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Strong mentorships lead to a better judiciary

You’ve been elected by voters or appointed by the governor to fill a judicial vacancy. As an attorney, you are accustomed to arguing your case in front of a judge. As a judge, you will become the person responsible for calling the balls and strikes in the courtroom and you will need to transition from advocate to umpire. How do you learn to be a circuit court or county court judge?

Some of the training comes from a classroom, specifically the Florida Judicial College, but you can’t learn everything you need in a classroom. You also need hands-on experience and a trustworthy, knowledgeable sounding board because everything is about to change for you professionally and personally.

The Florida Supreme Court mandates that all new judges attend the Florida Judicial College during their first year of judicial service. The college is comprised of several phases: an orientation program that offers in-depth trial skills, mock-trial experience, and other classes; followed by intensive substantive law courses and education for the new jurists. Another component of new judge training is a mentor program, which offers one-to-one guidance from an experienced judge.

When she was elected and took the Circuit Court bench in 2005, Chief Judge Diana Moreland said she was unaware judicial mentors existed at the beginning of her judicial career.

When she was assigned to a division in Manatee County, she was presiding over her first death penalty trial and Circuit Judge Peter Dubensky (now retired) came to check on her each morning prior to court. Thereafter, she said she relentlessly pursued him as her unofficial mentor.

“We shared a love of early mornings, books, politics, philosophy and debating legal issues from all angles. But it was more than that, he was the person who spoke my language without judgment, allowed me to bounce ideas, and often volleyed a rapid return. His depth of knowledge on all subjects, and I mean all subjects, and legal common sense continues to guide me through today,” Judge Moreland said.

With the goal of guiding future judges there are several judges in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit who have volunteered to be mentors: Renee Inman, Stephen Walker, Teri Dees, Dana Moss, Gilbert Smith and the mentor coordinator Charles Williams. Recently, Circuit Judge Charles Sniffen and Manatee County Court Judge Jacqueline Steele have decided to pay it forward and join the roster of volunteer mentors.

More Than Issuing Rulings

“Transitioning from a practicing attorney can be a big change because of the different role a judge plays in the process,” said Circuit Judge Gilbert A. Smith, Jr., who has served in the judiciary since 2009. Mentoring is important as the new judge transitions from an advocate to a decision maker. “For the first time in the new judge’s life, all eyes will be on him or her all the time, even when he or she is not on the bench.”

“Mentoring a new judge provides valuable information and assistance as he or she encounters new issues on and off the bench,” Judge Smith said. “A mentor can provide advice on responding to routine as well as more complex issues. Finally, a mentor can intervene and advocate for the new judge as circumstances may require.”

Manatee County Judge Renee Inman said all the judges in Manatee County were “de facto mentors” to her when she first joined the county court bench in 2017. “There is a very collegial, open-door atmosphere that encourages open discussion about any issue that may come up. I believe that makes for a better judiciary,” she said.

“I volunteered to be a mentor judge because I think it is important to have someone there and available to bounce ideas, guide the new judge through the unique challenges of being a judge. The designated person gives valuable insight on how to approach things that a new judge is confronted with and acts as a role model” on how duties should be fulfilled, Judge Inman said.

“There are many facets to being a judge other than issuing rulings – the job can affect every aspect of your life, how you interact with people both in and outside the courthouse, etc.,” Judge Inman said.

Judge Williams agrees. “When you go into any new employment situation, whether becoming an automobile mechanic, a teacher, or other field, it is important to have a go-to person that you trust and feel comfortable with to answer basic questions and to also relate and advise you as to the experiences you are having with the new job.”

“Sometimes it’s just being there as a listening board. No question about the job is too simple or off-limits to someone you trust as a mentor. The classic example for new judges; ‘I’m not sure I should do this, but before I do, I’d like to run it by you first’,” Judge Williams said.

Training the Mentor

As the mentor coordinator for the Twelfth Circuit, Judge Williams oversees the training of new mentor judges. “Before we can officially be called ‘mentor judges’ there is a mandatory mentor training,” he said. The training is basic in terms of making sure we understand the basic needs of new judges, from, “Where do I get a robe?” to, “How do I manage a docket?”

