12TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT NEWS
A heartfelt thank you to our judiciary
By JADE DAVIS , Esq . Shumaker , Loop & Kendrick , LLP
As Civil Trial Section Chair , our section entered 2020 expecting vibrant , informative and engaging events . However , as the coronavirus disease 2019 ( COVID-19 ) invaded our country and every aspect of our lives last spring , there were few words that could yield comfort amid so much uncertainty personally and professionally . We finished the last bar year and began this past bar year in quarantine .
Our bar members had a constant stream of questions for their businesses and clients . As lawyers , we rose to the occasion and we adapted . However , we did not do it alone — we did it on the shoulders of our judiciary .
Our circuit was courageously led by Chief Judge Kimberly C . Bonner who immediately rose to the occasion . As the circuit navigated the complexities of the pandemic , it became evident just how lucky we are to practice in the twelfth circuit . As a litigation attorney , I had the pleasure of appearing in courts throughout the state on Zoom or Microsoft Teams ; however , the organization and dissemination of information from our circuit was unmatched . Not only did our Chief Judge set the example , all of the members of our judiciary — judges , magistrates and hearing officers — embraced uncertainty during those unprecedented times .
Rapid changes locally , nationally and internationally led to rapid decisions . There was no precedent to follow , only a calculation of the risk-benefit ratio in pursuit of justice . Our judiciary embraced flexibility , adapted to change while also leading the charge for the change that became emergent , necessary and immediate .
In dealing with uncertainty , our circuit recognized the importance of creating systems that were flexible and adaptable , frequently bypassing typical bureaucratic
Jade Davis , Esq . Shumaker , Loop & Kendrick , LLP processes out of sheer necessity . Each judge / magistrate stretched their abilities both administratively and legally , becoming operations managers , case coordinators and even therapists . They were steadily doing the impossible while going through the pandemic themselves .
This past year and a half was more than getting up to speed on Zoom and carving out a nook in our home to work . As individuals , we absorbed the many deep tragedies COVID-19 wrought on our loved ones and friends physically , emotionally and financially .
Now as we are coming out of the throws of quarantine and our courts are beginning to allow face-to-face assembly , it is important that we stop and find compassion and gratitude for our circuit . It is important that we honor our judiciary for keeping the scales balanced no matter how tireless
Our sincerest gratitude extends to :
Honorable Lon Arend Honorable Maryann Boehm Honorable Kimberly Bonner Honorable Danielle Brewer Honorable Kevin Bruning Honorable Hunter Carroll Honorable Rochelle Curley Honorable Teresa Dees Honorable David Denkin Honorable Heather Doyle
Honorable Robert Farrance Honorable Phyllis Galen Honorable Don Hall Honorable Renee Inman Honorable Thomas Krug Honorable Susan Maulucci Honorable Andrea McHugh Honorable Frederick Mercurio Honorable Diana Moreland Honorable Dana Moss Honorable Edward Nicholas Honorable Donna Padar
and impossible the task presented itself in Spring 2020 .
The most important lesson we should all take from the pandemic is that we can never have too much compassion . We extend our deepest gratitude to our judiciary for their tremendous efforts . We congratulate them on their accomplishments and leadership . We honor their work that went unnoticed and unannounced . We are confident that we speak for the Bar when we express how thankful we are to them for holding the fort .
The pandemic will have a far-reaching and long-lasting effect . We all will continue to struggle but also carry these lessons with us : embrace uncertainty , be flexible , and practice compassion . In a time of few precedents , we established new ones together . We could not have done it without you . Thank you .
Honorable Erika Quartermaine Honorable Debra Riva Honorable Charles Roberts Honorable Maria Ruhl Honorable Mark Singer Honorable Gilbert Smith Honorable Charles Sniffen Honorable Stephen Walker Honorable Matt Whyte Honorable Charles Williams Magistrate Deborah Bailey Magistrate David Caskey Magistrate Gloria DeMedio Magistrate Charles Denton Magistrate Mary Ann Floyd Magistrate Laura Hale Magistrate Paul Hudson Magistrate Rebecca Hunt Magistrate Edward Wilson Hearing Officer Matt Peters
Kimberly Miller , Court Administrator
THE DOCKET · AUGUST 2021 3