Law360 featured Lawrence Rochefort, chair of Akerman’s Litigation Practice Group, in its “Florida Litigation To Watch In 2020” article.
Rochefort commented on Florida’s high-profile Florigrown case, being led by Akerman in court, which could have implications for the state’s marijuana industry. According to legal experts, if the Florida Supreme Court deems the marijuana legislation’s language unconstitutional, the decision could open up the medical marijuana market significantly.
“The industry in Florida is looking to see what’s happening on the medical marijuana side and see if the vertical model will be upheld. Whatever the decision is will likely dictate how the non-medical marijuana stuff will be handled,” Rochefort said.
Legal experts are also keeping an eye on Florida Bar v. TIKD, Rochefort explained. TIKD Services LLC, a smartphone app connecting drivers with traffic tickets to independent attorneys, is locked in a court battle with the Florida Bar, which argues that the service qualifies as the practice of law and cannot be done by a non-attorney.
“It’s a fascinating juxtaposition of how tough the Florida Bar has historically been versus where we are as a society now,” Rochefort commented of the case.