City of Lakeland v. Vocelle

Through a petition for writ of prohibition and amended petition for writ of prohibition, the City of Lakeland (City) seeks disqualification of Judge of Compensation Claims Charles Vocelle from workers’ compensation proceedings in which the City appears as a party. We have jurisdiction, Keane v. Andrews, 574 So.2d 165 (Fla. 4th DCA 1990) and, for the reasons that follow, we deny relief.

In its initial motion for disqualification presented to Judge Vocelle, the City relied upon the appearance of its Risk Manager, Allen Wilson, at a 1993 hearing of the Judicial Nominating Commission where Wilson…