Raising Awareness About Homelessness to Effect Change

Homelessness is a hot button topic that Judge Florence Taylor Barner encounters every week in Community Court. So it’s no surprise that she recently attended the 8th Annual Homeless Community Symposium at Hope South Florida to learn more about how homeless services are addressing the needs of those on the street. Judge Barner also separately accepted a proclamation from the City of Fort Lauderdale declaring November National Homelessness Awareness Month. Being aware can make a difference. In Community Court, Judge Barner addresses low-level misdemeanor crimes and municipal ordinance violations with innovative solutions that include community service hours, mental health treatment or substance abuse treatment in lieu of incarceration. Thank you for all you do!

Honoring the Veterans of the 17th Judicial Circuit

In observance of Veterans Day, the 17th Judicial Circuit would like to thank our veterans for their service, sacrifices, and valor. Pictured here are some of our employees and their loved ones who have served – or continue to serve — in our armed forces. Among those pictured: Judge Michael A. Usan, USAF; retired Chief Judge Peter Weinstein, US Army; Judge Edward H. Merrigan, Major General, US Army; Digital Court Reporter Donald Brown, US Army; Kenneth Logan Sr., USMC, father of Judge Stefanie C. Moon; Frank J. Lazorishak, USAF, father-in-law of Judge Florence Taylor Barner; Mel Schiff, US Coast Guard, father of Judge Louis H. Schiff; David Feldman, US Army, father of Digital Court Reporter Eric S. Feldman; Carlo Galluccio, USAF and Christopher Notarnicola, USMC, husband and son of Judge Ellen Feld’s Judicial Assistant Paula Galluccio; Lakesha Barnes Cole, USAF, sister of Court Program Specialist III Lakita O’Donnell; Steven D. Unik, USMC, court bailiff for Judge Jessica M. Marra; Evan Sheehan, US Navy, son of Judge Kal Evans’ Judicial Assistant Jen Castaneda-Sheehan. THANK YOU for everything you do for our country and our freedom.

Retiring Judge Inspires Young Lawyers with Conversation and Questions

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!

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!  

Retiring Judge Who Supervised Historic 2000 Recount in Broward Featured in Florida Bar News

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.

Facebook
YouTube