Speculative list of justice candidates

Florida legal circles were spinning on Friday at news of Justice Raoul Cantero's resignation and already people started floating names.

His departure marks the first of three appointments Crist will get to make, because Justice Harry Lee Anstead, 70, and Justice Charles Wells, 69, have to retire next year due to age restrictions in the Constitution.

Here's a speculative list of names of folks who may or may not ask to be considered by the Judicial Nominating Commission: First District Court of Appeals Judges Ricky Polston, Clay Roberts and Phil Padovano.

Other possibilities include Crist’s former chief legal advisor Chris Kise and former U.S. Attorney Roberto Martinez
who is on the State Board of Education. And even Miami Republican Sen. Alex Villalobos who was an early Crist supporter.

Who else?

-- Jennifer Liberto and Lucy Morgan

Comments

Kise? Are you kidding me?

what about the maestro?

[Proud FSU law student]

Many lawyers and judges throughout the state consider Judge Padavano to be the finest judge in the state of florida. He literally wrote the book on being a Judge, Appellate Practice by Padavano. The Jeb Bush people kept him from getting on the Supreme Court, thinking he was a liberal, but Judge Padavano isn't a judicial activist or a judicial conservative, rather he is Judge!!

Judge Polston rocks, he is the reason I am a lawyer right now, cause i took his florida constitutional law class in fall 2006 back at FSU law school, and the stuff he taught me was on the bar exam in july 2007. I guess he would be considered a Judicial conservative, but is great nonetheless.

Oh and I have to point out that almost everyone on the list you mentioned went to law school at FSU law, including Judge Roberts and Chris Kise (or Professor Roberts and Kise as we called him).

So Go Florida State University!!

[Proud FSU Law student]

actually Judge Polston's class was summer 2006, my bad. He taught alternative dispute resolution, back in fall 2006 if i remember right.

And Judge Padovano is spelled with an o.

What about a young and upstanding Judge Peel....Washington County. Energy, youth and wisdom to the bench.

Martinez would be a fantastic choice, if he'd do it.

Under the Florida Constitution, at least one of the justices must be from each DCA. Justice Lewis is from the 3rd DCA, just like Justice Cantero, so Gov. Crist has total flexibility.

Any thoughts on the below?

1. Bob Butterworth (if he is ready to leave DCF)

2. Jeff Kottkamp (if he is tired of being LG).

3. First DCA Judge Phil Padovano

4. Second DCA Judge Chris Altenbernd

[Charlie Brown]

Padavano is a selective activist and his notion of the separation of powers is to simply give it lip service and quickly brush it aside when it gets in the way. He would be unleashed, unchecked and very dangerous on the court. It is unfortunate because he really is incredibly bright, but could not be trusted with the kind of power over finalty that the court desperately needs. Cantero has his faults but he is a voice of reasoned restraint on the court and that quality should not be lost on his replacement.

FSU Law is for those who could not attend UF Law
;)

Charlie will pick someone no one has ever heard of and who's not even qualified. Oh, and they'll probably be a minority, democrat, leftist, a gay, or a combination thereof. Allen Crotzer is the dark horse.

I've heard that the naked woman in Dick Cheney's sunglasses is being considered.

Judge Nelly Khouzam.

Why not Alberto Gonzales? His partisan impartiality would fit right in with Florida's judicial system. Perhaps he could work to extend executive privledge to Marco Rubio's many crimes.

[ftdallasfantoms]

Perhaps Governor Crist should appoint himself thus giving the Republicans complete control of the state. 16 years in the Senate, 12 Years in the House, and almost 10 in the Governors Mansion...control in the Supreme Court would really assist the R's in dismantling the entire State - maybe we can go to 50th in education, 100,000 low income frail seniors can wait on lists for services like food, perhaps we can go back to volunteer firefighters and ask the National Gaurd to keep us safe in our neighborhoods. Crist can increase his salary by doing both jobs, also. Could help him buy a home some day.

Ooops, left my gun in the car last night...better go out and bring it in, would hate fr somebody to steal it. Heston's ghost may haunt me. Vote Republican in November - Leadersh*t!

