Full Court Press Spring 2024

Contents

• Message from the State Courts Administrator
• Chief Justice Muñiz Re-elected 
• Investiture of Justice Meredith L. Sasso
• Legislative Session Update
• Florida Pro Bono Service Awards
• ACIS is Live Statewide
• Chief Judge Munyon Completes Service on Technology Commission
• Florida Court Personnel Institute
• May is for Problem-Solving Courts and More
• Court Interpreter Training
• Professionalism Conference
• A Supreme Evening
• Be Alert for Phishing Emails
• Turning Points
• Around the State

A Message from the State Courts Administrator

I am deeply grateful for the many good wishes and the tremendous support I received while serving as interim state courts administrator. In March, the Supreme Court finalized my appointment. I am honored to serve as the ninth state courts administrator alongside the talented and dedicated staff who support the courts.

Through the efforts of OSCA staff, judges and court staff, and justice system partners, the 2024 legislative session was very successful. Special thanks go to the Office of Legislative Affairs, Budget Services, and Human Resources, as well as Deputy State Courts Administrator Katie Cunningham, for the outstanding coordination, analysis, advocacy, and communication leading up to and throughout the legislative session. More details about the legislative session will be made available after the governor has had a chance to review the budget and all of the bills that passed.

The winter months saw a blizzard of educational opportunities across Florida. In February, the Office of Court Education held the annual Florida Court Personnel Institute before March brought the New Appellate Judges Program, Phase II of the Florida Judicial College, and a series of regional trainings on Trauma Informed Courts. The Dispute Resolution Center was busy with mediation trainings. And Court Services offered several trainings and examinations to certify court interpreters.

April was for ACIS, the Appellate Case Information System, which completed its phased implementation in all of Florida’s appellate courts. The system allows users to search court dockets and available case documents, which is part of adopting a new case management system – C-Track – throughout Florida’s appellate courts. This C-Track and ACIS effort could not have happened without the exemplary collaboration among the clerks of the appellate courts, OSCA’s Office of Information Technology, and the team at Thomson Reuters.

With spring here, another fiscal year draws to a close with all of the work that entails. Many of us are working with court committees to complete charges and draft reports while simultaneously looking to the important issues that will drive committee charges and membership changes for the 2024–26 term. Others are closing out and updating budgets to balance books and prepare for the future.

Whether through work with the legislature, training judges and court staff, implementing technology solutions, supporting court committees, or managing financial responsibilities, the dedicated team of OSCA professionals help ensure the judicial branch continues to carry out its mission to protect rights and liberties, uphold and interpret the law, and provide for the peaceful resolution of disputes. 

- Eric Maclure

Chief Justice Muñiz Re-elected

The Florida Supreme Court unanimously re-elected Chief Justice Carlos G. Muñiz for a second two-year term as chief justice. He is Florida’s 57th chief justice since statehood. His new term begins July 1, 2024.

Under Florida’s constitution, the chief justice is elected by the Court and serves as the chief administrative officer of the state judicial system. Muñiz’s two most recent predecessors as chief justice, Charles T. Canady and Jorge Labarga, also served consecutive terms.

Investiture of Justice Meredith L. Sasso

The formal investiture ceremony for Justice Meredith L. Sasso, Florida’s 93rd justice, took place on Friday, January 19, 2024. Investitures include the presentation of a new justice’s credentials to the Court and the new justice taking the oath of office, but they are also an opportunity to celebrate a major accomplishment and to thank all of those who helped make it possible.

The afternoon’s events began with Justice Sasso’s sons leading attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance. They were followed by Lucy Bradley, Justice Sasso’s sister, who gave the invocation. Next, Graham Pilotte, one of Justice Sasso’s law clerks, sang the National Anthem.

Chief Justice Carlos G. Muñiz welcomed those in attendance, including Justice Sasso’s family and friends, and he specially recognized Roberto Barrios, Justice Sasso’s 102-year-old grandfather, who is lovingly referred to as Papi Bear. Chief Justice Muñiz also recognized the many officials in attendance from the executive branch, the legislative branch, the judicial branch, former members of the Florida Supreme Court, officials from The Florida Bar, and leaders of academic institutions.

Since Justice Sasso is taking over the seat most recently held by former Justice Ricky Polston, Chief Justice Muñiz specifically thanked him for his service to the Court and to the people of Florida. Having traced the history of the seat, Chief Justice Muñiz noted that Justice Sasso will be the first graduate from the University of Florida Levin College of Law to hold that seat. He said this revelation might be heartbreaking to Justice Polston, who graduated from Florida State University College of Law and remains a dedicated supporter of the university.

