Kevin Ambler (born March 10, 1961) is an American lawyer, based in Tampa, Florida. He is currently a senior partner at The Ambler Law Group, focusing on Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Business Law, Construction Litigation, Business Arbitration & amp; Mediation and Government Affairs.
Ambler previously served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2002-2010, representing the 47th House District, located in the northwestern county of Hillsborough. The 47th House District consists of Carrollwood, Cheval, Citrus Park, Forrest Hills, Keystone, Lutz, Northdale, and Odessa communities. During his tenure at Florida House, Ambler served as Chair of several committees, including the Legislative Co-Sunset Sunset Counseling Committee, the Provision Committee on Health and Safety & Public Care & Committee on Domestic Security Policy. Ambler was also chosen by his colleagues to serve as Chairman of the Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation.
Video Kevin Ambler
Personal life
Kevin Ambler was born in Los Angeles, California and raised in Palm Springs, California by his mother, a police officer. Ambler and his family moved to Florida in 1986, when he was transferred from the Air Force base in Southern California to the MacDill Air Force Base.
In the 1980s, Ambler made an appearance on the Card Sharks television show, winning one game.
She is married to Mindy Hanopole and has two children, Jason Ambler and Jami Ambler.
Maps Kevin Ambler
Education
Kevin Ambler attended Cornell University with an Air Force ROTC scholarship. While a scholar, Ambler joined Phi Alpha Omega Fraternity, who eventually served as President. In 1983 Ambler received a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Cornell. After graduation, he was assigned as Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force.
In 1986, Ambler received his Doctoral Juris degree from the University of Law Faculty of Southwest University in Los Angeles, California.
Ambler has been on the faculty for Stetson University College of Law as an adjunct law professor for the last five years.
Military services
Shortly after graduating law school, Kevin Ambler was appointed Advocate of Air Force Judges and assigned to the Office of Judge Advocate Staff, MacDill Air Force Base. Ambler was stationed at the MacDill Air Force Base for nearly five years and served in several positions, including: Chief Claim, Chief Legal Aid, Chief Justice of Military and Head of Civil Law Division. During this time, he was also appointed by the US Attorney General as Special Assistant, United States Attorney and was responsible for prosecuting criminal cases against civilians in federal court appearing on MacDill AFB. Later, Ambler's responsibility was extended to defend the United States in federal court in medical malpractice and personal injury cases arising under the Federal Tort Claims Act.
Ambler was transferred to an Air Force Reserve in 1991. During his first year as Reserve, Ambler was awarded the Harmon Prize by the Air Force Public Prosecutor as the Opinion of the Supreme Reserve Judge in the US Air Force.
Professional career
Kevin Ambler started his career in private practice as a litigation lawyer in 1991. In 1996, he opened his own law firm, The Law Offices of Kevin C. Ambler.
Ambler is recognized as a member of Florida, Georgia, and Washington D.C. State Bar's and members of the American Bar Association, Hillsborough County Bar Association and the American Trial Bar Association. He was accepted to practice before the US Supreme Court, 11th Circuit Court of Appeal and US District Court for Florida Central District Court.
In 1997, Ambler launched the "Ask a Lawyers" program from the Hillsborough County Bar Association (HCBA). The program, which airs once a month, shows lawyers who answer legal questions from phone callers. In March 2002, Ambler received the "Have a Heart" HCBA award for outstanding pro bono service.
Ambler previously served as Chairman of the Military Military Affairs Committee of Florida (2002-2003) and Chairman of the Military Liaison Committee (HCBA) Liaison Hillsborough County Bar Association (2002-2003). He has led the HCBA Entertainment Section and Intellectual Property Law for three of the past five years.
Ambler and his company hold an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell National Law Directory.
Political career
Kevin Ambler previously worked at the Northdale Special Tax District Council for seven years, holding the President's position for six years from those years.
Ambler also served on the 14-member Hillsborough County Charter Review Board, which recommended changes to the regional charter intended to create better governance.
In 2002, Ambler ran for 47 seats in the Florida House of Representatives. He then won re-election in 2004, 2006 and 2008.
