John Steele

This page is about the Middle District of Florida judge. If you are looking for information on the Illinois Appellate Court federal judge, please see John O. Steele.

John E. Steele is an Article III federal judge on senior status for the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. He joined the court in 2000 after being nominated by President Bill Clinton. Steele assumed senior status on June 3, 2015.^[1] Prior to appointment, Steele was a magistrate judge on the Middle District of Florida.^[2]

Education

Steele graduated from the University of Detroit with a bachelor's degree in 1971 and his J.D. in 1973.^[2]

Professional career

1999-2000: Adjunct professor, Florida Coastal School of Law
1988-1991: Attorney in private practice
1981-1988: Assistant United States attorney, Middle District of Florida
1980-1981: Assistant United States attorney, Western District of Michigan
1977-1980: Assistant prosecutor, Ingham County, Michigan
1972-1977: Wayne County, Michigan Prosecutor's Office

1974-1977: Assistant prosecutor
1972-1974: Law clerk^[2]

Judicial career

Middle District of Florida

On the recommendation of Senator Bob Graham, Steele was nominated to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida by President Bill Clinton on June 6, 2000, to a new judgeship created by 113 Stat. 1501, which was approved by Congress. Steele was confirmed by the Senate on July 21, 2000, on a voice vote and received commission on July 26, 2000.^[3] Steele assumed senior status on June 3, 2015.^[1]

Middle District of Florida, magistrate

Steele served an eight-year term, from 1991 until 1999, as a federal magistrate judge for the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.^[2]

Noteworthy cases

Environmentalists lose off-roading challenge over Big Cypress National Preserve (2014)

Environmentalists concerned that off-roading trails would decimate the land labeled as wilderness in the Big Cypress National Preserve Addition Lands sued the National Park Service (NPS) to stop it from creating new trails, both in non-wilderness and wilderness areas alike. Judge John Steele, however, found that the NPS had the authority to designate 130 miles of trails in the non-wilderness areas of the Addition Lands. This means that motorized vehicles can be used on those trails by people visiting the park.

The battle over the Addition Lands started in 1996 when the NPS acquired the land, which is roughly one-third of the entire Big Cypress National Preserve. Some parts are designated as wilderness, and hunters and sportsmen are prohibited from using those lands in their pursuits. The non-wilderness areas, however, are open for recreational purposes. Environmentalists sued the NPS in October 2011 claiming that it was violating environmental protection laws in its handling of the Big Cypress park.

At issue before Judge Steele were motions for summary judgment. Judge Steele found that the NPS acted properly in its designation of lands and did so with the necessary analysis required by law.

Articles: