Open Ninth

Growing up, Judge Adam McGinnis had no plans of becoming a lawyer, nor a judge—but life has a way of surprising us. After switching from an electrical engineering major to a liberal arts major in college, Judge McGinnis began to consider law school for the first time in his life. Not long after, he walked into the still-new Barry University School of Law and joined one of its first graduating classes. And, years later, he became the first graduate of Barry to join the bench. Tune in to Open Ninth to hear more about his time in law school and his journey to the judiciary. OpenNinth.fm Timestamps  00:16 – Introduction to Judge Adam McGinnis  07:51 – Interest in the law  16:06 – Getting started after law school  22:55 – Running for the bench  26:28 – First days on the bench  34:16 – Hobbies

Patience is a virtue—but it’s also one of the characteristics that make a great judge. Judge Eric Netcher is no stranger to this. He learned the importance of patience while sharing a room with his older brother throughout his childhood. Now, years later, he appreciates this experience for how it helped him prepare for the bench. Tune in to Open Ninth to hear more about his upbringing and his journey to the judiciary. OpenNinth.fm  Timestamps  00:16 – Introduction to Judge Eric Netcher  08:23 – Interning with Congress  12:12 – Attending law school  17:30 – Getting started after law school  23:18 – Joining the bench

Growing up, Eddie Jenkins always had an interest in joining the military. He even had his parents sign a waiver so he could join the U.S. Marine Corps at just 17 years old. But, after sustaining an injury in active-duty training upon his return from his service in Afghanistan, his life took a different path. A substance use disorder led to criminal behavior and involvement in our courts. But his story doesn’t end there. Eddie was determined to turn his life back around.  Upon entering our Veterans Treatment Court, Eddie learned more about the resources available to support him in his recovery. He made connections with fellow veterans and formed strong bonds with the team dedicated to his case. Despite experiencing some setbacks in his recovery, he stayed committed to the program and bettering his life. And, in 2022, his hard work paid off as he graduated from Veterans Treatment Court.  Tune in to OpenNinth.fm to hear Eddie speak with Judge Alicia Latimore about his journey through VTC and how his life has changed since graduation.  Timestamps  00:18 – Introduction to Eddie Jenkins  07:36 – Returning home from Afghanistan  14:35 – Getting involved with the court system  18:38 – Entering VTC 26:21 – Non-adversarial approach in  VTC 32:42 – Graduating from VTC

Ten years ago, the Ninth Circuit decided to take action for the veterans caught up in our court system. To reduce recidivism rates and better equip our veterans with the skills they need to live healthy lives, we established a court just for them: Veterans Treatment Court. Since then, this program has successfully changed the lives of numerous veterans through treatment and intervention, rather than incarceration. And now, 10 years later, it’s still going strong. In this episode of Open Ninth, Judge Alicia Latimore, the current Administrative Judge for Problem Solving Court, takes over as guest host to discuss the importance of Veterans Treatment Court in our society with three special guests: Judge Reginald Whitehead, the former Administrative Judge for Problem Solving Court; Natasha Anthony, a psychotherapist with Grow Therapy; and Sherri Claudio, a social worker with the Orlando VA Medical Center.  Tune in to OpenNinth.fm to learn more.  Glossary  VA - A department dedicated to programs benefiting veterans and members of their families.  Eligibility - The type of discharge and length of service that determines whether a veteran can receive benefits through the VA.  PTSD: Post-traumatic stress disorder, a disorder common among many veterans following their service in the Armed Forces.  Trauma - Anything that any individual has witnessed, or personally experienced, that is out of their norm and at an extreme level.  Sanctions - Penalties for not following the treatment plan outlined by VTC, meant to help veterans in their journey.  Stigma - Disapproval of, or discrimination against, an individual for perceived characteristics that distinguishes them from other members of society.  Recidivism - The tendency of an individual to relapse into criminal behavior.  Timestamps  00:16 – Introduction to Veterans Treatment Court  10:33 – How trauma affects veterans  22:17 – How VTC helps participants  30:43 – Benefits of counseling for veterans  38:31 – Importance of rehabilitation 44: 19 – Final thoughts

