J. Kevin Abdoney
J. Kevin Abdoney
District: County Judge
Comments
Article
By JASON GEARY
THE LEDGER
Many lawyers described J. Kevin Abdoney as a rookie judge working hard to improve himself, according to The Ledger's biennial survey of local lawyers.
For his debut on the survey, Abdoney ranked third among 10 county judges with an overall rating of 7.63 out of 10.
He nearly established a tie for second place with Judge Reinaldo J. Ojeda, who secured an overall rating of 7.64.
Abdoney's strongest individual category was a rating of 7.88 for professional conduct. His lowest rating was 7.34 for written decisions.
Some lawyers praised Abdoney's listening ability.
'Quiet but intelligent and decisive,' a lawyer wrote. 'Could fit well on circuit bench.'
'This guy is taking off like a rocket รณ our best county court judge by far,' one wrote.
'Young but up and coming,' offered another. 'Seems to be really enjoying what he is doing.'
'He is trying and will improve,' one wrote.
One lawyer criticized Abdoney for being 'too concerned with everyone's feelings, needs to focus on running a more efficient courtroom.'
Abdoney said he strives to both run an efficient courtroom and to give all parties a chance to be heard.
The judge said he was heartened to hear some lawyers felt he was improving.
'I am certainly pleased to hear some of the comments,' he said.
Abdoney, 39, was appointed in August 2008 by Gov. Charlie Crist. He is up for election this year.
He earned his law degree from Cumberland School of Law, Samford University in Birmingham, Ala.
He has served as an assistant public defender and an assistant state attorney, as well as working in private practice.
He and his wife, Shannan, have two children and live in Lakeland.
| 2010 Overall | Legal Ability | Communication Ability | Written Decisions | Professional Conduct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.63 | 7.51 | 7.76 | 7.34 | 7.88 |
Comments
Getting better.
Overall an excellent judge.
Good candidate for circuit.
Young judge doing good job.
Needs to either become a law professor or go back to being a defense attorney.
Too concerned with everyone's feelings, needs to focus on running a more efficient courtroom.
Good judge.
Great judge.
This guy is taking off like a rocket - our best county court judge by far.
Greatest county judge.
Shows it's who you know, not what you know.
Good beginning to his work as a judge. Willing to listen and learn.
Rookie. Needs experience.
Quiet but intelligent and decisive. Could fit well on circuit bench.
He is already proving himself as a county court judge - a great listener.
Young but up and coming. Seems to be really enjoying what he is doing.
Very thoughtful; going to be a good judge for a long time.
He is trying and will improve.
Overall an excellent judge.
Good candidate for circuit.
Young judge doing good job.
Needs to either become a law professor or go back to being a defense attorney.
Too concerned with everyone's feelings, needs to focus on running a more efficient courtroom.
Good judge.
Great judge.
This guy is taking off like a rocket - our best county court judge by far.
Greatest county judge.
Shows it's who you know, not what you know.
Good beginning to his work as a judge. Willing to listen and learn.
Rookie. Needs experience.
Quiet but intelligent and decisive. Could fit well on circuit bench.
He is already proving himself as a county court judge - a great listener.
Young but up and coming. Seems to be really enjoying what he is doing.
Very thoughtful; going to be a good judge for a long time.
He is trying and will improve.
Article
By JASON GEARY
THE LEDGER
Many lawyers described J. Kevin Abdoney as a rookie judge working hard to improve himself, according to The Ledger's biennial survey of local lawyers.
For his debut on the survey, Abdoney ranked third among 10 county judges with an overall rating of 7.63 out of 10.
He nearly established a tie for second place with Judge Reinaldo J. Ojeda, who secured an overall rating of 7.64.
Abdoney's strongest individual category was a rating of 7.88 for professional conduct. His lowest rating was 7.34 for written decisions.
Some lawyers praised Abdoney's listening ability.
'Quiet but intelligent and decisive,' a lawyer wrote. 'Could fit well on circuit bench.'
'This guy is taking off like a rocket รณ our best county court judge by far,' one wrote.
'Young but up and coming,' offered another. 'Seems to be really enjoying what he is doing.'
'He is trying and will improve,' one wrote.
One lawyer criticized Abdoney for being 'too concerned with everyone's feelings, needs to focus on running a more efficient courtroom.'
Abdoney said he strives to both run an efficient courtroom and to give all parties a chance to be heard.
The judge said he was heartened to hear some lawyers felt he was improving.
'I am certainly pleased to hear some of the comments,' he said.
Abdoney, 39, was appointed in August 2008 by Gov. Charlie Crist. He is up for election this year.
He earned his law degree from Cumberland School of Law, Samford University in Birmingham, Ala.
He has served as an assistant public defender and an assistant state attorney, as well as working in private practice.
He and his wife, Shannan, have two children and live in Lakeland.