Lake Judge William Law will retire after 28 years on bench
TAVARES — Circuit Judge William Law made a Lake County colleague’s list of “Ten Things a Judge Should Never Do.”
Law, 62, groaned Friday when reminded of the episode from former Circuit Judge T. Michael Johnson’s list of “don’t dos” from stories he had heard. While presiding over a prickly divorce case, Law listened to a husband and wife bicker ad nauseam about dividing assets, including a 20minute squabble over who should get the beer cooler. Peeved, Law stood up and chucked a $20 at the quarreling couple. “There, now, one of you, go buy your own,” he said as he stormed off the bench.
Soon, Law will leave the bench for good. In a recent letter to Gov. Rick Scott, he announced he intends to step down June 30 after 28 years on the bench. The Judicial Nominating Commission will consider replacements for Law, and lawyers have until March 5 to apply for consideration.
Law’s tenure on the bench began as a county judge in 1990, deciding misdemeanor cases of public intoxication and evictions. He was elected as a circuit court judge in 1994 and heard a myriad of civil, domestic and criminal cases.
He presided over Mascotte police officer James Duckett’s challenge of 1988 convictions for raping and killing an 11year-old girl.
Law grew up in suburban Philadelphia and earned an undergraduate degree from Juniata College, where he played football. The team lost in the Division III championship game in 1973. He moved to Florida to study at the Stetson University College of Law near St. Petersburg, where he earned his law degree and met his wife, Julie. They have two daughters and four grandchildren.
Asked why he decided to step down, Law said, “It’s time for me to go … My patience level is shot.”
Said Johnson: “He’s been around a long time. He knows the job well. He’s done the job well.”