PBCBA BAR BULLETINS pbcba_bulletin_may 2018 | Page 4

PRESIDENT’S M e s s a g e Celebrating Our Judiciary What is even more compelling than the number of Judges, is the amount of relative experience each one of these Jurists brought to our bench, and the positive impact they have had on our Courts and our community. This year, through our “You’ve Been Served” Initiative, we have focused on honoring lawyers who have given back to our community. In honor of these Judges, I thought I’d share with you a tidbit about each of them, to express our association’s appreciation for their service. Rosalyn Sia Baker-Barnes 2017-18 PBCBA President Judge Richard Oftedal: upon his retirement, Judge Oftedal was the longest serving Circuit Judge, serving for 29 years, and having served in every division of the Court except the juvenile division. Judge Oftedal served with distinction, particularly during the housing crisis when he headed the foreclosure division created to handle the onslaught of foreclosure cases. Judge Oftedal received consistently high ratings on bi-annual Judicial evaluations. By the time you read this message, we will have just celebrated our Annual Judicial Reception, celebrating our judiciary which is one of the most respected in the State. Just last month, we honored one of our own, District Judge Daniel T.K. Hurley, naming the Palm Beach County Courthouse after Judge Hurley for his exemplary service on Judge Moses Baker our Courts. Our 15th Circuit Judiciary is led (happens to be my Dad): by Chief Judge Krista Marx, who recently served with distinction addressed the bar and gave the State of the for over 23 years, mostly Court address at our Bench Bar Conference. in the juvenile division What we learned is that our local State and where he oversaw Federal Courts are ever changing, resulting delinquency and in a near constant state of flux. Between 2017 dependency cases. He and early 2019, 12 Judges or Quasi-Judicial is known for establishing the Alternative Officers will have retired or resigned from to Suspension Program for at-risk students, the bench, including the following- and truly enjoyed presiding over adoptions. He is the recipient of the Florida Department •Circuit Judge Richard Oftedal- retired 2017 of Children & Families William E. Gladstone •Circuit Judge Moses Baker, Jr.- retired 2017 Award, honoring the Judge who has •Circuit Judge Thomas Barkdull- retired made the greatest contribution to serving 2017 dependent children and their families. •Circuit Judge David French- retiring 2018 •Circuit Judge Catherine Brunson- retiring Judge Thomas Barkdull: 2018 served the Circuit •Circuit Judge Peter Blanc- retiring 2018 Court for 21 years, most •County Court Judge Nancy Perez- retiring recently in the civil 2018 division. Judge Barkdull •County Court Judge Peter Evans- retiring like me comes from a 2018 legacy of lawyers, his •Circuit Judge James Ferrara- resigned 2017 father served for many •U.S. District Judge Paul Hyman- retired years on the Third District Court of Appeal. 2017 Judge Barkdull embraced his family’s •U.S. Magistrate Judge James Hopkins- legacy and served with distinction. He has retired 2018 been Honored by our North County Section •15th Circuit General Magistrate Linda as Jurist of the Year. Goodwin- retiring 2018 PBCBA BAR BULLETIN 4 Judge David French: serving for 11 years, Judge French currently serves in the civil division, and has served in the Probate and Family divisions of the Court. Judge French has served with distinction, after a highly successful career as a Civil Trial Lawyer. He has been Honored by South Palm Beach County Bar Association as Jurist of the Year. Judge Catherine Brunson: the first African American female to serve on the Circuit Court, Judge Brunson served with excellence for 23 years, currently serving in the family division. She has also recently served in the Circuit Division, and she is also known for her patience and dedication to justice. She has received numerous honors and awards, most recently by the F. Malcolm Cunningham, Sr. Bar Association as its Legacy Award recipient. Judge Peter Blanc has served our citizens as both a County and Circuit Judge for 28 years, and as Chief Judge, for four years. He stands for the principles of professionalism, preparedness and justice, and was a proponent of the bar’s efforts to promote Civility, under the leadership of Past President Adam Rabin. Judge Blanc has also been honored by our North County Section as Jurist of the Year. Judge Nancy Perez: the first Hispanic American Judge in Palm Beach County, has excelled in our County Court for 27 years, often presiding over cases involving pro se litigants. She is well-known for taking the time and having the compassion to ensure that all citizens feel that they are received a full and fair opportunity to have their concerns addressed