Brevard County Judge, Group 10
Name: Judy Atkin
Age: 58
City of Residence: Melbourne
Occupation: County Court Judge
Website: JudgeJudyAtkin.com
Financial Report
Education:
B.S., State University of New York at Albany
J.D., University of Miami Law School
Experience:
Elected to a newly created judicial seat on the Brevard County Court bench, 2006
Private Practice from 1980 to 2006
Earned Board Certification in Marital and Family Law from the Florida Bar in 1994
Elected to a newly created judicial seat on the Brevard County Court bench, 2006
Private Practice from 1980 to 2006
Earned Board Certification in Marital and Family Law from the Florida Bar in 1994
What makes you the best candidate in 300 words or less?
Too often, successful campaigns are determined by who raised the most money or cultivated the best political network. As a judicial candidate who refuses to accept campaign contributions, I am grateful for this opportunity to communicate directly with you, the residents of Brevard County.
In
2006, I ran for an open judicial seat because I believed my legal
experience, work ethic, and common sense approach to the law would be an
asset to our county court. My path to the judiciary was unconventional.
I did not seek or accept campaign contributions. I ran my campaign on a shoestring and simply reached out to as many people as I could and asked for their support.
Thanks to you, I won that election and since then I have worked hard every day to earn the trust you placed in me. I
have presided over thousands of cases and developed a reputation for
managing my docket efficiently while treating everyone fairly and with
respect.
Every
day, judges make decisions that have a profound impact on people’s
lives – their children, their property, their safety, and their liberty.
On Tuesday, August 14, you will choose who will serve as your county
judge. Before making that critical choice, consider carefully the kind
of person who makes these decisions. I’m proud of my record as your
county court judge and hope to continue serving you. I humbly ask for
your vote.
Age: 42
City of Residence: Satellite Beach
Occupation: Trial Attorney at The Cutshall Law Firm, P.A.
Website: www.cutshall4judge.com
Financial Report
Education:
Juris Doctor degree from Seton Hall University School of Law, 2002
Experience:
Judicial Law Clerk to Superior Court of New Jersey 2002-2003, Assistant State Attorney for Florida's 18th Judicial Circuit including Brevard and Seminole County 2004-2008. Currently a trial attorney handling civil and criminal matters for the Cutshall Law Firm, P.A. in Satellite Beach.
What makes you the best candidate in 300 words or less?
As a father to three teenagers, a husband to my wife of 20 years, a community volunteer, and a small business owner, I am the Candidate that has the real world and legal experience to be the best choice for Brevard County Court Judge, Group 10. From 2004 to 2008 I was an Assistant State Attorney prosecuting criminal cases. Since then, I have been a trial attorney in a diverse private practice. As your judge, I promise to treat all litigants with the utmost courtesy and respect, as well as uphold the law and Constitution.
Name: Morris Richardson
Age: 38
City of Residence: Palm Bay
Occupation: Assistant County Attorney, Brevard County Board of County Commissioners
Website: morrisrichardsonforjudge.com
Financial Report
Education:
Vanderbilt Law School (J.D.), Florida Institute of Technology (B.A.), Brevard Community College (A.A.), Melbourne High School
Vanderbilt Law School (J.D.), Florida Institute of Technology (B.A.), Brevard Community College (A.A.), Melbourne High School
Experience:
I have worked for the Brevard Board of County Commissioners since 2005. Prior to joining the County Attorney's Office, I was a business litigation attorney at the law firms of Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed (Orlando) and GrayRobinson (Melbourne). I have been a member of the Florida Bar since 2000.
I have worked for the Brevard Board of County Commissioners since 2005. Prior to joining the County Attorney's Office, I was a business litigation attorney at the law firms of Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed (Orlando) and GrayRobinson (Melbourne). I have been a member of the Florida Bar since 2000.
What makes you the best candidate in 300 words or less?
I believe that the most
essential characteristic of a judge is the ability to understand and follow the
law. I attended Vanderbilt University Law School, where I was a Dean's List
student and academic award winner. My professional experience includes handling substantial
litigation in both private practice and in public service. I have the
intelligence to quickly and decisively analyze complex legal issues, and the
integrity to resolve them in accordance with the law. We are a nation of laws. If
elected, I will follow the rule of law and exercise judicial restraint. I will
not substitute my personal judgment for that of the duly elected legislative
and executive branches acting within the lawful limits of their powers. In
contrast, after six years on the bench, only one of the eleven sitting county
court judges scored lower than the incumbent in my race in the category
"possesses legal reasoning skills and follows the law." (2012 Brevard County Bar Association Judicial
Poll, 29 attorneys responding). I firmly believe that I will bring an immediate
and significant improvement to the courtroom in this crucial area.
Our legal system depends
on the promise that in America, everyone will receive a fair trial. I will
uphold that promise. I will be impartial to all parties regardless of whether
they are represented by legal counsel. I am also well aware that judges
are public servants. I have a proven record of protecting taxpayer dollars. I
have saved Brevard County taxpayers tens of millions of dollars in the
successful defense of lawsuits in both the state and federal courts. As your
next County Court Judge, I will work hard to make sure that litigants in Brevard
County receive timely hearings, prompt decisions, and swift and efficient justice.
