Events & Seminars

Pavese Law is proud to announce our presenting sponsorship of the 2024 Wedgworth Leadership Institute Alumni Annual Meeting, “Rise Up,” taking place on August 2-3 in Orlando, Florida! The Wedgworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources (WLIANR) is renowned for shaping future leaders in…

Pavese Law Firm was proud to be the Title Sponsor of the Lee County Bar Association Foundation’s Charity Golf Tournament benefitting Southwest Florida non-profit organizations. There was a tremendous turnout for the May 17, 2024, event at The Forest Country Club. We at Pavese Law…

Pavese Law Firm was pleased to support this year’s Market Trends as a Gold Sponsor. The event, which was held at the Caloosa Sound Center on March 12, 2024, was attended by over 1,200 participants. This year’s event theme was “Ignorance is Bliss Until it…

The CAI South Gulf Coast Chapter hosted Alex Menendez and Christopher Pope as presenters at their recent continuing education breakfast seminar. The event held on September 29th, 2023, brought together community association members, board members, and businesses eager to gain valuable insights into community financial…

Pavese Law Firm partner Mary Vlasak Snell presented at the 61st Annual Conference of the International Catholic Stewardship Counsel (ICSC) held at the Hyatt Regency in Orlando, Florida, on October 2, 2023. The breakout session titled “Planning for Tomorrow: Everything you need to know about…

Pavese Law Firm will be a sponsor at the Lee County Bar Association’s 2019 Annual Charity Golf Tournament to be held on Saturday, May 4 at The Forest Country Club.  The cost is $150 per player ($550 per foursome) which includes a round of golf,…

Pavese Law Firm will be a sponsor at the annual Lee County Association for Women Lawyers (LCAWL) Judicial Reception to be held on Thursday, May 2, 2019, with cocktails from 4:00-5:00 p.m. and reception from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Edison Restaurant, 3583 McGregor Boulevard, Fort…

Pavese is a proud sponsor at the 2019 Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida Business Hall of Fame, Lee County.  The event will be held at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Bonita Springs on Thursday, April 18, 2019, with a cocktail reception…

The event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, April. 11, at the Crown Plaza, 13051 Bell Tower Dr, Fort Myers. During the luncheon, a panel of experts will discuss “How to Get Employees to Think Like Owners”.  The panelists will…

Pavese is a proud sponsor at the Habitat for Humanity 2019 Women Build Kick Off Party.  This event is scheduled for Wednesday, March 6th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First Street, Fort Myers, FL. For details, click here: …

Please join United Community Association Networking (UNET) and Pavese Law Firm for a Human Resources seminar on “Reducing Exposure to Employment Claims and Avoiding Claims of Retaliation” on Thursday, February 7, 2019 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Cross Creek Country Club, 13050 Cross Creek Boulevard, Fort…

Pavese is a proud platinum sponsor at the 8th Annual Market Trends hosted by the Lee and Collier Building Industry Associations. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, October 30, 2018 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Miromar Design Center located at 10800 Corkscrew Rd, Estero, FL….

Pavese has been selected as a finalist for the Business Citizenship (Large) 2018 Industry Appreciation Award.  With years of experience serving Southwest Florida, Pavese has become well known for having a hand in helping shape the growth of the region and has participated in the…

Pavese will be a sponsor at the 17th Annual Tri-County HR Conference – HR University – Where Learning Never Ends on Friday, May 4, 2018, at the Lee County School Board, 2855 Colonial Boulevard, Fort Myers from 7:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. The keynote speaker…

Pavese Law Firm will be a sponsor at the annual Lee County Association for Women Lawyers (LCAWL) to be held on Thursday, May 3, 2018, with cocktails from 4:00-5:00 p.m. and reception from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Edison Restaurant in Fort Myers.  This event honors…

Pavese is a proud sponsor at the 2018 Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida Business Hall of Fame, Lee County.  The event will be held at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Bonita Springs on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, with a cocktail reception…

Pavese is a proud sponsor at the 6th Annual Breaking Par for Junior Achievement event.  The two-day Breaking Par at Grandezza event will run from Saturday, April 21 through Sunday, April 22 at The Club at Grandezza, located at 11481 Grande Oak Blvd. in Estero….

The event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, April. 12, at Pelican Preserve Town Center, 9800 Veneto Drive in Fort Myers. During the luncheon, a panel of experts will discuss business ethics that govern how businesses operate, how business decisions are…

Join Pavese Law Firm for a complimentary seminar “Board Certification Course for Condominium Associations” scheduled for Thursday, March 29, 2018 from 8:00-12:00 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Myers, 12600 University Drive. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m.  Continental breakfast will be served. Featured guest…

Join Pavese Law Firm for a complimentary seminar “Board Certification Course for Homeowners’ Associations” scheduled for Wednesday, March 21, 2018 from 8:00-12:00 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Myers, 12600 University Drive. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m.  Continental breakfast will be served. Featured guest…

Attorney Christina Harris Schwinn will serve as a panelist during the 2018 Staffing Industry Analysts Executive Forum North America “The Ever-Expanding Landscape of Compliance – And What You Need to Know,” to be held from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 1, 2018…

Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida invites the community to support its efforts to provide key programs on work-readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy to local students by donating to the organization during the ‘Give Where You Live Collier’ fundraising initiative, which takes place at noon on…

Attorney Christina Harris Schwinn will speak at the 2018 Southwest Florida Women’s Business Summit, taking place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on February 16, 2018 at Florida SouthWestern State College, Building U, in Fort Myers. The Lee County Economic Development Office (EDO) is hosting the event. Schwinn,…

Pavese Law Firm is a proud sponsor at the Twenty-Seventh Annual Southwest Florida Water Resources Conference.  The conference will be held at the Pelican Preserve Magnolia Room, Fort Myers, FL on Friday, February 2, 2018.  This year’s theme, “The Changing Climate of Regulation and Funding”,…

Join Pavese Law Firm for a complimentary seminar “Board Certification Course for Homeowners’ Associations” scheduled for October 24, 2017 from 8:00-12:00 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Myers, 12600 University Drive. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m.  Continental breakfast will be served. Featured guest speakers:…

Join Pavese Law Firm for a complimentary seminar “Board Certification Course for Condominium Associations” scheduled for October 17, 2017 from 8:00-12:00 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Myers, 12600 University Drive. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m.  Continental breakfast will be served. Featured guest speakers:…

Attorney Christina Harris Schwinn will speak at Leading Edge Benefit Advisors’ fall Benefits University course on Sept. 7 at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). The event will take place from 8 a.m. to noon in Room 214 of the Cohen Center at FGCU, located at…

Attorney Christina Harris Schwinn will serve as a panelist during the Above Board Chamber of Florida’s “The Art of Persuasion and Negotiation” luncheon, to be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 10, at the Pelican Preserve Town Center, located at 10561…

Date:  Monday, July 31, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. Location:  Henderson Franklin Law Firm, 2100 Second Street, Fort Myers, Florida. Please note:  This may be our final auction. All sales final at close of bidding – no guarantees are given on any property, personal or otherwise and no…

Attorney Christina Harris Schwinn will speak at the Evolutionary Women Entrepreneurs: Knowledge Circle panel discussion at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 16. The event is hosted by Florida SBDC Network and coordinated by FGCU. Schwinn, whose practice…

Attorney Susan McLaughlin will discuss Alternative Dispute Resolution during The Ins and Outs of Community Association Law 2017, presented by the Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Committee and the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section. The seminar will take place from 8:45 a.m. to…

Join Pavese Law Firm for a complimentary seminar “Board Certification Course for Homeowners’ Associations” scheduled for April 25, 2017 from 8:00-12:00 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Fort Myers,10450 Corkscrew Commons Drive, Estero. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. Featured guest speakers: Christopher J. Shields, Board Certified…

Date:  Monday, April 24, 2017, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. Location:  Henderson Franklin Law Firm, 2100 Second Street, Fort Myers, Florida. All sales final at close of bidding – no guarantees are given on any property, personal or otherwise and no refunds given for any reason….

