Six lawyers seek two Broward circuit judge positions

By Tonya Alanez | South Florida Sun-Sentinel

July 22, 2008

Six attorneys are vying to fill two judicial seats opening up with the January retirements of veteran Broward Circuit judges Stanton Kaplan and Leroy Moe.

Jockeying for Kaplan's seat in Group 21 are Merrilee Ehrlich, a criminal defense attorney with an interest in juvenile justice; Paul Eichner, a real estate and local government attorney who used to work for Pompano Beach; and John Howes, a criminal defense attorney with more than 20 first-degree murder trials under his belt.

In Group 27, the contenders for Moe's seat are Steven Feren, Sunrise mayor and former state representative who has a general law practice; Ed Sugar, a civil court arbitrator who runs a private practice handling real estate and commercial litigation; and Mark Rickard, a civil attorney who handles fraud cases and considers himself the underdog, grass-roots candidate.Circuit judges are elected for six-year terms and are paid $145,080 annually.

Group 21Merrilee Ehrlich

PERSONAL: 57, divorced with no children, lives in Fort Lauderdale

EDUCATION: Law degree, Nova University Law Center, 1979

PROFESSIONAL: Private practice since 1982, handling criminal defense, juvenile delinquency and mental health matters

POLITICAL: Unsuccessfully ran for state attorney general in 2006

CIVIC: Past chairperson, The Florida Bar grievance committee; former president, B'nai B'rith justice unit; former advisory board member, Broward Foster Grandparents Inc.

What sets you apart from your opponents?

I treat everybody with respect, understanding and patience. I believe in the spirit, as well as the letter, of the law. I'm down to earth. I just know people. I know the law. I know what works. I know what doesn't work. I'm willing to try new things.

What is key to being a successful judge?

A judge that listens, and has patience, and understanding and respect, but is not afraid to make hard decisions. Judges should be as prepared on their cases as everyone else on the case. Judges should be on the bench on time.

What is needed to restore the public's declining confidence in the Broward judiciary?

I think that judges need to get out into the community more. I think that judges can be proactive, explain the role of judges. I don't think that people understand what judges can and cannot do.

Paul Eichner

PERSONAL: 50, married with two children, lives in Weston

EDUCATION: Law degree, Nova Southeastern University, 1987

PROFESSIONAL: Private practice for about 13 years, primarily handling homeowner and condo association and real estate matters; before that worked about six years as Pompano Beach assistant city attorney

POLTICAL: Broward County School Board member, 1998-2002, chairman in 2000

CIVIC: Member, Knights of Pythias; former executive vice president, Soref Jewish Community Center; former member, Broward County Early Learning Coalition

What sets you apart from your opponents?