Greetings Appellate Practice Section Members,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

We made it out of 2020—finally! Like every new year, some things change and some things stay the same. One thing changing is the look of our e-blasts. Our Bar Administrator, Cheri Wright, and her team at The Florida Bar have done a wonderful job redesigning our e-blasts, which is part of our Section’s overall initiative to refresh our digital brand. We hope to also roll out a new website in the coming months!

Another big change that took effect on January 1, 2021 are multiple amendments to the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure, which include appellate jurisdictional changes, font changes to appellate submissions, and changing from a page limit to a word limit. I have summarized most of last year’s rule amendments in an article for The Record, which can be found here.

On the other hand, some things stay the same in 2021, like Zoom hearings, Zoom oral arguments, and—unfortunately—a Zoom Winter Bar Meeting. I had really hoped to see each of you this January in person, but regrettably our Committee and Executive Council meetings will be virtual again. Our last Chair was known as the “Force Majeure Chair”; I guess I’ll be known as the “Virtual Chair”.

Although the Executive Council agenda will be sent in a later blast, here’s a schedule of our Winter Bar meetings:

Appellate Practice Section 2021 Winter Meeting Schedule

Wednesday, January 13, 2021
9:00am-10:30am	Diversity & Inclusion Committee
10:30am-11:30am	Outreach Committee
11:30am-12:00pm	Pro Bono Committee
12:00pm-5:00pm	Winning Your Appeal at Trial presented by the APS Pro Bono Committee and Statewide Guardian ad Litem Program
Thursday, January 14, 2021
10:30am-11:30am	Legislative Committee
10:30am-11:00am	Publications Committee
11:00am-12:30pm	Communications Committee
12:30pm-1:30pm	CLE Committee
11:30pm-3:30pm	Executive Council Meeting

Finally, last month, our Programs and Outreach Committee Chairs put together a Zoom-Tastic event involving a virtual scavenger hunt. Those who attended had a great time and if you missed it, you’ll have to attend the next one. But, it seems only right that your moment of zen should be screenshots of your fellow Section members having a blast (or making fools of themselves?):