Open Ninth

After serving a combined 53 years on the bench, Judges Sally Kest, Marc Lubet, and Jose Rodriguez will retire from full time service at the end of the month. Talented and committed jurists, the breadth and depth of their careers are evident in the significant contributions they have each made to the bench and our community. We invite you to listen in on this conversation as our host, Chief Judge Fred Lauten, invites our retiring judges to take a look back at their incredible judicial careers. Let us know what you think about the podcast.

Learning about the professional life of a judge – Where did they attend law school? What law did they practice? When did they take the bench? – is generally very easy. These types of questions all have publicly attainable answers. However, if you want to learn about the person behind the robes – Why did they want to become a judge? Are they a morning person or a night owl? How did they adjust to life on the bench? – that is generally not very easy at all. Until now. Join Chief Judge Fred Lauten as he sits down for a candid conversation with Judges Chad Alvaro and Jamie Grosshans, two of Central Florida’s newest judges. Let us know what you think about the podcast.

It is often said that the health of a nation is equal to the wealth of a nation. And the scores of fiscal agencies and economists dedicated to studying every available financial detail only serve to lend veracity to that statement. So when the Open Ninth wanted to get a feel for the financial pulse of Central Florida, we needed look no further than economist Dr. Henry Fishkind. Listen in as our host, Chief Judge Fred Lauten, and Dr. Fishkind examine the local economy and explore the impact of the area’s financial health on our communities. Let us know what you think about the podcast.

It is often said that the health of a nation is equal to the wealth of a nation. And the scores of fiscal agencies and economists dedicated to studying every available financial detail only serve to lend veracity to that statement. So when the Open Ninth wanted to get a feel for the financial pulse of Central Florida, we needed look no further than economist Dr. Henry Fishkind. Listen in as our host, Chief Judge Fred Lauten, and Dr. Fishkind examine the local economy and explore the impact of the area’s financial health on our communities. Let us know what you think about the podcast.

Pulitzer Prize winning author, Gilbert King, joins Chief Judge Fred Lauten to take us back to 1950’s Lake County, Florida. The setting for both Mr. King’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel, Devil in the Grove, and his newest novel, Beneath a Ruthless Sun, Lake County is home to Sherriff Willis McCall and a past rife with racial injustice, violence, and corruption. Listen in as we explore the ugly side of our region’s history, the impact it has had on our legal system, and the importance of understanding this history as a necessary step for lasting social change. Let us know what you think about the podcast.

Think back to your first few jobs. Did you babysit the neighbors’ rambunctious kids who, now that you are thinking about it, weren’t too much younger than you were at the time? Or were you one of the legions of high school students working retail at the local mall? Perhaps you waited tables or worked the line as a short order cook or tended bar? Whatever you were doing, we’ll venture a guess that the job you did then has absolutely nothing to do with the job you are doing now. Or does it? In celebration of Labor Day, 10 Judges from the Ninth Circuit talk candidly with our host, Chief Judge Fred Lauten, about their first jobs. From paperboy to waitress to organist – not one of our judges can draw a straight line from where they started to their jobs today in the judiciary. And despite that, those first jobs were decidedly instrumental in shaping who they became both on and off the bench. Grab your headphones and listen in. Let us know what you think about the podcast.

The Ninth Circuit’s movie critic trio are back presiding over the silver screen. On this episode’s docket – films and the criminal mind. Join our host, Chief Judge Fred Lauten and his film critic crew, Circuit Judges Bob Egan and Leticia Marques, as they take us on a journey through some of Hollywood’s most captivating crime movies. Let us know what you think about the podcast.

The Ninth Circuit’s movie critic trio are back presiding over the silver screen. On this episode’s docket – films and the criminal mind. Join our host, Chief Judge Fred Lauten and his film critic crew, Circuit Judges Bob Egan and Leticia Marques, as they take us on a journey through some of Hollywood’s most captivating crime movies. Let us know what you think about the podcast.

