At the 2017 Conference of County Court Judges, Judge Jane Fishman was recognized as the conference choice for the “County Judges Were There” presentation. This recognition honors a single County Court Judge in the State of Florida each year who has had a leading role in the administration of justice. Judge Fishman was recognized for her many achievements, including her leading role in the advancement of judicial education on both the state and national levels. Congratulations Judge Fishman!

  
The Conference of County Court Judges of Florida awarded Broward County Judge Robert F. Diaz the Harvey Ford Award at its annual conference in July, 2017.
As the highest honor bestowed on a county court judge by the Conference of County Court Judges, the Harvey Ford Award recognizes a county court judge who has demonstrated the highest level of service to the community, the legal profession, and to the Conference of County Court Judges of Florida.
Judge Diaz was appointed and elected in 1992, and again in 2012. He serves at the Broward County Central courthouse in the misdemeanor criminal division. Some of Judge Diaz’s accomplishments include the following:
•Received the “Adjunct Professor of the Year” 2017 for Nova Law School where he has taught the Street Law Program for 26 years.

•Voted the Law Related Education Judge of the Year by the Florida Bar in 1996.

•Served as a volunteer faculty member for Florida’s New Judges College, training new judges for 23 years.

•Visits at least 15 high schools and middle schools each year to expose students to law and the justice system.

•Helped create the Broward Young Lawyers for Literacy program where young lawyers help 1st and 2nd grade students learn to read.    

 The award is named for Broward County Judge Harvey Ford, who died in 1995, and was known for his outstanding and dedicated community and professional service.