merit retention - ...merit retention justices of the supreme court of florida who will appear on the...

MERIT RETENTION

Justices of the Supreme Court of Floridawho will appear on the Merit Retention Ballot

in the November 8, 2016, General Election

with

Judges In Florida’s Five District Courts of Appeal Who Face A Merit Retention Vote

Chief JusticeJorge Labarga

Justice Charles T. Canady

Justice Ricky Polston

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CHARLES T. CANADY

BIRTH DATE: 1954

HOMETOWN: Lakeland

FAMILY: Married, two children

DEGREES AND SCHOOLS: J.D., Yale Law School, 1979; B.A., Haver-ford College, 1976.

LEGAL OFFICES & POSITIONS: Supreme Court of Florida: justice, 2008-present; chief justice, 2010-

2012. Second District Court of Appeal, judge 2002-2008. Gov. Jeb Bush, general counsel, 2001-2002. U.S. House of Representatives: member, 1993-2000; chairman, U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, 1995-2000. Florida House of Representatives: member, 1984-1990; chairman, Florida House Appropriations Sub-committee for Criminal Justice, 1989. Holland & Knight, Lakeland, associate, 1979-1982. Lane, Trohn et al., Lake-land, associate/shareholder, 1983-1992.

BAR OFFICES & ACTIVITIES: Conference of Chief Jus-tices, member, 2010-2012. Commission on the Adminis-tration of Justice in Capital Cases, member, 2004-2006. Florida Crime Prevention and Law Enforcement Study Commission, member, 1989.

OTHER CIVIC ACTIVITIES: Marketable Record Title Act Study Commission, member, 1985-1986.

SUPREME COURT OF FLORIDAFor more information:

www.floridasupremecourt.org

JORGE LABARGA

BIRTH DATE: 1952

HOMETOWN: Wellington

FAMILY: Married, two daughters

DEGREES AND SCHOOLS: J.D., University of Florida College of Law, 1979. B.A., University of Florida, 1976.

LEGAL OFFICES & POSITIONS: Florida Supreme Court, 2009-pres-ent; chief justice, 2014-present.

Fourth District Court of Appeal, 2008-2009. Fifteenth Judi-cial Circuit, Palm Beach County, trial judge in matrimonial, civil and criminal trial divisions, 1996-2008. Roth, Duncan & Labarga, P.A., West Palm Beach, founder, 1992-1996. Cone, Wagner, Nugent, Johnson, Roth & Romano, P.A., in West Palm Beach, 1987-1992. State Attorney’s Office,

West Palm Beach, felony division and the organized crime division, 1982-1987. Public Defender’s Office, West Palm Beach, 1979-1982.

BAR OFFICES & ACTIVITIES: Florida Commission on Access to Civil Justice, chair. Florida Court Education Council, chair. Florida Supreme Court Judicial Manage-ment Conference, chair. Judicial Branch Governance Conference. Judicial Branch Budget Oversight Committee. Supreme Court Committee on Criminal Jury Instructions. Subcommittee created to recommend procedural changes to capital postconviction proceedings. Florida Supreme Court Historical Society, liaison justice.

HONORS & AWARDS: University of Florida Distinguished Alumnus Award, 2015. 2014 Jurist of the Year, Florida Chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates. In-dependence of the Judiciary Award, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2011. Leadership Award, Palm Beach County Hispanic Bar Association, 2011. Gra-cias Award, Broward County Hispanic Bar Association, 2009. Jurist of the Year, Palm Beach County Justice As-sociation, 2009. In Appreciation for Dedication and Public Service, Miami-Dade Justice Association, 2009. Judicial Achievement Award, Florida Justice Association, 2009. Justice Award, Palm Beach County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2008. Dedicated and Devoted Public Service Award, Voters’ Coalition of Palm Beach County, 2006. Award by the Conference of Circuit Judges, in rec-ognition for presiding over “A Contest of the Presidential Election of 2000 (Bush v. Gore).”

RICKY L. POLSTON

BIRTH DATE: 1955

HOMETOWN: Graceville

FAMILY: Married, 10 children (ad-opted sibling group of six)

DEGREES AND SCHOOLS: J.D., Florida State University, 1986, B.S., Florida State University, 1977. A.A., Chipola Junior College, 1975.

LEGAL OFFICES & POSITIONS: Florida Supreme Court, 2008-present (chief justice, 2012-2014). First District Court of Appeal, 2001-2008. Private law practice, 1987-2000. Florida State University, adjunct law professor, 2003-pres-ent. Certified Public Accountant, 1978-present. Public accounting practice, 1977-1984.

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BAR OFFICES & ACTIVITIES: The Florida Bar: Member, 1987-present. Admitted to practice before United States District Court, Northern District of Florida; United States District Court, Middle District of Florida; United States District Court, Southern District of Florida; United States Tax Court; United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Cir-cuit; United States Court of Federal Claims; United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; United States Supreme Court. Conference of Chief Justices, member, 2012-2014. Certified Circuit Court Mediator, 1997-2003. Appellate Court Rules Committee, 2003-2006. Tallahassee Bar Association. Tallahassee Inn of Court (alumni, former

treasurer). Florida Conference of District Court of Appeal Judges, treasurer, 2006-2008.

OTHER CIVIC ACTIVITIES: Prior church leadership, in-cluding being an elder, deacon and chairman of deacons, teacher of various student and adult classes. Florida Insti-tute of CPAs. American Institute of CPAs.

HONORS & AWARDS: Martindale-Hubbell AV rating and Bar Register Preeminent Attorneys. Florida State Univer-sity College of Law: Law Review 1985-86; Order of Coif. Florida State University: Most Outstanding Accounting Student, 1977.

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ROSS BILBREY

BIRTH YEAR: 1968

HOMETOWN: Pensacola

FAMILY: Married, three daughters


LEGAL OFFICES & POSITIONS: First District Court of Appeal, 2015-present. Circuit Judge, First Judicial Circuit,

Pensacola, 2012- 2015. County Judge, Santa Rosa County, Milton, 2006-2012. Bilbrey Law Firm, P.A. (formerly Bilbrey & Cowan, P.A.), Pensacola, managing partner, 2003-2006. Naval Legal Service Office, Naval Air Station Pensacola, le-gal assistance attorney, 2000-2003. Brant, Moore, Macdon-ald & Wells, P.A., Jacksonville, senior associate. 1997-2000. Rumrell, Wagner & Costabel, P.A. (now Rumrell, McLeod & Brock, PLLC), Jacksonville, associate attorney, 1993-1997.

BAR OFFICES & ACTIVITIES: Florida Supreme Court: Commission on District Court of Appeal Performance and Accountability, 2015-present; Local Rules Advisory Com-mittee, 2014-present (committee chair, 2015-present). Leon County Bar Association, 2015-present. First Judicial Circuit: Professionalism Committee, 2007-2015; co-chair Bench and Bar Conference, 2007-2009; Pro Bono Award Selec-tion Committee, 2007-2013. Escambia Santa Rosa Bar As-sociation, 2000-2015: Family Law Committee, 2002- 2007; Judicial Liaison Committee, 2003-2006. Florida Bar Military Affairs Committee, 2001-2005. Jacksonville Bar Association, 1993-2000: Client Dispute Resolution, Pro Bono, and Young Lawyers Committees. American Bar Association, 1993-2000.

HONORS & AWARDS: 2002 Civilian of the Year Award for Best Civilian Employee at Naval Legal Service Office Central, for performance including work completed following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Certificate of Appreciation, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, for partici-pation in the File of Life program while at the Naval Legal Service Office. Certificate of Appreciation, Northwest Florida Council on Aging, for assisting veterans and their families. Santa Rosa County Domestic Violence Council, Certificate of Appreciation for Excellence and Innovation, for handling domestic violence cases. Phi Beta Kappa. Florida Blue Key.

First District Court of Appeal

Counties: Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Calhoun, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Nassau, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Wakulla, Walton, Washington

For more information: www.1dca.org

SUSAN KELSEY

BIRTH YEAR: 1959

HOMETOWN: Tallahassee

FAMILY: Married, one child

DEGREES AND SCHOOLS: J.D., University of Florida College of Law, 1988. B.A., communications, Freed-Hardeman University (Henderson, Tenn.), 1980.

LEGAL OFFICES & POSITIONS: First District Court of Appeal, April 2015-present. Kelsey Ap-pellate Law Firm, P.A. (solo appellate practice), 2007-2015. Anchors Smith Grimsley, P.L. Litigation Group, 2005-2007. Holland & Knight LLP, 1988-2005.

BAR OFFICES & ACTIVITIES: First District Appellate American Inn of Court: president and master, 2009-2010; Executive Committee officer and master member, 2008-2016. The Florida Bar: Appellate Practice Section, member; General Practice, Small Firm and Solo Practice Section, past member; Rules Committee, vice chair, 1999-2004; subcommittees: Administrative Practice, Transition/Term Limits (chair). The Federalist Society, member. University of Florida Law Review: editor in chief, summer and fall 1987; title standards editor, spring 1987; assistant research edi-tor, 1986-1987. University of Florida College of Law, legal research and writing instructor, 1987-1988. Florida Blue Key, 1987-1988.

HONORS & AWARDS: Best Lawyers In America, 2013-2014. Florida Super Lawyers, 2006-2015. Florida Legal Elite, 2004-2011, 2015. Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers, 2013. Martindale-Hubbell AV rating, 2000-pres-ent. Pro Bono Award co-recipient, The Florida Bar Appellate Practice Section, 2004. Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Attorney to the Guardian Ad Litem program, Second Judicial Circuit, Leon County, 1990. Leadership Tallahas-see Class 8 graduate, 1991.

