Defending Florida Judges

Helping Florida Judges

Many lawyers are unfamiliar with the Florida Code of Judicial Conduct until they contemplate becoming a judge.  Non-partisan judicial campaigns cannot be managed like a political campaign.  A complete understanding of Canon 7 is critical before a judicial candidate engages in campaign speech, distributes campaign literature, sets up an electronic presence or contemplates fund raising.  We work with judicial campaigns to minimize risk and help the candidate’s team stay compliant.

If you are a judge who has received a Judicial Qualification Commission 6(b) Notice “inviting” you to appear before the Commission, you should consider all of your options, including filing a response addressing the issues set forth in the Notice before your hearing.   Our experience in representing county, circuit, and district court judges at all stages of JQC proceedings will help you evaluate the issues and prepare for your testimony before a JQC Rule 6 panel.   If you are a judge who has received or is about to receive Formal Charges, we discuss your options with you, including pursuing discovery as permitted by the Rules of Civil Procedure and defending the charges before the Rule 7 Hearing Panel.

• Canon 7 Judicial Campaign Advice
• Representation before Rule 6(b) Investigative Panel
• Litigation of Formal Charges before a Rule 7 Hearing Panel
• Petitions to Review Hearing Panel Recommendations to the Florida Supreme Court