JUSTICE BUILDING BLOG

WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL RICHARD E GERSTEIN JUSTICE BUILDING BLOG. THIS BLOG IS DEDICATED TO JUSTICE BUILDING RUMOR, HUMOR, AND A DISCUSSION ABOUT AND BETWEEN THE JUDGES, LAWYERS AND THE DEDICATED SUPPORT STAFF, CLERKS, COURT REPORTERS, AND CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS WHO LABOR IN THE WORLD OF MIAMI'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE. POST YOUR COMMENTS, OR SEND RUMPOLE A PRIVATE EMAIL AT HOWARDROARK21@GMAIL.COM. Winner of the prestigious Cushing Left Anterior Descending Artery Award.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

NEW CIRCUIT COURT JUDGES

THE CAPTAIN REPORTS:

AND YOUR NEW CIRCUIT COURT JUDGES ARE .....

Governor Scott announced the appointment of Judge Rosa C. Figarola and Thomas J. Rebull, both of Miami, to the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court.

"Judge Figarola, 52, was appointed as a Miami-Dade County Judge in 2001 by Governor Jeb Bush. She has also been a faculty advisor at St. Thomas University School of Law since August 2010. From 1982 to 2000, she was an assistant public defender for the Eleventh Circuit Office of the Public Defender, in the appellate division. She received both her bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Miami.

“With a background as an appellate lawyer and a county judge, Judge Figarola possesses the experience necessary for the circuit and has demonstrated a deep respect for hard work and personal responsibility,” Governor Scott said. “Born in Cuba, she brings with her to the circuit court bench respect and appreciation toward those like her who left behind everything familiar and came to America in search of the freedoms and opportunities our country offers.”

Judge Figarola will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Mary Barzee Flores.

A partner with Broad and Cassel since 2001, Rebull also has been a member of, and currently chairs, the City of Miami Civilian Investigative Panel since 2003. The panel was created and empowered by voters to conduct independent and impartial oversight of the Miami Police Department. Previously, he practiced with Hector and Harke LLP in 1999. From 1998 to 1999, he was general counsel for Total Quality Management Group Inc. and practiced with Muller Mintz et al from 1997 to 1998. He received his bachelor’s degree from Boston University and his law degree from Washington College of Law.

“During his eight years on the City of Miami Civilian Investigative Panel, Thomas has had experience in exercising impartiality and fairness which will help him do the same as a circuit judge,” Governor Scott said. “He is hardworking and conscientious and recognizes that the sole and solemn obligation facing a judge is to enforce the rule of law.”

Rebull will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Israel U. Reyes."

4 DOWN AND ONE TO GO .....

That leaves the appointment of a new 3rd DCA Judge. That appointment should take place in the next week.

And, with the appointment of Judge Figarola, that means the revamped JNC will be meeting to nominate 3-6 names to the Governor for the newest open seat on the County Court.

Also, with the appointments of Judge Altfield, Judge Multack, Judge Figarola and Judge Rebull occurring before August 14th, that means all four appointees will have to run for "re-election" in 2012. Had any of them been appointed after August 14th, they would have effectively been able to serve for three years and not have to run until 2014.

CAP OUT .....


21 comments:

Anonymous said...

If Thornton took Reyes spot in civil, will Rebull take Thornton's old criminal division or will there be more reshuffeling?

Anonymous said...

Congrats Rosa. Well deserved!!!!

Anonymous said...

Captain,

It is not when the appoointment comes down, but when they take their commissions. If all three wait until Septembert 1 they will not have to run next year and will serve through 2014

Anonymous said...

Attorneys in court waiting for their cases to be called:

Acting like you are at happy hour will now be at your own peril.

The situation is dire as the Court is engrossed in the case immediately called, listening to everyone who wants to give the Court information. Then there are those of us who have to document the proceedings and the outcome of the proceedings, court reporters, corrections, clerks, probation, and calender clerks.

Today we had an unnamed attorney (unnamed because he doesn't deserve the breath it takes to speak his name) who was asked three times by corrections and the bailiff to be quiet.

Finally, he turned and said, "I'm an attorney," as if the sky was about to open with bright light streaming into the courtroom and the appropriate music just like in "The Blues Brothers."

