Table of Contents:

1. LLW Launches New Look
2. Natalie A. Kato Joins LLW
3. Christopher D. Johns Joins LLW
4. Hailey S. Yonkers Joins LLW
5. LLW featured as a Prominent Law Firm in the 2016 South Florida Legal Guide
6. Brenna Durden Appointed to the Jacksonville Downtown Investment Authority
7. Kim Ayers Elected Vice President of the Palm Beach County Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators
8. Firm News

 

LLW Launches New Look

LLW recently launched a newly redesigned firm logo. The new logo features a modern take on the traditional pinecone.

The Florida Slash Pine, sensitive to changes in its surroundings, is a landmark found in all of Florida, and as such, well represents LLW.  The Florida Slash Pine reminds us that as we build our environment, we need to consider all that was before us—both man and nature.  LLW will continue to be an important role in Florida’s future, we acknowledge, and more importantly, will help preserve Florida’s past.

Established in 1994, LLW has grown into a law firm with 33 attorneys in four offices throughout the state.  “Our firm has grown so much in the last few years, a dynamic new look was needed to showcase who we are today” said Michelle Diffenderfer, President and Shareholder of LLW.

While the logo has changed, LLW’s values remain the same – to provide innovative and winning solutions for our clients.

In addition to the new logo, LLW will launch a new website next month. For more information, contact Kellie Erlacher at kerlacher@llw-law.com.

 

Natalie A. Kato Joins LLW

Natalie A. Kato has joined the firm’s Tallahassee office as an associate. She joined the firm’s Legislative and Lobbying team, utilizing her extensive knowledge of local and state government to assist clients with legislative and regulatory processes.

“We are honored to welcome Natalie to LLW,” said Lori Killinger, Chair of LLW’s Legislative, Lobbying and Governmental Affairs Practice Group.  “Her experience and passion for lobbying will make her a great addition to our team.”

Ms. Kato brings a wealth of experience on a wide range of governmental affairs issues, focusing on long-term strategies in addition to day-to-day lobbying, as well as PAC building and management, strategic communication, and grassroots activities.

Prior to joining LLW in February, Ms. Kato served as a lobbyist for a consulting firm, was a Southern State Policy Advocate for Human Rights Watch, and served as attorney for the Florida Senate.

Ms. Kato received her Juris Doctor from Barry University School of Law and earned a Bachelor’s degree from Hofstra University.  She can be reached at (850) 222-5702 or at nkato@llw-law.com.

 

Christopher D. Johns Joins LLW

Christopher D. Johns has joined the firm’s West Palm Beach office in March as an associate.

“We are excited to welcome Chris to the LLW family,” said Michelle Diffenderfer, President and Shareholder at LLW.  “His passion for environmental law aligns with the core industries we serve—he will be an added benefit to our clients as we continue to grow.”

Chris grew up in Hastings, Florida. A fifth-generation son of farmers, Chris spent 5 years managing potato production on his family’s farm before heading to law school. With a background in agriculture, he brings a love of Florida, farming, and a personal understanding of the myriad regulatory challenges Florida’s farmers face in a modern economy. Chris previously interned at the St. Johns River Water Management District and with the federal court.

Chris received his Juris Doctor, with honors, from the University Of Florida Levin College Of Law, where he also obtained an Environmental and Land Use Law Certificate and a B.A. in Construction Management. He can be reached at (561) 640-0820 or at cjohns@llw-law.com.

 

LLW Featured as a Prominent Law Firm in the 2016 South Florida Legal Guide

LLW was featured as a prominent law firm in the 2016 South Florida Legal Guide. LLW was one of only five law firms selected to be recognized in the publication as a prominent law firm.

The editors of the South Florida Legal Guide interviewed West Palm Beach Shareholders Kenneth Dodge, Andrew Baumann, Michelle Diffenderfer and Stephen Walker to get an inside perspective on the firm.  The feature article included an overview of the firm’s 20+ year history, key practice areas and recent accomplishments.

