News
Palm Beach Outlets Hosts Back-to-School Supplies Drive for Connections Education Center
Palm Beach Outlets will host a Back-to-School Supplies Drive from Thursday, August 5 through Saturday, August 7, 2021, for Connections Education Center and the Connections High School & Vocational Program. Items of need include backpacks, lunch boxes, crayons, markers, pencils, glue sticks, art supplies, copy paper reams and wipes, among other school supplies. Donations can be dropped off between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. each day in the Food Pavilion at Palm Beach Outlets. For more information, visit
Tax Collector’s Office Honored for Publication Excellence
West Palm Beach, Fla. – – Constitutional Tax Collector Anne M. Gannon, today announced her agency has been named a 2021 APEX Award Winner in Publications Excellence for a One-of-a-Kind Publication for the2021 Tax Planner and Services Guide.The APEX awards, sponsored by Communications Concepts, Inc., is an annual competition for businesses, nonprofits, agencies, and freelance communicators to enter their best writing, publications, campaigns, programs, design, and media. The awards are based on excellence
Nationally-Acclaimed Jewish Education Innovator, Collaborator Named Top Leader of Friedman Commission for Jewish Education
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (July 22, 2021) --- Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County announced Peter Eckstein, a nationally-acclaimed innovator and collaborator in educational fields related to Judaism, Israel and technology, has been named the Vice President of Jewish Education. This role includes serving as the professional leader of the Friedman Commission for Jewish Education, the community’s center for Jewish education which partners with synagogues, religious schools, and other community institutions to
Clerk Alert: Plan Ahead and Apply for Your Passport with ClerkPBC
Plan Ahead and Apply for Your Passport with ClerkPBCMail Delays are Significantly Impacting How Long it Takes to Get a PassportIf your future travel plans require a passport, make sure you allow plenty of time to complete the application process.The U.S. Department of State recently warned my office that mail delays are significantly impacting processing times for passport applications. Routine service can take up to 18 weeks from the day you submit your application. Expedited service can take up to 12
Kravis Center for the Performing Arts Welcomes New Senior Director of Programming
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE KRAVIS CENTER WELCOMES NEW SENIOR DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMING ON AUGUST 23 (West Palm Beach, Fla.) – The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts Board Chairman Jeffrey Stoops announced Georgiana Young will serve as the Kravis Center’s new Senior Director of Programming, starting on August 23. After an impressive 24-year tenure at the Kravis Center, Lee Bell has announced he is stepping down from his role as the current Senior Director of Programming and will be relocating to
Board Members, New Leaders and Award Recipients Announced During Jewish Federation's Annual Meeting
During Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County recent annual meeting, nearly 400 guests came together via Zoom to hear about the state of the Jewish community as well as congratulate several new Board members, new appointments and to honor distinguished award recipients. The following individuals have been appointed and added to Federation’s Board of Directors for the 2021-2022 term: Nancy Beren, Barry Berg, Roslyn Leopold, Betsy Sheer, Scott Holtz and Amy Terwilleger. Additional key appointments at
YMCA of the Palm Beaches Receives $10,000 Grant from Children’s Foundation of Palm Beach County
West Palm Beach, FL – On Tuesday, June 2, YMCA of the Palm Beaches received a $10,000 grant from Children’s Foundation of Palm Beach County. The funds granted will help send local at-risk children to summer day camp where they can enjoy fun daily activities, build friendships, learn to swim, and be cared for in a safe and nurturing environment. “We are so grateful to the Children’s Foundation of Palm Beach County for their generous grant,” said Tim Coffield, CEO and President of the YMCA of the Palm
Rachel Commerford of CPA Firm Caler Donten Levine, Receives CPA License
The CPA firm of Caler, Donten, Levine, Cohen, Porter & Veil, P.A. (CDL) is pleased to announce that Rachel Commerford received her CPA license on June 29. Commerford, a Tax Supervisor, is a graduate of Bethel University (St. Paul, MN) where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in business with an emphasis in accounting. Commerford joined CDL in October 2018. She works primarily on business, individual and trust returns. She also specializes in the restaurant and hospitality
Using Zoom to Stay Connected? Protect Your Privacy.
