UWF alumae face in judge race, political forum July 31

UWF Legal Studies Program hosts candidates, alumnae for Judicial Forum

The University of West Florida Legal Studies Program is sponsoring a judicial forum featuring First Judicial Circuit Judge candidates and UWF alumnae Jennie Kinsey and Michelle Inere on Thursday, July 31 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the UWF Conference Center.

Kinsey and Inere will speak at the event and answer questions in advance of the Aug. 26 primary election.

“The University has a history of hosting candidate forums that impact the justice system,” said Dr. Kimberly Tatum, associate dean of the UWF College of Education and Professional Studies and associate professor in the Legal Studies program. “We are hosting this to give our students, faculty, staff and the public valuable information about the local judicial system. Many citizens don’t realize that we elect our trial court judges in Florida, and this forum provides an opportunity to educate them about our election process and allows them to learn more about the candidates.”

Kinsey previously served as Assistant State Attorney in the First Judicial Circuit for 14 years, where she personally handled more than 9,000 cases. Her last assignment was in the Homicide/Major Crimes Division of the State Attorney’s Office.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from UWF and a juris doctor degree from the Florida State University College of Law.

Inere previously served as a General Magistrate in the First Judicial Circuit from 2010 to April 2014. Prior to being appointed as a General Magistrate, Inere spent 15 years practicing as an attorney, representing children in civil child abuse matters for the State of Florida’s Guardian Ad Litem program in addition to having her own family law practice. Additionally, Inere was certified as a circuit civil and family law mediator and served as a staff attorney for Northwest Florida Legal Services.

She earned bachelor’s degrees in political science and legal administration from UWF, a master’s degree in sports science from the United States Sports Academy, and a juris doctor degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law.

This event is free and open to the public. For additional information about the UWF Legal Studies Program, visit uwf.edu/cops.