Although credited by fellow legislators for showing brains and hard work during his first tenure at the office, Ambler showed off an independent style that rubs some conservatives in the wrong way. One of them is House Speaker Johnnie Byrd (R-Plant City), which Ambler challenged to reform medical malpractice. Ambler enjoys a better deal with House Speakers coming in Allan Bense (R-Panama City), which raises funds for Ambler re-election. "He's a very good lawyer, he's a very articulate speaker," Bense said. "I think he has done a good job of representing his constituency in Tampa."
Legislative Achievement
On April 29, 2003, Kevin Ambler passed House Bill 1475, The Florida Uniformed Servicemembers Act (FUSPA). FUSPA provides protection to military personnel deployed to defend the United States. FUSPA discussed several issues that the Legislature needs to address in order to protect the Florida military personnel. FUSPA is also strengthened and provides additional protection to those provided by Federal law and extends protection to include some areas not covered by Federal law.
In 2004, Ambler created the Student Legislation Program "Should Be the Law" (OTBAL). This program is the first of its kind in the United States, offering high school students the opportunity to write, research, and present real bills before the state legislature. Ambler created a program to give high school students real-life experiences and enable students to see how ideas are made into state law.
Each year, students from across the Tampa Bay region present a legislative proposal that addresses the need or special issue to Hillsborough County legislators. Each billing presentation includes information about funding, possible opposition and support, mandates and timelines. If any elements are missing or an idea seems to be impossible, the panel notifies the student. After the initial round of proposals, panelists selected six of the students' designs as finalists in the competition. The students voted for their favorite bill from the finalists, after Ambler and State Senator Victor Crist will pass legislation in their respective rooms. Eligible students from the Student Legislation Delegation Program OTBAL presented the winning bills at each Stop Committee at Florida House and Florida Senate.
On May 6, 2005, Ambler authorized House Bill 1659, which prohibits the implementation or reduction of termination of pregnancy at the age of under age without special notice of parents.
In 2006, Ambler received an Outstanding Representative Award from Florida Trial Lawyers Academy.
During the 2007 Legislative Session, the program "Should Be the Law" made history when House Bill 1161 titled, The High School to Business Career Enhancement Act, passed the Legislature unanimously and signed into law by Governor Charlie Crist.
On March 31, 2008, Ambler and Hillsborough County Public Schools Board Members were honored with first place awards in the annual American School Board Journal 14 Annual Magna Program, held at the Peabody Hotel in Orlando. The Association recognizes this program as one of the top new educational initiatives in the United States. Hillsborough County Public Schools also received a $ 2 million PROJECT Elect grant to advance civic education based on the program.
In 2008, The Florida Bar was named Ambler Legislator of the Year.
In 2009, the Florida Justice Association awarded Ambler an Outstanding Representative Award.
On April 28, 2010, Ambler authorized House Bill 7181, the Justice Justice Reform Justice Bill of the Florida Youth Justice Department (DJJ). This law reforms the Florida children's justice system by providing greater access to rehabilitation options for troubled children, and discusses the over-representation of minority youth in the juvenile justice system, compared with the general population.
On April 29, 2010, Ambler authorized House Bill 1003. The bill abolished the 10 percent inability limit for the Veteran-Owned Business Disability Splicing Service to become a certified country, bringing it more in line with federal certification requirements. The bill also clarifies the current Florida Department of Veterans Affairs policy to recognize eligible peacekeeping veterans and eligible war veterans to the Florida State Veterans Treatment and Domicile Homes.
On April 30, 2010, the House of Representatives and Senate unanimously handed Ambler's House Bill 697, the Entertainment Industry Incentive Bill into law.
Florida Senate Head Election 2010
In 2010, Hillsborough County Commissioner Jim Norman filed a lawsuit against Ambler in the 12 Florida District Senate Electoral District. Norman has volunteered at Ambler's previous campaign for the 47th seat of District 47 and has declared his intention to run for a seat when Ambler reaches the limits. Instead, Norman filed against Ambler for the Senate seat at the last second.
During the campaign, news broke that Norman had failed to reveal $ 435,000 Arkansas vacation home "given" to his wife, Mearline, by Ralph Hughes. Hughes is the founder of Cast-Crete millionaire, a pre-printed concrete product used in construction work around the county. The East Hillsborough County power brokers benefited for years from district pro-development decisions and were longtime Norman friends.
Mearline Norman used a "gift" to buy and renovate a lake house and two boats in Arkansas, which Norman failed to disclose on his financial disclosure form.
