Robert Doyel
Robert Doyel
District: Circuit Judge
Comments
Article
By SUZIE SCHOTTELKOTTE
THE LEDGER
When he retires from the bench this summer, Circuit Judge Robert Doyel will leave on a consistent note.
Lawyers answering a Ledger survey ranked him 16th among his colleagues on the circuit bench, right where he was two years ago. But his overall rating rose from 7.22 to 7.50 in this survey. At 8.14, he had among the higher ratings for legal ability. His lowest rating came in 7.14 for professional conduct and activities.
Lawyers said he's fussy, particular and can be arrogant, but they also praised his intellect and ability.
"Judge Doyel has curbed his impulsive temper and has grown into a seasoned and comprehensive jurist," a lawyer wrote. "(He's) very able to read people and situations. He will be missed."
Some comments were more critical.
"Very bright," a lawyer said. "Temperament is a problem � can be scary."
Another wrote, "He tries to psychoanalyze all cases and litigants."
Doyel, 64, is retiring July 31 after more than 15 years on the circuit bench.
Since he's retiring, Doyel said he didn't want to comment on the survey results.
"I'll just say I'm grateful to the people of this circuit for allowing me to be a judge," he said.
Doyel joined the bench in 1995 after defeating incumbent Circuit Judge Joe Young in one of Polk County's more notable judicial elections. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Oklahoma, where he also received his law degree. He also holds a master of laws degree and a doctorate of juridical science from the University of Wisconsin.
Before coming to Florida, Doyel taught law school at the University of Mississippi for seven years and counted novelist John Grisham among his students. He also taught law at Mercer University for two years then practiced law in Bartow for seven years before joining the bench.
He and his wife, Chelle, live in Winter Haven.
| 2010 Overall | Legal Ability | Communication Ability | Written Decisions | Professional Conduct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.50 | 8.14 | 7.15 | 7.56 | 7.14 |
Comments
Can be rude and condescending at times; short temper.
As he nears retirement, he has become ever more rude and offensive to everyone he encounters.
Very capable.
Too fussy.
Oddball.
Judge Doyel has curbed his impulsive temper and has grown into a seasoned and comprehensive jurist. Very able to read people and situations. He will be missed.
Very detail oriented. Would make a good judge for assignment to long trials.
We'll miss him in the family law division. He'll say what he thinks … and is usually right!
Tends to be arrogant.
Has the capability to be a great judge.
Knows what he's doing. Sorry to hear he is retiring soon.
Academic.
Too bad he's leaving; he's always been one of my favorites.
Very particular judge. You walk on eggshells around him. A good judge though.
Great family law judge.
Delays way too long in signing orders.
Very stubborn judge, even when mistake about the law.
Can be very slow to sign orders.
We will miss your intellect but not your pomposity.
Very bright. Temperament is a problem … can be scary.
Can't retire soon enough. Impatient and condescending. Belongs at a community college classroom - not the bench
Judiciary vastly improved by his retirement.
Bright man. Overthinks cases and tries to "reinvent" the wheel. Takes too long to rule and is never satisfied with a prepared order. Too emotional.
Tries to psychoanalyze all cases and litigants.
Ignores the law to do what he wants. Fails to recuse himself when he should. Shows favoritism.
Has more ability than he has shown.
Very imperious with lawyers; condescending.
As he nears retirement, he has become ever more rude and offensive to everyone he encounters.
Very capable.
Too fussy.
Oddball.
Judge Doyel has curbed his impulsive temper and has grown into a seasoned and comprehensive jurist. Very able to read people and situations. He will be missed.
Very detail oriented. Would make a good judge for assignment to long trials.
We'll miss him in the family law division. He'll say what he thinks … and is usually right!
Tends to be arrogant.
Has the capability to be a great judge.
Knows what he's doing. Sorry to hear he is retiring soon.
Academic.
Too bad he's leaving; he's always been one of my favorites.
Very particular judge. You walk on eggshells around him. A good judge though.
Great family law judge.
Delays way too long in signing orders.
Very stubborn judge, even when mistake about the law.
Can be very slow to sign orders.
We will miss your intellect but not your pomposity.
Very bright. Temperament is a problem … can be scary.
Can't retire soon enough. Impatient and condescending. Belongs at a community college classroom - not the bench
Judiciary vastly improved by his retirement.
Bright man. Overthinks cases and tries to "reinvent" the wheel. Takes too long to rule and is never satisfied with a prepared order. Too emotional.
Tries to psychoanalyze all cases and litigants.
Ignores the law to do what he wants. Fails to recuse himself when he should. Shows favoritism.
Has more ability than he has shown.
Very imperious with lawyers; condescending.
Article
By SUZIE SCHOTTELKOTTE
THE LEDGER
When he retires from the bench this summer, Circuit Judge Robert Doyel will leave on a consistent note.
Lawyers answering a Ledger survey ranked him 16th among his colleagues on the circuit bench, right where he was two years ago. But his overall rating rose from 7.22 to 7.50 in this survey. At 8.14, he had among the higher ratings for legal ability. His lowest rating came in 7.14 for professional conduct and activities.
Lawyers said he's fussy, particular and can be arrogant, but they also praised his intellect and ability.
"Judge Doyel has curbed his impulsive temper and has grown into a seasoned and comprehensive jurist," a lawyer wrote. "(He's) very able to read people and situations. He will be missed."
Some comments were more critical.
"Very bright," a lawyer said. "Temperament is a problem � can be scary."
Another wrote, "He tries to psychoanalyze all cases and litigants."
