Mary Catherine Green
Mary Catherine Green
District: County Judge
Comments
Article
By SUZIE SCHOTTELKOTTE
THE LEDGER
After more than a decade on the bench, County Judge Mary Catherine Green is hitting her stride, lawyers responding to a Ledger survey said.
Her ranking jumped from eighth two years ago to fifth of 10 county judges in this survey, and her rating soared from 6.83 to 7.43.
For years, lawyers ranked Green near the bottom of the survey, praising her demeanor on the bench while criticizing her legal ability.
But not this time.
'Improving with time,' one lawyer wrote. 'I'd like to see her on the circuit bench.'
Another said 'A truly considerate and respectful judge รณ makes a great effort to be fair.'
'Runs a great courtroom, just like her father,' a lawyer said.
Green, 48, is the daughter of Oliver Green, a retired circuit and appellate judge. She has a bachelor's in English from the University of Florida, a master's degree in creative writing from the University of South Florida and a law degree from Louisiana State University.
In this year's survey, she received her highest rating in professional conduct and activities, with an 8.24, and her lowest score came in legal ability, with a 6.92.
While most lawyers lauded her in their comments, but a few criticized her.
'Is afraid to make decisions without consulting another judge,' one said.
'She has improved, however not the best judge,' another wrote. 'She's a better person than she is a judge.'
Green said she appreciates the lawyers' comments.
'The 10th Circuit is the best in the state because of the people who serve the courts and the public,' she said.
Green worked as a prosecutor for three years before running for election in 1998 to the county bench. She took office in January 1999. She is up for election this year.
She and her husband, Russell Janutolo, live in Lakeland with their 8-year-old daughter, Margaret.
| 2010 Overall | Legal Ability | Communication Ability | Written Decisions | Professional Conduct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.43 | 6.92 | 7.41 | 7.14 | 8.24 |
Comments
Asset to the bench like her dad.
A wonderful person, but still has a bias in favor of the state in criminal matters.
Never interrupts counsel; listens to both sides fairly and impartially. Makes sure each defendant has his/her "say in court" and doesn't dispense justice in haste.
"Chip off the old block."
Very polite.
Runs a great courtroom just like her father.
Needs to lose the mother hen attitude.
Really tries hard, but just does not have a real understanding of the law.
Improving with time/each year. I'd like to see her in circuit court.
An absolute pleasure to be in front of.
A great person.
Judge Green is doing her best.
A truly considerate and respectful judge - makes great effort to be fair.
Is afraid to make decisions without consulting another judge or her father.
Needs to focus on her docket rather than all of her semi-social activities.
Another good judge lost to administration.
She is very bright and has come a long way since she became a judge. Is a bit too tolerent of pro se litigants. She always gives them the benefit of doubt.
Judge Green has shown constant improvement since being elected.
Has matured nicely on the bench.
Just OK, not great.
Very nice. Not a very good judge.
She has improved, however not the best judge. She's a better person than she is a judge.
A wonderful person, but still has a bias in favor of the state in criminal matters.
Never interrupts counsel; listens to both sides fairly and impartially. Makes sure each defendant has his/her "say in court" and doesn't dispense justice in haste.
"Chip off the old block."
Very polite.
Runs a great courtroom just like her father.
Needs to lose the mother hen attitude.
Really tries hard, but just does not have a real understanding of the law.
Improving with time/each year. I'd like to see her in circuit court.
An absolute pleasure to be in front of.
A great person.
Judge Green is doing her best.
A truly considerate and respectful judge - makes great effort to be fair.
Is afraid to make decisions without consulting another judge or her father.
Needs to focus on her docket rather than all of her semi-social activities.
Another good judge lost to administration.
She is very bright and has come a long way since she became a judge. Is a bit too tolerent of pro se litigants. She always gives them the benefit of doubt.
Judge Green has shown constant improvement since being elected.
Has matured nicely on the bench.
Just OK, not great.
Very nice. Not a very good judge.
She has improved, however not the best judge. She's a better person than she is a judge.
Article
By SUZIE SCHOTTELKOTTE
THE LEDGER
After more than a decade on the bench, County Judge Mary Catherine Green is hitting her stride, lawyers responding to a Ledger survey said.
Her ranking jumped from eighth two years ago to fifth of 10 county judges in this survey, and her rating soared from 6.83 to 7.43.
For years, lawyers ranked Green near the bottom of the survey, praising her demeanor on the bench while criticizing her legal ability.
But not this time.
'Improving with time,' one lawyer wrote. 'I'd like to see her on the circuit bench.'
Another said 'A truly considerate and respectful judge รณ makes a great effort to be fair.'
'Runs a great courtroom, just like her father,' a lawyer said.
Green, 48, is the daughter of Oliver Green, a retired circuit and appellate judge. She has a bachelor's in English from the University of Florida, a master's degree in creative writing from the University of South Florida and a law degree from Louisiana State University.
In this year's survey, she received her highest rating in professional conduct and activities, with an 8.24, and her lowest score came in legal ability, with a 6.92.
While most lawyers lauded her in their comments, but a few criticized her.
