Florida bar judge recommendations rcuit court judge and an appellate jud. Florida Bar poll: 66% retain, 34% not retain. League of Women Voters to survey Florida's judges The Tallahassee League of Women Voters is asking all of Florida's judges from county court to the Supreme Court to tell it Special to the News Federal practitioners are well advised to review the federal rules, local rules, case management and scheduling orders, and any discovery practice manuals that may exist Bringing judges fully into Florida’s electronic court system by having them e-file orders and other court paperwork has been mandated by the Supreme Court. Following the judicial CONTACT Address: 651 E Jefferson St Tallahassee, FL 32399 Phone: 850-561-5600 Of all the branches of government, the judicial branch has done the most damage to the constitution, life, and the rule of law. District Court for the Middle District of Florida in Jacksonville, is the recipient of the 2025 Distinguished Federal Judicial Service Award. While any violation of the rules of professional conduct Since 1964, the Palm Beach County Bar Association has conducted a judicial evaluation of the Palm Beach County Judicial Officers. If registered as a Democrat or The fate of a Sixth District Court of Appeal, recommended by the Supreme Court to promote “public trust and confidence in the judiciary,” now rests in the hands of House and . Office: 352-484-0775 Fax: 877-225-6005 [email protected] The opinion adopts recommendations made by the District Court of Appeal Workload and Jurisdiction Assessment Committee that the Supreme Court appointed in . (2) Any judge or member of The Florida Bar who believes that an administrative order promulgated under subdivision (b)(2) of this rule is a ELECTED TRIAL COURT JUDGES. 15 In this regard it is established that a judge may not be disqualified for judicial bias, For additional information, see The Florida Bar, Florida Administrative Practice §5. as well as a short essay on why candidates feel they would be good judges. The Florida Division of Elections The Florida Division of Elections has more resources for The duty of candor to the tribunal, a core value of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, requires lawyers to disclose to the tribunal adverse precedent from a “controlling jurisdiction. The canon reflects two primary public Florida courts would receive nine new trial judges and other long-term investments under a $114. "[/caption] Conjuring a 1982 classic horror movie, Miami-Dade Chief Judge Nushin “The Florida Bar offers the merit retention poll to voters to help them assess jurists on the ballot,” said Florida Bar President Dori Foster-Morales. Applicants sought for vacancies on the Statewide Judicial Nominating Commission for Judges of Compensation Claims. Acting June 30 in Administrative Florida lawyers have new guidelines for using generative AI after the Board of Governors voted unanimously January 19 to approve Ethics Advisory Opinion 24-1. Florida Supreme Court Justice Fred Lewis, who appointed the The new budget includes a 3% salary increase for judges and other branch employees. Lisa Yeager. Kelly was appointed in 2001 by former governor Jeb Bush (R. Chief Justice The Florida Bar has the opportunity to nominate three lawyers for each of the 27 Judicial Nominating Commissions to Gov. 60, No. an administrative law judge (ALJ) assigned by the Division of Administrative Confidential judicial evaluation program now online Florida trial and district court of appeal judges are being invited to participate in the “soft launch” of The Florida Bar’s online Approved by The Florida Bar Standing Committee on the Legal Needs of Children January 21, 2010 . 2017). About the Bar; About The Bar Home; Frequently Asked The guidelines for the judge setting such fees are provided by the attorney’s Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 4-1. “The creation of an additional district and changes to the territorial The Supreme Court is weighing a Florida Bar panel’s recommendations for improving access to legal services, proposals that run the gamut from a commission to Myths which are believed in, tend to become true. ) Key rulings: There is little news coverage in the past six years If no party files exceptions, the circuit judge reviews the general magistrate’s report and recommendation for 1) whether the evidence and facts support the recommendations and 2) The Florida Bar Board of Governors’ Review Committee on Professional Ethics has issued Proposed Advisory Opinion 24-1, reprinted below. The evaluation is designed with two (2) primary goals: Florida lawyers now have access to the latest version of a popular resource — a Florida Bar guide to remote court proceedings. Daniel Newton Brodersen, 1238 East Concord St. Amber May Thomas. 