No, I wish we had a trap door on the floor that corrections could open to send this guy out of the courtroom and straight into the sewer. He doesn't deserve to be taken into custody.

I was raised with respect. You don't talk in court. You don't turn your back to the court. And you don't block the court's view.

Miami attorneys have the singular reputation for disrespect and casualness that makes me want to send out job applications to other cities.

Anonymous said...

TO THE DIGITAL FIRM OWNERS:

Today I produced a transcript from 2001. I don't think your firm is capable of doing that. Yes, I know you'll say you can. You make all kind of outrageous claims about being faster, better and cheaper than court reporters.

Any day, any day you want to go toe-to-toe with a court reporter. I don't think your mouth running is adequate evidence for what you are truly capable of performing.

Anonymous said...

AMEN to whoever wrote 11:20 a.m.

I am an attorney and I agree with you 1000%.

Good for you. The judge should have handled this one and ripped this little weasel a new one.

Anonymous said...

Rebull has probably never tried a jury trial or even been in the REG bldg in his life. Another poltical appointment by Scott with no experience. Probably Broad and Cassel had influence with Scott and gave heavily to his campaign.

Anonymous said...

Yes, we should be polite, quite and with the formality the court respects. But if you think we are informal, try going to court in Boweird some time.

Anonymous said...

Notice the love for Altfield and how nobody could care less for Rosa? Truth is that she's a so so judge at best.

Anonymous said...

Just what we need an other 35 year old judge with no experience in private practice. Great.

Anonymous said...

I went to law school with Rebull. Native Miamian who loves his city. Smart lawyer and has the right temperment for the bench--he's a good guy. It might take him a few months to get his feet wet, so to speak, but he'll make a fine judge.

Anonymous said...

I was surprised that there were no comments on the recent death of one of the greatest trial attorneys ever to step foot in the REG. Max Kogan. Maybe some of the "oldtimers" remember Max.

Miguel M. de la O said...

To 4:52 pm. You are wrong about Tom Rebull's experience. I've known him for over ten years, and we were colleagues for three. We've tried at least three juries trials together, including an agg battery with a deadly weapon in the MJB.

More importantly, Tom is as conscientious a lawyer and human being as you will find, and smart as a whip. I guarantee you that his demeanor and work ethic will be one you will want other judges to emulate.

Once you get to know him, you'll learn his appointment was anything but political -- it was on the merits.

Rumpole said...

Miguel- there is an old Cuban term for what you are- A Mensch.

Just like Bill Altfield, your time will come my friend.

Anonymous said...

If Miguel losses in 2012 will he stop applying with the JNC. How many times has he applied? Even Josie Perez gave up finally.

Anonymous said...

I had a case against Miguel de la O many moons ago. He was a pleasure to deal wtih and a total straight shooter. I agree with you Rump....he is a mensch and his time will come.

BTDT

Anonymous said...

And the announcement is out that Ivan Fernnandez has been appointed to the 3rd DCA

Miguel M. de la O said...

10:43am:

The answer to your questions:
1. No.
2. About 12, even I've lost count.

South Florida Lawyers said...

Agree with Rump on Miguel, and with Miguel on Rebull.

Anonymous said...

Miranda to Civil court? Never saw that coming...

Anonymous said...

Ms. Rundle is a FAKE! She gets on TV and pretends to be tuff on crime while realeasing CHILD RAPISTS back into the community without our knowledge! Our little girls are being RAPED and BULLIED into compliance to OLDER males in schools as old as 18. The Freshmen girls are being targeted and raped and gang rape IN SCHOOL and I know of a case that they took the little girl off campus and raped her ...football players 5 of them and MS. RUNDLE opened and closed that case letting the rapists off and calling the HANDICAPPED child a whore ... in less than a month! why? becasue her budget is for HIGH PROFILE cases that will get her in the PAPER not cases of CHILD RAPE! She could care less and KRISTY HOUSE with their 3 million dollar yearly budget works hand in hand with her to KEEP THE RAPIST ON THE STREETS...TO KEEP THEIR JOBS pretending to help child rapists!