Porter the choice in Circuit Court Group 47

Circuit Court Judge Lisa Porter is well aware that the judiciary in Broward has taken an image hit in the past few years, with judicial conduct on and off the bench often dominating the headlines.

Porter wants to make an effort to improve the public's perception of the judiciary. She has earned an opportunity to continue towards that goal, and the Sun Sentinel Editorial Board recommends she be retained for the Group 47 seat.

Porter, 47, was appointed to her position two years ago by Gov. Charlie Crist. She is currently assigned to the dependency division, with cases involving the abuse, abandonment and neglect of children. She prides herself on good management skills, running an efficient docket, and most important, good people skills. She emphasizes that, as a judge, she is in a position to make a real difference in people's lives.

Prior to her appointment, she was an assistant state attorney for seven years, and then assistant statewide prosecutor for the Florida Attorney General's Office of Statewide Prosecution. While there, her duties included investigation and prosecution of organized crime enterprises. She tried over 200 cases as a prosecutor.

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Dave Day Rally

Dave Day Rally with
Attorney General Candidate Dave Aronberg and campaign volunteers!
Join us for a Rally and Neighborhood Canvass on Saturday, August 21st at 12:00 p.m.

August 21, 2010
12:00p.m. - Rally and Sign Waiving
1:00 p.m. - Neighborhood Canvass

Holiday Park
1150 G. Herold Martin Dr.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33304


Dave Aronberg, "the strongest consumer advocate in the legislature."
- Sun-Sentinel
Bring Friends! Dress comfortably! Have fun!

Contact Nick with any questions or to RSVP-Nick@DaveAronberg.com –
Or Call Ron Mills
(954)394-4980

Support Dave Aronberg For Attorney General

FOR MORE INFO ON DAVE ARONBERG CLICK HERE

Broward Teachers Union Endorses Judge Lisa Porter

We have judges in the courthouse who understand the sacrifices and challenges facing teachers today and who also care about our children. That’s why we strongly support Circuit Judge Lisa Porter in Group 47 in the upcoming August 24 Primary Election. Whether you are participating in early voting, which starts Monday, August 9, or on Primary Election Day on August 24, I urge you to give your fullest consideration of

Circuit Judge Porter.

Although Judge Porter is clearly the most qualified candidate with her 20 years as a litigator and as former Chief Assistant Statewide Prosecutor for complex crimes of fraud and corruption, Lisa is also one of us! Both Lisa’s parents were teachers and were founding members of the United Teachers of Dade County (UTD), so in Judge Porter -

we have someone who has literally lived our history, someone who understands our problems and issues, and someone who has a strong connection with our professional goals. Judge Porter currently serves in the Dependency Division where she helps abused, abandoned and neglected children. In the Dependency Division she finds solutions for troubled families, while always acting in the best interests of the kids.

For these reasons and so many more, I urge your active support for her campaign. Not only do I ask you to vote for Judge Lisa Porter, I ask you to e-mail and talk to your

friends, neighbors, and family members and ask them to support Lisa as well. Together, we are stronger – especially at the polls!

To find out more about Judge Porter’s qualifications, you can go to:

http://www.floridabar.org/judicialcandidates

Or Judge Porter’s website at:

http://www.KeepJudgePorter.com

If you want to see how Judge Porter’s colleagues rate her, you can go to:

http://www.OurBrowwardCourts.com

Finally, I hope you will give Judge Porter’s your fullest consideration. If you have any

questions for her you can email her directly at KeepJudgePorter@ymail.com.

In solidarity,

Patrick A. Santeramo

President

Dave Aronberg for Florida Attorney General.

Dear Friends:

Please join me in supporting Democrat Dave Aronberg for Florida Attorney General.

When it comes to human rights, Florida is way behind the curve. That’s why we need a passionate, energetic Dave Aronberg as our next AG – and not just another candidate from the political establishment. Dave has shaken up the status quo throughout his career as an Assistant Attorney General and then as a State Senator.

As a Senator, Dave represents a district that is only about 39% Democratic – stretching from West Palm Beach to Fort Myers. Yet Dave was one of the leading voices in the legislature to call for specific GLBT protections in our State’s anti-bullying law, and helped ensure that the law’s legislative history included such protection. In fact, he was the only Senator to publicly stand with Ryan Skipper’s parents to help pass this important law. See the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9DW0iVsQG4.

Dave has been one of the leading voices against Florida’s ban on gay adoption and has co-sponsored bills to repeal the law. As Attorney General, Dave has publicly announced that he will end the State’s litigation to defend this “immoral” and “unconstitutional” ban.

