Judge Corey B. Friedman on Tuesday swore in Einav Cohen, who passed the July 2026 Florida Bar Examination.

A Parkland native, Einav is a graduate of Mercer University School of Law in Macon, Georgia. She now lives in Boston, where she works for a law firm, and is licensed to practice law in both Florida and Massachusetts.

Congratulations, Einav! We wish you continued success as you begin this exciting new chapter in your legal career!

Today, judges throughout the courthouse had the honor of swearing in newly minted lawyers just hours after the Florida Board of Bar Examiners released the results of the July 2026 Florida Bar Examination. The Florida Supreme Court approved 1,700 of the 2,500 first-time applicants who took the full exam in Tampa for admission to The Florida Bar.

Among those celebrating their accomplishments today:

• Crystal Couso — St. Thomas University
• Rachel Stazzone — Florida International University
• Jonathan Strauss — Nova Southeastern University
• Liliana Zavala — University of Miami

(Sworn in by Judge Michele Towbin Singer)

• Edon Saiyag — Florida State University (Sworn in by Chief Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips)
• Brooke Olefson – Nova Southeastern University (Sworn in by her mother Judge Shari Africk-Olefson)

Congratulations to all of the newest members of The Florida Bar! Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in these new lawyers’ legal careers.

Today, judges throughout the courthouse had the honor of swearing in newly minted lawyers just hours after the Florida Board of Bar Examiners released the results of the July 2026 Florida Bar Examination. The Florida Supreme Court approved 1,700 of the 2,500 first-time applicants who took the full exam in Tampa for admission to The Florida Bar.

And in a particularly special moment, Judge Shari Africk-Olefson swore in her daughter Brooke, who earned her law degree from Nova Southeastern University. She plans to specialize in Intellectual Property and Corporate work.

Congratulations to all of the newest members of The Florida Bar! Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in these new lawyers’ legal careers.

Judge Kal Evans was recently invited to speak at a meeting of the Black Law Students Association at Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad College of Law.

Judge Evans said he was impressed by how quickly the new law students became involved in voluntary student organizations. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with these budding law students and welcome them as they begin their legal education.

A great start to the school year!

Students from Atlantic Technical College and Technical High School recently visited Juvenile Court and Criminal Court during a wide-ranging tour of the downtown courthouse. They peeked inside the jury room, heard presentations from the Public Defender’s Office and the Broward Sheriff’s Office Crime Lab, and met Judges Elijah H. Williams and Lorena V. Mastrarrigo.

The students peppered both judges with questions, learned what it takes to become a judge, and observed judges on the bench holding court.

Hands-on learning is the best!