Beth Harlan
Beth Harlan
District: County Judge
Comments
Article
By JASON GEARY
THE LEDGER
Beth Harlan seized the top spot among her 10 fellow county judges, according to The Ledger's biennial survey of local lawyers.
Her overall rating was 7.72 out of 10. Her highest individual category was 8.01 for professional conduct. Her lowest was 7.59 for legal ability.
Harlan ranked second out of 10 county judges in 2008. Her overall score was slightly higher back then, 7.81, when she was only surpassed by Michael E. Raiden, who has since moved to the circuit bench.
Some lawyers praised Harlan for being 'tough under pressure' with a demeanor that's 'very pleasant' and 'friendly.'
'Excellent ability and temperament,' wrote one person. 'She is going to be one of the best.'
A few said Harlan was ready to move to the circuit bench.
'Super personality and demeanor,' one wrote. 'Should be a circuit judge as she has invaluable experience in family law.'
Criticism included some from a lawyer who called her 'a social worker, not a judge' and another described her as 'liberal in applying the law.'
Harlan said her goal as a judge is to simply follow the law and said she strives to do so.
'I don't view my job as being an advocate for one way or another,' she said.
Harlan graduated from the University of Florida's law school in 1981.
Before becoming a judge, she worked as an assistant attorney general and assistant county attorney. She also spent about eight years in private practice.
The 51-year-old Lakeland resident is married and has two adult sons.
| 2010 Overall | Legal Ability | Communication Ability | Written Decisions | Professional Conduct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.72 | 7.59 | 7.65 | 7.64 | 8.01 |
Comments
Fair minded; still was a judge while battling cancer.
An excellent judge.
"Tough under fire." Stretches to have a heart. Patient under pressure.
Very pleasant judge to work with, but some legal rulings have been questionable.
Excellent judge. Send her to circuit.
Tries to do the right thing.
Liberal in applying the law.
She is awesome. Fair and friendly.
She's been very sick. Writes great orders and gets big decisions right. Still makes some good rulings.
Excellent ability and temperament. She is going to be one of the best.
Schedules trials around her times to go shopping. Will not follow the law unless being video taped.
Good disposition. She is ready to move up to Circuit Court.
Character and experience - has a bright future.
Super personality and demeanor. Should be a circuit judge as she has invaluable experience in family law.
Has abused position to demean pro se litigants. Power of position may have "gone to her head."
Social worker, not a judge.
Middle of the road on many things. Not very good at anything.
An excellent judge.
"Tough under fire." Stretches to have a heart. Patient under pressure.
Very pleasant judge to work with, but some legal rulings have been questionable.
Excellent judge. Send her to circuit.
Tries to do the right thing.
Liberal in applying the law.
She is awesome. Fair and friendly.
She's been very sick. Writes great orders and gets big decisions right. Still makes some good rulings.
Excellent ability and temperament. She is going to be one of the best.
Schedules trials around her times to go shopping. Will not follow the law unless being video taped.
Good disposition. She is ready to move up to Circuit Court.
Character and experience - has a bright future.
Super personality and demeanor. Should be a circuit judge as she has invaluable experience in family law.
Has abused position to demean pro se litigants. Power of position may have "gone to her head."
Social worker, not a judge.
Middle of the road on many things. Not very good at anything.
Article
By JASON GEARY
THE LEDGER
Beth Harlan seized the top spot among her 10 fellow county judges, according to The Ledger's biennial survey of local lawyers.
Her overall rating was 7.72 out of 10. Her highest individual category was 8.01 for professional conduct. Her lowest was 7.59 for legal ability.
Harlan ranked second out of 10 county judges in 2008. Her overall score was slightly higher back then, 7.81, when she was only surpassed by Michael E. Raiden, who has since moved to the circuit bench.
Some lawyers praised Harlan for being 'tough under pressure' with a demeanor that's 'very pleasant' and 'friendly.'
'Excellent ability and temperament,' wrote one person. 'She is going to be one of the best.'
A few said Harlan was ready to move to the circuit bench.
'Super personality and demeanor,' one wrote. 'Should be a circuit judge as she has invaluable experience in family law.'
Criticism included some from a lawyer who called her 'a social worker, not a judge' and another described her as 'liberal in applying the law.'
Harlan said her goal as a judge is to simply follow the law and said she strives to do so.
'I don't view my job as being an advocate for one way or another,' she said.
Harlan graduated from the University of Florida's law school in 1981.