Join Pavese Law Firm for a complimentary seminar “Board Certification Course for Condominium Associations” scheduled for April 20, 2017 from 8:00-12:00 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Myers, 12600 University Drive. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. Featured guest speakers: Christopher J. Shields, Board Certified…

Christina Harris Schwinn will speak at an Intern Workshop panel discussion at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 24. The free event is hosted by FGCU and coordinated by Career Sources in conjunction with Society for Human Resource…

Christina Harris Schwinn, partner and legislative director for  SHRM SWFL to speak at the SHRM SWFL lunch meeting on March 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Crowne Plaza, located at 13051 Bell Tower Dr. in Fort Myers. Sponsored by Pavese Law Firm. …

Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida is partnering with Over the Edge USA to present the 2017 Over the Edge rappelling fundraising event at 8 a.m. on Feb. 25, 2017 at Naples Grand Beach Resort in Naples. The fundraising event allows for participants to raise pledges…

Join Pavese Law Firm for a complimentary seminar “Fair Housing/ADA Law Overview for CAMs and Board Members” scheduled for February 9, 2017 from 9:30-12:00 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Myers, 12600 University Drive.  Registration starts at 9:00 a.m. Featured guest speakers: Susan M. McLaughlin,…

Date:  Tuesday, January 10, 2017, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. Location:  Henderson Franklin Law Firm, 2100 Second Street, Fort Myers, Florida. All sales final at close of bidding – no guarantees are given on any property, personal or otherwise and no refunds given for any reason….

Join Pavese Law Firm for a complimentary seminar “Board Certification Course for Condominium Associations” scheduled for November 8, 2016 from 8:00-1:00 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Myers, 12600 University Drive. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. Featured guest speakers: Christopher J. Shields, Board Certified…

Join Pavese Law Firm for a complimentary seminar “Board Certification Course for Homeowners’ Associations” scheduled for November 3, 2016 from 8:00-1:00 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Myers, 12600 University Drive. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. Featured guest speakers: Christopher J. Shields, Board Certified…

Date:  Tuesday, October 25, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. Location:  Henderson Franklin Law Firm, 2100 Second Street, Fort Myers, Florida. All sales final at close of bidding – no guarantees are given on any property, personal or otherwise and no refunds given for any reason. Auction…

Get a handle on the complicated issues that arise in the day-to-day operations of any human resources department!  This extensive two-day course covers all of the hot-button issues that every HR professional should know, not only to avoid lawsuits, but to ensure that all employees…

The Women’s Leadership Initiative of ULI Southwest Florida will hold its annual View from the Top, a dinner featuring informal conversations with four Southwest Florida female business leaders. The dinner consists of four 30-minute courses, with executives rotating to a new table with each course….

Date:  Tuesday, August 16, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. Location:  Henderson Franklin Law Firm, 1715 Monroe Street, Fort Myers, Florida. All sales final at close of bidding – no guarantees are given on any property, personal or otherwise and no refunds given for any reason. Auction…

Paves Law Firm is a proud sponsor at the Dress for Success SW Florida Entrepreneurial Spirit Program.  Christina Harris Schwinn will be one of the presenters.  Come join us on Saturday, August 6, 2016 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For more information click here.

Christina Harris Schwinn and Scott Hill will present on employment law at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 27 during the Tiger Bay Club of Southwest Florida’s July luncheon. The Tiger Bay Club of Southwest Florida is presenting the issue of “DOL Final Rule Minimum Salary…

Join Christina Harris Schwinn and other prominent speakers on Friday, June 24, 2016 at the Embassy Suites in Estero, Florida  for an interactive seminar on hot and emerging topics which will include A&A Updates, Economic Updates, Official Records, Labor Law Updates, Essential Team Building and…

Date:  Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. Location:  Pavese Law Firm, 1833 Hendry Street, Fort Myers, Florida. All sales final at close of bidding – no guarantees are given on any property, personal or otherwise and no refunds given for any reason. Auction Notice…

Date:  Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. Location:  Pavese Law Firm, 1833 Hendry Street, Fort Myers, Florida. All sales final at close of bidding – no guarantees are given on any property, personal or otherwise and no refunds given for any reason. Auction Notice

Susan McLaughlin will be presenting a continuing education seminar on “Dispute Resolution, Pre-Suit Tools and Procedures” for Community Association Managers.  The complimentary seminar will take place on April 20, 2016 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Myers, 12600 University Drive in Fort…

Christina Harris Schwinn will be presenting a continuing education seminar on human resources topics: “Employee vs. Independent Contractors” and “Managing Workplace Conflict Effectively” for Community Association Managers.  The complimentary seminar will take place on April 20, 2016 from 8:00-10:00 a.m. and will include a continental…

Date:  Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. Location:  Pavese Law Firm, 1833 Hendry Street, Fort Myers, Florida. All sales final at close of bidding – no guarantees are given on any property, personal or otherwise and no refunds given for any reason. Auction Notice

Published in Gulfshore Business Daily, February 16, 2016 Christina Harris Schwinn and legislative director for SHRM SWFL to speak at the SHRM SWFL lunch meeting on March 9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Crowne Plaza, located at 13051 Bell Tower Dr. in…

We all need help from another at some point in our lives. Ask yourself how many times someone was there to help you along the way or lift your spirits on a bad day. Read the full article at: newspress.com

Date:  Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. Location:  Pavese Law Firm, 1833 Hendry Street, Fort Myers, Florida. All sales final at close of bidding – no guarantees are given on any property, personal or otherwise and no refunds given for any reason. Auction Notice

It is that time of year when the Florida Legislature is in session.  This Special Edition of Legal Updates contains an attachment with information regarding all of the employment law bills that have been filed through January 12, 2016.  You will note that following the…

Attorney Christina Harris Schwinn will present on “HR Sexual Harassment/Employee Misconduct” February 1, 2016 at the UNET Dinner Meeting and Education Class. The event will take place promptly at 4:00 p.m. at Cross Creek Country Club, 13050 Cross Creek Blvd. in Fort Myers. Why Should…

Attorney Christina Harris Schwinn will present on “Independent Contractors vs. Employees” Nov. 19 at the CFO Breakfast Roundtable – Lee County, hosted by Southwest Florida Chapter of Institute of Management Accountants (IMA).  The free event will take place from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at CliftonLarsonAllen,…

Date:  Monday, November 16, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. Location:  Pavese Law Firm, 1833 Hendry Street, Fort Myers, Florida. All sales final at close of bidding – no guarantees are given on any property, personal or otherwise and no refunds given for any reason. Auction Notice

Date:  Monday, November 16, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. Location:  Pavese Law Firm, 1833 Hendry Street, Fort Myers, Florida. All sales final at close of bidding – no guarantees are given on any property, personal or otherwise and no refunds given for any reason.

