Law Offices of Herssein and Herssein, P.a. v. United Services Automobile Association…

Summary

The court held that a trial judge's Facebook friendship with an attorney appearing before the judge, without more, is not legally sufficient grounds for disqualification because it does not objectively establish a close or intimate relationship or create a well-grounded fear of partiality. Applying de novo review, the court approved the lower appellate court's decision and rejected the contrary approach. Justice Labarga concurred while urging judges to avoid Facebook, and Justice Pariente, joined by Justices Lewis and Quince, dissented and would require recusal whenever such a Facebook friendship exists.