James Colaw

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James Colaw

Florida 8th Circuit Court

Tenure

Present officeholder

Term ends

2022

Report an officeholder change

Education

Bachelor's

Carnegie Mellon University

Graduate

University of Florida

Law

University of Florida

James M. Colaw is a judge of the 8th Circuit Court of Florida. He was appointed to the court by Governor Rick Scott on June 28, 2013. Colaw is the first board certified lawyer to serve in the judiciary of the 8th Judicial Circuit.

Biography

Colaw received his undergraduate degree from Carnegie Mellon University and his J.D. and MBA from the University of Florida.

Career

Click [show] on the right side of the box below to read about Colaw's career highlights.

Career highlights

2013-Present: Judge, 8th Circuit Court 2016-Present: Alachua County Circuit Criminal Division 2 & Baker County Circuit Criminal Division 2016-Present: Death Penalty Qualified by Florida Supreme Court 2016: Graduated “Computer Forensics for Judges” course at The National Computer Forensics Institute/United States Secret Service, Hoover, Alabama 2014-2016: Family Law Division; Domestic Violence/Injunction Court & Adoptions 2014: Presided over first degree murder trial of State of Florida v. Pedro Bravo To learn more about the Pedro Bravo case, click here for a contemporary accounts about the proceedings. 2013-2014: Family Law Division & Pro Se Family Court & Simplified Dissolutions February 2016: Primary judge, Appellate Panel February 2015: Primary judge, Appellate Panel May 2014: Appellate Panel 2013-Present: Referee, Florida Bar 2015-2017: Mentor Judge, Florida Supreme Court's Judicial Mentor Program 2009-2013: Deputy director of Clay County, State Attorney’s Office (4th Judicial Circuit) 1998-2009: Prosecutor, 8th Judicial Circuit During his time as a prosecutor, Colaw tried 175+ felony jury trials, including 30+ first degree murders and 5 death penalty cases. He tried cases in the following counties: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Flagler, Gilchrist, Levy, Okaloosa, Union and Volusia. 2009: Special Prosecution Unit 2007-2009: Felony division chief 2003-2009: 10-20-LIFE/Firearms prosecutor 2000-2004: Crimes Against Women, Children and Families Unit 1999-2000: Traffic and juvenile prosecutor, Bradford County Court 1998-1999: Traffic and juvenile prosecutor, Baker County Court 1993-1995: Owner, JC Sports Cards + 1992-1995: Financial analyst/assistant buyer, May Co. Departments Stores/Kaufmanns’s Division Teaching Colaw has taught at the following institutions: 2018-present: Faculty, Florida Supreme Court Standing Committee on Fairness & Diversity, Sentencing Bias 2018-present: Faculty, Florida Conference of Circuit Judges, Phase I Judicial College- Mock Trial 2016-present: Florida Institute on Interpersonal Violence (FIIV), Faculty for Domestic Violence Training for Judges 2016: Adjunct faculty, National Business Institute (NBI) 2015-present:Adjunct Faculty, Florida Conference of Circuit Court Judges, Death Penalty 2015-present:Adjunct faculty, University of Florida/Levin College of Law, Trial Practice 2014: Adjunct faculty, National Business Institute (NBI) 2007-2013: Adjunct faculty, National District Attorneys Association 2004-2013: Adjunct faculty/lecturer, Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Associations 2002: Santa Fe Community College 2002: Adjunct faculty, Gainesville City College 1999-2001: Adjunct faculty/Instructor, Lake City Community College 1998-2013: Adjunct faculty/Instructor/Lecturer, University of Florida - Levin College of Law Police Academy instructor, Kirkpatrick Center Basic Corrections Training Courses Instructor Instructor, Corrections Officer to Law Enforcement Office - Crossover Training Courses

Awards and associations

Click [show] on the right side of the box below to read about Colaw's awards and associations.

