Candidate: Chris Brown

Chris Brown and his family moved to Naples in 1983.  He attended Shadowlawn Elementary School, Gulfivew Middle School and graduated from Naples High School, graduating in 1991.  He went on to attend the University of Florida and earned his B.A. in 1995.  He earned his law degree at the UF College of Law in 1999.

Chris began his legal career working as “in-house” counsel for a consulting firm for major corporations.  In 2002 he began practicing courtroom law in the 20th Circuit as an Assistant Public Defender.  In 2004 Chris entered private practice and in 2006 became a partner in the firm Brown, Suarez, Rios & Weinberg, P.A. where he still practices.

During more than 2 decades of practice, Chris has tried well over 150 civil and criminal cases and handled dozens of appeals in Florida’s state and federal courts.  Many of those cases have been high profile ones, including several “stand your ground” cases in which his client was acquitted based on lawful use of self-defense.  For his work as a trial attorney, Chris has received recognition from several prominent organizations.  The Florida Bar has board certified him as an expert in trial law, placing Chris among only 7% of Florida lawyers are board certified.  He is rated A/V by Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest rating that 150-year-old lawyer review service offers.  Chris has been featured in Florida Super Lawyer’s Magazine for each of the last three years; that publication awards that honor to no more than 5% of Florida lawyers each year.  He also carries a perfect 10/10 rating on the lawyer review site Avvo.com.

 Chris’ wife Lynn Brown was born and raised in Naples.  She and Chris were married in 2011 and have three kids (currently in elementary school in Collier County) ages 6, 8 and 10.  Lynn and Chris spend their free time mostly attending and participating in all kinds of sports and other events involving the kids.  As Chris is Catholic and Lynn is Presbyterian, the family attends church at both St. Ann Church and Covenant Presbyterian.

Chris is a Knight of Columbus and a member of the Inns of Court and the Federalist Society.  He is also a lifetime NRA member.

Judge Mike Provost has honorably filled this Group 3 seat for the people of Collier County for the last 12 years.  His upcoming retirement will leave two big shoes to fill.  If fortunate enough to be elected to fill this position, Chris plans to continue the legacy Judge Provost has always exemplified of integrity, fairness, patience and impartiality.

Chris Brown believes that a judge must stand by a core set of principles and obligations on every day that she or he takes the bench.  These principles are as follows: Everyone who comes before the Court should be treated with equal respect and dignity regardless of where they come from or whether they have a lawyer.  Judges are not there to rule based on personal feelings or preconceived notions about a case; those must be set aside.  Judges must always be humble and patient.  They are given a great responsibility when they sit in a position of public trust.  And, most important, judges are not elected to make laws.  A judge’s duty is to uphold the U.S. and Florida constitutions and follow the laws written by our Legislature.  It is up to the people, through their elected legislators, to change laws they do not like.  It is not the role of a judge.