John P. Kuder
John P. Kuder joins our firm with forty years of experience. He has twenty years in private practice and twenty years as a member of the judiciary, including ten years as Chief Judge. He began his judicial service as an Escambia County Judge in 1986 and served as Circuit Court Judge of the First Judicial Circuit of Florida from 1987 to 2006. Since retiring from the bench, John has served as a Senior Circuit Judge and has been active in mediation, receiving Circuit Civil and Family Law mediation certification from the Florida Supreme Court in 2009. His primary areas of practice are real estate, complex commercial litigation, personal injury, foreclosures and mediation.
John and his wife, Susan Bleiler, founded the John P. Kuder Children’s Foundation, a home and school for abandoned and orphaned children in India.
Practice Areas
Admissions
- John Kuder is admitted to practice law before all Florida Courts, and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida.
Education
- Juris Doctor, 1969, University of Florida College of Law, Gainsville, Florida
- Bachelor of Science, 1966, Spring Hill College, Mobile, Alabama
Professional Organizations
- The Florida Bar – member (1969 – present)
- Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association – member (1969 – present)
- First Circuit Inns of Court – founding member
Community Organizations
- Chief Judge’s Children’s Council (1993-2003) – during tenure as chief judge was responsible for initiating and establishing a central community forum within which the growing needs of area children could be addressed.
- Chief Judge’s Youth Gang Task Force (1995-2003) – also initiated and established this task force to study and provide information regarding the emergence of youth gang activity within the community.
- Chief Judge’s Task Force on Minority Issues (1995-2003) – initiated and established this task force to address minority issues including access to the courts and other functions of the judicial process.
- University of West Florida Adjunct Professor (1995-2002)
- Sertoma International – founding member of the Pensacola chapter.
- Rotary International (Five Flags) – member (1988-1993).
- Boy Scouts of America (Gulf Coast Council) – member of executive board (1998-present)
- Creative Learning Center (1992-1998) – president and member of the board of directors.
- St. Ann’s Catholic Church (Gulf Breeze, FL) (2000- present) – serves on the administrative council of the church.
- Advocates International – (2001) helped to lead and participate in conference with President and Supreme Court of Albania regarding the advancement of Albania’s judicial system.
- John P. Kuder Children’s Foundation (2005-present) – initiated and established an orphanage and school for abandoned and orphaned children in India.
- The Zoo, Northwest Florida (2006-present) served on board of directors and presently serves as president for non-profit zoological society. Non-profit is presently being dissolved with transition of new ownership for the Zoo.
- The Florida Bar Foundation (2010-present) – member.
Key Accomplishments
- County Court Judge, Escambia County (1986-1987) – appointed by Florida Governor Bob Graham, June 1986.
- County Court Judge, Escambia County – retained in office by election September 4, 1986.
- Circuit Court Judge (1987-2006) – appointed circuit judge, First Judicial Circuit, by Florida Governor Bob Martinez in 1987 and remained unopposed in office until retirement in 2006.
- District Court of Appeal (1998) – selected to sit as a visiting judge by invitation of the Chief Judge, First District Court of Appeal.
- Chief Judge, First Judicial Circuit (1993-2003) – chosen by the judges of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton Counties to lead the judiciary of the First Circuit as chief judge, a position which was held for ten years (five successive terms).
- Chief Judge, First Judicial Circuit (1993-2003) – chosen by the judges of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton Counties to lead the judiciary of the First Circuit as chief judge, a position which was held for ten years (five successive terms).
- Judicial Qualifications Commission (2000-2004) – on June 25, 2000 was unanimously elected by the Florida Conference of Circuit Court Judges to serve as a member of the Judicial Qualifications Commission.
- Judicial Case Assignments (1986-2006) – assigned approximately eighteen hundred cases per year most of which were resolved summarily; nonetheless, approximately five hundred jury trials (civil and criminal) and eight hundred fifty judge trials (civil and
criminal) were tried through to verdict.
- Supreme Court Appointments – appointed by the Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court to participate in a number of substantial tasks including: the revision of rules to expedite death penalty appeals and also the revision of the manner and methodology by which the need for judges within the state is identified and certified to the legislature. Recipient of the “Judge of the Year for 2005” award by the American Board of Trial Advocates in February, 2006.
- Honored by Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association “in recognition of outstanding leadership and dedication as Chief Judge of the First Judicial Circuit” (1993-2003).
- Recipient of the “2000 President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement” presented on July 27, 2000 by the Escambia-Santa Rosa County Bar Association for “dedication to the quality of professionalism in the legal community.”
- Recipient of “Judge John P. Kuder Family Values Award” in 2000 in recognition of “service and dedication to family values.” Award was established in 1997 by the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry and is given each year to an outstanding community leader.
- Recipient of the “1995 Outstanding Jurist Award” presented by the Escambia-Santa Rosa County Bar Association.
- Recipient of the “1994 Jurist of the Year Award” presented by the American Legion.
- Honored by Florida Department of Children and Families on March 2, 1990 for "demonstrated concern for children and exemplary leadership in delinquency prevention.”
- Honored by Climate Magazine as an “integral part of the community having the spirit, tenacity, and clear vision to make Northwest Florida great.” Jan./Feb. 2000 edition
