Join BetrasKopp’s Elite Legal Team. We have an immediate and exciting opportunity for an Associate Attorney in our Tampa, Florida Office

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BetrasKopp, one of the nation’s leading peronal injury, catastrohpic medical malpractice, and complex business litiagtion law firms has an immediate opening for an Associate Attorney in our Tampa, Florida office. If you are interested and meet our qualfications and criteria, please submit a resume, writing sample, and cover letter describing your relevant experience and interest in joining our firm to kstehura@bk-laws.com

Job Title: Associate Attorney – Real Estate, Healthcare & General Civil Litigation

Location: Tampa, FL
Job Type: Full-Time

Overview

Our growing Tampa-based law firm is seeking a highly motivated Associate Attorney with 1–5 years of experience to join our Real Estate, Healthcare, and General Civil Litigation practice groups.

This position offers the opportunity to work on a broad range of sophisticated legal matters, including complex commercial real estate transactions, large-scale residential, commercial, and mixed-use development projects, commercial lending and financing transactions, healthcare regulatory and operational matters, and general civil litigation.

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, analytical, and eager to assume meaningful responsibility from day one. This role provides significant client interaction, hands-on experience with sophisticated legal matters, and the opportunity to work closely with experienced attorneys while developing a long-term career with a growing and entrepreneurial law firm.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Real Estate & Development

  • Draft, review, and negotiate purchase and sale agreements, loan documents, development agreements, easements, declarations, operating agreements, leases, restrictive covenants, and other sophisticated commercial real estate documents.
  • Represent developers, investors, lenders, businesses, and property owners in the acquisition, financing, development, leasing, and disposition of commercial real estate, including large-scale residential, commercial, and mixed-use development projects.
  • Conduct due diligence, review title commitments and surveys, resolve title and survey issues, and coordinate all aspects of complex commercial real estate closings.
  • Assist clients with entity formation, governance matters, financing transactions, and transactional structuring related to real estate development and ownership.

Healthcare Law & Regulatory Compliance

  • Advise healthcare providers, physician groups, and healthcare-related businesses regarding regulatory compliance, operational issues, and risk management.
  • Review and draft provider agreements, management services agreements (MSOs), professional service agreements, and other healthcare-related contracts.
  • Assist clients with responses to subpoenas, regulatory inquiries, audits, and compliance investigations.
  • Advise clients regarding HIPAA compliance, healthcare privacy issues, and applicable federal and state healthcare regulations.
  • Assist clients in identifying and mitigating legal and operational risks while developing practical business solutions.

Civil Litigation & Risk Management

  • Assist with all phases of commercial and civil litigation, including legal research, pleadings, motions, discovery, depositions, mediations, hearings, trial preparation, and court appearances.
  • Manage subpoena responses, document production, discovery strategy, and related procedural matters.
  • Prepare legal memoranda, litigation analyses, correspondence, contracts, and other legal documents.
  • Work directly with clients and opposing counsel to develop practical, business-oriented legal strategies.
  • Manage litigation matters from inception through resolution while maintaining exceptional organization and responsiveness.

Client Service & Practice Development

  • Communicate effectively with clients, governmental agencies, lenders, title companies, healthcare providers, consultants, opposing counsel, and other professionals.
  • Develop and maintain strong client relationships by providing timely, practical, and business-focused legal advice.
  • Assist with the continued growth of the firm’s practice through exceptional client service, business development, and professional engagement.
  • Effectively manage multiple matters simultaneously while maintaining a high level of attention to detail and responsiveness.

Qualifications

  • Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
  • Active member in good standing with The Florida Bar.
  • One (1) to five (5) years of legal experience.
  • Experience in commercial real estate transactions, healthcare law, regulatory compliance, and/or general civil litigation is preferred.
  • Experience with large-scale development projects, commercial lending transactions, title and survey review, healthcare regulatory matters, subpoenas, discovery, or commercial litigation is a plus but not required.
  • Strong legal research, drafting, analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  • Self-motivated, organized, and committed to providing exceptional client service.
  • Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a team-oriented environment.

Compensation and Benefits

  • Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
  • Performance-based bonus opportunities.
  • Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plan options.
  • Opportunities for mentorship, professional development, and long-term career advancement.
  • Collaborative, entrepreneurial work environment with direct client contact and meaningful responsibility from day one.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates should submit a resume, writing sample, and cover letter describing their relevant experience and interest in joining our firm.

