Announcements
The Broward County Bar Association’s Wills, Trusts and Estates Section is sponsoring the
Probate and Guardianship Conference on Friday, April 26, 2024 at the 17th Circuit Courthouse.
Chief Judge Jack Tuter will be giving the opening remarks, and Judges Natasha DePrimo,
Kenneth L. Gillespie, and Nicholas Lopane will participate on a panel featuring other circuit judges from around the state.
In honor of National Volunteer Month, Judge Ginger Lerner-Wren was recognized by the United Way of Broward County on Thursday, April 18, 2024.
Acknowledged for her dedication and advocacy for the mental health courts, Judge Lerner- Wren was quoted for saying “I have always been taught that by volunteering and giving back to our community, we are making the world a better place.”
Judges Stacy Ross and Elijah H. Williams represented the 17th Circuit, joining other panelists who shared their expertise on Human Trafficking and best practices of how to help prevent it.
The 17th Circuit hosted the Florida Trauma Informed Court Regional Training on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.
Geared toward judges, magistrates and court staff, the training was led by experts on valuable topics such as adverse childhood experiences, self-care, and the impacts of toxic stress.
Students from Pine Ridge Education Center came to visit the 17th Circuit courthouse for a tour on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.
On their tour, they spoke with Public Defender Gordon Weekes, Judges Michael J. Orlando and Ari Abraham Porth, who answered questions about the American Judicial System and how a trial progresses.
Students from several middle schools across Broward County competed in a mock trial at the 17th Circuit Courthouse on Friday, April 12, 2024.
Judges Natasha DePrimo, Carol-Lisa Phillips, Ari Abraham Porth, Frank Ledee, Michael Davis, Phobee Francois and Elaine A. Carbuccia participated as judges for the mock trials and guided students through the trial process.
As the participants were congratulated for their dedication to completing the program, they were given certificates, confirming that they had followed through with the Community Court’s orders and were now ready to continue on their journey to a better life.
The Leadership Fort Lauderdale Class of the Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce came to visit the 17th Circuit on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.
While on their visit, the group of leaders stopped by Judge Florence Taylor Barner’s courtroom for a motivating speech about the importance of giving back as a leader to help forge stronger connections and build up future leaders.
Students spoke with Judges Betsy Benson, Florence Taylor Barner, Yael Gaam and Lorena V. Mastrarrigo who all expressed the importance of furthering ones education, and working hard to reach your goals in life.
Both judges shared stories about their journeys to the bench and thanked their loved ones for all their support and encouragement.
