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. Name: Deborah M. Hooker June 15, 2018 Date disclosure statement completed: Okeechobee County Court Judge Judicial position sought: Okeechobee County, Florida Jurisdiction: Jurisdiction(s) in which admitted to practice law: Jurisdiction Date Admitted State of Florida September 28, 1991 Florida Bar No. 0897582 Years admitted to practice law: Years in the legal profession: 27 27 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: My commitment is to be fair, remain neutral, and always follow the law. I am decisive, diligent, and diplomatic. I have a proven track record as both a general and special magistrate for 12 years hearing cases. My quasi-judicial service for 12 years as a magistrate has provided me with valuable knowledge and training in the adjudicator role. I am 51 years old and a third generation rancher and resident of Okeechobee. I grew up in Okeechobee and returned home after completing my education. As a lifelong local dedicated to community service, my campaign slogan is She s one of us. 1
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: 0-5 6-15 16-30 31-50 51-100 101-200 201+ 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
Please list the primary areas in which you have specialized or have legal expertise and allocate a percentage of your practice to each area. 18 Years (7 Yrs-Present from 2012 & 11 Yrs-2004 from 1993): Estate Planning 40%/Probate and Guardianship 40%/Government 20%: Current Special Magistrate for Okeechobee County Code Enforcement / Former Counsel for Okeechobee Development Authority 7 Years (July 2011 from October 2004): Former General Magistrate for the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court - assigned to Okeechobee & Martin Counties - Handled Trials/Hearings: Family 40%/Dependency 40%/Chapter 916 Mental Health Involuntary Treatment 20% 2 Years (September 1993 from September 1991): Staff Attorney at 5th District Court of Appeal - Appellate Research & Writing 100% Number of evidentiary hearings, trials and/or oral arguments in which you have participated as legal counsel: 0-5 6-15 16-30 31-50 51-100 101-200 201+ Former General Magistrate for the 19th Judicial Circuit (Types of Cases Heard and Approximate Number & Nature of Cases Handled): Family Cases - 2,240 trials and both evidentiary and non-evidentiary hearings; Dependency Cases - 5,260 evidentiary hearings; and Civil Mental Health Chapter 916 Involuntary Treatment Cases - 1,580 evidentiary hearings (Total 9,080 Trials/Hearings) Please provide the number of jury trials and the number of bench trials 5 in which you have participated. As a former General Magistrate, I presided over more than 9,000 trials/hearings in family, dependency, and mental health cases. As a current Special Magistrate, I presided over 394 code hearings (361 enforcement/33 fine reduction) in Okeechobee County, Florida. I served on the Okeechobee County Canvassing Board for portions of the 2009 Special General Election & the 2006 General Election. Number of arbitration hearings in which you have participated as legal counsel or hearing officer: 0-5 6-15 16-30 31-50 51-100 101-200 201+ Number of administrative hearings in which you have participated as legal counsel or hearing officer: 0-5 6-15 16-30 31-50 51-100 101-200 201+ To the extent applicable, please quantify any additional alternative dispute resolution/negotiation experience: I have participated in mediation as legal counsel in family matters in my Okeechobee private practice. 3
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 % and the percentage that has involved representing defendants %. Undergraduate Education: Name of institution: Emory University Degree received/major: Bachelor of Arts Degree, with Honors Major in Political Science and Minor in English Academic awards, recognitions, honors, leadership roles and participation in academic organizations: Phi Beta Kappa, Emory Dean s Scholar, and Dean s List (all semesters) Student Government Association (Assistant Treasurer, Senior Class Representative, and Co-Chair Administrative Committee) Omicron Delta Kappa, and Mortar Board Society Pi Sigma Alpha, and Sigma Tau Delta Benjamin S. Pius Pre-Law Society (Secretary) 4
Law School Education: Name of institution: Degree received: University of Florida College of Law Juris Doctorate Degree, with Honors Internships/in-school clerkships, academic awards, recognitions, honors, leadership roles and participation in academic organizations (e.g., law review, moot court, legal clinics): Florida Law Review (Senior Research Editor, Spring 1991/Note Writer, Fall 1990/Comment Writer, Spring 1990) High Honors, Spring 1990 and Spring 1991 / Honors, Fall 1990 / Honors, Legal Research and Writing Legal Research and Writing Fellow, 1990-1991 Who s Who Among American Law Students, 1989-1991 Phi Delta Phi Number of hours devoted to public work while in undergraduate or law school. Additional Educational History (if applicable): Name of Institution Degree Received Special awards, recognitions, honors, or leadership roles (if any) Academy of the Sacred Heart High School Diploma Highest Academic Achievement Award Employment: Present employer: Conely & Conely, P.A. Number of years with present employer: 14 Present position: Associate Explain relevant experience or skills gained that you will bring to the bench: Since 2012, I have been serving as the current Special Magistrate for Okeechobee County Code Enforcement Hearings. I hear cases related to Okeechobee County Code violations and issue reports and recommendations from those hearings. I have gained valuable experience handling the people s court with pro se litigants, which simply means those citizens are representing themselves without counsel. My experience with hearing pro se litigants will assist me in handling over 75% of the county judge's work which often involves pro se litigants, and the majority of Florida non-jury trials that take place in county court. 5
List All Prior Employers and Occupations, Legal or Non-legal, for the Last Ten Years: Employer: State of Florida Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Number of years employed with this employer: 7 Position/specialty: General Magistrate assigned to Okeechobee and Martin Counties Explain relevant experience or skills gained that you will bring to the bench: While serving as a General Magistrate, I gained critical knowledge and experience in the role of an adjudicator, rather than an advocate, which is an important distinction in the courtroom. Unlike an advocate, an adjudicator must remain neutral, be fair, never pre-judge a matter, and always follow the law. I received invaluable training and experience necessary for pursuing my goal of becoming a judge. I obtained a solid understanding of the court work in Florida, and I dedicated myself to getting the work done. I demonstrated my commitment to judicial restraint by putting aside subjective views on particular issues, remaining open-minded, and being impartial at all times. My temperament and work ethic have a proven track record from my past and current work, which will ensure a smooth transition for me to hit the ground running as the Okeechobee County Court Judge. 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
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 Okeechobee County Bar Association Member, 1993 to Present Dates of Participation Office Held (If applicable) Past President, 2002 to 2004 and Current President, 2012 to Present 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 Okeechobee County Pro Bono Attorney of the Year 1998 Okeechobee County Pro Bono Attorney of the Year 2001 The Florida Bar President s Pro Bono Service Award for the 19th Judicial Circuit 2005 7
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: American Cancer Society - Okeechobee Unit President: 1998 2000; Income Development Chair: 1997 1998; Board Member: 1995 2002 Relay for Life Committee of the American Cancer Society Event Chair: 1997 1998; Team Recruitment Chair: 1999 2001; Publicity Chair: 2001 2002; Team Captain: 2002 2003 State of Florida American Cancer Society Relay for Life Task Force Member: 1998 1999 Hospice of Okeechobee Board Member: 1999 2000; Pro Bono Legal Advisor: 2000 2004 Farm Bureau of Okeechobee Board Member: 1996 2003; Member: 1996 Present CASTLE (Teaching Safe Parenting) Governing Board of Directors Member: November 2017 Present 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
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
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. 15th June 18 Executed this day of, 20. Name Deborah M. Hooker Certification Confirmation (must be checked prior to submission): 10