THIRD DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL JUDICIAL NOMINATING COMMISSION ANNOUNCES THIRD DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL JUDGESHIP VACANCY AND ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 8, 2016

CONTACT: Raquel A. Rodriguez, Chair

Third District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission

TELEPHONE: (305) 704-3990


The Third District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission has been asked to provide Governor Rick Scott with nominees for the vacancy in the Third District Court of Appeal resulting from the resignation of Judge Frank Shepherd. The JNC seeks and encourages a broad, diverse and qualified pool of applicants.


All persons interested in applying must deliver a complete application to:


Raquel A. Rodriguez, Chair

Third District Court Judicial Nominating Commission

c/o McDonald Hopkins LLC

200 S. Biscayne Blvd., Suite 2600

Miami, Florida 33131

rrodriguez@mcdonaldhopkins.com


The deadline for submitting an application is Monday, November 28, 2016 by 12:00 Noon. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.


Instructions for submission:


● The current Judicial Application form must be used. It can be downloaded in Word version from The Florida Bar’s website (www.flabar.org). Applicants should ensure they are using the correct and current form.
● The completed original application must be filed by the deadline and must be typed and bound. A photograph is encouraged but not required.
● In addition to the original application, applicants must provide the following: (i) three (clipped but unbound) copies of the completed application, (ii) one redacted copy of the application (clipped but unbound) excluding all exempt information under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes or other applicable public records law and (iii) an electronic copy of the application via email to each of the nine commissioners listed below. All electronic submissions must be in PDF format. All printed copies should be two-sided. The electronic copy will not be accepted in place of a timely submitted original.


** COURTESY NOTICE **


Potential applicants are advised that the Commission at present intends to hold interviews on December 12, 13 and 14(if necessary). These dates are subject to change.  Applicants receiving interviews will be separately notified of the exact date, time, and location of the interview. Separate public notice shall be provided when the interview schedule is set. In order to assist the Judicial Nominating Commission in its review of applications, all questions in the application must be fully and completely answered. In addition, applications should include current and accurate contact information for judges, co-counsel, opposing counsel and references where requested as those individuals will be contacted. If there is requested information missing from an application, the Judicial Nominating Commission will consider the applicant’s lack of effort in submitting a complete application.


Members of the bench, the Bar and the public are urged to contact the members of the Commission concerning applicants for judicial positions.


At its organizational meeting held November 7, 2016, the commission elected Raquel A. Rodriguez, of Key Biscayne, as chair, and Eliot Pedrosa, of Pinecrest, as vice chair.


The Commission members are:


Raquel A. Rodriguez, Esq., Chair McDonald Hopkins, LLC Southeast Financial Center 200 S. Biscayne Blvd., Suite 2600 Miami, Florida 33131-5324 Tel: (305) 704-3990 Fax: (305) 704-3999 E-mail: rrodriguez@mcdonaldhopkins.com


Eliot Pedrosa, Esq., Vice Chair Co-Chairman, Miami Litigation Department Greenberg Traurig, P.A. 333 S.E. 2nd Avenue Miami, FL 33131 Tel: (305) 579-0743 Fax: (305) 961-5743 E-mail: PedrosaE@gtlaw.com


Roy K. Altman, Esq. Podhurst Orseck P.A. SunTrust International Center One S.E. 3rd Avenue, Suite 2700 Miami, Florida 33131 Tel: (305) 358-2800 Fax: (305) 358-2382 Email: RAltman@podhurst.com


Jeffrey S. Bass. Esq. Shubin & Bass, P.A. 46 SW 1st Street, 3rd Floor Miami, FL  33130 Tel: (305) 381-6060 Fax: (305) 381-9457 E-mail: jbass@shubinbass.com


Juan C. Enjamio, Esq. Hunton & Williams LLP 1111 Brickell Avenue, Suite 2500 Miami, FL  33131 Tel: (305) 810-2511 Fax: (305) 810-2460 E-mail: jenjamio@hunton.com


Richard D. Lara, Esq. Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. 7007 NW 77th Avenue Miami, FL  33166 Tel: (305) 644-4824 Fax: (305) 883-3373 E-mail: rlara@sbscorporate.com


Harout J. Samra, Esq. DLA Piper LLP 200 S. Biscayne Blvd., Suite 2500 Miami, Florida  33131-5341 Tel: (305) 423-8534 Fax: (305) 468-6348 E-mail: harout.samra@dlapiper.com


Justin J. Sayfie, Esq. Ballard Partners 450 E Las Olas Boulevard, Suite 1500 Fort Lauderdale, FL  33301 Tel: (954) 523-2427 Fax: (954) 523-9146 E-mail: justin@ballardfl.com


Mr. Robert A. Spottswood Spottswood Companies, Inc. 506 Fleming Street Key West, FL  33040 Tel: (305) 294-6100 Fax: (305) 294-6122 E-mail: rspottswood@spottswood.com