Retired judge Don Myers didn’t foresee his career taking him to the bench. He studied communicative disorders in his college days and spent some years as a speech-language pathologist before he even considered pursuing law. It was a conversation on a beach in Hawaii that changed his life forever. Soon after, he attended law school and began work in a law firm. And in 2011, he joined our circuit in the Osceola County Unified Family Court. Now, a decade later, he’s ready to begin his next journey in retirement. Listen in to Open Ninth to hear him talk to Chief Judge Lisa Munyon about how the courts changed during his time as a judge and his proudest moments on the bench. OpenNinth.fm
Timestamps

00:15 – Introduction to Don Myers
06:19 – Becoming a judge
14:03 – Working in state commissions and committees
21:03 – Being Chief Judge
30:48 – Changes in the courts

Bidding Farewell

Candid conversations about current topics with court and community leaders.

Government

Growing up, Judge Adam McGinnis had no plans of becoming a lawyer, nor a judge—but life has a way of surprising us. After switching from an electrical engineering major to a liberal arts major in college, Judge McGinnis began to consider law school for the first time in his life. Not long after, he walked into the still-new Barry University School of Law and joined one of its first graduating classes. And, years later, he became the first graduate of Barry to join the bench. Tune in to Open Ninth to hear more about his time in law school and his journey to the judiciary. OpenNinth.fm
Timestamps 
00:16 – Introduction to Judge Adam McGinnis 
07:51 – Interest in the law 
16:06 – Getting started after law school 
22:55 – Running for the bench 
26:28 – First days on the bench 
34:16 – Hobbies

Judicial Spotlight

Growing up, Judge Adam McGinnis had no plans of becoming a lawyer, nor a judge—but life has a way of surprising us. After switching from an electrical engineering major to a liberal arts major in college, Judge McGinnis began to consider law school for the first time in his life. Not long after, he walked into the still-new Barry University School of Law and joined one of its first graduating classes. And, years later, he became the first graduate of Barry to join the bench. Tune in to Open Ninth to hear more about his time in law school and his journey to the judiciary. OpenNinth.fm
Timestamps 

00:16 – Introduction to Judge Adam McGinnis 
07:51 – Interest in the law 
16:06 – Getting started after law school 
22:55 – Running for the bench 
26:28 – First days on the bench 
34:16 – Hobbies

Patience is a virtue—but it’s also one of the characteristics that make a great judge. Judge Eric Netcher is no stranger to this. He learned the importance of patience while sharing a room with his older brother throughout his childhood. Now, years later, he appreciates this experience for how it helped him prepare for the bench. Tune in to Open Ninth to hear more about his upbringing and his journey to the judiciary. OpenNinth.fm 
Timestamps 
00:16 – Introduction to Judge Eric Netcher 
08:23 – Interning with Congress 
12:12 – Attending law school 
17:30 – Getting started after law school 
23:18 – Joining the bench

Patience is a virtue—but it’s also one of the characteristics that make a great judge. Judge Eric Netcher is no stranger to this. He learned the importance of patience while sharing a room with his older brother throughout his childhood. Now, years later, he appreciates this experience for how it helped him prepare for the bench. Tune in to Open Ninth to hear more about his upbringing and his journey to the judiciary. OpenNinth.fm 
Timestamps 

00:16 – Introduction to Judge Eric Netcher 
08:23 – Interning with Congress 
12:12 – Attending law school 
17:30 – Getting started after law school 
23:18 – Joining the bench

Growing up, Eddie Jenkins always had an interest in joining the military. He even had his parents sign a waiver so he could join the U.S. Marine Corps at just 17 years old. But, after sustaining an injury in active-duty training upon his return from his service in Afghanistan, his life took a different path. A substance use disorder led to criminal behavior and involvement in our courts.
But his story doesn’t end there. Eddie was determined to turn his life back around. 
Upon entering our Veterans Treatment Court, Eddie learned more about the resources available to support him in his recovery. He made connections with fellow veterans and formed strong bonds with the team dedicated to his case. Despite experiencing some setbacks in his recovery, he stayed committed to the program and bettering his life. And, in 2022, his hard work paid off as he graduated from Veterans Treatment Court. 
Tune in to OpenNinth.fm to hear Eddie speak with Judge Alicia Latimore about his journey through VTC and how his life has changed since graduation. 
Timestamps 

00:18 – Introduction to Eddie Jenkins 
07:36 – Returning home from Afghanistan 
14:35 – Getting involved with the court system 
18:38 – Entering VTC 26:21 – Non-adversarial approach in 
VTC 32:42 – Graduating from VTC

Bidding Farewell

Download our free app to listen on your phone