Judge Donald W. Hafele: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

15th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Department Criminal, Courtroom 1

Florida Bar #: 350761 (October 27, 1982)

Appointed By: Gov. Charles J. Crist, Jr.

Biography

Hon. Donald W. Hafele is a judge for the 15th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida in Palm Beach County. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Charlie Crist in 2008, filling the vacancy created by the passing of the Hon. Jeffrey A. Winikoff (deceased).


Hafele has held assignments in the Juvenile and Civil Divisions. Prior to his appointment, he served as a judge for the Palm Beach County Court, having been named to that position by former Governor Jeb Bush in 1999. On the County Court bench, Hafele presided over the Criminal Division and served as the administrative judge of the Civil Division (2000 to 2005).


Hafele received a B.A. from the University of Miami in 1979. He then completed a J.D. at the University of Miami School of Law in 1982.


He began his legal career as an attorney at Wicker Smith, where he practiced until 1993. He then practiced briefly as a partner at Reid, Price, Hafele & Cameron before going into solo practice the following year. He remained in that capacity until beginning his judicial career in 1999.

Recent Cases by Hon. Donald W. Hafele

On September 8, 2023 a municipal ordinance case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Donald W. Hafele presiding.

Filed

Sep 08, 2023

Judge

Hon. Donald W. Hafele Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Donald W. Hafele

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Category

MUNICIPAL ORDINANCE

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 21, 2022

On September 2, 2023 a municipal ordinance case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Donald W. Hafele presiding.

Filed

Sep 02, 2023

Judge

Hon. Donald W. Hafele Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Donald W. Hafele

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Category

MUNICIPAL ORDINANCE

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 20, 2022

On July 5, 2022 a contract & debt case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Donald W. Hafele presiding.

6 Files
Filed

Jul 05, 2022

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Donald W. Hafele Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Donald W. Hafele

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Category

CONTRACT & DEBT

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 13, 2023

On July 1, 2022 a 3 case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge DONALD W HAFELE presiding.

20 Files
Filed

Jul 01, 2022

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. DONALD W HAFELE Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for DONALD W HAFELE

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Category

3

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 10, 2023

On June 30, 2022 a hr foreclosure = < $50k case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Donald W. Hafele presiding.

17 Files
Filed

Jun 30, 2022

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Donald W. Hafele Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Donald W. Hafele

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Category

HR FORECLOSURE = < $50K

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 11, 2023

On June 24, 2022 a discrimination employmnt/other case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Donald W. Hafele presiding.

10 Files
Filed

Jun 24, 2022

Status

Settlement

Judge

Hon. Donald W. Hafele Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Donald W. Hafele

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Category

DISCRIMINATION EMPLOYMNT/OTHER

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

Discrimination

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 15, 2023

On June 17, 2022 an other circuit case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge DONALD W HAFELE presiding.

6 Files
Filed

Jun 17, 2022

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. DONALD W HAFELE Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for DONALD W HAFELE

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Category

OTHER CIRCUIT

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 12, 2023

On June 17, 2022 an assn lien foreclosure = < $50k case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Donald W. Hafele presiding.

15 Files
Filed

Jun 17, 2022

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Donald W. Hafele Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Donald W. Hafele

Court

Circuit

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Category

Assn Lien Foreclosure = < $50K

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Liens

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 27, 2023

On June 15, 2022 a medical malpractice case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Donald W. Hafele presiding.

1 File
Filed

Jun 15, 2022

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Donald W. Hafele Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Donald W. Hafele

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Category

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Malpractice

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 13, 2023

On June 13, 2022 a non hr foreclosure > $50k, < $250k case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Donald W. Hafele presiding.

16 Files
Filed

Jun 13, 2022

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Donald W. Hafele Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Donald W. Hafele

Court

Circuit

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Category

NON HR FORECLOSURE > $50K, < $250K

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 24, 2023

On June 7, 2022 a contract & debt case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Donald W. Hafele presiding.

