Candidate: TARA PASCOTTO PALUCK

Judge Paluck was elected to the County Court bench in November of 2006. As a County Court Judge, she hears criminal misdemeanor, county civil, small claims, and civil traffic infractions. Since April of 2016, Judge Paluck has served as a co-administrative judge for the Lee County Court division. Currently, she is the chairperson of the Lee County Commission on Public Safety. In 2016, Judge Paluck was elected by the Conference of County Court Judges to become the Second District Vice-President. Also within the Conference of County Court Judges of Florida, Judge Paluck is the chairperson of the Technology Committee and is on the Editorial Committee. Appointed by the Chief Judge and Chief Justice, Judge Paluck is a mentor judge to new judges. As for her education, Judge Paluck received her Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies from the University of Notre Dame. In 1994, she graduated from Creighton University School of Law. After that, Judge Paluck returned home to Lee County to intern with the State Attorney’s Office. Subsequently, she began her work as a prosecutor, handling cases primarily in the Domestic Violence and Narcotics/Firearms cases. Additionally, Judge Paluck served as a liaison with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, advised on search and seizure issues, and attended undercover operations. After working for the State of Florida for three years, Judge Paluck was hired by Allstate Insurance Company. For approximately eight years, Judge Paluck practiced insurance defense work. As a trial attorney for Allstate, Judge Paluck’s caseload consisted mostly of personal injury, subrogation, P.I.P, homeowners and small claims actions. In 2004, Judge Paluck was certified by the Supreme Court of Florida as a mediator in Circuit Civil cases. Additionally, Judge Paluck started her own firm developing a mediation and general law practice. Predominantly, in this capacity, Judge Paluck handled family law matters. Her practice closed when she was elected to the bench. In 2010, Judge Paluck was recognized for serving as the presiding judge for Mental Health Court for three years. In July of 2016, she received the President’s Award for Outstanding Service with the County Court Judges of Florida. Additionally, Judge Paluck has presented at continuing mediator training in Lee County, and she has been a panelist for the American Board of Trial Advocates, Mediation & ADR: Insights from the Mediators, Bar & Bench. Over the last decade, Judge Paluck has been active in the community hosting numerous mock trials and speaking events for local schools and clubs. She has participated in several community service events and mentoring opportunities.