by Monica Chamness
Staff Writer
He’s represented victims of exploding Ford Pintos, been involved in test cases against hypnotists and defended the rights of gun range owners.
Now, Daniel Wilensky, an attorney currently specializing in family law mediation, plans to announce his candidacy for circuit judge Nov. 26.
“I decided to run [for judge] two years ago,” said Wilensky. “The whole process started about 1995 when attorney Rudy Hernandez, who is now deceased, said, ‘You know, you really should be a judge.’ We were in the middle of a very difficult mediation. It took the right demeanor and temperament to do something meaningful. He got me thinking about a judgeship.”
Since then, Wilensky has been nominated for a spot on the bench four times — twice for the county court and twice for the circuit court — but never has been appointed by the governor.
“The governor gets to pick whoever he wants,” said Wilensky. “All governors are political animals and they have certain agendas. For political reasons they want to make certain appointments.”
After 24 years of practicing law, Wilensky decided it was time to try for a spot on the bench.
“I have some inner desire to carry my community service to the next level,” said Wilensky. “I think I would be able to have people encounter the court system with me involved and know they will be treated with dignity and whether they like the final decision or not they are going to feel like a decision was made that makes sense.”
Spending the last seven years of his practice in family law, Wilensky has seen the good, bad and ugly side of human nature. Divorces, custody battles and separation of assets can bring out the worst in people. Wilensky believes those experiences will translate well into the courtroom.
“Even when people are throwing things, screaming and cussing at each other, you’ve got to remain calm and get them back on track,” said Wilensky. “It mushrooms into a mess when a family splits up. I talk to them about resolving a case in a way that makes sense for the children.”
Wilensky has also worked as a criminal and civil trial lawyer and participated in the Guardian Ad Litem program. He’s also active in the community, volunteering with organizations such as the Boy Scouts and Grove House, a home for developmentally challenged adults.
In 1999 he won the Tobias Simon Pro Bono Service award for providing free legal help for the poor.
Married over 20 years, Wilensky has four children, sons Jess and Life and daughters Tess and Mari, the reigning Miss Teen USA. Wilensky is a graduate of Nova University in Ft. Lauderdale.
“Sometimes you have a visceral feeling that this is the right thing to do,” he said. “It does seem crazy when you have a successful practice but I’ve been getting so much encouragement. Things have just fallen into place, this is the time to do it.”
Mounting a grassroots campaign is Wilensky’s plan for victory.
“I hope the public cares about voting and getting involved in a judicial election,” he said. “I’m hoping to get my name out in the public, to educate them and inform them of my qualifications. There’s nothing crazy in my background. They’ll see my record and get to know me and I believe they’ll vote for me. I don’t anticipate losing.”