7 Files
Filed

Jun 07, 2022

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Donald W. Hafele Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Donald W. Hafele

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Category

CONTRACT & DEBT

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 15, 2023

On June 6, 2022 a contract & debt case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge DONALD W HAFELE presiding.

7 Files
Filed

Jun 06, 2022

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. DONALD W HAFELE Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for DONALD W HAFELE

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Category

CONTRACT & DEBT

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 10, 2023

On June 3, 2022 a hr foreclosure = > $250k case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Donald W. Hafele presiding.

12 Files
Filed

Jun 03, 2022

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Donald W. Hafele Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Donald W. Hafele

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Category

HR FORECLOSURE = > $250K

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 15, 2023

On May 26, 2022 a contract & debt case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge DONALD W HAFELE presiding.

3 Files
Filed

May 26, 2022

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. DONALD W HAFELE Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for DONALD W HAFELE

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Category

CONTRACT & DEBT

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

May 27, 2022

On May 25, 2022 an insurance claim case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge DONALD W HAFELE presiding.

7 Files
Filed

May 25, 2022

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. DONALD W HAFELE Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for DONALD W HAFELE

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Category

INSURANCE CLAIM

Practice Area

Insurance

Matter Type

Insurance Coverage

Case Last Refreshed

May 27, 2022

On May 24, 2022 a contract & debt case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge DONALD W HAFELE presiding.

6 Files
Filed

May 24, 2022

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. DONALD W HAFELE Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for DONALD W HAFELE

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Category

CONTRACT & DEBT

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

May 26, 2022

On May 24, 2022 a premises liability residential case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge DONALD W HAFELE presiding.

5 Files
Filed

May 24, 2022

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. DONALD W HAFELE Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for DONALD W HAFELE

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Category

PREMISES LIABILITY RESIDENTIAL

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Premises Liability

Case Last Refreshed

May 27, 2022

On May 24, 2022 an auto negligence case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Donald W. Hafele presiding.

6 Files
Filed

May 24, 2022

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Donald W. Hafele Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Donald W. Hafele

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Category

AUTO NEGLIGENCE

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

May 26, 2022

On May 24, 2022 a discrimination employmnt/other case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Donald W. Hafele presiding.

1 File
Filed

May 24, 2022

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Donald W. Hafele Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Donald W. Hafele

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Category

DISCRIMINATION EMPLOYMNT/OTHER

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

Discrimination

Case Last Refreshed

May 26, 2022

On May 24, 2022 a business transaction case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Donald W. Hafele presiding.

7 Files
Filed

May 24, 2022

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Donald W. Hafele Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Donald W. Hafele

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Category

BUSINESS TRANSACTION

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

General Commercial

Case Last Refreshed

May 27, 2022

On May 23, 2022 a hr foreclosure > $50k, < $250k case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge DONALD W HAFELE presiding.

11 Files
Filed

May 23, 2022

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. DONALD W HAFELE Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for DONALD W HAFELE

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Category

HR FORECLOSURE > $50K, < $250K

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

May 26, 2022

On May 23, 2022 an assn lien foreclosure = < $50k case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge DONALD W HAFELE presiding.

8 Files
Filed

May 23, 2022

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. DONALD W HAFELE Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for DONALD W HAFELE

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Category

Assn Lien Foreclosure = < $50K

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Liens

Case Last Refreshed

May 26, 2022

On May 23, 2022 an auto negligence case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Donald W. Hafele presiding.

3 Files
Filed

May 23, 2022

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Donald W. Hafele Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Donald W. Hafele

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Category

AUTO NEGLIGENCE

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

May 24, 2022

On May 23, 2022 an other circuit case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Donald W. Hafele presiding.

3 Files
Filed

May 23, 2022

Status

Non-SRS

Judge

Hon. Donald W. Hafele Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Donald W. Hafele

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Category

OTHER CIRCUIT

Case Last Refreshed

May 25, 2022

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