David Betras talks trees, gift cards, and parole during Free Legal Advice episode of WFMJ Today

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Managing Shareholder David Betras

Well, it wasn’t exactly the first Monday of the month, but it was close enough which meant BK Managing Shareholder David Betras spent the morning on the set of WFMJ Today answering questions from viewers and dispensing sage legal advice. Here’s a review of the action…

Question 1: My son has 10 months left on an eight-year prison sentence. We found out that he had a parole hearing at 80% of the way through. Do the authorities have to let the person

serving time know that a hearing is scheduled? They only sent him a letter after that decision was made. Has something changed, or has it always been like that? They should have notified him the hearing was being held.

David’s answer: The viewer didn’t say whether they’re in Ohio or Pennsylvania. But when a parole hearing is being held the person should be notified so they can at least go and talk to the parole board. Yeah. People typically get the chance to go before the parole board when they have their hearing so they should be notified in advance. The viewer should contact their attorney and have them look into the situation.

Question 2: This one came from email and I assume we’re going to get a lot of questions like this in the wake of last Sunday’s storm. In the Sunday storm, a tree from the property

next door fell into my fence and pool. No one has actually lived in that house next door for years, though. Can I still find the

owner and have them pay for the damages?

David’s answer: No. If your neighbor’s tree falls on yourhouse or damages your property, that’s called an act of God. You must submit a claim to your own homeowner’s insurance carrier.

Question 3:  This query involves a tenant/ property manager issue. If repairs that their landlord keeps saying will be done are not done, how can they push them along?

David’s answer: What you can’t do is not pay your rent because then if you don’t pay your rent, that is a reason for you to be evicted.

So take your rent, put it in escrow. Once you do that your landlord won’t receive escrowed rent payments until they fix the problems.

Question 4: A couple pf years ago,  I got a gift card to a spa for my birthday.  I lost the card, but found it just the other day. I tried to use it the other day, but the spa said it had expired. There is no expiration date on the card, so do they have to honor it?

David’s response: Something similar just happened to me.  My wife was cleaning out one of our drawers, and she says oh, look at all these gift cards we have. So we started trying to use them. Went to one place, they said oh, it expired. Tried another one, oh, it expired. Another one, oh, it expired. Another place said because of the date you only have $7 left on it.

I said this wasn’t worth the effort that I

made just to be rejected that many times.

A few years ago I had one that I was going to use for a restaurant. It was under new ownership. They said we don’t honor that anymore. I said, this is the same restaurant. They basically said tough.
Bottom line, it is what it is you can’t force the spa to honor it.

Question 5: From a live caller: I was in an auto accident in 2022. I reached a settlement last year.  But now my neck and arm are hurting.  I’ve got ruptured discs in my neck I didn’t realize I had. Is there anything I can do?

David’s answer:  Did you ever hear the saying the games not over until the fat lady sings. Well, she’s singing.

You signed a release. You released them of all claims. Did you do that on your own or did you have a lawyer?

Caller: No, I had a lawyer.

David: Why didn’t you get your neck examined? Is your current neck pain directly and proximately related to the automobile accident? Caller: Yeah, that’s what my doctor said when I went to her this time and asked what was going on why am I getting pain in my neck and everything else. She said, that’s from

your ruptured discs in your neck. And I didn’t realize I had ruptured discs in my neck. But it was, I guess it was on my medical record. But my back was, I had open heart surgery, a double lung transplant eight months prior to that. So I was more worried about my lungs being messed up again.

David: If you settled with them, you signed a settlement agreement, and that means the case is over. I’m sorry and I wish you well.

Question 6: Am I entitled to a receipt when I closed out my safe deposit box at a bank? Huntington Bank would not give me one.

David’s answer: Well, there is some paperwork you sign when you close out a box. Just ask for that paperwork. That would act as a receipt. They can’t deny you receipt, but the paperwork is, in essence, a receipt.

Question 7: What is the quickest way to obtain a dissolution in Mahoning County without hiring an attorney? We’ve agreed on everything and just want to get it over with quickly.

David’s response: If, as you say, you have agreed on everything you have to obtain the proper forms from the domestic relations court then complete and submit them.

But that is not all there is to it. There are steps you must take and some hoops you have to jump through, including appearing before the judge.

While it’s difficult to do without an attorney, it’s not impossible. That said, I would urge you to seek legal counsel. There are young attorneys in our area who are just starting to practice who will handle the proceedings for a reasonable fee.
I strongly suggest that you follow that route rather than attempting to navigate the process yourself.