PUBLICATIONS: “Improving Appellate Oral Arguments Through Tentative Opinions and Focus Orders,” The Florida Bar Journal, December 2014. Florida Appellate Practice, “Jurisdiction and Review,” The Florida Bar, 6th ed. 2006. Florida Appellate Practice Guide, “Jurisdiction,” The Florida Bar, 2002/03 ed. (rewritten). “The New & Improved APA:

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Another Question Answered,” The Florida Bar Admin. L.S. Newsletter, December 2001). “The New and Improved APA: Three Questions, Three Answers,” The Florida Bar Admin. L.S. Newsletter, March 2001. “The Hidden Diver-sity,” Florida Association for Women Lawyers Journal, spring 2001. “The Record on Appeal: The Foundation for Appellate Review,” Florida Association for Women Lawyers Journal, winter 2000. “Revising the Role of the Florida Supreme Court in Constitutional Initiatives,” The Florida Bar Journal, April 1997.

LORI S. ROWE

BIRTH YEAR: 1970

HOME TOWN: Pensacola


DEGREES AND SCHOOLS: J.D., Florida State University College of Law, 1997. M.B.A., Florida State University College of Business, 1997. B.A., Classical Languages, Vanderbilt University, 1992.

LEGAL OFFICES & POSITIONS: First District Court of Appeal, 2009–present. Executive Office of the Governor, deputy chief of staff, 2007-2009. Office of the Attorney General: executive deputy attorney general, 2005-2006; assistant deputy attorney general, 2004-2005; director of multistate litigation, 2003-2004; assistant attorney general, Antitrust Section, 1997-2000. Gray, Harris & Robinson, P.A, associate, 2000-2003.

BAR OFFICES & ACTIVITIES: Board Certification in anti-trust and trade regulation, The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization, 2004-present. The Florida Bar Antitrust and Trade Regulation Law Certification Committee, 2005-2006; 2016-2018. The Federalist Society, Tallahassee Lawyers Chapter, 2015–present. First District Appellate American Inn of Court, Executive Committee and master member, 2015–present. Tallahassee Bar Association, 2016-present. William H. Stafford American Inn of Court, 2010–2012.

OTHER CIVIC ACTIVITIES: Florida State University, Col-lege of Business, adjunct faculty, 2013–present. George Mason University School of Law, Law and Economics Center, Judicial Education Program, Advisory Board, 2016–present. Junior League of Tallahassee, sustaining member, 2004-present. Killearn United Methodist Church: 2009-present; Church Council, 2015–present. Suwannee River Area Boy Scout Council, Cub Scout Summer Day Camp director, 2014–2016. Twelve Churches/ Doce Igle-sias, Women’s Missions Teams, October 2014, February 2016.

KENT WETHERELL

BIRTH YEAR: 1970

HOMETOWN: Daytona Beach


DEGREES AND SCHOOLS: J.D., Florida State University, 1995. B.S., accounting, Florida State University, 1992.

LEGAL OFFICES & POSITIONS: Judge, First District Court of Appeal,

2009-present. Administrative law judge, Division of Admin-istrative Hearings, 2002-2009. Deputy solicitor general, Office of the Attorney General, 1999-2002. Private practice, Hopping, Green, Sams & Smith, Tallahassee, 1995-1999.

BAR OFFICES & ACTIVITIES: Appellate Court Technol-ogy Committee, 2010-present. eFACTS Change Advisory Board, 2014-present. Appellate Court Rules Committee, 2010-2016: chair, 2015-2016; vice-chair, 2014-2015; Criminal Procedure Rules Committee, 2016-present. First District Court of Appeal Appellate Inn of Court, 2011-present. National Association of Workers’ Compen-sation Judiciary: Board of Directors, 2013-2015. Judicial Branch Legal Research Workgroup, 2012. Administrative Practice Manual Steering Committee, 2008-2009. Appel-late Practice Section, 2010-present. Administrative Law Section, 1995-present: Executive Council, 2006-2010. Environmental & Land Use Law Section, 1995-1999: Legislative Committee chair, 1998-1999. Student Educa-tion and Admissions to the Bar Committee, 1996-1999. Tallahassee Bar Association.

PUBLICATIONS: “Florida Law Because of and Accord-ing to Mickey: The ‘Top 5’ Florida Cases and Statutes Involving Walt Disney World,” Florida Coastal Law Jour-nal, 2002. “Small Scale Plan Amendments: Legislative or Quasi-judicial in Nature?”, Florida Bar Journal, April 1999. “The New Burdens of Proof in Ad Valorem Tax Valuation Cases, FSU Law Review, 1998. “Rulemaking Reforms and Restrictions on Agencies’ Use of Non-Rule Policy in the New APA: A ‘Catch 22’ for State Agencies?”, Florida Bar Journal, March 1997 (co-author). “The Practitioner’s ‘Road Maps’ to the Revised APA,” Florida Bar Journal, March 1997 (co-author). “The Legislature Tweaks McDonald Again: The New Restrictions in Florida’s Administrative Procedure Act on the Use of ‘Unadopted Rules’ and ‘In-cipient Policies’ by State Agencies,” University of Florida Law Review, 1996 (co-author). “Private Property Rights Legislation: The ‘Midnight Version’ and Beyond,” FSU Law Review, 1994. Periodic articles in the Administrative Law Section Newsletter and the Environmental & Land Use Law Section Reporter, 1997-2007.

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BO WINOKUR

BIRTH YEAR: 1966

HOMETOWN: Tampa

FAMILY: Married, one child


LEGAL OFFICES & POSITIONS: First District Court of Appeal,

2015-present. Office of the Governor, assistant general counsel, 2011-2015. Office of the Attorney General, as-sistant attorney general, 1999-2011. Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, assistant general counsel, 1995-1999. United States Army, Army Judge Ad-vocate General’s Corps attorney, 1992-1995. Airth, Sellers, Lewis and Prevatt, associate, 1991-1992.

BAR OFFICES & ACTIVITIES: The Florida Bar: Practicing with Professionalism, guest panelist, 2014-2015; Criminal Law Section, Appellate Practice Section, Government Lawyer Section, past member.

OTHER CIVIC ACTIVITIES: First District Appellate Ameri-can Inn of Court, 2014-present. Federalist Society (Tal-lahassee Lawyers Chapter), 2011-present. Earle Zehmer National Moot Court Competition, judge, 2015. Florida State University College of Law (judged first-year oral arguments, served as a guest panelist in various classes). University of Florida College of Law (judged moot court competitions).

JIM WOLF

BIRTH YEAR: 1950

HOMETOWN: Newark, N.J.

FAMILY: Married, one daughter

DEGREES AND SCHOOLS: LL.M., University of Virginia, 2001. J.D., University of Miami, 1975. A.B., Rutgers University, 1972.

LEGAL OFFICES & POSITIONS: Judge, First District Court of Appeal,

1990-present (chief judge, 2003-2005). Judicial Qualifica-tions Commission, member and two-time chair, 1999-2011. District Court of Appeal Budget Commission, chair, 2003-2005. District Court Conference: Former president; Judicial Evaluation and Legislative committees. Florida League of Cities, general counsel, 1983-1991. Private practice, Caldwell, Pacetti, Barrow & Salisbury, 1980-1983. Code Enforcement Board attorney, city of West Palm Beach and city of Boynton Beach, 1980-83. City attorney, Jupiter Inlet Colony, 1981-1983. Assistant city attorney, city of West

Palm Beach, 1978-1980. Assistant state attorney, Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, 1975-1978.

BAR OFFICES & ACTIVITIES: First District Appellate American Inn of Court, charter member and first presi-dent. William Stafford Tallahassee American Inn of Court, senior member and past president. The Florida Bar: Civil Procedures Rules Committee, 1994-1998; Local Government Law Certification Committee, 1995-1997; Committee on Rules of Evidence, 1991; Local Govern-ment Section, chair 1990, executive counsel, 1985-1991. Florida Municipal Attorneys’ Association, executive sec-retary, 1983-1991.

TEACHING POSITIONS: Legal Environment Online, Florida State University, College of Business, lecturer, 2014-present. University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia, guest lecturer, 2014. University of National and World Economy, Sofia, Bulgaria, guest lecturer, 2013. Florida State Univer-sity College of Law, adjunct professor in Florida Constitu-tional Law and Local Government Law, 2000-2011. Florida State University, adjunct professor in Local Government at Graduate School of Public Administration, 1998.

OTHER CIVIC ACTIVITIES: Tallahassee Jewish Federa-tion, Board of Directors, 2008-2013. Participant in literacy and Justice Teaching programs for elementary school children, 1997-2011. Governor’s Conference on Local Government, vice chair, 1990s. President, neighborhood association, 1990-1991. Local Government Symposium, Stetson Law Review, 1987-1990. Kiwanis, 1980-1983.

HONORS & AWARDS: Ralph A. Marsicano Award to the Outstanding Local Government Attorney presented by Local Government Law Section of The Florida Bar, 1990. Municipal Attorney of the Year presented by Florida Municipal Attorneys’ Association, 1988. American Juris-prudence Award for Excellent Achievement in the Study of Civil Procedure. Dean’s list four semesters, University of Miami School of Law.

PUBLICATIONS: The Florida Bar Journal, Fla. B.J., Sept./Oct. 2011, at 39, “Taking a Swing at Appellate Brief Writing.” The Florida Bar Journal, Fla. B.J., June 2009, at 92, “The Effectiveness of Home Rule: A Preemption and Conflict Analysis.” Stetson Law Review, Winter 2008, 37 Stetson Law Review 435, “Municipalities and the Florida Constitution.” Nova Law Review, Spring 2006, 30 Nova Law Review 349, “Judicial Discipline in Florida: The Cost of Misconduct.” University of Miami Law Review, Spring 2002, 56 U. of Miami Law Review 507, “Inherent Rulemaking of an Independent Judiciary.” Stetson Law Review, Winter 1999, 28 Stetson Law Review 623, “Local Government Responsibility for Misconduct of Third Persons, The Pen-dulum Continues to Swing.” Local Government Lawyers’ Deskbook, 1998; author, “Privileges and Confidential In-formation,” in Lawyers’ Cooperative, American Inn of Court Civil Procedures Series (1996).

