In recognition of his “ability to recognize patterns of behavior and his understanding of how best to structure his courtroom to manage communications with individuals who have mental health issues…” Family Judge Nicholas Lopane was recently honored with a 2016 EPIC Award, sponsored by the Mental Health Association of Southeast Florida. Exceptional People Impacting the Community (EPIC) honorees are chosen by the organization each year for their advocacy in mental health and its impact on the community. At the awards ceremony in May, Judge Lopane was cited as being “a great advocate for families who are struggling with the emotional stress and conflict of separation or divorce as well as the mental health issues which figure prominently during this traumatic transition.”

Congratulations Judge Lopane!

Michael Davis was sworn in as Broward’s newest county court judge on Monday, June 6, 2016. Judge Davis took the oath with Chief Judge Peter M. Weinstein presiding over the ceremony. 

Born in south Florida, Judge Davis received his law degree at Hofstra University and went on to practice law in New York before coming to work for Florida’s Department of Children and Families in 2010. He has also worked with the Florida Guardian ad Litem program and most recently for the attorney general’s office. 

In his new role, Judge Davis is assigned to preside over First Appearance Magistrate court. 

Congratulations and welcome to the 17th Circuit family! 

The 17th Judicial Circuit announces the appointment of two new judges to the bench today, Monday, May 23, 2016. Governor Rick Scott appointed attorney Jose Izquierdo to the Circuit bench, and attorney Michael Davis to the County Court bench. 

Congratulations to both, and welcome to the 17th Circuit family!

TO ALL USERS OF ONLINE ELECTRONIC SCHEDULING SYSTEM FOR THE 17TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

Please be advised, effective April 4, 2016, certain functions of the court’s electronic scheduling system will change. Most will be internal and not seen by the user. However, the scheduling of orders and submission of agreed orders will change. In the past, after a trial order was scheduled online, the order was printed and submitted to the judge with envelopes.

Effective April 4, 2016 all cases scheduled for trial will be electronically placed in the judge’s queue of orders to approve and the approved trial order will be sent via email to all attorneys or self-represented parties with registered email addresses with the state E-portal.

All users must be registered with the state E-portal. Further, in order to schedule a case for trial the scheduling attorney must now check a box certifying he/she will send the trial order to any self-represented party. As the court often does not know if an attorney has withdrawn in a case or if there are self represented parties without a registered email address, the court, under the rules of judical administration now will require an attorney of record to certify he/she has served any court order on a self- represented party.

The uniform trial order has been amended on this issue as well. Lastly, on trial orders, the mediation section of the order has changed. After the trial order has been approved by the judge, another order will likely be sent out by the court designating a mediator for the case.

Any questions or glitches with the system can be sent via email to the courts Judicial Information System at calendar@17th.flcourts.org

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