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2015 Fall Newsletter

In This Issue:

LLW Named a “2016 Top Ranked Law Firm” by LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell

LLW has been named a “2016 Top Ranked Law Firm” by LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell. The listing will be published in Fortune magazine’s December 15th Special 2016 Investor’s Guide, as well as in the January 2016 editions of Corporate Counsel and the American Lawyer. LLW has been listed as a “Top Ranked Law Firm” since the inaugural publication in 2012.

The Top Law Firm nominations are based on the percentage of attorneys within a firm that are AV-rated attorneys. To make this list, at least 10 percent of a firm’s attorneys have to have achieved an AV Preeminent rating. At LLW, more than half of the attorneys have achieved this rating. This rating indicates the rated attorney has been deemed by his or her peers to have demonstrated the highest level of ethical standards and legal ability. To learn more, please visit www.martindale.com.

 

Wayne E. Flowers Named 2015 Florida Legal Elite by 904 Magazine

Wayne E. Flowers was recently named a Legal Elite by 904 Magazine in the areas of City, County and Local Government Law and State and Federal Government and Administrative Practice. Legal Elite honors attorneys in the Jacksonville area that have earned board certification through the Florida Bar. Board certification is a designation that signifies an attorney is considered an expert in a legal specialty. Of the nearly 101,000 eligible Florida Bar members approximately 4,800 lawyers are board certified. For more information about Legal Elite, visitwww.jacksonvillemag.com.

 

Michelle Diffenderfer Honored by Families First of Palm Beach County

Michelle Diffenderfer received the Harriet Goldstein Award from Families First of Palm Beach County at their 9thAnnual Children’s Day Luncheon on October 2, 2015. She was honored for her volunteer work with Girls II Women, Inc., an organization she co-founded and led for many years.

Families First of Palm Beach County Children’s Day Luncheon showcases the agency’s work over the previous year and honors those that advocate for children. The Harriet Goldstein Award recognizes individuals that have made a difference in the lives of families in Palm Beach County. For more information, visitwww.familiesfirstpbc.org.

 

LLW an Official Ally of the City of St. Augustine’s 450th Commemoration

St. Augustine is America’s first city, established 450 years ago on September 8, 1565. The mission of the St. Augustine 450th Commemoration is to share the important role St. Augustine played in the making of America, tell the story of St. Augustine’s 450 years of rich multicultural history and enduring people, and create engaging programs for residents and visitors alike. Celebrate 450! was a five-day, community-focused event that was part of the Commemoration. The free event featured a street and music festival, fireworks show, commemorative re-enactment, procession, Mass, cake cutting ceremony and many other events that honor St. Augustine’s history. LLW was an Official Ally of the Commemoration.

 

LLW Tampa Bay Office Participated in the American Cancer Society Making Strides Walk

LLW was a Ribbon of Hope sponsor of the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walkon October 24, 2015 at the Sarasota Polo Club. Jennifer Cowan and Jennifer Davy from the LLW Tampa Bay office participated in the 3k walk.

The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walks are the largest network of breast cancer awareness events in the nation, uniting nearly 300 communities with a shared determination to finish the fight. Every Making Strides event is an opportunity to raise awareness about the disease,   comprehensive information and support, and helping people takes steps to reduce their risk of the disease or find it early when its most treatable. For more information, visit www.cancer.org.

 

LLW Jacksonville Office Participated in the American Heart Association Heart

The Jacksonville office of LLW teamed up on September 19th to raise money for the American Heart Association. Attorneys Wayne Flowers, Howard Caplan, and Jeff Close, and Marketing Manager Kellie Erlacher walked as team “Lewis Longman (Heart) Walkers” at the First Coast Heart Walk. The team exceeded their $500 fundraising goal. The Heart Walk is the American Heart Association’s premiere fundraiser to continue the mission of fighting heart disease and stroke, the country’s number one and number five killers.

 

Firm News

Linda Clancy-Grillo recently joined the firm’s West Palm Beach office as a Paralegal. Ms. Clancy-Grillo is a Florida Registered Paralegal with over 15 years of experience assisting attorneys in the area of litigation.

LLW Shareholder Anne Longman was recently elected Chair of the Board of Governors of the Leon County Research and Development Authority, the governing body of the Innovation Park Tallahassee. The mission of the Leon County Research and Development Authority is to work in affiliation with Florida State University, Florida A&M University, and Tallahassee Community College to promote scientific research and to foster economic development in Leon County.  Click here for more information.

The Palm Beach Chapter of the Paralegal Association of Florida will host a Holiday Event on December 9, 2015 in West Palm Beach. Christina Blackwell serves as Parliamentarian of the Palm Beach County Chapter of the Paralegal Association of Florida. LLW is a proud sponsor. Click here for more information.

LLW will sponsor the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches Annual Chairman’s Circle Reception on November 13, 2015 in West Palm Beach. Bob Diffenderfer is a Trustee of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches. Click here for more information.

Kevin Hennessy will attend the 10th Annual Florida Water Law and Policy Conference held November 5-6, 2015 in Tampa.  The conference brings together professionals from around the state to address the hottest issues surrounding environmental and water law in Florida.  Click here for more information.

LLW will sponsor the 12th Annual Manufacturers Summit and Marketplace held November 4-5, 2015 in West Palm Beach. Alfred Malefatto, Steve Walker and Sean Alveshire will participate in the summit. Click here for more information.

