Panel 1: Retrospectives on 25 years of Judicial Reform in Florida
Nearly twenty five years after the election of Governor Jeb Bush, the Florida state courts have transformed. Previously, many state judges had a more activist, progressive view of the role of a judge. Today, many state judges hold originalist and textualists views of judicial interpretation. Our panel will consider the last 25 years of judicial appointments in Florida, discussing how the roles of the executive, the JNC, and the conservative legal movement have contributed to these transformations. They will discuss how the Florida Supreme Court today differs from the Court that ruled on Bush v. Gore in 2000. Featuring: Jason Gonzalez, Shareholder, Lawson Huck Gonzalez, PLLC and Former General Counsel to Governor Charlie Crist, 2008 Ryan Newman, General Counsel to Governor Ron DeSantis, 2021 - 2025 Daniel Nordby, Partner, Shutts & Bowen LLP, Former General Counsel to Governor Rick Scott, 2017 - 2019 Jesse Panuccio, Partner, Boies Schiller Flexner LLP and Former General Counsel to Governor Rick Scott, 2012 - 2013 Raquel “Rocky” Rodriguez, Shareholder, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC and Former General Counsel to Governor Jeb Bush, 2002 - 2007 Moderator: Hon. T. Kent Wetherell II, Judge, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida and Former Deputy Solicitor General of Florida, 1999-2002