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Second District Court of Appeal

Counties: Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota

For more information : www.2dca.org

JOHN BADALAMENTI

BIRTH YEAR: 1973

HOMETOWN: Tampa (born in Brooklyn, N.Y.; family relocated to Florida in 1986)


DEGREES AND SCHOOLS: J.D., University of Florida Levin College of Law, 1999. M.A., sociology, University of Florida, 1999. B.A., Criminology & Law, University of Florida, 1995.

LEGAL OFFICES & POSITIONS: Second District Court of Appeal, May

2015-present. Federal Defender’s Office, Middle District of Florida, Tampa, Appellate Division, assistant federal defender, 2006-2015 (presented oral argument for petitioner in Supreme Court of the United States in Yates v. United States, 2014). U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, St. Petersburg, senior law clerk for the Hon. Paul H. Roney, 2003-2006. Carlton Fields, P.A., St. Petersburg, associate, Appellate & Litigation Support Practice Group, 2001-2002. U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, Atlanta, law clerk for the Hon. Frank Mays Hull, 2000-2001. U.S. Department of Justice Honors Program, Atlanta, honors attorney/attorney-advisor, 1999-2000. State At-torney’s Office, Eighth Judicial Circuit, Gainesville, certified legal intern, 1998.

BAR OFFICES & ACTIVITIES: The Florida Bar: Committee on Professionalism, term begins July 1, 2016; Federal Court Practice Committee, 2008-2015 (chair 2014-2015, vice chair 2012-2013. Herbert G. Goldburg-Ronald C. Cacciatore Criminal Law American Inn of Court, 2007-201. J. Clifford Cheatwood American Inn of Court, 2011-2014. Bruce R. Jacob Criminal Appellate American Inn of Court, 2010-2011.

OTHER CIVIC ACTIVITIES: Troop 100, Boy Scouts of America, Tampa, assistant scoutmaster, 2010-present. Troop 477, Girl Scouts of America, Tampa, volunteer, 2013-present. 2016 Keynote Speaker for Eagle Scout Ceremony, Troop 46.

HONORS & AWARDS: AV-Preeminent Rating, Martindale-Hubbell (Appellate Practice, Criminal Appeals, and Federal Criminal Law), 2013-present. Commencement Speaker, Western Michigan Uni-versity, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Tampa Campus, 2016. Mentor of the Year Award, Federal Bar Association, Tampa Bay Chapter, 2012. Volunteer Service Award, Academy Preparatory School of Ybor City, 2010-2014. Executive Editorial Board, Uni-versity of Florida Journal of Law and Public Policy, 1998-1999. Pro Bono Award, University of Florida College of Law, 1999. Phi Delta Phi International Legal Honorary, 1999. Graduate teaching and research assistantships, University of Florida, Center for Studies in Criminology & Law, 1996-1999. Eagle Scout Award, Boy Scouts of America, 1991. Commander’s Commendation Award, Civil Air

Patrol, U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, 1990. Billy Mitchell Award, Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, 1989.

PUBLICATIONS: Private Adult Correctional Facility Census, (10th ed., 1997) (co-author) (cited by the Supreme Court of the United States in Richardson v. McKnight, 521 U.S. 399, 409 (1997)). Circumventing Intent, Securities News, American Bar Association, Litigation Section, Vol. 12, No. 3 (2002) (co-author).

MARVA L. CRENSHAW

BIRTH YEAR: 1951

HOMETOWN: DeFuniak Springs


DEGREES AND SCHOOLS: J.D., University of Florida College of Law, 1975. B.S., Tuskegee Institute, 1973.

LEGAL OFFICES & POSITIONS: Sec-ond District Court of Appeal, 2009-pres-ent. Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, judge, 2000-2009. Hillsborough County judge

1989-2000. Bay Area Legal Services, attorney and deputy direc-tor, 1978-1989. Eleventh Circuit, Miami-Dade County, assistant state attorney, 1976-1978.

BAR OFFICES & ACTIVITIES: Florida Conference of Circuit Judges, Education Committee. Florida Conference of District Court of Appeal Judges, Education Committee, 2011-2014. The Florida Bar: Appellate Rules Committee, 2009-2015; Civil Rules Committee, 2006-2009 (vice-chair 2008-2009). Florida Bar Foundation, Board of Directors, Investment and LAP grant committees, 2010-2015. Florida Supreme Court: Standing Committee on Fairness and Diversity, 2010-2014; Justice Teaching Institute, mentor-audit judge, 2003. Bruce Jacob Criminal Appellate Inns of Court, 2009-present. Florida Judicial College, mentor judge, 2004. Hillsborough County Bar Association: Community Service Committee, 2008; Law Week, 1990,1993,1998; Bulletin, 1989; Mock Trial, 1988; Barrister Ball, 1998; County Civil Rules Committee, chair, 1985. Ferguson White Inn of Court, master of the bench. William Glenn Terrell Inn of Court, president, president-elect, 1994-1996. George Edgecomb Bar Association. Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers, mentor; Board of Directors, 1991, 1994, 1996.

OTHER CIVIC ACTIVITIES: Habitat for Humanity, Paint Your Heart Out Tampa, past volunteer. Delta Sigma Theta, Tampa Metropolitan Chapter. Tuskegee Alumni Association. Literacy Volunteers of America, tutor and former board member. Hills-borough County Suicide & Crisis Center, Board of Directors, president and vice president, 1983-1985. Academy Holy Names, past member Board of Trustees.

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HONORS & AWARDS: Florida Association for Women Law-yers: Leader in the Law Award, 2014. Omega Psi Phi, Pi Iota Chapter, Citizen of the Year, 2010. Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers, Achievement Award, 2007. Who’s Who of American Women, 14th, 16th, 18th and 20th editions. Tampa Police Department, Achievement Award, 1997. National Asso-ciation of Negro Business and Professional Women, Sojourner Truth Award, 1991. Tampa Bay Business Journal & Price Wa-terhouse, Up & Comer’s Award, 1990. George Edgecomb Bar Association, Achievement Award, 1990.

PATRICIA J. KELLY

BIRTH YEAR: 1956

HOMETOWN: Tampa

FAMILY: Two children

DEGREES AND SCHOOLS: J.D., Uni-versity of Florida College of Law, 1986. B.A., University of South Florida, 1983.

LEGAL OFFICES & POSITIONS: Sec-ond District Court of Appeal, 2001-pres-ent. Private practice, 1993-2001 (prac-

tice limited to appeals) and 1986-1989. Hon. James E. Lehan, Second District Court of Appeal, senior staff attorney, 1989-1993.

BAR OFFICES & ACTIVITIES: Florida Innocence Commission, 2010. The Florida Bar, Appellate Practice Section: member, 1994-present; executive council, 2000-2001; pro se appellate handbook committee, 2000-2002; education committee, 1998-2000. Conference of District Court of Appeal Judges Education Committee: member, 2007-2010; co-chair, 2010; chair, 2009. Florida Court Education Council, member, 2009-2010. Florida Appellate Justice Conference, steering committee, 2006. Appel-late Court Rules Committee, member, 1998-2004. Hillsborough County Bar Association, Appellate Practice and Advocacy Sec-tion, past member.

OTHER CIVIC ACTIVITIES: J. Clifford Cheatwood Inn of Court, member. University of South Florida, Honors College, instructor, 2010. Bruce R. Jacob Inn of Court, past member. C.H. Ferguson M. E. White Inn of Court, past member.

HONORS & AWARDS: Board certified, appellate practice, 1998.

NELLY N. KHOUZAM

BIRTH YEAR: 1958

HOMETOWN: Tarpon Springs


DEGREES AND SCHOOLS: J.D., with Honors, University of Florida College of Law, December 1981. B.A., University of Florida College of Arts and Sciences, March 1979.

LEGAL OFFICES & POSITIONS: Judge, Second District Court of Appeal,

2008-present. Circuit Court Judge, Sixth Judicial Circuit serving Pinellas and Pasco, June 1994-July 2008. Silberman & Khouzam, P.A., January 1990-June 1994. Fowler, White, Gillen, Boggs, Villareal & Banker, P.A., April 1984-January 1990.

BAR OFFICES & ACTIVITIES: University of Florida Law Center Association Inc. Board of Trustees, 2013-present. American Law Institute, 2014-present (by invitation). Florida Judicial College, New Appellate Judges Program, faculty member. Select Committee on Justice Teaching, July 2006-July 2008 (in charge of Pinellas and Pasco Counties’ schools). Florida Conference of Circuit Judges: Executive Committee (1997-2003) and chair (June 2003-June 2004). Judicial Management Council, 2000-2003. Supreme Court Committee to study the effects of the Criminal Appeals Reform Act, 1999-2003. Criminal Section of the Florida Conference of Circuit Judges, chair, June 1997-June 1999. Family Law Section of the Florida Conference of Circuit Judges, chair, June 1999-June 2000. American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) (by invitation), 1993-present.

OTHER CIVIC ACTIVITIES: All Saints Catholic Church, Clearwater. Leadership Council, Florida Holocaust Museum, 2012-present. Character GPS (promoting Character development in Children), Board of Advisors, 2014-2015. Advisory Council of Personal Enrichment through Mental Health Services Inc. (PEMHS), past member. YWCA of Tampa Bay 75th Anniversary Leadership Committee. American Association of University Women, Clearwater Branch, 1992-1996. Advisory Council for the Community Law program, 1993. Florida Bay Chapter of the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, Board of Directors, 1991-1994.

