Fourth Judicial Circuit Judge Don Lester was appointed to the bench in 2010. He was re-elected without opposition in August.
Who or what inspired you to become a lawyer? No particular person or thing. It just seemed to occur naturally.
Someone who inspires me: Judge Scott Farr, my best friend since law school orientation and a long-time cancer survivor.
How do you relate your undergraduate degree to your service on the bench? I had a dual major in government and history, which I believe helped me appreciate the proper role and importance of the judicial branch in our system of government.
Do you have any leadership roles within the community? If these qualify, I am chair of the Diocese of Florida Finance Committee, on the board of The Episcopal School of Jacksonville and occasionally speak to inform the public about the value of Veterans Treatment Courts.
What is your favorite book? The collected Sherlock Holmes mysteries.
Do you have any special talents? I play fingerstyle acoustic guitar, though not all that well.
If you weren’t a judge what do you think you’d be? A luthier. (Craftsperson who builds stringed musical instruments.)
Have you traveled anywhere exotic? If “exotic” means out of the country, yes. Some of my favorite places are Orkney, Minorca and Scandinavia.
What’s your favorite website? Wsj.com (The Wall Street Journal)
If you could meet someone from history, who would it be and why? John Adams. I would like to hear an insider’s perspective on the country’s founding.
What’s your favorite holiday? Lent. It’s the only holiday that can’t be commercialized.