Judge Elaine A. Carbuccia recently administered the Oath of Attorney to new lawyer Anabelle Cubeñas, a special occasion because Anabelle was one of her first students at St. Thomas University, College of Law. Judge Carbuccia is a law professor at St. Thomas for the Legal Writing Department – Anabelle was one of her Appellate Advocacy students. Congratulations!
A monthly step challenge created to promote health, wellness and camaraderie among Court Administration employees brought out the spirit of competition. First place winner Greissy Amorocho, an Accountant II, took top honors with an astounding 327,473 steps. How did she do it? A hiking trip to Machu Piccu in Peru may have tipped the scales. Greissy is also an avid beach walker. Civil Case Manager Michelle Mestas earned second place with 174,487 steps for the month. Her secret? Chasing two little kids after work. Digital Court Reporter Joel Slotnick snagged third place with 121,898 steps. Joel’s walking destinations included Publix, the New River and the south parking garage. Keep counting – it’s almost time to tally steps for another month. Congratulations all for the great work.
Fifteen students who participate in the HANDY program (Helping Advance and Nurture the Development of Youth) recently met with Judges Jackie Powell and Betsy Benson during a courtroom Q&A where the students learned about court, careers and what it means to be a lawyer. Broward State Attorney Harold F. Pryor and Broward Public Defender Gordon Weekes also fielded questions. Judge Powell organized the event after meeting with the students earlier in the year because she wanted to give them courtroom exposure and a chance to meet some community leaders. “My hope always is to influence, encourage and motivate the students to reach higher,” Judge Powell explained.
Congratulations to Judge Elijah H. Williams, who was recently named recipient of The Archbishop Edward McCarthy Award by the St. Thomas More Society of South Florida. The organization gives the award to a member of the legal community who exemplifies the moral principles espoused by Saint Thomas More, who was canonized by the Roman Catholic Church in 1535. Judge Williams is the Delinquency Chairperson for the Juvenile Division of the 17th Judicial Circuit Court. Judge Williams was recognized on Oct. 2, 2024 during the St. Thomas More Red Mass & Dinner at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Fort Lauderdale, Fl. A well-deserved honor! Read our press release HERE.
The game was Judicial Jeopardy! and the student players were determined to win big. The occasion? An Informed Voters FAIR JUDGES event sponsored by the Broward County Women Lawyers Association and Broward County Public Schools in coordination with the 17th Judicial Circuit Court. Students from Millennium 6-12 Collegiate Academy, South Broward High School, Sheridan Technical College and Hallandale High School brushed up on facts during a Q&A with our judges, then took off the gloves for a fierce showdown hosted by Judge Jose Izquierdo. In attendance were Chief Judge Jack Tuter, Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips, Judge Stacey Schulman, Judge Michael Robinson, Judge Natasha DePrimo, Judge Hope Tieman Bristol, Judge Giuseppina Miranda, Judge Jeffrey R. Levenson, Judge Florence Taylor Barner, Judge Mardi Levey Cohen, BCWLA’s Madeleine Mannello & Supervisor of Elections Joe Scott. Fun times!
Students from Lycée Franco-Américain got a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the law in progress during a recent courthouse tour that took them inside a courtroom for juvenile offenders. The students peppered Judge Elijah H. Williams with questions after observing court proceedings for about 20 minutes. “My job is to rehabilitate,” Judge Williams explained to the group. “I never feel bad. I always give you one chance.” The students also met with Broward State Attorney Harold F. Pryor and Broward Public Defender Gordon Weekes, who each explained their job and then fielded questions during a Q&A. Learning through experience is the best!
