A group of students from Franklin Academy visited the courtrooms of Judges Jackie Powell, Catalina Avalos and Carlos S. Rebollo during a recent courthouse tour where they observed in-progress court proceedings. All three judges took time to explain what they do so the students had a better understanding of what actually happens in court. Thank you judges for taking time to educate! @franklincharter #17thjudicialcircuit #LawAndOrder
Students from Pine Ridge Alternative Center got to see the law in action during a visit to the Courthouse where they met with Judge Michael J. Orlando and Judge Robert F. Diaz, who both took time to field questions and explain how the judicial system works.
Breaking news! Woody Clermont has been elected to be our newest County Court judge, and Circuit Court Judge Jessica M. Marra was re-elected to serve another six-year term. Woody Clermont will replace longtime Judge Robert F. Diaz, who is retiring in December. Congratulations! The 17th Judicial Circuit is lucky to have you both!
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!
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 Louis H. Schiff and two judges from neighboring counties recently joined forces to teach an advanced judicial studies course on communications skills for judges. The course, “Improving Your Communications Skills,” offered tips for improving the way judges communicate with their judicial assistants and bailiffs and how they all communicate with everyone else they may encounter at the courthouse. Teaching alongside Judge Schiff were Judge Augustus D. Aikens Jr. from Leon County and Judge David L. Denkin from Sarasota County. The three have served as judges for a combined 76 years of service. All three judges are past presidents of the Conference of County Court Judges of Florida. An awe-inspiring summation of institutional knowledge.
