Judges fill an integral role on our Executive Council. Meet one of them, Judge Specie.
I became licensed to practice in Florida in 1978 and New York in 1979; I attended my first BLS meeting in Orlando in 1980. While in private practice I represented all types of parties in commercial litigation and a wide variety of bankruptcy cases; I also served as a Chapter 7 panel trustee for eight years. I have attended or participated in all but four (4) “View From the Bench” programs since the first one in 1983. I was inducted into the American College of Bankruptcy in March of 2012 and appointed to the bankruptcy bench on July 25, 2012; my official retirement date is July 24, 2026. On the bench I truly enjoy “Reaffirmation” hearings: these give me the opportunity to interact with self-represented debtors who are normally nervous and often confused, and truly help them by actively listening, clearly explaining what is going on and why I do or do not believe reaffirming a debt is in their best interest, and matching them with a volunteer pro bono attorney if I believe they need more help.
What have you gained from your involvement with the Section?
Life-long friendships and very special professional relationships.
Which Committees/Task Forces have you serve on within the Section?
Bankruptcy/UCC Committee, Bankruptcy Judicial Liaison Committee, Membership Committee, Financial Literacy Task Force, Pro Bono Committee
What is your favorite memory from your time as Judicial Chair?
I have two favorite memories as Judicial Chair of the Membership Committee: 1) traveling to Israel on the Executive Council Retreat in March of 2019; and 2) the virtual “getting to know you” BLS program the Membership Committee presented to various law schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, in which most of EC and lots of other BLS members participated.
What is something that will surprise our members to learn about you?
Sports: In addition to being an avid snow skier and horsewoman, as a university freshman I won the Novice Barebow archery competition at UF; in about 2001 I became a member of the Santa Fe Community College (Gainesville, FL) Fencing Team. Florida Bar leadership: while active with BLS for decades, I served two terms (6 years) as the Eighth Judicial Circuit representative on the Young Lawyers Board of Governors (for which I received an award for designing and presenting the “Law School for Laymen” program) and one term on the Trial Lawyers Executive Council.