HONORS & AWARDS: Judicial Appreciation Award in recognition of outstanding service to the legal profession, the State of Florida and the University of Florida College of Law, presented by the University of Florida Law Alumni Council, April 24, 2014. John U. Bird Distinguished Jurist Award, presented by the Clearwater Bar Association at the Law Day Luncheon, May 1, 2009. William Castagna Award for Judicial Excellence for displaying the highest standards of Judicial Excellence in Knowledge of the Law, Ethics, Civility, Professionalism and Demeanor presented by the Barney Masterson Inn of Court, June 16, 2006. Distinguished Leadership Award presented May 2004 by the Conference of County Judges of Florida in recognition for outstanding contributions to the welfare and advancement of the Conference regarding work on Article 5/Revision 7 legislative sessions. “Florida Jurist of the Year Award” by The American Board of Trial Advocates for recognition and understanding of issues and handling of complex litigation, August 2002. Rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell. Leadership Florida Class XXIII. 1999. Nominated Great Woman of the Year for 2008, by the American Biographical Institute Inc. Great Women of the 21st Century, 2006 Edition, in recognition of women whose impact has been outstanding. Leadership Pinellas, Class of 1989-1990.

PUBLICATIONS: Co-author, chapter on “Pretrial Stipulations and Orders” for the Business Litigation in Florida Fifth Edition, March 2007 (previous editions published in 2005, 2000, 1997). Co-author with Morris Silberman of the 2003 Chester Bedell Mock Trial Competition Problem used by Florida Law Schools in a competition sponsored by The Florida Bar. General editor for West Publishing Company of 1998 Supplement for the Pretrial 2 volume of the Florida American Inn of Court Series on Civil Procedure, 1998. “From the Bench: Do’s and Don’ts of Talking to the Jury,” Litigation Magazine, Vol. 23, No. 4, Summer 1997 and Spring 1998 issue of Best of ABA Sections. Editorial Consultant, American Inns of Court Series on Florida Civil Procedure, 1995. “Medical Malpractice: A Review of the Pre-suit Screening Provisions of the Florida Medical Malpractice Act,” Nova Law Review, 1995. Supplement author, “Business Litigation in Florida” The Florida Bar, 1994. Editor,

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“Ethical Considerations in Representing a Land Trust and its Principals,” The Florida Bar Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, 1993 Seminar. “Overview of Medical Malpractice Act,” PICOMESO, Vol. 31, No. 7, May 1992. “D.P.R., Friend or Foe?” PICOMESO, Vol. 31, No. 6, April 1992, “An Update of the Medical Malpractice Reform Act,” Trial Advocate Quarterly, July 1990. “A Review of the Pre-suit Screening Provisions of the Comprehensive Medical Malpractice Reform Act,” Florida Bar Journal, April 1990. “A Review of the Pre-suit Screening Provisions of the Comprehensive Medical Malpractice Reform Act and Its Interpretation and Application by Florida Courts,” Trial Advocate Quarterly, July 1989.

MATT LUCAS

BIRTH YEAR: 1974

HOMETOWN: Tampa

FAMILY: Married, two sons

DEGREES AND SCHOOLS: J.D., University of Florida Levin College of Law, 2000. B.S., economics, Florida State University, 1995.

LEGAL OFFICES & POSITIONS: Second District Court of Appeal, Janu-ary 2015-present. Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, judge, 2013-2014. Hillsborough

County judge, 2010-2012. Private practice, 2000-2010.

BAR OFFICES & ACTIVITIES: Florida Supreme Court: Civil Jury Instructions Committee; Florida Court Education Counsel Publication Committee. The Florida Bar, Business Litiga-tion Board Certification Committee, former member. Tampa Family Law Inn of Court, former member and past president. Thirteenth Circuit Pro Bono Committee, former member and past vice chair. Various CLE panels.

OTHER CIVIC ACTIVITIES: Little League coach.

PUBLICATIONS: “Florida Civil Procedure: A Practical Ap-proach” (Wolters Kluwer 2014). “Revoking the Irrevocable Buyout: Aligning Equity with Due Diligence in Corporate Dis-solution,” 75 Albany Law Review 15 (2011-2012). “Balance of Silence: Weighing the Right to Remain Silent Against the Right of Access to Florida Civil Courts,” 22 University of Florida Journal of Law & Public Policy 1 (2011). “Valuing the Marital Home,” 88 Florida Bar Journal 8 (April 2014). “Now or Then? The Time of Loss in Title Insurance,” 85 Florida Bar Journal 10 (December 2011). “Diversity Jurisdiction Removal in Florida,” 77 Florida Bar Journal 54 (January 2003).

ROBERT MORRIS

BIRTH YEAR: 1953

HOMETOWN: Jacksonville. Raised in both Florida and the Bahamas, attending St. Andrews, the International School of the Bahamas, and then Tarpon Springs High School, from which he graduated.

FAMILY: Married, three children

DEGREES AND SCHOOLS: LL.M., Duke University. J.D., DePaul University. B.S., University of Florida.

LEGAL OFFICES & POSITIONS: Second District Court of Appeal, 2009-present. Circuit Court for the Sixth Judicial Cir-cuit (Pinellas/Pasco), 2002-2009 (elected chief judge twice). Pinellas County Court, 1997-2002. Experience over previous 17 years: Prosecutor; partner and statewide management committee member in a national law firm; principal in own law firm (practice focused on commercial litigation as well as business and real estate law).

BAR OFFICES & ACTIVITIES: Supreme Court Judicial Management Council, present. Judicial Qualifications Com-mission present. Trial Court Budget Commission. Supreme Court Committee on Children and Families in Court. Florida Judicial College and the College of Advanced Judicial Studies, faculty. Duke law review “Judicature,” editor-in-chief.

OTHER CIVIC ACTIVITIES: Graduate of Lay Pastoral Ministry Institute of the Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg. Served on the boards of directors of a bank and a hospital.

HONORS & AWARDS: AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell.

STEVAN TRAVIS NORTHCUTT

BIRTH YEAR: 1954

HOMETOWN: Tallahassee

FAMILY: Divorced, one adult daughter

DEGREES AND SCHOOLS: J.D., Florida State University College of Law, 1978. B.A., mass communications, University of South Florida, 1975.

LEGAL OFFICES & POSITIONS: Sec-ond District Court of Appeal, 1997-pres-ent; chief judge 2007-2009. Levine, Hirsch, Segall & Northcutt, PA, partner,

1986-1997. Levine, Freedman, Hirsch & Levinson, PA, Tampa, associate, 1978-1986.

BAR & LEGAL COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: Appellate Court Rules Committee, 19-year member; Appellate Practice and Advocacy Section, charter member; Appellate Practice and Advocacy Section’s Civil Appellate Practice Committee, first chairman; Public Interest Section; Journal-News Editorial Board; Young Lawyers’ Section Legislation Committee. Hills-borough County Bar Association; Family Law Section Execu-tive Council; Appellate Court Liaison Committee; Appellate Practice Section; Family Law Inn of Court; Hillsborough County Law Library Board.

STATE COURT SYSTEM ACTIVITIES: District Court of Ap-peal Budget Commission, 2005-present, chair 2007-09; Florida Courts Technology Commission; Appellate Courts Technol-ogy Committee, chair; Florida Conference of District Court of Appeal Judges, former president; Chief Justice’s Revenue Stabilization Workgroup.

OTHER CIVIC ACTIVITIES: Hillsborough County Commis-sion Charter Review Board and Citizen’s Advisory Commit-tee; Arts Council and Law Library Boards of Hillsborough County; Older Adult Services Inc. of Tampa, board member and president; Hospice of Hillsborough Inc., board member, chairman 1994-1996.

HONORS & AWARDS: Jurist of the Year, Academy of Matri-monial Lawyers, Florida Chapter.

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SAMUEL SALARIO, JR.

BIRTH YEAR: 1970

HOMETOWN: Tampa

FAMILY: Married, two sons

DEGREES AND SCHOOLS: J.D., University of Florida College of Law. B.A., philosophy and political science, American University.

LEGAL OFFICES & POSITIONS: Second District Court of Appeal, Tam-pa/Lakeland, February 2015-present. Carlton Fields, P.A., Tampa: share-

holder, 2004-2015; associate, 2002-2004. Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering (now WilmerHale), Washington, D.C.: counsel, January 2002-September 2002; associate, 2000-2002. Hol-land & Knight, LLP, Washington, D.C., associate, 1998-2000. Stetson University College of Law, adjunct professor, present.

BAR OFFICES & ACTIVITIES: Florida Supreme Court, Rules of Judicial Administration Committee, 2012-2015. The Florida Bar, Advertising Grievance Committee, 2008-2011. Federal Bar Association, former board member.

OTHER CIVIC ACTIVITIES: Florida Securities Dealers As-sociation, former Advisory Board member. Frequent speaker and panelist on securities and corporate governance topics. Former Cub Scout cubmaster.

HONORS & AWARDS: SuperLawyers (multiple years). Florida Trend Legal Elite (multiple years). AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Order of the Coif.

PUBLICATIONS: Defense of Federal Question Class Actions, co-Author with Gary L. Sasso, 744 PLI/Lit 389, July 2006. Third Circuit Adopts “Materiality and Public Dissemination” Approach to Section 10 (b)’s “In Connection with” Require-ment, co-Author with Andrew B. Weissman, Insights, Vol. 14, No. 10 at 9, October 2000.

CRAIG C. VILLANTI

BIRTH YEAR: 1952

HOMETOWN: Flushing, New York

FAMILY: Married, three children, two granddaughters and two grandsons

DEGREES AND SCHOOLS: J.D., Stetson University College of Law, 1977. B.A., political science, State University of New York at Binghamton, 1974.

LEGAL OFFICES & POSITIONS: Second District Court of Appeal,

2003-present. Sixth Judicial Circuit, circuit court judge, elected 1992, re-elected without opposition 1998; after initial one-year assignment in Pinellas County, served in Pasco County until appointment to the Second District Court of Appeal. Sixth Judicial Circuit, traffic court magistrate, 1990. Private practice in New Port Richey, 1977 (primarily a sole practitioner; ap-pellate practice included cases in the Second District Court

of Appeal, the Florida Supreme Court, and the United States Supreme Court).

