2008 LWVOC Voter Guide

Office Profile:
Office Title: Orange County Judge - Group 10
Term: 6 years
Salary: $137,020

Candidate: Ken Barlow

Educational Background: BA in English, The University of the South, Sewanee, TN, 1985. I also attended Wake Forest University for one semester between my sophomore/junior years at Sewanee. I earned my law degree, Cumberland School of Law in Alabama, 1988. I have attended many continuing legal education seminars during my 19 year legal career, both as a prosecutor and defense lawyer, including twice attending the National District Attorney Association's trial school. I am a Florida Bar Association Board Certified Criminal Trial Expert.

Age: 45 years old

Current Occupation: I am a trial attorney that practices in the criminal courts of Florida. I am an attorney at Jaeger & Blankner, P.A., a firm that practices exclusively criminal law, representing clients in all aspects of criminal law from the initial filing of charges to the conclusion of each case. I daily participate in the "hands on" representation of citizens in the Central Florida area, and make daily appearances in the criminal courts of Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties.

Civic Organizations: I am a member of Winter Park Lodge # 239, the Orlando area Scottish Rite, and a member of Bahia Shrine. Prior to these, I participated for two years as a Board Member for the Variety Club of Orlando, a Children's Charity.

How many years have you been practicing law?
I began practicing law in Birmingham, Alabama in 1989, where I had my own law firm. I then left Alabama for Florida with the prospect of practicing law with a close friend, which, unfortunately did not come to pass. I next worked for the Law Firm of Daniel Ciener for one year, then subsequently worked as a Prosecutor for the Office of the State's Attorney, Ninth Circuit from July 1991 until April 1, 2001. On April 2, 2001, I began my tenure at Jaeger & Blankner, where I am currently employed handling all aspects of criminal trial practice.

Which aspect of your legal experience is most relevant to the position you are seeking?
My entire legal career I have practiced criminal trial law. I have also had the opportunity to work in the civil arena early in my legal career as well. I have successfully prosecuted and defended criminal cases at all stages of the proceedings, which demonstrates a full and complete understanding of the criminal trial process. I have had the opportunity to practice before trial judges in two states where I am admitted to practice, in State and Federal courts. Since 1991 I have exclusively practiced criminal law. As mentioned above, I have successfully undergone the peer review and testing process designating me as a Board Certified Criminal Trial Expert. Although any licensed attorney can restrict their area of practice to criminal law, only those who have successfully been through the Florida Bar Association's rigorous Board Certification process are permitted to claim this distinction.

What management skills will allow you to handle increased case loads?
I have managed a case load, both as a prosecutor and as a defense attorney, for each of my nineteen years of practice. Additionally, I have run a business, which to be profitable required the ability to manage work loads while maintaining the necessary work ethic to achieve the results that were needed and desired. Another key is adaptability - a willingness to be flexible in order to achieve needed results within realistic parameters.

Campaign Contact Information:

I can be contacted by telephone at (407) 894-0341 during regular business hours Monday through Friday or by mail in care of the Campaign to Elect Ken Barlow, Post Office Box 540900, Orlando, Florida 32804. I can be emailed at Barlow4judge@gmail.com. I personally check my mail, phone messages, and email as often as I am able, and at least once a day, usually in the evenings.