'Is afraid to make decisions without consulting another judge,' one said.
'She has improved, however not the best judge,' another wrote. 'She's a better person than she is a judge.'
Green said she appreciates the lawyers' comments.
'The 10th Circuit is the best in the state because of the people who serve the courts and the public,' she said.
Green worked as a prosecutor for three years before running for election in 1998 to the county bench. She took office in January 1999. She is up for election this year.
She and her husband, Russell Janutolo, live in Lakeland with their 8-year-old daughter, Margaret.
District: County Judge
Comments
Article
By JEREMY MAREADY
The Ledger
Mary Catherine Green's rating among local lawyers continued to improve with this year's survey results.
Green, assigned as an administrative judge, ranked eighth among the 10 county judges with an overall score of 6.83 out of 10.
This year's rating is the highest since Green was elected a county judge in 1998. Her lowest overall score was 5.02 in 2000.
In 2006, Green ranked sixth among the county's seven judges at the time, with an overall score of 6.76.
In this year's survey, Green's strongest individual category was a 7.65 for professional conduct. Her lowest score continued to be in the legal ability category, where lawyers scored her at a 6.34.
Green's courtroom personality was described as "a breath of fresh air," "polite" and professional" in comments from lawyers.
However, some criticized her as being too emotional and letting her fear of offending people cloud her judgment.
Others critique Green based on her father's judicial legacy. Oliver Green served as a circuit judge before becoming a judge on the 2nd District Court of Appeal in Lakeland.
"Has improved tremendously these past few years," one lawyer wrote. "I expect her to exceed her illustrious father one day as a judge."
But another said Green "was unprepared to be a judge and hasn't improved.''
Green didn't comment on the survey.
Green, 46, is a 1986 graduate of the Louisiana State University School of Law. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of Florida in 1982 and a master's degree from Florida State University in 1996.
Green has been an assistant state attorney, a legislative analyst for the Florida Senate and a staff lawyer for the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee.
Her current term expires in 2010.
Green lives in Lakeland. She is married and has one child.
| 2008 Overall | Legal Ability | Communication Ability | Written Decisions | Professional Conduct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.83 | 6.34 | 6.86 | 6.46 | 7.65 |
Comments
Mary Catherine Green
A breath of fresh air.
Always polite and takes time to hear argument.
Always tries to do the right thing.
Confused about some parts of the law; always kind.
Constantly works to improve; gets better every year.
Genuinely concerned for people who have to come before her; growing better.
Getting better, tries hard; not there yet.
Good supporter of legal education and commits time to it.
Has demonstrated patience and courtesy on the bench; has contributed to professional relations in the circuit.
Has grown beautifully into the job; great respect for lawyer's time; very courteous.
Has improved tremendously these past few years; I expect her to exceed her illustrious father one day as a
judge
Is a hard worker; chill out
No one tries harder than she.
Somewhat emotional; sometimes lets her fear of offending people cloud her judgment.
Very professional.
A breath of fresh air.
Always polite and takes time to hear argument.
Always tries to do the right thing.
Confused about some parts of the law; always kind.
Constantly works to improve; gets better every year.
Genuinely concerned for people who have to come before her; growing better.
Getting better, tries hard; not there yet.
Good supporter of legal education and commits time to it.
Has demonstrated patience and courtesy on the bench; has contributed to professional relations in the circuit.
Has grown beautifully into the job; great respect for lawyer's time; very courteous.
Has improved tremendously these past few years; I expect her to exceed her illustrious father one day as a
judge
Is a hard worker; chill out
No one tries harder than she.
Somewhat emotional; sometimes lets her fear of offending people cloud her judgment.
Very professional.
Article
By JEREMY MAREADY
The Ledger
Mary Catherine Green's rating among local lawyers continued to improve with this year's survey results.
Green, assigned as an administrative judge, ranked eighth among the 10 county judges with an overall score of 6.83 out of 10.
This year's rating is the highest since Green was elected a county judge in 1998. Her lowest overall score was 5.02 in 2000.
In 2006, Green ranked sixth among the county's seven judges at the time, with an overall score of 6.76.
In this year's survey, Green's strongest individual category was a 7.65 for professional conduct. Her lowest score continued to be in the legal ability category, where lawyers scored her at a 6.34.
Green's courtroom personality was described as "a breath of fresh air," "polite" and professional" in comments from lawyers.
However, some criticized her as being too emotional and letting her fear of offending people cloud her judgment.
Others critique Green based on her father's judicial legacy. Oliver Green served as a circuit judge before becoming a judge on the 2nd District Court of Appeal in Lakeland.
"Has improved tremendously these past few years," one lawyer wrote. "I expect her to exceed her illustrious father one day as a judge."
But another said Green "was unprepared to be a judge and hasn't improved.''
Green didn't comment on the survey.
Green, 46, is a 1986 graduate of the Louisiana State University School of Law. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of Florida in 1982 and a master's degree from Florida State University in 1996.
Green has been an assistant state attorney, a legislative analyst for the Florida Senate and a staff lawyer for the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee.
Her current term expires in 2010.
Green lives in Lakeland. She is married and has one child.