BAR OFFICES & ACTIVITIES: The Florida Bar: Grievance Committee, chair; Committees for Civil and Criminal Pro-cedure, member. Helping the Elderly with Legal Problems (H.E.L.P.), founder, 1991 (to provide weekly pro bono services to the elderly in Pasco County). West Pasco Bar Associa-tion (president in 1985). Has lectured at the Judicial College on Advanced Education on topics concerning probate and guardianship law, and he has taught as an adjunct professor at Pasco-Hernando Community College and at St. Leo College on subjects involving real estate and torts.

OTHER CIVIC ACTIVITIES: Eagle Scout. Keynote speaker for Eagle Scout recognition ceremonies. Coach for boys and girls in various recreational youth sports. National Parks, volunteer.

HONORS & AWARDS: Community Aging and Retirement Services, Inc., Outstanding and Dedicated Service, 1989. The Florida Bar, Award for Meritorious Public Service, 1988. West Pasco Bar Association: Volunteer Lawyer’s Program (pro bono), Fee Arbitration, and Judicial Poll awards, 1985.

DOUGLAS ALAN WALLACE

BIRTH YEAR: 1947

HOMETOWN: Miami

FAMILY: Married, two adult children

DEGREES AND SCHOOLS: J.D., Yale Law School, 1972. A.B., Princ-eton University, 1969.

LEGAL OFFICES & POSITIONS: Second District Court of Appeal, 2003-present. Private practice, 1972-2003. Tenth Judicial Circuit, assistant public defender (part-time), 1975-

1978. Twelfth Judicial Circuit, assistant public defender (part-time), 1975.

BAR OFFICES & ACTIVITIES: Manatee County Bar Asso-ciation, secretary, 1976-1977 and 1998-99. Twelfth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee “B,” 1988-1991. Twelfth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee “A,” 1979-1982.

HONORS & AWARDS: Award for Excellence in Florida Ju-dicial Writing, “Appellate Concurring or Dissenting Opinion” category, 2015 (tie with Judge Chris Altenbernd).

PUBLICATIONS: “What Makes a Case or an Issue One of Exceptional Importance?” 89 The Florida Bar Journal 28 (May 2015). “The Impact of a Bankruptcy Filing on a Pending Ap-pellate Proceeding,” 87 The Florida Bar Journal 37 (March 2013). “The Recovery of Attorney’s Fees and Costs for the Unsuccessful Offer of a Will for Probate,” 76 The Florida Bar Journal 36 (January 2002). “Child Custody Contests Between Parents and Third Persons: An Uncertain Standard,” 58 The Florida Bar Journal 474 (July/August 1984). “Protecting the Record for Appeal in a Criminal Case,” 53 The Florida Bar Journal 617 (November 1979). “Occupational Licensing and Certification: Remedies for Denial,” 14 William and Mary Law Review 46 (1974).

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Third District Court of Appeal

Counties: Miami-Dade, Monroe

For more information: www.3dca.org

EDWIN A. SCALES

BIRTH DATE: 1966

HOMETOWN: Lakeland

DEGREES AND SCHOOLS: J.D., University of Florida College of Law, 1991. B.S., telecommunications, University of Florida, 1988.

LEGAL OFFICES & POSITIONS: Third District Court of Appeal, 2013-present. Solo practitioner, Key West (appellate litigation, commercial

and real estate litigation, administrative law and mediation). Florida Citrus Commission, general counsel, through “of-counsel” affiliation with GrayRobinson law firm. Lane, Trohn, Bertrand, & Vreeland, P.A., Lakeland, shareholder. Historic Tours of America, Inc., Key West, general counsel.

BAR OFFICES & ACTIVITIES: The Florida Bar Board of Governors, 2005-2013: Executive Committee, 2010-2013; Legislation Committee, chair; Citizen’s Forum, chair. Federal Judicial Nominating Commission, Florida’s Southern District, 2000-2005. Judicial Nominating Commission, Florida’s 16th Judicial Circuit, appointed 2009 and reappointed 2012. Florida Bar Foundation, Board of Directors, vice-chair, Fi-nance & Audit Committee.

OTHER CIVIC ACTIVITIES: Florida Commission on Eth-ics, 2011-2013 (was vice chairman). Florida Keys Com-munity College, Board of Trustees, appointed 2006; chair, 2007-2009 and 2011-2012. Key West City Commission, 2001-2005. Florida Keys Tourist Development Council, ap-pointed 2003 (two years as treasurer). “Ed Scales Show,” weekly broadcast on US-1 (104.1 FM), host, 1999-present. “The Legal Beagles” radio program, Tampa Bay area, host, 1996-1998. University of Florida Alumni Association, Board of Directors. Florida’s College for Advanced Judicial Studies, instructor, complex civil litigation. Florida Board of Regents, 1987-1988 (as undergraduate).

HONORS & AWARDS: University of Florida: Outstanding male graduate and University of Florida Hall of Fame, 1988; student body president (1989-90); Bill Fleming Memorial Award for outstanding service to the University of Florida community; two-year varsity letterman; Florida Blue Key leadership honorary. Book Award for Florida Administrative Law demonstrating academic excellence in that area.

LINDA ANN WELLS

BIRTH DATE: 1947

HOMETOWN: Independence, Louisiana


DEGREES AND SCHOOLS: J.D., Florida State University College of Law, 1977. B.S., medical technology, University of Florida, 1969.

LEGAL OFFICES & POSITIONS: Third District Court of Appeal:

2003-present; chief judge, 2011-2013. Florida Department of Children and Families, Chief District Legal Counsel, District 11, 1999-2002. Russo, Wells & Associates, partner, 1996-1999. Holland & Knight, LLP, equity partner, 1994-1996. Fine, Jacobson, Schwartz, Nash & Block, associate/partner, 1977-1994.

BAR OFFICES & ACTIVITIES: The Florida Bar: 1977-present; Appellate Rules Liaison Committee, Ap-pellate Practice and Advocacy Section, 1994-1996; Rules Committee, Family Law Section, 1987-1988. Family Law Section, Membership Committee, chair, 1985-1987. Board certified in Appellate Practice by The Florida Bar, 1996-present. National Association of Women Judges, 2011-present. Third District Court of Appeal Historical Society, 2007-present. The American Bar Association, 1977-present; fellow of The American Bar Foundation, 1998-present. The Florida Conference of District Court of Appeal Judges, president, 2012-2013. Florida Supreme Court: Select Committee on Justice Teaching, found-ing member, 2006-2008; Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Civil cases, 2003-2007. Dade County Bar Association: 1977-present; Judicial Campaign Practices Commission, 1998-2002; Executive Committee, 1996-1997; Appellate Court Committee, vice-chair, 1996-1997; Board of Directors, 1995-1998. Dade County Bar Associa-tion, Appellate Court Committee, 1995-1996.

OTHER CIVIC ACTIVITIES: Florida State University, Col-lege of Law, Alumni Board, 2003-present. Head Start, Reading is Fundamental, volunteer, 1995-1998. St. Thomas University Law School, adjunct Professor of Law, 1991-2003. Miami Heart Research Institute, Chairman’s Counsel: chair, 1991-1993; board member, 1986-1995.

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CORY J. CIKLIN

BIRTH DATE: 1957

BIRTHPLACE: Jupiter

FAMILY: Married

DEGREES AND SCHOOLS: J.D., Florida State University College of Law, 1981. Samford University (Cumberland School of Law), 1978-1979. B.S., Florida State University, 1978.

LEGAL OFFICES & POSITIONS: Fourth District Court of Appeal: 2009-present; chief judge July 1, 2015-present. Palm Beach County, county court judge, 1995-2009: presiding judge, North County Court-house, 2008-2009; administrative and presiding judge, Gun Club Criminal Justice Complex, 2004-2008; administrative and presiding judge, North County Courthouse, 2003-2004; general criminal jurisdiction, 2000-2002; chairman, Traffic Hearing Officer Oversight Committee, Palm Beach County, 2000-2002; administrative and presiding judge, Domestic Violence Division, Palm Beach County, 1998-1999; general criminal jurisdiction, 1995-1998. Palm Beach County Attorney’s Office, Assistant county attorney and Palm Beach County consumer advocate, 1991-1994. Palm Beach County Traffic Court, Magistrate, 1991-1994. Boose, Casey, Ciklin, Lubitz, Martens, McBane & O’Connell, senior associate, 1983-1991. The Florida Sheriff’s Youth Fund, vice president and counsel, 1981-1983. Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, legal intern, 1980.