“We are encouraged to reach out to newly elected or appointed judges within 24 hours of their election or appointments,” said Judge Williams. In fact, many mentee judges have been contacted by their mentor judge before Human Resources has had a chance to discuss benefits and other personnel forms. Mentor judges rely upon training materials from the Office of the State Courts Administrator (OSCA) and the Florida Supreme Court. “I also incorporate cases and opinions from the Judicial Ethics Advisory Council (JEAC) and materials and outlines that I have developed and have been used and developed by other judges in our circuit,” Judge Williams said.

Anatomy of a Training Session

Mentor judges are encouraged to meet with a new judge about once a month for an official mentoring session early in the process, according to Judge Williams, but it can vary on the situation and comfort level of the new judge. The official mentorship lasts one year. “Some new judges do not need to meet as often as others,” Judge Williams said.

There are certain mandatory items on the mentor “checklist,” for instance immediately contacting the new judge and then meeting with him/her in-person as soon as possible after that initial contact. Judge Williams said the first meeting is to “welcome the new judge and answer the very basic questions relating to their transition” to becoming a judge.

The structure of each training session is up to the individual mentor judge, and it can be formal or informal. Topics may include discussing how the judge is doing and answering questions they may have as they acclimate to the new job.

Judge Inman said the way her mentorship was done, and the way she mentored Manatee County Judge Heather Doyle, was after an initial meeting all other contact was informal though daily check-ins, lunches, impromptu discussions, etc.

Paying it Forward

Judge Charles Sniffen was appointed to the Manatee County Court bench in March 2013 and was elevated to the Circuit Court bench in September 2017. He said, “I think mentorship is highly effective (and underrated) and have always wanted the opportunity to do the same for others.” He said he was fortunate to have multiple mentors. “Judge Williams was my original mentor, but Circuit Judge Janette Dunnigan and Manatee County Court Judge Robert Farrance (both of whom are now retired) were assigned to mentor me when I arrived in early 2013.” Judge Gilbert Smith, Jr. was assigned as his mentor in 2017.

“From Judge Farrance I learned that patience, flexibility, and a light touch are as important in county court as anything else in managing such large dockets. Judge Dunnigan convinced me that most litigants believe the system is working when they know they were heard, and have a clear, firm, final decision, regardless of outcome,” Judge Sniffen said.

Manatee County Judge Jacqueline Steele was appointed to the bench in July 2020 during the height of the pandemic so having a mentor judge was even more important due to the situation.

“I was honored to have been mentored by Judge Williams through my transition from private practice and preparing to take the bench. Judge Smith then welcomed me in Manatee County during the height of the ‘new normal’ in 2020 for a brief period followed by my assigned mentor, Judge Inman,” Judge Steele said.

“I volunteered because I am so grateful to the judges who took the time to mentor me when I was first appointed. Each of them helped me in ways I cannot begin to explain, and I am so very grateful. I want to be able to return the favor to a future judge and hope to be able to provide comfort and guidance during the transition for someone else,” said Judge Steele.

Lasting Impressions

“As a new judge, my mentor judge (retired Judge Scott Brownell), taught me through example and encouraged me to be myself and think outside the box in resolving issues,” Judge Williams said. “I have mentored several judges and hope that they all have benefitted from the experience and hope they themselves pass it forward and assist new judges as they become comfortable and settled in their roles,” he said.

Judge Steele said what was most impactful of her mentorship was the way in which she was taught to listen to those who appear before her carefully and with the goal of understanding what someone is trying to express.

“As a county judge, we have the most contact with pro se individuals who are not trained in legal terminology or in maneuvering through the legal system. As a mentee judge, my mentors stressed the importance of being a guardian of the legal process and I have found that I am able to be the most effective when I listen carefully to those who appear before me,” said Judge Steele.

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Information for New Judges, flcourts.gov