Alex Villalobos
George Limieux
Robert Martinez
Dave Aronberg (would give the R's a Senate seat and remove a challenger to McCollum)

9:40 Cause the Govr will certainly make his choice based on what's best for Howdy Doody McCollum

It will probably be Clay Roberts.

Actually, I was admitted to UF Law but was waitlisted by FSU Law School. It would seem FSU is more selective.

I think FSU law has a better faculty than UF, UF law doesn't have all these judges working for it taht FSU does. Plus FSU is right next to the Capitol and Supreme court, so that is great access Also doesn't FSU get better bar passage rates normally than uf. However UF is higher ranked though cause its older. Also UF has one of the best tax programs in the country.

Judge John Carassas

CLAY CLAY CLAY CLAY!!!!

Is Kise the one who called the FAA because he didn't like the planes flying directly over his house?

It should be George.

It could be the Hunchback of Notre Dame --- just as long as its not Crist's law school buddy from FSU --- the not even close to honorable Rick Baker.

Martinez is a Bush guy. Crist would not appoint him. Too much religion in his decisions.

[mayo]

I, too, thought first and foremost of JOHN CARASSAS. Great person, fine public servant, excellent legal mind.

However, you can't discount Nelly Furtado! She's hot, and very persuasive, I'm sure (-:

- MM

It'll be Skip Campbell

Any College of Law that would give naming rights to Fred Levin, regardless of the price, has sold its soul and its graduates are tainted by the stink. Levin is an embarrassment to the practice of law and has a track record of potential witnesses against him who die under mysterious circumstances. He'd probably make an excellent ethics instructor at UF....

Bobby Martinez is probably the best choice. He's an accomplished trial attorney, a former advisor to Jeb Bush, and a member of the influential TBRC. My money is on Roberto Martinez.

If he appointed a 69 year old moderate then he could do it again in a year and still have three appointments to the bench.

[Doug]

2:39

That was probably the case once upon a time but the only advantages UF has now is name recognition and history but otherwise I think FSU is set to lap UF.

Robert Lesperance

It shouldn't be Clay Roberts due to his lack of experience, but it probably will be.

It is a darn shame that "connections" are more important than experience and competence.

What about Scott Makar? Or is he too closely tied to McCollom? He gave Charlie lots of money, though.

What about Judge Kahn?

Judge Kahn would be an excellent option to rid the 1st of its stank.

Crist Dream Team (if they'd move to Tallahassee): Judge Barbara Lagoa of the 3rd DCA, Florida Solicitor General Scott Makar, and former Crist General Counsel Paul Huck.

[R Peterjen]

Well I have never thought of Senator Alex Villalobos in the role of a Florida Supreme Court Judge, but now that it's mentioned I think he may just have a great chance of getting the nod. Look, his character and his ethics speak for itself. He does not go along with what the rest of the good old boys are doing as ole Jeb Bush and company found out. They put up a candidate against him to punish him for voting against Jeb's plan to back door the shool voucher program that the people of Florida voted against. I think even Charlie can see that Villalobos has many of the characteristics that you would look for in a candidate for Supreme Court Judge. He certainly puts up a fight for what he thinks is right for the people of Florida and not the special interests, or his pocketbook. He certainly doesn't go along with something just because the rest of the gang says so. He's uniquely refreshing as a lawmaker and he may be just the ticket as a Supreme Court Judge.

Clay Roberts is a good pick.

Kise would be a great appointment too.

[R Peterjen]

Well I have never thought of Senator Alex Villalobos in the role of a Florida Supreme Court Judge, but now that it's mentioned I think he may just have a great chance of getting the nod. Look, his character and his ethics speak for itself. He does not go along with what the rest of the good old boys are doing as ole Jeb Bush and company found out. They put up a candidate against him to punish him for voting against Jeb's plan to back door the shool voucher program that the people of Florida voted against. I think even Charlie can see that Villalobos has many of the characteristics that you would look for in a candidate for Supreme Court Judge. He certainly puts up a fight for what he thinks is right for the people of Florida and not the special interests, or his pocketbook. He certainly doesn't go along with something just because the rest of the gang says so. He's uniquely refreshing as a lawmaker and he may be just the ticket as a Supreme Court Judge.

