overheard during a recess during the Senate Watergate hearings, Senator Daniel K. Inouye said of John Ehrlichman's testimony, "what a liar!"
DAN GELBER claims he is "of counsel" to Akerman Senterfitt.
His official Senate biography (below) says he's a "partner."
Last week, AKERMAN SENTERFITT's official biography said he's a "shareholder." (Partner)
AKERMAN SENTERFITT now represents BP. After weeks of saying it's no big deal, GELBER now says he's quitting (the firm), claiming he's only "of counsel."
To Nixonian corporate lawyer DANIEL GELBER, let us ask the question that the Matt Damon character asked the corporate defense lawyer in the movie, "The Rainmaker", let us ask Senator DANIEL GELBER: "Do you even remember when you sold out?"
DAN GELBER'S OFFICIAL SENATE BIOGRAPHY LISTS HIM AS A "PARTNER" IN AKERMAN SENTERFITT (NOT "OF COUNSEL")
Representative Dan Gelber Minority Leader (2006 - 2008)
District 106
Sponsored Bills View Photo Album
Biographical Information
City of Residence:
Miami Beach
Occupation:
Partner, Akerman Senterfitt Law Firm, Miami
Spouse:
Joan Silverstein, of Miami
Child(ren):
Sophie, Hannah, Max
Education:
Tufts University, B.A., magna cum laude, 1982; University of Florida College of Law, J.D., 1985; Truman Scholar
Born:
November 26, 1960, Miami Beach, FL
History:
wife, Joan Silverstein, Federal Prosecutor; brother-in-law, John Barker, United States I.C.E. Prosecutor; father, Seymour Gelber, Mayor of Miami Beach, Circuit Judge, Miami-Dade 1974, Chief Assistant State Attorney, Legislative Aide to State Senator Joe Eaton; mother, Edith and Sister, Judy, Public School Teachers
Religious Affiliation:
Jewish
Recreational Interest:
basketball, football
Councils/Committee Membership
Rules & Calendar Council Democratic Ranking Member
Legislative Service
Elected to the House in 2000, reelected subsequently
Democratic Message Coordinator 2004-2006
Democratic Leader 2006-2008
Other Public Service
Chief Counsel to former United States Senator Sam Nunn 1994-1996
Staff Director of the U.S. Senate's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations 1994-1996
Assistant United States Attorney Southern District of Florida 1986-1994 (Public Corruption and Civil Rights Units)
Affiliations
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami, volunteer Big Brother 1985-present, past President
Camp Fiesta Summer Oncology Camp, Co-Founder and volunteer counselor 1985-present
Do the Write Thing, Chairman 1998-2000
United Way Board of Trustees 1997-present
Highlights
South Florida Legal Guide, "Top Lawyer" 2005
Best Lawyers in America 2004
Florida Trend, Legal Elite 2004
Legal Aide, Legislative Champion 2004
The Florida Bar, President's Legislative Award 2004
Communications Workers of America, "Most Effective Representative" 2002-2003
Florida Association of Counties, County Champion Award 2003
United HomeCare Services, Claude Pepper Memorial Award 2003
Florida Police Chiefs Association, Legislative Award 2002
State of Israel Bonds City of Peace Award 2002
The Trust for Public Land, Legislative Leadership Award 2001
Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association, House Leadership Award
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4225
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Why Does Baloney Reject the Grinder? Questions Senator DAN GELBER Won't Answer and Has Not Answered Since Last Week!
In the immortal words of William F. Buckley, Jr., "why does baloney reject the grinder?" See below.
Dear Mr. Gelber:
Please respond to my questions. Also, could you please provide copies of some of the internal investigations that you have done for U.S. Sugar, other Fortune 500 companies and other organizations, and a list of companies for whom you have done such investigations?
Thank you.