The event will be held on Thursday, Sept. 10 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at City Pier, 1300 Hendry St. in Fort Myers. Learn from and meet many of SWFL top media Giants! The Above Board Chamber of Florida is bringing together local media…

Date:  Monday, August 17, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. Location:  Pavese Law Firm, 1833 Hendry Street, Fort Myers, Florida. All sales final at close of bidding – no guarantees are given on any property, personal or otherwise and no refunds given for any reason. Auction Notice

Dress for Success SW Florida is hosting the Entrepreneurial Spirit Program seminar series from 6-8 p.m. each Wednesday from June 3-24. Local business leaders will provide information and tips for women who would like to start their own business. Presenters will include Joanne Show, Central…

Frank A. Pavese, Sr., founder of Pavese Law Firm, has been honored by Lee County Board of County Commissioners in a proclamation declaring June 2, 2015 as “Frank A. Pavese, Sr. Day.” This designation is a tribute to the honorable life of Frank A. Pavese,…

Partner, Christina Harris Schwinn will be presenting her “Ban the Box” webinar on Wednesday, May 20, 2015.* The 60-minute webinar will review the interviewing and hiring process, with a specific focus on criminal background checks in accordance with EEOC guidance under the federal civil rights…

PLEASE NOTE:  Date Changed from Monday, May 18, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. to Monday, June 1, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. Location:  Pavese Law Firm, 1833 Hendry Street, Fort Myers, Florida. Auction Notice

Pavese Law Firm is a proud sponsor at the 14th Annual Tri-County HR Conference. Tri-County HR Conference on Friday, May 15, 2015 at the Pelican Preserve,   9802 Pelican Preserve Blvd.,   Fort Myers, FL 33913                  Can you Believe It…..for a small investment…

Thursday, April 30, 2015 – 4:30pm – 7:30pm Pavese Law Firm will be a sponsor at the Lee County’s Association for Women Lawyers’ Annual Judicial Appreciation Reception honoring Judge Tara Patluck being held at The Marina at Edison Ford, 2360 West First Street, Fort Myers….

Saturday & Sunday, April 25-26, 2015 Pavese Law Firm is a hole sponsor at the 3rd Annual Breaking Par for Junior Achievement event.  Come join the fun!  Register today to be a sponsor or to participate in this great event. Click here to view sponsorship…

Christina Harris Schwinn will discuss employment law and recent legislative developments impacting employers at “The Mad Science Behind the Future of Employee Benefits,” an event featuring local experts in employment law and benefits. The event, hosted by Leading Edge Benefit Advisors, LLC of Fort Myers,…

Date:  Monday, March 23, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. Location:  Pavese Law Firm, 1833 Hendry Street, Fort Myers, Florida. Auction Notice  

Ms. Schwinn will speak on the topic, “Student Internships: the Good, the Bad, and the Reality” at the Tuesday, March 3 luncheon meeting of the Florida Public Relations Association. The panel discussion will cover the legal, professional and practical aspects of internships from both the…

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Dec. 30, 2014) – As Lee County’s steady recovery from the recession continues, join three local real estate experts who will provide insight into critical questions about the local residential, land and commercial real estate industries at The News-Press Market Watch 2015:…

Pavese Law Firm is the seminar sponsor for the event to be held on Saturday, March 21 from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) Cohen Center Ballroom. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with business attorneys one-on-one during…

To demonstrate their support of Junior Achievement, Christina Harris Schwinn and her husband Jim will participate in the first Over the Edge urban adventure fundraiser for Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida. The fundraiser takes place on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, at the Naples Grande Beach…

Partner, Christina Harris Schwinn will be the featured guest speaker at the Jan. 8 meeting of the Gulf Coast Paralegal Association (GCPA) at Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers. Schwinn will discuss how to effectively address conflict in the workplace between coworkers and management….

While disputes in the workplace are inevitable, left unresolved, conflicts can disrupt productivity, negatively impact morale and create potential  liability for an employer. Partner, Christina Harris Schwinn will share strategies for effectively addressing and dealing with conflict in the workplace during a May 8 seminar beginning at…

I’ve had a few people with Yahoo, Bellsouth and AT&T email tends to grumble of lost passwords or hacked accounts as of late. Programmers either speculated the secret word, tricked the casualty into surrendering the watchword by means of a phishing assault, or got entrance…

Mary Vlasak Snell will speak to women business owners on legal considerations surrounding business succession planning during the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) of Southwest Florida meeting on May 2 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Club at Grandezza clubhouse, located at…

Gulfshore Business, April 2013 Neale Montgomery‘s Mastery of real estate and environmental issues in land development has guided her through the complex regulations of large projects such as Golf Coast Town Center and Miromar Lakes. A partner of Pavese Law Firm for more than two…

Time:  11:30 – 1:00 p.m. Meeting Discussion:  Social Media on Litigation Location:  The Crowne Plaza, 13051 Bell Tower Drive, Fort Myers, FL (Adjacent to the Bell Tower Shops). This program has been submitted to HR Certification Institute and has been pre-approved for 1 general recertification…

Date:  Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. Location:  Pavese Law Firm, 1833 Hendry Street, Fort Myers, Florida. All sales final at close of bidding – no guarantees are given on any property, personal or otherwise and no refunds given for any reason.

Gulfshore Business Daily – January 22, 2013 Pavese Law Firm partner Neale Montgomery was appointed to the South Florida Water Management District’s Water Resources Advisory Committee. Montgomery and other committee members provide recommendations to the South Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board and the South…

Gulfshore Business Daily – January 9, 2013Pavese Law Firm partner Katherine R. English was appointed to the Florida Farm Bureau’s Water and Natural Resources Advisory Committee. English and other committee members advise the bureau’s state board of directors, providing insight on issues relating to agriculture. English was…

Thursday, January 10, 2013 – 5:00pm – 8:00pm This month’s guest speaker, Neale Montgomery, a partner at Pavese Law Firm will be speaking on Land Use at the Gulf Coast Paralegal Association meeting on Thursday, January 10, 2013.  The meeting starts at 6:00 p.m. with social and networking from…

Gulfshore Business Daily – January 2, 2013 Pavese Law Firm attorneys and staff teamed up with the Salvation Army to help provide for the tangible needs of deserving recipient families during the holidays. More than 13,000 families benefit from the Salvation Army’s annual holiday drive….

Pavese Law Firm’s managing partner, Charles Mann presented a check to Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida for $1,500 to support the nonprofit organization in providing programs at schools throughout Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties. Junior Achievement provides in-school and after-school programs for students in Collier,…

Author:  Christina Harris Schwinn, Esq. Published in: Northeastern University Law Journal, Vol. 6 No. 2, 411-434 Recent Developments Deprive Employees of Their Rightful Overtime Compensation under the FSLA.  Read More…

The Pavese Law Firm is pleased to announce that they will be one of the sponsors of the Junior League of Fort Myers’ 30th Annual Taste of the Town. The event is to be held on Sunday, November 4, 2012. From its beginning 30 years…

Tuesday, August 21, 2012 – 11:30am – 1:00pm Partner, Christina Harris Schwinn will be a panelist at the Above Board Chamber of Florida meeting on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 at the Hilton Garden Inn, 12600 University Drive, Ft. Myers. If you are interested in finding out your “Legal Rights as…

Tuesday, August 21, 2012 – 5:30pm – 9:00pm Partner, Christina Harris Schwinn will be a guest speaker at the Insurance Professionals of Lee County dinner meeting on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. located at the Crowne Plaza, 13051 Bell Tower Drive, Fort Myers, Florida.  Ms. Schwinn will be…

Katherine R. English; and Kathleen Oppenheimer Berkey, AICP of Pavese Law Firm’s Land Use and Local Government practice area will present at the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association’s (APA) annual conference to be held Sept. 12-15 at the Waldorf Astoria Naples. On Friday,…

Partner Eric D. Molina has been certified as a circuit mediator by the Supreme Court of Florida, qualifying him to mediate a variety of cases for which he can be retained or court-appointed, facilitating alternative dispute resolution between parties in civil and commercial cases in the twentieth…

Governor Scott signed Executive Order 12-140 this week, declaring a state of emergency due to the severe weather of Tropical Storm Debby.   The declaration is effective statewide and will expire on Friday, August 24, 2012, unless otherwise extended. Permits and other authorizations are extended for…

Graduating with honors, Pavese Law Firm partner Christina Harris Schwinn received her second Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School on May 19. The LL.M. degree is an advanced law degree with a focus on a particular practice area. Schwinn’s second LL.M. is…

School is out for the summer and high school students (many of whom are under the age of 18) are “pounding the pavement” and looking for the perfect summer job.  For the purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act (“Act”), the federal law that governs…

Partners, Stephen E. Dalton, Peter J. Gravina, Diane L. Jensen and Christopher J. Shields have been named to the 2012 Florida Super Lawyers list in Florida Super Lawyers magazine. No more than five percent of the attorneys in Florida are selected to the list. In addition, Brooke N. Martinez has been named to the 2012…

Tuesday, May 22, 2012 – 7:00am – 2:00pm Pavese Law Firm will be a 19th Hole Sponsor at the Realtor Association of Greater Fort Myers and the Beach 2012 Golf Benefit Tournament at the Verandah Golf Club, 12211 River Village Way Fort Myers.

