| DEFECTIVE EARPLUGS A Florida federal jury ordered 3M Company to pay $7.1 million to military members who claimed their combat earplugs did not work. The plaintiffs claimed hearing loss during the trial. RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA The Florida Supreme Court declared a ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana “misleading,” effectively ending its chances of getting on the ballot in 2022. MARSY’S LAW The voter approved constitutional amendment shielding the identities of crime victims has been expanded by a Florida appeals court. The ruling states that the controversial 2018 amendment to the state constitution can be used to block disclosure of the names of police officers who fatally shoot suspects threatening them. The City of Tallahassee and a group of media outlets have asked the Florida Supreme Court to review the decision. MIAMI-DADE EXPRESSWAY AUTHORITY A Florida appeals court dismissed the Miami-Dade County Expressway Authority’s challenge to a 2019 law to dissolve the agency after finding that MDX lacked standing to challenge the constitutionality of the law. ATTORNEY PAYMENTS The Florida Bar’s professional ethics committee approved a proposed advisory opinion giving the OK for attorneys in the state to accept fees and payments, including entrusted client funds, through online payment apps such as PayPal, Apple Pay and Venmo. FLORIDA BAR EXAM The Florida Board of Bar Examiners have announced that it will administer the bar exam, scheduled for July 27-28, remotely after the Florida Supreme Court granted approval for the proposal. This is the second year the exam is being administered virtually due to the pandemic. |
PUBLIX SUBS An aficionado of Publix chicken tender subs who created a Twitter account letting other fans know when the subs were on sale has received a cease-and-desist order from Publix attorneys. His scheme ultimately created two money making operations. Citing federal trademark laws, Publix is seeking to have the business shut down.