Kise or Roberts could do the job well.

They are both Crist loyalists who have the IQ for it.

[Miami Pol]

As noted, the person must be from 3rd DCA (article 5, section 3a), which is miami-dade and monroe counties.

You heard it here first: Dan Gelber.

Villalobos would be a good selection.

Dan Gelber why not mention Steve Geller that's about as likely. Gelber is a tool.

Gelber is sharpest tool in the shed. I will readily admit taht the shed is filled to the rafters with rusty implements.

Alex Villalobos is very bright and a good legal mind. He would be a good appointment for Charlie.

You political hacks needs to stay off this thread. No one mentioned on this thread or post will be selected.

1:59

Truer words have never been typed on this thread. Levin in a major black eye on an otherwise great program. Mysterious midair fires on private planes transporting an informant, his prominent ties to WD Childers, Willie Junior crawling under a house before committing "suicide" before he would testify against WD...and UF named their law school after the guy for some cash?

I got accepted to both FSU and UF Law, but chose FSU because Gainesville is boring. The end.

Villalobos would be a great choice. He is term limited and could be on the court for 20+ years.

Kise??? Hahaha. That guy has trouble fitting his inflated head into the bulding as it is.

Butterworth only went to DCF so he could later be considered for the Court.

[breaking news Crist picks justice]

it was close, but the Guv. picked Judge Judy as he is a big fan of hers and he will surely get his name in all national papers instead of just little old florida papers.

I see that Rick Kriseman has come up with another goofy idea to allow the nearly 2 millon voters with no party affilation to vote in the Dem. and Rep. presidential primaries. Rick - take your head out of Kevin's rear. These voters choose not to join a party. Why should they decide who the Dem's and Rep.'s nominate as candidates?? I realize that Florida has no problems that could command your attention in Tallassaee(taxes, insurance, budget cuts for essential services, etc.) so why don't you and Kevin pick up a few young girls aznd have a party.

I see that Rick Kriseman has come up with another goofy idea to allow the nearly 2 millon voters with no party affilation to vote in the Dem. and Rep. presidential primaries. Rick - take your head out of Kevin's rear. These voters choose not to join a party. Why should they decide who the Dem's and Rep.'s nominate as candidates?? I realize that Florida has no problems that could command your attention in Tallassaee(taxes, insurance, budget cuts for essential services, etc.) so why don't you and Kevin pick up a few young girls aznd have a party.

[peggy]

I think you can count Roberts out for Supreme court anything. There is investigations coming down the pike from US Congressman Jusiciary chair Conyers.
It seems there were a lot of investigations that were wiped off the map for Peter Antonacci's paying clients. Clayton, as the Main MAn for Charlie Crist in the Atty general's office was put on a short list by Peter (on the judicial nominating counsel as well as appointed Ethics commission panel review).

Some notables: Cash America, Pearlman, Bellsouth (including a RICO set up by Butterworth)....

And Kise has that Tenet Health care Medicare fraud sign off for pennies to the dollar...You dont really think you want to open up that wound?!

All in all, the almost 20% drop in polls by Crist are about to get worse..
We will have another train wreck in the legislature, and the reality by Floridians that they voted for this mess will not give for any foolishness of a FRIEND on the Supreme Court.

Congrats to FSU law, #1 bar passage on the fla bar exam. And congrats to UF, #2 bar passage on the fla bar exam this spring of 08.

This is a state-wide seat on the Court. ( Justice Fred Lewis is also from Miami.) The Governor has two experienced appellate judges of Hispanic heritage with conservative credentials on the third DCA, Barbara Loaga ( who is married to Crist former General Counsel Paul Huck)and Angel Cortinas to consider if he wants to preserve the hispanic seat on the court.

[John Donson]

I'm for a judge, jury and executioner rolled into one! Sly Stallone where art thou!