Fort Lauderdale Homeschoolers Take Avengers to Court in Mock Trial

The Avengers were on trial for wrongful death, negligence and the intentional infliction of emotional distress and both sides were lawyered up. Counsel for both sides hailed from a Fort Lauderdale homeschool group that had honed their skills through the trial advocacy skills program created by a mom who was also a lawyer. Judges Robert F. Diaz and Kenneth A. Gottlieb presided over trials in two courtrooms and both sides presented their cases with finesse. The disability-friendly program included autistic, dyslexic and nonverbal “student “lawyers” who all knocked it out of the park. “They pushed so hard to learn the material and get past their personal struggles,” said program creator Leila Billings, a homeschool teacher and fulltime lawyer. “Growing their confidence and self esteem was the goal of this program.” Amazing program and talented students. So much fun to watch!

Students Embrace Law Through Observation

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

New Attorney Orientation Provided Unique Chance to Network with Judiciary

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!  

Judges “Read for the Record” at Local Elementary Schools

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!

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