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Retiring Judge Robert F. Diaz turned the tables on the Young Lawyers section of the Broward County Bar Association during a recent “Lunch with the Judiciary”: instead of taking the spotlight himself, he asked the attendees to do most of the talking. Judge Diaz has taught law at Nova Southeastern University for decades and it was very clear he knew just how to get people to open up. Each person had to explain why they become a lawyer, describe the oddest job was they had ever worked, tell where they went to law school and share their long-term goal. Judge Diaz captivated the group with his wit, humor, sincerity and institutional knowledge. He is retiring in December after 32 years on the bench. You will be missed!

The Broward County Judicial Assistant Association’s Halloween bake sale this week was a sweet success. Scores of hungry customers with a sweet tooth snapped up plates of homemade spider cookies, eye catching specialty cakes, fancy frosted brownies, candy corn cookies, donuts and dozens of brightly colored cupcakes. Not a crumb was left behind. Thanks Judicial Assistants for creating such a boo-tiful event. Happy Halloween!

New attorneys recently got a chance to meet and greet a roomful of judges during a recent New Attorney Orientation organized by the Broward County Bar Association (BCBA). At least 10 judges convened in Chief Judge Jack Tuter’s courtroom for the event, where several judges spoke about their unique roles and the related challenges. The informative event offered the new lawyers a chance to network with our judges outside of formal court proceedings. Thank you BCBA for planning this great event!  

Judge Robert W. Lee’s historic role in the controversial 2000 Recount that ultimately landed in the U.S. Supreme Court is detailed in an article in the Florida Bar News. Judge Lee was Chair of the Broward County Canvassing Board and a county judge for just three years when he was vaulted into the international spotlight in what would become one of the most bitterly contested elections in American history. Coincidentally, Judge Lee is retiring from the bench on the 25th Anniversary of Bush v. Gore, the Supreme Court case that sent George W. Bush to the White House instead of Al Gore. Judge Lee has served 27 years as a judge for the 17th Judicial Circuit. Read the Florida Bar News article here: https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-news/judge-robert-w-lee-reflects-on-his-role-in-floridas-historic-2000-recount/

About 15 Posnack High School students got a firsthand look at the law in progress during a recent courthouse tour that took them into two judges’ courtrooms and included a Q&A session with our courtroom interpreters. The students spent time on the bench with Judge Ari Abraham Porth in felony Mental Health, learned the ins and outs of courtroom interpreting, then visited Judge Lauren M. Alperstein’s courtroom, where they learned about Family law and the types of cases she handles on a daily basis. Then they ate lunch with Judge Stacey Schulman in her courtroom. Thank you everyone for making this such a great day!

Several judges spent a recent morning at elementary schools across Broward County reading books to students as part of Broward’s “Read for the Record” program. Retiring Judge Robert F. Diaz read to children at Croissant Park Elementary in Fort Lauderdale; Judge Lauren M. Alperstein was a designated reader at Embassy Creek Elementary in Hollywood; Judge Stacey Schulman read to students at Cooper City Elementary; and Judge Ari Abraham Porth was at North Fork Elementary in Fort Lauderdale. Community involvement matters!

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 Slotnik 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.

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