Open Ninth

Conversations Beyond the Courtroom.

Chief Judges’ Corner

During a pandemic, how does a Chief Judge balance safety and due process in the courts?

Alongside Chief Judges Lisa Davidson of the Eighteenth Circuit and Ellen Masters of the Tenth Circuit, Chief Judge Don Myers explores the biggest challenges that COVID-19 has brought to the Central Florida area. All three Chiefs began their term on the same day in 2019; this gave them an excellent marker to compare both their first year in office and their Circuit's responses to COVID-19 in this in-depth conversation.

Time Stamps

  • 1:30 - Judge Lisa Davidson’s judicial career background
  • 4:15 - Judge Ellen Masters’ judicial career background
  • 9:08 - Tenth Circuit overview - Polk, Highlands, and Hardee Counties
  • 11:13 - Eighteenth Circuit overview - Brevard and Seminole Counties
  • 14:11 - Realizing this pandemic is serious
  • 22:40 - Operational challenges, virtual hearings, and backlogs
  • 26:57 - Safety measures implemented in each Circuit
  • 32:23  Biggest challenges ahead and moving through the phases of reopening
Open Ninth
Episode 112

Conversations Beyond the Courtroom.

Run time 46:03
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Transcript

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In this episode

Circuit Judge Donald A. Myers, Jr.
Donald A. Myers, Jr.

Senior Judge

Senior Judge Donald A. Myers, Jr. served as a Circuit Judge from 2011-2021. He was elected as Chief Judge and started his 2-year term on July 1, 2019.

Lisa Davidson

Chief Judge

Circuit Judge Ellen Masters has served as Chief Judge of the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida since July of 2019.

Ellen S. Masters

Chief Judge

Circuit Judge Ellen Masters has served as Chief Judge of the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida since July of 2019.