Differences Among the DCAs: What Does Your Florida Judge Want?

Legal Talk Network producer Laurence Colletti interviews appellate attorney Ceci Berman and appellate judges Stephanie Ray, Morris Silberman, and Richard Suarez about their seminar “Differences Among the DCAs” at The Florida Bar 2015 Annual Convention. The appellate judges distinguish differences in motion practice, use of law clerks, staff attorneys, decision making, and what lawyers should and shouldn’t do to be successful in court. They agree that knowledge of individual court rules and concise legal arguments are the most important factors. As a lawyer, Ceci discusses her takeaways from the seminar.

Ceci Berman is an appellate attorney with Brannock & Humphries in Tampa, Florida and is the current chair of the Appellate Practice Section of The Florida Bar.

Judge Stephanie Ray presides over the First District Court of Appeal and is the former chair for the State of Florida Public Employees Relations Commission.

Judge Morris Silberman presides on the Florida Second District Court of Appeal and has been active in a variety of professional and civic organizations.

Judge Richard Suarez presides over the Florida Third District Court of Appeal and is a member of The Florida Bar Association, the Dade County Defense Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and Cuban American Bar Association.