Though Governor Ron DeSantis was unable to attend, he did provide a video message for the occasion in which he said, “I have no doubt that the Florida Supreme Court is the best state court in the nation, and with Justice Sasso on board, it will remain so for many years to come. I was glad to appoint her in May, and I’m honored today to be able to welcome her officially on to the Florida Supreme Court. Congratulations, Justice Sasso. I’m confident you will make our state proud.”

Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Núñez was in attendance, and she presented Justice Sasso’s credentials to the Court. Justice Sasso’s extensive legal experience is outlined in the Fall 2023 issue of the Full Court Press.

F. Scott Westheimer, president of The Florida Bar, was recognized next. He congratulated Justice Sasso on her appointment and presented her with a Bible, which is a traditional gesture from The Florida Bar to every new justice of the Florida Supreme Court.

Judge Mary Alice “Molly” Nardella of the Sixth District Court of Appeal is a long-time friend of Justice Sasso’s, and she spoke of her discipline and unyielding thirst for knowledge. Judge Nardella said that her drive comes from being deeply grateful for living in a democracy. Her grandfather fled Cuba, and his stories of a nation collapsing into communism made it abundantly clear that the freedoms we enjoy in the United States are worth protecting, preserving, and fighting for.

Benjamin J. Gibson, a family friend, said Justice Sasso embodies the traits that make a great jurist, such as humility, hard work, discipline, fortitude, and courage. He also said that he knows she will be focused on serving the people of the state, protecting the rule of law, securing liberties, and upholding the constitutions of the state and the nation.

Before administering the oath of office, Fifth District Court of Appeal Judge Eric J. Eisnaugle said of Justice Sasso, “There is absolutely no doubt that she is now where Florida needs her most.” With husband Michael holding a family Bible, Justice Sasso took the oath. Michael then helped her put on her robe before she took her seat at the bench of the Supreme Court of Florida.

Upon taking the bench, Justice Sasso said, “I would like the people of Florida to know that I will both always honor the oath that I just took and always be aware that I am ultimately accountable to them.”

Justice Sasso thanked Governor DeSantis for her appointment and former Governor Rick Scott for hiring her into the Executive Office of the Governor and then appointing her to her first judgeship. She also expressed her gratitude to her colleagues on the Fifth and Sixth District Courts of Appeal, as well as her dedicated law clerks. To her new colleagues on the Florida Supreme Court, she said, “I am more thankful than ever that you all have chosen to serve the state.”

Justice Sasso thanked her friends, family, and husband, Michael, for all their love, guidance, and support. To her sons William and Adam, she said, “If Papi Bear lit the fire in me, you all are the ones who provide the clarity of purpose to keep it going.”

Nicholas Primrose then provided the closing benediction.

Chief Justice Muñiz said, “Justice Sasso, I just want to say on behalf of all of our colleagues on the Court, we’re very blessed to have you. We know that you’re going to do great things, and we’re very excited for your service.”

Legislative Session Update

The Florida Legislature concluded its regular session on March 8, 2024. Bills passed during the session must be presented to the Governor for approval prior to becoming law. The Legislature determines when each bill will be presented to the Governor, after which he has 15 days to sign, veto, or take no action on the bill. A bill becomes law if the Governor approves and signs the bill or takes no action on the bill within the time allowed.

If the Governor vetoes the bill, the bill will be returned to the chamber of origin and will be available for consideration until the end of the next regular session. A vote of two-thirds of the members of each chamber is required to override a veto.

The General Appropriations Act makes up what is commonly known as the state budget. All funding requests for the judicial branch were fully or partially funded, with the exception of funding for the Sixth District Court of Appeal courthouse and trial court case management technology. The budget must be signed by the Governor, and all funding is subject to the Governor’s line-item veto power. At this time, it is premature to make final announcements regarding the Fiscal Year 2024–25 Judicial Branch budget, but additional information will be published when the budget is finalized.

Many of the funding priorities for the Florida State Courts System this session were focused on ensuring essential due process services in the trial courts, such as funding for additional court reporters and court interpreters to address growing needs, covering increasing expert witness costs, and providing for more senior judge days. Efficiently handling cases was also a priority, with a request for additional case managers, which are critical positions that support effective case management practices and ensure that cases are processed timely.

Of the substantive legislation monitored by the judicial branch, the legislature enacted bills related to court interpreter services, alternative headquarters for district court judges, interpersonal violence injunction petitions, public records exemptions for problem-solving court participant records, and Baker Act enhancements.

The Office of Legislative Affairs will provide a final wrap-up of the session after time has expired for all bill actions.

Florida Pro Bono Service Awards

The Florida Pro Bono Service Awards are an annual event honoring the exceptional efforts of Florida lawyers, judges, law firms, and bar associations to provide free legal services to those in need. At this year’s ceremony in January, Chief Justice Carlos G. Muñiz noted, “During the most recent reporting period, Florida attorneys collectively provided more than 1.5 million hours of free legal service and contributed seven and a half million dollars to legal aid groups. Those figures capture the hard work and generosity of tens of thousands of members of The Florida Bar.”

