On May 4, 2023, Leslie Sammis was honored to present the “Case Law Update: Knowledge is Power” at the “Masters of DUI 2023: Top Gun Teaching for Cutting-Edge Advocacy.” The program is a comprehensive, cutting-edge look at the prosecution and defense of alcohol- and drug-related vehicular offenses sponsored by the Criminal Law Section of the Florida Bar.

Designed for basic, intermediate, and experienced DUI attorneys, the event was held at the AC Hotel Tampa Airport and through a Live Webcast. Webcast registrants had 90-day for on-demand access of the CLE. The CLE course is also available to buy for $460 in two formats:

• online seminar (on-demand); and
• downloadable audio.

The Masters of DUI CLE Course number is 6422. The CLE is approved for 15 General CLE credits, which may be applied toward:

• Professional Responsibility Credit Hours: 3
• Ethics Credit Hours: 3
• Technology Credit Hours: 1
• Criminal Appellate Law Credit Hours: 15
• Criminal Trial Law Credit Hours: 15

Day One:  Thursday, May 4, 2023 –

• 9-9:10 AM – Welcome – Program Co-Chairs Susan H. Cohen and David M. Robbins, Epstein & Robbins, Jacksonville
• 9:10-10 AM – Case Law Update: Knowledge is Power – Leslie M. Sammis, Sammis Law Firm, P.A., Tampa
• 10-10:50 AM – Issue Spotting: Putting the Power of Knowledge to Work – Tara A. Anderson, Assistant Public Defender, Sixth Judicial Circuit, Clearwater
• 10:50-11:05 AM – Break
• 11:05-11:55 AM – Preparing a Case: You’re Never Too Old for Homework – Keeley R. Karatinos, Karatinos Law, PLLC, Dade City
• 11:55-12:30 PM – Lunch (included)
• 12:30-1:20 PM – Good Things Happen When You File Motions – E. Michael Isaak, Isaak Law, PLLC, Tampa
• 1:20-2:10 PM – Spotlight on Ethics: A Judicial Perspective – Hon. Roberto Arias, Duval County Judge, Fourth Judicial Circuit, Jacksonville
• 2:10-2:25 PM – Break
• 2:25-3:15 PM – Technology and Practice: Analyzing the Death Star Plans – Elliott A. Wilcox, The Wilcox Law Firm, P.L., Tampa
• 3:15-4:05 PM – Professional Licensing Issues: Those Pesky Collateral Consequences – Kevin M. Griffith, McIntosh Law, Sarasota
• 4:05-4:55 PM – Ethics Panel: Staying Honest While Advocating – Moderator: Brian L. Tannebaum, Brian L. Tannebaum, P.A., Miami
  • Panelists:
    • Michael J. Kessler, Florida Bar Board Certified in Criminal Trial, Kessler Law Firm, Ft. Pierce
    • Nicki A. Mohr, Assistant State Attorney, 13th Judicial Circuit, Tampa
    • Hon. Margaret R. Taylor, Hillsborough County Judge, 13th Judicial Circuit, Tampa
• 4:55-5 PM – Conclusion – Program Co-Chairs Susan H. Cohen and David M. Robbins, Epstein & Robbins, Jacksonville

Day Two:  Friday, May 5, 2023 – 

• 9-9:10 AM – Welcome – Program Co-Chairs Susan H. Cohen and David M. Robbins, Epstein & Robbins, Jacksonville
• 9:10-10:15 AM – Nuts and Bolts of Administrative Hearings – Susan H. Cohen and David M. Robbins, Epstein & Robbins, Jacksonville; Thomas J. Moffett Jr., Chief Counsel, Bureau of Administrative Reviews, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Tallahassee
• 10:15-11:05 AM – Direct Examination: Every Story Paints a Picture – Timothy R. Bussey, The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., Colorado Springs, CO
• 11:05-11:20 AM – Break
• 11:20 AM-12:10 PM – Cross-Examination: Painting a New Picture – Mark Thiessen, Thiessen Law Firm, Houston, TX
• 12:10-12:45 PM.- Lunch Break
• 12:45-1:35 PM – Breath Testing Issues: The Number is Just the Beginning – Robert N. Harrison, Robert N. Harrison, P.A., Venice
• 1:35-2:25 PM – Lab Protocols and Quality Control: You Mean the Analyst Report is Not Gospel? – Janine Arvizu, Certified Quality Auditor, Albuquerque, NM
• 2:25-2:40 PM – Break – 2:40-3:30 PM – Motion Practice in DUI SBI/Manslaughter Cases: The Best Trial Lawyer is the Best Pretrial Lawyer – Robert S. Reiff, Florida Bar Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law, Law Offices of Robert S. Reiff, P.A., Miami
• 3:30-4:20 PM – DUI SBI/Manslaughter Ethics and Trial Tactics: From Both Sides: When All Else Fails –
  • John G. Kalinowski, Assistant State Attorney, Fourth Judicial Circuit, Jacksonville
  • Aaron M. Wayt, Pumphrey Law, Tallahassee
• 4:05-4:10 PM – Conclusion – Program Co-Chairs Susan H. Cohen and David M. Robbins, Epstein & Robbins, Jacksonville