Interview by JILL BOWEN , Esq . Bentley Law Firm , P . A .
Judge Kevin Bruning was sworn in
in late 2020 and began presiding over cases at the beginning of this year . The Docket interviewed Judge Bruning so SCBA members could have a chance to get to know him a little better . We wish we could congratulate him in person , but in the meantime , please enjoy this opportunity to hear from one of the newest Judges on the 12th Circuit .
Why did you decide you wanted to be a Judge ?
I love the law and the American legal system . It is a source of amazement and pride for me to be part of it . I always looked up to the Judges and role they play in the system . The downside of being a practitioner is that you are taking a side and a position in the proceeding . I wanted to be neutral and be the voice of the law itself and the process itself . I also have a strong urge to solve problems and help people . As a Judge , I feel that I can do that better than I could as a practitioner .
Did you always know this is a career
12TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
Meet new Circuit Court Judge Kevin Bruning
Judge Kevin Bruning path you would seek ?
No . Since law school , I think the desire was there . But to become a Judge ( in my opinion ) a lot of things have to fall into place . I needed many years of practice to get myself to a place where I felt ready and mature enough to be on the Bench and I needed to demonstrate to my colleagues and community that I was the right person for the job . That takes many years and , to some degree , good luck .
Give us a brief summary of your career and background .
I graduated from Stetson University College of Law , Cum Laude in 2000 . I clerked for Williams Parker Harrison Dietz & Getzen in law school and went to work for them full-time upon graduation . I became a shareholder in that firm around 2008 . Morgan Bentley and I left
WPHDG in September of 2011 to form Bentley and Bruning . I left Bentley and Bruning to join the Bench . While a practitioner , I practiced commercial litigation focusing primarily on land related litigation ( easements , land contract disputes , homeowners associations , evictions and general business disputes ). I was president of the Sarasota Bar Association in 2013 – 14 .
What are some things you will miss from private practice and what are you looking forward to in your new job ?
I will miss my friends and partner at my firm . Bentley and Bruning was an amazing place and I loved working there . I will miss making arguments in Court , trying to read the Judge and Jury , and making strategic decisions about how to win a case . In my new job , I ’ m looking forward to seeing the attorneys I litigated with and against in front of me . I think the Manatee , Sarasota and Desoto bars are exceptional and I enjoy participating in legal proceedings with the quality lawyers in this community . I also look forward to making a difference in people ’ s lives
See BRUNING , Page 18
By PAT REILLY , Esq . Snyder & Reilly
My wife , Malka , our daughter
Naomi and I moved to Venice almost five years ago , and have not had any regrets . Malka and I had many conversations about where we would ultimately like to retire . The initial possibilities were the Virgin Islands , Turks and Caicos , and Florida . The discussions did not include a preretirement move , until one cold winter morning when Malka was walking our dog before sunlight , slipped on black ice , and landed on her knees . When she returned home in obvious pain , she said , “ We are moving to Florida next year .”
I didn ’ t take her seriously initially , but she persisted . I told her that at age 59 , after 36 years of practicing
PRACTICE Practicing in paradise : A long way from Pennsylvania
Pat Reilly , Esq . Snyder & Reilly law in Pennsylvania , I would have to take the Florida Bar exam . “ How hard can it be ?” she asked . A year later , she understood .
When the decision to make the move was made , I was President Elect of the Lehigh County Bar Association , so I knew how helpful an Executive Director of a Bar Association can be . I forwarded an email to Jan Jung , Holly Lipps ’ mother , who was then ED of the Sarasota County Bar Association , requesting information about the association , and the practice of law in Sarasota County , and Venice in particular . Jan was kind enough to forward my email to Russ Snyder , whom she identified as the South County Ambassador for the Bar Association . As I recall , Russ sent an email to me within minutes , telling me that he had looked at my profile on my old firm ’ s website , he wanted to retire , he felt like our practices were similar , and he was looking for someone to take over his practice . And here I am almost five years later , having partnered with Russ , enjoying both living and working in Paradise .
The differences between how law is practiced in the eastern part of Pennsylvania , including Philadelphia , and Sarasota County , couldn ’ t be more stark . On a daily basis , for 36 years , everything , small or large , was contested and contentious . Perhaps you have heard of the “ Philadelphia Lawyer ,” a term to describe a lawyer who knows the most detailed and minute points of law or is an exceptionally competent lawyer . Its first known usage dates back to 1788 ,
See PARADISE , Page 18
The Docket · February 2021 15