By Robert W. Wilkins, ShareholderWhat you need to know about protecting your privacy while working remotely. The impact of COVID-19 is being felt by individuals and businesses across the country, resulting in many of us working remotely and relying heavily on technology such as Zoom to stay connected. Zoom, the well-known video and web conferencing platform, has seen a sharp rise in use over the past few weeks with a growing number of individuals and professionals in all industries using the app. While
How The SECURE Act May Affect You and Your Beneficiaries
By David E. Bowers, William G. Smith, Erica R. Haft On December 20, 2019, President Trump signed legislation that contains provisions from the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019 (referred to as the “SECURE Act”). We have summarized below some key considerations and consequences. Significant Changes The SECURE Act alters how Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRAs”) are transferred upon the IRA holder’s death. Effective January 1, 2020, the SECURE Act changes IRA provisions,
Peter A. Sachs, Featured Speaker at the Planned Giving Council of Palm Beach County Event
Jones Foster Litigation Shareholder, Peter Sachs, was a featured speaker at the Planned Giving Council of Palm Beach County’s monthly breakfast meeting. The gathering provides a forum for members and guests to learn from prominent speakers in various industries and to network with professionals who have a role in designing and implementing philanthropic plans. Mr. Sach’s presentation, entitled, Understanding the Diminishing Capacity of Donors and Clients within Philanthropy, discussed the importance of
Get to Know Corporate & Tax and Private Client Attorney William G. Smith
Bill Smith, Firm Shareholder and a member of the Corporate & Tax and Private Client teams, concentrates his practice in the areas of estate planning, estate and trust administration, taxation, and corporate law. We sat down with Bill to discuss his practice here at Jones Foster, as well as some current issues that may impact clients. How do you describe your practice to non-attorneys? I concentrate my practice in the areas of estate planning, estate and trust administration, taxation, and corporate
Jones Foster Litigation Shareholder Steven J. Rothman Joins Prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates
Jones Foster is proud to announce that Litigation Shareholder, Steven Rothman, has been accepted into the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Membership in ABOTA is by invitation-only and is considered to be one of the most prestigious affiliations for trial attorneys. All members must meet a list of professional requirements as well as extol the virtues of civility, integrity, and professionalism. The local Palm Beach Chapter of ABOTA is comprised of only 107 select members of the legal
Local Coffee Table Book Reveals Palm Beach County’s Love of Music
StarGroup Books, a locally based book production company, has released a hardcover coffee table book, entitled, Music & Memories: Palm Beach County 2020. The company solicited feedback from “community voices” late last year and received submissions from Palm Beach County residents and local music professionals in the form of thoughts, anecdotes, and insights, which are featured in the book and document the uniquely personal yet universal power of music. Music-related imagery is interspersed with the
Joanne M. O’Connor, Speaker at The Florida Bar Trial Lawyers Section Event
Litigation Shareholder Joanne O’Connor was a featured speaker at The Florida Bar Trial Lawyers Section’s Civil Trial Update & Board Certification CLE course. Her presentation, entitled ‘Recent Developments in Business Litigation’, discussed topics including; The Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practice Act (FDUTPA); the rise of the independent tort doctrine; proposals for settlement; and new developments in arbitration. The Trial Lawyers Section of The Florida Bar provides a forum for discussion
Understanding Your 2020 Long-Term Care Benefits
“When I sit down with a client, I look at the big picture. I consider the individual, their family situation, medical and emotional needs (short-term and long-term), possible government benefits available (Medicaid, Veterans benefits), tax implications, and then I assist in determining the best plan for their circumstances.” – Genny BernsteinElder Law is a complex and highly specialized area of practice that requires a comprehensive understanding of both State and Federal Laws in addition to the ability to
Get to Know Land Use & Governmental Attorney Thomas J. Baird
Thomas J. Baird, Land Use & Governmental Practice Group Co-Chair, is a Florida Bar Board Certified specialist in City, County, and Local Government Law, and is certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners as a land use planner. We sat down with Tom to get a little more information about his background and his practice here at Jones Foster. How do you describe your practice to non-attorneys? A large part of my practice involves the representation of municipalities and other governmental
Robert W. Wilkins and Joanne M. O’Connor Serve as Panelist and Moderator at Palm Beach County Bar Association Luncheon
Litigation Shareholders Rob Wilkins and Joanne O’Connor served as panelist and moderator, respectively, at the Palm Beach County Bar Association (PBCBA) Judicial Relations Committee ESI Discovery Luncheon, held at the Judge Daniel T. K. Hurley Courthouse. The Judicial Relations Committee presented “A Practitioners Guide to Federal and Florida ESI Discovery”, with panelists assembled to discuss recent federal opinions regarding ESI discovery and the practical implications of ESI for state
Jones Foster Launches New Community Program
Jones Foster Impact, a firmwide community program, was announced this week by the Board of Directors. Jones Foster Impact will offer all employees a platform to collaborate, engage, and collectively impact the community through efforts designed to support local charitable organizations. Board Member and Litigation Shareholder, Theo Kypreos, expects that many positive outcomes will result from this initiative. “I am personally very excited about Jones Foster Impact. For almost a century, our Firm and
Dixie Vodka Secures Multi-Year NASCAR Partnership as First “Official Vodka”
Jones Foster Corporate attorney, Kevin T. Lamb, represented Grain & Barrel Spirits brand, Dixie Vodka, in a multi-year sponsorship deal as the first official vodka of NASCAR. A certified South Carolina product, Dixie Vodka is the largest premium craft vodka produced in the Southeast and is one of the fastest-growing spirit brands in the United States. The NASCAR partnership represents a major branding initiative to expand its market presence by aligning with the iconic sports league and its fervent fan
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Get to Know Litigation Attorney Peter Sachs
Peter Sachs, Litigation Shareholder and the 2020 Best Lawyers in America "Lawyer of the Year" for Trusts & Estates Litigation in West Palm Beach, represents individuals and institutions in the prosecution and defense of complex trust and estate, guardianship, and commercial litigation matters. Peter is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a Florida Bar Board Certified Civil Trial and Business Litigation specialist, and is certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. We sat down with
Scott G. Hawkins Reflects on Role as Former Florida Bar President
PRESIDENTIAL PERSPECTIVES: SCOTT HAWKINS, 2011-12This article was first published on FloridaBar.org, October 10, 2019 As part of a project to document the history of The Florida Bar, the former presidents were asked to comment on the same three questions.Q: How would you like to be remembered as a lawyer and a former Bar president? Hawkins: The opportunity to serve as president of The Florida Bar was a much “richer” experience than I anticipated. Certainly, the opportunities to speak across the state