3-4 FAQs and biographies of all of the appellate judges When it comes to elections, campaigns for judicial office are never “politics as usual. , of the 13th Circuit was sworn in as the chair of the Florida Conference of Circuit Judges June 14 at the conference’s annual business meeting In its ongoing quest to “promote the fair and timely resolution of civil cases,” the Supreme Court has amended the Rules of Civil Procedure to create a framework for active They want the judges to be aware of caseloads, how long things are taking. The Florida Division of Elections The Florida Division of Elections has more resources for In Florida, voters elect or retain judges, so deciding who holds these essential positions is up to you. SC2023-0884, July 6, 2023 Amendment to the The first part of this two-part series discussed the prevalence of mental-health issues in the United States, defined mental health, and identified the four core inquiries a family law[1] practitioner There are a number of things that can get a lawyer in hot water with The Florida Bar’s Lawyer Regulation Department. The Board of Governors at a July 29 meeting in Palm Beach signed off on updates to The The Hon. Each appointee The Sixth DCA JNC said it interviewed all 33 applicants for the vacancies on the new Lakeland-based appellate court that with nine judges will be the smallest of Florida’s A conviction of felony does disqualify from being a member of The Florida Bar,” Judge Schwartz said. 8% 11th Judicial Circuit and County Court Incumbents and Retired Supreme Court Justice Alan Lawson, Florida Bar President Scott Westheimer, and judges from across the state will headline the 2024 Professionalism Conference on April 5. A child-support guidelines worksheet also must be filed The Board of Governors is scheduled to weigh amendments to the Rules of Judicial Administration that would change the procedure for disqualifying trial judges. These answers to questions about Florida judges, judicial elections and merit retention are prepared as a public service by The Florida Bar and its Constitutional Judiciary Committee. 3 – No. Adams Street Jacksonville, FL 32202 Tallahassee Leon County Courthouse 301 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32301 LOCATION Friday, Few decisions are more challenging to a judge than removing persons’ rights because they are no longer capable of making decisions independently, according to Chief Merit retention for trial judges: It's an idea that works Martha W. Read about 2024 judicial election and merit retention results in The Florida Bar News. The Florida Division of Elections The Florida Division of Elections has more resources for the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar in 1990 and the Conference of Circuit Judges and County Court Judges and Trial Lawyers Section of the Florida Bar Guidelines for Professional Petitions to Review Hearing Panel Recommendations to the Florida Supreme Court; Defending Florida Judges; Defending Florida Bar Applicants; Ethics Opinions and Expert Testimony; The panel also includes board member Sia Baker-Barnes, a former Supreme Court justice, judges, prosecutors, public defenders, and lawyers from a wide variety of practice Commissions, which screen candidates and make recommendations based on their merits. Finding the best judicial candidate is more complicated and dynamic than picking elected oficials for legislative races. In The Florida Bar v. All candidates for trial judge also must be members The Supreme Court has set December 8 oral arguments for an extensive rules petition filed by its Workgroup on Improved Resolution of Civil Cases. The Florida Bar approval rating is from Character and fitness issues for admission to be reviewed The standards for character and fitness of those seeking the privilege of practicing law in Florida are getting a As an official arm of the Florida Supreme Court, The Florida Bar’s Division of Lawyer Regulation protects the public by providing a means to address lawyer misconduct. BRUCE JACOBS, Respondent. Newly appointed judges go on the ballot for the first time within two years after Appellate judges Committee. That means that beginning July 1, a Supreme Court justice’s salary will be Judicial position sought County judge County Jurisdiction Miami-Dade County, Group 29 Florida Bar number 23737 Date admitted to The Florida Bar 4/28/2006 •Florida Bar – Legal Needs A poll of Florida Bar members regarding the merit retention election of one state Supreme Court justice and 17 appellate court judges indicates support for all to be retained. The division accepts Lawyers have been disciplined by the Florida Supreme Court for violating Rule 4-1. The Florida Supreme Court described the integrated Francis’ appointment was marred by DeSantis’ ill-judged effort to get her onto the court before she had even the bare minimum of experience: 10 years in the Florida Bar. Within five years of his RULE 4-6. In Florida, voters elect or retain judges, so deciding who holds these essential positions is up to you. Submit student briefs by 5:00 p. The First District Court of The 2024 Florida Handbook on Civil Discovery Practice, regarded as the go-to resource for all aspects of civil discovery, and the 12-page Guidelines for Professional The Florida Bar Launches “The Vote’s in Your Court” Website and New Guide for Florida Voters Ahead of November Election. 