If you asked a young Lisa Kiel what she wanted to be when she grew up, she wouldn’t hesitate to tell you. All her life she’s known she wanted to work in state government. Feeling drawn to public service, Kiel became Florida’s State Courts Administrator in 1990, where she stayed until her retirement in 2014. And when the Florida Supreme Court sought a new State Courts Administrator in 2019, they knew just the person to call. Now, Kiel is ready to finish up her long career in Florida’s state government to enjoy retirement, for a second time. Listen in to Open Ninth to hear her talk to Chief Judge Lisa Munyon about her proudest moments from her time in the office and what she plans to do next. Timestamps 00:15 – Introduction to Lisa Kiel 05:39 – Getting started in state courts 10:16 – Becoming State Courts Administrator 21:14 – Coming back from retirement 26:28 – Changes in the Office of State Courts over the years 33:40 – Biggest accomplishments as State Courts Administrator 38:11 – Plans for retirement 40:27 – Advice for future State Courts Administrators

Former Judge Julie O’Kane joined our circuit in 2003 as one of our youngest judges at the time and for 18 years she proved her unwavering dedication to the work of a jurist. From joining a division she was unfamiliar with on her first day to taking on the important role of Administrative Judge, she has shown true commitment to our circuit. Now, after a long, steadfast career, she begins her next adventure: retirement. Listen in to Open Ninth to hear her talk to her longtime friend and colleague, Chief Judge Lisa Munyon, about her proudest moments from her time on the bench and what she plans to do next. Timestamps 00:15 – Introduction to Julie O’Kane 04:37 – Working in litigation 06:43 – Why she wanted to join the bench 10:36 – Being on the bench 23:21 – Proudest moments on the bench 30:51 – Retirement 35:50 – Advice for younger Judges

Laura Sanchez can tell you the exact moment she knew she wanted to be a lawyer. It came when she was a child at a time when her mother was struggling to pay for an attorney to represent her in a divorce. Watching her mother struggle to afford their services and resort to putting them on a credit card made Sanchez wonder if there were legal services for low-income families. Today, her work with the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association provides those resources to families struggling just as Sanchez and her mother had. Listen in to Open Ninth to hear her talk to Chief Judge Munyon about what she does in the Legal Aid Society and what led her to becoming the current president of the Hispanic Bar Association. Timestamps 00:15 – Introduction to Laura Sanchez 02:22 – Pull to the law 06:03 – Working with the Legal Aid Society 12:50 – Involvement with the Hispanic Bar Association 16:50 – Navigating the pandemic 19:47 – Upcoming Events for the Hispanic Bar Association

When Dr. Raul Pino visited us in the studio last time, we spoke exclusively about the COVID-19 pandemic. This time around, we’re getting to know the man behind the response a little better. Dr. Pino grew up in Cuba during the early years of Fidel Castro’s rule. Seeking a better life for himself and his family, Dr. Pino knew he needed to get to the United States. Escaping Cuba is no easy feat, however. Listen in as he speaks with Chief Judge Lisa Munyon about the trials and tribulations he endured to get here and how he found his calling in life practicing medicine. OpenNinth.fm Timestamps 00:45 – Early childhood 03:13 – Studying medicine 12:01 – Escape attempt 18:08 – Being detained 26:26 – Making it to the U.S. 31:32 – Working in the U.S. 35:08 – Working in a pandemic 40:00 – Living in Orlando

On this episode of Open Ninth, Judge John Beamer chats with Chief Judge Lisa Munyon for his second recording in the studio. Last time he talked about his marriage to fellow jurist, Judge Denise Beamer, but this episode we dive deeper into the life and career of the Tennessean. With parents working multiple jobs and needing to watch over his younger siblings often, Judge Beamer learned the value of hard work at a young age. He witnessed it firsthand running alongside his father during one of his numerous jobs: manning the early morning paper route. Listen in to the episode to hear this former Tennessean cross country runner tell Chief Judge Munyon all about his humble beginnings and what led him to the bench. Timestamps 00:16 – Introduction to Judge John Beamer 07:20 – Pull to the law 11:48 – Working in litigation 15:04 – Joining the bench 18:06 – Surprises on the bench 22:08 – Finding Inspiration

The Golden State Killer’s unsolved crimes haunted Californians for decades. With little evidence and no new leads, the case grew cold. Then, Dr. Barbara Rae-Venter got involved. Using investigative genetic genealogy to identify distant relatives of the killer, Dr. Rae-Venter narrowed down a long list of potential subjects to just one: Joseph James DeAngelo. Listen in as she talks with Chief Judge Lisa Munyon about her work on the case and how investigative genetic genealogy is evolving. Time Stamps 00:15 – Introduction to Dr. Barbara Rae-Venter 07:28 – Becoming a patent attorney 11:26 – Getting into investigative genetic genealogy 18:22 – Using genetic genealogy in the Golden State Killer Case 23:25 – Details of the Golden State Killer Case 28:47 – New technology in genetic genealogy 32:22 – Ethical obstacles with using genealogy in cases 37:49 – How genetic genealogy is evolving 47:28 – Future plans

