Randall McDonald
Randall McDonald
District: Circuit Judge
Comments
Article
By SUZIE SCHOTTELKOTTE
THE LEDGER
As in years past, Circuit Judge Randall McDonald remained solidly among the middle pack of judges in The Ledger's biannual survey of lawyers, where he ranked 12th among the 28 circuit judges.
Lawyers gave him a 7.58 rating, nearly mirroring his 2008 score of 7.56.
McDonald is retiring June 30 after 34 years on the bench, so many Polk County lawyers have practiced in his courtroom at one time or another. Some said he's a little too relaxed on the bench, but most praise his tenure and say they hate to see him go.
"Well-reasoned decisions," one wrote. "Courteous to litigants and public."
McDonald, 62, received his highest marks in professional conduct, with a 7.94, and his lowest rating in written decision, with a 7.26.
He declined comment for this report.
McDonald joined the bench in 1976, when he was elected to the county court. He was elected a circuit judge in 1980 and has as served in that capacity since January 1981.
He received his law degree from Stetson University School of Law. He worked in private practice for four years before joining the judiciary.
He lives in Lakeland with his wife, Johnnie. They have two sons, including David McDonald, who serves as a lawyer for the Guardian ad Litem program.
| 2010 Overall | Legal Ability | Communication Ability | Written Decisions | Professional Conduct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.58 | 7.44 | 7.68 | 7.26 | 7.94 |
Comments
Will miss him.
Has had a wonderful career.
Well reasoned decisions. Courteous to litigants and public.
Maybe too laid back.
Hate to lose a good judge.
Old school, great easy going judge.
Slow.
Wonderful judge.
Has done well for many years.
Fair and practical.
Glad he is finally retiring. Laziest judge on the bench.
Displays exquisite self-control.
Didn't he retire five years ago?
Long, distinguished career. He's retiring soon.
Needs to retire. Over the hill and overturned way too many times.
Has had a wonderful career.
Well reasoned decisions. Courteous to litigants and public.
Maybe too laid back.
Hate to lose a good judge.
Old school, great easy going judge.
Slow.
Wonderful judge.
Has done well for many years.
Fair and practical.
Glad he is finally retiring. Laziest judge on the bench.
Displays exquisite self-control.
Didn't he retire five years ago?
Long, distinguished career. He's retiring soon.
Needs to retire. Over the hill and overturned way too many times.
Article
By SUZIE SCHOTTELKOTTE
THE LEDGER
As in years past, Circuit Judge Randall McDonald remained solidly among the middle pack of judges in The Ledger's biannual survey of lawyers, where he ranked 12th among the 28 circuit judges.
Lawyers gave him a 7.58 rating, nearly mirroring his 2008 score of 7.56.
McDonald is retiring June 30 after 34 years on the bench, so many Polk County lawyers have practiced in his courtroom at one time or another. Some said he's a little too relaxed on the bench, but most praise his tenure and say they hate to see him go.
"Well-reasoned decisions," one wrote. "Courteous to litigants and public."
McDonald, 62, received his highest marks in professional conduct, with a 7.94, and his lowest rating in written decision, with a 7.26.
He declined comment for this report.
McDonald joined the bench in 1976, when he was elected to the county court. He was elected a circuit judge in 1980 and has as served in that capacity since January 1981.
He received his law degree from Stetson University School of Law. He worked in private practice for four years before joining the judiciary.
He lives in Lakeland with his wife, Johnnie. They have two sons, including David McDonald, who serves as a lawyer for the Guardian ad Litem program.
District: Circuit Judge
Comments
Article
By ERIC PERA
THE LEDGER
Closing in on 32 years on the bench, Randall McDonald maintained an edge over most of the 25 circuit judges in this year's survey, placing ninth overall with a rating of 7.56 out of 10.
Two years ago, he ranked 12th of 25 judges.
Despite the high ratings, some comments hinted at McDonald's longevity, but not in a flattering fashion.
"Biding time until retirement," one lawyer said. "Won't die of overworking," said another.
He scored highest, 7.97, for professional conduct and lowest, 7.2, for written decisions.
Lawyers praised his courteous demeanor: "He's anxious to do the right thing for kids in the system," one said. "Still a solid judge and personable as ever," said another.
"Steady, predictable, middle of the road," said another.
McDonald, assigned to the Juvenile Division, did not respond to a request for comment.
He graduated from Stetson University School of Law in 1973 and was elected to the county bench in 1976 and to the circuit bench in 1980. His current term expires in 2010.
McDonald, 60, and his wife, Johnnie, have two sons.
| 2008 Overall | Legal Ability | Communication Ability | Written Decisions | Professional Conduct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.56 | 7.40 | 7.66 | 7.20 | 7.97 |
Comments
Randall McDonald
Excellent judge.
Fair minded; makes great rulings! Good all around judge.
Has become invisible at the bench.
He's anxious to do the right thing for kids in the system; he listens and he's reasonable.
Lackluster.
Nice man and courteous; could be more decisive.
Poor judge.
Runs DUI/Drug court efficiently.
Steady, predictable, middle of the road.
Still a solid judge, and personable as ever.
Excellent judge.
Fair minded; makes great rulings! Good all around judge.
Has become invisible at the bench.
He's anxious to do the right thing for kids in the system; he listens and he's reasonable.
Lackluster.
Nice man and courteous; could be more decisive.
Poor judge.
Runs DUI/Drug court efficiently.
Steady, predictable, middle of the road.
Still a solid judge, and personable as ever.
Article
By ERIC PERA
THE LEDGER
Closing in on 32 years on the bench, Randall McDonald maintained an edge over most of the 25 circuit judges in this year's survey, placing ninth overall with a rating of 7.56 out of 10.
Two years ago, he ranked 12th of 25 judges.
Despite the high ratings, some comments hinted at McDonald's longevity, but not in a flattering fashion.
"Biding time until retirement," one lawyer said. "Won't die of overworking," said another.
He scored highest, 7.97, for professional conduct and lowest, 7.2, for written decisions.
Lawyers praised his courteous demeanor: "He's anxious to do the right thing for kids in the system," one said. "Still a solid judge and personable as ever," said another.
"Steady, predictable, middle of the road," said another.
McDonald, assigned to the Juvenile Division, did not respond to a request for comment.
He graduated from Stetson University School of Law in 1973 and was elected to the county bench in 1976 and to the circuit bench in 1980. His current term expires in 2010.
McDonald, 60, and his wife, Johnnie, have two sons.