Roberta A. Colton is a distinguished U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Middle District of Florida, whose career spans over four decades of legal expertise, leadership, and service in the field of bankruptcy law. Known for her sharp intellect, creative problem-solving, and commitment to justice, Judge Colton has left an indelible mark on the legal community, both as a practitioner and as a jurist. Her journey from a young law student with a passion for debate to a federal bankruptcy judge reflects a remarkable blend of determination, skill, and a deep understanding of the complexities of insolvency law.
Born and raised with an early inclination toward problem-solving and public speaking, Colton’s path to the judiciary was shaped by a strong academic foundation and a knack for turning challenges into opportunities. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Virginia in 1979, graduating with honors as a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, a prestigious business honor society. Her interest in law was evident early on, as she once humorously noted that her love for speaking and her “ham” personality made the legal profession a natural fit. She went on to attend the College of William and Mary Law School, where she earned her Juris Doctor in 1982. At William and Mary, she excelled, serving on the Law Review and competing as a National Moot Court finalist. Her standout performance earned her the Weber Diploma, an award given to the graduate showing the greatest promise—a recognition that sparked some lighthearted controversy, as it typically went to the top-ranked student, and Colton modestly admitted she wasn’t in the top ten of her class.
After law school, Colton’s career began with a prestigious clerkship for Judge James C. Hill of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit from 1982 to 1983. This experience provided her with a front-row seat to appellate judicial decision-making and cemented her admiration for Judge Hill, whom she considers one of her heroes. Following her clerkship, she joined the Tampa-based law firm Trenam, Simmons, Kemker, Scharf, Barkin, Frye & O’Neill, P.A. as an associate in 1983. She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a shareholder in 1988 and establishing herself as a formidable force in bankruptcy and creditors’ rights law.
Colton’s early foray into bankruptcy law was sparked by a serendipitous personal experience in 1984, when Air Florida canceled her return flight from a business trip due to its own bankruptcy filing. Weeks later, she was retained by Guinness Peat Aviation to recover three planes leased to the struggling airline. Facing resistance from the Miami airport, which claimed a lien on the aircraft, Colton negotiated a stipulation with Air Florida’s attorney and secured a judge’s order to release the planes. In a dramatic turn, her client’s pilots retrieved the aircraft under the cover of night—an episode that earned her the moniker “sneaky little vixen” from an opposing attorney and ignited her passion for the fast-paced, problem-solving nature of bankruptcy practice.
Over the next three decades at Trenam Law, Colton built a reputation as one of Florida’s premier bankruptcy attorneys. She chaired the firm’s Bankruptcy, Creditors’ Rights, and Insolvency Practice Group and served on its three-person management committee and five-person executive board. Her work often involved high-stakes corporate restructurings and creditor disputes, including a notable case involving a fraudulent Oregon investor who sheltered assets in Florida under its homestead exemption. Colton forced the debtor into Chapter 7 bankruptcy, securing a $4.75 million settlement for her clients—though she noted they recovered less than half that amount due to the debtor’s maneuvers. Her ability to navigate complex legal puzzles and salvage outcomes for clients in distress became a hallmark of her practice.
Beyond her work at Trenam, Colton was deeply engaged in the broader legal community. She served as president of the Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association (1995–1996), chair of the Florida Bar Business Law Section’s Executive Council (1997–1998), and chair of the Bankruptcy/UCC Committee. She also held leadership roles in the Middle District of Florida’s Bankruptcy Court, including chairing the Local Rules Committee and the Grievance Committee. Her contributions extended nationally as the Eleventh Circuit Regent for the American College of Bankruptcy and as an honorary overseas member of The Commercial Bar Association in London. Colton was also a prolific writer and educator, authoring chapters on prejudgment remedies and commercial litigation in bankruptcy for legal publications and lecturing frequently for bar associations.
In 2016, Colton’s career took a significant turn when she was appointed as a U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Middle District of Florida, a position she assumed on April 1 of that year. Her appointment was unusual: she was selected by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit to fill a South Dakota judgeship vacancy, which was then loaned to Florida’s Middle District under a pilot program to address its overwhelming caseload. With over 30,000 annual bankruptcy filings—more than three times the national average—the Middle District desperately needed additional judicial resources, while South Dakota averaged just 1,200 cases. Colton’s formal investiture on July 15, 2016, in Tampa’s Sam M. Gibbons U.S. Courthouse, was a celebrated event attended by judges from the Eighth and Eleventh Circuits, reflecting her stature in the legal world.
As a judge, Colton brought her extensive experience and a pragmatic approach to the bench. She presides over a range of cases, from corporate reorganizations to individual consumer bankruptcies, emphasizing the role of bankruptcy as a “safety net” to save jobs and offer fresh starts. Her courtroom procedures reflect a balance of tradition and adaptation, allowing hybrid hearings via Zoom for preliminary matters while requiring in-person attendance for trials and evidentiary hearings. Known for her calm demeanor, integrity, and preparedness—qualities honed as a practitioner—Colton has earned praise for translating her advocacy skills into fair and thoughtful judicial rulings.
Outside the courtroom, Colton has a lighter side. She once moderated a “View From the Bench” seminar by rewriting lyrics to popular songs like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” to reflect bankruptcy cases, performing them with gusto and encouraging judges to sing along—a testament to her flair for engaging others. Reflecting on her life’s choices, she jokingly cited a 1975 dilemma between debating in a Bicentennial tournament or playing Dolly in Hello, Dolly! as one of her toughest decisions, underscoring her lifelong love for performance and problem-solving.
Judge Roberta Colton’s term, set to expire on March 31, 2030, continues a legacy of excellence in bankruptcy law. Her journey—from a stranded traveler turned bankruptcy advocate to a federal judge aiding Puerto Rico’s financial mediation talks—illustrates a career defined by resilience, creativity, and a commitment to helping people navigate life’s financial storms. For Americans, she stands as a figure of justice who blends legal acumen with a human touch, ensuring the bankruptcy system serves its purpose as both shield and solution.