Q. Judge Smith, how have you handled the Florida Supreme Court’s emphasis on case management by trial judges in civil lawsuits? John

A. Let’s spend time framing the issue, and then I’ll tell you my approach for moving civil dockets.

Historically, the lawyers and parties to a lawsuit have driven their cases at their own pace. The court obliged if a party filed a motion and scheduled a hearing. The case stagnated if neither the lawyers nor the judge did anything to move the case along.