Thursday, May 3, 2012 – 5:00pm – 7:00pm Pavese Law Firm will be a sponsor at the Lee County’s Association for Women Lawyers’ Annual Judicial Appreciation Reception honoring Judge Greider being held at the Art of the Olympians, 1300 Hendry Street, Fort Myers. Sponsorships Available: …

Pavese Law Firm was honored with the Wall Raiser Award from  Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties, a non-profit organization that provides families the opportunity to own their own home. During a recent awards ceremony to recognize local volunteers, Habitat for Humanity of…

Thursday, February 23, 2012 – 4:30pm – 7:30pm Tickets are still available for The News-Press 2012 Market Watch. Prices are $60 per person for general non-reserved seating, $529 for premium placement reserved tables of eight and $649 for premium placement reserved tables of ten. Tickets…

Christopher J. Shields, a partner at Pavese Law Firm, received his board recertification in real estate law from The Florida Bar. Board certification is the highest level of evaluation by The Florida Bar of the competency and experience of attorneys in the 24 areas of…

Gulf Coast Business Review October 7 – October 13, 2011 Pavese Law Firm is pleased to announce that Eric D. Molina was selected as one of the Gulf Coast Business Review’s Top 40 Under Forty, recognizing his dedication to Southwest Florida’s business community.  Molina received…

Update as of October 4, 2011, The NLRA’s new rule was supposed to take effect on November 14, 2011, but has been postponed until January 31, 2012, and it applies to a wide variety of private sector employees, but not all. August 25, 2011, the…

WINK RADIO Interview by Jim McLaughlin with Brooke (Bockemuehl) Martinez, Attorney at the Pavese Law Firm and JFLM Public Affairs Committee Member on September 9th. The focus of the interview was about the upcoming SPAC Conference. http://www.winknewsradio.com/Power-Players

Pavese Law Firm congratulates partner Christina Harris Schwinn on reaching a milestone of 20 years since her admittance to the Florida Bar on Sept. 27, 1991. During her 20 years as a member of the Florida Bar and prior to joining the Pavese Law Firm, Schwinn served…

Attorney Brooke (Bockemuehl) Martinez of Pavese Law Firm was selected to the state public affairs committee for the Junior League of Fort Myers. Bockemuehl will assist in organizing a statewide conference for Junior League delegates. The conference is planned for Sept. 9–11 at the Sanibel Harbor…

OYO is commonly known as OYO rooms. It is an indigenous hotel brand that is into providing quality room services at most precious rates. Currently, OYO is carrying its operations in Malaysia and in 200 other Indian cities. The CEO of OYO is Ritesh Agarwal…

Date Published: 2011-04-13 Author: Irene Kennedy Quincey Water Management District and Basin Board Appointments (As of June 9, 2011) The Governing Board members of the state’s five water management districts are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.  There are 9 Governing Board…

Gulfshore Business Daily – June 24, 2011 Eric D. Molina, Pavese Law Firm partner, was admitted to practice as a member and an officer of the U.S. Supreme Court. To be admitted to the Supreme Court Bar attorneys must be admitted to the highest court…

Pavese Law Firm partner Christina Harris Schwinn spoke to entrepreneurial-minded teens on June 21 during Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida’s annual CEO Academy. Schwinn, whose primary practice areas include employment law, business transactions, community association law and real estate law, provided students with background on the legal…

Pavese Law Firm is pleased to announce that five lawyers were selected in the 2011 Florida Super Lawyers and 2011 Rising Stars list appearing in the Florida Super Lawyers magazine.  From the state, only five percent of lawyers are named to the Florida Super Lawyers list; no…

Mary Vlasak Snell, a Partner with Pavese Law Firm was recently elected to serve a three year term on the School Board of Bishop Verot Catholic High School.  Christopher J. Shields, also a Partner with Pavese Law Firm and an existing member of the Bishop Verot…

June 1 event kicks off final phase of Community UP Rising Pavese Law Firm is sponsoring the final phase of Harlem Heights Cultural Arts & Community Center campaign. The Chamber of Southwest Florida’s Leadership Lee County is helping The Heights Foundation in its mission to…

In the May 2nd edition of the Naples Daily News, Christopher J. Shields, Esq. was recently quoted on “How Community Associations were Coping with Mortgage Foreclosures?”   Mr. Shields is a Florida Bar Board Certified Real Estate Lawyer and heads the Community Association Law section of…

Gulfshore Business Daily April 6, 2011 Diane L. Jensen, Partner at Pavese Law Firm, was reappointed to the panel of trustees for the Middle District of Florida by the Federal Bankruptcy Court, effective through March 31, 2012. As a member of the panel, Jensen is…

Written by: Neale Montgomery Agriculture is important to Lee County and the State of Florida on several levels.  Agriculture is an important economic engine.  In 2007, agriculture represented $58.2 billion of the Gross State Product, and 13.3 % of all the jobs in the state….

Date Published: 2011-04-13 Author: Neale Montgomery Agriculture is important to Lee County and the State of Florida on several levels. Agriculture is an important economic engine. In 2007, agriculture represented $58.2 billion of the Gross State Product, and 13.3 % of all the jobs in…

Author: Irene Kennedy Quincey A common question arising in the early evaluation of an Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) is when must an applicant have an easement in order to legally flow water over adjacent lands? Those rights might not always be clearly laid out in a…

Author: Peter J. Gravina Over the years I have run into three areas where agricultural property owners do not always pay sufficient attention to real estate title matters which affect their property. Typically, the shortcomings are: documented legal access from a public road, drainage rights,…

Attorney Brooke Bockemuehl of Pavese Law Firm has been appointed to the Saks Fifth Avenue community advisory board. The purpose of the board is to discuss the socioeconomic needs of Southwest Florida and to explore and execute programs that demonstrate goodwill within the community. Bockemuehl, an associate…

Pavese Law Firm partner Christina Harris Schwinn has graduated from the Chamber of Southwest Florida’s Leadership Lee County program. Schwinn and 15 other community leaders from the 24thclass of Leadership Lee County were recognized during a graduation ceremony held on Friday, Feb. 25 at the St. Charles Yacht…

Charles Mann and William T. Haverfield II have been named co-managing partners at Pavese Law Firm (www.paveselaw.com). As co-managing partners, Mann and Haverfield will work together in overseeing all aspects of the firm’s operations. Mann joined Pavese Law Firm in 2000 and became a partner in the…

Author: Neale Montgomery Once a year the property appraiser’s office classifies land as agricultural or non-agricultural. Helping landowner’s retain their land is important to the community because it helps to stem the downward pressure on property values. Agricultural or conservation exemptions can help keep the…

Author: Peter J. Gravina Recently, there has been quite a bit of press coverage regarding the halting of foreclosures because of short comings in the documents filed to prove the loan ownership and the amounts due on the foreclosed loan. “Robo-signing” the name adopted for…

Author: Katherine R. English As a result of the November elections, the House Agriculture Committee lost 16 of its existing 28 members (including 13 Democrats) when the 112th Congress was sworn in. The Honorable Frank Lewis of Oklahoma will serve as Chairman of the House Agriculture…

Date Published: 2009-07-27 Author: Christina Harris Schwinn Download Article: Impact of Changes to FL Unemployment Compensation Laws The recent economic downturn and corresponding rise in the number of unemployed individuals in Florida has put a strain on the funds available for unemployment compensation for those workers laid…

Date Published: 2010-05-27 Author: Christina Harris Schwinn The Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Red Flag Rules (“Rules”) were originally slated to go into effect on June 1, 2008. Since that time, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) announced a number of extensions regarding the enforcement date….

