Bradenton judge Diana Moreland up for Second District Court of Appeals vacancy

BRADENTON -- A Bradenton judge is among those who will interview for the latest vacancy on the Second District Court of Appeals.

Circuit Judge Diana Moreland is among the 17 judges who will be interviewed March 28 by the Second District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission in Tampa. Moreland will be the first judge interviewed from 9 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.

The vacancy Moreland is seeking was created by the resignation of Judge Chris W. Altenbernd.

A seat on the Second District Court of Appeals has been Moreland's ultimate career goal for years, she has said. She now presides over the Major Trial Division in the 12th Judicial Circuit.

Moreland, 54, began her service on the bench in January 2005. Her time on the bench has been divided among the criminal, civil and family divisions prior to being moved to the Major Trial Division.

Prior to her time as a judge, Moreland practiced private law for about 20 years after briefly working as an assistant public defender.

Moreland earned her bach

elor's degree with U.S. Merchant Marine Academy while sailing around the world, before moving on Stetson University to get her law degree.

Interviews are open to the public. They will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. March 28 at the Second District Court of Appeal's Tampa Branch, 1700 N. Tampa St., No. 300, Tampa.

Anyone who wishes to submit any information regarding any of the candidates' qualifications can do so in writing to Laird A. Lile, Chair, Second District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission, 3033 Riviera Drive, Suite 104, Naples, 34103, prior to the interview date. In another vacancy, the 12th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission will hold a phone conference to discuss the filling of the vacancy created by sudden retirement of Circuit Judge John Lakin amid an investigation into his taking baseball tickets from a law firm with a pending case involving the firm in front of him.

In a news release, the Florida Bar announced a timeframe to fill the vacancy, future meeting dates and other business would be discussed during the call.

Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter @JDeLeon1012.

This story was originally published March 9, 2016 at 11:30 PM with the headline "Bradenton judge Diana Moreland up for Second District Court of Appeals vacancy ."