by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
Chief Judge to assist Civil Court
The Fourth Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) has informed Gov. Charlie Crist a vacancy has been created in the Circuit due to the untimely passing of Judge Peter Fryefield. Crist is expected to notify the JNC this week that it is to start accepting applications for the vacancy, according to Jessica Freud, spokesperson for the governor.
“Once we are notified, we normally have about three weeks to accept applications,” said Robert O’Quinn, chair of the JNC. “We will then choose which applicants we want to interview and then send a list of at least three and up to six candidates for the Governor to choose a replacement.”
Members of the JNC include Vice Chair Ava Parker; William Adams Jr. of the Gunster Law Firm; Richard Alexander of Schutt, Schmidt & Noey; Vivian Gallo of Nemours Foundation; Gregory Strickland, Charles Alford of the Alford Group; Deno Hicks and Joseph Prichard Jr. of Moseley Prichard.
Some of the applications the commission is likely to review will come from some local attorneys.
“I have thought about pursuing a judgeship for quite some time,” said attorney Suzanne Bass. “The decision has evolved from a 30-year career spent, mostly, representing clients in all types of litigation and thus I have been before lots of judges. During that career I’ve had the benefit of practicing before some of North Florida’s truly great judges.”
Another attorney wants to return to the public service he began his career with.
“I’ve had a rewarding law practice,” said Don Lester of Lester & Mitchell. “I have an interest in a more public service role right now. I started out in public service with the State Attorney’s Office.”
Mark Hulsey III also has interest in the appointed position after a strong showing in the 2008 primary, where he earned nearly 50 percent of the vote.
“After receiving 64,000 votes in the last election, that leads me to believe that the public thinks I would make a good judge,” said Hulsey. “That has encouraged me to run again.”
That support had Hulsey considering another run earlier this year and, according to Florida Division of Elections records, he filed Aug. 14 as a candidate to run for Circuit Judge William Wilkes’ seat when he steps down at the end of 2010. The election for that seat will take place in the fall of 2010.
Changes have also been taking place at the Duval County Courthouse to compensate for the loss of Judge Fryefield in Civil Court. The Circuit normally operates with four judges on the Civil Trial Bench during any given trial week. It is currently operating with four, but Chief Judge Donald Moran is scheduled to preside over a civil case this week to help with the caseload.
The chief judge may be counted on more in the future as other seats on the bench may open up. Circuit Court Judge Waddell Wallace is being considered for a seat on the First District Court of Appeal and Nassau County Circuit Court Judge Brian Davis is being considered for U.S. District Court.
356-2466