BAR OFFICES & ACTIVITIES: American Bar Association, 1981-present: Commission on Domestic Violence (liaison from Fifteenth Judicial Circuit), 1999-2001; Committee on Media and Public Relations, 1999-2001; Corrections and Sentencing Committee, 1995-2002. Palm Beach County School Board Youth Court Program, volunteer judge, 1995-present. Palm Beach County Bar Association, 1981-present: Bench/Bar Subcommittee, 1995-present; Criminal Law Practice Subcommittee, 1995-2004; Judicial Relations Subcommittee, 1995-2004; Judicial Relations Committee, 2001-2002; Civil Practice Committee, 2002-2003; Public Relations Committee, chairman, 1992-1994; Radio and Television Committee, co-chairman, 1986-1987; Circuit Civil Advisory Committee, 1990-1993; Public

Fourth District Court of Appeal

Counties: Broward, Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, St. Lucie

For more information: www.4DCA. org

Relations Committee, 1990-1991. Association of Trial Lawyers of America, 1985-1994. Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, 1985-1995. Palm Beach County Small Claims Court Committee, 1990-1993. Council for Marriage Pres-ervation and Divorce Resolution, honorary judicial member, 1995-1997. Court Employees Recognition Committee, 1995-2000. Palm Beach County Elections Canvassing Board, chairman, 1996-1998. Florida Court Education Council (FCEC), 2007-2008 and 1999-2004: College Dean Selection Committee, 2000-present; Subcommittee on Mandatory Judicial Education for Domestic Violence, 1999-2001. Supreme Court Statistics and Workload Committee, 1998-2001. Florida Council of Domestic Violence Division Judges, founder and chairman, 1999-2000. Conference of County Court Judges, 1995-2010: Executive Committee, 2008; conference manager, 2000-2008; Administration and Management Committee, 1995-2000. Office of State Courts Administrator Subcommittee on Revenue Enhance-ment, 2000-2004. Ex-Offender Reentry Workgroup, 2001-2004. Palm Beach Lakes Community High School Pre-Law Magnet Program, judicial liaison, administrator, 2001-2007. Palm Beach County Substance Abuse Coalition, chairman, 2004-2007. Palm Beach County Corrections Task Force, 2005-2007. Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Legislative Visit Plan-ning Group, 2007-2008. Palm Beach County Homeless Advisory Board, 2007.

OTHER CIVIC ACTIVITIES: Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity: National president, 2004-2008; national vice president, 1998-2004; national Board of Directors, 1996-2004; Standards and Accountability Committee, 1990-1993; province director (national officer), 1982-1996. SunFest of Palm Beach County: Member and Board of Directors, 1999-2007; president-elect, 2004-2005; president, 2005-2006; past president, 2006-2007; SunFest ’93 Member-ship Committee, chairman, 1993-1994; SunFest ’92 Membership Committee, chairman, 1992-1993; SunFest ’91 Entertainment Committee, vice chairman, 1991-1992; SunFest ’90 Entertainment Committee, vice chairman, 1990-1991; SunFest ’89 Entertainment Committee, vice chairman, 1989-1990. FSU Seminole Torchbearers (con-stituent group of the Division of Student Affairs), Board of Directors, 1989-present. Forum Club of the Palm Beaches, 1983-present. Beacon Cove School Advisory Committee, chairman, 2002-2003. Palm Beach County Alzheimer’s Community Care Association Committee on Judicial Responsibilities, 1999-2001. Hearts and Hope

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Association, Board of Directors, 1998-2000. Palm Beach County Library Foundation, founding member, 1991-1995. Jupiter/Tequesta/Juno Beach Chamber of Commerce (lo-cal government committee and environmental committee), 1990-1994. Palm Beach County Environmentally Sensitive Lands Acquisition Committee, 1990-1992. Architectural Review Board, Olympus Property Owners Association, 1990-1993. Palm Beach County Charter Advisory Council, 1989-1990. Village of Palm Beach Lakes Property Own-ers Association, vice-president, 1989-1994. West Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors Club, charter member, 1989-1993. President’s Club, Palm Beach Junior College, 1987-1995. Epsilon Sigma National Alumni As-sociation, president, 1981-2000.

HONORS & AWARDS: Samford University: Top 20 percent of freshman class; Dean’s Book Award for highest grade in Torts II. Florida State University: Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities; Dean’s List (3 academic quar-ters); Garnet and Gold Key Honorary.

PUBLICATIONS: “The Search for Accountability in an Overburdened Court System,” Full Court Press, Vol. 4, Number 5, September-October 1997.

DORIAN K. DAMOORGIAN

BIRTH DATE: 1955

BIRTHPLACE: Hoboken, New Jer-sey


DEGREES AND SCHOOLS: J.D., Samford University, Cumberland School of Law, 1980. B.A., American University, 1977.

LEGAL OFFICES & POSITIONS: Fourth District Court of Appeal: 2008-present; chief judge, 2013-2015. Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, circuit court judge, 1999-2007: Administrative judge of the Civil Division, September-December 2007; Civil Division, 2003-2007; Felony Division, 2002-2003; Combined Domestic Violence, Juvenile and Dependency Divisions, 1999-2002. Private practice, 1980-1999.

BAR OFFICES & ACTIVITIES: The Florida Bar, 1980-pres-ent: served on numerous committees involving issues relating to court budget and personnel, resource allocation and diversity.

HONORS & AWARDS: Broward County Bar Association, Stephen R. Booher Memorial Award. Fort Lauderdale Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, Out-standing Judge Award, 2005.

JONATHAN D. GERBER

BIRTH DATE: 1968

BIRTHPLACE: Hollywood, Florida

FAMILY: Married, three daughters

DEGREES AND SCHOOLS: J.D., University of Florida College of Law, 1993. B.A., Princeton University, 1990.

LEGAL OFFICES & POSITIONS: Fourth District Court of Appeal: 2009-present; chief judge-elect,

2015-present. Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, circuit court judge, 2004-2009: Criminal Division, 2008-2009; Civil Division, 2004-2008; administrative judge, Civil Division, 2008; Appellate Division supervisor, 2005-2007. Palm Beach County, county judge, 2002-2004: Civil Division, 2004; Criminal Division, 2002-2003. Shutts & Bowen LLP, West Palm Beach, 1994-2001: partner 2001-2002, associate 1994-2001. Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, Palm Beach, associate, 1993-1994. Internship, State Attorney’s Office, Eighth Judicial Circuit, 1993. Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, Palm Beach, summer associate, 1992. Internship, Hon. Frederick Smith, Eighth Judicial Circuit, 1991.

BAR OFFICES & ACTIVITIES: Florida Supreme Court: Long Range Strategic Planning Workgroup (chair, 2014-present); Judicial Management Council, 2012-pres-ent; Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee, 2009-2015 (chair 2012-2013). Florida Judicial College New Appellate Judges Program Faculty, 2010-present (dean 2011-present). Conference of District Court of Appeal Judges Educa-tion Committee, 2009-2012 (chair 2011-2012). Florida Judicial College New Trial Judges Program Faculty, 2011 and 2013-present. College of Advanced Judicial Studies Faculty, 2009. Florida Court Education Council, 2011-2012. Florida Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Contract and Business Cases, 2007-2013 (chair 2011-2013). Florida Court Education Publications Committee, 2011-2014. Supreme Court Justice Teaching faculty, 2007-present (district chair, 2011-2014; Justice Teaching Institute faculty, 2012). Florida Bar Advanced Trial Advocacy faculty, 2007-2012. University of Florida College of Law Board of Trustees, 2013-present. Univer-sity of Florida College of Law Alumni Council, 2011-2013. Co-Coordinator, Judge Marvin Mounts Statewide Prison Tour, 2003-present. American Inns of Court, Palm Beach County (president, 2004-2005). Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission, Court System Task Force, 2003-2006. Palm Beach Community College Legal Assis-tants’ Business Partnership Council, 2003-2006. Florida Legal Assistants certification instructor, 2001. Palm Beach County Bar Association: Young Lawyers Section president, 2001-02; Professionalism Committee chair, 2000-2001; Criminal Practice Advisory Committee, 2002-2004; Appel-

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late Practice Committee, 2001-2002; Bench-Bar Confer-ence chair, 1998; Law Week chair, 1997; Judicial Relations Committee, 1994-2009; Circuit Court Advisory Commit-tee, 1997-2002; Commercial Litigation Continuing Legal Education Committee, 1994-1997. Florida Bar Grievance Committee, Palm Beach County, 1999-2002 (chair 2001-2002). Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, Board of Directors, 1999-2002. Palm Beach County Youth Court adviser, 1997-98, 2001-2009. Lake Worth High School mock trial team adviser, 1996-98. Law Week mock trials author and adviser, 1994-2014.

OTHER CIVIC ACTIVITIES: Forum Club of the Palm Beaches, 2000-present. Palm Beach County Zoning Board of Adjustment, alternate at-large (2000-2002). Princeton Alumni Association of Palm Beach and Martin Counties (president 1998-2001). United Way of Palm Beach County Community Investment Review Team, 2000. Florida History Center & Museum Board of Directors, 1999-2000. Roger Dean Stadium Advisory Board, 1999-2009. Café Joshua, Table Companion Volunteer, 1999-2002. Northern Palm Beaches Chamber of Commerce, 1999-2002. Leader-ship Palm Beach County, 1998-2001: general counsel, 1999-2001; Adult Program co-chair, 1999-2000. Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, 1995-2002. Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County Young Leader-ship Division Board of Directors, 1995-97.

HONORS & AWARDS: Jurist of the Year, South Palm Beach County Bar Association, 2009. Jurist of the Year, Palm Beach County Bar Association North County Sec-tion, 2008. Jurist of the Year, Palm Beach County Justice Association, 2007. President’s Award, Leadership Palm Beach County, 2000. Pro Bono Award, Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, 1999.

ROBERT M. GROSS

BIRTH DATE: 1951

BIRTHPLACE: Washington, D.C.


DEGREES AND SCHOOLS: J.D., Cornell University, 1976. B.A., Wil-liams College, 1973.

LEGAL OFFICES & POSITIONS: Fourth District Court of Appeal: 1995-present; chief judge, 2008-2011. Palm Beach County, circuit

court judge, 1991-1995. Palm Beach County, county judge, 1984-1991 (administrative judge 1988-90). Moyle, Jones and Flanigan, P.A., West Palm Beach, 1981-1984. Palm Beach County, assistant state attorney, 1977-1981. New York County, New York, assistant district attorney, 1976-1977.

BAR OFFICES & ACTIVITIES: Florida Supreme Court:

Committee on Standard Jury Instructions (Civil), 2013-pres-ent; District Court of Appeal Budget Commission, 2008-2011 (vice-chair 2010-2011); Task Force for the Review of the Criminal Justice and Corrections System, 1993-1995. The Florida Bar, 1976-present. Florida Judicial College, faculty member, 1990-present (teaching Evidence, Land-lord & Tenant, The Art of Judging and Building a Judicial Style). Palm Beach County Bar Association, 1976-pres-ent. District of Columbia Bar, 1977-present. New York Bar, 1977-present. Lecturer: Conference of Circuit Court Judges, Conference of County Court Judges, Staff Attorney Annual Conferences, Palm Beach and Broward County Bar Association Conferences, 1977-present.

