Candidate: Pamela Barger

Born in Syracuse, New York, Pamela moved to Florida with her parents and has been a resident of Collier County for over 35 years.  She is a graduate of Pine Ridge Middle School and Barron Collier High School.  Pamela comes from humble beginnings and has learned the value of hard work by watching her mother and grandmother provide for their families throughout the years.  This instilled the determination and work ethic in her to pursue her dreams of obtaining a college degree and then a law school degree.

Upon graduating from the University of Florida with her bachelor’s degree, Pamela returned to Naples where she began her legal career as an administrative assistant with the law firm Fowler White Boggs Banker (previously Myers Krause and Stevens) in the Estate Planning and Probate divisions.  After two years and with the encouragement of her colleagues, Pamela continued her studies at St. Thomas University School of Law to pursue her dream of becoming a lawyer and serving others, earning her Juris Doctorate in 2006.

Pamela’s connection to Collier County runs deep so it was only natural that after graduation from law school she would return to Collier County to embark on her legal career.  It was in law school that Pamela met her study partner, Justin, and the two got along so well that they married in 2009.  Pamela and Justin live in Golden Gate Estates and are raising their three children, ages 6, 8 and 11, who attend Collier County public schools.  Pamela and Justin participate in community outreach, usually through their church.  They enjoy all kinds of adventures with their children and most Saturdays they can be found on the soccer fields watching their three children compete.

Pamela has had the unique experience of working side by side with the Circuit and County judges in Collier County for the past 15 years.  Pamela has gained invaluable experience by working under the direction of the judges within the courthouse.  For the last two years Pamela has served in a quasi-judicial role as a General Magistrate in Collier County presiding over matters in the Circuit Civil division, including probate, guardianship and mental health matters. A general magistrate presides over cases referred to them by the presiding Circuit Judge.  In her role as a General Magistrate, Pamela conducts legal research, presides over hearings which includes gathering and evaluating documentary evidence and testimony and prepares recommended orders.  In a typical day, Pamela handles a variety of pre-trial matters, including discovery motions, motions to dismiss and presides over non-jury trials.

Prior to becoming a Magistrate, Pamela served the court system as a Senior Staff Attorney for the 20th Judicial Circuit in Collier County for 13 years concentrating on criminal post-conviction work, county to circuit appeals and complex civil litigation.  During her tenure in this position, Pamela performed valuable research and provided in depth legal analysis on a variety of complex issues, as well as contributing advice and guidance to the judiciary on substantive and procedural issues. Pamela assisted the judiciary in some of the highest profile and most complex cases in the county.  In addition, as the Senior Staff Attorney in Collier County Pamela undertook training and mentoring law students who would serve as interns with the court system.  Pamela truly enjoyed the opportunity to help shape those young legal minds and watch them grow into young attorneys.  While working as a Staff Attorney, Pamela was asked to serve as an Interim Magistrate for the Circuit Court for the civil division during the Summer of 2012.  It was during this time that Pamela recognized the positive difference a judge can have on those who come before them as well as on the community as a whole.

Pamela is an active member of the Collier County Bar Association, the Collier County Woman’s Bar Association, and the Michael R.N. McDonnell Inns of Court.  The Inns of Court is a professional organization with Chapters throughout the United States which foster excellence in professionalism, ethics, civility, and legal skills.  Staying active in these organizations provides Pamela with the opportunity to interact with her fellow bar members and continue to sharpen her legal skills while keeping abreast of the current ethical and legal issues.

Experience means that Pamela understands the stakeholders in the courtroom and it has given her a vast understanding of the law and the insight to make effective judicial decisions.  Her extensive knowledge and commitment to fairness make her the right choice for a judicial seat.  Pamela looks forward to bringing her life and legal experiences to serve the people of Collier County as your next County Court Judge.