Two podcasts collide in this new episode of Open Ninth. Judge Alicia Latimore, host of 9th Unplugged, joins Chief Judge Lisa Munyon to talk all about how the audio series got started and how she came to be host of the show. After 10 episodes, she’s gotten to know many of our circuit’s staff and judges on a personal level in a time when socializing can be difficult. Listen in to hear her plans for 9th Unplugged in the future and what excites her most about hosting the show. Timestamps 00:56 – What is 9th Unplugged? 02:07 – How it got started 05:19 – How it brings people together 07:53 – How she felt at the start 10:20 – Best moments while hosting 12:33 – What it means to be a guest 16:54 – Future plans for the show

As the pandemic continues to evolve every day, many of us have questions. Should I still wear a mask? Should I be worried about the Delta variant? When will my children be able to get the vaccine? Dr. Raul Pino joined Chief Judge Lisa Munyon in the studio to try to answer some of those questions and more. As Director of the Florida Department of Health in Orange County, Dr. Pino has worked through the pandemic to educate our area on the latest news and updates of how best to navigate each new phase. Listen in to hear him speak about the future of COVID-19 and what we should be doing to protect one another. Timestamps 00:14 – Working in the Public Health Sector 02:45 – COVID-19 in Orange County 05:01 – Delta variant 08:11 – Importance of vaccinations 15:43 – How to protect one another 27:53 – Long-term effects of the virus 30:41 – Differences in vaccines 32:42 – Herd immunity 35:21 – How tourism affects the pandemic 38:45 – How to handle the current phase of COVID-19

Judge Gisela Laurent knew she would become a judge someday. It all started when she helped her mother translate legal documents as a child. She saw firsthand a need for legal representation in a community struggling with a language barrier, and it was her dream to become a helper for her community. Her goals led her to law school, the public defender’s office, private practice, the county court bench, and now the circuit bench. And, every step of the way she stayed true to her commitment to serve the community. Listen in as she sits with Chief Judge Lisa Munyon and talks about her parents’ pursuit of the “American Dream” and what she has learned from being on the bench. Timestamps 00:15 – Introduction to Gisela Laurent 09:44 – Practicing law after graduation 14:06 – Defining cases in her career 18:45 – Taking the county bench 22:24 – Transition to the circuit bench 28:41 – New adventure in the family division 29:34 – Interesting facts about her

Former Judge Belvin Perry Jr. has made a name for himself over the years. From trying cases all over the state of Florida in the state attorney’s office, becoming the Ninth Circuit’s first African-American to initially join the bench through the election process, and presiding over the Casey Anthony trial, he’s left an impact in both the courts and the community. With his long history of accomplishments, you may not realize that this former judge grew up in humble beginnings. During a time of segregation, with hand-me-down books from better-off schools and exclusion from certain establishments in town, Perry fought adversity to pursue success. Listen in as he sits with Chief Judge Lisa Munyon and talks about what childhood was like in a segregated Orlando and how the bench became an important aspect of his life. Timestamps 00:15 – Introduction to Belvin Perry, Jr. 04:37 – Growing up in the era of segregation 07:34 – Desire to pursue law 12:55 – Starting in the state attorney’s office 21:35 – Biggest cases as a prosecutor 27:00 – Greatest achievements with the state attorney’s office 29:09 – Path to the bench 34:20 – Reasons for becoming Chief Judge 42:53 – Why he left the bench

Judge Lisa Munyon has had a long, illustrious career. From the state attorney’s office to private practice and then the bench, Judge Munyon has worn many hats. Now, she takes on her greatest challenge yet: becoming the first female Chief Judge of the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court. Listen in as Judge Munyon sits with Chief Judge Myers and talks about how she got into the field of law, what she considers her most memorable case, and what she hopes to accomplish as Chief Judge. Timestamps 00:18 – Introduction to Lisa Munyon 05:38 – Working as a prosecutor and in private practice 08:27 – Her most memorable case 11:51 – Being on the bench 16:49 – Her goals as Chief Judge 23:59 – Finding inspiration

Eric Reed knows law. His grandfather practiced law, his father practiced law, and now he is carrying on the family tradition. It’s hard to believe he once considered careers as a professional baseball player and news anchor. Eric has now been practicing law since 2003 and will soon start his new position as President of the Orange County Bar Association. Listen in as Eric talks with Chief Judge Myers about how he made the decision to follow in his family’s footsteps and his future potential as John Krasinski’s understudy hosting Some Good News. Timestamps 00:19 – Introduction to Eric Reed 07:34 – Best moments of Eric’s career 11:22 – Becoming the OCBA president and why you should join 18:56 - Hosting OCBA's Some Good News show 23:17 – Aspirations for the future 24:31 – Eric’s role models in the law field

