photo by: Ramon E. Nazario
A team comprised of courthouse judges, staff, and their family and friends, took part in the Making Strides for Breast Cancer Broward 5K Walk on October 12, 2013. The 17th Circuit Court for a Cure team was established just this year, with the intention of building comraderie among co-workers while participating in a cause that touches almost all of us in one way or another.
Great job to all our walkers!
The 17th Judicial Circuit Court welcomes Lisa Dolin Eiss who became our newest General Magistrate on October 1, 2013, presiding in the Foreclosure division. Prior to joining the 17th Circuit, General Magistrate Eiss served for seven years as Vice President and Assistant General Counsel for J.P. Morgan Chase. She has also worked as a litigation attorney for Glantz and Glantz law firm.
In this new position, General Magistrate Eiss will put her expertise to good use, as she joins the very busy Foreclousre division. She is enthusiastic about helping out in the world of mortgage foreclosures.
Welcome to the 17th Circuit family!
In recognition of his humanity, integrity, and dedication to the bench, bar, and community, Judge Jeffrey Streitfeld was awarded the 2013 Stephen R. Booher award at the Broward Bar’s annual installation in June. Having practiced in front of the late Judge Booher during the 70’s and 80’s, Judge Streitfeld is particularly appreciative to receive an honor named after someone he looked up to. “It is quite a privilege to be recognized in this way, though we’re only as good as the people who work with us. You’ve just got to try to do the best you can,” says Judge Streitfeld.
The Broward Bar also recognized Judge Mel Grossman with The President’s Award at the annual installation in June. This special honor was presented to Judge Grossman citing, “your willingness to take on any task Broward County Bar Association asks of you and your ability to do it with style and professionalism.”
Congratulations to both judges!
In an effort to offer litigants with pending jury trials greater access to the courts, litigants with pending cases in the circuit civil division may place cases on the 17th Judicial Circuit’s Ready for Trial Docket. The Ready for Trial Docket will afford litigants and their counsel the opportunity to place any circuit civil case to be tried by a jury on a trial docket. The case may or may not be under a current trial order but, the parties through their counsel shall stipulate the case meets all criteria to be placed on the Ready for Trial Docket.
The parties may specify a date certain period they wish their case to proceed to trial. If a judge becomes available during their specified time the case will proceed to trial. If the parties specify a date certain for trial and no judge is available, the case will be returned to the division judge. No party will be required to proceed to trial if their case is not reached within their specified time. Nothing precludes the parties from resubmitting the case, if not reached at their specified time, on future Ready for Trial Dockets.
To be placed on the Ready for Trial Docket the case must meet ALL of the following criteria:
Senior Judge Joel Lazarus was honored with the Florida Law Related Education Association’s 2013 Outstanding Service Award for his many years of dedication to educating Florida’s youth. The award recognizes “lifetime achievements in the advancement and promotion of law related education and exemplary leadership in Florida’s high school mock trial program.”
Throughout his legal career, Judge Lazarus has been active in many community education programs and initiatives both locally and state-wide, from the beginning of Fort Lauderdale High School’s Mock Trial program to advising and judging competitions all over Florida. His advice to young attorneys and law students is the same he follows himself…”The best way to get involved is through education.”
Congratulations Judge Lazarus!
The 17th Judicial Circuit today announces the creation of three judge panels to preside over county to circuit civil appeals. Beginning July 1, 2013 all county civil appeals appealed from the county court to the circuit court will be heard by three judge panels. In addition to county civil appeals, three judge panels will also preside over petitions for extraordinary writs seeking mandamus, quo warranto, certiorari, prohibition or habeas corpus whether the appeal originates from county civil or county criminal.
Three judge panels provide a more efficient and timely disposition to pending appeals; assure more streamlined and consistent decisions; and bring the 17th judicial circuit in line with every other circuit in this state.
Effective July 1, 2013 individual civil division judges will no longer handle county to circuit appeals. All cases will be decided by three judge panels.
Administrative order 2013-25 Gen creating and establishing three judge panels can be found at www.17th.flcourts.org.
