2021-2022 SECTION COMMITTEES
- Harvey Sepler—Chair
- David Barksdale
- Richard Greenberg
- Jeff Harris
- Benedict Keuhne
- Abe Laeser
- Sheryl Lowenthal
- Michael Sinacore
- Patricia Dawson—CHAIR
- Jeff Harris
- Joel Silvershein
- George Tragos
- Samantha Ward
- Ryan Vescio—CHAIR
- Nick Cox
- Jude Faccidomo
- Laura Lambert
- Sheryl Lowenthal
- Michael Sinacore
- George Tragos
This committee was created to keep the Executive Council aware of any changes to the status of capital litigation in Florida. It is intentionally constituted with members who give it a philosophical balance on the issues relating to capital crimes; so that parochial or ideological views do not sway the full committee.
The group concentrates on the changes in case law, legislative changes, and new Bar rules or procedures which might influence how capital cases, which are unique, would be prosecuted. For example, the question of requiring unanimous penalty phase verdicts is presently being addressed in the courts and by the legislature. If there are any modifications, this committee would advise the Executive Council; allowing it to respond as the voice of the Criminal Law practitioners in Florida.
- Hon. Tatiana Salvador—CHAIR
- Nick Cox
- Hon. London Kite
- Abraham Laeser
- Hon. Samantha Ward
- Hon. Lynn Goudie
The Communications Committee is charged with ensuring that section members and the community at large are aware of the goings-on with the Section, criminal justice law, and other issues that affect our practice. To that end, the Committee distributes regular newsletter communications to its members and publishes updates and informational articles to The Florida Bar News from time to time. For more information on the Committee, or to suggest a topic to be shared with our peers, contact the Committee Chair
- Jason Mehta—Chair
- Richard Hersch
- Hon. Jeffrey Levenson
- Richard Polin
- Neal Sonnett
- Monique Worrell
- Lisa Tipton
Reflecting the unique and diverse nature of the Criminal Law Section’s membership, the CLE Committee is responsible for organizing and presenting quality continuing legal education programs of interest to all criminal law practitioners. For more information on the Committee, or to suggest topics and speakers, please contact the Committee Chair.
- H. Scott Fingerhut—Co-CHAIR
- Hon. Thomas Palermo—Co-Chair
- Mark Dobson
- Lee Lockett
- Sheryl Lowenthal
- Michael Ufferman
- Jessica Yeary
- Jennifer Zedalis
The Federal Practice Committee focuses on unique aspects of federal criminal practice before the United States Supreme Court, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and Florida’s three federal district courts. The Committee works to provide members benefits such as federally focused CLE opportunities, updates and information essential to federal practice, and opportunities to engage with federal criminal practitioners, the judiciary and other federal stakeholders. The Committee also serves to address the needs of federal criminal practitioners and the courts related to the Florida Bar, and elsewhere as appropriate.
- Michael Sinacore—Co-Chair
- Kenneth Swartz—Co-Chair
- Hon. Thomas Palermo
- Jude Faccidomo
- Richard Greenberg—Chair
- Richard Hersch
- Cynthia Imperato
- Benedict Kuehne
- Marty McDonnell
- Hon. Jessica Yeary
- Michael Ufferman
- Aaron Wayt
The Long-Range Planning Committee is led by the Section’s Chair-Elect and is comprised of experienced Executive Council members. The Committee’s purpose is to consider the Criminal Law Section’s future in all areas, including CLE, membership, legislative priorities, and interaction with the Bar as a whole.
- Joseph Spataro—Co-Chair
- Ryan Vesico—Co-Chair
- Hon. Angelica Zayas—Co-Chair
- H. Scott Fingerhut
- Benedict Kuehne
- Laura Lambert
- Joel Silvershein
- George Tragos
- Harry Wallace
Membership
What makes the Criminal Law Section unique—and the reason you should be a member—is that it is the only organization whose members are judges, law professors, and criminal lawyers (state and federal, prosecution and defense, public and private). As members, we share information, ideas, and philosophies in collegial and meaningful dialogues and we improve our individual skills and effectiveness. As a section of The Florida Bar, we have credibility. This enables us to work effectively to improve the quality of justice for those affected by our criminal justice systems. We advise the courts, including the Supreme Court, the legislature, and the Bar on issues ranging from processes and procedures to substantive law. If you are not a member, you should be. Learn more about the benefits of membership.
- Antonya Johnson—Chair
- Hon. Lisa Campbell
- Mark Dobson
- Richard Greenberg
- Donnie Murrell
- Harold Pryor
- Harry Wallace
Young Lawyers Subcommittee: Elisabeth Rodriguez—Chair
Nominating
- Warren Lindsey—Chair
- David Barksdale
- Richard Greenberg
- Jeff Harris
- Joel Silvershein
- Joe Spataro
- Ryan Vesico
- Jennifer Zedalis—Co-Chair
- Paul Zacks—Co-Chair
- Mark Dobson
- Richard Hersch
- Hon. London Kite
- Hon. Jeffrey Levenson
- Marth McDonnell
- Hon. Thomas Palermo
- Hon. Tatiana Salvador
- Joe Spataro
- Hon. Samantha Ward
Section Liaisons
Liaison to Appellate Court Rules Committee
- Michael Ufferman
- Jeff Harris
- H. Scott Fingerhut
Liaison to Criminal Procedure Rules Committee
- Brian Tannenbaum
- Joel Silvershein
- Jude Faccidomo
Liaison to Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association
- Harold Pryor
- Jessica Yeary
Liaison to Professional Ethics Committee
- H. Scott Fingerhut
Liaison to The Florida Bar Criminal Law Summit
- Nick Cox
- Elizabeth Rodriguez