In 2008, even as he was fighting for his own re-election against a well-funded Republican challenger in a competitive Senate district, Dave served on the Red and Blue Advisory Board to attempt to defeat Amendment 2.

And when Leon County was debating a landmark civil rights ordinance earlier this year, Dave Aronberg (at my request), put his campaign schedule on hold and traveled to Tallahassee to speak up for the ordinance, which then passed into law.

This is why Dave Aronberg has been endorsed by such leaders in our community as Broward Mayor Ken Keechl and GLBT Democratic Caucus President Michael Albetta, along with many others (including me- Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus Financial Director) who want action and not just talk.

This crucial election is August 24th. The turnout is expected to be low, so we can make a real difference in this race.

For more on Dave Aronberg and his campaign to change Florida as our next Attorney General, please visit www.davearonberg.com.

Sincerely,

Jeff G. Peters, Esq.

Broward For Change Judicial Recommendations

For County Court;

1	John Robert Howes
3	Debra L. Steinsaltz
4	Edward H. Merrigan, Jr.
12	John "Jay" Hurley
13	Linda R. Pratt
14	Mary Rudd Robinson
15	Mindy Solomon
20	Kenneth "Ken" Gottlieb
26	Nathaniel Adam "Nate" Klitsberg

For Circuit Court;

Group	Attorney's Choice
2	Gillespie, Kenneth
4	Williams, Elijah H.
6	Rodriguez, Carlos A.
9	Lebow, Susan
15	Destry, Matthew Isaac
22	Rebollo, Carlos
23	Bernstein, Alan
24	Luzzo, John
47	Porter, Lisa
51	Perlman, Sandra
53	O'Connor, Eileen M.

T.J Reddick Bar Association Endorses Judicial Candidates for August 2010 Election

The T..J. Reddick Bar Association (Broward’s Black Bar Association) is dedicated to promoting, fostering and encouraging excellence in the legal profession. The lack of diversity in the judiciary of Broward County and questionable ethical behavior of a few judges are issues of grave concern to the T. J. Reddick Bar Association. The association has taken numerous hours to interview and evaluate the judicial candidates in order to provide the public with recommendations for all judicial races.

All judicial candidates were invited for interviews and the endorsements are as follows:

CIRCUIT COURT

Circuit Judge Group 2: KENNETH L. GILLESPIE

Judge Kenneth Gillespie offers our community an opportunity to maintain the presence of a
competent and committed jurist who is African American. He came to the bench after service as
a general magistrate in family and dependency court. The T.J. Reddick Bar Association strongly
endorses the reelection of Judge Gillespie who is “working to improve the community by being
involved.”

Circuit Judge Group 4: ELIJAH H. WILLIAMS

Judge Elijah Williams currently sits in the juvenile division and for the last four of the eight years he has been on the bench, has provided a strong and steady presence to juveniles appearing before him. His request to serve in the juvenile division exemplifies his commitment to “making a HUGE difference in Broward County.” The T.J. Reddick Bar Association highly recommends that Judge Williams be reelected.

Circuit Judge Group 6: CARLOS A. RODRIGUEZ

Judge Carlos Rodriguez recently came to the bench after an extensive history as a criminal and civil attorney. Since coming from Cuba in 1962, he has been in Broward County and says, “I owe the United States of America and Broward County for this opportunity to study and to succeed as a student, a lawyer and now a judge.” The T.J. Reddick Bar Association highly recommends that voters keep Judge Rodriguez on the bench.

Circuit Judge Group 9: SUSAN LEBOW

Judge Susan Lebow believes that “a judge must have the integrity to make rulings in accord with what that Judge understands the law requires, and not be concerned about “unpopular” decisions.” The T.J. Reddick Bar Association believes that this commitment to justice after serving on the bench for over 20 years merits recognition and recommends that Judge Lebow be reelected.

Circuit Judge Group 15: MATTHEW ISAAC DESTRY

Both candidates in this race are highly qualified and deserve a second look by voters. The T. J. Reddick Bar Association admires the fact that Robert Jakovich says he has “fought the good fight for the unpopular,” however, we recommend that Judge Matthew Destry be retained because of his exceptional service on the bench and board certification as a criminal trial lawyer.

Circuit Judge Group 22: CARLOS REBOLLO

“I have the experience as a judge,” says Judge Carlos Rebollo when asked what separates him from his opponent who also worked as a prosecutor. The T.J. Reddick Bar Association strongly recommends that Judge Rebollo be retained not because his is one of only five Hispanic judges but because he is a competent and qualified judge.

