Fla. Circuit Court Judge 5th Cir. Civil & Felony Drug Court dockets. Double Gator. Patient & proud United Methodist. Cooking is my zen. Thoughts about adoption.
Timeline cleanse: We celebrated FOUR felony drug court graduations today! Each participant successfully completed all requirements of drug court and their probation was terminated. Friends and family were present to help celebrate!
29 years a litigator, will be almost 9 as a judge, I’m hanging up my robe at the end of my term in early January 2025. Had to announce now so those seeking my seat can contemplate and file this April. Surreal. Excited. Mixed emotions. But looking forward to my next chapter. 👨🏻⚖️
Two drug court graduates this week. One took 13 months. One 22 months. I’m just so proud of both of them. And more importantly, they are extremely proud of themselves. 👨🎓👨🏻⚖️💜
Judge tip: if you filed a motion, and it’s been more than 60 days with no ruling from the court, email or call the judicial assistant to check on status. We won’t be offended. I promise.
May I recommend Thomas Mauet’s Trial Techniques and Irving Younger’s Ten Commandments of Cross Examination for young lawyers who may need refreshing on the basics of trial advocacy?
@TheTennisLetter
Love tennis. Love how Federer and Nadal have shown grace as they’ve matured. Djokovic does the opposite. Yes, he’s insanely talented. But the drama and gamesmanship is a stain on his success. This match is just one example.
If you send me a 126 page motion to review before a hearing, and do not paginate said motion, there’s a great likelihood your motion will get knocked off my desk, unclipped, and never be put back in order again…..
#helpfuljudgetip
@teddyrayKY
I love your story. I almost switched from lawyer to pastor at one point in my career. And now here I am, a judge. Never know what the path will reveal. Congratulations on your graduation! 🧑🎓 👨🏻⚖️
I’m a grown man. With a graduate degree. Pride myself on my judgment skills. And yet….7 stitches after dropping the hedge clipper on my bare foot. Can’t make this stuff up.
@ashleyhufford
I’m not a cryer. At all. But when intermission began for Evan Hansen I lost it. Blubbering. Heads turned. My wife and friends were shocked. As was I. Sometimes art hits in a way you never expect. 🤷♂️
As a young associate it was my job to update all the pocket updates in the back of the our law books, and make sure the red Shepard’s book was current. I’m guessing that sounds like a foreign language to most young lawyers today! 📚
I had an attorney in a litigation case who would title paragraphs as “our motion for summary judgment is a ‘slam dunk’”. And state that “opposing counsel’s argument is ‘lame’”. Dear reader: Don’t do this. (It didn’t affect the rulings, it just made me cringe.)
As a judge may I share this observation: no matter how you think a jury will decide your case, you have no clue what a jury will do with it. You hope, you advocate, but 6 strangers can derail your case. And this is from a man who believes that juries usually get it right.
Just finished presiding over a two week med mal trial. Excellent trial lawyers and a jury that took almost six hours to deliberate and review all the records. So in awe of the hard work and dedication by my six jurors. Unsung heroes who support the rule of law.
@OrinKerr
As a judge, it’s all noise and will have no impact on how the case is decided. Because judges don’t rule based on feelings, we rule based on the facts and law. But by doing this, Trump makes any verdict against him appear biased, eroding the rule of law. It’s how he operates.
Six years ago I got the courage to FB message the woman I thought may be my biological mother. She was. We had a beautiful phone call and 42 days later I was at her bedside as she passed. Life is so unfair and so beautiful, all at the same time. Happy Mothers Day to my Mom.
40 years ago I took the LSAT with a ring box in my front pocket. Then took Sandy to lunch at Joe’s Deli in Gainesville where I almost had to pop the question due to rain. Ended up at Lake Wauburg where I took a knee by the park bench and asked her to imagine forever together. 💜
If you will, say a prayer for my stepdad, Jim Bradley. He’s in neuro critical care after a fall and head injury on Thursday evening. We’re with him and family at the hospital in Dothan. He’s an amazing guy.
My oldest ran a half marathon today in one hour and 27 minutes. I walked about a mile with my wife and pup and then ate candy corn. We are not the same. 😂
Called my therapist last night because life is just insane. I know I’m privileged because I can afford that. But the call helped. And I’m hoping this transparency helps one of you do the same. Let’s normalize seeking mental health help when needed. No shame there.
My wife is a health nut, and we eat well balanced meals thanks to her. But when she goes out of town, first thing I’m making are pigs in a blanket. They take me back to my childhood.
Judge tip: Don’t call my JA asking what to do if opposing counsel is unilaterally setting depos. She cannot and will not give you legal advice. File a motion. Notice a hearing.
I was just shamed for arriving to my MRI appointment 30 minutes early. “Sir, you’re way too early.” Ma’am, do you know how early i arrive at the airport for flights?
@mattwaite
@ChrisDunkerLJS
I don’t know you Matt, but my story is similar. High fevers, worst body aches ever, total exhaustion. But tested negative. Why am I so frustrated by that? Thankful to be better, but still tire easily. Prayers for you and your wife.
