Tara P. Paluck

Judge Tara Pascotto Paluck was elected to a newly created County Court seat in November of 2006. As a County Court Judge, Judge Paluck presides over many types of County Court matters including criminal misdemeanor, small claims, civil traffic infractions, and municipal/county ordinances. In April of 2016, Judge Paluck was appointed as a Co-Administrative judge for the Lee County Court division by Chief Judge Michael McHugh, and she was appointed the full position of Administrative Judge of County Court for Lee County from October of 2020 to July of 2023. Since 2016, Judge Paluck has served as the Chairperson of the Lee County Public Safety Coordinating Counsel. From 2016 until 2022, Judge Paluck was elected as the Circuit Representative for the Conference of County Court Judges or the Second District Vice-President. In 2022, Judge Paluck was appointed as Secretary of the Conference, and then elected to the position by the judges of the State of Florida. In July 2024, Judge Paluck was appointed and then elected to serve as the Editor of the Courier which is publication for all County Court Judges in Florida. In this capacity, she serves on the Executive Board of Directors for the Conference of County Court Judges of Florida. For several years, Judge Paluck was the Chairperson of the Technology Committee and serves on the Editorial and Legislative Committees for the County Court Conference. Appointed by the Chief Judge of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Florida, Judge Paluck is a designated mentor judge to new judges.

As for her education, in 1991, Judge Paluck received her Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies from the University of Notre Dame. In 1994, she graduated from Creighton University School of Law. After that, Judge Paluck returned home to Lee County to intern with the State Attorney's Office. Subsequently, she began her work as a prosecutor, handling cases primarily in the Domestic Violence and Narcotics/Firearms cases. Additionally, Judge Paluck served as a liaison with the Lee County Sheriff's Office advising on search and seizure issues and attended undercover operations.

After working for the State of Florida for three years, Judge Paluck was hired by Allstate Insurance Company. For approximately eight years, Judge Paluck practiced insurance defense work. As a trial attorney for Allstate, Judge Paluck's caseload consisted mostly of bodily injury, subrogation, personal injury protection, homeowners and small claims actions.

In 2004, Judge Paluck was certified by the Supreme Court of Florida as a mediator in Circuit Civil cases. Additionally, Judge Paluck started her own law firm developing a mediation and general law practice. Predominantly, in this capacity, Judge Paluck handled family law matters. Her practice closed when she was elected to the bench.

In 2010, Judge Paluck was recognized for serving as the presiding judge for Mental Health Court for three years. In July of 2016, she received the President's Award for Outstanding Service with the County Court Judges of Florida. Additionally, Judge Paluck has presented at continuing mediator training in Lee County, and she has been a panelist for several bar associations and legal groups.

Over the last decade, Judge Paluck has been active in the community hosting numerous mock trials and speaking events for local schools and clubs. She has participated in several community service events such as builds with Habitat for Humanity and mentored with the Lee County Association of Woman Lawyers. Frequently, Judge Paluck hosts students and interns to learn about our justice system.

Judge Tara Pascotto Paluck was elected to a newly created County Court seat in November of 2006. As a County Court Judge, Judge Paluck presides over many types of County Court matters including criminal misdemeanor, small claims, civil traffic infractions, and municipal/county ordinances. In April of 2016, Judge Paluck was appointed as a Co-Administrative judge for the Lee County Court division by Chief Judge Michael McHugh, and she was appointed the full position of Administrative Judge of County Court for Lee County from October of 2020 to July of 2023. Since 2016, Judge Paluck has served as the Chairperson of the Lee County Public Safety Coordinating Counsel. From 2016 until 2022, Judge Paluck was elected as the Circuit Representative for the Conference of County Court Judges or the Second District Vice-President. In 2022, Judge Paluck was appointed as Secretary of the Conference, and then elected to the position by the judges of the State of Florida. In July 2024, Judge Paluck was appointed and then elected to serve as the Editor of the Courier which is publication for all County Court Judges in Florida. In this capacity, she serves on the Executive Board of Directors for the Conference of County Court Judges of Florida. For several years, Judge Paluck was the Chairperson of the Technology Committee and serves on the Editorial and Legislative Committees for the County Court Conference. Appointed by the Chief Judge of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Florida, Judge Paluck is a designated mentor judge to new judges.

Judge Paluck has been Faculty Trained to teach other judges at judicial conferences. She has assisted in instruction of classes from Mental Health Court, Stand Your Ground to Canvassing Board issues. Judge Paluck was also asked to chair a new judicial committee which she had suggested to assist judges who are impacted by natural disasters. This committee will lend support to displaced judges physically and emotionally, so the judge may continue to do his/her work.

As for her education, in 1991, Judge Paluck received her Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies from the University of Notre Dame. In 1994, she graduated from Creighton University School of Law. After that, Judge Paluck returned home to Lee County to intern with the State Attorney's Office. Subsequently, she began her work as a prosecutor, handling cases primarily in the Domestic Violence and Narcotics/Firearms cases. Additionally, Judge Paluck served as a liaison with the Lee County Sheriff's Office advising on search and seizure issues and attended undercover operations.

After working for the State of Florida for three years, Judge Paluck was hired by Allstate Insurance Company. For approximately eight years, Judge Paluck practiced insurance defense work. As a trial attorney for Allstate, Judge Paluck's caseload consisted mostly of bodily injury, subrogation, personal injury protection, homeowners and small claims actions.

In 2004, Judge Paluck was certified by the Supreme Court of Florida as a mediator in Circuit Civil cases. Additionally, Judge Paluck started her own law firm developing a mediation and general law practice. Predominantly, in this capacity, Judge Paluck handled family law matters. Her practice closed when she was elected to the bench.

In 2010, Judge Paluck was recognized for serving as the presiding judge for Mental Health Court for three years. In July of 2016, she received the President's Award for Outstanding Service with the County Court Judges of Florida. Additionally, Judge Paluck has presented at continuing mediator training in Lee County, and she has been a panelist for several bar associations and legal groups.

Over the last decade, Judge Paluck has been active in the community hosting numerous mock trials and speaking events for local schools and clubs. She has participated in several community service events such as builds with Habitat for Humanity and mentored with the Lee County Association of Woman Lawyers. Frequently, Judge Paluck hosts students and interns to learn about our justice system.