La Kita O’Donnell, Court Program Specialist III, represented the 17th Judicial Circuit
while attending a training titled “Purposes and Responsibilities of Courts”, hosted by the
9th Judicial Circuit.

The training covered several different topics including a review of the Magna Carta and
a full breakdown of the United States Constitution. Court Program Specialist III
O’Donnell was also on the winning team of an informative debate about AI and the
American Judicial System.

The 17th Circuit was featured on the Community Spotlight segment from WSVN-Channel 7 News on
Friday, November 3, 2023. In the segment, the 17th Circuit was highlighted for the Community Court
program with success stories shared from both Judge Florence Taylor Barner and Community Court
Graduate Diana Thar.

The segment also follows Ms. Thar’s journey and her response to receiving aid
from strangers during a time of need.

For the full news story, visit WSVN-Channel 7 at the link provided below:

https://bit.ly/17CommCrt

The Honorable Florence Taylor Barner delivered the keynote address at the BSO’s Corrections Officers Crisis Intervention Training’s Graduating Class 14 on Friday, November 3, 2023. Corrections Officers who complete the training become certified in handling crisis and high stress encounters while learning how to diffuse them for the best resolution.

The seventh grade students of Central Charter School in Fort Lauderdale came to visit the 17th Circuit courthouse for a guided tour on Thursday, November 2, 2023.

The seventh graders spoke with the Honorable Yael Gaam, who gave students the opportunity to participate in a brief mock trial. The students also spoke with the Honorable Phoebee Francois, who answered questions and shared detailed examples of the trial process.

Judge Florence Taylor Barner joined several legal professionals at a panel discussion for undergraduate students at Nova South Eastern University on Wednesday, October 25, 2023.

The panel shared their experiences and knowledge about working in the legal profession, and answered questions from students in the audience during a question and answer session.

The Honorable Ari Abraham Porth visited North Fork elementary with the Young Lawyers Section today for the Read for the Record program, which promotes early literacy in Broward County. The program is held annually and chooses a different book to be read to students.

This year’s selection, “With Lots of Love” by Jenny Torres Sanchez and illustrated by Andre Ceolin, tells a story of a young girl who misses her grandmother and family traditions as a new comer to the United States from Central America.