Ellen S. Masters
Ellen S. Masters
District: Circuit Judge
Comments
Article
By JASON GEARY
THE LEDGER
Judge Ellen S. Masters took second place again in The Ledger's biennial survey of local lawyers. Her overall rating was 8.46 out of 10.
In 2008, Masters was also ranked second among 25 circuit judges with an overall rating of 8.30.
Her highest individual category this year was 8.64 for professional conduct. Her lowest was 8.29 for written decisions.
Masters and fellow Circuit Judge Donald Jacobsen applied to fill a vacancy on the 2nd District Court of Appeal. Both were finalists but were passed over for the spot.
A few lawyers commented that Masters would be a nice fit as an appellate judge.
"I know she wants to be an appellate judge, but I hope we don't lose her, as she is an excellent trial judge," one wrote.
Some used words like smart, objective, dignified, efficient, fair and class act to describe her.
A few were critical, calling her "mean-spirited" and a "conservative robot."
Two comments accused Masters of focusing too much on minute procedural rules.
"Sometimes gets so bogged down in procedure that she misses the big picture," a person wrote.
Masters said she would consider the feedback.
"I am very pleased by the positives ones," she said. "Of course, I am disappointed by the negative."
Masters, 51, earned her law degree from Stetson University's School of Law in 1989.
She was appointed to the county bench by Gov. Jeb Bush in 1999 and then to the circuit bench in 2002.
She is up for election this year.
She and her husband, Buddy, live in Eagle Lake and have two grown sons.
| 2010 Overall | Legal Ability | Communication Ability | Written Decisions | Professional Conduct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.46 | 8.49 | 8.41 | 8.29 | 8.64 |
Comments
Very professional and serious but fair.
An excellent candidate for the 2nd District Court of Appeal.
Outstanding judge on all categories. Always prepared. Listens to all evidence. Very fair.
Decisive, efficient, intelligent, fair.
Good judge.
Needs a shot of courage.
Follows the law.
Smart, needs to go on the DCA.
Excellent. Sometimes gets so bogged down in procedure that she misses the big picture.
Improving.
Common sense; fair.
She "fixes" what isn't broken effectively breaking it. Her focus on even the most minute procedural rules slows everything down and dogs dockets. Her legal ability is great - but her unwillingness to bend any rule interferes with achieving equity and jus
Excellent judge, fair and objective.
I get the sense she makes up her mind before cases are fully tried.
Very dignified. Listens to both parties and considers what they are saying to try and fashion a just outcome.
Hope the governor lets her stay.
I know she wants to be an appellate judge but I hope we don't lose her as she is an excellent trial judge.
Would make a great 2d DCA judge.
Mean spirited, not impartial, bully.
Bright, good demeanor; sometimes too "political."
Technically precise. Ambitious. Competent. Very smart and generally fair.
Highly competent judicial technician.
Excellent judge.
Super judge. Listens and rules.
The best we have.
Excellent job.
Judge Masters is lovely. She knows the law and the local attorneys.
A class act!
Professional.
Too much of a conservative robot. Where is the robe of equity and judging.
An excellent candidate for the 2nd District Court of Appeal.
Outstanding judge on all categories. Always prepared. Listens to all evidence. Very fair.
Decisive, efficient, intelligent, fair.
Good judge.
Needs a shot of courage.
Follows the law.
Smart, needs to go on the DCA.
Excellent. Sometimes gets so bogged down in procedure that she misses the big picture.
Improving.
Common sense; fair.
She "fixes" what isn't broken effectively breaking it. Her focus on even the most minute procedural rules slows everything down and dogs dockets. Her legal ability is great - but her unwillingness to bend any rule interferes with achieving equity and jus
Excellent judge, fair and objective.
I get the sense she makes up her mind before cases are fully tried.
Very dignified. Listens to both parties and considers what they are saying to try and fashion a just outcome.
Hope the governor lets her stay.
I know she wants to be an appellate judge but I hope we don't lose her as she is an excellent trial judge.
Would make a great 2d DCA judge.
Mean spirited, not impartial, bully.
Bright, good demeanor; sometimes too "political."
Technically precise. Ambitious. Competent. Very smart and generally fair.
Highly competent judicial technician.
Excellent judge.
Super judge. Listens and rules.
The best we have.
Excellent job.
Judge Masters is lovely. She knows the law and the local attorneys.
A class act!
Professional.
Too much of a conservative robot. Where is the robe of equity and judging.
Article
By JASON GEARY
THE LEDGER
Judge Ellen S. Masters took second place again in The Ledger's biennial survey of local lawyers. Her overall rating was 8.46 out of 10.
In 2008, Masters was also ranked second among 25 circuit judges with an overall rating of 8.30.
Her highest individual category this year was 8.64 for professional conduct. Her lowest was 8.29 for written decisions.
Masters and fellow Circuit Judge Donald Jacobsen applied to fill a vacancy on the 2nd District Court of Appeal. Both were finalists but were passed over for the spot.
A few lawyers commented that Masters would be a nice fit as an appellate judge.
"I know she wants to be an appellate judge, but I hope we don't lose her, as she is an excellent trial judge," one wrote.
Some used words like smart, objective, dignified, efficient, fair and class act to describe her.
A few were critical, calling her "mean-spirited" and a "conservative robot."
Two comments accused Masters of focusing too much on minute procedural rules.
"Sometimes gets so bogged down in procedure that she misses the big picture," a person wrote.
Masters said she would consider the feedback.
"I am very pleased by the positives ones," she said. "Of course, I am disappointed by the negative."
