Judges fill an integral role on our Executive Council. Meet one of them, Judge Delano.
In 2008, after I had practiced bankruptcy and commercial law for 28 years, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals appointed me as a bankruptcy judge in the Middle District of Florida. I was appointed to a second 14-year term in 2024. Although I sit in the Tampa Division, I also presided in the Fort Myers Division from 2012 through September 2025. I served as the Chief Bankruptcy Judge for the Middle District from October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2025.
- What have you gained from your involvement with the Section?
I joined the Business Law Section and the UCC-Bankruptcy Committee in 2004. Since then, I have gained an appreciation for the Section’s work, particularly its legislative work. Before joining the Section, I (ignorantly) had no idea that Section members draft much of the business-related legislation
- Which Committees/Task Forces have you serve on within the Section?
Bankruptcy-UCC; Judicial Liaison; CLE Committee
- What is your favorite memory from your term as Judicial Chair?
I have served as the Judicial Chair of the CLE Committee since 2018. Over the years, the Committee Chairs and I have worked together to define the roles of the CLE Committee and of its Chair and Vice-Chairs; to draft a Mission Statement; and to develop materials to assist Section Members in planning CLE programs and submitting articles for publication to The Florida Bar Journal. Over time, with Tracey Eller’s assistance, we have completely revamped the Committee’s webpage to make this information accessible to Section members.
- What is something that will surprise our members to learn about you?
Hmmm. I honestly can’t think of anything! Maybe some people don’t know that I practiced law in Los Angeles for 14 years before moving back to my family home in Tampa.