Old age. While we can all agree everyone is destined for it, we can’t quite seem to reach a consensus as to when we’ve arrived. AARP tells us we’ve earned senior status at 50. But, if you’re looking for that discount on a cup of coffee at McDonald’s, you’re out of luck until you reach 55. Burger King completely disagrees and won’t discount your fries until you’re 60. White Castle draws the line at an oddly designated 62. And, Taco Bell weighs in with Medicare, reserving old age for 65. However, Social Security plans to prolong your youth (and your retirement fund) by pushing old age off until 67. And, while this may be confusing to most – it is certainly not confusing in the slightest to an alarming array of swindlers, scam artists, conmen, and abusers who prey on the elderly across the entire age spectrum. To get a better understanding of what’s happening to the elderly in our society – and begin to understand what needs to be addressed to make a positive shift – listen in on Chief Judge Fred Lauten’s conversation with Bob Blancato as they take a deep dive into what it means to be elderly and at-risk in America. Let us know what you think about the podcast.

Everyone is on social media. You. Your best friend. Your best friend’s kid. Even your 80 year old grandmother. Then there’s your favorite taco joint, hair stylist, dry cleaner, mechanic, clothing brand, music band. And, don’t forget the company you work for, the city you live in, and the bank that cashes your paycheck. Quite literally, everyone. Even us – and you should totally be following us too! However, even though everyone is on social media, not everyone engages with the various platforms the same way. Listen in on Chief Judge Fred Lauten’s conversation with Kristy Dalton as they talk about the government sector’s foray into the social media world, why a government online presence is important, and how the inherent nature of the judicial system impacts how it connects with the community.

Everyone is on social media. You. Your best friend. Your best friend’s kid. Even your 80 year old grandmother. Then there’s your favorite taco joint, hair stylist, dry cleaner, mechanic, clothing brand, music band. And, don’t forget the company you work for, the city you live in, and the bank that cashes your paycheck. Quite literally, everyone. Even us – and you should totally be following us too! However, even though everyone is on social media, not everyone engages with the various platforms the same way. Listen in on Chief Judge Fred Lauten’s conversation with Kristy Dalton as they talk about the government sector’s foray into the social media world, why a government online presence is important, and how the inherent nature of the judicial system impacts how it connects with the community.

Pulitzer Prize winning author, Gilbert King, joins Chief Judge Fred Lauten to take us back to 1950’s Lake County, Florida. The setting for both Mr. King’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel, Devil in the Grove, and his newest novel, Beneath a Ruthless Sun, Lake County is home to Sherriff Willis McCall and a past rife with racial injustice, violence, and corruption. Listen in as we explore the ugly side of our region’s history, the impact it has had on our legal system, and the importance of understanding this history as a necessary step for lasting social change. Let us know what you think about the podcast.

How difficult is it to design a courthouse you may ask? Considering there’s a host of factors that influence its design – including complicated security needs and changing, heavy traffic flow patterns – there’s certainly more to it than meets the eye. In this episode of Open Ninth, Michael LeBeouf and Chief Judge Fred Lauten discuss the $185 million budget and ten years spent planning and building one of Orlando’s most photographed landmarks – the Orange County Courthouse. Tune in to hear Michael address some rumors surrounding the construction and design of the courthouse, such as whether the building’s height was purposely kept shorter than the downtown SunTrust building or whether the building’s design was somewhat modeled after Disney World? Get the answers to these questions and much more during this fascinating episode. Michael LeBeouf, the lead architectural designer for the Orange and Osceola County Courthouses, grew up in Dayton, Ohio where he graduated from Kent State University. After moving to Orlando, FL in 1985 to join HLM Design, he has been the lead designer in numerous court projects including the Palm Beach County Courthouse. A long-time Seminole County resident, Michael often bikes to his downtown Orlando office when weather permits. Let us know what you think about the podcast.

Michelle Suskauer, the 70th president of the Bar and the sixth woman to hold the office, sat down with Chief Judge Frederick J. Lauten days before her swearing in ceremony in June. Their conversation takes a deep dive into the issues facing both the Bar and the courts - from gender equality to mental health and wellness, low-bono access to legislative funding, bail reform to the Criminal Justice Summit. Listen in as they discuss her vision for the Bar, the legal profession, and the administration of justice. Let us know what you think about the podcast.

Michelle Suskauer, the 70th president of the Bar and the sixth woman to hold the office, sat down with Chief Judge Frederick J. Lauten days before her swearing in ceremony in June. Their conversation takes a deep dive into the issues facing both the Bar and the courts - from gender equality to mental health and wellness, low-bono access to legislative funding, bail reform to the Criminal Justice Summit. Listen in as they discuss her vision for the Bar, the legal profession, and the administration of justice. Let us know what you think about the podcast.