Judge Leticia Marques knew she wanted to be a lawyer when she got her first taste of a debate during her junior year of high school. And she wasn’t the only one who noticed her passion for arguing a case—her teacher saw it too. They encouraged Judge Marques to give law school a try and she was ready for the challenge. Tune in to Open Ninth to hear more about her experiences in law school, her time practicing law, and what influenced her to run for the bench years later. OpenNinth.fm Timestamps 00:15 – Introduction to Circuit Judge Leticia Marques 11:09 – Schooling 16:10 – Practicing law 20:43 – Running for the bench 22:22 – First years on the bench 26:56 – Becoming an Administrative Judge 30:28 – Interests off the bench

Some of our judges knew from a young age they wanted to become a lawyer one day—but Judge A. James Craner had different aspirations as a child. He dreamed of becoming an architect. It wasn’t until his junior year of college that law school entered the picture. Initially, he wasn’t sure if it was the right path for him. But with the insistence of his family and one his professors, he decided to give it a shot. And he quickly realized that the field of law was exactly where he wanted to be. Tune in to Open Ninth to hear more about his work in private practice and why he wanted to join the bench. OpenNinth.fm Timestamps 00:15 – Introduction to Judge A. James Craner 05:21 – Interest in the law 08:22 – Getting started after law school 12:04 – Private practice 16:38 – Joining the Orange County bench 20:45 – Elevation to the Circuit bench 29:20 – Interests off the bench

You may find it hard to believe, but Judge David Johnson’s first career wasn’t as a lawyer. He actually got his start working for the Bacardi Rum company after graduating from Michigan State University. Over the years, he also worked for the Orlando Sentinel, with a trade show display manufacturer—and even owned his own business for a while! But deep down inside, he knew he’d always wanted to be a lawyer. So, at the age of 37, he made the life-changing decision to attend law school and make his dream come true. Tune in to Open Ninth to hear more about his early careers and why he wanted to join the bench. OpenNinth.fm Timestamps 00:14 – Introduction to Judge David Johnson 16:53 – Interest in the law 19:52 – Getting started after law school 25:49 – Opening his own practice 27:12 – Running for the bench 32:10 – Surprises on the bench 42:40 – Changes on the bench

There was little question about what career Judge Eric DuBois would pursue as a child. With a father and two uncles as lawyers, it’s almost like the law ran in his blood. In his younger years, Judge DuBois even dressed up in his three-piece suit and carried his dad’s briefcase as he followed him to work for the day. And, now, years later, he’s making his family proud as an Orange County judge here in the Ninth. Tune in to Open Ninth to hear more about what it was like growing up around the law and why he wanted to join the bench. OpenNinth.fm Timestamps 00:16 – Introduction to Judge Eric DuBois 02:37 – Interest in the law 05:47 – Attending law school 11:01 – Entering private practice 14:00 – Running for the bench 16:21 – Becoming a Judge 23:14 – Hobbies

For Judge Amanda Bova, Central Florida has always been home. It’s where she was born and raised. She spent some time away during her years at Eckerd College and Florida State University, but she still returned to Central Florida to work in the public defender’s office of our circuit. And now, she continues to call this area home as a county judge here in the Ninth. Tune in to Open Ninth to hear more about her time as a public defender and why she wanted to join the bench. OpenNinth.fm Timestamps 00:15 – Introduction to Judge Amanda Bova 05:45 – Her first trial 07:20 – Working in the public defender’s office 10:00 – Entering private practice 13:35 – Time with the Conviction Integrity Unit 19:23 – Running for the bench 24:52 – First months on the bench

When it comes to trauma, we don’t always understand quite how it will affect us. Trauma from years prior can resurface from seemingly unrelated events and trauma-induced reactions occur as a result. And being involved in the court system can be a traumatic experience for many—more so for those already experiencing trauma. This is why we need trauma-informed courts that consider the experiences of those within them and acknowledge the role trauma may play in an individual’s life. In this episode of Open Ninth, our guest host, Judge Alice Blackwell, sat down with Judge Alicia Latimore, the Administrative Judge for our Problem-Solving Court, and Dr. Kimberly Renk, a professor of psychology at the University of Central Florida, to discuss the effects of trauma and the importance of trauma-informed courts in our judicial system. Tune in to OpenNinth.fm to learn more. Time Stamps 00:16 – Introduction to Dr. Renk and trauma studies 07:56 – How trauma and the courts intersect 17:08 – Adverse childhood experiences 22:32 – How courts can be trauma-informed 29:06 – Importance of being trauma-informed 37:05 – Secondary/vicarious trauma 42:51 – Final thoughts Glossary Trauma: an emotional response to an event that makes an individual feel unsafe or experience great fear. Trauma-Informed: a framework that is grounded in the understanding of and responsiveness to the impact of trauma. Trauma-Responsive: a framework that recognizes trauma responses and adapts to the needs of people who have suffered trauma. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): Traumatic experiences that happen in an individual’s life between the ages of 1 and 17. Adverse Childhood Experiences Test: a test that measures traumatic experiences and examines the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and adult health and social outcomes. Functional Living: a means of living where an individual is able to actively live in alignment with the needs of their body and mental health. Parallel Process: an approach where an individual models the appropriate behavior and response so that those behaviors and responses can be adopted by another. Recidivism: the tendency of an individual to relapse into criminal behavior.

