All Broward Courts will be closed on Monday, May 26, 2025, in observance of Memorial Day. The affected courthouses include the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, the North Regional Courthouse in Deerfield Beach, the West Regional Courthouse in Plantation and the South Regional Courthouse in Hollywood. All four courthouses will re-open on Tuesday.
The City of Fort Lauderdale honored retired Chief Judge Jack Tuter at an appreciation luncheon today at the Broward County Main Library, where he was praised for his dedication and support of Fort Lauderdale Community Court, which serves the unhoused. Also present were County Court Judge Florence Taylor Barner, who presides in Community Court, and the support staff that makes the Court hum. The 17th Judicial Circuit’s new Chief Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips also attended, along with Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis, Police Chief William Schultz, City Manager Rickelle Williams and Chief Service Officer Jorg Hruschka, among others. Judge Tuter retired on May 1st after nearly 20 years as a judge. We miss you Judge Tuter. Congratulations!
It took nearly a year but her success story was heart-stopping. Unhoused for nearly a dozen years, the Community Court participant now has her own place and her own keys. A new beginning, thanks to Hollywood Community Court. Here’s how it played out: the woman was referred to Community Court after receiving multiple charges for lodging/sleeping in public. During a 10-month period, she completed community service hours, completed all program requirements and followed up with service provider referrals and appointments. Meanwhile, Community Court worked with Broward Outreach Center, which secured her a slot in their residential program. Ultimately, they obtained housing with assistance from Broward County’s HOSS-D team and their permanent supportive housing program. Thank you Judge Corey Cawthon and your amazing support team for changing lives for the better.
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.
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!
Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips discussed her new role as the 17th Judicial Circuit’s Chief Judge in a recent interview with NBC reporter Amanda Plasencia. Judge Phillips was unanimously elected Chief Judge by her fellow judges in February and officially assumed the role on May 1, 2025. Judge Phillips follows Chief Judge Jack Tuter, who retired on May 1st after 20 years on the bench. Judge Phillips is the Circuit’s first female Chief Judge in 34 years. Judge Phillips has served the 17th Judicial Circuit since 2003, when she was appointed by (then) Gov. Jeb Bush to complete the term of Judge James Cohn, who was elevated to the federal bench. Judge Phillips was elected in 2006 and re-elected in 2012, 2018 and 2024. View the NBC piece here: https://www.nbcmiami.com/on-air/as-seen-on/meet-carol-lisa-phillips-broward-countys-first-woman-chief-judge-in-34-years/3605977/
