Hillsborough Judge | 13th Circuit, Group 2

Winner: Samantha Ward

Two women with quite different backgrounds are aiming to fill retiring Circuit Judge Barbara Fleischer’s seat.

	Miriam Velez, 37	Samantha Ward, 43
Current position	Senior partner at Valkenburg & Velez, a law firm she has run with her husband, Jason Valkenburg, since 2003. The firm focuses on criminal defense, personal injury, contracts litigation and family law.	Administrative counsel for the Hillsborough County Public Defender since November 2006. Represents defendants in high-profile and capital cases, and handles administrative duties. Liaison to the Florida Public Defender Association and local and state agencies. Board certified in criminal law.
Past experience	She has been an attorney for six years. She began her career as a probation officer, then worked for three years as an intelligence officer with the Drug Enforcement Administration. During two years with the Hillsborough State Attorney’s Office, she prosecuted hundreds of misdemeanor, juvenile and traffic cases. Worked for the Isaak & Zwirn law firm before opening her own firm.	An attorney for 18 years. As an assistant public defender for 14 years, she has handled about 50 jury trials, including three death penalty cases and seven other murder cases and led the misdemeanor and juvenile, felony and major crimes bureaus. As an assistant state attorney (1990-1993), she handled trials for about 35 felony cases and 20 misdemeanors. A bid for judge in 2006 failed.
Community involvement	Member of Hillsborough Bar Association, Hispanic Bar Association and Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce. While at Stetson University College of Law, served as treasurer and president of the school’s Hispanic Bar Association.	Sits on Institutional Review Board, University of South Florida. Active in the Ferguson-White Inns of Court. Sits on the Florida Supreme Court committee on standard jury instructions in criminal cases and the Florida Bar grievance committee.
What makes them qualified to serve as a judge	“I have the experience, I have the heart and I have the motivation that it takes to be successful. I know that I can make a difference.”.	“I believe I would bring diligence, dedication, high ethical standards, professional temperament and a history of public service to the bench.”
Education	Bachelor’s degree, University of South Florida; law degree, Stetson University College of Law.	Bachelor’s degree, University of Florida; law degree, Florida State University College of Law.
Assets	Home, mutual funds, partnership/stock in law firm	Home
Liabilities	Mortgage, student loans	Mortgage, loans
Net worth	$508,815	$250,000
Income	Law salary	Law salary
Personal	Married to Jason Valkenburg, one daughter	Married to Al Suarez, one son
Web site	Yes	No
E-mail	Yes	Yes

About the job: Circuit judges, elected on a nonpartisan basis to six-year terms, preside over criminal and civil cases. They handle felonies, such as murder and robbery, as well as divorces, juvenile cases, probate and guardianship, and lawsuits alleging damages in excess of $15,000. The job pays $145,080.