The awards fall into three categories: awards presented by the chief justice, those presented by the president of The Florida Bar, and the award presented by the president of The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division.

Chief Justice Muñiz said, “The Tobias Simon Pro Bono Service Award is the Florida legal profession’s highest honor for recognizing public service.” He then announced Jamie Billotte Moses as the recipient of this year’s award. Moses has served as a Guardian ad Litem volunteer through the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association for 25 years. She thanked the selection committee and the Court for deeming her worthy of the award. She also thanked her firm, Holland & Knight, for its unwavering commitment to pro bono service. Chief Justice Muñiz noted that Moses has joined a great legacy of service.

The Distinguished Judicial Service Award was presented to Judge Bertila Soto from the Eleventh Judicial Circuit. Judge Soto was honored for her dedication to public access to the courts, for innovations such as Veterans Court and G.R.A.C.E. Court that serves minor victims of human trafficking, and for her role in recruiting more than 3,000 attorneys to serve indigent clients of the Dade Legal Aid Put Something Back pro bono project.

The Distinguished Federal Judicial Service Award went to two former Florida state court judges who now serve on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Judge Beth Bloom and Judge Robin L. Rosenberg. The judges developed an educational program known as CD3, the Civil Discourse and Difficult Decisions program. After starting in South Florida, CD3 has now expanded nationwide. Thousands of high school and college students have already participated in the program, which instills both civility and positive decision-making skills.

The Law Firm Commendation went to the Gedeon & Morales Law Group. The award was accepted by Nadine Gedeon and Cristina Morales, who contributed more than a thousand hours of pro bono service in the last year alone. The firm also works to improve the legal profession by helping to train other lawyers to confidently take on pro bono cases.

Chief Justice Muñiz also presented the Voluntary Bar Association Pro Bono Service Award to the Lake County Bar Association. The association has actively developed many partnerships in the county to provide pro bono legal assistance, including an innovative and successful Sealing & Expungement Clinic. Mona Rosey Payne is the president of the Lake County Bar Association and accepted the award.

The next category of awards is The Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Awards. These awards recognize pro bono legal services provided by individual lawyers in each judicial circuit and one Bar member who practices outside of Florida. Florida Bar President F. Scott Westheimer called the people who receive these awards “true champions of justice.” The honorees were:

Kendra LaNata Condon, 1st Circuit
Ryland Terry Rigsby, 2nd Circuit
Elika Otoya Stimpson, 3rd Circuit
F. Susannah Collins, 4th Circuit
M. Taylor Tremel, 5th Circuit
Kit Van Pelt, 6th Circuit
Donato J. Rinaldi, 7th Circuit
Amy Milford Abernethy, 8th Circuit
Dorothy J. McMichen, 9th Circuit
Grant Lyons, 10th Circuit
Alvin D. Lodish, 11th Circuit
Neil T. Lyons, 12th Circuit
Gilbert M. Singer, 13th Circuit
Todd Clifford Brister, 14th Circuit
Matthew Zimmerman, 15th Circuit
Tom Woods, 16th Circuit
Jonathan W. Taylor, 17th Circuit
Eric C. Boughman, 18th Circuit
Jessica M. VanValkenburgh, 19th Circuit
Andrea Smith, 20th Circuit
Blake Lynne Bruce, Out of State

The final award category is the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division Award. Division President Anisha Patel was excited to recognize Michaèl’s Déborah Saint-Vil from Miami with the Young Lawyers Division Pro Bono Service Award. Saint-Vil is a tireless advocate for immigrants and those seeking citizenship and is the manager of Immigration Legal Services in the Office of New Americans of Miami-Dade. Jamie Billotte Moses, who received the Tobias Simon award, said that she was lucky Ms. Saint-Vil was in the young lawyers category, or she would likely have received the Tobias Simon award.

After an afternoon of recognizing the significant contributions that Florida lawyers make to their communities through pro bono service, Chief Justice Muñiz noted, “There are as many ways to serve as there are members of our profession. Each of us has something to offer for the betterment of our fellow man.”

ACIS is Live Statewide

As of April 15, 2024, the Appellate Case Information System (ACIS) is live for all of Florida’s appellate courts. The phased rollout of ACIS occurred in conjunction with the statewide deployment of the new appellate case management system – C-Track – to the Florida Supreme Court and each of Florida’s district courts of appeal.

With the completion of the ACIS implementation, new filings and existing cases at the Florida Supreme Court and the six district courts of appeal will appear exclusively on ACIS. The online dockets for these courts will also be available on ACIS and linked from each court’s website.