Date Published: 2009-04-01 Author: Christina Harris Schwinn Article Download: Unpaid Wage Claims in Florida A recent decision issued by Florida’s Second District Court of Appeals1 is a powerful reminder to employers that former employees employed in Florida have a statutory right to recover unpaid wages separate…

Date Published: 2009-02-01 Author: Christina Harris Schwinn Article Download: Could It Be a New Era In Employee Rights   2009 brings with it a new presidential administration and a Congress in Washington, D.C., which is dominated by democrats.  Since democrats took control of the House and…

Date Published: 2009-05-01 Author: Christina Harris Schwinn Article Download: Crossing the Line – Just Say No   In April of this year, another news story aired for several days relating to sexually explicit emails being sent and received by employees while at and during working hours. …

Date Published: 2009-03-01 Author: Christina Harris Schwinn Article Download: American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009   This article provides an overview only of the monetary assistance available to individuals who find themselves unemployed due to no fault of their own in connection with maintaining their…

Date Published: 2009-05-27 Author: Christina Harris Schwinn Click to Download Article: Mandatory Paid Leave Benefits Private Sector Employers Currently, private sector employers in the State of Florida have no obligation to offer paid leave benefits. The obligation to provide paid sick or vacation leave benefits to…

Date Published: 2009-12-30 Author: Christina Harris Schwinn View Article Here: Looking Back-Looking Forward By the time this article is published, 2009 will have ended and the New Year will have begun.  As you may recall at the beginning of 2009, I wrote an article which discussed…

Date Published: 2010-01-27 Author: Christina Harris Schwinn In recent years, a number of laws have been enacted imposing requirements on businesses to protect an individual’s confidential information obtained from an individual in connection with a business transaction.  What laws will apply in any given situation…

Date Published: 2009-09-28 Author: Christina Harris Schwinn View the article here: Contracting with Federal Government, Social Security Numbers and E-Verify On September 8, 2009, a new social security number verification requirement went into effect.  The rule requires contractors and employers that contract with the federal government…

Date Published: 2011-02-01 Author: Peter J. Gravina   Recently, there has been quite a bit of press coverage regarding the halting of foreclosures because of short comings in the documents filed to prove the loan ownership and the amounts due on the foreclosed loan.  “Robo-signing”…

Pavese Law Firm has named attorney Eric D. Molina an equity partner. Molina joined the firm as an associate in 2001 and his primary areas of practice include general, civil and commercial litigation; real estate litigation; family law; creditors’ rights and collections; and immigration law (family based…

Mr. Shields spoke on November 5, 2010 at the Club Controllers Group Breakfast held at Kensington Country Club in Naples regarding Reserves, Financial Reporting and Collection of Assessment Strategies. This event was sponsored by McGladrey, LLP, Certified Public Accountants.

Six partners at Pavese Law Firm (www.paveselaw.com) have received the LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating, the highest possible rating for professional skill and integrity in the legal profession based on the confidential opinions of the practicing attorneys and judges surveyed. The AV Preeminent rating was…

Mary Vlasak Snell, a partner at Pavese Law Firm (www.paveselaw.com), has received the Five-Star Wealth Manager award for overall client satisfaction. Less than seven percent of wealth management professionals in Southwest Florida receive this award, which is based on client survey results and a panel…

Over the years I have run into three areas where agricultural property owners do not always pay sufficient attention to real estate title matters which affect their property.  Typically, the shortcomings are: documented legal access from a public road, drainage rights, and oil, gas and…

Amendment 4 was originally proposed in 2003, during the height of Florida’s development boom and strongest economy in decades.  It was designed to slow growth or stop it completely by requiring that every amendment to local comprehensive plans would be put to a vote of…

In order to assist economic recovery in communities, the 2009 Community Renewal Act provided alternatives to transportation concurrency requirements. Recently the Act was ruled unconstitutional after some local governments sued to stop the changes.” The 2009 SB 360 RECENTLY FOUND TO VIOLATE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION In…

The Pavese Law Firm is pleased to announce that Charles Mann, a partner in the firm, has become board certified in real estate law by The Florida Bar.  Certification is the highest level of recognition by The Florida Bar of the competency and experience of attorneys…

The Chamber of Southwest Florida has formed its fall 2010 Leadership Lee Class. Members are:  Catherine Bergerson, Edison State College; Jack Dillon, Kraft Construction; Peg Elmore, SWFL Workforce Development Board; Joanne Hartke, FGCU Institute of Government; Doreen Herring, Realtor Association of Greater Fort Myers and…

Members of our Real Estate Team pride themselves on the depth and breadth of experience they bring to a real estate transaction and the firm’s ability to handle every aspect of the deal, whether it is representing a buyer or a seller in a simple…

Pavese Law Firm is pleased to announce that Attorney, Brooke N. Martinez, an associate in the Civil Litigation division, was elected President of the Board of Lee County Association of Women Lawyers (“LCAWL”). The Association actively promotes gender equality and the leadership roles of LCAWL’s members…

If permission is granted by one Board member, is the Association legally stopped from enforcing its governing documents? In Curci Village Condominium Association, Inc. v. Santa Maria, 14 So. 3d 1175 (Fla. 4th DCA, June 17, 2009), an Owner in a homeowners association verbally asked…

Published in: Lee Building Industry Association Effective November 1, 2008, the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Red Flag Rules (“Rules”) take effect. While the Rules clearly apply to financial institutions and credit card issuers, upon closer examination it becomes clear that the Rules apply to…

Attorneys Stephen Dalton, Peter Gravina, Diane Jensen and Christopher Shields of the Pavese Law Firm (www.paveselaw.com) have been named by Super Lawyers Corporate Counsel magazine as top attorneys in their area of practice in Florida, and the firm’s Charles Mann has been named as a Rising Star. Dalton’s primary areas of practice include real estate,…

Date Published: 2009-06-01 Author: Christopher J. Shields Article Download: Summer 2009 Community Newsletter Part 1 – VOL. 20 NO. 8 – JUNE 2009 Legislative Update

Date Published: 2010-03-24 Author: Christina Harris Schwinn Who is an independent contractor? An independent contractor for under Florida’s Workers’ Compensation Law is someone who meets at least 4 of the following criteria (see FS 440.02): (I) The independent contractor maintains a separate business with his…

During the 2009 Legislative Session, the Florida Legislature proposed several bills, including one that was intended to require lenders to conclude a foreclosure action within one (1) year after the filing of the complaint, or be held responsible for all assessments due to the Association…

It has “checks and balances” that give businesspeople confidence that their contributions are being spent wisely, says Pavese law Firm Partner Mary Snell, who got involved 20-plus years ago by serving on the allocations committee.  Although everyone is trimming budgets, it’s important to continue giving at…

