Education: Juris Doctor, 1980, The Ohio State University College of Law, Columbus, Ohio.
Admitted to the Bar: 1980
Date sworn in to the bench: July 1, 1995
Court: Duval County Court
Division: County Court B - handling misdemeanors and civil cases where the amount of controversy does not exceed $15,000.
Why did you become a judge?
After many years as a trial attorney, I sought a position on the bench to bring to the bench my experience of a private practitioner in both the state and federal courts. The Fourth Judicial Circuit’s bench had a great reputation, which still remains today, and I wanted to join it and bring the perspective of someone who had experience in representing individual clients and who had been involved in both the state government (Public Defender’s Office) and private practice. Those experiences, I felt, would be welcome by both the Bar and the community. I would provide both with fair and well-reasoned decisions from someone who had practical experience. Additionally, it would be an honor to resume public service to this community as a judge.
What should every lawyer know about appearing in your court?
Our justice system depends on timely and accurate information, in order for our judicial decisions to be sound and well-received by the litigants and the community at large. In order to accomplish this, lawyers and litigants must be prepared to provide this type of information to the court. Therefore, I expect lawyers to be punctual and prepared for their hearings. These are just two of the hallmarks of professionalism that all of us, as members of our profession, should practice. Nothing comes second to being prepared. This is the only way to practice as I was taught by my mentors as a young lawyer, and something I expect and professionalism demands of all lawyers.
What do you know now that you didn’t when you were practicing before the bench?
That, sadly, some lawyers repeatedly fail to make court appearances or be fully prepared.
Community involvement:
In addition to being involved in my church as a Eucharistic Minister and Pastoral Care Committee member, I have been blessed to have been involved in several wonderful not-for-profit organizations. I have been a board member with Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, membership committee of both the Gateway Girl Scouts and Shawnee District Boy Scouts. Currently, I am active with the Rotary Club of Arlington, where I have been a member since 1985. I also am a member of the Hispanic Bar Association, Chester Bedell Inn of Court and The Jacksonville Bar Association. Through the Chester Bedell Inn of Court and Hispanic Bar Association, I mentor two law students, and through the Supreme Court Justice teaching program I speak to school children about our justice system and the law.
What are your interests outside the courtroom?
Outside of court, I enjoy fishing, deer hunting and enjoying the outdoors. I also enjoy woodworking, having grown up seeing my Dad working with wood all of his life.
What was the last book you read or are reading?
I keep finding myself in the midst of reading several books simultaneously. I recently finished re-reading a spiritual book titled “Same Kind of Different As Me” by Ron Hall and Denver Moore, and “A Matter of Interpretation: Federal Courts and The Law” by Justice Antonin Scalia. I am currently reading “The Man Who Invented Florida” by Randy Wayne White.