The Nevin Shapiro/Shook Hardy Complaint!

John Pacenti provides the background, and you can read all the allegations (key word: allegations) here.

The cloak-and-dagger "Supervising Attorney" (paragraph 10) and "Partner" (paragraph 11) descriptions are interesting.

SHB's answer is here.

Spencer Aronfeld -- Don't Trust What People Put on Their Websites!

Good morning!

In the news this morning:

1.   Yes, the Dolphins still suck.

2.  SHB attorney Marc Levinson now knows never to invite Nevin Shapiro to your bachelor's party (you may have to give a deposition about it later).

3. Spencer Aronfeld was on Tyra (about 5:30 in).

4.  Kendall Coffey lives part-time in Melbourne.

Melbourne?

5. Happy Birthday, text message!

And how was your weekend?

Where Are My Loyal Tipsters?

I'm really ticked off someone shared braless crusader Brittney Horstman's FDC tale of woe with Miami Herald reporter Jay Weaver instead of yours truly -- didn't any FACDL list-serve lawyer recognize it as perfect material for this blog?

Come on people!

Actually, the story is beyond stupid -- what is the point of these rules? They strike me as sexist and vague (no "clothing that is tight and sexually suggestive or revealing").

Has this restriction ever been enforced against a man?

Also, why subject any lawyers seeing clients to these rules? Aren't we officers of the court, like judges and CSOs? Have there been prior incidents that would justify making lawyers take off their bras when seeing their clients?

If so -- tell me more.

In other news, the Federalist Society will be meeting tomorrow at the Four Seasons, hosting former FEC commissioner Hans von Spakovsky.

I've been following Spakovsky's legal writings on NRO, which have been strictly doctrinaire, uninspired and exceedingly partisan (here he is recently bashing a career Justice Department appellate attorney for receiving a commendation even though she wound up losing an appeal).

But I had no idea of the extent of it before reading about his background on Slate.

Let's just say he seems completely fair and balanced.

In other news, Judge Donner apparently needs a better internet connection:

She took offense at DuPont attorneys, who claimed her access problems were not due to the depository itself but the quality of her Internet connection, the court’s computer firewall and anti-virus software.

Company attorney Bert Ocariz of Shook Hardy & Bacon in Miami said Donner would fare better if she tried from a different location.

Dude, I'm not sure that's the best way to handle that issue.

Did you also complain about her fax machine and tell her the courtroom A/C's not working so hot?

Awkward!

Ed Moss and Metrorail. What Am I Missing Here?

I guess those commie-loving Greenpeacers over at SHB want everyone to go to work in some kind of Ed Begley-styled vegetable car or, worse yet, by public transportation:

Nearly 350 employees at Shook, Hardy & Bacon have signed up for bonuses under a program that encourages use of alternative transportation. But most are support workers rather than associates.

Employees who participate in the new program get an extra $25, $30 or $45 a month, based on their level of involvement, ABAJournal.com previously reported. Bonuses are paid to those who walk, cycle, carpool or take public transportation to work.

Shook chairman John Murphy tells the AmLaw Daily that nearly 350 employees in eight U.S. offices are participating in the program--and 92 percent are support staff. The rest are associates. Partners are not eligible for the program. “They can afford to take care of it themselves," Murphy told the publication.

The firm estimates that the program reduced employee driving by about 180,000 miles in July alone. Shook Hardy hopes to encourage greater participation with some small changes to the program.

Wait a minute -- partners are excluded? So I guess that wasn't Ed Moss riding the rails at Dadeland North yesterday.

Alright then, but I can still treasure the image.

"If He Dies, He Dies."

Hi folks. Let's talk some South Florida wins and losses this Tuesday.

First, Bilzen gladiator William K. Hill scored an impressive victory the other day, obtaining an order of dismissal in a case over the recalled Graco "Simplicity" cribs. I can't for the life of me follow the reasoning of the district judge but hey, maybe he was channeling my man, Death from Above, The Siberian Bull.

Second, one of our favorite local lawyers, former Miami City Attorney Jorge L. Fernandez, loses another one, this time involving the controversial Coconut Grove 300 Grove Bay Residences project:

The city's April 2007 approval ran afoul of state zoning laws on several fronts, the judges ruled in a 10-page opinion that was filed May 7 and began circulating Monday.

Mayor Manny Diaz had improper discussions with the developer ''away from the public earshot,'' and the project would be wildly out of character for the neighborhood, the judges found. The towers would be built on bayside property adjacent to Mercy Hospital.

The plaintiffs who filed suit to overturn the condo project included backers of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. They argued that the condos -- slated to reach as high as 308 feet -- would spoil the museum's picturesque views.

''The court got it right,'' said Stephen Darmody, an attorney representing museum supporters. ``The city here simply did not pay adequate attention to the requirements of the law.''

The decision was a jarring setback for Related, which has emerged as one of the state's most prominent builders.

Related Group attorney Elliot Scherker said it was too soon to comment on whether the company would appeal.

''We believe that this project was properly approved,'' Scherker said. ``We respect the court's opinion, and we're considering our options at this point.''

You can read the opinion here.

Congrats to Steve and the legal team over at SHB that pulled off this win-win, one that is actually good for our community and for those who live and practice here.