May is Problem-Solving Courts Month

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

Congratulations on Your Retirement!

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!

Family Law Judge Shares Expertise on AAML Panel

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.

Health is Wealth

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!

Learning How to Navigate Legal Situations With Better Understanding

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.

ABOTA Bids Chief Judge Jack Tuter “Farewell”

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!

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