Doyel, 64, is retiring July 31 after more than 15 years on the circuit bench.
Since he's retiring, Doyel said he didn't want to comment on the survey results.
"I'll just say I'm grateful to the people of this circuit for allowing me to be a judge," he said.
Doyel joined the bench in 1995 after defeating incumbent Circuit Judge Joe Young in one of Polk County's more notable judicial elections. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Oklahoma, where he also received his law degree. He also holds a master of laws degree and a doctorate of juridical science from the University of Wisconsin.
Before coming to Florida, Doyel taught law school at the University of Mississippi for seven years and counted novelist John Grisham among his students. He also taught law at Mercer University for two years then practiced law in Bartow for seven years before joining the bench.
He and his wife, Chelle, live in Winter Haven.
District: Circuit Judge
Comments
Article
By SUZIE SCHOTTELKOTTE
THE LEDGER
Circuit Judge Robert Doyel tied for the 16th highest rating among the 25 judges included in The Ledger's judicial poll, but his placement by overall score is more middle-of-the-pack than that ranking would suggest. His overall score totaled 7.22, representing a tie with Judge Steven L. Selph.
Two years ago, his score was slightly higher at 7.35, inching him higher among the rankings to 15th among the 25 circuit judges.
Comments on Doyel were split in the most recent poll, with half giving favorable input while the others were more critical.
"Very prepared," one lawyer wrote, "is willing to allow counsel to present all relevant facts and law and gives due consideration to both."
"Very academic," another wrote, "a leader of the bench and Bar."
Other lawyers weren't as complimentary.
"He has become everything he campaigned against in 1994," a lawyer said. "Just because you are smart doesn't give you the right to be snitty."
Doyel said he'd like more insight into the lawyers' comments. "It would be useful to know why some lawyers have a positive perception of me and others see me in an entirely different light," he said.
Doyel, 62, was elected to the Circuit Court in 1994, beginning his first six-year term in January 1995. He received his bachelor's and law degrees from the University of Oklahoma, and his master's and doctorate in law from the University of Wisconsin. Before opening his law practice in Florida in 1987, he taught at the University of Mississippi and Mercer University law schools for nine years.
He and his wife, Chelle, live in Winter Haven.
| 2008 Overall | Legal Ability | Communication Ability | Written Decisions | Professional Conduct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.22 | 7.73 | 6.84 | 7.24 | 7.06 |
Comments
Robert Doyel
A compassionate judge.
Fair, hardworking, sometimes reckless in application of law.
Former professor of law.
Gets caught up in minutiae at times.
Great judge.
He has become everything he campaigned against in 1994.
Just because you are smart does not give you the right to be snitty.
Judge Doyel is brittle and he can be outright mean.
Knows and applies the law.
Lots of ability; flies off the handle without warning.
Mean spirited; bias toward state in criminal court.
Smart and dedicated judge, can be harsh to parties and condescending to attorneys.
Sometimes arbitrary.
Sometimes lets temper get in the way of judgment.
This happens less now than it used to, though.
Still has an unpleasant temper he needs to deal with.
Very academic; good judge.
Very bright, but often temperamental to a fault.
Very good judge.
Very intense; a leader of the bench and bar.
Very prepared; fair; is willing to allow counsel to present all relevant facts and law and gives due consideration to
both.
A compassionate judge.
Fair, hardworking, sometimes reckless in application of law.
Former professor of law.
Gets caught up in minutiae at times.
Great judge.
He has become everything he campaigned against in 1994.
Just because you are smart does not give you the right to be snitty.
Judge Doyel is brittle and he can be outright mean.
Knows and applies the law.
Lots of ability; flies off the handle without warning.
Mean spirited; bias toward state in criminal court.
Smart and dedicated judge, can be harsh to parties and condescending to attorneys.
Sometimes arbitrary.
Sometimes lets temper get in the way of judgment.
This happens less now than it used to, though.
Still has an unpleasant temper he needs to deal with.
Very academic; good judge.
Very bright, but often temperamental to a fault.
Very good judge.
Very intense; a leader of the bench and bar.
Very prepared; fair; is willing to allow counsel to present all relevant facts and law and gives due consideration to
both.
Article
By SUZIE SCHOTTELKOTTE
THE LEDGER
Circuit Judge Robert Doyel tied for the 16th highest rating among the 25 judges included in The Ledger's judicial poll, but his placement by overall score is more middle-of-the-pack than that ranking would suggest. His overall score totaled 7.22, representing a tie with Judge Steven L. Selph.
Two years ago, his score was slightly higher at 7.35, inching him higher among the rankings to 15th among the 25 circuit judges.
Comments on Doyel were split in the most recent poll, with half giving favorable input while the others were more critical.
"Very prepared," one lawyer wrote, "is willing to allow counsel to present all relevant facts and law and gives due consideration to both."
"Very academic," another wrote, "a leader of the bench and Bar."
Other lawyers weren't as complimentary.
"He has become everything he campaigned against in 1994," a lawyer said. "Just because you are smart doesn't give you the right to be snitty."
Doyel said he'd like more insight into the lawyers' comments. "It would be useful to know why some lawyers have a positive perception of me and others see me in an entirely different light," he said.
Doyel, 62, was elected to the Circuit Court in 1994, beginning his first six-year term in January 1995. He received his bachelor's and law degrees from the University of Oklahoma, and his master's and doctorate in law from the University of Wisconsin. Before opening his law practice in Florida in 1987, he taught at the University of Mississippi and Mercer University law schools for nine years.
He and his wife, Chelle, live in Winter Haven.