Announcements
✨ For the second time this year, Court Administration celebrated employees reaching milestone anniversaries of five years or more with special recognition awards.
Trial Court Administrator Joe D’Amico honored 22 dedicated team members for their exemplary service to the 17th Judicial Circuit. Sixteen honorees were present for the ceremony, while six were recognized in absentia.
A special congratulations to Beth Ranalli, who received the “Shining Star” Award for exceptional service! 🌟
Joe plans to make this celebration a regular tradition to remind employees just how valued they are.
👏 Thank you for your years of hard work and commitment—you are the heart of our Circuit’s success!
Pictured left to right last row: Diana Sobel, Maureen Hoefner, Jaki Mullings, Matt Dreis, Marta Prieto, Sharon Alleyne, Robert Grieper, Beth Plotkin and Joe D’Amico.
Second row, left to right: Diane St. Amand Scott, Omar MacAnuff, Taiwo Akinkunmi, Paloma Sanchez, Samantha Scott, Rafael Ferrans and Jenelle Denson.
First row: Russell Edwards and Fausto Alvarez Ravelo. Not pictured: Sunil Nemade, Andre Simmons, Patricia Cantrell, Lucy Catena and Satmatee Misram. Beth Ranalli, winner of the Shining Star award, was also absent.
Congratulations to Brittany Simpson Joseph for your appointment to the state Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules and Policy. Brittany is the Director of the 17th Judicial Circuit’s Court Mediation and Arbitration Program. Florida Supreme Court Justice Carlos G. Muñiz appointed Brittany to this prestigious committee, which reviews all the governing rules of the court-appointed mediators. As a committee member, Brittany will contribute her thoughts to any pending cases or needed updates. The 17th Judicial Circuit is lucky to have you on our team, Brittany!
Congratulations to Judges Jeffrey R. Levenson and Kenneth L. Gillespie, who were honored on June 21st at the Broward County Bar Association’s 2025 Gala. Judge Levenson received the Stephen A. Booher Award in recognition of his humanity, integrity and dedication to the Bench, Bar and community. Judge Kenneth L. Gillespie received the Executive Director’s Award in acknowledgement of his outstanding commitment, loyalty and service to the Bar and legal community. The 17th Judicial Circuit is extremely proud! Read our press release HERE.
The 17th Judicial Circuit celebrated the Florida Panthers second Stanley Cup win in a colorful show of support for this amazing team! Trial Court Administrator Joe D’Amico encouraged employees to celebrate the team’s huge victory by donning Panthers merch. And they did not disappoint! Among the fans? Chief Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips and Judge Nina W. DiPietro. Go Panthers!
One of the most important Constitutional rights we have as Americans is the right to a trial by jury—but that right only exists if people like YOU step up and serve.
When you’re called for jury duty, you’re not just answering a summons—you’re answering a call to civic responsibility.
✅ Jurors are randomly selected from the Florida Driver Licenses Database.
✅ You must be 18+ and a resident of Broward County.
✅ You only serve once per calendar year.
✅ Selection happens through a fair process called voir dire.
⚖️ Your voice matters. Your service counts.
Ignoring your Jury Summons could result in a $100 fine or Contempt of Court—but more importantly, it means missing your chance to help justice be served.
All Broward Courts will be closed on Thursday, June 19, 2025, in observance of Juneteenth. The affected courthouses include the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, the North Regional Courthouse in Deerfield Beach, the West Regional Courthouse in Plantation and the South Regional Courthouse in Hollywood. All four courthouses will re-open on Friday.
The 17th Circuit was proud to be part of the June 12th, 2025 Homeless Community Symposium in Hollywood.
Chief Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips and Judge Florence Taylor Barner shared insights from Community Court—where low-level offenses are met with solutions like treatment and service, not jail.
Also representing the circuit was Judge Corey A. Cawthon, who presides in Hollywood Community Court. Judge Betsy Benson, who presides in Pompano Beach Community Court, was unable to attend. More than 100 attendees and service providers attended the event, focused on supporting the homeless population with dignity and care.
A powerful event highlighting real justice, rooted in care. #CommunityCourt #JusticeWithDignity #17thCircuit
When you tour the courthouse you never know who you will meet! A Girl Scout troop on a recent tour got an impromptu lesson in civics from Broward State Attorney Harold F. Pryor and Chief Assistant Public Defender Tayron Lopez. They also met Judge Ari Abraham Porth in felony mental health and Judge Michael J. Orlando in Delinquency. A highlight of the visit? A visit inside a prisoner holding cell, which shined a light on the lack of privacy inmates experience. What a great way to learn. Thank you all for making this such a great experience!
Broward Circuit Judge Elijah H. Williams, delinquency chair for the 17th Judicial Circuit, taught at the 2024–25 Wm. Reece Smith Jr. Leadership Academy, held May 16–17 at the Westin Hotel in Fort Lauderdale. The two-day academy focused on “The Power of Curiosity, Vulnerability, and Finding Your Tribe,” and included building communication skills, promoting civility in the legal profession, understanding professionalism and disciplinary rules, and enhancing emotional intelligence.
Representatives from the 17th Judicial Circuit attended the RISE25 Conference, held May 28–31 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, Florida.
This national event brought together professionals from Juvenile, Dependency, and Adult Drug Courts, as well as Mental Health and Veterans Courts, to share ideas and best practices. Attendees from our Circuit included a judge, attorneys, program managers, coordinators, case managers, peer specialists, and representatives from ChildNet. The conference—recognized as the leading event on substance use, mental health, and justice innovation—offered powerful opportunities for learning, connection, and recommitment to building healthier, safer communities.
