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: MARYBEL REINOSO COLEMAN June 14, 2018 Date disclosure statement completed: CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE, GROUP 18 Judicial position sought: PALM BEACH COUNTY, 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT Jurisdiction: Jurisdiction(s) in which admitted to practice law: Jurisdiction Date Admitted State of Florida August 1992 Southern District of Florida October 2002 Florida Bar No. 0961787 Years admitted to practice law: Years in the legal profession: 25+ 25 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 have been an attorney in Palm Beach County for over 25 years and have litigated cases in every division of the Circuit Court. In addition to trying over 100 jury trials and 100 bench trial, I have served as a juror to verdict, and testified as a witness. My experiences and insight I have not only as an attorney, but from observing the many different judges I have appeared before, provide me with tools others do not possess. I have appropriate temperament to treat all fairly and impartially, integrity, independent thinking, compassion, diverse perspective and the desire to serve the public. 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 FAMILY AND MATRIMONIAL LAW CURRENTLY 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. Family and Matrimonial Law 100% (from 2010-present) Criminal prosecution 100% (1993-2002) Personal Injury 40% (2002-2010); Commercial litigation 20% (2002-2010) Probate litigation (10%) 2002-2010/ Family and Matrimonial Law 30% (2002-2010) 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+ 201+ Please provide the number of jury trials 80+ and the number of bench trials 100+ in which you have participated. 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+ 0-5 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+ 0-5 To the extent applicable, please quantify any additional alternative dispute resolution/negotiation experience: My practice is primarily in family and matrimonial law. As such, the majority of the cases are resolved in mediation. I believe the best interests of the parties are served by settling their issues, particularly if children are involved, and encourage my clients to be creative so that they can maintain a harmonious relationship after the dust settles. 3
Have you ever been Board Certified in any area(s) of practice? If yes, please identify: The area(s) of practice: NO 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 50 % and the percentage that has involved representing defendants 50 %. Undergraduate Education: Name of institution: Florida Atlantic University Degree received/major: Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice Academic awards, recognitions, honors, leadership roles and participation in academic organizations: 4
Law School Education: Name of institution: Degree received: Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University Juris Doctorate Internships/in-school clerkships, academic awards, recognitions, honors, leadership roles and participation in academic organizations (e.g., law review, moot court, legal clinics): Moot Court Board, 1990-1992; Moot Court Board Vanderbilt Team Director 1991-1992; Order of Barristers, Georgia Association of Women Lawyers, Female Law Student of the Year 1991-1992. Number of hours devoted to public work while in undergraduate 400 or law school. 400 Additional Educational History (if applicable): Name of Institution Degree Received Special awards, recognitions, honors, or leadership roles (if any) Employment: Present employer: Office of Marybel Reinoso Coleman, P.A. Number of years with present employer: 8 Present position: Owner Explain relevant experience or skills gained that you will bring to the bench: As a small business owner and family and matrimonial law practitioner, I have learned patience and the importance of listening. Everyone has a voice and a story he/she want heard. As I judge, I believe it is important to allow people's voices to be heard and respected. 5
List All Prior Employers and Occupations, Legal or Non-legal, for the Last Ten Years: Employer: Office of the State Attorney, 15th Judicial Circuit Number of years employed with this employer: 9 Position/specialty: Assistant State Attorney/ Crimes Against Children-Sex Crimes Unit Explain relevant experience or skills gained that you will bring to the bench: I gained experience as a litigator. I was in court everyday, handling matters from homicide trials to violations of probation hearings. I handled over 300 cases at a time and learned time management. Employer: Law Office of Plasencia & Associates Number of years employed with this employer: 8 Position/specialty: Managing Partner Explain relevant experience or skills gained that you will bring to the bench: I practiced in every division of the Circuit Court and thus, observed judges of differing temperaments. I learned how to run a courtroom efficiently and expeditiously. I gained trial experience as both a defense and plaintiff's attorney. Employer: Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office/National Institute of Justice Number of years employed with this employer: 3 Position/specialty: Independent Contract Attorney Explain relevant experience or skills gained that you will bring to the bench: I reviewed hundreds of cases involving non-suspect DNA. I was responsible for interviewing witnesses and law enforcement officers to determine whether the "cold case" was viable, and if so, ultimately filed "John Doe" arrest warrants with the DNA as the identifier. This was a tedious process and attention to detail was crucial. These things will benefit me as a judge in analyzing evidence presented by litigants. 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 Palm Beach County Bar Association Quality of Life Committee, Special Needs Committee, 2004-2005; Diversity Sensitivity Committee 2006 Dates of Participation 2002-present Office Held (If applicable) Florida Association of Women Lawyers Co-Chair Breakfast & Books Committee 2006-2007 American Inns of Court, Palm Beach County Chapter 2002-2010; 2017-present 2016 Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Criminal Law Section Hispanic Bar Association National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers 2002-2010 2003-2006; 2017-present 2002 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
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: I handled all matters relating to Jennie Carter, in 2007, Estate of Tony Camacho, on a pro bono basis. Between the competing estate matters, the transfer of title on the marital home, and the subsequent building and zoning issues, I provided approximately 100 hours of my time. Additionally, on a bi-annual basis, I provide pro bono service to the Guardian Advocacy of Shawn Michael Eaton, Case No. 2010GA13MB in Palm Beach County, by filing the Annual Guardianship Plan of the Person and the Accounting (Guardianship Report) of Guardian of the Property. Shawn suffers from paranoid schizophrenia, autism and cerebral palsy. I have known his mother for many years and assisted her in obtaining guardianship upon Shawn reaching the age of majority. I have also provided many hours of pro bono work on a case-by-case basis. Some of my clients are experiencing financial hardship, particularly through a divorce. I, as a matter of course, no charge clients on a regular basis, depending upon their needs. I believe all individuals should have access to the courts, and should not be limited because of their financial means. 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. 18rh June 18 Executed this day of, 20. Name Marybel Reinoso Coleman Certification Confirmation (must be checked prior to submission): 10