HANZMAN ON ZOOM

He was one of the premier civil lawyers, specializing in complex litigation and class action lawsuits. so naturally when he took the circuit bench he immediately went to  Dependency Court, dealing with the toughest family issues involving children. Now in the complex civil litigation division, where he is handling the Miami building collapse case, Judge Michael Hanzman gave an interview to the DBR the other day, where he spoke on the virtues of Zoom. His comments, coming from a successful civil practitioner, are not to be overlooked, but surely will, by the less capable, less tech savvy, and more insecure judges who need lawyers to prostrate themselves before them in court in person.

From The Daily Business Review this week:

"And as far as the coronavirus pandemic, he said the one silver lining has been the state court’s adoption of technology that makes it easier for practicing attorneys. As a result, in the future, the circuit judge said he is not planning to require attorneys to devote several hours to driving downtown, paying $20 to park, and waiting outside of the courtroom for their client’s 10-minute hearing.

“I’m going to continue to have most non-evidentiary hearings, particularly ones that are not complicated and raised relatively straightforward issues, handled remotely,” Hanzman said, “so lawyers can stay at their home or office or wherever they want to be.”

Simply said. Simply correct.