Terry Lewis Participates as Panelist in Bush v. Gore Conference at FSU College of Law
Terry Lewis, a former Circuit Court Judge, recently participated as one of the featured panelists at the Florida State University College of Law’s conference commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Bush v. Gore, the case that resolved the presidential election in 2000. The conference was held on February 28 […]
Rick Miller Teaches at Court Institute
Richard “Rick” Miller recently taught at the 2025 Florida Court Personnel (FCP) Institute in Orlando. Organized by the Office of Court Education, the FCP Institute is “designed to help attendees enhance knowledge, build skills, and promote ethical standards, all with the goal of ensuring the competent and fair administration of justice.” Miller’s teaching focused on […]
Rob McNeely Speaks on AI and the Music Industry
Rob McNeely was a guest speaker for a national webinar on Friday, February 7, 2025, titled, “Ain’t Nothin’ Like the Real Thing: How AI is Reshaping the Music Industry.” The presentation was organized and hosted by The Florida State University College of Law Office Institute of Law, Technology and Innovation as part of its ongoing […]
Employment Defense Team Gets a “Win” for School District
Messer Caparello’s employment defense team of Bob Harris, Jim Dean and Cameron Carstens recently scored a big win for a School District client in an employment discrimination and whistleblower case in federal court in North Florida. The Plaintiffs, a Husband and Wife, alleged that the School District discriminated against them based on the Wife’s medical […]
Cameron Carstens Selected as 2024 Florida Rising Star
Messer Caparello, P.A. is pleased to announce that Cameron Carstens has been recognized as a 2024 Florida Rising Star by Super Lawyers in the field of Civil Litigation: Defense. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers that includes a patented, multi-phased selection process based on peer recognition, professional achievement, and other factors. Only […]
Messer Caparello Attorneys Provide Training to Private Colleges
On May 29, 2024, Messer Caparello attorneys Bob Harris, Jim Dean, Cameron Carstens, Rob McNeely and Monica Freeland provided a full day of training to administrators of over 85 independent postsecondary educational institutions on a host of legal issues. Approximately 110 administrators attended the training. The topics included college regulatory compliance with state and federal […]
Terry Lewis Presents on Evidence at Criminal Law Review & Board Certification Seminar
Terry Lewis, a former Leon County Circuit Judge, recently participated as a Presenter at the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Criminal Law Review & Board Certification seminar held on April 5, 2024, in Lake Mary Florida. Judge Lewis presented on the topic of Evidence. Judge Lewis is a member of the Firm’s mediation and […]
Supreme Court Punts in ADA Tester Case
Supreme Court “punts” in ADA “tester” case by James J. Dean If you are a place of public accommodation under the ADA – such as a hotel, restaurant, school, college, doctor’s office, accountant, realtor, store, car dealership or other business open to the public – you may be sued by an ADA “tester” for disability […]
Messer Caparello, P.A., Announces New Shareholders
Tallahassee law firm, Messer Caparello, P.A., established in 1970, is pleased to announce that retired circuit judge Thomas H. Bateman III, Monica Freeland and Cameron Carstens have been named as shareholders with the firm. Thomas H. Bateman III joined the firm following his retirement from Leon County Circuit Court and offers mediation, arbitration, special magistrate, […]
Don’t be too quick to discipline students for social media posts done off campus!
When may a school discipline a student for social media postings? Student speech is protected by the First Amendment. And when a student engages in “pure speech” on political or social issues, the student is entitled to extra protection. The law is clear that schools have authority to discipline students for things they say on […]