by Tammy Taylor
Staff Writer
The following local judges and attorneys have applied to fill a federal judgeship that became vacant with the death of U.S. District Judge Ralph Nimmons in November.
The application process begins when a judicial nomination committee of 54 review and rate an application from 1-5. Depending on the rating, the Middle District Federal Nomination Committee will conduct interviews of those applicants with qualifying ratings. The nominating committee recommends three to six names to the committee president, who sends those names to President George W. Bush. After Bush makes his choice, it must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
Lance Day
Circuit Court Judge Lance Day received his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University.
He is currently a judge for the Duval County Criminal Division. He was elected as a Circuit Court judge in 2002.
Alexandra Hedrick
Alexandra Hedrick is a senior partner in the firm of Hedrick, Dewberry, Regan & Durant, P.A. The Jacksonville native went to Stetson University for her bachelor’s degree, and later graduated with high honors from the University of Florida Law School.
Mary Jarrett
Attorney Mary Jarrett is with the firm of Coffman, Coleman, Andrews & Grogan. Her practice areas include labor and employment law and litigation. She graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1975 and graduated with honors from the University of Florida Law School in 1980.
Christine Milton
Attorney Christine Milton has practiced as trial lawyer for 30 years in Jacksonville since her graduation from the University of Florida Law School in 1974. Her specialty has included a broad variety of commercial litigation. She currently works with McGuireWoods LLP.
Thomas Morris
U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas Morris received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri and went on to earn a law degree from the University of Florida.
Paul Perez
U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida Paul Perez was born in Havana, Cuba, in 1955 and immigrated to Jacksonville in 1960. After graduating from Bishop Kenny High School, Perez earned a bachelor’s degree from Jacksonville University. He obtained his master’s degree from the University of Florida and graduated with honors from law school at George Washington University in 1984.
After law school, Perez clerked for Judge John H. Moore II.
Perez was sworn into office as U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida in March 2002.
Edward Trent
Attorney Edward Trent graduated from Duke Law School in 1992. When he completed his tenure at Duke, he worked for Judge Moore. He spent two years as assistant state attorney and went into a private practice in September 1996.
Waddell Wallace
Circuit Court Judge Waddell Wallace is a Jacksonville native and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School. He received his bachelor’s degree in 1975 from the University of Virginia and graduated in 1978 from the University of Florida Law School.
Wallace was a clerk for Judge Moore, and in 1978, went into practice with Smith & Hulsey, P.A. He was elected as a Circuit Court judge in 2002.