Question 8: My my neighbor keeps calling the cops on my family for things that are not

crimes, like taking out the trash late at night, which makes their dogs bark and other things like that. Is there anything I can do to stop them from doing this? We aren’t the only house this neighbor is apparently doing this to. Also he has cameras pointed at our home. Can I make him point thos away?

David’s answer: No. The cameras are on your neighbor’s property so he can point them in any direction as long as he’s not attempting to be a peeping tom.

We all know there is always one person in every neighborhood who is a problem. I’ve found

that the best way to deal with them is just to ignore them. They want to get a reaction from you. And at some point, the police are going to say to them, quit calling us for BS. Now, dog barking, that’s a call police get regularly. If you have a dog that barks, you should find a way to have your dog bark less. Anyway,  eventually the police are going to wear out from going there and just tell them to put a cork in it.

Question 9 from a live caller: I was wondering, my grandson is 22 and he would like his uncle to adopt him or go down and sign his birth certificate. And I was wondering, can he legally go down and sign birth certificate and claim he’s the father or does he have to go through legal aid or whatever? My grandson’s actual father has had nothing to do with him.

David’s answer: Well, that’s a good question. I don’t know if he could be legally adopted

after he’s reached the age of majority. I haven’t had that question probably in 30, 35 years.

I’ll have to look that one up. I don’t think if you are an adult, you could be adopted by someone.

That doesn’t mean the uncle can’t leave him an inheritance or take care of him in other ways. He can go down to the probate court and legally change his name to his uncle’s name. But if they have the same last name, that’s not going to change much. But it is good that he and his uncle have this close relationship.

You know, a piece of paper saying he is his son.

I’d have to check on that. I’d have to call Mark DeVecchio to ask him that question.

I haven’t had that question in 30 years, so my gut is telling me. After 18,unless you’re a dependent person, he can’t be adopted. Yeah, it would be more of a symbolic move.

Yeah. All right. Well, thank you for your question. That was an interesting one.

We hope you enjoyed this episode of Free Legal Advice Monday—or in this case—Tuesday. David will be back on the set of WFMJ Today on the first Monday in August. If you have a legal question you may call 330-744-8821 during the show, email your query to wfmjtoday@wfmj.com or message WFMJ Today on Facebook.
Thanks for watching and please take a moment to mash the “Like,” “Subscribe,” and “Share” buttons. It’s a great way to ensure that more people have access to our content.

David Betras: IVF mistake causes “unimaginable” heartache and pain for parents, clinic and doctor may be liable for millions in damages

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Managing Parner David Betras

In this enthralling episode of Legally Speaking on WFMJ Today, BetrasKopp Managing Shareholder David Betras examines the heartbreaking case of Tiffany Score and Steven Mills the Florida couple who discovered Ms. Score was implanted with the wrong embryo by the Fertility Center of Florida in 2025.

After Ms. Score, who was receiving invitro fertilization treatment at the Center, gave birth the white couple noticed the baby appeared to be South Asian. After they had raised the baby for six months genetic testing proved that the baby, named Shea, was indeed 100% South Asian and was not the couple’s biological child.

Since discovering the clinic’s error in January, Score and Mills filed suit against the Center and Dr. Milton McNichol the doctor who implanted the embryo and located Shea’s biological parents. The Fertility Center closed, then reopened under a new name. In addition, Score and Mills will be the baby’s custodial parents under the terms of an agreement worked out with the biological parents.

“Well, can you imagine the bleeding heart, the tears flowing from the parent’s eyes and almost like a very bad cut in their soul to have a child born after IVF treatment who is not theirs,” Atty. Betras said. “It’s unimaginable.”

He observed that people go to IVF clinics because they are having trouble conceiving which is stressful situation to begin with. Learning that the child Ms. Score bore and gave birth to must have been incredibly painful for them and for the biological parents who learned their embryo had been implanted in another woman.

“Both sets of parents would h ave had strong arguments had a custody battle over Shea ensued,” Atty. Betras said. “So I’m happy that the couples were able to reach an amicable agreement. That’s one positive aspect of this disturbing incident.”

But it’s not the end of what should be a cautionary tale for anyone who is considering IVF treatment. “This situation is rare, but people need to be careful. “Don’t select a clinic based solely on it’s success rate,” David advised. “Ask how embryos are tracked. Are they barcoded? What protocols are in place to prevent mistakes? As this case proves, human errors can occur so choose a clinic that minimizes the possibility something can go wrong.”

