FLORIDA BAR JUDICIAL CANDIDATE VOLUNTARY SELF-DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

Transcription

1 FLORIDA BAR JUDICIAL CANDIDATE PLEASE BEAR IN MIND YOUR OBLIGATIONS UNDER JUDICIAL CANON NO.7 IN PROVIDING ANSWERS TO THIS QUESTIONNAIRE. THE FLORIDA BAR DOES NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ANSWERS NOR WILL THE BAR EDIT YOUR ANSWERS TO COMPORT WITH THE CANONS. Ashley Zuckerman Name: June 25, 2018 Date disclosure statement completed: County Court Judge, Group 4 Judicial position sought: Palm Beach County Jurisdiction: Jurisdiction(s) in which admitted to practice law: Jurisdiction Date Admitted State of Florida 2011 Florida Bar No Years admitted to practice law: Years in the legal profession: 7 years 7 years Personal Statement: In 100 words or less, without discussing any particular issue that may come before you as a judge, explain why you believe you would be a good judge: I am currently a supervisor at the Palm Beach County Public Defender s Office, where I help train and supervise the new attorneys. I have tried over 70 jury trials to verdict and have handled and supervised hundreds of cases from start to finish. I have been in the courtroom almost every single day of my legal career. I have the demeanor, trial experience, and knowledge that is necessary to run a fair and efficient courtroom. My entire legal career has been dedicated to public service in Palm Beach County and I am asking for your vote to continue that role. 1

2 Prior Candidacy in Judicial Election(s): If you have run in an election for judicial office before, please list the court, relevant date(s) and position: Court Relevant Dates Position Prior and/or Current Judicial Experience: If you have held judicial office, please state the Courts involved, the dates of service, and the office: Court Relevant Dates Office Number of evidentiary hearings, trials and/or oral arguments over which you have presided: Please provide the number of jury trials and the number of bench trials over which you have presided. Current judges may respond to the following questions regarding legal practice only with reference to pre-judicial legal experience. Area(s) of practice: Civil Criminal Government Other 2

3 Please list the primary areas in which you have specialized or have legal expertise and allocate a percentage of your practice to each area. 100% Criminal Defense including misdemeanors, felonies, appellate work, and my current supervisory position. Number of evidentiary hearings, trials and/or oral arguments in which you have participated as legal counsel: As a trial lawyer ("line attorney") for the Public Defender's Office for over 5 years, I have handled thousands of cases, and was legal counsel for over 200 hearings, trials and/or oral arguments. My current position entails that I help train and supervise the new attorneys and am consequently with them in court almost every single day. Please provide the number of jury trials 74 and the number of bench trials 16 in which you have participated. I have tried 74 jury trials to verdict. That does not include the numerous trials which have begun (and jury selection performed) only to end in either a mistrial or resolution prior to going to verdict. Number of arbitration hearings in which you have participated as legal counsel or hearing officer: Number of administrative hearings in which you have participated as legal counsel or hearing officer: To the extent applicable, please quantify any additional alternative dispute resolution/negotiation experience: Throughout my time at the Public Defender's Office, I have engaged with dozens of Assistant State Attorneys in order to negotiate a resolution. While this has not always been successful due to one or both of the parties, the act of negotiation has come into play on hundreds of cases. Remaining professional has always been my objective, even in the adversarial system. I have been endorsed by several Assistant State Attorneys which is a testament to my reputation and demeanor. 3

4 Have you ever been Board Certified in any area(s) of practice? If yes, please identify: The area(s) of practice: When you were certified in each area of practice: Whether you are currently certified in those areas: Please provide the percentage of your practice that has involved representing plaintiffs 0 % and the percentage that has involved representing defendants 100 %. Undergraduate Education: Name of institution: I graduated from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. Degree received/major: Bachelor of Arts with a major in English. Academic awards, recognitions, honors, leadership roles and participation in academic organizations: Graduated Magna Cum Laude in

