The Florida legislature recently made historic changes to the state judicial system that will put higher expectations on the county court system. One candidate in particular seems more ready than ever to take on this task. Civil attorney Renee Thompson has announced she is running for Judge in Marion County, Florida.
The vacant judicial seat in central Florida is going to be a civil seat for the next 3 years. This means the court would hear small claims level cases and disputes up to $50,000, an unprecedented move in the state of Florida, and according to Thompson, it will only get higher from here.
Considering that Marion County, Florida has become one of the fastest growing places in the state, the workload for the county court system will not be getting any easier.
Thompson feels ready for the job as she has dealt with cases like these her, "entire career," adding, "I've been a civil attorney for more than 20 years. I've always practiced civil law and essentially have mediated cases in county court my entire career as well." Thompson described her entire career as being in a, "civil arena, not only litigating and practicing as a civil attorney, but also as a civil mediator."
After the seat of Judge R. James McCune opened up, Renee Thompson saw this as her opportunity to help the people of her community. The candidate told the Floridian this week, "this was my opportunity to really try to be in a seat that not only met my qualifications as a civil attorney, but would allow me to help people. County court is the people's court and that's really where you get to talk with individuals and listen to their issues, and try to help resolve things to the best of your ability within the law. I think I'm well suited for that role."
Thompson is running in a three way race against an assistant state attorney and a public defender. While Thompson delivered a degree of respect for her opponents she still maintains that she is the, "unique candidate," for the civil seat. With all the changes and responsibility being introduced to the country court system, Thompson believes the next judge must have, "breadth of knowledge," on civil cases.
Among her experience, Renee Thompson has held the title of, "Super Lawyer," every year since 2015, which is a peer recognition award among lawyers in all 50 states. Before this, Thompson held the title of, "Rising Star," lawyer from 2009-2014. Judicial elections in Marion County will take place on August 23, 2022.