My dad died 29 years ago today of throat cancer. I focused so much on being there for my mom that I don’t think I ever properly grieved. He missed seeing his grandsons grow up and I missed sharing my life as a dad and judge with him. He was a good man.
My oldest finished his marathon with a time of 2:55:31 this morning- first place in the male division! Super proud of the young man. So is his daughter!
Happy birthday to my main squeeze! 🍊🎂🍸 Camping weekend at Favre-Dykes State Park near St. Augustine. Orange creamsicle martinis camper side to be followed by steaks and zucchini in the pizza oven then cake.
1) gary Sanders.
2) judge of 8 years, former board certified civil litigator.
3) you are never too important to be nice to people. Even opposing counsel. And P.S.: 95% of us still have imposter syndrome.
1) I’m Collin. Hi!
2) I lead a Subrogation Complex Claim team. Though in a non-lawyer role now, I was an attorney for 7.5 years, first as Staff Counsel (litigating subro, defense, and reinsurance) then as a coverage lawyer;
3) Give yourself grace to learn and make mistakes.
@KjerstinL
As a judge I’ve had to take a break from the bench to walk out in the hall and cry. Juvenile dependency. A dad explaining to his 13 year old son why he decided to voluntarily relinquish his parental rights. Don’t lose your humanity. Cry. It’s okay.
I have 106 lack of prosecution cases noticed for 8:30 tomorrow morning. In person appearance required if you’re planning to argue good cause and avoid dismissal. I’ve become that judge. 👨🏻⚖️ ☠️
Been a rough summer professionally and personally. Just a lot going on. But my drug court participants presented me with this summary of the one word each used to describe their courtroom experiences with me. Humbled by this special gift. 👨🏻⚖️ 🥹
My sweet Mom transitioned peacefully early this morning to what will be a wonderful homecoming in heaven. Billie was 90. Her secret sauce to being happy all these years was finding contentment in everything that came her way. And there was a lot. 💜 1/2
I’m surrounded by loved ones minus a few. Turkey is frying. Pecan pie is in my future. Thankful for every day. And for all my twitter friends near and far.
My oldest turns 35 today. Kyle is a husband, father, son, brother, runner, and amazing classics teacher. Watching him and his brother grow into the men they are today has been the highlight of my life. We’re celebrating you today, K-Man! 🎂💜
Today I made it back to the gym after a long absence. I then came home and promptly threw out my back. I followed that up with a 7 hour bench trial. How was your day? 👨🏻⚖️💪🏻
@tcburkejr
Adoption is a traumatic event. Adoption can be a loving event. Those two realities live together. Anyone who boils it down to a supply and demand equation is (un)intentionally ignoring those realities.
Holy smokes. My bailiff stands close by me but this guy wasn’t going to be stopped by anyone. He can literally fly. Very scary. I hope the judge and those that assisted her are all okay.
First Christmas without my mom. Putting out her favorite ceramic decorations, the ones I remember growing up in Miami in the 70’s. And yes, the last one is an ash tray. She passed in February and tonight it feels like yesterday.
@tx_law
For the love of all things trial related please read Fundamentals of trial practice by Thomas Mauet. Then take a look at the Art of Cross Exam by Younger. Memorize the court’s pre trial order.
Woke up to the news of the shootings in Maine. What does it mean when you hear 16 humans died and were “hoping” it was fewer? As if ANY number would be “okay”? The human condition is broken and I am sad.
What can you say about the woman who raised you, made you feel loved, and made you laugh? My mom was one of a kind. It’s been a whole year, and if there are Elvis concerts in heaven, Billie deserves front row seats.
@thatlawyerLisa
Have a court reporter. Ask for the continuance. Get it all on the record. Including all your efforts to contact client and what may have happened.
Bar examination takers: I wrote my resignation letter to my law firm after I took the Florida bar exam. Saved it because I knew deep down I flunked. Guess what: I didn’t. And if I can pass that monster so can you! Go get ‘em!
Got to meet my friend
@tcburkejr
today while visiting family in CT. We met on Twitter but are bonded by our passion for faith and justice issues. What a treat!
My AirPods are missing, but every time I leave the house I am notified that I’ve left them there. Somewhere. Hiding. And then they taunt me with notifications on how much power they have left. 😡
This is a picture of my biological mom, Mildred Bradley, taken a few years after she gave birth & placed me for adoption. I love it because she’s happy, and with the man she loved and married, and with whom she raised three great kids. Today is 6 years since her death. Miss her.
What do judges do for fun? lol. The same things attorneys do, but with the realization that everyone is likely watching, and judging us for it. 😉 PS: camping, cooking, gym, sporting events, dog walks, eating out, grocery, shopping…very boring!
Have you ever been sitting in court and thought “I wonder what this judge does for fun?” Not that judges don’t or can’t have fun. Of course they can. But it would be cool to go to like a Third Eye Blind show or something and see them rocking out lol