by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
Circuit Judge Mark Hulsey III was welcomed to the bench at his investiture ceremony Thursday.
“This is a great day for the Hulsey family,” he said.
Although he had already been officially sworn in and was hearing cases in the Circuit Criminal Division, Thursday’s event allowed colleagues, family and friends to welcome Hulsey to the new path in his legal career, as a judge in the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida.
Those in attendance included former Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Major Harding, who was also a Fourth Circuit chief judge, U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Gerald Tjoflat and
former Florida Bar President Howard Coker.
“I also began my judicial career in the Fourth Judicial Circuit,” said Harding.
“But we are not here to talk about me, we are here to talk about Mark, who, like his father, has distinguished himself in the practice of law and now has the opportunity to join the judiciary. I am certain he will be a competent and well- revered judge,” he said.
Like Harding, Tjoflat knew Mark’s father, Mark Hulsey Jr., and watched the new judge grow up.
“Your father and I have been friends forever and I’ve known you since you were a toddler,” said Tjoflat.
“I know how proud your father is of you and I’m guessing buttons are popping with the amount of pride he is feeling,” he said.
Coker worked with Hulsey on his campaign for a seat on the bench and said he volunteered to help because he knew Hulsey would make a good jurist.
“He has many attributes of a good jurist,” said Coker. “He’s a very good listener and looks to get to the very essence of the problem.”
Part of the process of becoming a judge is attending the judicial college, and Hulsey plans to refer to one piece of information in particular as he gains experience as a judge.
“I will follow the advice from the judicial college,” said Hulsey. “Let the lawyers do the heavy lifting. So far I think I’ve excelled at that.”
Hulsey also told a story from one of the first cases over which he presided.
“It was my first trial and the jury went in to deliberate. I was told the jury had a question,” said Hulsey.
“I was handed a piece of paper that only I could see and it read, ‘Judge, please call my hairdresser and cancel my hair appointment.’”
Circuit Judge Charles Arnold offered some special observations from his time on the bench.
“Every case is an important case to the people who stand before you,” said Arnold. “Make time for your children and grandchildren. It’s time you will never get back.”
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