(click any photo to enlarge/clarify – cuff links available at Nordstrom)
1.) JNC Controversy Brewing – last Wednesday’s JNC interviews resulted in six names being forwarded to the Governor for consideration to replace Eric Beller. Despite many qualified black applicants, none were included on the short list, which means Broward will remain with six African-American judges, out of ninety total.
Compounding the concern is Mary Robinson’s rumored retirement. Although her office failed to return a call confirming whether the long-time county judge is indeed calling it quits this year, the rumor mill is in full gear, with many lawyers already jockeying for position in case the seat opens up. It’s not unrealistic to imagine the number of black judges slipping to five, given the nature of Broward politics.
Is the JNC process another relic that can’t slip the shackles of institutional racism? Or is partisan politics the culprit, given the fact many qualified African-American lawyers have a “D” somewhere in their past, like Kal Evans, the only black judge appointed in Broward thus far by Republican Rick Scott.
It’s true the appointment process seems to have gotten more partisan since the rule change went into effect giving chief executives more control over choosing JNC members. It’s also true the current governor has passed over many fine attorneys, and a judge or two, who weren’t solid “R”. And while current JNC member Bill McCormick, seated in the first position on the left in the picture above, is brazen enough to wear Republican Elephant Cuff Links to a supposedly non-partisan interview selection process, it’s also a cold, hard fact that blacks weren’t any better represented on the bench under decades of Democrat controlled JNCs and governors.
We’ve got calls in to the current JNC members, asking to discuss all of the issues described above. Hopefully some or all of them will call back. It’s a matter of great public importance,* particularly with Cindy Imperato’s circuit seat currently in the application phase …
(* The DBR is polishing off a story detailing the 17th Circuit’s diversity woes, to run shortly … )
2.) The walkway from the North Wing to the new courthouse undergoing finishing touches …
3.) Eric Schwartzreich fires up the faithful in support of Peter Peraza.
4.) FSP on Ice …
5.) SuperLawyer Guy Lewis with his 1972 Mercedes-Benz 600swb Limousine at the 2016 Boca Raton Concours d’ Elegance. This beauty underwent a $250,000 restoration, and was once used by Luciano Pavarotti.
JAABLOG tip of the day – google and open any newspaper article headline in a new window or incognito tab to get around pesky pay walls …