3 (11th ed. Pursuant to Rule 6(d) and (e) of The Tenth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission met in person December 12, 2024, and interviewed six applicants for the Polk County, Circuit Court Judge vacancy created Wondering about Florida’s merit retention elections for appellate judges? The Florida Bar provides a wealth of information as part of its initiative to educate Florida’s voters Bar drops past results guidelines for attorney ads The move comes after a federal judge issues an adverse ruling Gary Blankenship Senior Editor Amounts that clients have won The United States Supreme Court’s “largely over looked” decision in Apprendi v. Tallahassee, FL 32399-2300 850-561-5697. Box The Supreme Court has agreed to adopt most of the recommendations of a Florida Bar special professionalism committee, but with some modifications. In 1993, the Executive Council of the Trial Lawyers Section of The Florida Bar (which represented over Judicial position sought County judge County Jurisdiction Miami-Dade County, Group 31 Florida Bar number 957917 Date admitted to The Florida Bar 10/02/1992 Years in legal profession 32 Chief Judges’ Chambers - Room 7139 501 W. Graphics – pg. In Florida though, voters have the right to kick judicial activists out of office when their retention vote Saying “additional refinements” are needed, the Florida Supreme Court has declined to adopt a sweeping proposal by a Judicial Management Council workgroup that is designed to Court seeks comments on Judicial Branch Governance Study Group Recommendations On its own motion, the Florida Supreme Court recently adopted Should a judge participate in a local professionalism panel’s informal, “peer-to-peer mentoring?” Should LPPs accept referrals from federal courts? How should they maintain The Miami-Dade Bar (MDB) this week released the results of its 2024 Judicial Poll, where it asked attorneys across the county to provide feedback regarding the judiciary. Furthermore, judicial candidates must Commissions, which screen candidates and make recommendations Only a handful of circuit and county court judicial races remain to be resolved after voters cast ballots in the August 20 primary election. County Court candidates We also vote for judges at the county and circuit level. Judge Farmer of the Fourth District Court of Appeal was the first appellate judge to approach Guidance Regarding Political Activity by Judges and Judicial Campaigns on the Bar’s website. The Florida Bar 651 E. FloridaFamilyAction. Appointment: Judge Patricia J. “The Court is grateful for the Special Committee’s hard As an official arm of the Supreme Court, The Florida Bar is subject to our state constitution’s public records provisions, the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar and the Rules of Judicial races set 282 judges take seats on the bench unopposed Supreme Court Justice Alan Lawson and 17 district court of appeal judges have qualified for merit retention on the Results of the Bar’s merit retention poll of lawyers who have appeared before the judges up for merit retention will be posted in early September. m. Newly appointed judges go on the ballot for the first time within two years after Appellate judges Candidates are listed alphabetically, and the information shared in “Key Rulings” is based on high-profile news coverage in cases involving that judge. In Florida, judges’ election committees may have Miami Dade Bar Poll Start 06/26/2024 10:46 AM Poll End 07/12/2024 11:59 PM Voters 17,627 Cast ballots 486 Participation 2. Killian Managing Editor Senior judges deserve a pay raise, should be subject to a process to determine eligibility, and On January 1, 2023, Florida’s district court map is changing: A new Sixth District Court of Appeal has been created. “While voters may be familiar The Florida Bar Citizens Advisory Committee Communications Tool Kit, Part 1 . PER CURIAM. When it convenes December 3 on Amelia Island, the Board of Governors is expected to weigh a host of issues, from a special committee’s highly anticipated CONTACT Address: 651 E Jefferson St Tallahassee, FL 32399 Phone: 850-561-5600 CONTACT Address: 651 E Jefferson St Tallahassee, FL 32399 Phone: 850-561-5600 The Florida Bar has updated its voter resources for the 2024 general election, focusing on Florida’s merit retention and judicial election processes. Corrigan, a judge on the U. Information about amendments pending at the Supreme Glover Law Firm 110 N Magnolia Ave Ste 208 Ocala, FL 34475-6628. Box 530103, Orlando, FL 32853-0103 | www. From codified expectations to Rules of Professional Conduct, The Florida Bar has many tools with which to promote and regulate professionalism. 7 billion budget the Legislature approved for FY 2024-25. The 8 a. The Bar also has printed Court clerks and judges can answer some basic questions but cannot give legal advice. ”1 In exploring the mythology which has developed since Florida’s child support guidelines were adopted in 1987, it is A party’s complaint about the trial court’s rulings as a basis for disqualification has consistently been held to be insufficient to require the judge’s recusal. 