5 Law School Education: Name of institution: Degree received: Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center Juris Doctor Internships/in-school clerkships, academic awards, recognitions, honors, leadership roles and participation in academic organizations (e.g., law review, moot court, legal clinics): Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Team, Memorial Writer; Craig S. Barnard American Inns of Court, Student Member; Number of hours devoted to public work while in undergraduate 160 or law school. 504 Additional Educational History (if applicable): Name of Institution Degree Received Special awards, recognitions, honors, or leadership roles (if any) Employment: Present employer: Palm Beach County Public Defender's Office Number of years with present employer: 7 years Present position: Resource Director, County Court Explain relevant experience or skills gained that you will bring to the bench: There are two places I have gained the skills essential to the bench: first, at the office. Other than the essential experience as a trial attorney and developing a thorough understanding of the Rules of Evidence, working with the new attorneys has been educational for me as well. County Court is often called the "people's court" where patience and leadership is a must. Second, being in the courthouse almost daily has shown me what works and what doesn't. By seeing different case management styles, attending different hearings, watching and learning from other attorneys and being able to watch Judges on a daily basis, I have learned how best to be effective and efficient. 5

6 List All Prior Employers and Occupations, Legal or Non-legal, for the Last Ten Years: Employer: Number of years employed with this employer: Position/specialty: Explain relevant experience or skills gained that you will bring to the bench: Employer: Number of years employed with this employer: Position/specialty: Explain relevant experience or skills gained that you will bring to the bench: Employer: Number of years employed with this employer: Position/specialty: Explain relevant experience or skills gained that you will bring to the bench: 6

7 Law Organizations: Please list legal organizations in which you have been an active member for more than two years and all legal organizations in which you hold a leadership position or which required nomination to join: Organization Name Florida Association for Women Lawyers, Palm Beach County chapter Dates of Participation Present member Office Held (If applicable) Palm Beach County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Present member Palm Beach County Bar Association Present member Honors and Publications: Please list relevant published articles or books that you have authored, speeches or lectures you have given, and honors, prizes or awards you have received: Title Date Additional Information 7

8 Public Service Pro Bono, Volunteer Work or Military Service: Please provide the dates, activities and any special accomplishments, honors or leadership roles you have played in volunteer, public or military service organizations or in providing pro bono, volunteer, public or military service: Throughout my work as an Assistant Public Defender representing the indigent in Palm Beach County, I have had the opportunity to work with numerous organizations that provide services for the poor in our community. I have also volunteered extensively with local animal rescue groups, including Equine Rescue & Adoption Foundation, Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League, Imperfectly Perfect Animal Rescue, and the Palm Beach County Animal Care & Control. Health: Do you currently suffer from or have you suffered from any of the following ailments in the last three years: Dependence on narcotics, drugs or intoxicating beverages Pathological or compulsive behavior Memory loss or impaired judgment Yes No If yes, please identify the ailment and provide full details, including the relevant dates, including dates of diagnosis, if applicable, the treatment received and any additional relevant information: Discipline: If you have ever been found, either involuntarily or by consent, to have committed a violation of The Florida Bar Disciplinary Rules, the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration or the Florida Code of Judicial Conduct for which the discipline imposed was one of the following: (a) public reprimand; (b) suspension; or (c) disbarment, please provide the following information: Date of charge: Date of disposition: Rule(s) found to have violated: Discipline imposed for rule violation(s): Date reinstated to the Bar or bench: Any conditions imposed for reinstatement (e.g., financial penalty, probation or public service): 8

9 If you have been found to have committed a violation of the ethical or discipline rules, please explain the circumstances surrounding your discipline: For Current or Former Judges: Has the Florida Supreme Court, or a similar body in another state, ever ruled against you on a Notice of Formal Charges by the Judicial Qualifications Commission? If so, please explain the circumstances surrounding the charges and include a description of any discipline imposed: Military Discharge: If you served in the military and your discharge was anything other than honorable or you received a court martial, please provide that information here: Criminal Convictions: Have you ever been convicted or pled no contest to a crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude? If so, provide the following information: Date of conviction or plea of no contest: Crime for which you were convicted or pled no contest: Sentence: Any additional conditions imposed: If you have been convicted or pled no contest to a crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude and would like to explain the circumstances surrounding your criminal conviction, you may do so here: 9

10 CERTIFICATION I certify that the information given on The Florida Bar Judicial Candidate Voluntary Self-Disclosure Statement is complete, true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. 25th June 18 Executed this day of, 20. Name Ashley Zuckerman Certification Confirmation (must be checked prior to submission): 10