The South Florida Legal Guide serves a resource for both the business and legal community.  To read the feature on LLW, click here and proceed to page forty-one.

Brenna Durden Appointed to the Jacksonville Downtown Investment Authority

Brenna Durden was recently appointed to serve on the city’s Downtown Investment Authority (DIA). The DIA was created to revitalize Jacksonville’s urban core by utilizing Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) resources to spur economic development. The DIA’s projects are guided by a nine-member board of directors, five members are appointed by the mayor and four by the council president. For more information, visit http://dia.coj.net/.

 

Kim Ayers Elected Vice President of the Palm Beach County Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators

Kim Ayers, the firm’s Human Resource Manager, has been elected as the 2016-2017 Vice President of the Palm Beach County Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators.  Kim previously served as the Chapter’s Treasurer from 2014 to 2016. For more information about the Palm Beach County Chapter of ALA, visit www.pbcala.org.

 

Firm News

Anne Longman, Chair of the Leon County Research and Development Authority weighs in on Tallahassee R & D activity on WFSU public radio’s “Perspectives: Innovation Park.” Click here to listen.

Steve Walker was featured in the Trustee Profile section of the CREW Land & Water Trust Newsletter.  Click here to view the article.

Congratulations to our long time client Marina Jack on being selected as the 2015 Marina of the Year by Marina Dock Age magazine.  Click here to read more about the recognition.

LLW is a sponsor of the Environmental Permitting Summer School which is coming up July 19-22^nd in Orlando.  The event is well attended by attorneys, consultants, engineers, state and local government officials, developers, landowners and others with a strong interest in environmental issues in Florida.  Terry Lewis, Michelle Diffenderfer, Dennis Stotts, Brenna Durden, Andy Baumann, Tara Duhy, Deborah Getzoff, Steve Lewis, Kevin Hennessy, Alfred Malefatto and Wayne Flowers  will give presentations at the conference.  Click here for more information.

LLW is a sponsor of the Florida Association of Special Districts annual conference June 6-10th in Sarasota. The conference is an opportunity for special district employees, managers and board members to gather and share solutions to daily challenges.  Click here for more information.

The Florida Bar Association Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Executive Council Meeting will take place June 1-5^th in Orlando.  Julia Jennison will participate in the meeting.  Click here for more information.

The Florida City and County Managers Association conference will take place June 1-4^th in Orlando.  LLW is an exhibitor at the conference.  Click here for more information.

The Florida Vacation Rental Managers Association (Florida VRMA) Xtravaganza takes place May 31^st in Orlando.  The mission of Florida VRMA is supporting and protecting the professional management of Florida’s Vacation Rental Industry, region by region statewide.  LLW is an exhibitor at the event.  Click here for more information.

Bob Diffenderfer will give a presentation on drones at the Florida EHS Roundtable on May 12^th in Apollo Beach.  The presentation will feature a demonstration by ASEC Drones, a company that specializes in commercial unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).  Click here for more information about the event.

The 3^rd Annual Moments Luncheon will take place May 6^th in Palm Beach Gardens.  The luncheon is hosted by Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Palm Beach County, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving birth outcomes by providing education and access to care for pregnant women and teens in Palm Beach County.  Tara Duhy is a Co-Chair of the event and LLW is a proud sponsor.  Click here for more information.

LLW is sponsoring the Take Stock in Children Tennis Festival on April 30^th in Lakewood Ranch.  Take Stock in Children is a nonprofit organization that helps children from low income families achieve academic and personal success through a postsecondary college scholarship and a mentor program led by a local partnership of schools, businesses, agencies and individuals. Click here for more information.

The 23^rd Annual Tropics Night to benefit Meals on Wheels is April 23^rd in Lakewood Ranch.  The event is hosted by the Food Bank of Manatee, an organization that provides hot, nutritious meals to the elderly and disabled residents of Manatee County.  LLW is a table sponsor of the event.  Click here for more information.