Circuit Judge Group 23: BARBARA ANNE MCCARTHY

Judge Barbara McCarthy presides in family and dependency court and has demonstrated a genuine interest in the welfare of the children that appear before her. The T.J. Reddick Bar Association recommends that Judge McCarthy be reelected.

Circuit Judge Group 24: JOHN T. (“JACK”) LUZZO

After 28 years on the bench, the depth of experience of Judge John Luzzo cannot be ignored. While challenger, Olga Levine, is competent and credible, the T.J. Reddick Bar Association recommends that Judge Luzzo be retained.

Circuit Judge Group 47: LISA PORTER

Judge Lisa Porter promises to “make a concerted effort to improve the public’s perception of the judiciary.” Her experience sets her apart from her opponent and the T.J. Reddick Bar Association recommends that Judge Porter be reelected.

Circuit Judge Group 51: SANDRA PERLMAN

In spite of her opponent’s experience as a judge, the T.J. Reddick Bar Association finds that Sandra Perlman is the voters’ best choice in this race. “I want to make the courtroom a fair place for everybody,” says Perlman who has been on both sides of the justice system.

Circuit Judge Group 53: EILEEN O’CONNOR

Over three decades of public service distinguishes Judge Eileen O’Connor from her opponent. Judge O’Connor has served on the bench since 2003 and the T.J. Reddick Bar Association recommends that she be retained.

COUNTY COURT

County Judge Group 1: JOHN ROBERT HOWES

All of the candidates in this race appear to be qualified for bench. However, 30 years of
experience as a practicing attorney, working as a prosecutor, public defender and criminal
attorney at the local, state and national levels earn John Howes the recommendation of the TJ Reddick Bar Association.

County Judge Group 3: PETER BARRY SKOLNIK

In spite of the enthusiasm and extensive trial experience of his opponent, Debra Steinsaltz, since 1990 Judge Peter Skolnik has competently served on the bench in Broward County “just solving problems.” Therefore, the T. J. Reddick Bar Association recommends that Judge Skolnik be retained.

County Judge Group 4: EDWARD H. MERRIGAN, JR.

“I know what right looks like,” says Judge Edward Merrigan, Jr. when asked to comment regarding how he should conduct himself as a judge. Both he and his challenger Lloyd Golburgh appear to be competent and ethical professionals. However, the T.J. Reddick Bar Association recommends that Judge Merrigan be retained.

County Judge Group 12: JOHN “JAY” HURLEY

Judge John Hurley has been a key factor in effectively managing the jail population as Broward County’s first full-time first appearance judge. Judge Hurley deserves the support of the community and the support of the T.J. Reddick Bar Association for his reelection.

County Judge Group 13: LINDA R. PRATT

“Not taking anything for granted,” Judge Linda Pratt embraces the opportunity to go into the community and let the voters see the 23 years of integrity and experience that she bring to the bench. The T.J. Reddick Bar Association recommends that voters reelect Judge Pratt.

County Judge Group 14: MARY RUDD ROBINSON

Judge Mary Rudd Robinson has done a fine job serving as county court judge for over 20 years. Judge Robinson is the first female African American judge on the county court bench here in Broward County. The T.J. Reddick Bar Association highly recommends that voters reelect Judge Mary Rudd Robinson.

County Judge Group 15: ROSHAWN BANKS

Both Roshawn Banks and her opponent are vastly qualified for the position of county court judge. However, Roshawn Banks has the diversity of experience that makes her the best candidate. She has experience in criminal and civil law, government and private practice and state and federal court. Consequently, the T.J. Reddick Bar Association highly recommends voters elect Roshawn Banks.

County Judge Group 20: KENNETH “KEN” GOTTLIEB

“At the end of the day, a judge shouldn’t make the news, “says candidate Steven Schaet. His opponent, Ken Gottlieb is a seasoned politician who says that, “After a life filled with public service, I am looking forward to a different kind of service on the bench.” The T.J. Reddick Bar Association believes that Gottlieb’s history of public service can be an asset on the bench and recommends that he be elected.

County Judge Group 26: F.J. MCLAWRENCE

This is one of the more interesting county court judicial races with candidates jumping in and out of it from the very start. F.J. McLawrence’s commitment to the community combined with his passion for the law makes him the best candidate for this group. In our opinion, F.J. McLawrence and Nathaniel Klitsberg are the only candidates in this race that would uphold ethical standards and ensure fairness for all on a consistent basis. The T.J. Reddick Bar Association highly recommends that voters elect F.J. McLawrence.


source: South Florida Caribbean News