LLW is sponsoring the Florida EHS Environmental Roundtable on November 5, 2015 in Melbourne. The Florida EHS Roundtable is a network of senior and executive environmental, health and safety managers from business and industry, and share information and ideas with their peers. Sean Alveshire will attend the conference. Click here for more information.

LLW attorneys will participate in the Light the Night Walk on November 5th to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and their funding of research to find blood cancer cures.  Click here for more information.

Bob Diffenderfer participated in the Basics of Airport Law Workshop held November 1-3, 2015 in Washington, D.C.  The workshop, hosted by the American Association of Airports Executives, was an opportunity for participants to learn principles that underlie virtually all aspects of airport operations and development.  Click here for more information.

Michelle Diffenderfer participated in the American Bar Association Section of Energy and Resources Fall Conference held October 28-31, 2015 in Chicago.   LLW was a proud sponsor of the event. Click here for more information.

The Florida Airports Council Specialty Conference was held October 28-31, 2015 in Orlando. Michelle Diffenderfer and Bob Diffenderfer participated in a panel discussion titled How to Manage the largest expansion project at your airport: A case study of the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport South Runway Project. Click here for more information.

The Boynton Beach Annual Pirate Fest was held October 24-25, 2015 in Boynton Beach. The family friendly event hosted by the Boynton Beach CRA featured live entertainment and music. LLW was a sponsor and Tara Duhy andKen Dodge participated in the event. Click here for more information.

Glenn Thomas gave a presentation titled Department of Health Investigation and Discipline at the Florida Association of Nurse Anesthetists Conference on October 23, 2015 in Tampa. The Florida Association of Nurse Anesthetists represents over 3,500 Certified Nurse Anesthetists licensed in Florida. Click here for more information.

Glenn Thomas Co-Chaired the Florida Bar Association Public Employment Labor Relations Forum held October 22-23, 2015 in Orlando. Glenn Thomas and Jim Linn gave a presentation titled Florida Retirement System (FRS) and Pension Developments. Click here for more information.

The Florida Redevelopment Association Annual Conference was held October 21-23, 2015 in Tampa. Kathryn Rossmell and Brenna Durden participated in the conference. Click here for more information.

Bob Diffenderfer gave a presentation at the Tara Talk 3 event held October 18-20, 2015 in Vicksburg, Mississippi.   The Tara Wildlife Center promotes conservation awareness and the wise use of natural resources within a framework of both consumptive and non-consumptive opportunities.

The Urban League of Palm Beach County Youth Empowerment Luncheon was held October 19, 2015 in West Palm Beach. Alfred Malefatto serves on the Board of Directors for the League, an organization dedicated to assisting minorities in the achievement of social and economic equality.   Proceeds from the event supports the Urban League of Palm Beach County’s nationally award winning NULITES program. The program works with over 120 youth in our community to prepare them for college, work and life by promoting and maintaining high standards of well-being, educational, character and leadership qualities. Click here for more information.

The FSU Real Estate Trends Conference was held on October 15-16, 2015 in Tallahassee.  The Real Estate Trends Conference focuses on the emerging trends and issues facing the real estate industry in the southeast region of the United States.  Tara Duhy and Sean Alveshire participated in the conference and LLW was a proud sponsor.  Click here for more information.

LLW participated in the Great Grown-Up Spelling Bee on October 15, 2015 in West Palm Beach.  The annual event is hosted by the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County, an organization committed to ensuring that every resident of Palm Beach County is able to read.  Julia Jennison serves on the Board of Directors. Click here for more information.

The Florida Association of Environmental Professionals Tallahassee Chapter Membership Appreciation Event was on October 15, 2015 in Tallahassee. FAEP is an interdisciplinary association of environmental professionals in Florida. The association serves as a forum in which the state-of-the-art environmental planning, research, and management is advanced. LLW was a proud sponsor of the event. Click here for more information.

LLW participated in and sponsored the First Coast Manufacturers Association’s Summit which was held October 8-9, 2015 in St Augustine.  FCMA is a non-profit trade association serving as the voice for manufacturers located in the Northeast Florida counties of Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns.  Click here for more information.

The BB&T ERM Summit was held October 5-9, 2015 in West Virginia. LLW was a proud sponsor and Brenna Durden participated in the event.

LLW sponsored the Cards for a Cure event held October 3, 2015 in Tallahassee. Proceeds from the event support the Tallahassee Memorial Health Care Foundation. Click here for more information.

LLW sponsored the Florida Association of Environmental Professionals Conference held September 24-25, 2015 in Palm Beach Gardens. Tara Duhy gave a presentation on legal issues in environmental permitting and land use. FAEP promotes technical excellence, ethical practice and community awareness. Kathryn Rossmell is a board member of the Treasure Coast Chapter of FAEP. Click here for more information.

Deborah Getzoff participated in the Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association Annual Conference held September 23-25, 2015 in Duck Key, Florida. Click here for more information.

LLW sponsored the South Florida Manufacturers Association Annual Meeting on September 10, 2015 in Coral Springs. Alfred Malefatto and Steve Walker participated in the meeting. Click here for more information.

Brenna Durden and Seth Behn participated in the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association’s annual conference held September 8-11, 2015 in Hollywood. The non-profit organization provides vision and leadership for future development and redevelopment of Florida communities. LLW was a proud sponsor.  Click here for more information.