According to Atty. Betras both the clinic and the doctor are facing serious legal consequences. “This is not a case where the damages are limited to just medical bills,” he said. “You’re talking about a mistake that materially changed the lives of

not one. but two families. I mean, IVF costs, medical expenses, emotional distress, pain and suffering, future fertility treatment, and claims involving the loss of reproductive opportunity. Based on these facts, punitive damages could total millions and millions of dollars.”

Former Inidiana, Cincinnati QB Brandon Sorsby faces uncertain future after admitting to placing 9,000 wages on sports

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In the July 26, 2026 episode of Legally Speaking on WFMJ Today, Attorney and former gridiron standout Frank Cassese examines the controversy surrounding former Indiana and Cincinnati University quarterback Brendan Sorsby who was booted from college football after admitting he had placed more than 9,000 bets during his career—including more than 40 wagers involving Indiana when he was a member of the team. You may view the episode here.
After the NCAA stripped Sorsby of his eligibility to play, he sued and secured a temporary injunction that would have enabled him to get back in the game. In response teams in the Big 12 Conference said they would not play Cincinnati if Sorsby suited up.
Rather than file another lawsuit to force his way back onto the field, Sorsby announced that he would abandon college football and enter the NFL’s supplemental draft—a draft the league then cancelled.
According to Attorney Cassese who was a standout high school football player, the NCAA, Big 12, and NFL were justified in attempting to keep Sorsby out of the huddle. “To protect the integrity of college and pro sports athletes have always been barred from betting on games,” he said. “People like Pete Rose who were caught violating that rule faced serious consequences, so Sorsby probably wasn’t surprised that college football ejected him from the game.”
“The NFL’s decision to cancel the supplemental draft, however, obviously caught him off guard,” Atty. Cassese continued. “While the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement requires the league to conduct an annual player draft like the one held earlier this year in Pittsburgh, they are under no obligation to stage a supplemental draft. Was it a coincidence that they cancelled it the same year Sorsby’s gambling habit came to light? We’ll probably never know. One interesting point: Bernie Kosar was selected by the Browns in a supplemental draft.”
“Because the supplemental draft is discretionary, Sorsby doesn’t have any legal recourse so the question becomes what can he do,” Atty. Cassese said. “Were I advising him I’d say, okay we need to start over and rebuild your brand—simply being a great player isn’t enough to overcome the issues surrounding your character and trustworthiness.”
“In my opinion, he should look at what happened as an unofficial suspension. Don’t try to battle the NFL in court—that will just make it more difficult to enter the league. Just get ready for the 2027 draft and deal with the problems that put you in this position.”
Atty. Cassese also said the NFL has the right to issue an official suspension for gambling even though Sorsby was in college when he placed the astonishing number of bets. “The leadure has suspended players for entire seasons for gambling and they hare the right to take action against Sorsby, especially in light of his egregious behavior. He must prove that he deserves the privilege of playing in the NFL.”
Frank said Sorsby is already taking steps in that direction.
“He has a diagnosed gambling addiction, which is a real thing. and he went to rehab. I think the NFL will look at that, but I also think it’s not out of the realm of possibility that they could
punish him in the future. But if he continues to do the right thing he may avoid being blackballed by the league and its teams.”
to have a much better shot of when he does come and arrive in the NFL to not be blackballed by the
“I have to say I won’t be surprised if similar situations arise in the future given the fact that gambling is now so accessible for everyone,” Frank commented. “When Pete Rose was betting on games he had to call a bookie. Today, you can bet on anything you want anytime you want just by using an app on your phone.”
“That means the NCAA, the NFL, and other sports leagues will really need to substantially increase sanctions and penalties if they want to stop players from betting—we could see lifetime bans rather than year-long suspensions.”
“There’s one sure bet,” Frank concluded. “The problem is going to grow in the years ahead and it will be interesting to see how big-time sports deals with the issue.”

Professor Dave: Everything you need to know about Statutes of Limitation

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Attorney David Betras

BKM Managing Partner David Betras

In this episode of Legally Speaking on WFMJ Today, Professor David Betras convenes another session of his popular “Shade Tree” Law School. The topic of todays lecture: Statutes of Limitations: what they are and how they impact both civil and criminal law.

