Department V – 2020 Judicial Primary

  • Law

With primary ballots set to start arriving in mailboxes next week, it’s time to talk about some of the contested judicial primary races featured on that ballot. We welcome your comments on the qualifications of the candidates as well as any information you can offer to help voters make an educated decision. Just remember to keep your comments appropriate and try to avoid defamation.

For District Court Judge, Family Division, Department V, the candidates are:

  • Craig G. Bourke
  • Jack Fleeman
  • Margaret E. Pickard
What are your thoughts on the race in this department? 
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
April 29, 2020 6:53 pm

Pickard is a solid Hearing Master and a hard-working go-getter.

But Fleeman has the more intellectual chops, and is a knowledgeable practitioner with some real solid appellate experience.

I think either would be fine. But,Fleeman by a nose.

Anonymous
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Anonymous
April 29, 2020 6:55 pm

11:53–I also prefer Fleeman in general. But if the new position is assigned to Juvenile Court, then Pickard would be a better choice

Anonymous
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Anonymous
April 29, 2020 9:26 pm

Fleeman has more intellectual firepower which is so needed in Family Court. I am getting tired of unaccomplished Hearing Masters get a bump.

Anonymous
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Anonymous
April 29, 2020 10:00 pm

I'm voting for Fleeman, for the same reasons stated above – he has some good appellate cases behind him and is extremely knowledgeable on complex family law issues; something that I haven't seen in family court for a while.

Anonymous
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Anonymous
April 30, 2020 12:01 am

Who is Craig Bourke?

Anonymous
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Anonymous
April 30, 2020 7:56 pm
Reply to  Anonymous

Someone not very interested in running, apparently.

Anonymous
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Anonymous
April 30, 2020 10:30 pm

I have yet to see these "intellectual chops" of which you speak. He works up cases and when his client runs out of money, he forces them to settle. Pickard is the better choice.

Jack Fleeman
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Jack Fleeman
April 30, 2020 10:59 pm
Reply to  Anonymous

Hello all. It is sometimes difficult to address an anonymous allegation, so I won't even try. I will simply say that I have litigated hundreds of cases and appeared as the primary attorney in approximately 3 dozen family law trials. I am not sure how many family law cases my opponents have litigated or taken to trial, but I would welcome that information.

Anonymous
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Anonymous
May 7, 2020 12:15 am

Fleeman is by far the better candidate. He is smart and hard-working. He has a great demeanor.

In contrast, Pickard is impatient and discourteous on the bench. She nearly always defers to the State in child welfare court. In my opinion, she is afraid to make the hard call for political reasons. She is disrespectful to court staff and they dislike her intensely as a result. If elected as a full judge, I believe she will be a petty tyrant.

If the worst thing you have to say about Jack is that, as a private practitioner, he cannot work for free – I'm comfortable with my choice.

Unknown
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Unknown
May 31, 2020 1:48 pm

Noting Fleeman responded to 3:30's comment w/in 30 minutes of being posted. To me that proves he is detailed oriented and serious about being a good judge. Fleeman by a nose!