Judge Alison Kerestes is no stranger to the Ninth Circuit. After graduating from law school, she worked in the Ninth Circuit’s Office of the State Attorney for eight years. Following her time as a prosecutor, Judge Kerestes spent several years in private practice, but still felt drawn to a different path. It was in 2023 that she returned to Ninth – but as a circuit judge this time around. Tune in to Open Ninth to hear more about her early aspirations for the law and her journey to the bench. OpenNinth.fm Timestamps 00:15 – Introduction to Judge Alison Kerestes 05:08 – Attending law school 06:00 – Working in the state attorney’s office 08:02 – Entering private practice 09:59 – Running for judgeship 14:23 – First months on the bench

When Judge Alice Blackwell joined the bench in 1991, she had a vision for what she hoped to accomplish. She wanted to always follow the law and to be a judge who truly listened to those who brought their case before her. She sought to be a judge who lawyers were happy to appear before and a good colleague to her fellow jurists. And, most importantly, she planned to improve the court and leave it in an even better state than she found it. Now, 32 years later, Judge Blackwell looks back at her service here in the Ninth Circuit and she is joyful of what she achieved. Tune in to Open Ninth to hear her conversation with Chief Judge Lisa Munyon about her many years on the bench and what she’ll miss most in retirement. Listen at OpenNinth.fm Timestamps 00:16 – Introduction to Judge Alice Blackwell 06:30 – Development of the Domestic Violence Court 14:41 – Time in Business Court 18:20 – Involvement in groups/conferences 30:44 – Looking back 37:02 – Advice for new judges 39:43 – What she’ll miss

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! And as part of our Judicial Spotlight series, we’re taking a look at the life and career of our circuit’s first Asian American jurist: Judge Jeanette Bigney. It was the 1970s when Judge Bigney’s parents decided to leave the Philippines to pursue the American Dream. And it excited them that their young daughter would grow up as a first-generation American. It was her parents that instilled within Judge Bigney a desire to help others, and she acted on that philosophy throughout her childhood. In high school, she participated in multiple community outreach activities that prepared her early for her future career as a lawyer, judge, and public servant. Tune in to OpenNinth.fm to hear more about her journey to the bench. Timestamps 00:16 – Introduction to Judge Jeanette Bigney 04:28 – Interest in the law 06:35 – Working in the law field 11:02 – Joining the bench 13:07 – Life of a county court judge 19:42 – Hobbies

In honor of National Drug Court Month, our administrative judge over Problem Solving Court, Judge Alicia Latimore, stepped into the studio as our guest host to interview Dr. Thomas Hall, the Director of the Coalition for a Drug-Free Community in Orange County. Tune in to Open Ninth to hear the two discuss the evolution of substance abuse cases and how a designated drug court can help change the lives of those suffering with addiction. OpenNinth.fm 00:16 – Introduction to Dr. Thomas Hall 03:58 – Drug addiction and substance use 10:32 – Treatment for drug addiction 18:08 – Connection between mental health and addiction 23:48 – Importance of National Drug Court Month 26:12 – How to address substance use 29:40 – Peer support 31:46 – Resources available

The legal field was never far from home for Judge Brian Duckworth as he grew up. His father was a lawyer, as well as the president of the Orange County Bar Association. And his childhood home was just two miles down the road from the courthouse. He even played the role of a lawyer in his fourth-grade play. So it’s no surprise that when it came time to pursue a career, the law was his first choice. Listen in to Open Ninth to hear him talk to Chief Judge Lisa Munyon about his time in the state attorney’s office after graduating law school and why he chose to join the bench. OpenNinth.fm Timestamps 00:16 – Introduction to Judge Brian Duckworth 06:37 – Interest in the law 13:14 – Entering the legal field 18:07 – Running for election 21:12 – First days on the bench 23:21 – Changes on the bench 29:12 – Advice for new judges