We invite you to take notes, remind you that no gum chewing is allowed in class, and emphasize that there will NOT be a quiz at the end of lesson…
Good morning class. As you may have noticed, a few lawsuits have been filed over the past week related to the explosion that nearly destroyed the Realty Building, killed on person, and seriously injured others.
The timing of the filing is interesting because it coincides with the impending expiration of the two-year statute of limitations that apply to many civil suits.
With that as preface, let’s dig in.
First, the time span for civil and criminal cases is wildly different. In general negligence suits like the ones pending against the Realty Building carry a two yar limit. But, because we’re speaking about the law, there are exceptions that could extend the time period by two years.
In cases dealing with contracts the limit is generally eight years, ten years is fraud is involved.
Medical, legal, accounting and other types of professional malpractice have a one-year limit that under certain circumstances can be extended to two or more but may never exceed four years.
In criminal cases the limits are longer. For example, there is no statute of limitations for murder. In Ohio, the statute for rape is 25 years. If DNA is found, however, charges must be brought five years after the DNA has been discovered.
Most other serious criminal offenses carry statutes ranging from five to eight years although some factors, including the age of the victim, may extend the time limit for a particular crime.
The principle behind all this is the government’s desire to spur people to exercise their rights under the law in a reasonable amount of time.
If you do not, you commit “laches” which means you have waited so long to file a claim or seek relief in court that you are no longer permitted to file the claim. In short, it’s use it or lose it.
So that’s sort of the down and dirty of statute of limitations. In the Realty Building explosion, three cases have been filed in the last week—a full two years after the incident.
It’s important to note that waiting until the last minute to file does not necessarily weaken a case, but filing early ensures that evidence is preserved and witnesses are deposed before their memories fade. That’s why we routinely issue preservation of evidence demands when we are involved in a negligence case.
That notification can be critical because if the defendants in a case destroy evidence that works to our benefit because it infers the evidence would have helped us.
Finally, I’m often asked why the limits are what they are, particularly in civil matters. The easy—and the right answer—is insurance companies. They spend a lot of time and money lobbying legislators across the country to shorten limits because doing so protects their clients and makes it more difficult for injured people to seek and secure justice
I’d be remiss, however, if I didn’t place some of the blame for the convoluted system on my own profession. The more complicated we make certain aspects of the law, the more likely it is that people will need to hire an attorney.
That’s it, class dismissed, and thanks for attending Professor Dave’s Shade Tree Law School.
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Frank Cassese comments on the new Netflix hit, The Crash

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The Crash, the #2 movie in Netflix’s global rankings, was the fascinating subject of this episode of Legally Speaking on WFMJ Today.
The documentary delves into the details surrounding a horrific car crash in nearby Strongsville, Ohio in 2022 that took the lives of 20-year-old Dominic Russo and Damion Flanagan aged 19 and left the driver of the vehicle which hit a brick wall at 100 MPH, 17-year-old Mackenzie Shirilla critically injured.
Initially regarded as a tragic accident, forensic evidence from the car’s “black box” and statements given to police by friends of Shirilla and Russo who had been in a romantic relationship for years, soon mae the 17-year-old survivor the subject of a homicide investigation.
Eventually, Shirilla was indicted on 12 counts, including murder and aggravated vehicular homicide.
During her trial in 2023 she claimed she had blacked out while driving due to Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a medical conditioin which causes dizziness, rapid heartbeat, fainting, and loss of consciousness.
The judge presiding over the bench trial—Shirilla chose not to have a jury trial—found her guilty on all counts. She was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 15 years.
According to respected criminal defense attorney Frank Cassese, in the vast majority of cases like this, Shirilla would have been charged with aggravated vehicular homicide. You can watch the segment here: https://youtu.be/nB1gEuixxhY
In this instance, however, Shirilla was charged with aggravated murder. He said it was interesting to watch how the detectives investigating the crash constructed the case.
They started by examining data from the vehicle’s black box which revealed she was traveling at 100 MPH and never hit the brakes before hitting the wall.
They also have a of the car roaring down the street just before the crash. The video doesn’t show the impact, but it can be heard clearly.
The police then dissected Shirilla’s vast social media presence.
Her friends maintain that Shirilla was simply following the trends that attract followers. But some people viewing the content could have come away with the impression that whe was cold, calculating, and callous.
According to Atty. Cassese, Shirilla has all but exhausted her appeals. And while he doesn’t like to Monday Morning Quarterback decisions made by other lawyers, he says he would have opted for a jury trial rather than having the case heard by a judge.
He also commented on whether the documentary would influence the judges who are considering her final appeal.
For better or worse, this kind of documentary and other true crime shows are a fact of life in today’s legal system.
Look at the Karen Reed trial. She did a documentary before her first trial which ended in a hung jury and the start of her second trial which resulted in an acquittal. So, maybe it worked to her advantage.
In Shirilla’s case, her social media and the documentary have generated interest in and contributions to her Go Fund Me page so she has the money she needs to hire attorneys to continue to fight her conviction. So all the attention is, in a manner of speaking, paying off.
Frank concluded by noting that Shirilla’s father who is a teacher was put on administrative leave by the school district he works for because of comments he made during interviews that appear in the film. I’m interested in how that will play out because honestly, it was a father using his First Amendment rights to defend his child. Frankly, that’s what he’s supposed to do.
But at the end of the day, I feel for the people on both sides because they all lost so much.
I really do recommend the film and I urge everyone to set aside the time to watch.
If you enjoy this episode and our other content please do us a sollid by mashing the “Like,” “Share,” and “Subscribe” buttons–thanks for watching, we appreciate your support.

