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MARTIN COUNTY

More women than men apply for Martin County judge vacancy

Paul Ivice
Special to TCPalm

STUART — For the first time in the 19th Judicial Circuit, women outnumber men among applicants for appointment to a judicial vacancy.

Thirteen women are among the 18 attorneys who applied for the opening to replace Martin County Judge Curtis Disque, who cited “personal matters that have recently taken place” in his Jan. 31 resignation letter to Gov. Rick Scott.

Women made up five of the 12 applicants who applied for the 19th Circuit’s previous mid-term vacancy, a St. Lucie County judgeship to which former Assistant State Attorney Daryl Isenhower was appointed in December 2015.

More:Martin County Judge Curtis Disque resigns from the bench

In February 2015, four women were among 13 applicants for another St. Lucie County bench vacancy. Scott appointed Assistant State Attorney Nirlaine Tallandier Smartt, who has since returned to the State Attorney’s Office after she was defeated in her bid for election by Fort Pierce attorney Ed Alonzo.

When Disque was appointed in 2012, four women were among 11 applicants.

Nominating commission member Barbara A. Kreitz Cook, a sole practitioner in Stuart since 1999, said: “A lot more women are beginning to realize the benefits of being a county judge. In my opinion, it’s the best job in the judiciary — it’s the people’s court.”

Of more than 88,000 attorneys licensed to practice in Florida, 38 percent are women, up from 34 percent a decade ago, Florida Bar statistics show.

Stuart attorney Jason Berger, chairman of the 19th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission, set the interviews of the applicants for April 4, starting at 8:30 a.m., in the fourth-floor conference room/old law library of the Office of the Martin County Clerk of Court, Martin County, 100 S.E. Ocean Blvd., Stuart.

Submit public comments

Relevant comments about an applicant may be submitted to attorney Jason Berger at 850 N.W. U.S. 1, Suite 121, Stuart, Florida 34994-1019 or by email to Jason@jasonbergerlaw.com.

The applicants

  • Kate Bradford: Law degree from Stetson University in 2006; was assistant public defender in the 6th Circuit, serving Pasco and Pinellas counties; now sole practitioner in criminal defense; assistant professor of criminal justice at Indian River State College.
  • Elysse A. Elder: Law degree from Nova Southeastern University in 1996; worked at Crary Buchanan; Page Mrachek and Gunster firms in Stuart; now works independently.
  • Russell J. Ferraro III: Law degree from Stetson University in 2001; was assistant public defender in 19th Circuit; now with Ferraro Law Group in Stuart, focusing on criminal and family law.
  • Robert Gluckman: Law degree from St. Thomas University in 1999; CEO and corporation counsel for Treasure Coast Urgent and Family Care; was assistant state attorney in 19th Circuit; 11 years with a worker compensation defense firm. 
  • Elizabeth R. Hunter: Law degree from Barry University in 2010; since then an associate with Sheila Biehl, P.A. in Stuart; current president of Martin County Bar Association. 
  • Erin D. Kirkwood: Law degree from University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1995; worked 1996 to 2015 as assistant state attorney in 19th Circuit before taking time off to be a stay-at-home mother.
  • David Lustgarten: Law degree from Georgetown University in 1994; assistant state attorney in 19th Circuit since 1997, with time before 2003 working with Reich & Mancini law firm.
  • Usha Maharajh: Law degree from Florida State University in 1997; assistant public defender in the 19th Circuit; 2013 fellow of the National Juvenile Justice Network, Youth Justice Leadership Institute.
  • Crystal Marsh: Law degree from Florida State University and advanced degree in tax law from the University of Alabama; Marsh Law Firm since 2014 in Port St. Lucie; was an assistant state attorney and assistant public defender; worked for the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Revenue and the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel.
  • Kathryn L. McHale: Law degree from Mercer University in 1991; sole practitioner with office in Palm Beach; current president of Martin County Florida Association for Women Lawyers; board certified in civil trial law since 2005; certified circuit civil mediator; appointed to the 19th Circuit Pro Bono Committee. 
  • Keri S. Norbraten: Law degree from University of Florida in 2002; senior assistant city attorney/police adviser for Port St. Lucie; worked seven years as assistant state attorney in 19th Circuit; worked four years in 11th Circuit (Miami-Dade), prosecuting crimes against children. 
  • Julie K. Oldehoff: Law degree from University of Virginia in 1983; magistrate for 19th Circuit since 2013 and hearing officer since 2015; was commercial litigator with Greenspoon Marder, West Palm Beach and Greenberg Traurig in Miami.
  • Kathryn Rogiers: Law degree from Stetson University in 2009; was an assistant public defender in 19th Circuit for five years; since 2014 sole practitioner in criminal defense, personal injury, family law and creditor harassment.
  • Thomas R. Sawyer: Law degree from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama, in 1986; attorney with South Florida Water Management District; board certified in real estate law since 1994; was partner with Fox Wackeen and McCarthy Summers firms in Stuart; worked three years in Tallahassee with the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation. 
  • Portia B. Scott: Law degree from Stetson University in 1994;launched her own practice, Portia B. Scott, Chartered.  Returned to Stetson in 2015 to obtain advanced doctorate in elder law. 
  • Sandra L. Sundheim: Law degree from Western Michigan University in 1998; Stuart firm Oughterson Sundheim & Associates since 2000 and is now partner with her father, Frederick Sundheim Jr. 
  • Brett M. Waronicki: Law degree at West Virginia University in 2004; partner in Wiederhold, Kummerlen & Waronicki, West Palm Beach;was assistant public defender in 19th Circuit and adjunct professor teaching business law at Indian River State College.
  • Jennifer Alcorta Waters: Law degree from University of Florida in 2001; partner in Fox Wackeen, Stuart, practicing in matrimonial and family law;past president of Martin County Bar Association; former associate at McConnaughhay, Duffy in Tallahassee.