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Impressions from the Orange County, Florida Bar Association Bench Bar Conference Held on October 2, 2020

My impressions from the Judges that spoke at the Orange County, Florida Bar Association Bench Bar Conference is that remote non-evidentiary hearings are here to stay. The overall impression I received was that they are more economical and more productive. More hearings can be held, and more work can be accomplished when hearings are done remotely. 

The Florida Supreme Court Justice Canady appeared very pleased with how virtual oral arguments at the Supreme Court were handled. He led one to believe that virtual arguments in the future were a very real possibility. 

As we all know, Orange County and Volusia County are in the Pilot Program for Virtual Court Proceedings. However, Chief Judge of the 18th Judicial Circuit for Seminole and Brevard Counties, Honorable  Lisa Davison said that she thought virtual hearings were going well. She said that she is in the Guardianship Division and does ninety-five percent (95%) of her hearings by Microsoft Teams. She said that she thought that remote virtual hearing for non-evidentiary cases were probably here to stay. However, she did say that it may be difficult to do a civil trial with many exhibits remotely. This was in response to questions to the 3 Judge Panel regarding whether virtual courtroom appearances, hearings, and civil trials would be here to stay in the future when the COVID 19 restrictions were lifted. 

Judge Myers the Chief Judge of Orange County seemed positive regarding virtual hearings and trials continuing in the future. He said that civil cases with many exhibits had been handled smoothly. He also told us that Orange County was preparing for and nearing their first criminal felony jury trial since the COVID 19 restrictions. 

My impression from the seminar was that the practice of law is coming to terms with social media and the virtual world of the practice of law; and that Florida practitioners and court systems are adapting to that. There were many presentations regarding digital evidence and the laws of admissions on digital evidence. 

Further, the ethics presentations concentrated and focused on attorneys dealing with the social media platforms on the internet such as Facebook, Linked In, Instagram, etc.;  and the professional rules that go along with having access to technology. The panel consisted of Florida Bar Attorneys that discussed how the attorney roles have changed with technology, and dos and don’ts to avoid Florida Bar grievances related to social media. 

It is probably beneficial to any legal practitioner in the State of Florida to embrace and take advantage of what technology has to offer one in the practice of law. 

If you have more questions regarding a Marital and Family Law matter, you may call Ann Marie Giordano Gilden at Ann Marie Giordano Gilden, P.A. at 407-732-7620 and set an initial consultation. You may also visit my website at: https//:www.AnnMarieGildenLaw.com; and check me out on these other sites: Ann Marie Giordano Gilden on Facebook; Ann Marie (Giordano) Gilden on Linked In; and Ann Marie Giordano Gilden on AVVO and Lawyers.com. 

This article is for informational purposes only; and it does not form an attorney-client privilege.