Lawyers’ Ethics Complaint Claims Judge’s Campaign Ad Implied Bribery

Lawyers have filed an ethics complaint against a newly elected Florida judge that contends her campaign ad implied they were trying to bribe her opponent.

Seven lawyers have filed complaints against incoming Judge Michelle Baker of Brevard County with the Judicial Qualifications Commission and the Florida Bar, Florida Today reports. A group of three other lawyers filed separate complaints.

The complaints are based on a mailed ad that said most of those who contributed to Baker’s opponent were criminal defense lawyers. “What does that say?" the ad said. "What are they trying to buy?"

Kepler Funk is among the lawyers who filed complaints. “The people of Brevard County should not have a judge who, before even taking the bench, shows such a bias against a party who's going to come before her every day," he told Florida Today.

Baker said in an e-mail sent to Florida Today that she could not comment specifically on the allegations. "What I can say to you is that after an election, these types of complaints are fairly common," she wrote. "You can rest assured that I will fulfill my responsibilities to treat each and every person, litigant and attorney fairly and impartially."