The Broward Bar Young Lawyers Section, along with Judge Navarro and Judge Diaz, joined “Read for the Record” at Stephen Foster Elementary School last week. They read a book to first graders and kindergarten classes. The same book was read to students all over the United States on the same day.
Family Court Judge Jose Izquierdo presented “Innovation in Tribal-State Court Partnerships for Child Welfare Cases” at the 2019 National Association of Indian Court Judges Conference held in Minnesota in October. Presenting with Judge Tina Osceola from the Seminole Tribe of Florida, the two detailed the ongoing collaborative ICWA court project between the 17th Judicial Circuit and the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
As word continues to spread about our Community Court and the many ways it’s helping the homeless, more and more people are coming to observe the court in action. Last week’s session of Community Court drew a large crowd of observers, including students from Whiddon Rodgers High School, Broward County’s new Undersheriff Nichole Anderson, Captain Ozzy Tianga, Congressman Ted Deutch and Broward County Commisioner Ben Sorenson.
Allana Robinson Woods was sworn in as the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit’s newest Magistrate on Thursday, October 31. She began her duties as Magistrate on November 1.
Congratulations and welcome, Magistrate Robinson Woods!
On Wednesday of last week, in Division 41, Judge Andrea Gundersen held a final hearing on the first successful Collaborative Law Pro Bono Pilot Project case, with many more to come. The program is a collaborative effort between the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, the Broward Collaborative Law Professionals and FACES program.
Last week, 11th and 12th-grade Constitutional Law students from Pompano Beach High School visited the central courthouse where they spent the morning touring and observing, and the afternoon arguing for their cause. The group of 30 split up to argue two recent cases held before the Supreme Court — Bostock v Clayton County and Kansas v Glover. Judge Carol Lisa Phillips and Judge Carlos Rodriguez graciously volunteered their time to “judge” both arguments, and assisted the acting judges in determining the winning side for each team.
The Thomas J. “TJ” Reddick, Jr. portrait unveiling ceremony took place last week in the Central Courthouse in front of a large crowd of dignitaries, judges, members of the family, and the public. Earlier this year, the North Tower of the courthouse was named for Judge Reddick, the first black attorney to practice law in Broward County, the first black judge in Broward County, and the first black judge elected in the State of Florida. The portrait was commissioned by the TJ Reddick Bar Association and the Broward County Bar Association, and presented to Judge Reddick’s family members. The portrait is on permanent display behind glass in the walkway connecting the west tower to the north tower.
The Broward County Bar Association held their 2019 Broward Bench and Bar Convention last week, inviting attorneys and judges alike, to spend the day learning and networking.
In mid-October, some of the Seventeenth Circuit’s JAs volunteered to host a Q&A session for a weekend paralegal class at Broward College. The “Paralegal Eagles” met with Judicial Assistants Kim Oliva, Kim Cox, Roxanne Chang, Paula Galluccio, and Marcul Joseph who answered questions for two hours with the students and educated them on the Court System.
Last week, many of the Seventeenth Circuit’s judicial assistants participated in a semi-annual brown bag lunch where they meet to talk about best practices, issues, and other topics to foster camaraderie.
Showering Love and Greg Young from Nobleman’s Cuts was at this Wednesday’s Community Court session, offering free showers, toiletries, food, cuts and shaves!
The Seventeenth Judicial Circuit and the Broward County Bar Association today presented the Broward County Board of County Commissioners an appreciation plaque in recognition of the incredible support they give to the legal system in Broward County. At the opening of the County Commission meeting, Chief Judge Jack Tuter took the podium to thank the commissioners, both past and present, who were instrumental in getting the new courthouse built and opened for business. There to present the plaque were Judge Jack Tuter, Judge Jeffrey Levenson, Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips, Chief Deputy Court Administrator Cheryl Anderson, Broward County Bar Association Executive Director Braulio Rosa, and Broward County Bar Association President-Elect Robert C.L. Vaughn.
The Seventeenth Circuit held its third Self-Help Center Resource Fair today in the lobby of the Central Courthouse, sharing information about the many on-site services that members of the public can utilize. Housed on the 4th and 5th floors of the courthouse, five community agencies offer on-site assistance during regular business hours, including Family Court Self Advocacy Center, 211-Broward, Henderson Behavioral Health, South Florida Wellness Network and Women in Distress of Broward Inc.
Services and resources are offered to anyone, whether they have a court case or not.
