T H I R T E E N T H J U D I C I A L C I R C U I T C O U R T M E S S A G E C h i e f J u d g e R o n a l d N . F i c a r r o t t a –
T h i r t e e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t
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with everyone he meets . Chief Justice Muñiz may have said it best when he remarked that Chief Judge Ficarrotta is “ instantly likable ” and “ unfailingly joyful .”
Let me tell you a little bit more about the judge who I have been fortunate enough to work closely with for the last eight years .
Chief Judge Ficarrotta was appointed to the County Court by Governor Lawton Chiles in 1994 . He was later appointed to the Circuit Court by Governor Jeb Bush in 1999 . He became the Chief Judge of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in 2015 , and one of his first assignments was to replace the long-time Trial Court Administrator , Michael Bridenback , upon his upcoming retirement . That ’ s where I came on scene . He hired me as Trial Court Administrator in the summer of 2015 . I moved from Honolulu to Tampa because I knew what an impactful change he and the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit would have on my life .
I have recurringly witnessed the impact that Chief Judge Ficarrotta has on others . The heart-felt dialogue he has with court participants is that of a service-minded judge . His passion for problem-solving courts and turning lives around is near and dear to his heart . He is known for touring residential drug treatment facilities , and Safe and Sound Hillsborough ’ s Reporting Center for youth in delinquency divisions , which demonstrates to those participating that he values the services they receive there . Chief Judge Ficarrotta can often be found connecting with Mental Health Court clients by speaking to them while sitting beside them , rather than from the bench ( while not wearing his traditional robe ). His rapport with the clients can be strengthened with a handshake or hug . He is generous with praise , having realized that many clients have never felt a proud moment . Equally important is his method for holding court participants accountable . Knowing he will be checking-in on them before they meet in court again is something that makes people want to change their lives for the better . No one wants to disappoint him .
Chief Judge Ficarrotta is also very generous with his time . After spending full days at the Edgecomb Courthouse , it ’ s not uncommon for him to stop at a function on the way home . It ’ s difficult to create a list of every legal organization he has supported over his 29 years on the bench , but certainly the list includes the following : the Hillsborough County Bar Association , the Young Lawyers Division of HCBA , Bay Area Legal Services , the Tampa Hispanic Bar Association , the
George Edgecomb Bar Association , the Asian Pacific American Bar Association , the American Board of Trial Advocates , the Tampa Bay Trial Lawyers Association , the Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers , and the Herbert Goldburg-Ronald Cacciatore Criminal Law American Inn of Court . He is steadfast in his appreciation for the great work each local organization performs .
I personally believe that Chief Judge Ficarrotta played a significant role in building the esteem that the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit holds among the other 19 circuits , the Office of the State Courts Administrator , and the Florida Supreme Court . His leadership and collegiality are known and respected state-wide .
Here ’ s to our very own Ron Ficarrotta , a Distinguished Jurist … an honor he humb ly earned and certainly deserves . n
Author : Gina Justice - Thirteenth Judicial Circuit
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