Lanell Williams-Yulee, Petitioner
Michael B. Kimberly, Counsel of Record
Lanell Williams-Yulee was a candidate for county court judge in Hillsborough County, Florida, in 2009. As part of her campaign, she sent a personally signed, mass-mail fundraising letter introducing herself to voters and asking for contributions. She also posted the letter on her campaign website. The State Bar of Florida filed a complaint against Williams-Yulee, contending that the letter violated Canon 7C(1) of the Florida Code of Judicial Conduct, which prohibits direct requests for campaign contributions in contested judicial elections. Although Williams-Yulee was the only declared candidate at the time, the dispute referee ruled that “contested” elections included any election…
