Judges & Magistrates Speak at Day-Long Family Law Conference

The BCBA’s Family Law section sponsored “Raising the Bar Family Law Conference” at Fort Lauderdale’s Tower Club last week and the 17th Judicial Circuit was well-represented. Both our judges and magistrates presented during the day long seminar.

Pictured left to right are Judges Christopher Wigand, Johnathan D. Lott, Jessica M. Marra, Lauren M. Alperstein, Catalina Avalos and Magistrate Hilary Creary. Also in attendance were Judges Kristin R. Kanner, Carlos Rodriguez and Magistrate Lucy Ramos Miller.

Judge Edward H. Merrigan, Jr., Retires from Military as Major General after 31 years

Circuit Court Judge Edward H. Merrigan, Jr., a two-star general in the U.S. Army, retired from the military this month after 31 years of service. Judge Merrigan oversees a criminal felony division and presides in Veterans Court, which he founded in 2012. He most recently served as commander of the 84th Training Command in Fort Knox, KY, sometimes traveling around the country as many as three weekends a month. We are proud to have you on our team. Thank you for your service. Read our press release HERE.

Judge Coleman Swears in a New Florida Attorney

Congratulations Catherine DeVilliers, Esq., who was sworn in by Circuit Judge Thomas J. Coleman during a Tuesday induction ceremony after passing the Florida Bar. The daughter of staff attorney Dharma Sierra graduated from Temple University Beasley School of Law in 2019, and has been barred in Pennsylvania since 2019. She took the February 2025 Bar exam and passed! Congratulations Catherine!

May is Problem-Solving Courts Month

Florida Problem-Solving Courts Month kicked off on Thursday at the Broward County Courthouse with a standing-room only crowd at a specialized Resource Fair that featured a range of providers who support the important work of these unique courts. Among them? Adult Drug Court, Misdemeanor Mental Health Court, Girls Court and Veterans Court to name a few. Several judges from the 17th Judicial Circuit attended, including Chief Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips, Judge Michael Davis, Judge Stacy Ross, Judge Stacey Schulman, Judge Ari Abraham Porth, Judge John D. Fry & Judge Elijah H. Williams. Others appeared by video. Shout out to Russell Edwards, Yolanda Brown, Linda Brooks, Malikh Williams and Trent Baker for organizing this amazing event! #17thjudteam

Family Law Judge Shares Expertise on AAML Panel

Shout out to Judge Lauren M. Alperstein, Chair of our Domestic Relations Division, who recently traveled to Tampa, FL to attend the 47th Annual Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) Institute at the JW Marriott. The program focus? Evidentiary Issues from a Judicial Perspective. Judge Alperstein spoke on judicial panels with judges and magistrates from across Florida about evidentiary issues that frequently occur in family court that include records custodians, judicial notice, hearsay exceptions, DCF reports and child hearsay to matrimonial lawyers. Pictured left to right are General Magistrate Philip S. Wartenberg from the 13th Judicial Circuit, Judge Alperstein from the 17th Judicial Circuit, Judge John Guy from the 4th Judicial Circuit, Dori Foster Morales, of Foster-Morales, PLLC, the former president of the Florida Bar; and Joe Hunt, of Harris, Hunt, and Derr, the incoming President of the Florida Chapter of the AAML.

Learning How to Navigate Legal Situations With Better Understanding

The Alpha Phi Alpha Men of Tomorrow recently hosted a discussion with high school students about the significance of the judiciary and the rule of law during their Law and You Program at the Broward County Courthouse. Broward Circuit Court Judges Keathan Frink and George Odom Jr., along with Broward Public Defender Gordon Weekes, a representative from the Broward State Attorney’s Office, and law enforcement officers, participated in the April 19th event, sharing valuable insights aimed at empowering the Men of Tomorrow to navigate legal situations with confidence and understanding.

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