Awards and associations

Awards 2009-2013: Nominee, Harry Anstead Board Certified Lawyer of the Year in the State of Florida 2012: Teamwork Award, Clay County Sheriff’s Office 2011: Distinguished Service Award, State Attorney's Office Domestic Violence Task Force Award, Bradford County Associations 2018-present: Florida Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases 2017- present: Criminal Justice Committee of the Florida Conference of Circuit Judges 2015-2018: Florida Bar Criminal Law Certification Committee 2015-2018: Board of Directors, National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) National Council of Juvenile & Family Court Judges Rotary Club of Gainesville Board of Directors, Keep Alachua County Beautiful (KACB) Board of Directors, Rebuilding Together Board of Directors, Madison Street Baptist Church (Starke, Florida) 2014-Present: Board of Directors, Gerald T. Bennett Inn of Court (President 2016-2017) 2014-Present: The Florida Bar Speakers Bureau 2014-Present: Mentor, Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division University of Florida Law Alumni Mentoring Program University of Florida MBA Alumni Mentoring Program 2000-2009: Education Committee Representative for the 8th Judicial Circuit, Florida Prosecuting Attorney’s Association 8th Judicial Circuit Bar Association 2002-2006: Board of Directors/Newsletter Editor United States Supreme Court Bar Florida Bar Association Federal Bar Association - Middle District of Florida Board of Directors, Gerald T. Bennett Inn of Court Justice Teaching Program Black on Black Crimes Task Force member Melrose Business and Community Association (MBCA) Nova Southeastern University Law Center Mentoring Program Florida Prosecuting Attorney’s Association (FPAA) Education Committee Gainesville Quarterback Club Former member, Bradford County Domestic Violence Task Force Former member, Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Former member, Child Death Review Team-Alachua County Former member, Child Death Review Team-Clay County Former member, Gang Task Force Former member, Victim Services Task Force Certifications 2006-Present National Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer 2006-Present Florida Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer Presentations and appearances 2018: Gerald T. Bennett Prosecutor/Public Defender Trial Training Program 2018: University of Florida Levin College of Law, Lecture on Death Penalty 2018: University of Florida Levin College of Law, Appellate Advocacy Mock Trial Judge 2018: Professionalism Seminar, 8th Judicial Circuit Bar Association - Criminal Law Discussion Panel 2018: Presentation on Criminal Justice to The Rock Christian Academy Students 2018: Presentation on Victims’ Rights to Victim Advocates 2018: University of Florida Levin College of Law, Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Clinic (IPVAC), speaker at “No More Violence, No More Silence” Event 2018: Judge, University of Florida, Phi Alpha Delta Mock Trial Competition 2018: University of Florida Levin College of Law, UF Criminal Law Association, “Gun Policy” Panel 2018: Oral Argument to Florida Supreme Court concerning Death Penalty Jury Instructions (on behalf of Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases) 2017: Gerald T. Bennett Prosecutor/Public Defender Trial Training Program 2017: University of Florida Levin College of Law, Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Clinic (IPVAC), speaker at “No More Violence, No More Silence” Event 2017: Judge, University of Florida, Phi Alpha Delta Mock Trial Competition 2017: Teen Court Judge 2017: University of Florida Levin College of Law, Appellate Advocacy Mock Trial Judge 2017: 8th Judicial Circuit Bar Association Leadership Roundtable: “Is Justice Blind? Recognizing Bias in the Legal Profession & Beyond” 2017: Professionalism Seminar, 8th Judicial Circuit Bar Association, Criminal Law Discussion Panel 2016: Transition House- National Recovery Month Keynote Speaker 2016: Black on Black Crime Task Force, Criminal Sentencing presentation 2016: Teen Court Lecture- “Futures in Law” 2016: Judge, University of Florida, Phi Alpha Delta Mock Trial Competition 2016: University of Florida Levin College of Law, UF Criminal Law Association, “Death Penalty” Panel 2016: Judge, The University of Florida Levin College of Law Trial Team "Final Four" 2016: Judge, Florida National Trial Advocacy Tournament at University of Florida Levin College of Law 2016: Phi Alpha Delta Law Lecture, University of Florida 2016: James Adkins Inn of Court, Family Law panel 2016: Clay County Bar Association, Family Law CLE presentation 2016: University of Florida Levin College of Law, UF Law Association for Women, “Gender Bias and the Glass Ceiling in the Legal Profession” Panel 2016: University of Florida Levin College of Law, Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Clinic (IPVAC), speaker at “No More Violence, No More Silence” 2016: Teen Court Judge 2016: “Family Law From A to Z” presentation- National Business Institute (NBI) 2016: Gerald T. Bennett Prosecutor/Public Defender Trial Training Program 2016: Judge, University of Florida, Phi Alpha Delta Mock Trial Charity Competition 2016: Judge, University of Florida, Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Mock Trial Competition 2016: “Law & the Courts” lecture- Florida Southern College- Lakeland, FL 2016: “Law, Courts & the