Date Published: 2009-10-21 Author: Christina Harris Schwinn Download Article: FLSA Record Keeping Requirements Originally Published by Lee Building Industry Association, www.bia.net. The Fair Labor Standards Act (“Act”) imposes a requirement on covered employers to maintain accurate records for each non-exempt worker employed by the employer. Generally…

The Lee County Bar Association recently recognized a number of area firms for their pro bono work during the association’s Quarterly and Year-End Pro Bono Service Competition. For the quarterly awards, which included complimentary services from June 1 through Aug. 31, Osterhout, McKinney & Prather;…

Date Published: 2009-01-01 Author: Christina Harris Schwinn Click here to view article: An Employee Handbook is a Valuable Business Resource (1-09)   When used properly, employee handbooks can be a very useful management and employee relations tool.  An employee handbook should provide the basic underpinnings of…

Effective November 1, 2008, the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Red Flag Rules (“Rules”) take effect.  While the Rules clearly apply to financial institutions and credit card issuers, upon closer examination it becomes clear that the Rules apply to many businesses.  The Rules also apply…

Partner, Christina Harris Schwinn will speak to Dress for Success (www.dressforsuccess.org/swflorida) clients at the Entrepreneurial Spirit Conference for Women.  Schwinn, who provides pro-bono legal services to Dress for Success, will join several other panelists to speak to attendees about legal and employment law issues. Schwinn’s primary practice…

Mortgage Holders In Unincorporated Lee County Must Take Responsibility For Distressed Property Many Association Towing Practices Have Been Immobilized Board Recalls Recent Case Calls Into Question Association’s Ability to Prove Delinquency Bad Debts 55+ Housing For Older Persons Registration and Renewal Requirement Landlord Tenant Law…

Effective July 1, 2011, the Florida Legislature enacted amendments to Chapter 443 of the Florida Statutes governing unemployment compensation benefits and taxes.  Prior to the July 1, 2011 amendment, many employers complained about an employee being able to receive unemployment benefits even though the employee…

Water Management District and Basin Board Appointments (As of June 9, 2011) The Governing Board members of the state’s five water management districts are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. There are 9 Governing Board members of each of the water management…

Date:  Monday, February 2, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. Location:  Pavese Law Firm, 1833 Hendry Street, Fort Myers, Florida. All sales final at close of bidding – no guarantees are given on any property, personal or otherwise and no refunds given for any reason. Auction Notice

Legislative Update – House Bill 807 Florida Condominium Act (Chapter 718) Homeowners’ Associations (HOAs) (Chapter 719) Cooperatives (Chapter 719) Senate Bill 440 – Clarifies That Certain Sections of Chapter 718 Apply to Residential Condominiums Senate Bill 7037 – New Statutory Notice Requirements and More House…

Author: Irene Kennedy Quincey At the beginning of the year, the 2011 dry season was projected to be one of the driest on record. Couple that with the new low Lake Okeechobee Regulation schedule and we were expecting the Lake Okeechobee Basin to be in more…

Partner, Christina Harris Schwinn will focus on the benefits of reducing employee turnover during the Nov. 12 Building Managers International (BMI)’s Collier County chapter meeting to be held at the Vanderbilt Country Club at 8250 Danbury Blvd. in Naples, Florida. The public is invited to…

Chapter 558, Florida Statutes Resolving Construction Defects For Community Associations Civil Rights – Florida Supreme Court Rules Pregnancy Is A Protected Class Directors Are Well Insulated From Personal Liability But Should Make Sure They Are Also Entitled To A Defense In The Case Of A…

The National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) oversees the enforcement of the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”) and is authorized to promulgate rules enforcing the NLRA.  As a matter of background, the NLRA is the federal law that protects an employee’s right, among other rights, to…

Date Published: 2010-04-01 Author: Christina Harris Schwinn On April 1, 2010, the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) issued a press release in which it announced a new DOL website. The website – www.dol.gov/wecanhelp/ — is part and parcel of the DOL’s public outreach and education…

Christina Harris Schwinn will serve as a facilitator for the Southwest Florida Community Foundation’s iLab workshop on Thursday, December 18, 2014 at Miromar Design Center in Estero, Florida. A daylong workshop, iLab brings together nonprofit organizations interested in learning more about the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation…

Women’s Legacy Fund Prima Donors are women interested in being part of collective philanthropy and becoming a lifetime member of the WLF. Founded in 1976, the Southwest Florida Cummunity Foundation supports the communities and also acts as the regional convener around local issues, and leader…

Written by Christopher J. Shields Mortgage Holders In Unincorporated Lee County Must Take Responsibility For Distressed Property Many Association Towing Practices Have Been Immobilized Board Recalls Recent Case Calls Into Question Association’s Ability to Prove Delinquency Bad Debts 55+ Housing For Older Persons Registration and…

Attorney Susan M. McLaughlin has joined the Pavese Law Firm and will focus her practice on condominium and homeowner association law, which includes assisting clients with rule enforcement, discrimination charges, insurance claims and breach of contract. She was a founding partner with the Condo & HOA Law…

Date Published: 2007-05-01 Author: Christina Harris Schwinn Over the last 30 plus years, many of us have witnessed major technological advances that many of the younger generation take for granted (of course, those of us who remember the advent of the fax machine remember our…

Don’t miss learning about what will impact your business in the coming year! Steven C. Hartsell will be speaking at the 2014 Florida Legislative Wrap-Up: Actions, Defeats & Consequences on Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at The Club at Grandezza, 11481 Grand Oak Blvd. in Estero…

Date: Tuesday, November 19, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. Location: Pavese Law Firm, 1833 Hendry Street, Fort Myers, Florida. All sales final at close of bidding – no guarantees are given on any property, personal or otherwise and no refunds given for any reason.  

Date Published: 2012-03-01 Author: Christina Harris Schwinn Depending on your perspective, social media can either be a drain on productivity or a great promotional opportunity for businesses.  Either way, social media has made its way into the workplace.  While being valuable new tools of the…

Pavese Law Firm is the exclusive title sponsor for the event to be held on Saturday, Jan. 26 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) Cohen Center Ballroom. Pavese Law Firm attorneys will donate their time to help answer…

Gulfshore Business Daily, July 18, 2014 Charles B. Capps, Partner at Pavese Law Firm, has earned his board certification in real estate law from The Florida Bar. Board certification is the highest level of evaluation by The Florida Bar of the competency and experience of…

At the beginning of the year, the 2011 dry season was projected to be one of the driest on record.  Couple that with the new low Lake Okeechobee Regulation schedule and we were expecting the Lake Okeechobee Basin to be in more severe water shortage…

Gulfshore Business Daily – October 2, 2013 Susan Galbraith has joined the Pavese Law Firm bringing more than 38 years of experience to the role of assistant firm administrator, responsible for managing firm operations including accounting, human resources, technology and marketing operations. Prior to joining…

Written by Christopher J. Shields To view the full newsletter, click here.

As a result of the November elections, the House Agriculture Committee lost 16 of its existing 28 members (including 13 Democrats) when the 112th Congress was sworn in.  The Honorable Frank Lewis of Oklahoma will serve as Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee for the…

Pavese Law Firm is pleased to announce that paralegal, Kelly B. VanBenschoten completed the advanced paralegal certification program on contracts administration/contracts management, earning her third Advanced Certified Paralegal credential. She previously earned designation in land use and real estate principles, as well as a certified…

Tuesday, October 29, 2013 – 7:30am – 12:00pm The News-Press is holding its Market Watch Workforce Now “Aligning Business and Education” on Tuesday, October 29, 2013 at Harborside Event Center. The Market Watch Workforce Now program will include: Welcome remarks from Florida Governor Rick Scott New research and…

Date:  Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. Location:  Pavese Law Firm, 1833 Hendry Street, Fort Myers, Florida. All sales final at close of bidding – no guarantees are given on any property, personal or otherwise and no refunds given for any reason. Auction Notice

Date:  Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. Location:  Pavese Law Firm, 1833 Hendry Street, Fort Myers, Florida. All sales final at close of bidding – no guarantees are given on any property, personal or otherwise and no refunds given for any reason.

