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!

Students from HANDY Learn About Court, Careers and the Law

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.

Students Compete in Judicial Jeopardy! During “Informed Voters FAIR JUDGES” Program

The game was Judicial Jeopardy! and the student players were determined to win big. The occasion? An Informed Voters FAIR JUDGES event sponsored by the Broward County Women Lawyers Association and Broward County Public Schools in coordination with the 17th Judicial Circuit Court. Students from Millennium 6-12 Collegiate Academy, South Broward High School, Sheridan Technical College and Hallandale High School brushed up on facts during a Q&A with our judges, then took off the gloves for a fierce showdown hosted by Judge Jose Izquierdo. In attendance were Chief Judge Jack Tuter, Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips, Judge Stacey Schulman, Judge Michael Robinson, Judge Natasha DePrimo, Judge Hope Tieman Bristol, Judge Giuseppina Miranda, Judge Jeffrey R. Levenson, Judge Florence Taylor Barner, Judge Mardi Levey Cohen, BCWLA’s Madeleine Mannello & Supervisor of Elections Joe Scott. Fun times!

Jeopardy! Game Helps Traffic Hearing Officers Brush Up on Changes in the Law

A Jeopardy! style training session for traffic hearing officers set the stage for a lively exchange last week during a 2024 update on civil traffic infraction case law. The host? None other than retiring Judge Robert W. Lee, who has been presenting the program for the past 15 years. Categories included evidence, procedure, penalties, non-moving violations, moving violations and ethics. Judge Lee is retiring in December after 27 years on the bench. Because the training session would be Judge Lee’s last as a sitting judge, he redid the same presentation he created 15 years ago with 25 new questions. Judge Nina W. DiPietro will assume supervision of this education program in 2025. Thank you Judge Lee for your dedication, expertise and years of service. You will be missed.

Honing Courthouse & Courtroom Communication Skills

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.

Three Judges Swear in New Lawyers This Month after Florida Bar Exam Results Are Released

Three judges from the 17th Judicial Circuit Court held swearing in ceremonies in their courtrooms in September after the Florida Supreme Court released the results of Florida Bar Exam administered this past July. Judges Lauren M. Alperstein, Robert F. Diaz and Michele McCaul Ricca each swore in new lawyers while relatives snapped photos and celebrated. Congratulations to all for such a momentous accomplishment. We wish you the best of luck as you start your legal career! 

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