Judicial System” lecture, Queen of Peace Catholic Academy 2016: University of Florida Levin College of Law, Appellate Advocacy Mock Trial presentations- April 2016 2016: University of Florida Levin College of Law, Appellate Advocacy Mock Trial presentations- March 2016 2016: University of Florida Levin College of Law, Law Practice Management Course, lecture 2016: 8th Judicial Circuit Bar Association Leadership Roundtable: “Is Justice Blind? Recognizing Bias in the Legal Profession & Beyond” 2016: Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers New Clerks Academy 2016: Criminal Law & the Judicial System, Institute for Learning in Retirement at Oak Hammock 2016: Professionalism Seminar, 8th Judicial Circuit Bar Association, Criminal Law Discussion Panel 2016: “Family Court Judicial Forum" Conference, National Business Institute (NBI) 2015: “Ethics Case Competition" Judge, University of Florida, College of Business 2015: The University of Florida Levin College of Law Criminal Law Association Panel presentation on "Crimes Against Children" 2015: Judge, The University of Florida Levin College of Law Trial Team "Final Four" 2015: Judge, Florida National Trial Advocacy Tournament at University of Florida Levin College of Law 2015: Gerald T. Bennett Prosecutor/Public Defender Trial Training Program 2015: “Know Your Rights Before You Can Stand for your Rights,” Maslow’s Advocacy Group (MAG) panel discussion 2015: Alachua County Civic Education Series (ACCESS) presentation 2015: Clay County Bar Association CLE presentation, Trial Practice 2015: Professionalism Seminar, 8th Judicial Circuit Bar Association, Family Law Discussion Panel 2015: Phi Alpha Delta Law Panel, University of Florida 2015: University of Florida Levin College of Law, Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Clinic (IPVAC), “Domestic Violence & Violence Against Women” 2015: University of Florida Levin College of Law, Appellate Advocacy Mock Trial presentations 2015: University of Florida Levin College of Law, Appellate Advocacy Mock Trial presentations 2015: Judge, Pre-Law Mock Trial Competition, University of Florida Phi Alpha Delta 2015: “Law & the Courts” lecture- Florida Southern College- Lakeland, FL 2015: “Law, Courts & the Judicial System” presentation, Queen of Peace Academy 2015: “View From the Bench” CLE panel presentation, 8th Judicial Circuit Bar Association 2015: “Judges: Q&A” panel presentation, James Adkins Inn of Court 2015: “Judges & Attorneys” mentor panel presentation, University of Florida Levin College of Law, Christian Legal Society 2015: “Cameras & Technology in the Courtroom” CLE panel presentation, Gerald Bennett Inn of Court 2015: “Judges: Q&A” panel presentation, 8th Judicial Circuit Family Law Advisory Group (FLAG) 2015: “Family Law Judges Mentor” panel presentation, University of Florida Levin College of Law, Family Law Society 2015: Teen Court Judge 2014: “Judges: Q&A” panel presentation, 8th Judicial Circuit Family Law Advisory Group (FLAG) 2014: Judge, Florida National Trial Advocacy Tournament 2014: Judge, The University of Florida Levin College of Law Trial Team “Final Four” 2014: Domestic violence injunction training, Alachua County Sheriff's Office 2014: Victim advocate training 2014: Florida Faith-Based & Community-Based Advisory Council Meeting 2014: "As Family Court Judges See It: Top Mistakes Attorneys Make in Litigating Divorce" Conference, National Business Institute (NBI) 2014: Pre-Law Mock Trial Competition Judge, University of Florida Phi Alpha Delta 2014: Professionalism Seminar, University of Florida Family Law Discussion Panel 2011: Keynote Speaker, Victim’s Rights Week 2002-2004: Presentation on Florida's Death Penalty, Oak Hall High School 2003: Professionalism Seminar, University of Florida Criminal Law Discussion Panel 2002: Rape Forum, University of Florida Prosecution in General, Hawthorne High School Presentation Prosecution in General, University of Florida Engineering Department Presentation

Publications

• Anesthesia & Analgesia, "Death From Propofol: Accident, Suicide, or Murder?" April 2009

Noteworthy events

TV appearances

Colaw has appeared on the following TV shows, based on cases he has handled: Forensic Files, Dateline NBC, Paula Zahn, and Strangers in the Homes.

Recent news

The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms James Colaw Florida Circuit Court. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

James Colaw - Google News

See also

• Judicial selection in Florida
• Florida Circuit Court
• Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrists, Levy and Union counties

External links

• The Eighth Judicial Circuit of Florida
• Eighth Judicial Circuit of Florida, "Press Release: Investiture of James Matthew Colaw to the Eighth Judicial Circuit," December 10, 2013
• Eighth Judicial Circuit of Florida, "Press Release: Investiture of James Matthew Colaw to the Eighth Judicial Circuit," December 4, 2013
• The Florida Bar, "James Matthew Colaw"
• National Board of Legal Specialty Certification, "James M. Colaw"

Footnotes

Florida courts

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Federal courts:

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida

State courts:

Florida Supreme Court • Florida District Courts of Appeal • Florida Circuit Court • Florida County Court

State resources:

Courts in Florida • Florida judicial elections • Judicial selection in Florida