Attorney Frank Cassese comments on the reversal of Alex Murdaugh’s murder conviction and the dangers of jury tampering

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In this episode of Legally Speaking on WFMJ Today, BK Shareholder, SuperLawyer, and respected criminal defense attorney Frank Cassese provides perspective on the South Carolina Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the conviction of Alex Murdaugh, the prominent personal injury lawyer found guilty of murdering his wife Maggie and son Paul at their home in 2021.

Murdaugh’s 2023 trial garnered worldwide media attention rivaling the O.J. Simpson case. After being found guilty by a jury, Murdaugh was sentenced to two consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole.
But, in a shocking turn of events, South Carolina’ high court, citing jury tampering and misconduct by the court clerk during the original trial, overturned the verdict and ordered that Murdaugh be retried.

According to Attorney Cassese, allegations of jury tampering by the clerk of courts assigned to the case arose during the trial. The Supreme Court found the clerk had improperly attempted to influence the jury during the proceedings. That finding led to the reversal of the Murdaugh’s conviction.

Attorney Cassese explained that jury tampering is the number one “no-no” in criminal and civil cases.

“Jury deliberations are very sacred,” Atty. Cassese said. “So it is an egregious violation to tamper with that process.”

Frank noted that even though his murder conviction has been overturned, Murdaugh has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for financial crimes he committed during his legal career. So even though the Supreme Court has ordered a new trial, Murdaugh won’t be getting out of prison any time soon. “That means he could go back to court, be acquitted of the murder charges and still remain in prison for the rest of his life.”

“As a trial lawyer, someone attempting to improperly influence a jury is one of the biggest concerns you can ever have,” Atty. Cassese continued.

“There were allegations that the court clerk in question had a stake in the outcome of the trial because she had negotiated a deal to write a book about the crime and the trial. That’s what led to the reversal,” he said.

Frank then discussed juries and undue influence in general. “People don’t realize that when they see news and sees snippets of stories about cases they’re not getting the whole picture of the matter being tried.”

“On the other hand, a jury sees all the evidence, and it is the state’s responsibility—whether it is the state of Ohio or the state of South Carolina—to use that evidence to prove the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,” he said.

“So sometimes when people are acquitted, it doesn’t necessarily mean a jury thinks they’re innocent. It means that the prosecutors didn’t prove their case,” Atty. Cassese noted.

“And here is a critically important point: the jury is only permitted to consider the evidence that is presented to them. They can’t or watch stories in the media and they can’t Google search for information,” he continued.

“Why?  Because information from outside the proceedings can be illegitimate or inaccurate. That is why judges often give jurors strict orders not to speak to others about the case, not to look up info on their phone, or read about the case on social media.”

Frank also took note of the fact that the Attorney General of South Carolina said the case would be retried as quickly as possible and emphasized that no one was above the law.

“He made those statements because he wanted to assure the public that although Murdaugh was once a prominent and powerful figure in the state he won’t receive special treatment. He wants people to know justice will be served,” Atty. Cassese concluded.

