As I write this, I’m preparing for a two-week trip to South America with my family (packing my bags now). By the time you read this, I hope to be relaxing and enjoying the opportunity to reconnect and recharge.

But first some last words for the year…

It’s hard to believe the South Florida Law Blog is now approaching its one-year anniversary!

When Oppenheim Law unveiled the South Florida Law Blog, not even my own wife, kids, sibling or in-laws would subscribe. When I wrote, it seemed only to be for the invisible search engines that provide little substantive feedback.

But slowly, ever so slowly, YOU started subscribing. Oppenheim Law’s early readers commented frequently, as did our Facebook fans. You all pushed our Florida foreclosure defense team, supported Oppenheim Law and gave me more encouragement than I ever deserved or expected. In fact, it was never me that propelled the blog but the cutting-edge subject matter and helpful content. Now we have thousands of online subscribers and it’s growing every day.

Throughout 2009, Oppenheim Law found ways for families facing Florida foreclosure to stay in their homes, even against the most improbable odds. My recent appointment by the Florida Bar to a committee that addresses Florida foreclosure-related issues is a testament to the collective efforts of Oppenheim Law’s foreclosure defense team. At first, our foreclosure defense attorneys considered ourselves the underdog. But now, with so many other attorneys emulating Oppenheim Law’s tactics, the playing field is becoming a little more balanced.

The banks and our public officials in Washington undeniably let us down. They demonstrated unbelievable hypocrisy in bailing out the largest financial institutions with taxpayer money while expecting families to fashion their own bailout. The U.S. Treasury looked the other way when the very bankers who caused the crisis were paid multi-million dollar bonuses with tax payer funds, while folks underwater and unemployed continued to drown. And through it all, Washington looks on and takes political contributions from the banks. Sometimes, I think Washington is just fiddling as Nero did while Rome burned to the ground.

In the New Year, Oppenheim Law will continue helping the average person craft personal bailouts through my signature column “In the Trenches.” Ellen, my law partner and wife, with a background in psychology, will introduce a new column called “From the Heart.” Her column will address the long-term social ramifications South Florida can expect from the legal and economic fallout of this foreclosure crisis.  Once in awhile, we may even collaborate on a blog.

I’m also proud to announce Oppenheim Law will be continuing its free Florida foreclosure defense and real estate workshops in 2010.  The legal workshops are designed to help South Florida homeowners understand the tools available for crafting personal bailouts.

The first workshop of the New Year will be Thursday January 7th at 6 p.m.

2009 has proven to Oppenheim Law that the “new normal” has arrived and “Dorothy: We are no longer in Kansas. No matter how much you want to go home,” certainly applies to South Florida’s real estate and economic landscape. Together, however, Oppenheim Law will provide you the tools and encouragement to persevere.

On behalf of my whole family, and staff I thank you all again for your support. I look forward to hearing from you often and wish you and your family the very best in the New Year. I am confident 2010 will be better for all of us.