This installment of the Daily Business Review's coverage of the August primary elections features a Q&A with incumbent Broward Circuit Court Judge Michael Usan. He is being challenged by Richard Brian Kaplan for a spot on the Broward Circuit Court, Group 42.

Kaplan did not respond to requests for comment, but here's what Usan had to say about what qualifies him for the bench. Responses have been edited for style and content.

Judge Michael Usan

A Gulf War veteran, Judge Michael Usan served as an assistant state attorney before going into private practice in 1994. Seventeen years later, Usan was recommended for appointment to the bench by the Judicial Nominating Commission and was appointed to the Circuit Court in January 2010. Usan was elected to a full term in 2012. Since taking the bench, he has been assigned to the Criminal Felony Trial Division.

Why do you want to become/remain a circuit court judge?

Usan: I hope to be re-elected to serve another term as your circuit court judge. It is certainly both an honor and a privilege to hold this position. I find serving as a judge has been the most rewarding and fulfilling aspect of my legal career. I have been a member of the Florida Bar for over 31 years. I tried more than 200 jury trials as an attorney before taking the bench. Over the course of my years as an attorney, I have prosecuted and defended criminal cases, handled civil law claims, adoptions, administrative hearings, FAA boards, and done estate planning. For more than 17 years, I ran a successful private practice. My time as a private practice attorney was financially rewarding, but I felt that there was something missing in my life. I wanted the sense of satisfaction I felt when I was a member of the armed forces. I am proud to be a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, where I served eight years in the reserves and five years on active duty, including service during the Gulf War. Serving your nation and being a part of a cause greater than yourself is the greatest, most rewarding work experience. I found that same feeling of pride and satisfaction in being a judge. I love the work I do every day and hope to continue to serve with the people of Broward County with honor and distinction.

What about your experience qualifies you for the position?

Usan: Being “qualified” to be a circuit judge should be more than having been a member of the bar for five years and paying a qualifying fee. What matters most is experience. I have over 31 years as a member of the Florida Bar. I am admitted to practice before numerous courts, including the Supreme Court of the United States. Before taking the bench, I handled thousands of cases and tried more than 200 jury trials. Of all the candidates running in all of the races, I am the only one who has prosecuted, defended and presided over death penalty cases.

My expertise as a criminal law judge is recognized throughout the state. I am on the faculty of the Florida Judicial College and the Florida College of Advance judicial Studies. I am proud to have been hand selected as one of four judges to teach the criminal law course at FJC. All newly elected or appointed judges in Florida must attend this weeklong course. I have also authored and instructed more than a dozen CJE courses used to teach other judges.

Additionally, since I have been serving as a circuit judge for the past nine years, I do not have to speculate on what type of judge I think I'll be or I hope I'll be. I have garnered a reputation in the legal community for being a fair, efficient, knowledgeable and respectful jurist. This is what I believe makes me qualified.

What's your biggest achievement so far?

Usan: Raising my two children to be responsible young adults. Both finished high school this year and are about to start college.

What would a successful term look like for you?

Usan: I hope to continue serving with the same commitment to excellence I have brought over the past nine years. If re-elected, I anticipate being moved into the ROC court, which is set up to handle recidivist and career criminal cases. Later in the term, I would be interested in transitioning into a Circuit Civil position.

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

Usan: Perhaps the biggest problem facing the 17th Circuit currently is the tremendous turnover we have seen in the past two years. One-third of the present judiciary has less than three years' experience. We have had many exceptionally talented, long-term judges retire during this period and more will follow by year-end. While change can be a positive thing, too much change too rapidly can diminish the experience base of our judiciary.

Richard Brian Kaplan

For the past decade, Kaplan has worked for the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel-District, where he currently serves as civil litigation director. He previously served as an assistant attorney general for the Florida Attorney General's Office, senior attorney for the Department of Children and Families, and one year worked as assistant city manager in the township of Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Kaplan has helped initiate and grow a number of specialty courts in Broward County, including the Early Childhood Court, Dependency Drug Court, Seminole Tribal Court, and the Marchman Act Court, assisting residents with drug treatment, mental health services, parenting classes, and child care services.