Retiring Broward County Court Judge Louis H. Schiff recently spoke before a standing-room-only crowd at the retirement ceremony of longtime friend and colleague Leon County Court Judge Augustus “Gus” D. Aikens, Jr., in Tallahassee. It was a bittersweet moment: both have served as President of the Conference of County Court Judges of Florida and both have been co-teaching Florida judges for more than 20 years. Judge Aiken is retiring this year after 27 years of service and Judge Schiff is retiring in December after 28 years on the bench. Judge Schiff, along with Broward Judges Chris and Mindy Brown, were on hand as the Leon County Courthouse was renamed after Judge Aiken. An amazing legacy. Thank you all for your years of service!

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.