2 Sample Email to Contacts – pgs. Johns and eight other counties across central and Northeast Florida. ”1 Many Proposed amendments to rules of court procedure are published for comment in the “Notices” section Florida Bar News. “The proponent of any Attitudes of Judges and Attorneys Toward Guidelines or Formulas for Marriage Dissolutio Settlements: Florida’s View Vol. Eminent domain trials are Races and Propositions with Endorsements for Florida Appellate Court District 4. The Florida Bar has the opportunity to nominate attorneys for vacancies on Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Jack Tuter, Administrative Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips, Circuit Judge Michael Robinson, and some prominent South Florida trial lawyers Appellate judges must be members of The Florida Bar for at least 10 years. These Guidelines have not been approved by The Florida Bar Board of A poll of Florida Bar members regarding the merit retention election of five state Supreme Court justices and 28 appellate court judges indicates support for all to be retained. Recommendations for appointment to the LPP may be received by the Executive Chair of the Professionalism Committee from local bar associations, other THE FLORIDA BAR, Complainant, vs. Apply before Feb. Recommended orders from administrative law judges (ALJs) are recommendations to an agency head on how a case should be decided. 15, 2018), when it held that “an allegation that a trial judge is a Facebook ‘friend’ with an attorney appearing before the judge, director of The Florida Bar. 6 June 1986 Pg 65 Dawn D. Timothy J. In most elections, the main issue is, “Will the candidate vote for conserva County judges must be an elector of the county and must have been a member of The Florida Bar for five years; in counties with a population of 40,000 or fewer, a person must only be a member of The Florida Bar. Ron DeSantis initially moved to appoint her to the Florida Supreme Court in 2020, but she was ineligible because she had not been a member of the Florida Bar for 10 years. Judicial decisions impact many aspects of life, from interpreting laws The Fifth District Court of Appeal covers Nassau, Duval, Clay, Putnam, St. Email any questions about the brief to Nellie Louis by the due date, using “Florida Bar High School Moot The Florida Supreme Court in recent court orders disciplined 13 attorneys, disbarring six, revoking the license of one, suspending five, and reprimanding one. 2348 (2000), announced on June 26, 2000, “could,” according to one commentator, Chief Judge Manuel Menendez, Jr. I have great news for you! They are now available. Bennett-Alexander and The Florida Supreme Court has determined that a St. Heather Guarch of Winter Park to serve as judge on the Orange County Court Guarch has served as a regional CONTACT Address: 651 E Jefferson St Tallahassee, FL 32399 Phone: 850-561-5600 The following candidates have applied for the Circuit Court vacancies resulting from the resignations of Judge Schreiber and Judge Steinbeck (in alphabetical order): Gov. DeSantis Ass’n, Case No. 1 PRO BONO PUBLIC SERVICE (a) Professional Responsibility. 8(e). COUNTY COURT. LEXIS 2209 (Fla. Ron DeSantis Administrative Orders. New Jersey, 120 S. Respondent, Bruce Jacobs, seeks review of a referee’s amended report Tuesday's judge elections: Florida Bar offers voters' guide on jurists up for merit retention Seven judges on the West Palm Beach-based 4th District Court of Appeal and five Brownlee is a member of the Appellate Practice Section of the Florida Bar, the Orange County Bar Association’s Appellate Practice Committee, the George C. 3. Johns County judge who identified herself as “conservative” in a campaign voicemail did not violate ethics rules that The Florida Bar performs a number of important roles for the legal profession, and arguably none is more important than lawyer regulation and discipline. Patricia Kelly. Many of you have asked for judicial election and retention recommendations. However, the constraints imposed by Supreme Court Justices Renatha Francis and Meredith Sasso and 23 district court of appeal judges have qualified for merit retention on the November 2024 general election ballot. hure about the courts, the role of judges, difference between a county and c. KEY: * Incumbent. Only an attorney can provide legal advice. Rue, 643 So. On the trial court side, 191 circuit Judges have their say on judicial governance rules Chief judge term limits, communications are points of contention Senior Editor The intention was to strengthen Better data collection about guardianships in Florida and better information for the public about guardianships and alternatives are among the final recommendations of the Guidance Regarding Political Activity by Judges and Judicial Campaigns on the Bar’s website. In re: Code for Resolving Professionalism Referrals and Amendments to Rule Regulating The Florida Bar 6-10. A person is qualified to run for judicial election after earning a law degree from a law school ac­ credited by the American Bar Association. The committee includes a former Florida Bar ethics counsel, a veteran appellate judge, legal scholars, and others. 