Notice: FSU Winter Break
The Florida Institute of Government will be closed beginning Friday, December 20 at 5 p.m. EST and will re-open Monday, January 6th at 8 a.m.
For technical support for an online class: Please take a screenshot and send it, along with a description of your issue, to elearning@iog.fsu.edu.
For general inquiries: Please send an email to info@iog.fsu.edu.
Please allow 48 hours for a response.
4-Hour Ethics Course
- Florida Bar Association (5 hours General & 2.5 hours Ethics)
- IIMC: 2.0 CMC Education or 2.0 MMC Advanced Education Points
- CGCIO: 4 Professional Development Hours
(Note: Most organizations will award credits for our class if you send them the information the organization requires to meet their credentials for continuing education credits.)
The “4-Hour Ethics Course” meets the Legislature’s mandate that Elected Officials must have two hours of Ethics Law, one hour of Sunshine Law and one hour of Public Records training annually. As with all of our online training, this course is available to you 24/7 and you may pause and resume at your convenience.
This 4-hour course meets the following requirements and provides a certificate of completion:
- 1 Hour Open Records
- 1 Hour Open Meetings
- 2 Hours Florida Ethics (Voting and Gift Laws)
WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
- State and Local Government Elected and Appointed Officials
- State and Local Government Staff Members
- State and Local Government Attorneys
Group Registration:
- Designate a group analyst from your staff to oversee group member progress.
- Discounts are available for groups over 20.
Contact us for more information.
SESSION Topics
Florida's Public Records Laws (1 Hour)
- Florida’s Public Record Act/What is a Public Record
- Public Records Exemptions & Confidential Public Records
- Public Records Exemptions
- Handling a Public Records Request
- Special Topics: Subpoenas & Social Media
Florida’s Government in the Sunshine Law (1 Hour)
- Government in the Sunshine Law Overview
- Slippery Slopes
- Florida Statute §286.011
- Government-in-the-Sunshine Manual
- Specific Issues Related to Statute & Consequences of Violations
Florida's Ethics Laws (2 Hours)
- Code of Ethics Overview
- Unauthorized Compensation and Gifts
- Employment and Business Relationships
- Voting Conflicts
- Employment of Relatives and Revolving Door Restrictions
- Violations of Florida's Ethics Code
Resources
- Links to Resources Referenced in this Course
Over the course of his legal career, Mr. Torcivia has represented numerous government clients throughout Palm Beach County and the State of Florida, including municipalities, counties, school districts, special districts, and Constitutional officers. He is familiar with the Sunshine Law, ethics issues, the ad valorem taxation process, labor and employment law, code enforcement matters, contracts, land use and zoning, and the development of ordinances and resolutions. He has also served as a Special Magistrate/Hearing Officer for several municipalities for code enforcement matters. He regularly provides advice and counsel to City and Town Managers, as well as to City and Town governing bodies.
Ms. Goddeau is well versed in the areas of public records, ethics, procurement and Sunshine Law compliance. She has provided advice and training to a variety of elected officials and personnel on ethics, public records, Sunshine Law, and other issues and has rendered numerous legal opinions for local governments with respect to these complex areas of the law. Utilizing and applying this counseling experience, Ms. Goddeau has litigated a number of public records cases for municipal clients -- including both at the trial and appellate levels. Based on her litigation experience, Ms. Goddeau takes a proactive approach in addressing public records requests and issues and in assisting our clients avoid unnecessary litigation and attorneys' fees.
Since entering private practice in 1993, Mr. Rubin has represented municipalities in all facets of local government law, including, but not limited to, drafting ordinances, resolutions and contracts and advising clients on a multitude of legal issues, including public records, sunshine law, ethics and procurement. He is well versed in all aspects of land use law, having served as Assistant City Attorney for the City of Pembroke Pines during the post-Hurricane Andrew housing boom in southern Broward County and as City Attorney for the City of Palm Beach Gardens following the MacArthur Foundation’s divestiture of thousands of acres of its real estate holdings for development.
