Coastal Conservation Association Protects Florida’s Coastal Resources

Attorney Steven “Steve” Koeppel enjoys water skiing, fishing and diving in the waters along the Florida coast. Steven Koeppel believes the preservation of the coastlines is an important issue and has invested time outside his work as an attorney volunteering with the Coastal Conservation Association in Florida.

The Coastal Conservation Association aims to conserve, preserve and enhance coastal resources for current and future generations. It does this on both federal and state levels.

State initiatives can include funding scientific studies, building artificial reefs, monitoring the quality of freshwater inflows, and creating finfish hatcheries. Hundreds of state sponsored projects are currently underway. One such project will begin in 2016 near Fantasy Island in Tampa Bay where $150,000 has been raised to help enhance fisheries habitat.

Heavy traffic on a nearby shipping channel has slowly eroded the shoreline of Fantasy Island. The project will bring in more than 1,000 oyster domes and 40 tons of fossilized oyster shell to stabilize the shoreline and create an environment that will support a thriving oyster reef. Each dome will be placed in about two feet of water, which will allow it to be submerged during high tide and exposed during low tide. These conditions are perfect for oyster growth.

The Fantasy Island oyster reefing project is an example of the Coastal Conservation Association of Florida’s commitment to enhancing and improving the coastline of Florida. Not only will the project help create a thriving and attractive habitat for fish, it will also protect the island from passing boat traffic and stabilize about 700 feet of shoreline.                            

Attorney Steve Koeppel Enjoys Florida Water Sports

Attorney Steve Koeppel enjoys a wide range of hobbies on his down time. He enjoys fishing and diving in Florida, which has been a pastime of his since he was a young boy. One of the places where Steve Koeppel has spent time doing these activities is the Pine Island Sound.

A small area located off the coast of southwest Florida, Pine Island Sound is a popular site for snook, redfish and tarpon fishing. It is surrounded by the mainland and islands, making it an ideal spot for a peaceful boating or fishing trip.

There are also particularly good diving spots off Captiva Island at the north end of the sound. Since there are no companies that offer diving excursions there, it is necessary to find one on the mainland or go out on a boat for an independent dive. Marine life abounds, including sea otters, sea turtles, dolphins, and manatees.

Getting Involved at the YMCA

Based in Ft. Myers, Florida, Steve Koeppel is a civil trial attorney with Yeslow & Koeppel PA, where he has tried more than 70 cases to verdict. Away from his work as an attorney, Steve Koeppel is a volunteer basketball coach at the YMCA.

The YMCA is a nonprofit with a long history of working to bring about personal and social change by strengthening the community. To achieve these goals, the YMCA relies on contributions of both time and money from the community.

There are many ways to get involved. Anyone can easily support the organization and also reap the benefits of its services by signing up for a membership. Those who are able can also make a financial contribution of any size to help the YMCA with its work in promoting youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

Another way to help is by volunteering. Volunteers play a crucial role at the YMCA through efforts such as coaching sports teams and teaching classes and raising funds to keep the organization thriving. Other opportunities include participating in various committees or serving on the board of directors.

Connecting Law and the Public - The American Board of Trial Advocates

A graduate of the University of Florida, Steve Koeppel has almost 30 years of experience as a speaker, presenter, and civil trial attorney. Steve Koeppel has also served as a past president of the Southwest Florida chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and as a Master in their Masters in Trial mock trial seminars in Sarasota and Tampa.

Created to protect the civil jury system and further continuing legal education in the field, the American Board of Trial Advocates was founded in 1957. With dozens of chapters across the country, ABOTA hosts a number of events for different chapters and regions throughout the year, in addition to its annual national meeting. To support its members and educate the public, ABOTA also sponsors the American Board of Trial Advocates Foundation.

Dedicated to civics education, the ABOTA Foundation presents five resource programs, including the James Otis Lecture Series, Civility Matters, Justice by the People, and the Teachers Law School. Like the Foundation’s other programs, the Teachers Law School was designed with the public in mind, helping educators understand the impact and importance of civil law in society. Presented by experienced legal experts, it has covered a variety of topics, including juries, probable cause, and the amendment process, for middle and high school teachers.

Serving and Supporting the Community - The Lee County Bar Association

An experienced civil trial attorney, Steve Koeppel has practiced for almost three decades in and around Fort Myers, Florida. In addition to his work as an attorney, Steve Koeppel is also member of the Lee County Bar Association (LCBA), and has presented on ways to prepare an expert for cross examination.

With almost 800 members throughout Lee County, Florida, the LCBA was established in 1927 as the Fort Myers Bar Association. As part of the organization’s benefits, members are invited to join one of the practice sections or committees - in areas like tort litigation, criminal law, and appellate law, among others - to share and expand their knowledge and expertise. A nonprofit organization, the LCBA also emphasizes participation in community service projects and pro bono opportunities.

One of the Lee County Bar Association’s main community service projects is the annual charity golf tournament, which is sponsored in conjunction with the Young Lawyers Division. As part of a larger event, which also includes an auction and lunch, the tournament has raised thousands of dollars since its inception in 2010. Open to the public, the 2016 event will benefit the Guardian Ad Litem Foundation 20th Judicial Circuit.                            

Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Class Action Lawsuits

Attorney Steven Koeppel is a shareholder and managing partner of the Fort Myers, Florida-based firm Yeslow & Koeppel PA. In this role, Steven Koeppel assists clients as a civil trial attorney and has experience with class action lawsuits. Specifically, Steven has defended the insurance industry in PIP premium cases and several builders in the Chinese drywall litigation.

A class action lawsuit refers to a claim made by a group of individuals who have experienced similar injuries brought about from the same action or product of an outside entity. When a class action lawsuit is filed on behalf of a large number of people, the case may name a lead plaintiff to represent the group in court.

On Wednesday, January 20th, 2016, the Supreme Court ruled on a case involving the ability of individuals to bring class action lawsuits. The ruling in Campbell-Ewald Co. v. Gomez established that a lawsuit does not automatically end if complainants do not accept an offer to settle out of court, even in the event that a company offers to pay the full amount of damages requested by the individual plaintiff. The settlement offer did not address the claims of the class of persons similarly situated.

The ruling was a significant victory for plaintffs in class action lawsuits. If the court had ruled in favor of companies, it would have made it more difficult for many class action lawsuits to be brought to court when the settlement demands of the individual class member are being met by the defendant.