Announcements
It was a grand sendoff with two gorgeous cakes, a lot of hugs and a bounty of well wishes for Court Administration employee Fred Cariano, who retired on Friday. A state employee for nearly 23 years, Fred worked in Human Resources for 13 years. His smile, his easy-going nature and his collection of ceramic cardinals were his signature, so it was no surprise that he boxed up the cardinals and urged his colleagues to take one as a remembrance. A cardinal is sometimes viewed as a spiritual messenger from a loved one. Best of luck Fred in your next chapter. We will miss you!
Circuit Court Judge Edward H. Merrigan, Jr., a two-star general in the U.S. Army, retired from the military this month after 31 years of service. Judge Merrigan oversees a criminal felony division and presides in Veterans Court, which he founded in 2012. He most recently served as commander of the 84th Training Command in Fort Knox, KY, sometimes traveling around the country as many as three weekends a month. We are proud to have you on our team. Thank you for your service. Read our press release HERE.
Congratulations Catherine DeVilliers, Esq., who was sworn in by Circuit Judge Thomas J. Coleman during a Tuesday induction ceremony after passing the Florida Bar. The daughter of staff attorney Dharma Sierra graduated from Temple University Beasley School of Law in 2019, and has been barred in Pennsylvania since 2019. She took the February 2025 Bar exam and passed! Congratulations Catherine!
Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips discussed her new role as the 17th Judicial Circuit’s Chief Judge in a recent interview with NBC reporter Amanda Plasencia. Judge Phillips was unanimously elected Chief Judge by her fellow judges in February and officially assumed the role on May 1, 2025. Judge Phillips follows Chief Judge Jack Tuter, who retired on May 1st after 20 years on the bench. Judge Phillips is the Circuit’s first female Chief Judge in 34 years. Judge Phillips has served the 17th Judicial Circuit since 2003, when she was appointed by (then) Gov. Jeb Bush to complete the term of Judge James Cohn, who was elevated to the federal bench. Judge Phillips was elected in 2006 and re-elected in 2012, 2018 and 2024. View the NBC piece here: https://www.nbcmiami.com/on-air/as-seen-on/meet-carol-lisa-phillips-broward-countys-first-woman-chief-judge-in-34-years/3605977/
Florida Problem-Solving Courts Month kicked off on Thursday at the Broward County Courthouse with a standing-room only crowd at a specialized Resource Fair that featured a range of providers who support the important work of these unique courts. Among them? Adult Drug Court, Misdemeanor Mental Health Court, Girls Court and Veterans Court to name a few. Several judges from the 17th Judicial Circuit attended, including Chief Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips, Judge Michael Davis, Judge Stacy Ross, Judge Stacey Schulman, Judge Ari Abraham Porth, Judge John D. Fry & Judge Elijah H. Williams. Others appeared by video. Shout out to Russell Edwards, Yolanda Brown, Linda Brooks, Malikh Williams and Trent Baker for organizing this amazing event! #17thjudteam
Best wishes to Mayda Rivera, who is retiring from Finance this week after 18 years on the job. Enjoy the next chapter of your life! When Mayda was interviewed last year for an “Employee Spotlight,” she said she enjoyed her job and truly loved the people she worked with. Co-workers celebrated her retirement this week with lots of smiles and two different kinds of cake. You will be missed, Mayda!
Shout out to Judge Lauren M. Alperstein, Chair of our Domestic Relations Division, who recently traveled to Tampa, FL to attend the 47th Annual Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) Institute at the JW Marriott. The program focus? Evidentiary Issues from a Judicial Perspective. Judge Alperstein spoke on judicial panels with judges and magistrates from across Florida about evidentiary issues that frequently occur in family court that include records custodians, judicial notice, hearsay exceptions, DCF reports and child hearsay to matrimonial lawyers. Pictured left to right are General Magistrate Philip S. Wartenberg from the 13th Judicial Circuit, Judge Alperstein from the 17th Judicial Circuit, Judge John Guy from the 4th Judicial Circuit, Dori Foster Morales, of Foster-Morales, PLLC, the former president of the Florida Bar; and Joe Hunt, of Harris, Hunt, and Derr, the incoming President of the Florida Chapter of the AAML.
As part of a new Health and Wellness initiative, Court Administration employees have begun taking group walks along the New River. The goal is to stretch your legs, breath some fresh air and get better acquainted with your co-workers. The 15 to 20 minute walks are short and sweet but effective in promoting camaraderie, exercise and mental health. Thank you Trial Court Administrator Joe D’Amico for signing off on this great idea!
The Alpha Phi Alpha Men of Tomorrow recently hosted a discussion with high school students about the significance of the judiciary and the rule of law during their Law and You Program at the Broward County Courthouse. Broward Circuit Court Judges Keathan Frink and George Odom Jr., along with Broward Public Defender Gordon Weekes, a representative from the Broward State Attorney’s Office, and law enforcement officers, participated in the April 19th event, sharing valuable insights aimed at empowering the Men of Tomorrow to navigate legal situations with confidence and understanding.
The American Board of Trial Associates (ABOTA) Fort Lauderdale honored the lengthy judicial career of outgoing Chief Judge Jack Tuter on Thursday with an after-hours celebration at Livia Bar & Grill in Fort Lauderdale. Judges, lawyers and lots of other well-wishers stopped by to wish Judge Tuter good luck in his next chapter. ABOTA members presented Judge Tuter with an honorary insulated cup, joking that he probably already had boxes of awards and plaques from his years as a judge. “He is the kind of guy who runs toward complex problems, instead of away,” noted ABOTA member Mitchell A. Chester. Judge Tuter, you will be greatly missed!
