SideBar January 2006 Publication Revised · PLEASE FORWARD RESUME AND LAW SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS TO...

transcript

the�Side�Bar�Newsletter of the Martin County Bar Association January 2006�

What’s Inside . . . .�

Message from the MCBA President . . . . . 2�

Harmonization of Patent Laws . . . . . . . . 4�

Committee List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7�

Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Page�

Richard Levenstein Editorial Assistance�

Michelle Andrade Mailing List�

Heather Caliguire Advertising Sales� Design & Layout�

Published monthly by the Martin County Bar Association as a service to its membership.�Any article appearing herein may be reproduced provided credit is given both to the SideBar and the author�of the article.�Views and conclusions expressed in articles and advertisement herein are those of the authors or advertisers�and not necessarily those of the officers, directors, or staff of the Martin County Bar Association. Further,�the Martin County Bar Association, its officers, directors and staff do not endorse any product or service�advertised. All advertising is subject to approval.�If you have an article, opinion, news, or other information for publication in the SideBar; please contact�Heather Caliguire at (561) 248-1186; or email the information to her at heathercaliguire@yahoo.com. The�due date for all advertisements, articles and announcements is the 20th of the month preceding publication.�

The Martin County Bar Association�P.O. Box 2197�

Stuart, FL 34995-2197�Voice Mail Line: (772) 220-8018�

Message from the MCBA President�By Richard Levenstein�

Hello Everybody,�

First, I want to take this opportunity to wish you Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Hanukah,�Happy Kwanza and Best Wishes for the Holiday Season and the New Year, no matter what holiday you�celebrate. It is hard to believe that when you read this column it will be the year 2006, and more than�half of my year as President of the Martin County Bar Association will be over.�

We have an exciting six months coming up, with an excellent schedule of speakers beginning with Chief�Justice Barbara Pariente at the January lunch meeting, on Friday, January 20, 2006, and retired Chief�Justice Major Harding and Alan Bookman scheduled later in the year, as well as addresses from our new�Circuit Judges and a Bench-Bar Conference which will occur during the March 2006 meeting. You also�will be receiving, if you have not already, a nomination form to nominate an individual attorney who is�a member of the Martin County Bar Association, for the Martin County Bar Association’s Professionalism�Committee Professionalism Award, which has been reinstated this year by that Committee, for which I�thank them. This award is particularly important at this point in time, since professionalism is a timeless�issue and topic, and certainly something that each and every one of us should strive to achieve. A copy�Of the nomination form for this award is included in this months SideBar.�

The Martin County Bar Association’s grant application with respect to our Independence of the Judiciary�Education Program has been approved by the Florida Bar Foundation, and we are in the process of�producing the videotape that will be funded by that grant. This project is being coordinated with the�Florida Bar, with the ultimate goal of instituting the program on a statewide basis, and I will have more�specifics to report with regard to our progress in my next column.�

I also wanted to thank all the Committee Chairmen who have reactivated their committees and�scheduled meetings and other activities for their members. The Committees are the foundation of the�Association, and afford our membership direct participation in the Association at any level at which they�choose to participate. As president, I appreciate and encourage the involvement of as much of our�membership as possible in the Association, which not only preserves the vitality of our Association, but�keeps it growing and expanding its activities and offerings as well.�

With my best wishes for a healthy and happy New Year to you and all your families, I remain�

Sincerely yours,�

Richard H. Levenstein�

The Side Bar • Newsletter of the Martin County Bar Association January 2006 Page 2�

Currently before Congress is patent law reform legislation that will make significant revisions to�the United States Patent Act of 1952. Among the many revisions to the Act is a proposed revision to�harmonize the United States’ patents laws with international laws by changing the United States patent�system from a first-to-invent to a first-to-file system. Unlike its foreign neighbors, the United States cur-�rently utilizes a first-to-invent system. Under a first-to-invent system if an inventor can prove that he was�the first to invent an invention, the first inventor can invalidate the later inventor’s patent even though�the later inventor filed for a patent first.�

The proposed revision would change the current United States’ system to a first-to-file system,�which will harmonize the United States patent laws with the international community. Under a first-to-�file system, the first inventor to win the race to the patent office will receive the patent and no other in-�ventor can defeat the rights of the inventor who filed first by showing that he or she actually invented�the invention first.�

So what does this mean for inventors?�

The good news is the revision will help eliminate the uncertainty of unknown inventors. Inventors�may feel more confident that if they did not find any other publicly known inventions that would be�preclude their patent applications, unknown inventors will be stopped from attempting to claim they�invented first and therefore are the rightful patent owners even if they can prove they were technically�the first to invent.�

On the other hand, the revision will put more pressure on inventors to constructively reduce their�inventions to practice and get a patent application on file with the United States patent office as quickly�as possible. Any delay may cost inventors the right to practice their inventions even if they can prove�they actually invented first. Patents grant inventors the right to� others from practicing their�inventions. Thus, an inventor who files first can exclude another inventor who invented first from�practicing his invention, which means all the time and expense put into research and development of�an invention by the first inventor may have to be shelved if he does not make it to the patent office first.�Although it is never a good idea to delay in filing a patent application, under the current system the�delay may be remedied. Under the proposed system, a delay will be fatal. Inventors should be advised�and prepared to file as quickly as possible if this system is adopted or risk losing the right to practice�their invention to someone who filed first.�

The Intellect Law Group practices exclusively in the fields of patent, trademark, trade dress, copyright and related�

litigation. We may be reached for questions or comments at 772-283-8224 or intlaw@IntellectLawGroup.com.�

The Side Bar • Newsletter of the Martin County Bar Association�

•�Group photo from November 19, 2005 Martin County Bench, Bar and Red Cross Softball Game�•�

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THE FIRM IS LOCATED IN MARTIN COUNTY WHICH OFFERS AN EXCELLENT QUALITY OF LIFE AND A BEST-IN-THE-STATE�

SCHOOL SYSTEM. PLEASE FORWARD RESUME AND LAW SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS TO�

MARYELLEN CASTELLANO, HR DIRECTOR,�@ mcastellano@foxwackeen.com� or fax to 772-220-1489.�

STANDING COMMITTEE�(Long Range Planning Committee)�(Composed of past presidents)�Edwin Mortell�-�Chair� 286�-�9881�Tom Wackeen,� 287�-�4444�Debi Beard� 287�-�4444�Sheila Biehl� 223�-�5353�Barbara Bronis� 220�-�0275�Jack Sobel� 287�-�4444�Dareen Steele� 288�-�1880�George Bovie� 287�-�2600�Rick Crary� 287�-�2600�

PUBLIC IMAGE COMMITTESS�Pro Bono� Committee�Bonnie Brown�-�Chair� 221�-�8993�Jane Cornet� 286�-�2990�Portia Scott� 287�-�0096�Nina Ferraro� 287�-�4444�F. Shields McManus� 283�-�8260�Maryann Diaz� 283�-�8260�

Professionalism�Committee�George Bush�-�Chair� 287�-�4444�Portia Scott� 287�-�0096�Nina Ferraro� 287�-�4444�Judge Belanger� 288�-�5560�Jack Cox� 545�-�7650�Leslie Adams� 283�-�8224�Paul Lucas� 283�-�8260�Richard Gitlen� 219�-�0819�

Scholarship Committee�Linda Weiksnar�-�Chair� 287�-�2600�Por�tia Scott� 287�-�0096�Krist a Storey� 288�-�5924�Sarah Woods� 288�-�5924�William Swift � 220�-�1740�Nita Denton� 288�-�5646�Jean Law Scott� 283�-�8260�Maryann Diaz� 283�-�8260�Fernando Giachino� 287�-�0980�

BAR RELATED COMMITTEES�Attorney Directory Committee�Shelly Stirrat�–� Cha ir� 287�-�4444�John Copeland� 288�-�0048�

Library�Eric Buetens�-�Chair� 546�-�6633�Olive�a�nn Lancy� 219�-�0911�Christ ine Moreno� 288�-�1020�

Membership�Portia Scott�–� Chair� 287�-�0096�Kenneth Sundheim� 781�-�7727�Ginger Cartwright� 283�-�8260�

Social Committee�Linda W�eisknar�–� Chair� 287�-�2600�Judge�R�oby�–� Co�-�Chair� 463�-�3281�Sandra Sundheim�-�Strausbau�287�-�0660�Jean Law Scott� 283�-�8260�Christ ine Moreno� 288�-�1020�

