Broward Circuit Judge Michael Davis and Broward County Judge John “Jay” Hurley along with Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Robert T. Watson from the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in Miami shared their expertise recently on a judicial panel hosted by the St. Thomas University Criminal Law Society and Drug Law Society. We are proud of our judges’ amazing community involvement and commitment to helping others.
Retired Broward Judge Mary Robinson was recently honored by the National Black Prosecutors Association as part of their Women’s History Month Celebration. Judge Robinson — the first African-American woman to serve on the bench in Broward County — retired from the bench in 2016 after 27 years as a judge. She is pictured with her husband Judge Michael Robinson, their daughter Magistrate Allana Robinson Woods, retired prosecutor Chuck Morton and Blair Miller, president of the National Black Prosecutors Association. #17thjudteam
Members of the first-ever Board of Directors for the newly formed Bernice Gaines Dorn Black Women Lawyers Association were sworn in by Judge Fabienne E. Fahnestock on May 29th during the inaugural installation brunch at the Marriott Dania Pointe. The sold-out event featured a panel discussion that included (retired) Florida Supreme Court Justice Peggy Quince and President Elect of the Florida Bar Sia Baker Barnes. The topic? Honoring our past and shaping the future. Pictured second from left in the back row is Judge Florence Taylor Barner, and sixth from the left in the front row is Magistrate Hilary Creary. Congratulations to all. #17thjudteam
The South Regional Courthouse in Hollywood will re-open on Tuesday, April 1, after a water leak forced the building to close on Monday. Business as usual is expected the rest of the week.
A group of Bennett Elementary second, third and fifth graders met Judge Deborah Carpenter-Toye during a recent Career Day where she visited a classroom, showed them her robe and answered questions about what it means to be a judge. The students posed for pictures, mugged for the camera and had a great time learning about the law. Hands-on learning is the best!
Fifteen longtime employees who work for Court Administration were honored on Wednesday with special awards created to celebrate notable work milestones. Trial Court Administrator Joe D’Amico and Deputy Trial Court Administrator Diana Sobel presented the awards during a brief ceremony in a packed courtroom. Co-workers erupted in applause when their colleagues were recognized. Joe initiated the employee milestone awards program to highlight the hard work and dedication of behind-the-scenes employees whose work is essential to keep court programs operational and moving forward. Back row left to right are Dylan Sercy, standing in for his mother La’Kita O’Donnell, Michele Anderson, Heather Abel, Trial Court Administrator Joseph D’Amico, Deputy Trial Court Administrator Diana Sobel, Geovanna Morgan and Magistrate Yves Laventure. First row, left to right: Gloria Trujillo, Rosalee Walker, Solange Saenz, Martine Pelissier, Lisa Peart and Teri Renaud. Not pictured are Danny Gutierrez, Renee Straub, Shannon Campbell and Ashly Martin. Congratulations to all!