Attorney Matt Livesay has joined the Pavese Law Firm, primarily focusing his practice in the areas of estate planning, probate and trust administration, taxation, real estate and business law. Prior to joining Pavese Law Firm, Livesay worked in a state and local tax specialty group…

Written by Christopher J. Shields Summer 2013 Legislative Updates… To read about these legislative updates, click here.

Join Pavese Law Firm and Leading Edge Benefit Advisors for a complimentary seminar focused on “What to do when the Department of Labor Comes Knocking on Your Door.” Part of the Lunch & Learn Series, the employment law seminar, will feature guest speakers; Christina Harris…

Unintended Consequences of Association Action in the Context of Violation Hearing The law of unintended consequences is an adage that actions of people and governments always have effects that are unanticipated and often undesirable. The law of unintended consequences is always at work and everywhere,…

Pavese Law Firm is pleased to announce that paralegal, Kelly B. VanBenschoten completed the advanced paralegal certification program on contracts administration/contracts management, earning her third Advanced Certified Paralegal credential. She previously earned designation in land use and real estate principles, as well as a certified…

Date Published: 2013-02-01 Author: Christopher J. Shields Does Adventura Change Anything? Click to view: Winter 2013 Community Law Newsletter – March 2013

Pavese Law Firm is pleased to announce that the four (4) attorneys, in their respective practice areas, have been selected as Best Lawyers in America for 2013: Stephen E. Dalton (real estate) Diane L. Jensen (bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization) Neale Montgomery (law use and zoning) Christopher…

Date Published: 2013-01-14 Author: Christopher J. Shields Click to View: Winter 2013 Community Law Newsletter – January 2013 Pavese Law Firm Welcomes Susan McLaughlin Court Rules In Favor of Association In Quiet Title Action Who is Responsible for the Maintenance and Expenses of Improvements to the…

Date:  Tuesday, July 29, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. Location:  Pavese Law Firm, 1833 Hendry Street, Fort Myers, Florida. All sales final at close of bidding – no guarantees are given on any property, personal or otherwise and no refunds given for any reason.

TWO OF THE MORE THAN 2,000 BILLS expected to be considered by the 2014 Florida Legislature could impact the way businesses hire employees. Designed to give potential employees with not-so-stellar criminal and credit backgrounds a better chance of scoring a first interview or getting the…

In compliance with the Supreme Court’s ruling earlier this summer, the IRS has issued Revenue Ruling 2013.17 (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rr-13-17.pdf) which provides that legally married same sex couples are entitled to the same tax benefits as married heterosexual couples.    Even though Florida does not recognize same sex…

Date Published: 2012-11-09 Author: Christopher J. Shields Click to View: Fall 2012 Community Law Newsletter – November 2012 Pre-Arbitration Notices Under F.S. 718.1255

CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION ELECTIONSStrict compliance with the rules and procedures set forth in Section 718.112(d) of the Florida Statutes and Section 61B-23.0021 of the Florida Administrative Code, as summarized below, is crucial in condominium elections.   Failure to comply with these procedural requirements could result in the…

Christina Harris Schwinn has been selected by HRMA of Southwest Florida to represent it at HR Florida’s annual “Day on the Hill” on April 2 and 3 in Tallahassee. “Day on the Hill” provides representatives from HR Florida and affiliated members of the Society for…

Gulfshore Business Daily – August 22, 2013 Pavese Law Firm is pleased to announce that several partners were selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America 2014, a peer-selected publication of Woodward/White in Aiken, S.C. Diane L. Jensen (bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization law), Neale Montgomery (land use…

Date Published:2012-07-11 Author: Christopher J. Shields Click to view: Summer 2012 Community Law Newsletter – July 2012 Special Training? Not Required.

The distinction between whether an individual is classified as an employee or an independent contractor can affect business owners in a variety of ways, including how employers withhold a variety of taxes. Misclassification of an individual may result in a number of costly legal consequences….

In May, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced a settlement with a Denver-area apartment complex over its rules governing kids’ behavior in the complex. The settlement requires the owners to, among other things, build a $10,000 playground. Though the enforcement action involved…

Florida’s minimum wage increases to $7.93 per hour effective January 1, 2014.

Date Published: 2012-04-02 Author: Christopher J. Shields Article Download: Spring 2012 Community Newsletter – April 2012 Prohibiting New Owners From Leasing Units

Is your HOA board getting contacted by companies offering to purchase your association’s accounts receivable? It’s called “factoring,” and there’s a ready market if you’re interested. When might that be worth considering instead of hiring a collection agency to collect your HOA’s debt? Rarely, say…

On July 24, 2013, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a district court and issued an important decision affecting employer liability under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (“OSH Act”) in a case involving supervisor misconduct, Comtran Group, Inc. v. U.S. Department…

Partners, William T. Haverfield II, Diane L. Jensen, Neale E. Montgomery, Irene Kennedy Quincey, Christopher J. Shields, Katherine R. English, and Eric D. Molina are recognized in the 2013 edition of Florida Trend’s Florida Legal Elite™.  The list of 1,228 honorees, published in the July issue of Florida Trend magazine, includes attorneys in…

Date Published: 2012-01-18 Author: Christopher J. Shields Article Download: Winter 2012 Community Law Newsletter Case Law and Rule Update

At a recent California community association forum, a friendly professional disagreement arose over a manager’s contention that individual board members can’t act on anything because individually they have no standing to act. He insists individual board members can act only when they comprise a board,…

At its September 25, 2012 meeting, the Lee County Board of County Commissioners (“BOCC”) repealed Lee County’s ordinance that provided for equal opportunity in employment (“Ordinance”) to employees who worked for employers with 6 or more employees, but with 14 or fewer employees.  The Ordinance…

In a September 2012 HOAleader.com article, we discussed state laws and offered tips for proceeding when nobody runs for the board. One of our Florida experts noted that under Florida laws governing HOAs, the problem solves itself because board members serve until their replacement is selected. Florida laws…

Small business owners are awash in employment law changes for 2014 and some local professionals are offering their expertise to help people find their way. Christina Harris Schwinn, partner in the Pavese Law Firm, and David C. Raimey, managing member of Leading Edge Benefit Advisors,…

Date Published: 2011-06-08 Author: Christopher J. Shields Article Download: Summer 2011 Community Law Newsletter News Alert: Florida House Bill 1195 is Enacted and Becomes Law on July 1, 2011.

