FEDERAL COURTHOUSE
ED DRONDOSKI
On the north side of the new federal courthouse a public garden and walkway
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LEGAL COMMUNITY
SPOTLIGHT
The new courthouse has numerous safety features, all of
which are shrouded in secrecy. It is known that the building
is blast resistant, and as an added precaution, photos are not
allowed inside.
The building will be named after former Florida Supreme
Court Chief Justice Alto Adams Sr., who died in 1988. The
founder of Adams Ranch in Fort Pierce, he was also an attorney.
He served twice on the state Supreme Court.
PRIMARY CASELOAD
The new five-story building is officially the home of the
Fort Pierce Division of the U.S. Southern District of Florida.
Serving Martin, Indian River, St. Lucie, Okeechobee, and
Highlands counties, it spares their residents a long trip to
West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale or Miami.
“Our primary caseload is criminal trials for federal crimes
and civil cases arising under the U.S. Constitution, federal
statute, or ‘diversity’ jurisdiction in disputes between citizens
of different states,” says federal Court Administrator
Steven Larimore.
The courthouse contains two courtrooms along with several
federal agencies and offices including the U.S. Marshals service
which provides security, the U.S. Attorney’s office, U.S.
Pretrial and Probation Services, and the U.S. Clerk’s Office.
In the future the U.S. Bankruptcy Court might open a
branch in Fort Pierce, but there are no plans right now, according
to Chief Deputy Clerk Joe Falzone. “We do have
1,900 square feet set aside for us,” he says. “But we base the
decision on the number of filings in the ZIP codes in the area,
and there aren’t enough people filing at this time.”
Currently county residents must travel to West Palm Beach
to conduct business with the bankruptcy court.
The court building dominates the skyline, soaring three
stories above the restored 1926 Arcade Building across the
street and four above many of the other buildings in the area.
“It’s attractive and a great asset architecturally. It blends
with its surroundings, and it has excellent landscaping. It has
clearly improved that corner,” Benton says.
Inside the long, narrow lobby, glass windows reach to the
ceiling 85 feet above. Large 10-foot by 20-foot paintings by
Roberto Juarez, a nationally acclaimed artist, adorn each end.
Outside, on the north end, a public garden with palms,
walkways and places to sit softens the exterior view and
blends with the surroundings.
DiBartolomeo, McBee, Hartley & Barnes, P.A.
Certified Public Accountants Serving the Treasure Coast Since 1981
DiBartolomeo, McBee, Hartley & Barnes has served the Treasure Coast of Florida since 1981. We
have offices in Ft. Pierce and Port St. Lucie, Florida. Our motto is “Personal Service.” We are very
proactive with our clients and assist them in their accounting, tax, and business needs. One or more
of our four principals handles every client, no matter how large or small. This is the business
philosophy on which our firm was founded.
Fort Pierce
2222 Colonial Road, Suite 200
772.461.8833
◆ Accounting & Auditing
◆ Tax Return Preparation
◆ Business Advisors
◆ Consulting & Computer Services
Port St. Lucie
439 S.E. Port St. Lucie Blvd., Suite 115
772.878.1952
P l e a s e v i s i t o u r W e b s i t e : w w w. dm hb c p a . n e t
>>
provides a peaceful setting for visitors.
/www.dmhbcpa.net