Young Lawyers�Leslie Adams�-�Cha ir� 283�-�8224�Jennifer Waters Co�-�Chair� 287�-�4444�Nina Ferraro� 287�-�4444�Rober�t Goldman� 287�-�4444�Erica Lester� 221�-�7757�Preethi Sekhara n� 221�-�7757�Juan Vazquez� 286�-�3630�Tyson Waters� 287�-�0660�Arnold Gaines� 283�-�8260�Charles Emanuel� 283�-�8260�Sarah Vazquez� 286�-�9881�Michelle Naberhaus� 286�-�9881�Ryan Grazi� 286�-�0200�Fernando Giachin�o� 287�-�0980�RJ Ferraro� 221�-�0600�Shaun Plymale� 287�-�2600�Wes Harvin II� 286�-�3630�

Newsletter Committee�All Committee Chairs�

Judicial Relations� Committee�Jack Cox�-� Chair� 545�-�7650�Richard Levenste in�-� Co�-�Chair�2�88�-�0048�Jack Cox� 545�-�7650�Shelly Stirrat� 2�87�-�4444�George Bush� 287�-�4444�

PRACTICE COMMITEES�Bankruptcy Law Committee�Karen Johnson�-�Chair� 223�-�5001�David Steinfeld� 288�-�0048�David Merrill� 287�-�2600�Jon Martin� 419�-�0057�

Criminal Law Committee�Nita Denton�-�Chair� 288�-�5646�Th�omas Colter� 223�-�1313�Christ ine Scha ffer� 288�-�5581�Nathaniel Burke� 288�-�5291�Karen Johnson� 223�-�5001�Shawn Plymale� 287�-�2600�Pamela Roebuck� 288�-�5646�Darren Steele� 288�-�1880�

Elder Law/Probate/Guardianship�Wes Harvin�–� Cha�i�r� 286�-�3630�Philip DeBerard� 286�-�1000�Lynne Spraker� 220�-�0212�Kollen Ba nnon� 288�-�0048�Beth Prinz� 220�-�0212�Linda Hake� 223�-�5945 ext. 3464�Mary Gilmour� 781�-�4450�Michael Banks� 286�-�8828�Karen Johnson� 223�-�5001�Susan Copeland� 288�-�1980�Patricia Ta ylor� 286�-�1700�Kathryn Bass� 286�-�1700�Jane�Strike� 286�-�1700�Rose Schneider� 286�-�1700�Linda Smith� 219�-�9157�Tom Weiksnar� 283�-�8260�Gregory Zogran� 220�-�9699�Fernando Giachino� 287�-�0980�Todd Thurlow� 287�-�0980�Nancy Crake� 288�-�5899�Myrt ice Waldo� 561�-�745�-�4045�Jon Martin� 419�-�0057�Phillip Newcomm� 419�-�0195�

Employment and Labor Law�Alan Forst�-�Chair�Stuart Address� 223�-�2004�Shiela Biehl� 223�-�5353�David Earl�e� 287�-�1745�Karen Johnson� 223�-�5001�George Bovie� 287�-�2600�

Family Law�Rhonda Werner�-�Schultz � -� Chair�

286�-�8303�Deborah Beard� 287�-�4444�Jami Duc�kson� 781�-�3331�David Morris� 781�-�6920�Eula Robinson�-�Clarke� 220�-�3324�John Sherrad� 283�-�9322�Karen Mentor� 545�-�7590�Karen Johnson� 223�-�5001�Portia Scott� 287�-�0096�Eric Olsen� 225�-�3393�Jennifer Waters� 287�-�4444�Debra Klein� 283�-�2192�Olive�a�nn Lancy� 219�-�0911�Linda Weisknar� 287�-�2600�Richard Gitlen� 219�-�0819�Darren Steele� 288�-�1880�Trace y Davis� 286�-�2290�

Real Estate�John Sherrard� 283�-�9322�Larry Stewart� 283�-�8191�Karen Johnson� 223�-�5001�Nina Ferraro� 287�-�4444�Robert Burson� 286�-�1616�Gerald John� 561�-�512�-�7344�Frederik VanVonno� 287�-�4444�Tyson Waters� 287�-�0660�Oliver Harris� 287�-�9101�Thomas Sawyer� 286�-�1700�Jennifer Williamson� 287�-�2600�Lawrence Crary III� 287�-�2600�Christ ine Moreno� 288�-�1020�Laurie Sewell� 223�-�0106�Thomas Thurlow, Jr.� 287�-�0980�Jon Martin� 419�-�0057�

