The Broward County Bar Association hosted their annual New Attorney Orientation Breakfast last week in the central courthouse. Attorneys recently admitted to the Florida Bar were invited to spend the morning hearing from the administrative judges in the circuit talk about what to expect in their profession and in court. The event concluded with a tour of the courthouse for all the new attorneys.
Over the past few weeks, the central courthouse has been host to several tours including middle schools, high schools and technical schools, as well as one girl scout troop. Having the opportunity to visit a courthouse and observe court in process can be a wonderful learning tool for children and adult groups alike.
This past weekend, the Florida Justice Association (FJA) Research and Education Foundation put on its annual Hon. E. Earle Zehmer Memorial Mock Trial Competition hosted by the FJA Young Lawyers’ Section. Judges from the tri-county area presided over the mock trial competition including the 17th Judicial Circuit’s own Judge Carpenter-Toye, Judge Gamm, Judge Gundersen, Judge Coleman, Judge Lazarus, Judge Usan, and Judge Rothschild. Also serving as presiding judges were Judge Collins, Judge Delgado, Judge Weiss, and General Magistrate Alvan Balent. The Championship Round was presided over by Judge Gordon Murray I of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit.
This year’s competition featured seven law schools and 14 teams and nearly 100 volunteer lawyers including members of the FJA Young Lawyers’ Section Board of Directors. There were five undefeated teams at the end of the preliminary rounds–both teams from FIU Law, both teams from Nova Law, and one of the teams from Barry Law. The final round pitted Nova Law v. Barry Law with Barry Law emerging victorious for its first FJA Mock Trial victory! “We are extremely proud of the student advocates who compete in this competition. Their natural skills at advocacy will ensure that all who have causes to plea will be heard,” said G.C. Murray II, Esq., DPL, FJA’s Deputy General Counsel and Mock Trial Director. “We are grateful for Chief Judge Tuter opening his beautiful courthouse to us and thank all of the judges and lawyers who participated; their feedback to the students was invaluable” said Murray.
To learn more about the Hon. E. Earle Zehmer Memorial Mock Trial competition visit: https://fjaresearchandeducation.org
On Monday, October 29, 2018, the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, in partnership with the Broward County Women Lawyers’ Association and the Broward County Commission, will host a Pink Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to mark the grand opening of the lactation room at the Broward County Courthouse in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Chief Judge Jack Tuter and BCWLA President, Madeleine Mannello, Esq., will host the ceremony at 3:00 p.m. in Room #12106 of the Broward County Court House’s West Tower. After the ribbon cutting, guests will be invited to visit the room, made possible by a generous donation from City Furniture.
“The 17th Circuit is proud to accommodate nursing mothers by providing a private and comfortable room to freely pump or nurse while in the courthouse,” says Judge Stacy Ross.
2 General CLE Credits & 2 Civil Trial Certification Credits
Date: Thursday, November 1
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Location: Tower Club – 28th Floor
Cost: $25 General Admission; No Charge BCBA Judiciary*
*Judiciary ticket is valued under $100
