Lee, an attorney in private practice, will take his judge's seat on January 1. Governor Chile's legal counsel, J. Hardin Peterson, explained to reporters that the Governor had been impressed by Robert Lee's achievements.

The judge-to-be, according to Chiles' counsel, got the most distinguished marks that can be given by Martindale and Hubbell, a major publication that rates lawyers nationwide.

The 37-year old Lee is a past president of the Hispanic Bar Association. The current president, Mariaelena Gayo-Guitian is saying that the Democratic Governor has been listening carefully to the concerns of the Hispanic community. A past appointment to a vacant judgeship gave no consideration to Hispanics, angering many, but now there is every reason to be "very pleased," as Gayo-Guitian said,"because I think he's a very qualified individual."

Gayo-Guitian has explained to the Miami Herald that "it's evident that (Chiles) wasn't wrapped up in politics with this selection, and has made the best choice." Sabrina L. Miller, Herald staff writer, believes that the choice makes Lee "a pioneer." "Not only will he be the Broward judiciary's second Hispanic," she writes, "he will also be its first openly gay judge."

Jesse Monteagudo, South Florida's foremost scholar of gay and lesbian history and literature, a Cuban-American and a long-time gay journalist and activist, believes that Lee's appointment can easily be called a milestone event, an extraordinary moment both for Hispanics and for and gay men and women who happen to be Hispanics.

Lee will be taking a cut in income to accept the position. As a commercial litigator with Ft. Lauderdale's Smith and Hiatt, he made $130,000 in 1996. Judges working in the County Court make $95,785 annually.

There were, apparently, rumors circulating in Broward County's legal and political circles predicting that Robert Lee would become the Governor's choice.

"I am very grateful to the governor that he looked at my application with the most favor," said the appointed lawyer. "The bench and many other things in our community need diversity. Now the burden is on me to demonstrate that I am capable of handling this position."

Lee will begin his career as a judge in Broward County's criminal division.