Masters, 51, earned her law degree from Stetson University's School of Law in 1989.
She was appointed to the county bench by Gov. Jeb Bush in 1999 and then to the circuit bench in 2002.
She is up for election this year.
She and her husband, Buddy, live in Eagle Lake and have two grown sons.
District: Circuit Judge
Comments
Article
By GARY WHITE
The Ledger
Circuit Judge Ellen S. Masters lives up to her name, if the responses from the lawyers who appear before her are any indication.
Masters ranked second among the 25 circuit judges in The Ledger's biennial survey of area lawyers, moving up from fourth in 2004 and third in 2006. She received an overall average rating of 8.30, behind only Circuit Judge Donald Jacobsen.
Those responding rated Masters second in three categories - legal ability, communication ability and written decisions - and third in professional conduct.
One lawyer wrote, "Follows the law, very respectful even when she rules against you."
Others applied such descriptions as "smart," "brilliant" and "a star" to Masters, with one writing, "Too bad she isn't running for president!"
"I'm happy to hear it," Masters said of the assessments. "The business of judging is not conducive to making people happy, so the best I can hope for is the litigant and the lawyer feel they were treated fairly even if they're unhappy with the decision."
Not all of the lawyers praised Masters. One called her "self-satisfied," and another complained she "won't listen to clients and she's just mean!"
"I have to say that one does surprise me," Masters said of the latter description. "It's just the nature of what we're doing that we can't make everybody happy every time. I certainly strive to be not mean, but if my findings come across as mean I certainly don't intend it. I try to be nice even when my findings sound mean."
Masters, 49, grew up in Lakeland and earned an undergraduate degree from the University of South Florida and a law degree in 1989 from Stetson University's School of Law.
After three years on the county bench, she was appointed to the circuit bench in 2002 and elected without opposition in 2004. Her current term expires in 2010.
She and her husband, Buddy, live in Eagle Lake and have two grown children.
| 2008 Overall | Legal Ability | Communication Ability | Written Decisions | Professional Conduct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.30 | 8.31 | 8.37 | 7.99 | 8.54 |
Comments
Ellen S. Masters
A star; getting better every year.
After Don Jacobsen, our finest judge; just as brilliant as ever.
At the top with Don Jacobsen; always very prepared.
Beloved by all.
Excellent judge.
Follows the law, very respectful even when she rules against you.
She must sleep with a rule book under her pillow; one smart lady.
Fair, intelligent, legally knowledgeable and a consumate professional.
Good judge! Fair minded, courteous and professional.
Logical, not very patient, not as knowledgeable as some judges, hardworking.
Excellent judge.
Follows the law, very respectful even when she rules against you.
She cares about what she does.
She is doing a super job; smart and fair.
She will improve with experience; tries hard.
Since her assignment to family law, my biggest disappointment; her decisions are swift but harsh or worse yet,
just plain wrong.
Strong in every category.
The best.
Too bad she isn't running for president!Very bright, good temperament, sometimes tentative.
Very professional.
Excellent, need more like her.
A star; getting better every year.
After Don Jacobsen, our finest judge; just as brilliant as ever.
At the top with Don Jacobsen; always very prepared.
Beloved by all.
Excellent judge.
Follows the law, very respectful even when she rules against you.
She must sleep with a rule book under her pillow; one smart lady.
Fair, intelligent, legally knowledgeable and a consumate professional.
Good judge! Fair minded, courteous and professional.
Logical, not very patient, not as knowledgeable as some judges, hardworking.
Excellent judge.
Follows the law, very respectful even when she rules against you.
She cares about what she does.
She is doing a super job; smart and fair.
She will improve with experience; tries hard.
Since her assignment to family law, my biggest disappointment; her decisions are swift but harsh or worse yet,
just plain wrong.
Strong in every category.
The best.
Too bad she isn't running for president!Very bright, good temperament, sometimes tentative.
Very professional.
Excellent, need more like her.
Article
By GARY WHITE
The Ledger
Circuit Judge Ellen S. Masters lives up to her name, if the responses from the lawyers who appear before her are any indication.
Masters ranked second among the 25 circuit judges in The Ledger's biennial survey of area lawyers, moving up from fourth in 2004 and third in 2006. She received an overall average rating of 8.30, behind only Circuit Judge Donald Jacobsen.
Those responding rated Masters second in three categories - legal ability, communication ability and written decisions - and third in professional conduct.
One lawyer wrote, "Follows the law, very respectful even when she rules against you."
Others applied such descriptions as "smart," "brilliant" and "a star" to Masters, with one writing, "Too bad she isn't running for president!"
"I'm happy to hear it," Masters said of the assessments. "The business of judging is not conducive to making people happy, so the best I can hope for is the litigant and the lawyer feel they were treated fairly even if they're unhappy with the decision."
Not all of the lawyers praised Masters. One called her "self-satisfied," and another complained she "won't listen to clients and she's just mean!"
"I have to say that one does surprise me," Masters said of the latter description. "It's just the nature of what we're doing that we can't make everybody happy every time. I certainly strive to be not mean, but if my findings come across as mean I certainly don't intend it. I try to be nice even when my findings sound mean."
Masters, 49, grew up in Lakeland and earned an undergraduate degree from the University of South Florida and a law degree in 1989 from Stetson University's School of Law.
After three years on the county bench, she was appointed to the circuit bench in 2002 and elected without opposition in 2004. Her current term expires in 2010.
She and her husband, Buddy, live in Eagle Lake and have two grown children.