With kindest regards, I am,
Sincerely yours,
Ed Slavin
Clean Up City of St. Augustine, Florida
www.cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com
Box 3084
St. Augustine, Florida 32085-3084
-----Original Message-----
From: easlavin@aol.com
To: daniel.gelber@akerman.com
Cc: EASlavin@aol.com
Sent: Fri, Jun 25, 2010 5:10 pm
Subject: Representation of BP and City of St. Augustine in Cases Involving Reckless or Intentional Pollution of Florida's Waters
Dear Mr. Gelber:
1. I met you last year at the St. Johns County DEC fundraiser at the St. Augustine Rod & Gun Club.
2. It has come to my attention that Akerman Senterfitt, a law firm in which you are a shareholder, now represents BP in pollution cases arising from the Gulf oil spill. Please comment.
3. Your law firm (William Pence) also defended our City of St. Augustine and billed hundreds of thousands of dollars after our City dumped 40,000 cubic yards of solid waste in our Old CIty Reservoir, a case in which Akerman Senterfitt proposed contaminated solid waste be brought back to the African-American community of Lincolnville for use as a park. Please comment.
4. Would you please comment on Akerman Senterfitt's representing polluters and recidivists?
5. Would your work for Akerman Senterfitt present disqualificaiton/recusal/conflicts issues if youweare elected?
[6.] Also, could you please send me a list of all of the clients of Akerman Senterfitt?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you.
With kindest regards, I am,
Sincerely yours,
Ed Slavin
Clean Up City of St. Augustine, Florida
www.cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com
Box 3084
St. Augustine, Florida 32085-3084
Dear Mr. Gelber:
Please respond to my questions. Also, could you please provide copies of some of the internal investigations that you have done for U.S. Sugar, other Fortune 500 companies and other organizations, and a list of companies for whom you have done such investigations?
Thank you.
With kindest regards, I am,
Sincerely yours,
Ed Slavin
Clean Up City of St. Augustine, Florida
www.cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com
Box 3084
St. Augustine, Florida 32085-3084
-----Original Message-----
From: easlavin@aol.com
To: daniel.gelber@akerman.com
Cc: EASlavin@aol.com
Sent: Fri, Jun 25, 2010 5:10 pm
Subject: Representation of BP and City of St. Augustine in Cases Involving Reckless or Intentional Pollution of Florida's Waters
Dear Mr. Gelber:
1. I met you last year at the St. Johns County DEC fundraiser at the St. Augustine Rod & Gun Club.
2. It has come to my attention that Akerman Senterfitt, a law firm in which you are a shareholder, now represents BP in pollution cases arising from the Gulf oil spill. Please comment.
3. Your law firm (William Pence) also defended our City of St. Augustine and billed hundreds of thousands of dollars after our City dumped 40,000 cubic yards of solid waste in our Old CIty Reservoir, a case in which Akerman Senterfitt proposed contaminated solid waste be brought back to the African-American community of Lincolnville for use as a park. Please comment.
4. Would you please comment on Akerman Senterfitt's representing polluters and recidivists?
5. Would your work for Akerman Senterfitt present disqualificaiton/recusal/conflicts issues if youweare elected?
[6.] Also, could you please send me a list of all of the clients of Akerman Senterfitt?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you.
With kindest regards, I am,
Sincerely yours,
Ed Slavin
Clean Up City of St. Augustine, Florida
www.cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com
Box 3084
St. Augustine, Florida 32085-3084
When Polluters, Price-fixers, Union-busters and Bad Guys Need Lawyers, Who Do They Call in Florida?
Who do they hire? AKERMAN SENTERFITT, Florida's largest law firm. See below.
AKERMAN SENTERFITT represented our CIty of St. Augustine in its efforts to inflict pain on the people of Lincolnville, empowering racist City Manager WILLIAM B. HARRISS in his: (A) avoiding criminal and civil liability for putting 40,000 cubic yards of solid waste in our Old City Reservoir and (B) seeking to move that solid waste back to Linclnville. Both these environmental crimes involved African-American communities.
