Announcements
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.
Broward Chapter of ABOTA, Broward County Bar Association, Broward County Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, & NYU School of Law Present
Jury Improvement Luncheon
Join us for a luncheon where recent jurors who have served in civil cases will discuss their experiences. The purpose of the lunch is to learn from these jurors on what can be done to improve civil trials, as well as to learn from them how the justice system and jury duty can be improved. Anyone interested in improving their trial skills will not want to miss this lunch! Having the opportunity to learn directly from jurors on what works and what doesn’t is a tremendous opportunity.
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
Judge Michele Towbin Singer offered a motivational speech to attendees of the Susan B. Anthony Recovery Center’s Women’s Empowerment Conference in early October. Her speech focused on how to be happy!
Students (and the Principal) from the Piney Grove Boys Academy visited the courthouse and held a mock trial last week, with host Judge Frink playing the role of presiding judge. Chief Judge Tuter greeted the students before the trial and attorneys from the Public Defender’s office lead by Lorena Mastrarrigo coached the students in preparation for the trial. A fun, learning experience was had by all!
Last week, Judge Andrea Ruth Gundersen and Judge Tarlika Navarro attended the 2018 Hall of Fame breakfast, hosted by the Broward Education Foundation, to honor Broward County Public School Alumni.
Judge Diaz spoke to the Cypress Bay high school law club recently, discussing law and the legal profession. He is pictured here with the entire club and with the club officers.
Judges Jose Izquierdo and Fabienne Fahnestock were part of a recent panel discussion entitled “Promoting Women and Diversity on the Bench: State JNC’s and State Committees,” hosted by The Broward County Women Lawyers’ Association and the Broward County Car Association. The attorneys and judges making up the panel offered an overview of the judicial nominating process and the “dos” and “don’ts” of a successful applicant.
https://www.browardbar.org/calendar/#!event/2018/10/3/promoting-women-and-diversity-on-the-bench
The first school tour of the new school year took place last Friday when students from Western High School spent the morning at the central courthouse in downtown Fort Lauderdale. According to the teens, the opportunity to observe First Appearance/Bond Court and a question and answer session with Judge Elijah Williams were the highlights of the trip.
Tours of the central courthouse, and the satellites, can be arranged throughout the year, not just when school is in session. Groups interested in setting one up can visit http://www.17th.flcourts.org/visits-and-tours/ for more information.
