Attorneys Named to 2022 List of ‘Florida Legal Elite’

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Congratulations to the attorneys who have been named to the 2022 list of “Florida Legal Elite” through Florida Trend Magazine. Only 1.3 percent of active Florida Bar members practicing in Florida appear on the list. Florida Trend invited all in-state members of the Florida Bar to name attorneys whom they highly regard or would recommend to others. Now in its 18th year, Florida Legal Elite presents “the state’s top licensed and practicing attorneys selected by their peers.” We are very proud that Caroline Black Sikorske and Alexander Caballero are among the attorneys who have been included this year.

Sessums Black Supports Judge Wesley Tibbals

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Sessums Black is proud to show our support for Judge Wesley Tibbals, who is campaigning to keep his seat as the Group 6 judge for the 13th Circuit Court. Judge Tibbals has more than 20 years of legal experience. He has served for seven years as a circuit court judge and has been the Associate Administrative Judge in the Family Law Division since 2017. He is a fourth-generation Florida native who holds undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Florida.

Judge Tibbals has served the citizens of Hillsborough County with integrity and professionalism since his 2015 appointment to the bench. He has received endorsements from many of our colleagues and Alex Caballero was proud to serve as a member of the campaign kickoff host committee. Please vote on August 23rd to Keep Judge Wesley Tibbals. Learn more at judgetibbals.com.

Jennifer Ficarrotta Nominated for 2022 Award for Excellence in the Promotion of Board Certification

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We are exceptionally proud that Sessums Black Shareholder Jennifer Ficarrotta is among the nominees for the 2022 Award for Excellence in the Promotion of Board Certification. The Florida Supreme Court created the certification program as a means to assist consumers in identifying qualified legal specialists and to encourage lawyers to aspire to excellence and professionalism. Nominees for the award have been recognized by their colleagues for “excellence and creativity in advancing the public’s knowledge of and appreciation for legal board certification.”

In Jennifer’s congratulatory letter, Board of Legal Specialization & Education Chair Philip R. Augustine said, “We value the hard work, professionalism and dedication to excellence that are necessary to attain board certification. It is an honor to be further singled out as a leader among those Florida Bar members who are known as experts and specialists. Congratulations, and thank you for your service to the Board Certification program.”

Jennifer is among only 275 lawyers statewide who have earned Florida Bar board certification in Marital & Family Law. Caroline Black Sikorske, Alex Caballero, and Andrew D. Reder also are board-certified by The Florida Bar in Marital & Family Law, and founding partner Stephen Sessums was among the first attorneys in Florida to earn Marital & Family Law board certification in 1983.
Jennifer A. Ficarrotta

Firm Celebrates National Upsy Daisy Day

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Here’s a nice photo of the Sessums Black team celebrating National Upsy Daisy Day by coordinating a donation drive to benefit local charities. Each year on June 8, National Upsy Daisy Day is set aside to encourage positivity. It serves as a reminder that every day is a gift and if we remember that as we rise each morning, it will help us carry a good attitude throughout the day, whatever the day may bring us. All of us at Sessums Black are grateful and thankful for everything that we have. Hopefully, our donations will brighten someone else’s day.
Image of Sessums Black firm members participating in donation drive.

Alex Caballero is Sworn in as HCBA President-Elect

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Congratulations to the newly elected Hillsborough County Bar Association Officers and Directors for the 2022-2023 Bar year. We are exceptionally proud of Sessums Black Managing Partner Alex Caballero, who will serve as President-elect next year and as the HCBA President for the 2023-2024 bar year. Here are some nice photos from the June 2 swearing-in by 13th Circuit Chief Judge Ron Ficarrotta.

The Hillsborough County Bar Association is one of the largest voluntary bar associations in Florida with a membership of close to 4,000 attorneys, judges, and legal professionals. Thank you to all of the board members who volunteer to serve in leadership roles for the association!

Andrew D. Reder Earns Florida Bar Board Certification in Marital & Family Law

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Congratulations to Sessums Black Partner Andrew D. Reder on achieving Florida Bar Board Certification in Marital & Family Law! Andrew is among only 275 lawyers statewide who have earned this prestigious designation. Board certification is The Florida Bar’s highest level of evaluation of the competency and experience of attorneys, and recognizes an attorney’s specialized knowledge, skills, proficiency, and professionalism and ethics in practice.

The standards to become a board-certified specialist in Marital & Family Law are very stringent:

  • Practice of law for at least five years
  • Substantial involvement in the specialty of marital and family law — 50% or more — during the five years immediately preceding application
  • Handling at least 25 contested marital and family law cases in the five years immediately preceding application, with at least seven trials
  • 75 hours of approved marital and family law certification continuing legal education in the five years immediately preceding application
  • Peer review
  • A written examination
We are very proud that attorneys Caroline Black Sikorske, Alexander Caballero, and Jennifer Ficarrotta also are board certified by The Florida Bar in Marital & Family Law.
Andrew D. Reder Earns Florida Bar Board Certification in Marital & Family Law