Attorney Aaron Thomas joins BK as Manager of Tampa, FL office and Leaders of firm’s Real Estate Practive Group

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We are pleased to announce that Attorney Aaron Thomas has joined BetrasKopp’s elite legal team as a shareholder, manager of our Tampa, Florida office, and Leader of our Real Estate Practice Group. He is also working closely with our Complex Business Litigation and Sports Law Practice Groups.
Aaron’s exceptional expertise and experience, which includes structuring and executing multi-national transactions, will significantly expand and enhance all aspects of BK’s complex business and sports law operations.
We invite you to take a moment to review Aaron’s professional biography:
Attorney Aaron Thomas, who joined Betras Kopp Attorneys at Law in January 2026 as a shareholder, manages the firm’s Tampa, Florida office and leads the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group. He also oversees the firm’s closing and title insurance operations and works closely with BK’s Complex Litigation and Sports Law Practice Groups.
Based in Tampa, Aaron represents developers, lenders, investors, and business entities in complex real estate, corporate, and sports-related transactions throughout the United States and across the world.
Aaron’s practice focuses on the acquisition, development, financing, and disposition of diverse commercial real estate assets, including hotels, multifamily communities, office buildings, and luxury residential properties. He regularly represents both lenders and borrowers in mortgage and mezzanine loans, construction lending, and other complex financing transactions. He also serves as a trusted advisor to clients engaged in joint ventures, private company acquisitions, and business divestitures.
As leader of the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group Aaron manages all aspects of the firm’s closing and title insurance business which includes overseeing residential and commercial closings throughout the State of Florida, working with title underwriters, and ensuring compliance with all regulatory and underwriting requirements.
A considerable portion of Aaron’s practice involves high-volume residential closings, complex commercial transactions, and serving as a strategic advisor on title, survey, and insurability issues. He also works closely with, supports, and provides expert counsel to BetrasKopp attorneys in Florida and Ohio who are engaged in complex real estate and title transactions.
Aaron also brings vast experience and expertise to BK’s Sports Law Practice Group where he plays an integral role in structuring and executing transactions involving professional sports organizations and related entities. During his career he has been involved in the purchase and sale of sale of professional sports franchises in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. Most notably, he represented a consortium of U.S. and international investors in the acquisition of a minority interest in Plymouth Argyle Football Club and Hapoel Tel Aviv F.C.
Aaron also maintains robust land use, government relations, and regulatory practice. He represents clients throughout Florida in zoning, permitting, and regulatory matters. He has successfully negotiated more than 100 settlements under the Bert J. Harris, Jr. Private Property Rights Protection Act and routinely secures site plan approvals, special exceptions, and variances for residential, multifamily, and commercial developments.
Aaron is a member of and active in the Florida Bar and its Young Lawyers Division as well as the Hillsborough County Bar Association.
Aaron, a three-time Academic All-American, graduated Summa Cum Laude from Mars Hill College where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurship. He then earned his Juris Doctor from Florida International University College of Law.
Aaron and his wife Jordan have two daughters: Hayden and Remi.

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Professor Dave: LIveNation, Ticketmaster anti-trust verdict is winning ticket for consumers

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In this episode of Legally Speaking on WFMJ Today, Professor David Betras convenes a session of the shade tree law school to teach viewers a few things about anti-trust law and how it led to a landmark case in which a jury found that Ticketmaster and Live Nation were operating as a monopoly in the live concert market. You can watch the segment here.

In order to understand the law that led to the verdict that may make concert tickets affordable for average Americans,  Professor Betras said we must travel back in time to the 1890s.

At that time, which is commonly referred to as the Progressive Era, a few companies led by Robber Barons like Andrew Carnegie and J.D. Rockefeller, had seized control of vital industries, including coal mining, oil production, and the railroads.

Teddy Roosevelt and other progressives reacted by passing the Sherman Anti-Trust Act that forced the breakup of the monopolies. In 1914 Congress strengthened Sherman by passing the Clayton which established the Federal Trade Commission and empowered it to regulate commerce and prevent the formation of monopolies.

Sherman and Clayton are among the most important statutes ever enacted because competition is key to the survival of a capitalist economic system like ours.

Remove competition from the equation and consumers not only suffer, they contemplate revolution.

With that as background, let’s discuss the Live Nation/Ticketmaster case. For years artists and fans had complained that the companies had a stranglehold on the live concert market which led to an explosion in ticket prices.

The jury in the case agreed. But the battle is not over. There now has to be a second trial to determine how the monopoly should be broken up. That means ticket prices won’t be coming down to Earth any time soon.

Some of our older viewers may remembers that the Bell Telephone system was involved in a similar case. Back in the old days when phones hanged on our walls the Princess phone was the height of innovation, if you wanted to buy a phone you had to purchase equipment made by Western Electric which was owned by Beel and hook it up to hard lines owned by the company. For all intents and purposes, AT&T controlled every part of America’s phone system.

