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In Area Judicial Races, Here Are Our Recommendations

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 4, 2008

Selecting judges is no easy task. The candidates are often unfamiliar to voters and judicial canons prevent them from addressing specific issues. The restriction is frustrating, though appropriate. Judges must execute the law without bias or agenda. The bench is no place for political grandstanding.

In electing judges, citizens should focus on whether the individuals have the necessary background, temperament and work ethic to effectively manage a courtroom while treating all parties with respect and dignity.

Here are our recommendations.

Hillsborough Circuit Races Group 7

In the most rancorous judicial contest in years, incumbent Judge J. Kevin Carey is being challenged by veteran family-law attorney Catherine M. Catlin. She's running a sharp-edged campaign that suggests Carey, who was elected in 2002, can't handle his docket. We have been inundated with reports, some firsthand, of Carey being late, indecisive and disorganized.

Carey's output is in line with other judges, but to his credit, the incumbent does not simply dismiss the criticism. He says time management can be an "issue," one he intends to improve. He was recently moved from the family law division to civil, his area of expertise, which should help. Still, Carey stresses that whatever problems he has had are minor. He vehemently rejects any claim that he cannot effectively manage his caseload.

Many lawyers who practice in front of Carey testify to his diligence and fairness, and say claims of docket problems are grossly exaggerated.

The evidence is that Carey is a decent judge and an honorable man who's probably getting something of a bad rap. Yet re-election should not be automatic, even for a capable judge.

Catlin impresses us as a take-charge individual who could manage a courtroom and ensure that all parties were fairly heard. She is, by all accounts, a brilliant and conscientious lawyer, devoted to her profession and clients, and always considerate of others. Time management - increasingly important as budget cuts limit court resources - would not be a concern for Catlin, who has managed a solo practice more than 13 years.

In Group 7, the Tribune endorses Catherine Catlin.

Group 1

In this race to replace retiring Judge Frank Gomez, veteran lawyer Caroline Tesche faces Jason Montes, a former businessman who's been a lawyer just more than the five years required to become a judge.

This is an easy call. Montes has made little impression on the legal community, while Tesche is widely admired by defense attorneys and prosecutors alike. Tesche has been a lawyer for more than 20 years. She excelled at the public defender's office before going into private practice, where she has tried a wide range of cases. She is smart, qualified and personable.

In Group 1 the Tribune strongly endorses Caroline Tesche.

Group 2

Samantha Ward, a veteran public defender who narrowly lost a judicial race two years ago, faces Miriam Velez in the election that will determine who takes the place of retiring Judge Barbara Fleischer.

Velez's legal resume is slim, but she claims 12 years of courthouse experience because she worked with the Salvation Army Correctional Services and as a probation officer for the Department of Corrections before entering law school.

Velez is intelligent and capable, but she can't match the background of Ward, a top aide to Public Defender Julianne Holt for 15 years.

Ward is known for being smart, hard-working and demanding. She pushed public defenders hard, ruffling some feelings along the way. But she got the job done with limited resources. She also has a softer side. Ward mentors troubled students and finds time for volunteer work. With her legal background, Ward could hit the ground running.

While Velez would likely make a good judge some day, in Group 2 the Tribune endorses Samantha Ward.

Group 21

Both candidates seeking to replace retiring Judge J. Rogers Padgett appear qualified. Linda Courtney Clark is involved in a number of community organizations and has had a diverse practice, though her focus has been on family law.

But Lisa Campbell is the more experienced and impressive candidate. She's been a lawyer for more than 20 years, excelling at the Public Defender's Office before going into private practice. She earns high marks from colleagues and opposing attorneys for her professionalism, intelligence and integrity. She is a hard worker, known to juggle a multitude of tasks with efficiency and good humor. Campbell has an engaging personality, but weighs her words carefully to convey precisely what she means.

Her thoughtful but confident manner would serve her well on the bench. For Circuit Court Group 21, the Tribune enthusiastically endorses Lisa Campbell.

Group 30

In this race, private attorney Constance Daniels is challenging incumbent Martha Cook, who was elected in 2002.

By most all accounts, Cook has done an outstanding job handling dependency trials and adoptions. She knows the law, effectively manages her caseload, treats people with respect and gets things done without theatrics.

Daniels, who seems to be running because of some past displeasure with a Cook ruling, can't match the legal experience or acumen of the highly regarded judge.

In Group 30, the Tribune strongly endorses Martha Cook.

Pasco-Pinellas Circuit Races Group 6

Voters in the 6th Judicial Circuit of Pasco and Pinellas counties face a difficult task in replacing two judges who've spent more than 40 years on the bench combined.

Wayne Cobb, who sits in Dade City, is stepping down after 31 years because of mandatory retirement. And Marion Fleming, who presides in Clearwater, opted not to seek re-election after 12 years.

The contest to succeed Fleming offers the more talented field of candidates, all of whom have the experience and temperament to be fine judges.

Violet M. Assaid, 51, of St. Petersburg, has spent 19 years in the Pasco-Pinellas Public Defender's office handling a wide variety of cases, the last nine as director of the Mental Health Division. She has been instrumental in getting the mentally ill out of jail and into the treatment programs they desperately need.

Mary Handsel, 44, of Tarpon Springs, who ran for a judgeship two years ago, is an 18-year assistant state attorney who has spent the last five years as supervising trial attorney in New Port Richey.

She reviews cases to decide whether suspects should be formally charged, among other duties.

Bruce G. Howie, 55, of St. Petersburg, has his own law firm specializing in criminal defense - and he is the best choice.

Howie has represented more than 2,500 clients from all walks of life in 30 years of practicing criminal and civil law. His experience in handling appeals and working as a certified court mediator would help him avoid mistakes that could result in cases being overturned.

The Tribune endorses Bruce G. Howie for circuit judge, Group 6, in the Pasco-Pinellas Circuit.

Group 8

The race to replace Cobb in Group 8 is uninspiring. Neither candidate has the experience seen in the other contest. And none has tried a death-penalty case, a concern given the likelihood that the winner will eventually handle such cases.

Susan Gardner, 46, of Hudson, an assistant public defender who previously practiced civil law, missed two appointments with this editorial board and failed to appear in court on time when she was charged with a local ordinance violation five years ago, an incredible gaffe for a lawyer. Placing her in charge of a docket could be risky.

Kenneth Foote, 42, of Port Richey has his own criminal defense practice.

And Robert Angus Williams of Palm Harbor is a 38-year-old shareholder and lawyer in the firm of Fowler White Boggs Banker in Tampa. Like Foote, he, too, has experience trying criminal cases as an assistant state attorney.

We recommend Williams, whose strong work ethic can be traced to growing up on a farm. He has more overall experience - 13 years - and his demeanor, temperament and work in a complex area of civil law - land use - give him the advantage over Foote.

The Tribune endorses Robert Angus Williams for circuit judge, Group 8, in the Pasco-Pinellas Circuit.

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