Primary election hits home with son gaining circuit judgeship

Courtesy photo / Peter A. Mallory was elected to a circuit judgeship in Panama City in the Aug. 24 Florida primaries.
 
PETER MALLORY
Column: Always Right
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NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- In the “really important” election of the 2010 primary, Peter A. Mallory defeated Mike Reiter for judge in the 14th judicial circuit out of Panama City.

Yes, that's right, the son of yours truly, who was raised right here in New Smyrna Beach. Peter is a lawyer in the 14th circuit that encompasses the Florida Panhandle counties of Bay, Holmes, Washington, Jackson, Calhoun, and Gulf.
And while we have thoroughly covered the local elections, this one was local as well, in terms of my son's roots.Peter's campaign lasted about four months while Mr. Reiter had been campaigning for about a year.

However, Peter had a very effective campaign and won by a margin of 54 to 46 percent.

Circuit Judge-elect Peter A. Mallory is a native of New Smyrna. He graduated from New Smyrna Beach High School in 1976, where he played linebacker on the football and specialized in doubles for the tennis team. Finding that Peter had no desire to go into mathematics or science, we encouraged and influenced him to go into Law since it is a great profession that is better suited to his natural talents and inclinations.

Circuit Judge-elect Peter A. Mallory is a native of New Smyrna. He graduated from New Smyrna Beach High School in 1976, where he played linebacker on the football and specialized in doubles for the tennis team.

Finding that Peter had no desire to go into mathematics or science, we encouraged and influenced him to go into Law since it is a great profession that is better suited to his natural talents and inclinations.

Besides, we had a great role model in John Bullock of Cincinnati.

Bullock, a senior partner in the fabled Cincinnati law firm of Taft, Stetinious, and Hollister, set a standard of professional ability and integrity that impressed all who knew him. Despite the popular bias against Lawyers, Bullock’s example demonstrated that law can and should be practiced with a high degree of integrity as well as skill.

Peter graduated from Mercer College in Macon, Ga., in 1980, after majoring in history. Next, he obtained a Law degree from the Loyola of New Orleans in 1983. He did a three-year hitch as a captain in the US Army JAG core.

While in the JAG core, Capt. Mallory concentrated on labor law. In this area, he never lost a case while representing the Army. Upon leaving the Army, he moved to Miami where he practiced labor law with a labor law firm. Then he moved to Panama City where he decided that the best thing to do was “hang out his own shingle.”

This proved to be a great move. His wife, Sherri, also a talented lawyer, went into practice with him. At this point in time, the law firm of Mallory and Mallory is considered one of the premier law firms of the city.

About five months ago Peter came to me and said, ”I’m thinking of running for judge. What do you think of that?”

I asked him if he thought he could win.

He replied, “ I won’t run unless I think I can win and I am investigating that question right now “

He found out he could win and the rest is history.

It is an interesting coincidence that Peter is named after his great, great-great-grandfather Judge Peter Swing, who was a judge shortly after the civil war.

Judge Swing was an officer in the Union Army and served under General Sherman.

Circuit Judge-elect Mallory, who specializes in family law, will finish up his cases at Mallory and Mallory over the next four months or turn them over to his wife Sherri or other colleagues.

Sherri Mallory will continue to practice law at Mallory and Mallory for the foreseeable future. In a telephone conversation, Sherri said “I’m really glad this campaign is over. I’m exhausted.”

The whole elections process is exhausting, but well worth it when good people can take office and try to make a difference. This is what democracy is all about.

Posted: 2010-09-01 22:25:21