The Broward Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Explorers Program visited the 17th Judicial Circuit Courthouse on March 21, 2023. The group of visitors included students from grades 9-12, and Crime Analyst Hazel Pravia, Deputy Sheriff Elmer Rivera, Deputy Sheriff Evelyn Gomez, Deputy Sheriff Rashad Danzler, Deputy Sheriff Paola Bello and Sergeant Gloria Crespo.

Students observed the Honorable Michael J. Orlando in his courtroom and participated in a Q&A session where they discussed Judge Orlando’s career and what it takes to become a judge.

The Honorable Lauren M. Alperstein spoke with student interns from Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad College of Law during a lunch Q&A session. Students were able to discuss their goals and interest in legal studies as Judge Alperstein shared her experiences with her career and path taken to the bench.

The Honorable Michele Tobin Singer is photographed with several students from St. Thomas University College of Law who were preparing for a National Moot Court competition on Saturday, March 18, 2023.

The Honorable Florence Taylor Barner was recognized as the State’s first elected Haitian American Woman Judge at Broward’s Women’s History Month panel sponsored by the TJ Reddick Bar Association.

Retired Judge Mary Rudd Robinson was also recognized for being the first African American woman of the judiciary of Broward County. Several women were honored and also participated as members of a panel where they discussed their experiences and progression in their career paths.

The students of Flanagan High School welcomed the Honorable Catalina Avalos, the Honorable Kenneth A. Gottlieb and the Honorable Ari Abraham Porth who spoke for the students’ career day.

The judges took time speaking to the students about their professional journeys and how their careers in law shaped them into the judges they are today.

The students of the Nova Middle School Pre-Law Program visited the 17th Judicial Circuit Courthouse on Tuesday, March 14th.
Students visited with Chief Judge Jack Tuter, the Honorable Jeffrey R. Levenson and Public Defender Gabriel Ermine, who all shared their experience with a career in law and discussed what it was like to be a part of the 17th Judicial Circuit.