Trial Lawyers�Scott Konopka�-�Chair� 781�-�5948�David Earle� 287�-�1745�Karen Johnson� 223�-�5001�David Acton� 288�-�5438�Gary Dickstein� 337�-�6630�Scott Donaldson� 287�-�4444�Elysee Elder� 221�-�7757�Laurence Huttman� 283�-�2004�Michael McCluskey� 287�-�4444�Stephen� Page� 221�-�7757�Daniel Tadrowski� 286�-�2990�David Wa lker� 286�-�8686�Eric Olsen� 225�-�3393�Sheila Biehl� 223�-�5353�Jack Sobel� 287�-�4444�Richard Levenste in� 288�-�0048�Robert Goldman� 287�-�4444�Tim Wright� 286�-�5566�James Bowdish� 287�-�2600�Robert Elder III� 287�-�2�600�Shaun Plymale� 287�-�2600�Linda Weiksnar� 287�-�2600�William Ponsoldt� 286�-�5566�Tanisha Gary� 283�-�8260�Paul Lucas� 283�-�8260�Louis Lozeau� 286�-�5566�Maryann Diaz� 283�-�8260�L. J. Grazi� 286�-�0200�Sarah Vazquez� 286�-�9881�Michelle Naberhaus� 286�-�9881�Gene Zweb�en� 223�-�5454�Peggy Underbrink� 223�-�5454�Gloria Seidule� 287�-�1220�Leif Grazi� 286�-�0200�Maxine Noel� 286�-�0200�Darren Steele� 288�-�1880�Barbra Cook� 286�-�7372�Debra Levine� 287�-�4444�Phillip NewComm� 419�-�0195�

Golf�Larry Stewart�–� Chair� 283�-�8191�Jack Sobel�–� C�o�-�Chair� 287�-�4444�Karen Johnson� 223�-�5001�Alan Hunt� 201�-�2640�George Bovie� 287�-�2600�Bruce Bailie� 220�-�8888�

Probate and Trust Litigation�Michael Banks�-�Chair� 286�-�8828�Larry Stewart� 283�-�8191�Karen Johnson� 223�-�5001�Portia Scott� 287�-�0096�Alan Hunt� 201�-�2640�James Bowdish� 287�-�2600�William Ponsoldt� 286�-�5566�Anthony George� 286�-�2200�Phillip Newcomm� 419�-�0195�

NEW COMMITTEES SUGGESTED�Civil Litigation�David Steinfeld�-�Chair� 288�-�0048�Richard Levenste in� 288�-�0048�Arnold Gaines� 283�-�8260�Paul Lucas� 283�-�8260�Maryann Diaz� 283�-�8260�Louis Lozeau� 286�-�5566�Doyle Ric hardson� 288�-�0000�

Imigration�Nathaniel Burke�-�Cha ir� 288�-�5291�Karen Mentor� 545�-�7590�

Estate Planning�Susan Copeland� 288�-�1980�Fernando Giachino� 287�-�0980�Todd Thurlow� 287�-�0980�

Military Affairs Comm�ittee�David Steinfeld� 288�-�0048�

Federal Practice�David Merrill�-�Cha ir� 287�-�2600�Leslie Adams� 283�-�8224�Joseph Beckman� 283�-�8224�Paul Lucas� 283�-�8260�Maryann Diaz� 283�-�8260�Barbra Cook� 286�-�7372�

Solo & Small Firm Committee�Joseph Beckman�–� Chair� 283�-�8224�Guy Rubin� 283�-�2004�

Calendar�

Of Upcoming MCBA Events�

• Friday, January 20, 2006� - An investiture�

will be held for Martin County Judge�

Cathy Roberts @ 4 pm at the�

Martin County Courthouse�

•� Friday, January 20, 2006�- Luncheon�

with guest speaker Chief Justice of the Supreme Court�

Barbera J Pariente @ 12 noon at the�

Monarch Country Club�

Friday, February 17, 2006�- Luncheon At Monarch Country Club�

Friday, March 17, 2006� - Luncheon At Monarch Country Club�

The Side Bar • Newsletter of the Martin County Bar Association January 2006�

The Martin County Bar Association�

P.O. Box 2197�

Stuart, FL 34995-2197�

SideBar January 2006 Publication Revised · PLEASE FORWARD RESUME AND LAW SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS TO...

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