Judges new to the bench joined other Seventeenth Circuit judges and judges from around the state at Phase II of judicial college last week, held in Kissimmee, FL. All judges new to the bench in Florida are required to take training courses during their first year, as well as continued training throughout their tenure.

Pictured in the group photo are all new judges in the Seventeenth, new Hearing Officer Matthew Tannenbaum, and fellow Seventeenth Circuit colleagues. 

Judge Ari Porth, pictured here with Ft. Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce President Dan Lindblade and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, represented the Seventeenth Circuit judiciary at a Broward Days 2019 event last week. Attorney General Moody highlighted the importance of courts like the mental health court Judge Porth oversees.

Broward Days is a nonpartisan group of people advocating for the diverse needs and concerns of the citizens of Broward County, Florida, engaging members of the Florida Legislature, the Broward County Board of Commissioners, The Broward League of Cities, the business community, non-profits and community leaders in an ongoing discussion of what Broward County is currently facing.

The Seventeenth Circuit, Broward County Bar Association, and Broward County Women Lawyers’ Association hosted “A Celebration of Women in the Legal Community: Broward’s Women Pioneers” during a celebration held Friday, March 8, 2019 in honor of International Women’s Day. Ten legal pioneers, including judges and attorneys, were honored in-person, and a tribute was presented to another five.

Congratulations to all!

Judge Stefanie C. Moon had her investiture ceremony Friday, March 8, 2019. She was sworn in by Chief Judge Jack Tuter and robed by her daughter and husband.

Judge Moon is assigned to the Circuit’s Family division in Domestic Violence. Congratulations!

Judge Jackie Powell and Judge Florence Barner participated in a panel for International Women’s Day last Friday at Citrix corporation. The panel shared stories, insights and guidance on dealing with challenges women face in the workplace.

On Thursday, February 28, 2019, the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit hosted “Informed Voters Workshop for Tomorrow’s Leaders,” for more than 100 Broward County public high school debate students. The day-long event was organized as part of the national Informed Voters Project, a non-partisan program developed to educate the public about the constitutional role of the judicial branch.
The high schoolers had the opportunity to interact with and learn from sitting judges about the importance of an impartial and fair judiciary, the difference between the judicial selection and election processes, and how candidates for the bench should be evaluated. Breakout sessions included Judicial Jeopardy, Judicial Bingo, and a Q&A roundtable discussion. Students representing Blanche Ely High School, Cypress Bay High School, Deerfield Beach High School, Everglades High School, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Miramar High School, Northeast High School, Piper High School and Stranahan High School participated.
Many thanks to the judges who volunteered to participate, as well as to the organizers of the event, including the Broward County School Board and Broward County Women Lawyers’ Association with the Caribbean Bar Association, T.J. Reddick Bar Association and Hispanic Vote.