Judicial Candidates

COUNTY COURT JUDICIAL CANDIDATE

* 40 years of experience as a Trial Attorney and Judge
* Received his undergraduate and Law Degree from the University of Florida
* Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law by the Florida Bar at time of appointment
* AV rated by Martin-Dale Hubbell at time of appointment
* Recipient of the Tobias Simon Pro Bono Service Award by the Supreme Court of Florida
* Recipient of the Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award
* Recipient of the JC Penny Golden Rule Award
* Eagle Scout Award
* Past President of and currently on the Board of the George C. Young American Inns of Court

My Friends & Colleagues:

It has been my pleasure to have served as your County Judge over the past 14 years. Service to the community and to the profession has been my goal since first becoming a member of the OCBA in 1972. Prior to my appointment, January 1998, I was AV rated by Martindale Hubble and had been Board Certified as a Criminal Trial Lawyer since 1989. My commitment to community service was recognized in 1995 when I was honored to receive the Tobias Simon Pro Bono Service Award from the Florida Supreme Court in recognition for my commitment in making legal services available to people who otherwise could not afford them. I am one of only 30 lawyers in the state to have received this award since its inception in 1982. Serving as your Judge continues this dedication.

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The Hon. Leon B. Cheek, III · 321-303-3753 · Contact by email

CIRCUIT COURT JUDICIAL CANDIDATE

Do you remember what the Orange-Osceola court system was like 17 years ago? About forty-five judges were spread among multiple buildings in downtown Orlando, and Osceola County got by with just five jurists. There was no complex business litigation division, no domestic violence division, no VOP division, no teen court or even high-tech courtroom. There was no central receiving center to help people with mental illness or substance abuse disorders. There weren't any supervised visitation centers nor was there any sanction to read programs. There wasn't even any court website.

In my fifteen years as chief judge, I have led this system through many milestones as it has expanded to sixty-five judges and 500,000 cases a year. My leadership is proven the tangible results you see daily . . . improved public access, new technologies and efficient, highly professional judicial system. From the budget battles I fight in Tallahassee today to the individual cases I handle, you've had an experienced, knowledgeable judge whose driving force is devotion to public service and justice.

I ask for your support in returning me to the bench where I can continue to serve – according to the words of Justice Barbara Pariente in several opinions – as "one of the most experienced jurists in the state."

Born in Orlando, I am the son of a public school teacher and one of Orlando's two African American police officers. I quickly rose through the ranks at the State Attorney's Office, concluding service as chief assistant in 1989. I became the first African American to be elected judge without first being appointed.

Aside from the thousands of cases I've handled, I have been appointed to many important Florida Supreme Court committees and statewide leadership roles, including current service as chair of the Florida Innocence Commission, Executive Committee of the Trial Court Budget Committee, and member of the Supreme Court Steering Committee.

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The Hon. Belvin Perry, Jr. · 407-836-2009 · Contact by email

COUNTY COURT JUDICIAL CANDIDATE

Judge Antoinette DiPalma Plogstedt was elected Orange County Judge in 2000 and re-elected without opposition in 2006. She has been a member of The Florida Bar for almost 22 years in Orlando. Judge Plogstedt has served as Judge for almost 12 years in both criminal and civil divisions. Her campaign website is located at www.Plog2012.com.

Judge Plogstedt began her legal as a Prosecutor in Orange County. She prosecuted crimes including domestic violence, DUI, and drug offenses. She later served as a Guardian Ad Litem representing sexually and physically abused children. She received the Legal Aid’s Award of Excellence

Judge Plogstedt is endorsed by 22 past Orange County Bar Presidents in her re-election. She is a former Secretary of the Orange County Bar and a Young Lawyers’ Section Board Member. As an attorney, she was AV-Rated.

Judge Plogstedt served as Chair of the Orange County Elections Canvassing Board in 2010-2011. She is a Mentor Judge to new judges. She has chaired the Juror Innovations Committee improving the Court experience for Jurors.

Judge Plogstedt has been active in the Orange Bar’s Law Week by co-chairing the Day in the Life of a Judge project for the Parramore Kidz Zone and Hope Community Center children. She has been active in the development of Leadership Law

She graduated in 1987 from the University of Tampa with a B.S., cum laude, in Marketing and a Minor in Business Administration. She earned her Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Florida College of Law in 1990, where she served on the Moot Court Board.

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The Hon. Antoinette Plogstedt · 407-902-5226 · Contact by email

CIRCUIT COURT JUDICIAL CANDIDATE

Judge Tim Shea embodies the three key ingredients of a successful jurist: Judicial Experience, Legal Experience and Life Experience.

After having served on the Criminal Felony Bench for the first four years of his judicial tenure, Judge Shea is now assigned to the Domestic Relations Bench where he has earned the respect of his colleagues as well as Marital and Family Law Practitioners.

Prior to assuming his Judicial Position, Judge Shea’s legal practice was quite varied. Tim Shea represented clients in criminal cases (both felonies and misdemeanors), juvenile delinquency, juvenile dependency, employment discrimination, traditional labor law (NLRA), and general civil litigation in both federal and state courts. Judge Shea brings a keen understanding of the vast legal landscape to his judicial responsibilities.

As the married father of three adult children, Judge Shea brings a wealth of life experience to his judicial assignments. Tim Shea knows what it’s like to face life’s daily struggles and his rulings reflect the compassion and understanding one would expect from a public servant who wields judicial power.

Judge Tim Shea: Judicial Experience. Legal Experience. Life Experience.

The Hon. Timothy R. Shea · 407-353-4445 · Contact by email

CIRCUIT COURT JUDICIAL CANDIDATE

Judge Keith White was appointed by Governor Charlie Crist to the Circuit Court bench and began serving February 1, 2011. He has been assigned to the domestic violence division handling injunction cases and connected family law cases.

Prior to serving the citizens of Orange and Osceola counties on the Circuit bench, Judge White practiced law at one of Florida’s largest law firms, Broad and Cassel.

Judge White was a Partner in the Orlando office of Broad and Cassel and a member of the Firm's Labor and Employment and Commercial Litigation Practice Groups.
At the Firm, Judge White practiced in the area of labor and employment law. He assisted employers in navigating through the multitude of statutes and regulations that govern the workplace and defended against employee claims in administrative, arbitration and judicial proceedings. He worked with management to resolve union-related matters, including organizing campaigns, unfair labor practice charges, and proceedings before the NLRB and PERC. He also has handled numerous matters in the areas of civil rights, creditors' rights, construction litigation and commercial disputes.

Judge White advised governmental clients regarding a variety of issues, including, but not limited to, the Public Records Act, the Sunshine Law, the Conflict of Interest Law, the Public Employees Relations Act and the Whistle-Blower Act.

Judge White served as counsel for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority and assisted with labor and employment matters and an array of governmental matters. He has also represented the University of Central Florida, the Orange County School Board and the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority in employment, civil rights, construction and eminent domain litigation.

Prior to being named to the bench, Judge White handled cases in state and federal, trial and appellate courts, including the Florida Supreme Court.

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The Hon. Keith White · 407-836-2272 · Contact by email