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Lawyer to seek troubled judge's job

Brandt Downey, who has been the subject of several allegations, hasn't announced whether he will seek re-election.

By CHRIS TISCH
Published December 13, 2005

A Clearwater lawyer says she is running for a circuit judgeship currently occupied by Judge Brandt Downey.

LeAnne C. Lake announced last week that she will seek the $139,497 position in the Nov. 7 election. The judgeship is a six-year term.

Downey was elected to a county judgeship in 1984, then became a circuit judge and spent 17 years on the criminal bench.

Downey was moved to a civil division in June after allegations arose that he had sexually harassed a female lawyer and accessed pornography on his office computer.

He also was accused of failing to address a juror who was seen sleeping during a murder trial.

Though the Judicial Qualifications Commission will not confirm it is investigating Downey, its inquiry is perhaps the worst-kept secret in the Pinellas legal community.

Downey has not announced if he will seek re-election. He did not return a message left at his office Monday.

Lake, 41, said she would have preferred to run for a vacant judgeship, though there currently are none.

Fourteen circuit and six county judgeships are up for election in November.

Lake declined to say why she chose to seek Downey's position. In a news release, Lake said she had "reviewed the records of the incumbent judges up for re-election. I believe the qualities I will bring to the bench are needed in this group."

Judicial candidates are not allowed to sling mud like other political candidates, and Lake said she didn't want to run a negative campaign.

Lake, who lives in Largo, is a graduate of the Stetson University College of Law. She has been practicing in Pinellas County since 1990. She currently specializes in marital and family law, but has practiced probate, civil and criminal law.

Lake serves on the Clearwater Bar Association's Family Law Committee, the St. Petersburg and West Pasco bar associations, and the Florida Association of Women Lawyers.

She has been involved in fundraising activities for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation, Operation PAR and the Ovarian Cancer Foundation. She is a member of the Kiwanis Mid-Pinellas/Largo Club, Citizens Academy of Largo and the GFWC Clearwater Junior Women's Club.

Lake said she has wanted to be a judge since she was a child. She promised to be fair and courteous in court if elected.

[Last modified December 13, 2005, 01:30:24]