In 1974 the federal government filed suit alleging the obvious: AT&T was a monopoly. In 1982 the company and the feds settled the case. AT&T agreed to be broken up into seven “Baby Bells,” AT&t was allowed to maintain it’s long-distance business and retain ownership of Western Electric.

The settlement was finalized in 1984 which illustrates how long these complicated lawsuits can drag on. Today, telephone service looks nothing like it did when AT&T monopolized the market. The settlement spurred innovation and competition that led to the development of cellular service, the iPhone, and other technology that was unimaginable in the mid-70s.

The bottom line is this: Competition is good for the economy and consumers. Here are a couple more examples: In the 1960s and ‘70s the U.S. severely restricted imports of foregone cars. The result? The Big Three automakers rested on their laurels and made, pardon my French, crappy vehicles.

When import restrictions were lifted and domestic producers were forced to compete the quality of vehicles made in the U.S. increased exponentially.

The same goes for home and auto insurance. The insurers don’t spend billions of dollars on advertising because they don’t want your business. They do, desperately. So I shop my coverage every year and normally save $800 to $900.

The same principle applies to plane tickets, hotel rooms, washing machines, and big screen TVs—just about everything we buy is better and cheaper because of competition—and that’s what will happen to concert tickets when the Live Nation case is resolved.

So, here is the key take away from Professor Dave’s lesson: Competition good, monopolies bad.

Class dismissed. Let’s have some Landmark donuts.

MCBOE Chair David Betras commends Ohio Secretary of State Frank Larose for taking affirmative steps to protect and promote democracy, slams Commissioners for their ongoing and utter failure to ensure the integrity of elections in Mahoning County

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Today I issued a formal response to Secretary of State Frank LaRose regarding the condition of the Mahoning County Board of Elections facility and our ongoing efforts to comply with all state-mandated security and operational requirements.
First, I want to thank Secretary LaRose for his personal engagement and concern for Mahoning County. His attention to our situation and his willingness to collaborate with us to ensure safe, secure, and accessible elections is sincerely appreciated.
For several years, I have repeatedly warned the Mahoning County Commissioners that the Board of Elections building was deteriorating and that a serious infrastructure failure was likely. Nearly one year before the September 29 pipe leak, I specifically raised the possibility of exactly this kind of incident. Unfortunately, those warnings proved accurate. We were fortunate the leak occurred during business hours; had it happened overnight, we could have lost millions of dollars in voting equipment.
I have documented the deplorable conditions inside the facility with photographs, and I have made numerous presentations before the commissioners outlining the risks. During one of those presentations, I provided them with the very directives and requirements referenced by the Secretary of State, including Chapter 3 of the Election Official Manual and Directive 2025-29. Suggestions that these directives were unknown to the commissioners are simply not true.
Regarding compliance, the Board recently completed a cybersecurity audit and is finalizing all required documentation. I would like to publicly commend Chris Rakocy for his exceptional work in helping us meet these obligations.
Our most serious challenges, however, remain tied to the condition of the building itself. Progress on necessary upgrades only began after I publicly stated at a commissioners meeting that we were out of compliance. The fire suppression system was brought into compliance only recently and only after significant delay at the county level. We are still awaiting completion of the required alarm system upgrade but have been told it will be finished shortly.
The water line that caused September’s leak has been reactivated, and our voting machines remain positioned beneath those pipes. The current facility does not allow for any safe alternative storage. While state best practices call for election offices and voting equipment to be housed together in a secure and suitable location, the Board has not been provided with another site. Despite repeated assurances that a new home is forthcoming, no concrete plan or timeline has been presented to us.
It is important for the public to understand that this is not a theoretical concern. Earlier this summer, we were forced to close the office due to an air-conditioning system failure and persistent odors within the building. We have prepared contingency plans for catastrophic facility failures because, in our current building, such failures remain a very real possibility.
Mahoning County’s voters deserve the same level of electoral security and stability enjoyed in every other county in Ohio. The Board of Elections is doing everything within its authority to meet the state’s requirements, but without a new facility, the risk to our election infrastructure cannot be fully mitigated.
We appreciate the Secretary of State’s partnership in addressing these challenges, and we remain ready to work with all county officials to ensure that Mahoning County’s elections continue to meet the highest standards of security and reliability.
Read SOS LaRose’s letter to the MCBOE here: Letter from Secretary of State Frank LaRose