17 candidates vie for judicial seats in Orange-Osceola circuit
| By Jeff Weiner, Orlando Sentinel | |
| McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
The biggest-spending race pits
Strowbridge, whose campaign has so far spent
"I have a commitment and a passion for children and families," she said.
Tennis, who has spent more than
Four incumbents face opponents, including Circuit Judge
He's running as a political outsider, boasting on his website: "I'm Like You ... I drive a truck."
Scott said he decided to challenge the incumbent, in part because she was harshly criticized in a recent
Pinder Rodriguez, however, noted she won the same organization's straw poll last week. The anonymous comments in the earlier survey, she said, were inconsistent with any other feedback she's received.
Scott was the subject of an
Another race pits former one-term state Rep.
Shepard is running on the breadth of her experience: in
Katz's legal career has a blemish. He was suspended in from practice by The
He said he has since atoned: "I acknowledge the mistake and, in fact, I not only took action, I've learned from it."
Group 10
57,
Years in practice: 30.
Law school:
Experience: Katz & Veliz, 1995-98; child-support-hearing officer, Ninth Circuit, 1998-present.
Specialty: Family, juvenile law; probate and guardianship.
Why should voters choose you: "My broad-based support from all areas of the legal community reflects well the strength of the experience and qualifications that I will bring to the bench."
52,
Years in practice: 24.
Law school:
Experience: 22 years running a business-focused law practice; former Ninth Circuit State Attorney's Office domestic-violence director; former
Specialty: Business, contractual law; regulations, compacts, treaties, industry standards and statutory requirements.
Why should voters choose you : "I believe my knowledge and experience will be a significant and unique addition to the overall expertise of our current bench."
Group 12
50,
Years in practice: 23.
Law school:
Experience: Assistant public defender, Seventh Circuit, 1991-96; assistant state attorney, Ninth Circuit, 1996-01 and 2003-present; current trial-unit director.
Specialty area: Criminal prosecution.
Why should voters choose you: "I have spent my career as a trial attorney ... I have the experience, judgment and maturity to serve the people, and will put the people first."
(Incumbent)
58,
Years in practice: 32.
Law school:
Experience: Clerk for the chief judge,
Specialty area: Complex civil litigation, construction law, real estate, business, certified circuit civil mediator.
Why should voters choose you: "I have demonstrated a commitment to service ... presiding over more than 60 criminal jury trials ... and in leadership roles on many other charitable and legal boards and foundations."
Group 18
46,
Years in practice: Five.
Law school:
Experience: Former prosecutor, public-defender intern. Now practicing family law and criminal defense. Former auto mechanic, mortuary transport technician and road-construction supervisor.
Specialty area: None.
Why voters could choose me: "The only candidate with a wide range of life experience that will be able to understand individuals who come before the court or are brought before the court."
55,
Years in practice: 26.
Law school:
Experience: Assistant public defender and felony-division chief, Ninth Circuit, 1988-92;
Specialty area: Marital and family law, board-certified in criminal-trial defense.
Why should voters choose you: "I have practiced law in this community for 26 years -- more than the combined years of my opponents."
45,
Years in practice: 16.
Law school:
Experience: Assistant state attorney, Ninth Circuit, 2001-03; Hetz, Jones & Goldberg, 2003-present; associate professor of law,
Specialty area: Commercial litigation, personal injury, intellectual property.
Why should voters choose you: "I have represented over 600 individuals and small businesses in the federal and state courts of Florida."
Group 30
57,
Years in practice: 10.
Law school:
Experience: Seven years as an assistant state attorney, Ninth Circuit; two years as a private defense attorney.
Specialty area: Criminal law.
Why should voters choose you: "I have had significant community contact ... I want to be the diverse candidate as an example to young people of diverse race from the local communities the courts serves."
45,
Years in practice: 17.
Law school: Widener
Experience:
Specialty area: Insurance, family, business and commercial law.
Why should voters choose you: "I have the unique demeanor and qualities that are necessary to serve ... and I have earned the right to ask voters to select me to serve as their circuit judge."
Group 32
53,
Years in practice: 26.
Law school:
Experience:
Specialty area: Board-certified in marital and family law, board-certified in adoption law.
Why should voters choose you: "The circuit court ... lacks a depth of experience in family law and juvenile law ... I have a deep experience that the court needs, and I am prepared to serve the community in those divisions."
47,
Years in practice: 22.
Law school:
Experience: Assistant public defender, Ninth Circuit, 1992-94;
Specialty area: Criminal law, family, delinquency, dependency, appeals.
Why should voters choose you: "The depth and variety of my court experience. I am the only candidate in this race with criminal- and jury-trial experience, which is fundamental to the job of circuit judge."
Group 33
(Incumbent)
41,
Years in practice:15.
Law school:
Job experience: 13 years at
Specialty area: Board-certified construction lawyer; judicial experience on criminal, family benches.
Why should voters choose you: "Every day, I ensure that everyone who enters our courtroom is treated fairly and respectfully, and as their judge, I listen to their cases and follow the law."
55,
Years in practice: 21.
Law school:
Job experience: Four years at Ninth Circuit Public Defender's Office; 17 years self-employed, Scott & Medling,
Specialty area: Criminal defense.
Why should voters choose you: "I have well over 100 jury trials ... I worked my way through school, served as a sergeant in the
Group 35
44,
Years in practice: 16.
Law school:
Job experience: Three years in civil law before joining the
Specialty area: Criminal law.
Why should voters choose you: "I have practical, firsthand experience ... and that sort of practical experience makes a judge more fair and understanding in addressing the cases that come before the court."
(Incumbent)
60,
Years in practice: 36 years.
Law school:
Job experience: 20 years as in-house counsel to
Specialty area: Circuit judge, currently serving in the felony division.
Why should voters choose you: "I have served in all the circuit divisions except probate .... I am known as firm but fair on the bench, giving all parties their due respect."
Group 37
53,
Years in practice: 23.
Law school:
Job experience: Assistant public defender, 1991-96; private practice labor, employment and family law, 1997; assistant state attorney, 18th Circuit, 1997-present.
Specialty area: Criminal defense, criminal prosecution.
Why should voters choose you: "My reputation in the legal community is that of being firm, fair, respectful and willing to listen to both sides before making a decision."
(Incumbent)
49,
Years in practice: 24.
Law school:
Job experience: Assistant public defender, Ninth Circuit, 1991-01; assistant
Specialty area: Board-certified in civil law, specializing in city, county and local government.
Why should voters choose you: "I have proven over the past eight years to be an efficient, fair, even-tempered, reasonable, well-learned judge."
[email protected] or 407-420-5171
___
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