Norman claims he has nothing to do with loans or home purchases. Norman and his lawyers failed to explain how Mearline, who is not working, can buy a home.
On July 28, 2010, Ambler received an endorsement from the Tampa Tribune "... in the end, Ambler delivered a stronger understanding of the need to deal creatively with Florida's fiscal crisis and Norman's failure to deal more openly with the Arkansas issue gives us a pause For the Senate Florida, District 12, Tribune supports Kevin Ambler. "
On August 6, 2010, Ambler received support from the Saint Petersburg Times: "Ambler, is a strong conservative voice in eight years representing the larger Carrollwood area at Florida House." The former federal prosecutors and Air Force supporters have a good understanding of the policy across the state.He has a sensible proposal to cut the size of government, target tax incentives to attract high-paying jobs and improve teacher quality Ambler will question insurance companies for much more stringent reviews before they raise interest rates, a major concern for a districts that are particularly vulnerable to storm and discharge holes.
Salvation Army scandal
Questions about Jim Norman's work at the Salvation Army emerged during a hot primary election campaign. Charity pays him $ 95,000 a year for a job Norman says does mostly on weekends and gives him a car. During the 2010 Primary Election, Norman was photographed using vehicles for political activities, endangering the Army's Safety tax free status. Salvation Army officials stated that donors complained about Norman being on the payroll. At least a dozen readers sending letters or e-mails to the Saint Petersburg Times expressed their disappointment in the handling of the Norman affair.
On August 24, 2010, Ambler lost to Norman with just under four thousand votes.
Norman v. Ambler
Kevin Ambler first revealed Hughes's gift to Mearline Norman in a lawsuit that sought to overturn his Republican defeat in August 2010 to Jim Norman. In the lawsuit, Ambler argues that Norman is not eligible to run, as he fails to reveal a "gift" to the Arkansas home on his country's ethical form.
During the trial, the Norma people testified that Mearline partnered with Hughes, who gave him money to buy and provide housing. Norman insisted he did not reveal the house because he did not have it and had no knowledge of his wife's partnership with Hughes.
Jim Norman started voting
During the October trial, Second Judge Jackie Fulford stated that he found Norman's explanation that he knew nothing about the house, "totally absurd," and ordered him to cancel the vote.
Former Representative Rob Robace named to replace Norman on the ballot
As regulated by state law, six Republican representatives from Hillsborough and Pasco districts elected candidates to replace Norman in the 2010 elections, electing former Rep. Rob Wallace. Wallace served eight years at Florida House from 1994-2002 and was replaced by Ambler.
District Court 1 Upgrade Norman back to vote
Norman appealed Fulford's decision and a panel of three judges from the First District High Court reversed a lower court, putting Norman back on vote. During the appeal, the judge noted that Norman could still face charges of perjury, but it was up to the Legislature to remove a candidate from the ballot based on the recommendations of the Ethics Commission.
After being restored, Norman won the election against two writing candidates. Despite the token opposition, however, 45,573 voters voted for someone other than Norman.
FBI and Grand Jury Investigations
After the story aired, the FBI and Grand Jury began to investigate Norman.
State Commission on Ethics investigation
In response to media coverage, ethical complaints were filed against Norman by Tampa attorney Paul Phillips and by Dover activist George Niemann.
According to Phillips's complaint, Mrs. Norman does not have a clear source of income that allows the purchase of a $ 435,000 lake front home. Phillips' complaint states that Ralph Hughes leads the money and that it is an unreported loan or unreported income. The Normandans refused to give up their income taxes to clear the answer to that question. Phillips' complaint notes that the house was sold to the people of Norma by Ed Roleson, Jr. who is a former distributor of Miller Beer Co. who is now dead. Real estate transactions were conducted around the same time as the Tampa Sports Authority (served by Norman) approving the porch deck at the southern end zone of Raymond James Stadium for Miller Beer. Phillips alleges that Norman only listed his wife's name in the home office "deliberately done to conceal a clear conflict of interest for Mr. Norman and the illegal gift to him and/or his partner."
Electoral history
See also
- The Florida government
- Florida State Capitol
- Florida House of Representatives
- The Florida Republican Party
External links
- The Florida Legislature
- https://www.followthemoney.org/
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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