Before becoming a judge, she worked as an assistant attorney general and assistant county attorney. She also spent about eight years in private practice.
The 51-year-old Lakeland resident is married and has two adult sons.
District: County Judge
Comments
Article
By KYLE KENNEDY
The Ledger
Beth Harlan made a strong debut in the 2008 poll, ranking second out of 10 county judges.
Harlan, appointed to County Court in June 2006, was praised by poll respondents for her intelligence, fairness, work ethic and interpersonal skills. She scored highest in professional conduct with a 7.95. Her lowest score was a 7.57 in written decisions.
"Bright and hardworking; great people skills and will get better with time," remarked one lawyer.
"Fair to all," another said, while others described her as "committed" and "courteous."
"Jeb Bush's best pick," said one respondent.
Criticisms were few, but one lawyer said Harlan is "too easy on multiple DUI offenders."
Another referred to Harlan's bout with cancer: "Everyone wishes her a speedy recovery, however, her illness has kept her away from her duties long enough that it may be time for her to step aside as (Circuit) Judge (Susan) Roberts has."
Harlan said she is in recovery and does not plan to resign.
"I know I've missed some time lately, but I work hard and try to do the right things for the right reasons," she said.
Harlan said she agrees with most of the poll responses and her individual scores.
"Written decisions are my weakness, because I ponder things more than I should," she said. "I appreciate the positive comments and will try to get better."
A native of Winter Haven, Harlan graduated from the University of Florida's law school in 1981 and previously served as an assistant attorney general and assistant county attorney. She spent about eight years in private practice. She is up for election this year.
Harlan, 49, lives in Lakeland. She is married and has two adult sons.
| 2008 Overall | Legal Ability | Communication Ability | Written Decisions | Professional Conduct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.81 | 7.78 | 7.93 | 7.57 | 7.95 |
Comments
Beth Harlan
Another great addition to the county bench; I wish her well.
Better all the time.
Bright and hardworking; great people skills and will get better with time.
Bright, excellent people skills, even-handed.
Committed; hardworking; smart.
Doing a super job; get well soon.
Fair minded.
Fair to all.
Good judge, even when she is wrong.
Great person; great job.
Has become an excellent judge! Jeb Bush's best pick.
Should already be on the circuit bench.
Too easy on multiple DUI offenders.
Very courteous; tries very hard to do the right thing; is still very new but gets better every day.
Very hardworking.
Very polite, happy to be on the bench.
Another great addition to the county bench; I wish her well.
Better all the time.
Bright and hardworking; great people skills and will get better with time.
Bright, excellent people skills, even-handed.
Committed; hardworking; smart.
Doing a super job; get well soon.
Fair minded.
Fair to all.
Good judge, even when she is wrong.
Great person; great job.
Has become an excellent judge! Jeb Bush's best pick.
Should already be on the circuit bench.
Too easy on multiple DUI offenders.
Very courteous; tries very hard to do the right thing; is still very new but gets better every day.
Very hardworking.
Very polite, happy to be on the bench.
Article
By KYLE KENNEDY
The Ledger
Beth Harlan made a strong debut in the 2008 poll, ranking second out of 10 county judges.
Harlan, appointed to County Court in June 2006, was praised by poll respondents for her intelligence, fairness, work ethic and interpersonal skills. She scored highest in professional conduct with a 7.95. Her lowest score was a 7.57 in written decisions.
"Bright and hardworking; great people skills and will get better with time," remarked one lawyer.
"Fair to all," another said, while others described her as "committed" and "courteous."
"Jeb Bush's best pick," said one respondent.
Criticisms were few, but one lawyer said Harlan is "too easy on multiple DUI offenders."
Another referred to Harlan's bout with cancer: "Everyone wishes her a speedy recovery, however, her illness has kept her away from her duties long enough that it may be time for her to step aside as (Circuit) Judge (Susan) Roberts has."
Harlan said she is in recovery and does not plan to resign.
"I know I've missed some time lately, but I work hard and try to do the right things for the right reasons," she said.
Harlan said she agrees with most of the poll responses and her individual scores.
"Written decisions are my weakness, because I ponder things more than I should," she said. "I appreciate the positive comments and will try to get better."
A native of Winter Haven, Harlan graduated from the University of Florida's law school in 1981 and previously served as an assistant attorney general and assistant county attorney. She spent about eight years in private practice. She is up for election this year.
Harlan, 49, lives in Lakeland. She is married and has two adult sons.