The Lords Place SleepOut 2016 will be held on April 15^th in West Palm Beach.  Participants of the event will sleep on the lawn of the United Methodist Church of the Palm Beaches to bring awareness about the estimated 3,000 men, women and children in Palm Beach County that are homeless. Michelle Diffenderfer and Bob Diffenderfer, Chairs of last year’s SleepOut, will participate in the SleepOut again this year.  Click here for more information.

Tara Duhy will give a live webinar on April 15^th that focuses on current issues in Florida Plat and Subdivision Law.  The webinar available through Lorman Education Services, will provide a thorough analysis of land use law in Florida.  Click here for more information.

The Pine Jog Green Gala was held at the Pine Jog Environmental Education Center on April 9^th in West Palm Beach.  The gala raises funds to support the educational programs.  LLW was a proud sponsor and Bob Diffenderfer serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of Center.  Click here for more information.

The Pinellas County Commissioner John Morroni’s Appreciation Luncheon was held April 8^th in St. Petersburg.  The annual luncheon honors the men and women who serve as emergency personnel.  The Commissioner organized the first Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner in 1995 and has continued to expand ever since.  LLW was a table sponsor of the event.

Michelle Diffenderfer participated in the American Bar Association Spring Council Meeting March 18-19^th in St. Helena, California.  The council meetings are attended by the Section’s executive committee and council members.  Click here for more information.

LLW sponsored the Love of Literacy Luncheon hosted by the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County on March 10^th in West Palm Beach.  Julia Jennison is a member of the Board of Directors.  Click here for more information.

Michelle Diffenderfer and Bob Diffenderfer Co-Chaired the Hanley Center Foundation Family Picnic on February 6^th in Wellington.  Proceeds from the Family Picnic benefit substance abuse prevention and education programs in local schools in Palm Beach County.  Click here for more information.

LLW sponsored the 15^th Annual Holland Scholarship Luncheon hosted by the F. Malcolm Cunningham Sr., Bar Association on February 5^th in West Palm Beach.  Proceeds from the luncheon fund Florida Bar examination course preparation scholarships for local law students.  Telsula Morgan participated in the event.   Click here for more information.

Glenn Thomas and Jim Linn gave a Pension Update presentation at the Florida Public Employer Labor Relations Association annual training conference in February. Click here for more information about the conference.

LLW sponsored the ELULS Seminar New, Different, Unusual and Uncertain – Environmental & Land Use Law Issues Facing All Floridians on January 28-29^th in Orlando.  Michelle Diffenderfer participated in a panel discussion titled Clearer or More Confusing? Final Waters of the US Rule Change Remains Murky. Rachael Santana is a member of the ELULS Executive Council. Click here for more information.

Jennifer Cowan gave a presentation on Ethics and Sunshine Law at the Florida Mosquito Control Association Dodd Short Course on January 27^th in Orlando.  The Florida Mosquito Control Association’s primary mission is to promote effective and environmentally sound control of disease-transmitting and other arthropods of public health importance, develop and enhance public interest, awareness, and support for the control of mosquitoes, and provide for the scientific advancement of members through our meetings, training and education.  Click here for more information.

Ken Dodge, Alfred Malefatto and Seth Behn participated in the Place of Hope Sporting Clay Fun Shoot on January 22^nd in Palm City.  Place of Hope is a children’s organization that is dedicated to providing stable, loving, and nurturing environments to foster children while in state custody, following family reunification, pre-adoptive placement, and post emancipation from care.  Click here for more information about the event.

The Florida Airports Council State Summit was held January 13^th in Tallahassee.  The annual State Summit brings together FAC members and state legislative leaders to discuss issues of importance to the council.  The Summit offered opportunities to network and connect with FAC members and staff, a legislative briefing from key state leaders, a general membership meeting, and time for attendees to visit individual members and local delegations. Bob Diffenderfer and Sean Alveshire participated in the summit and LLW was a sponsor.  Click here for more information.