SBCF COVID-19 Statement

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Given the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations regarding social distancing during the COVID-19 outbreak, SBCF is taking every precaution to ensure that our office and employees adhere to recommended health and safety guidelines. Starting on Monday, March 23, the firm’s associate attorneys and paralegals will work remotely, and the remainder of the staff will reduce in-office hours whenever possible. Our business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and calls to the office will be answered during normal work hours. The SBCF team has the capability to continue to represent our clients in an effective manner during this time. Each of us is available by email, and our contact information is online at sbcf-famlaw.com/contact-us. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we focus our efforts on maintaining a safe work environment for our employees, our clients and their families.

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Samantha Branda Joins SBCF as Associate Attorney

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Please join us in welcoming attorney Samantha “Sam” Branda to the SBCF team. Sam moved to the Tampa Bay area in January 2020 from her hometown of Naples, where she has been practicing law since she was admitted to The Florida Bar in 2012. Sam previously was an associate attorney for the Marshall Law Office and was an Assistant Public Defender for the 20th Judicial Circuit. She earned her J.D. degree from NSU Shepard Broad College of Law and her B.A. degree in creative writing from Florida State University. In Naples, she was active in the Collier County Bar Association and the Collier County Women’s Bar Association and volunteered for Legal Aid. She is a new member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association and plans to be involved locally in more organizations. Welcome aboard, Sam!

Samantha Branda

 

Jennifer Ficarrotta is Vice-chair of Marital & Family Law Board Certification Committee

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SBCF partner Jennifer Ficarrotta serves as vice-chair of the nine-member Florida Bar Marital & Family Law Board Certification Committee, which reviews credentials for board certification applicants in that practice area, implements its standards, and administers and grades the Marital & Family Law certification exams. Board certification evaluates attorneys’ special knowledge, skills and proficiency in various areas of law and professionalism and ethics in practice. Board-certified lawyers are evaluated for professionalism and tested for expertise. Jennifer earned Florida Bar Marital & Family Law board certification in 2015; SBCF partners Caroline Black Sikorske and Alex Caballero also are board-certified. We are proud of Jennifer’s involvement in this important role for The Florida Bar.

Jennifer Ficarrotta/Vice-Chair of Certification Committee

SBCF Seeks Administrative Assistant for Client Relations

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Sessums Black is seeking a professional, friendly and outgoing assistant to provide client service via telephone by handling new client telephone screening, performing client intake questionnaire(s) and completing new client paperwork; performing client conflicts checks; scheduling; and entering client information into database. Candidate will be proficient in all Office 365 products, including Outlook, Word, and Excel. Candidate will act as primary back-up to office receptionist and perform other general office duties as directed and delegated by the Firm Administrator. Candidate will possess professional phone etiquette skills and will adhere to the firm’s confidentiality agreement. General office experience required; legal office experience a plus. The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic, cheerful and have a strong drive and work ethic as well as a professional appearance. This is a professional law firm environment where client communication skills are essential to the firm’s practice. Position has the opportunity to become full-time, depending on the skills and performance of the successful candidate. All candidates are subject to pre-employment screening and background check. Local candidates only. Salary commensurate with experience. For consideration, send resume to recruiting@sessumsblack.com.

Now Hiring - Administrative Assistant

Alex Caballero Participates on Judicial Elections Panel

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SBCF Managing Partner Alex Caballero recently took part in a panel discussion on judicial elections and appointments with Dr. Susan A. MacManus and attorney Erin Aebel. Alex serves on the Judicial Nomination Commission for the Second District Court of Appeal and is a former Thirteenth Judicial Circuit JNC commissioner and chair. The event was held at Wright’s Gourmet House and was hosted by Coffee with the Candidates. L-R: Stacy Yates, Erin Aebel, Dr. Susan MacManus and Alex Caballero.

Alex Caballero Judicial Panel