U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Orlando Division, Judge Wendy Berger will be the guest speaker when the Former Council Presidents and Friends group meets at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 17 at Mudville Grille at 3105 Beach Blvd.
Admission is free. Attendees may purchase lunch at the restaurant, said Eric Smith, a former Jacksonville City Council president and organizer of the monthly event.
Berger joined the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida on Aug. 1, 2019, after being appointed by President Donald Trump.
Before her appointment to the federal district court, Berger was a judge on Florida’s 5th District Court of Appeal (2012-19) and a judge in the 7th Judicial Circuit (2005-12).
From 2001-05, Berger was an assistant general counsel and clemency aide to then-Gov. Jeb Bush and from 1993-2000, an assistant state attorney in the 7th Judicial Circuit.
She is often asked to speak on topics including attorney professionalism, constitutional originalism, diversity, judicial appointments, appellate practice, extradition, the death penalty, gender bias and drug court.
Raised in Jacksonville, Berger is a graduate of Stanton College Preparatory School, Florida State University and the Florida State University College of Law.