Judge Ernest Albert Kollra

This installment of the Daily Business Review's coverage of the August primary elections features a Q&A with incumbent Broward Circuit Court Judge Albert Kollra. He's being challenged by Alan B. Schneider for a spot on the Circuit Court, Group 8. Schneider did not respond to requests for comment by deadline, but here's what Kollra had to say about what qualifies him for the bench. Responses have been edited for style and content.

Judge Ernest Albert Kollra

Kollra has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1978 and was a partner at Ernest A. Kollra P.A., where he conducted hundreds of jury trials before being appointed to the 17th Judicial Circuit Court. He is currently assigned to the Criminal Division.

Why do you want to be a circuit court judge?

Kollra: I wish to remain a Circuit Court judge as I have found it to be the most rewarding job in my legal career. It is why I arrive every day at 6 a.m. and usually work past 5 p.m. I take great pride in the honor bestowed on me to serve the residents of Broward County as their circuit court judge.

What about your experience qualifies you for the position?

Kollra: I was an attorney for over 30 years before becoming a judge, and in that time I represented all types of individuals and corporations in civil and criminal matters. In private practice, no matter what type of matter I was handling, I always took the time to listen to my clients. Additionally, I always put in the time to be the most prepared attorney I could be for my clients.

I always respected that fact that a client's case was never “just another case,” but something deeply personal and important to them. These experiences as an attorney carry over into how I comport myself as a Judge.

I currently serve in the Criminal Division. I strive to make sure all parties involved in a matter before me are treated with dignity and respect. I accomplish this through listening, explaining and preparation. I always take the time review the case file, listen to all parties in a case and give a detailed explanation for my decision. I strive to have those who come to my courtroom, whether they agree with my ruling or not, feel that I took their matter seriously and did not treat them as just another case number.

What's your biggest achievement so far?

Kollra: Being married to my high school sweetheart for over 40 years.

What would a successful term look like for you?

Kollra: Six more years of the same. Early days and working into the night. Being in my office early in the morning reviewing case files. Taking the bench every day at 8:30 a.m., presiding over trials and hearings. Ending my day reviewing more files before I leave for the evening.

What is the most important issue facing the Broward circuit at the moment?

Kollra: The perception that litigants are treated differently because of their race, gender or economic situation. I strive to treat everyone in my courtroom the same. I see a defendant no different whether they are represented by private counsel or a public defender. I view nor treat any party different than another because of their race, gender, economic status, or any other reason.

I understand that people may not always agree with how I rule, but it is important to me to make sure that those who came through my courtroom felt they were heard, given a through explanation of my ruling and treated with as much dignity and respect as the next person.

Alan B. Schneider

Admitted to the Florida Bar in 1991, Schneider's legal practice has primarily involved real estate and business transactions, but has also consisted of family law, commercial litigation, foreclosure litigation, community association, probate administration, and property tax appeals and exemptions. He is also a Circuit-Civil Mediator certified by the Florida Supreme Court, and has owned and operated a law firm and title insurance agency since 1997.