A New Deputy Chief Comes To Town
By Joyce Moed
Frank Castor, who recently moved from Royal Palm Beach to Wellington, feels that his background as deputy chief of economic crimes and crimes against the elderly for the State Attorney's office has prepared him for a county court judge position.

"I went to law school because I wanted to be a prosecutor. I have been a prosecutor for the past 10 years," Castor said. "As a prosecutor I've handled over 150 jury trials. That's what a county court judge does - conducts trials."

As for the responsibilities of civil trials the county court judge position also includes, Castor said his experience in handling embezzlement and fraud cases has prepared him.

"I think I'll be good at civil cases also," Castor said. "I work with a lot of victims. I'm not dealing with corporate executives. I'm dealing with real people on a daily basis. That's who I'd be dealing with as a county court judge."

For the time being, Castor's goal is to be elected as a county court judge.

"I plan to do a good job," he said. "That's what I want to do right now. And whatever you do in life, if you do a good job at it, leads to more opportunities coming your way."

Castor is married and has two children, 5 and 8, who are students in the public school system. He is also active in the Florida Bar Grievance Committee, and in Youth Court.
Arthur Pumpian would bring many things to the table if elected county court judge, Group 19, he said. Most importantly: experience, fairness and integrity.

"I have tried over 2,000 cases," he said. "And I think people consider me to be fair."

Pumpian, of Lake Clarke Shores, has practiced law in Palm Beach County for the past 31 years. During this time, he said he learned how to work as part of a team, in addition to working independently. He served as a partner in the law firm Danielson, Clarke, Pumpian and Ford, in West Palm Beach, for many years, and for the past seven and-a-half years has been the sole proprietor of a mediation business. In his current business he does not take on a case unless both sides agree on having him serve as mediator.
Although this is Pumpian's first time running for county court judge, he is no stranger to public service. He served from 1981 to 1987 as a workers' compensation judge, appointed by Gov. Bob Graham. He also was a lieutenant in the Army from 1969 to 1972, after he earned his law degree from George Washington University.

During his 31 years practicing law, Pumpian, has focused mainly in workers' compensation and personal injury law. He has also worked in contract law, medical practice and family law cases.

Another strength for Pumpian in the respect he receives from his peers, he said. In 1998, he received the Kennie Edwards Memorial award from his peers. The inscription read that it was for honesty, integrity, advocacy and good humor.

Pumpian, 58, is married with two children and two grandchildren.

Steve Brannock, a 35-year-resident of Palm Beach County, started his law career 24 years ago focusing on litigation and slip-and-fall cases. He then migrated into contraction litigation, and soon took on a position as the in-house attorney for a builder. In that role, he was in charge of litigation and real estate.

"Then in 1997 I went on my own," Brannock said. "Primarily in real estate. Half transactional, half litigation." Brannock also handles contract dispute cases, landlord/tenant issues, and closings. He also has a title insurance company.
Brannock also served as a traffic-hearing officer for several years in the Palm Beach County court system. He is also active in the Craig S. Bernard American Inns of Court, an organization comprised of attorneys of all ages, law students and judges that is designed to improve the skills, professionalism and ethics of the bench and bar.
Brannock has been a resident of Wellington since 2002. He is married and has three children.

"I thought I'd like to be a judge for a long time," he said. "Many friends have told me that I would be good at it. I am fair, honest, impartial, and I have a lot of patience."

Peter Chontos said that what makes him the best candidate for county court judge is that he has "the broadest experience of any of the candidates."

"I have been on the defense table like Steve Brannock, workers' compensation like Arthur Pumpian, and trial work like Frank Castor," he said. "In addition I've taught law at the college level, and taught at Lake Worth High School. "

At present, Chontos works for the firm Glantz & Glantz in Plantation, and is responsible for administration of the real estate department. He has been a resident of Boca Raton since 1999.

Chontos is also involved in many volunteer organizations, and has volunteered as a poll worker and as an ESOL host family. He has been a member of the Florida Bar Association for the past 27 years.

The 2006 Primary Election for County Court Judge, Group 19, takes place on Sept. 5.