Judicial Investitures
February 18, 2009
Two newly elected judges will take the oath of office at 4:00 p.m. Friday, February 20, 2009 at the downtown Orlando Courthouse. The Honorable Kenneth A. Barlow, Jr. and the Honorable N. James Turner will take the judicial oath of office in an Investiture Ceremony that will take place in the Frederick Pfeiffer/Rom Powell Jury Assembly Room. The Investiture Ceremony confers the authority and symbol of the high office. Judge Barlow received his Bachelor’s Degree in English from the University of the South in 1885 and his Juris Doctor from Cumberland School of Law in 1988. Prior to coming to the bench, Judge Barlow worked in criminal practice with the Orlando firm of Jaeger & Blankner, P.A. and served as an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Ninth Circuit. He is a member of both the Florida Bar and the Alabama Bar and is a Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer. Judge Barlow is a former Board Member with the children’s charity, Variety Club of Orlando. He currently teaches at Valencia Community College and remains active in within the community. Regarding his new position, Judge Barlow said, “Although effective use of the Court is always important, and even more so currently with our current budget cuts, the rights of the parties involved in each case must never be steam-rolled by a push for expedience. Every case is important to the parties involved in that case.” Judge Barlow will receive the oath of office from the Honorable John Antoon, II of the United States District Court. Judge Turner earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting with highest honors from Bentley College in 1972 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law, cum laude in 1975. Prior to taking the bench, Judge Turner worked in private practice here in Orlando where he specialized as an employment litigation attorney. He is a Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, a Board Certified Business Litigation Lawyer and a Certified Circuit Court Mediator. Judge Turner is very active in local community programs, is an accomplished author and frequently lectures. He is a Viet Nam Era Veteran and remains active in several local veterans’ associations. In discussing his new role on the court, Judge Turner said, “Having actively campaigned for election for over twelve months, I have had the privilege of meeting and speaking with thousands of citizens of Orange and Osceola Counties. That experience was extremely humbling and enabled me to become more in touch with the priorities and needs of this community.” Judge Turner will receive the oath of office from the Honorable Jacqueline R. Griffin of the Fifth District Court of Appeal.
Members of the media are invited to attend this ceremony. For additional information, please contact Rob Bains, Court Administration at 407-836-0439.
