Candidate: Connie Mederos Jacobs

My background

         My personal background and my dedication to this community as well as my three decades of legal experience in the courtroom in both State and Federal courts uniquely qualify me for this position.  I am the most experienced candidate.

    I am a second generation bilingual Florida native.  My grandparents immigrated from Cuba to Tampa to work in the tobacco factories of Ybor City.  I was born in Ybor City.  My dad drove taxis, waited on tables and retired after working in a warehouse for 30 years.  My mother raised five children, waited on tables, and worked clerical jobs.  Neither one of my parents were able to finish high school because they had to work to help support their family.

    In third grade my teacher told me that I was smart enough to go to college.  I did not know what that was.  I thought college was a destination.  I learned that college meant a higher education.  I was determined to pursue that dream.   I worked two and three jobs at a time to enable me to afford to attend the University of South Florida in Tampa.  I graduated with a double major in Sociology and Criminal Justice.  I was the first of my siblings to graduate from high school, college and law school.  

    I became a criminal justice planner and projects director in Pinellas County working with the State Attorney’s office.  There I designed assistance programs for victims of crimes and counseling programs for domestic violence offenders.   It was there that I met and married my husband, Larry Jacobs, 36 years ago.  We have a son and two grandchildren.    

    My dream was to become an attorney and at the age of 33 I applied for law school.  My reputation is one of setting goals and being relentless in their pursuit.  I attended two law schools in two cities year round without a break and graduated in two in a half years instead of the usual 3 years of study.  I completed my law school studies in December,1988 and was sworn in the next year.  

My experience

    I began my career with the State Attorney’s Office prosecuting misdemeanor and felony cases.  In 1993 I opened my private practice and by 1995 I was able to buy my own building in downtown Bradenton.

          For over 31 years I have represented clients in State court from Pensacola to Key West including death row.  I have represented clients in all three Federal Districts of Florida as well as in  Federal District Courts of Washington D.C., Kentucky and Tennessee.

My commitment to my community

    I have served on the boards of Habitat for Humanity in Manatee County, the United Way and Temple Beth Israel.  I have served as president for the Florida Association of Women Lawyers of Manatee County as well as the Inns of Court of Manatee County. I volunteer my legal services pro bono for victims of domestic violence in court often for victims who do not speak English. I have volunteered as a mentor and coach for Teen Court of Manatee County and coached future lawyers in Mock Trial competition. I was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to serve on the Judicial Nominating Committee for the 12th Judicial Circuit for two terms, the first Hispanic female representative on that post.

Why vote for Connie?

    What distinguishes me from the other candidates? My three decades plus of trials and courtroom experience.  I am fierce in the pursuit of fair play in the courtroom.  I have handled thousands of cases since 1989 in civil, family, criminal, juvenile, appellate and administrative court divisions.

• As a prosecutor I represented the State of Florida in County and Circuit Courts in the 12th Judicial Circuit.
• I have represented The People in all 20 judicial circuits in the State of Florida, from Pensacola to Key West.
• I have represented litigants in all 3 Federal Districts in Florida — the Northern, Middle and Southern Federal Districts.
• I have represented clients in the Federal Distrrict Courts of Washington D.C., Kentucky and Tennessee.

In my three decades of trial work I have acquired wisdom in the courtrooms.  With vast experience comes the best candidate.  But more importantly I have had the unique advantage of learning from judges in County Court, Circuit Court, Appellate Court and the Federal District Courts throughout the State of Florida as well as other federal jurisdictions on how to be the best judge possible.  No other candidate can claim this experience.  In voting for Connie you are voting for a judge who will be relentless in assuring justice and fairness in the courtroom, making sure that the letter of the law is followed, that everyone is on a level playing field, that everyone receives respect, patience and attention whether they be a defendant, victim, witness, tenant, landlord, plaintiff or respondent, adult or child.