Marks Gray, P.A. to Co-Sponsor the 2016 Media Law Conference

Marks Gray commits to Silver Sponsorship of Event at the Annual Florida Bar Convention in June 2016

Marks Gray, P.A. has signed on to be a Silver Sponsor of the Annual Media Law Conference being held at the Florida Bar Annual Convention in Orlando, FL on Friday, June 17, 2016. Edward Birk, a First Amendment and news media partner at Marks Gray, said the co-sponsorship is a chance to support the good work of the Florida Bar Media and Communications Law Committee and its mission of furthering a free press.

The theme of the 2016 Media Law Conference is “The Privacy Machine v. the Press: Surveillance, Drones, Body Cams and Hulkamania.” The conference will address issues in an engaging discussion with key thought leaders from the law and media. The conference will feature four panel discussions: access and privacy, the highly publicized Gawker trial involving former pro-wrestler Hulk Hogan, drones and body cams and some of the most controversial First Amendment cases decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2015-2016. Registration is complimentary and open to the public. Attendees who wish to receive CLE credits will need to register for The Florida Bar Annual Convention. 

President Obama Signs Defend Trade Secrets Act into Law

The DTSA Law Effective as of May 11, 2016

President Obama signed the Defend Trade Secrets Act into law on May 11, 2016, effective immediately.  The DTSA provides for the first time a federal claim for misappropriation of trade secrets.  Previously, trade secrets were only protected by state laws. The new Act supplements state laws and does not preempt state law.  The DTSA provides for a number of remedies, whistleblower protections and  includes a notice requirement for employers who have trade secret or confidential information agreements with employees, independent contractors, and consultants.  How does this new law affect your business?  Let our Intellectual Property team at Marks Gray, led by Shareholder Crystal Broughan, help you better understand how your business should move forward on any trade secret, trademark and copyright issues.  

Alison H. Sausaman named the 2016 Michael K. Reese Quality of Life Award Recipient

The Florida Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Divisions Selects Alison H. Sausaman as the 2016 Michael K. Reese Award Recipient

Associate Attorney Alison H. Sausaman

We are thrilled to announce that Associate Attorney Alison H. Sausaman has been named The Florida Bar Association Young Lawyers Division recipient of the 2016 Michael K. Reese Quality of Life Award. The Michael K. Reese Quality of Life Award is bestowed upon the person and/or entity that, through humanitarian respect, advances balance and fulfillment in lawyers’ lives by redefining current work habits and schedules to provide more flexibility and a more meaningful existence. She will receive her award at the Florida Bar Annual Convention in June.

Congratulations, Ms. Sausaman!

May 2016 Immigration Bulletin is Out!

Shareholder and Immigration Attorney Giselle Carson released her May 2016 Immigration Bulletin - Running on Passion - on Tuesday. 

Hello, and Welcome to our May Immigration Update! As you might know, the stressful and uncertain H-1B lottery process is almost complete and we are grateful to have been able to help many of our clients navigate this process, obtain FY17 cap-subject H-1Bs and strategize alternatives.  This newsletter contains updates on the process and options. Additionally, our team and I have continued to be very involved in the Jacksonville Bar Association and other community activities. As a result, I was selected for a First Coast Success Profile - Running On Passion. You can read more about this profile and other events in this bulletin. Some of you might be in the process of planning a summer vacation or time off.  I wish you happy planning and fun times.     To stay updated on current immigration issues, we invite you to subscribe to our blog.  Thank you for your readership, support and referrals.   Cheers! To read the full article, click here.

Giselle Carson's feature in First Coast Success is on stands now!

The Jacksonville Financial News and Daily Record's First Coast Success feature on Giselle Carson is available now

Cover page of the April 25th Edition of the
Jacksonville Financial News and Daily Record

We are proud to have Giselle Carson as a Shareholder at Marks Gray! Today the Jacksonville News and Daily record published their latest First Coast Success story which highlights Giselle's accomplishments. To read the online version visit the Daily Record website or download the digital version of the print article here. The audio recording of the interview will be featured on First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross and available for replay here.

Giselle Carson to be Featured on First Coast Success, April 25 Edition

Marks Gray Shareholder Giselle Carson’s feature will be in print and radio on April 25

Shareholder Giselle Carson

We're thrilled to announce that Marks Gray Shareholder, Giselle Carson, will be the latest accomplished local business leader to be featured in the Jacksonville Daily Record and First Coast Connect's First Coast Success Story. Her journey to Jacksonville will be profiled in print and on radio on April 25th. Check the Marks Gray blog for more information and to read/hear Giselle's interview. 

Congratulations, Ms. Carson!

Jill F. Bechtold Invited to Join International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC)

Shareholder Jill F. Bechtold accepts invitation to join the IADC 

Shareholder Jill F. Bechtold

Marks Gray Shareholder Jill F. Bechtold accepted her invitation to join the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC). The IADC is comprised of 2500 leading defense, trial and corporate attorneys, in house counsel, and insurance executives throughout the world. Membership is granted through a nomination, peer review, board evaluation and invitation only process. An invitation to join the IADC indicates the nominee has not only met but exceeded the rigorous career qualifications set forth by the IADC Board of Directors.

The IADC dedicates itself to serving and benefiting its members, the legal profession, and the civil justice system by enhancing the development of skills, professionalism, and camaraderie in the practice of law. Members of the IADC are part of a distinguished group of professionals with advanced skills in defense law who look to each other to further their skills, their business, and their profession. Ms. Bechtold joins fellow Marks Gray Shareholder Jeptha F. Barbour in this prestigious organization.

About Jill F. Bechtold

Ms. Bechtold practices in the areas of medical and professional liability defense, products liability and general civil litigation defense. She has been recognized as a top lawyer by Florida Super Lawyer and Florida Trend magazines, has an AV Rating by Martindale-Hubbell, and is a member of the Defense Research Institute (DRI), Chester Bedell Inn of Court, and the Florida Defense Lawyers Association.  Ms. Bechtold represents both individual and enterprise clients. She is a member of the Leadership Jacksonville Class of 2015 as well as a Jacksonville Business Journal 2015 Woman of Influence. Ms. Bechtold earned her law degree from the University of Florida and joined Marks Gray in 2013. She speaks nationwide before defense lawyers on Reptile Strategy and related topics. She can be reached at jbechtold@marksgray.com.

About IADC

The International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) is an invitation-only professional association for corporate and insurance defense lawyers and insurance executives around the world. The IADC has been serving a distinguished membership of civil defense lawyers and industry executives since 1920. Members of the IADC practice in virtually every state and approximately 40 countries. More information can be found at www.iadclaw.org.