The growth of mixed-use condo facilities that include condos, retail, and entertainment venues has triggered nasty disputes, and condo owners and associations have been accused of making false complaints and harassment in their attempts to get businesses shut down. Here our experts reveal whether they’ve seen an…

Attorneys’ Title Fund Services, LLC named Pavese Law Firm member of The Fund President’s Circle. The Fund President’s Circle is comprised leaders within the legal profession.  These firms have received this statewide recognition because of the commitment they have shown to their clients and to…

Now is not the time for business complacency. The 2014 Legislative Session is approaching, and there’s a slew of state and federal bills that could impact Southwest Florida employers. With debates ranging from workplace bullying to social media privacy and minimum wage, experts said it’s…

Maronda Homes, Inc. v. Lakeview Reserve Home Owners Assn. 2013 WL 3466814 (Fla. July 11, 2013) The Lakeview Reserve HOA sued Maronda Homes, Inc., developer of the Lakeview Reserve residential subdivision in Orange County, due to drainage systems that failed to operate properly causing flooding, erosion,…

Christina Harris Schwinn will join other local professionals on Thursday, Oct. 9 at the Above Board Chamber of Florida. The Above Board Chamber of Florida is bringing together some of Lee County’s top employment professionals from Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company, P.A., Smart Companies…

On April 25, 2012, the EEOC issued its updated enforcement guidance regarding the use of arrest and conviction records in connection with employment decisions.  If your company has a policy that requires that arrest or conviction records be taken into consideration when making employment decisions,…

Partner Christina Harris Schwinn will join other local human resource (HR) professionals at 11:30 a.m. on July 10 at the Above Board Chamber of Florida. The Above Board Chamber is bringing together Lee County’s top HR professionals from Hertz Corporation, Lee Memorial Health System, the School District…

When Christina Schwinn met Cecilia St. Arnold upon moving to Lee County in 2004, it represented a homecoming of sorts. The Pavese Law Firm partner is an alumna of Junior Achievement (JA), and St. Arnold is Lee County program director for the Southwest Florida chapter…

Summary of Changes Chapter 719, Florida Statutes, Governing Cooperatives

The United States Customs and Immigration Service recently announced that all employers should continue to use the I-9 Employment Verification Form dated August 31, 2012 until further notice. To verify that you are using the proper version of the form, look at the top right-hand…

On April 18, 2012, the United States District Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit granted an emergency motion for injunction suspending the April 30, 2012 required posting date for the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) Right to Know Rule and Poster. Questions regarding the…

FGCU Lutgert College of Business will host a “Social Media and the Law” workshop on Tuesday, July 24, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  The workshop will focus on establishing written policies on social media that address the National Labor Relations Act and anti-discrimination…

Date:  Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. Location:  Pavese Law Firm, 1833 Hendry Street, Fort Myers, Florida. All sales final at close of bidding – no guarantees are given on any property, personal or otherwise and no refunds given for any reason.

Published in: Gulfshore Business Daily – June 14, 2013 Pavese Law Firm partners Diane L. Jensen and Christopher J. Shields and of counsel Peter J. Gravina have been named to the Florida Super Lawyers list as one of the top attorneys in Florida for 2013. No more than five percent of…

Partner, Christina Harris Schwinn has been elected to the board of directors and named legislative chair for 2014 for HRMA Southwest Florida Inc., the local chapter of the national Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). HRMA is a group of human resource professionals who come together to…

Pavese Law Firm is pleased to announce that four (4) lawyers were selected in the 2013 Florida Super Lawyers and 2013 Rising Stars list appearing in the Florida Super Lawyers magazine.  From the state, only five percent of lawyers are named to the Florida Super Lawyers list;…

On March 13, 2012, a federal judge rejected a request by the litigants suing the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) to block implementation of the NLRB’s Right to Know Rule and Poster.  Unless the NLRB voluntarily postpones the implementation date, most private sector employers need…

Written by: Christina Harris Schwinn The United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety & Health Administration (“OSHA”) [the agency charged with enforcement of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (“OSH Act”)[1]] recently launched a new website targeted towards providing information to employers about…

Date Published: 2009-07-31 Author: Christopher J. Shields Article Download: Summer 2009 Community Newsletter Part 3 – July 2009 Real Estate Taxes Presumption of Correctness

Wednesday, July 11, 2012 – 11:30am – 1:00pm The National Association of Women Business Owners of Southwest Florida will host a presentation covering what employers should know about social media from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 11 at The Club at Grandezza clubhouse, 11481 Grand Oak…

School is out for the summer and high school students (many of whom are under the age of 18) are “pounding the pavement” and looking for the perfect summer job. For the purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act (“Act”), the federal law that governs…

Pavese Law Firm was a major Lucky Patcher Apk latest version sponsor of the Florida Gulf Coast University Small Business Development Center’s Entrepreneur’s Law School event on Saturday, January 28, 2012.  The attorneys donated their time to help answer questions for small business owners and…

Effective July 1, 2011, the Florida Legislature enacted amendments to Chapter 443 of the Florida Statutes governing unemployment compensation benefits and taxes.  Prior to the July 1, 2011 amendment, many employers complained about an employee being able to receive unemployment benefits even though the employee…

Date Published: 2008-08-01 Author: Christina Harris Schwinn The Florida Legislature meets each year generally beginning on the first Monday of March and concludes 60 days thereafter. The bills that were passed by both houses of the Legislature are then forwarded to the Governor’s office for action. The…

Date Published: 2011-05-01 Author: Christina Harris Schwinn Last month’s article featured Part I of II – Making Good Hiring Decisions in Good Times and Bad Times.  This month, Part II of II will discuss effective interviewing skills. Effective interviewing skills can be developed if proper attention…

Date Published: 2011-04-01 Author: Christina Harris Schwinn There is no question about the fact that hiring the right employee for your company can be a daunting and time consuming process.  Unfortunately, many employers fail to recognize the overall benefit of having good hiring procedures in…

Date Published: 2007-04-01 Author: Christina Harris Schwinn This article is focused on the private sector, not government employers. Florida is an employer-friendly state.  Unlike some other states, Florida is a right-to-work state and many of the laws that are in place favor the employer, not…

Date Published: 2008-12-01 Author: Christina Harris Schwinn This month’s column will provide the answers to the questions presented in last month’s column in the Wage and Hour Quiz.  The questions have been repeated for the reader’s convenience. 1)    If I pay an employee a salary,…

Date Published: 2010-11-01 Author: Christina Harris Schwinn There are two major pieces of legislation pending in Congress that employers should be aware of as both bills would significantly impact the classification of independent contractors and the tests that are applied for the purposes of determining…

June 1 event kicks off final phase of Community UP Rising Pavese Law Firm is sponsoring the final phase of Harlem Heights Cultural Arts & Community Center campaign. The Chamber of Southwest Florida’s Leadership Lee County is helping The Heights Foundation in its mission to…

Date Published: 2011-04-26 Author: Christina Harris Schwinn OSHA’S Fall Protection Directive Affects Residential Construction Contractors To the chagrin of the National Roofing Contractors Association, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit rejected its challenge to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (“OSHA”) December…

Date Published: 2010-04-01 Author: Christina Harris Schwinn Picking up where we left off last month, this second installment of this article on workplace conflict will focus on practical tips and things to consider when endeavoring to correct or discipline an employee’s inappropriate behavior, conduct or…

Date Published: 2010-02-26 Author: Christina Harris Schwinn Conflict in the workplace is an inevitability that we all deal with on a fairly regular basis. Whether you view conflicts in the workplace as a challenge or an annoyance will depend on your perspective. Encountering difficult people–or…

Date Published: 2010-10-01 Author: Christina Harris Schwinn During tough economic times it is tempting to pay people under the table. Why? To save money. By paying people under the table the employer avoids paying workers’ compensation insurance premiums, the employer’s portion of the social security…

Date Published: 2010-12-01 Author: Christina Harris Schwinn Last month’s article focused on the Employee Misclassification Prevention Act (“EMPA”) which, if passed, will amend the Fair Labor Standards Act. This month’s article focuses on the Fair Playing Field Act of 2010 (“FPFA”) which was introduced into…

Date Published: 2010-08-01 Author: Christina Harris Schwinn The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act amends Section 7 of the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA Amendment”) and requires certain employers to provide mandated breaks to mothers who are nursing during the first year after the birth…

Date Published: 2009-06-30 Author: Christina Harris Schwinn When the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (effective 1992) passed, Congress intended the Act to “provide a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities” and “to provide broad coverage in…