MARINA GARCIA-WOOD
Undergraduate School: FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
Undergraduate Degree: BACHELOR OF ARTS, POLITICAL SCIENCE
Law School: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
Other Degrees: JURIS DOCTOR
Florida Bar Admission: 9/26/1988
Community Involvement: HISPANIC AFFAIRS, AUTISM SPEAKS, BROWARD COUNTY HISPANIC BAR ASSOCIATION
Marina Garcia-Wood was born in Santiago de Cuba, Oriente, Cuba and immigrated to the United States in 1969, where her family settled in Miami, Florida. Marina attended Miami-Dade Community College where she received her Associates of Arts degree in Pre-Law in May 1980. Marina also attended Florida International University and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in August of 1982. She attended the University of Florida, College of Law where she received her juris doctor. Marina was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1988. Shortly thereafter, Marina was admitted to the Southern District of Florida (Federal Bar) in 1989. Marina is an “AV” rated attorney, the highest attorney rating possible.
On February 15, 1991, she was bestowed with the award of “El Cuadro de Honor” for providing outstanding leadership and for her untiring and devoted efforts in founding the Broward County Hispanic Bar Association. Marina continues to be active and supportive of the aforementioned association.
Marina was also active in civic activities in the City of Hollywood, Broward County and the State of Florida. In 1991, she was appointed to the newly created Hispanic Affairs council for the City of Hollywood where she served as the Vice-Chair from 1991-1998. She was elected Chairperson of the Florida Board of Pharmacy in December 1998 where she is the first consumer member ever elected as Chair. In 1994 Marina, was appointed to the Broward County Charter Review Commission and she served for one year. Marina has received the following awards: 2000, The City of Hollywood Woman of Distinction; 2001, Appreciation Certificate for Volunteering at Nativity Catholic School; 2003, JAFCO recognition plaque; 2004, Hispanic Woman of Distinction; 2006, “Gracias” Award from the Broward County Hispanic Bar Association. Marina served as the Judicial Representative for the Broward County Bar Association from 2009- 2011. Marina is also vigorously involved with the National Alliance Autism Research/Autism Speaks and the Dan Marino Foundation.
Marina was in private practice for approximately 14 years where she practiced Family law, Appellate law and Commercial litigation. Furthermore, she also worked as an Assistant Broward County attorney. In addition, she also served as a General Magistrate/ Hearing Officer, in the Juvenile Dependency Division, from January 2002 until December 2006. On November 7, 2006, Marina was elected a Circuit Court Judge for the 17th Judicial Circuit, Broward County. She served in the Juvenile Dependency Division for six years, the Family Division for three and half years, Circuit Civil Division for six years, Criminal Division for four and a half years, and currently serving in the Residential Foreclosure and First Property Loss and Damage Division. Marina is the first elected Cuban born judge in Broward County.