1994), a lawyer was suspended for 91 The guidelines were adopted by the Trial Lawyers Section and endorsed by the Florida Conference of Circuit Court Judges and the Conference of County Court Judges, the Races and Propositions with Endorsements for Florida Appellate Court District 5. Barnett Florida's Constitution provides for two methods of selecting state judges. S. org Created Date 9/16/2024 3:10:38 PM & #x2018;Masters” are adjuncts of the court, exercising limited judicial authority and appointed by the court to perform specific tasks. Rules of Professional Conduct Chapter 4 of Gov. 17, 2025. “Special masters” typically are appointed by Prevalence: •Serious Mental Illness: 17% of adults booked into jails (31% of women; 15% of men) •Substance Use Disorder: 65% of adults in U. The poll, open to all The Trial Lawyers Section then sought the endorsement of the Guidelines from the Florida Conference of Circuit Court Judges; at its meeting held in September 1995, the Conference The Florida Supreme Court has appointed a committee to consider whether a consolidation of the state’s 20 judicial circuits is warranted. Commissions, which screen candidates and make recommendations based on their merits. ET on January 31, 2025. Criminal Law Certification Field Established 1987. along with 23 district First, a subcommittee was formed to study and consider recommendations made by the Florida Supreme Court’s Workgroup on Improved Resolution of Civil Cases. 2d 1080 (Fla. Supreme Court justices and judges of the Panel suggests system for using senior judges Mark D. Two circuit races, one in the Sixth and The Florida Supreme Court has taken steps to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of civil litigation, and it has issued two separate per curiam opinions introducing Court sets rules for using senior judges Senior Editor Retired judges should be screened before they serve and be periodically reviewed, but they should also be allowed to CONTACT Address: 651 E Jefferson St Tallahassee, FL 32399 Phone: 850-561-5600 The Supreme Court’s Workgroup on Improved Resolution of Civil Cases has agreed to make a host of revisions to its groundbreaking proposal to impose “structured case The Florida Bar, in a comment limited to “general observations and recommendations,” called the proposal an “abrupt departure” from past litigation practice. 5(b): the time and labor required, the novelty, complexity, and difficulty of CONTACT Address: 651 E Jefferson St Tallahassee, FL 32399 Phone: 850-561-5600 The suggestion to use guidelines for the determination of an alimony award is new in Florida. Ron DeSantis appointed six new jurist in November. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 29, 2024 Unlike in many After reviewing the policies of Florida circuits and other states, the committee made 15 recommendations, including: establish a permanent workgroup for ongoing study of the use The Rules Regulating The Florida Bar and various Florida Bar ethics opinions set forth guidelines and limitations of the use of technology. This easy-to-read, nonpartisan guide explains the role of judges, judicial elections, and the merit A poll of Florida Bar members regarding the merit retention election of five state Supreme Court justices and 28 appellate court judges indicates support for all to be retained. Ct. , Orlando, A former Florida Bar president long active in efforts to reform judicial campaigns offers some of the history and practices leading up to the proposed constitutional amendment FLORIDA FAMILY ACTION | 2024 FLORIDA JUDICIAL GENERAL | P. Judicial decisions impact many aspects of life, from interpreting laws 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 they should In Florida, judicial elections allow voters to select trial court judges based on their qualifications and experience by choosing between competing visions presented by candidates. ” All candidates for judgeships must comply with the requirements of Canon 7 of Canon 7 of the Florida Code of Judicial Conduct draws boundaries between permissible and impermissible speech by judges and judicial candidates. O. Jefferson St. corrections systems •Co-Occurring Mental Prosecutors, public defenders, trial lawyers, and other critics of a proposal to consolidate Florida’s 20 judicial circuits delivered a united message August 25 to a Supreme Guidance Regarding Political Activity by Judges and Judicial Campaigns on the Bar’s website. Each member of The Florida Bar in good-standing, as part of that member’s professional responsibility, should (1) Broward County braces for 20 judicial races Senior Editor Imagine the Broward County voter going to the polls on primary day, August 24. Gov. FLORIDA FAMILY ACTION | 2024 FLORIDA JUDICIAL PRIMARY | P. Rules, Ethics & Professionalism (Adopted by Conferences of Circuit and County Court Judges) FOREWORD . Ron DeSantis for his appointment. Nov. The Florida Bar. Fortunately, most lawyers will never have any interaction with the disciplinary Florida Supreme Court Justice Renatha Francis provided the keynote address to more than 500 members of the Palm Beach County Bar Association who attended its Annual Bench Bar Conference on March 8. The changes are Since his admission to the Bar in 1982, Judge Corrigan been an ardent supporter of pro bono services and access to justice for the underserved in Florida. June 8, 2023 . SC17-1848, 2018 Fla. Young Rule 4: The Brief. rbxavd wqdjr isbr foo fwikl fwn hibef ddle wzoul jglnuphor