OTHER CIVIC ACTIVITIES: Palm Beach Visiting Nurse Association, Board of Directors, 1981-1984; little league coach, 1980, 1997; visiting teacher at elementary, middle and high schools, 1984-present.

HONORS & AWARDS: Jurist of the Year, American Board of Trial Advocates, Palm Beach County Chapter, 2015. Phi Beta Kappa, 1973.

PUBLICATIONS: “Harmless Error in Civil Appeals,” The Florida Bar Journal, November 2015. “Automobile Inven-tory Searches,” The Florida Bar Journal, June 1981.

SPENCER D. LEVINE

BIRTH DATE: 1960

BIRTHPLACE: Brooklyn, New York


DEGREES AND SCHOOLS: J.D., University of Miami School of Law, 1982. B.A., New York University, 1979.

LEGAL OFFICES & POSITIONS: Fourth District Court of Appeal, 2009-present. Third District Court of

Appeal, associate judge (visiting judge), 2011. Eleventh Judicial Circuit, Miami-Dade County, acting circuit court judge (visiting judge), 2011 and 2012. Broward Health, North Broward Hospital District: senior vice president, chief operating officer, 2008-09; chief compliance and ethics officer, 2006-08. Office of the Attorney General, Florida Medicaid Fraud Control Unit: director, 2003-06; senior chief assistant attorney general, and assistant attorney general, 2002-03. Criminal Justice Standards and Train-ing Commission, commission attorney, 2003-04. Adorno and Zeder, P.A., attorney, 2001-2002. Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, general counsel, 1996-2000. Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office, 1987-1996: assistant state attorney, chief of Organized Crime and Official Corruption Unit, chief of Economic Crimes Unit, chief of Felony Trial Division, chief of First Appearance Division, 1987-1996. Entin and Schwartz, Attorneys at Law, attorney, 1982-1984 and 1986-1987.

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BAR OFFICES & ACTIVITIES: The Florida Bar, 1982-pres-ent: Health Law Section, Executive Council, 2005-2009; Un-licensed Practice of Law Committee, Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Committee “C,” 2002-2003; Grievance Committee, Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, Committee “F,” chair, 1998-2000. Fourth, Fifth and Eleventh Circuit, United States Court of Appeals. Trial Bar, United States District Court, Southern District of Florida. Florida New Appellate Judges Program, faculty, 2016. Supreme Court: Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee, 2015-present (vice-chair, 2015-2016; chair, 2016-present); Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Contract and Business Cases, 2015-present; Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases, member, 2012-2014. Florida College of Advanced Judicial Stud-ies, faculty, 2015. Conference of District Court of Appeal Judges Education Committee, member, 2012-2015 (chair, 2013-2015). Florida Court Education Council, 2013-2015.

OTHER CIVIC ACTIVITIES: Florida International Univer-sity School of Law, adjunct faculty member, 2016-present. The Craig S. Barnard American Inns of Court: 2010-2015: member at large, Board of Trustees, 2011-2012; president, 2013-2014. University of Florida, Levin College of Law, Gerald Bennett Prosecutor/Public Defender Trial Training Program, faculty, August 2010, 2011 and 2012. New York University School of Law, Institute of Judicial Administra-tion, Appellate Judges Seminar, 2010. University of Miami Law Alumni Association, judicial director, 2010-present. Health Care Compliance Association, Compliance Institute, speaker, 2007. Leadership Broward, Senior Executive Orientation, 2007. U.S. Department of Justice, National Advocacy Center, speaker, 2006. The Florida Bar, Health Law Institute, speaker, 2006. American Bar Association, National Institute on Health Care Fraud, faculty, 2005-2007. National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units: Man-aged Care Working Group, chair, 2005-2006; Executive Committee, Training Committee and Global Settlement Working Group, 2004-2006. Florida Medicare/Medicaid Data Analysis Center Steering Committee, 2004-2006. Fo-rum Club of the Palm Beaches. Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County: Jewish Community Relations Council, chair, 1997-2000; Board of Directors, 1997-2000. American Jewish Committee, Palm Beach County, Honorary Board of Directors, 1997-2000. Anti-Defamation League, Regional Board, 1994-2000. Community Action Council, Palm Beach County, 1988-1991. Palm Beach Jewish Federation, Com-munity Relations Council, 1987-1994.

HONORS & AWARDS: The Craig S. Barnard American Inns of Court, Outstanding Jurist Award, 2014-15. AV-rated, Martindale-Hubbell. National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units, recognition for participation in Global Settle-ment Team, 2004-2006. University of Miami School of Law, Dean’s List, 1982. New York University: Phi Beta Kappa, 1979; Dean’s List, 1976-1979.

PUBLICATIONS: “Investigating Medicaid Fraud,” co-author, Florida Practitioner’s Health Law Handbook, The Florida Bar, Health Law Section, 2007. “Critical Issues in

State Enforcement of Medicaid Fraud: Pharmaceutical Diversion,” American Bar Association, 2005. “Overview of Sentencing Guidelines and the Revision Act of 1994,” Criminal Law Section, The Florida Bar, 1994.

MELANIE G. MAY

BIRTH DATE: 1952

BIRTHPLACE: Lake Worth, Florida

DEGREES AND SCHOOLS: J.D., Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law, 1981. B.S., Florida Atlantic University, 1973. Broward Community College, 1971.

LEGAL OFFICES & POSITIONS: Fourth District Court of Appeal:

2002-present; chief judge, 2011-2013. Seventeenth Judi-cial Circuit, circuit court judge 1991-2002 (juvenile delin-quency and felony drug court divisions). Private practice, Bunnell and Woulfe, P.A., 1982-1991. Hon. Peter T. Fay of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, law clerk, 1981-82.

BAR OFFICES & ACTIVITIES: Council of Chief Judges of State Courts of Appeal, vice-president, present. National Association of Drug Court Professionals, board chair, 2000-2002. District Court of Appeal Budget Commission. Florida District Court of Appeal Judges Conference, president, member and chair of Education Committee. National Association of Drug Court Professionals, past chair and emeritus board member. Florida Association of Drug Court Professionals, past chair. Florida Supreme Court: Task Force on Substance Abuse and Mental Health; Task Force on Treatment-based Drug Courts, chair and mem-ber; Committee on Children and Families, Mental Health Subcommittee. Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee. Access to Court Records Committee. Florida Supreme Court’s appointment to the Advisory Council of the Florida Office of Drug Control.

OTHER CIVIC ACTIVITIES: Shepard Broad Law Center Board of Governors, chair. Youth Automotive Training Center, board member, present. Board of Trustees of Nova Southeastern University, ex-officio member. Department of Children and Family Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Advisory Board, chair. Department of Corrections Reentry Advisory Council. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Corporation. Juvenile Detention Center Advisory Board, Juvenile Justice Board, BARC Advisory Board. Boards of Junior League, Broward County Commission on Substance Abuse, Stephen R. Booher Inn of Court, Kids in Distress, Susan B. Anthony Center, CHARLEE program, and PACE Center for Girls. Extensive speak-ing background, including presentations on drug courts, problem-solving techniques and writing, in the United

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States, England, Bermuda, Guam and Argentina. Has taught at Florida’s Advanced Judicial Studies and the Na-tional Judicial College.

HONORS & AWARDS: Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Nova Southeastern University, 2009. Distinguished Service Award (Judicial) from the Florida Council on Crime and Delinquency – Chapter 2, 2009-2010. Judicial Leader-ship Award from the Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse As-sociation for work on the passage of the Prescription Drug Monitoring Database Legislation. Broward County Com-mission on Substance Abuse, 2009. Judicial Leadership Award from Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association. Outstanding Leadership Award from Governor’s Office of Drug Control, 2003. Inducted into Stanley M. Goldstein Hall

of Fame, 2003. Chair Award from the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, 2002. Leadership Award from Department of Juvenile Justice, 2000. Irish Humanitarian of the Year (Emerald Society), 1999. Stephen R. Booher Award from the Broward County Bar Association, 1999. Distinguished Alumni Award from Nova Southeastern Uni-versity, 1998. Heart Award from the Children’s Consortium, 1998. EPIC Award from the Broward County Mental Health Assn., 1998. Outstanding Mother Award from Healthy Moth-ers/Healthy Babies, 1997. Norman C. Roettger Award for service to the Federal Bar Assn. Outstanding Jurist Award from the Young Lawyers Division of The Florida Bar, 1994. Woman of the Year Award from the Fort Lauderdale Chap-ter of Business & Professional Women, 1994.

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Fifth District Court of Appeal

Counties: Brevard, Citrus, Flagler, Hernando, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Putnam, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Volusia

For more information: www.5DCA.org

JAY COHEN

BIRTH DATE: 1952

HOMETOWN: Chicago, Illinois

FAMILY: Married, two children and two grandchildren

DEGREES AND SCHOOLS: J.D., University of Florida College of Law, 1978. B.A. English, University of Florida, 1975.

LEGAL OFFICES & POSITIONS: Fifth District Court of Appeal, 2008-present (currently chief judge). Ninth Judicial Circuit, circuit judge, 1994-2008. Orange County, county judge, 1990-1994. Law Offices of Jay Cohen, 1989-1990. Law Offices of Dvorak & Cohen, 1982-1988. Assistant state attorney, 1979-1982.