AKERMAN SENTERFITT, DAN GELBER's law firm represents more malefactors of great wealth than any other law firm in FLorida. With 500 lawyers, it represents the rich and powerful of Florida. Three AKERMAN SENTERFITT lawyers are State Senators (one is a State Representative)
DAN GELBER worked for AKERMAN SENTERFITT for at least twelve years (another blog said 25 years).
AKERMAN SENTERFITT lawyer DAN GELBER did internal investigations of corporations and traded on his Capitol Hill experience as Chief Counsel and Staff Director of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (1994-1998), chaired by homophobic Senator Sam Nunn.
That's the condescending AKERMAN SENTERFITT lawyer WILLIAM PENCE in the funny hat, attending a fancy-pants masqued ball several years ago (our City Attorney RONALD BROWN), gets his tickets for free. (PENCE has now moved to another firm).
AKERMAN SENTERFITT was involved in the continuing coverup of the City of St. Augustine's illegal dumping since 2006. He was present when false statements were mnade to the Florida DEP and U.S. EPA. He pursued the nefarious scheme to send solid waste back to the community of Lincolnville. He talked down to the people of West Augustine and Lincolnville at the Jsnuary 10, 2008 meeting. Now he's negotiated with FDEP, in secret, excluding community activists. He had the nerve (as did our City) to refuse to hold another meeting at the A.M.E. Church in Lincolnville, stiffing the request from the Lincolnville Neighborhood Association to hold Thursday's meeting there. As a result, one City Hall meeting was all-white (except for the city employee who tape-recorded the meeting).
That meeting was not televised or videotaped. Not one City Commmissioner attended the meeting, although Commissioner ERROL JONES was seen a few minutes later - was he watching from his office in City Hall, refusing to be associated with the scandal he helped create and continue?
JONES was repeatedly rude to persons asking questions about the illegal dumping.
Then, on November 13, 2007, it was JONES who made the motion to ship the waste back to Lincolnville, where he himself grew up. (Two Commissioners -- Ex-Mayor GEORGE GARDNER and ex-Vice-Mayor SUSAN BURK -- did not attend the November 13, 2007 meeting.
Only because seven citizen activists filed a petition with FDEP was tne notion of shipping illegally dumped solid waste back to Lincolnville rejected.
AKERMAN SENTERFITT lawyer WILLIAM PENCE (and GELBER) personally profited from this stupid, racist idea, which would have depressed Lincolnville property values.
City mouthpiece WILLIAM PENCE had the nerve to call the citizen petition "frivolous." The nerve of this malefactor of great wealth and his corporate law firm.
It is hardly "frivolous" to defend one's city and community from illegal dumping and Environnmental Racism.
PENCE is typical of corporate lawyers -- soulless, reckless and feckless, wasting our City's money, looking down his distended nostrils at lesser mortals. What a waste of a good education (which includes the London School of Economics).
The people won. WILLIAM PENCE, the City of St. Augustine and AKERMAN SENTERFITT lost.
The solid waste was not shipped back to Lincolnville.
It's been removed from the Old City Reservoir and put in a Class I landfill, which City officials brazenly said they would "never" tolerate.
The racist City Manager WILLIAM B. HARRISS and the racist city government -- the one Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. called the "most lawless city in America" -- aided and abetted by AKERMAN SENTERFITT refused to agree to public participation in negotiations, refusing to answer questions about what was dumped and why, keeping tatterdemalion City Manager WILLIAM B. HARRISS in office, and lying about everything (even falsely claiming to have changed procedures to prevent further environmental violations and claiming to have done a "root cause analysis" when none exists).
WILLIAM (PENCE and DAN GELBER) and AERFMAN SENTERFITT -- we see right through you. Your services, such as they were, cost our City hundreds of thousands of dollars and provide guidance about who we should support in the Democratic Primary for Attorney General.
Not DAN GELBER, whose oleaginous firm now represents BP.
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