Judge Barbara Leach didn’t initially see herself becoming a judge. She studied English in school and lived happily and proudly as a waitress for many years. It was her love of NPR and a desire to learn about law that drove her to attend law school. And it was her passion for helping the community that led her to the bench. Listen in as Judge Leach talks with Chief Judge Myers about her robust career, love for community service, and talent for baking some mean cookies. Time Stamps 00:18 – Introduction to Barbara Leach 08:57 - Importance of mentorship 10:34 – Making it to the bench 13:52 – Being elected rather than appointed 16:45 – Her expectations for the job 18:45 – Her passion for baking

Jane Rosenberg is an artist unlike any other. Her typical landscape is the inside of a courtroom and her subjects are the people in them. She has built a career over multiple decades drawing some of our country’s most infamous defendants during many of their worst moments. Listen in as Jane talks with Chief Judge Myers about her start as a courtroom sketch artist, her biggest cases, and where she sees the future of her field going with the introduction of cameras inside a courtroom. Timestamps 00:19 - Introduction to Jane Rosenberg 06:57 – Importance of courtroom sketch artists 15:04 – How she gets started on a sketch 21:52 – Working the Boston Marathon trial 24:30 – The future of courtroom sketch artists 25:56 – Working the El Chapo trial Hashtags #OpenNinth #ChiefJudgeDonMyers #NinthCircuitFL #PodcastersofInstagram #Podcast #Podcasting #PodcastNewtwork #PodcastShow #JaneRosenberg #SketchArtist #SketchArt #Art #CourtroomSketch #CourtroomArtist #CourtroomArt #ArtistProfile #CourtroomDrawing

As a journalist for WESH 2, Amanda Dukes is no stranger to the Ninth Judicial Circuit’s courthouses. She’s reported on many cases that have taken place here over the years, including the Casey Anthony trial in 2011. Recently, she found herself at the courthouse once again, but this time, not as a reporter. This time she was here as a juror. Listen in as Amanda talks with Chief Judge Myers about her career, reporting on some of the biggest stories in Central Florida, and what it is really like to be called in for jury service. Timestamps 00:19 – Introduction to Amanda Dukes 03:44 – Working on major assignments 05:39 – How it felt to be summoned 09:42 – Arriving at the courthouse 13:43 – A look inside the jury room 21:22 – How it felt to not be selected

A former resident of New Orleans, Judge Falcone’s life was turned upside-down when Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana. Listen in as he shares with Chief Judge Myers how the devastation from Katrina led him to Central Florida, his experiences at Boston College and Columbia University, and what inspired him to run for office. Timestamps 0:22 - Introduction to Vincent Falcone 5:38 - The impact of hurricane Katrina 9:08 - Working with the Department of Justice 11:25 - Practicing law in Florida 14:40 - Working with David King 17:39 - Becoming/being a Judge

In November of 2018, the podcast Serial released its critically acclaimed third season. The aim: to shine a light on the American judicial system, highlighting the benefits and detriments of how our system works. To accomplish this feat, the Serial team spent a year in Ohio at the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. Judge John Russo, who was the administrative and presiding judge during the time Serial was at the court, and Public Information Officer Darren Toms join Chief Judge Don Myers to talk about their experience with Serial and the importance of a transparent judicial system. Timestamps 1:45 - Introduction 5:25 - Sarah Koenig and transparency in the Courts 13:45 - What was recording like? 26:10 - Community feedback and reactions to the podcast 33:50 - Serial in hindsight 40:49 - Why doing the podcast was the right move Links Serial Podcast Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas

Almost a year to the day since COVID arrived in our region and it’s finally looking like there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. A return to normal seems imminent – but how are we really going to get there? To give us some insight, Deputy County Administrator and Director of Public Safety for Orange County, Danny Banks joined Chief Judge Don Myers on our latest episode of Open Ninth. Listen in as they talk about COVID, vaccines, and getting the community to the other side of the pandemic. Time Stamps 0:26 - Introduction to Danny Banks 3:50 - Role of the Public Safety Director 7:55 - Current COVID statistics for Orange County 10:03 - Vaccination information and statistics 14:50 - Returning to normal 19:27 - A look back to the start of the pandemic

On January 28, 2021, the Honorable Jon B. Morgan passed away leaving behind a lasting legacy of fairness and respect. To honor his memory, Chief Judge Don Myers sat down with retired judge Heather O’Brien to reflect on Judge Morgan’s influence in their lives, and his impact on the courts and community. Listen to their conversation at OpenNinth.fm.

In honor of Valentine's Day, courthouse couple – Judges Denise Kim and John Beamer – sat down to talk with Chief Judge Myers. From law school to the altar, parenthood to the bench, they have been through it all! Listen in as they share how they met, their experiences on and off the bench, and what it’s like to live in a two-judge household. Show Notes 1:20 - Background 4:25 - The start of the relationship 8:03 - Sharing the same profession 10:20 - Experiences on the bench 15:05 - Ten years from now 17:17 - Who is the romantic in the relationship?