BAR OFFICES & ACTIVITIES: Florida Supreme Court Criminal Court Steering Committee, chair. Commission on District Court of Appeal Performance and account-ability. The Florida Bar: Criminal Rules Committee 2002-2008 (vice chair, 2005-2008), Criminal Law Sec-tion Executive Council 2006-2008, Grievance Commit-tee 1986-1990 (vice chair, 1988-1990), Fee Arbitration Panel 1990. Florida Supreme Court FCTC Privacy and Court Records Report Implementation Workgroup, 2006. Orange County Bar Association: Criminal Law Committee 1985-1992 (chair, 1985-1987), Judicial Re-lations Committee 1991-present, Law Week Committee 1985-1988, Fee Arbitration Committee 1986-1988 (chair, 1987-1988), News Media and Public Relations Commit-tee 1984-1986. Osceola County Teen Court Board, 1994-1996. District 7 Juvenile Justice Committee, 1994-1996.

OTHER CIVIC ACTIVITIES: First Central Florida Inns of Court, 1995-2000 (president, 1997-1998). Kiwanis Club, 1989-2002. Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers, 1989-1998. Was a member or served on the following groups and organizations: Tiger Bay, Greater Orlando Chamber of Commerce Drug Free Workplace Task Force, Downtown Orlando Partnership, University of Florida Gator Boosters, Advisory Board and Board of Directors of Orlando School of Law (now Barry School of Law). Nationally licensed soccer coach, coached premier soccer teams, state-certified soccer referee.

HONORS & AWARDS: Conference of Circuit Court Judg-es, district representative, 2003-2004. Award of Excellence for pro-bono service Orange County Bar Association, 1990. Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Prosecution of Drunk Driving, Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association, 1988.

PUBLICATIONS: Numerous publications related to courses taught for the Florida Advanced Judicial Studies Program and the Conference of Circuit Court Judges. Topics included evidence, sentencing and criminal rules. Authored “The Standard of Review in Cases Involving Improper Prosecutorial Comment” for the Orange County Bar Briefs. Authored the Criminal Law Section of the Bridge the Gap manual (now Basic Studies Course).

JAMES A. EDWARDS

BIRTH DATE: 1954

HOMETOWN: Orlando

FAMILY: Married, two adult sons

DEGREES AND SCHOOLS: J.D., University of Florida College of Law. B.A., Auburn University, psychology major and economics and French minors.

LEGAL OFFICES & POSITIONS: Fif th Distr ict Court of Appeal,

2014-present. Mediator, state and federal cases. Private civil trial and appellate practice for 35 years: Zimmerman, Kiser, Sutcliffe, PA, shareholder 2011-2014. Rumberger, Kirk and Caldwell, PA, beginning in 1979. Practiced before middle, northern, and southern federal district courts in Florida. Appellate practice in all five district courts of ap-peal in Florida, the Florida Supreme Court, and the United States Courts of Appeals for the Third, Fifth, and Eleventh circuits. Admitted to practice in Florida and United States Virgin Islands.

BAR OFFICES & ACTIVITIES: The Florida Bar Foun-dation, fellow, present. The Florida Bar: Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee, present; Florida Bar Standing Com-mittee on Professionalism 2004 to 2010; Board Certified as a Civil Trial Lawyer since 1989. American Board of Trial Advocates, present. Orange County Bar Association’s

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Professionalism (Chair 2010 to 2012) and Appellate Prac-tice Committee, present. Pro bono attorney in a variety of cases. Court-appointed guardian ad litem.

HONORS & AWARDS: William Trickel, Jr. Award, 2013, presented by Orange County Bar Association to recognize outstanding professionalism and leadership. Orlando Magazine “Best Lawyers,” products liability. Super Lawyers – Florida, Florida’s Best Lawyers and the Best Lawyers of America. University of Florida College of Law: Moot Court Team; Appellate Advocacy instructor; Order of the Coif. Martindale-Hubbell AV attorney rating.

PUBLICATIONS: Writes and speaks about appellate ad-vocacy, professionalism and civility, expert witnesses, the impact of the internet and social media on trial practice, and mediation.

BRIAN LAMBERT

AGE: 59

HOMETOWN: Detroit, Michigan

FAMILY: Married with three adult children

DEGREES AND SCHOOLS: J.D., University of Florida College of Law, 1981. B.S., psychology, Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan, 1978.

LEGAL OFFICES & POSITIONS: Fifth District Court of Appeal, 2014-present. Fifth Judicial Circuit, Marion County, circuit judge, 2000-2014. Private practice, Ocala, 1981-2000 (represented insurance com-panies, Marion County School Board, Ocala Housing Authority among others).

BAR OFFICES & ACTIVITIES: Florida Supreme Court: Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Civil Cases, former member; Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Business Litigation Cases, former member. The Florida Bar: Grievance Committee for the Fifth Judicial Circuit, former member and former chairman. Certified mentor for new judges appointed or elected in the Fifth Circuit. Marion County Bench and Bar Committee, former member. D.R. Smith Inn of Court program in Ocala, supervisor.

OTHER CIVIC ACTIVITIES: Little League baseball coach and manager. High school swimming meet official. Florida Swimming, official. Division One collegiate tennis player.

HONORS & AWARDS: Board Certified civil trial lawyer. “AV” rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

VINCENT G. TORPY, JR.

BIRTH DATE: 1955

HOMETOWN: Melbourne


DEGREES AND SCHOOLS: J.D., Florida State University, 1983. B.A., University of Central Florida 1981. A.A., A.S., Brevard Community Col-lege, Cocoa, 1980.

LEGAL OFFICES & POSITIONS: Fifth District Court of Appeal, 2003-present; chief judge 2012-14. Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, circuit judge, De-cember 1999-January 2003. Frese, Nash & Torpy, P.A., Melbourne, partner, 1986-99 (lead counsel in more than 150 trials and more than 100 appeals). Peirsol, Boroughs, Grimm, Bennett & Griffin, P.A., Orlando, associate attorney, 1983-86. University of Central Florida, adjunct professor, 1986-present. Town of Indialantic Police Department, police officer, 1975-81.

BAR OFFICES & ACTIVITIES: The Brevard County Bar Association. Vassar Carlton Inns of Court, president 2003-present. Grievance committee member, Eighteenth Circuit, 1994-97. Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, 1993-99. Board Certified Business Litigation Lawyer, 1997-99.

OTHER CIVIC ACTIVITIES: General counsel, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, 1996-99. Part-time deputy sheriff, Brevard County Sheriff’s Department, 1997-99. Director, Police Athletic League, 1997-99. Director, Children’s Advo-cacy Center, 1998. Board attorney, Melbourne Fire Pension Board, 1997-99. Board attorney, Melbourne Police Pension Board, 1989-91. Board attorney, Satellite Beach Police and Fire Pension Board, 1997-99. Assistant city attorney, City of Sebastian, 1989-95.

HONORS & AWARDS: Editor and member, The Florida State University College of Law, “Law Review.” Order of the Coif. Martindale-Hubbell AV attorney rating.

PUBLICATIONS: “Police Officer May Not Be Dismissed For Failure to Take Polygraph,” 11 FSU “Law Review” 697 (1983). “United States v. Ross and The Container Cases” 10 FSU “Law Review” 471 (1982).

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Frequently asked questions aboutmerit retention elections

Why am I being asked to vote on judges?Florida law requires Florida Supreme Court justices and appeals court judges to be placed on the ballot in nonpartisan elections every six years so voters can determine whether the judges or justices should remain on their courts for another six-year term. These are called “merit retention” elections. This year, three Supreme Court justices and 28 appeals court judges will be on the ballot. The appearance of a judge or justice on the ballot does not indicate anything about his or her performance or actions as a judge.

What do “Yes” and “No” votes mean?A “Yes” vote means you want the judge or justice to remain on the court for another six-year term. A “No” vote means you want the judge or justice to be removed from the court. The majority of voters decides whether the judge or justice remains on the court.

Do appeals court judges and Supreme Court justices have opponents in merit retention elections?No. Your vote determines whether each judge or justice should remain on the court. They are not running against opponents or each other. Merit retention elections are nonpartisan. In nonpartisan elections, candidates appear on the ballot without reference to any political party (e.g. Democrat or Republican). Florida law requires judicial elections to be nonpartisan in order to preserve impartiality. There is no reference to their appointing governors on the ballot.

How do appeals court judges and Supreme Court justices get on the court?The governor appoints judges or justices from lists submitted by Judicial Nominating Commissions, which screen candidates and make recommendations based on the merits of applicants. Newly appointed judges go on the ballot for the first time within two years after appointment. If the voters retain them, they then go on the ballot again every six years.

Which courts are subject to merit retention elections?The Florida Supreme Court and the five District Courts of Appeal are subject to merit retention elections.

Can judges who commit unethical acts be removed from office?Yes. This can result after an investigation by the Judicial Qualifications Commission, which is an independent agency created by the Florida Constitution solely to investigate alleged misconduct by Florida state judges. Through this system, judges have been removed from office for ethical violations. For more information, visit www.floridajqc.com.

Where can I find results from prior merit retention elections?The Florida Division of Elections (accessible through www.FloridaBar.org/TheVotesInYourCourt) maintains a searchable database of election results since 1978. Merit retention elections occur only during general elections in even–numbered years if any appeals court judges or justices are nearing the end of their terms.

For more information on Florida courts, visit http://www.flcourts.org.

The Supreme Court of Florida reviews certain constitutional issues determined by the District Courts of Appeal and hears appeals in cases involving the death penalty. The Supreme Court also has jurisdiction over appeals in bond validation proceedings and actions relating to settling statewide utility rates.

Florida’s five district courts of appeal hear appeals from the circuit courts of those counties within their particular appellate districts. Some decisions from county courts in the districts also are subject to DCA review. Cases involve civil and criminal matters, as well as review of certain administrative actions of state government agencies. As a general rule, decisions of the District Courts of Appeal represent the final appellate review of litigated cases.

This pamphlet is produced as a public service by The Florida Bar and is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to recommend retention or removal of any justice or judge.

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