Attorneys of record and parties should be mindful that ACIS has replaced their former eDCA accounts for access to case documents. A single registration with ACIS will now provide access to case documents in any of Florida’s appellate courts.

For the public, ACIS provides transparency with free access to court dockets and publicly available case documents. There is no need to register with ACIS to search for these types of publicly available documents.

Attorneys and parties who have not yet registered with ACIS may access instructional guides and videos with detailed steps to follow on the Florida Courts website.

Additional information is also available on the ACIS site itself.

Chief Judge Munyon Completes Service on Technology Commission

The Florida Courts Technology Commission (FCTC) is saying farewell to its long-serving chair, Chief Judge Lisa Munyon of the Ninth Judicial Circuit. The FCTC was established by rule as a permanent judicial branch commission to oversee, manage, and direct the development and use of technology within the judicial branch under the direction of the Florida Supreme Court.

For 12 years, Chief Judge Munyon has guided the FCTC through a myriad of technological changes and advancements throughout the Florida State Courts System. During her tenure, the commission led efforts to create a mandatory electronic filing system in Florida’s courts, develop a uniform case reporting system, quickly adapt to remote hearings and other technology challenges brought on by the pandemic, and create an Appellate Case Information System, among numerous other initiatives.

When the commission met in May, Chief Judge Munyon was presented with a video in which current and former commission members expressed their appreciation for her leadership and thanked her for her years of dedicated service.

Former Justice Ricky Polston recalled his appointment of Chief Judge Munyon as chair of the commission in 2012. He noted that her leadership was crucial to the judicial branch’s successful creation and implementation of the mandatory e-filing system used throughout the state. He said, “You have done such a tremendous job on behalf of the people of Florida. Thank you for your service.”

Chief Justice Carlos G. Muñiz noted the importance of the commission’s work and how appreciative the branch is for Chief Judge Munyon’s service and leadership. He said, “The technology aspect of what the courts do is hugely important, and you’ve been a leader in that for a long time. You’ve helped us make a lot of progress. We wouldn’t be where we are without you.”

While her leadership of the FCTC is coming to an end, Chief Judge Munyon will continue to serve the Ninth Judicial Circuit in her judicial capacity. She will also continue to serve on other committees and lend her knowledge and experience to the court system in other ways.

The commission’s work will also continue, and a new chair will be named when the updated list of appointments is made by administrative order.

Florida Court Personnel Institute

In February, the Florida Court Personnel Institute welcomed more than 300 participants from across the state for this year’s marquee educational event for court employees. The institute is designed to help attendees enhance knowledge, build skills, and promote ethical standards, all with the goal of ensuring the competent and fair administration of justice.

An opening session for all attendees began with a panel discussion moderated by Judge Angela Cowden of the Tenth Judicial Circuit and featuring Justice John Couriel, Justice Meredith Sasso, and Judge Paetra Brownlee of the Sixth District Court of Appeal. The panel members discussed the importance of the work done by staff throughout the court system and noted that it takes a team effort to serve the people of Florida and to achieve the mission of the judicial branch.

Following the panel, Judge Alicia Latimore of the Ninth Judicial Circuit was joined by Lisa Maddocks, Michael McElroy, and Leigh Merritt from the Office of the State Courts Administrator for a session on optimizing performance and resilience by actively working toward building balance into one’s life. The session closed with Judge Latimore introducing the human and canine volunteers from Companions for Courage, an organization that uses therapy dogs to help children who need to appear in court.

Following the opening session, the institute broke out into educational tracks aligned with specific staff roles within the court system. This year, training programs were offered for appellate law clerks, civil traffic hearing officers, judicial assistants and general magistrate assistants, managers and supervisors, new employees, public information officers, and trial court staff attorneys.

From new employees learning about the Florida Constitution and how different cases move through the court system to the latest case updates for appellate law clerks, the Florida Court Personnel Institute is an invaluable training opportunity for court staff. The institute is also one way in which the judicial branch supports Issue 5 of the Long-Range Strategic Plan for the Florida Judicial Branch, which directs the branch to maintain a professional, ethical, and skilled judiciary and workforce.

The institute is coordinated by the Office of Court Education, which works diligently to provide quality and responsive educational content and training to judges and court employees to ensure high-level performance.

May is for Problem-Solving Courts and More

Chief Justice Carlos G. Muñiz has issued a proclamation recognizing May 2024 as both Problem-Solving Court Month and Opioid & Stimulant Use Disorder Awareness Month. The proclamation notes the public health crisis attributable to the use and misuse of opioids and stimulants while recognizing the vital contributions that problem-solving courts make to address these challenges.

In 1989, Florida started the national problem-solving court movement by creating the first drug court in the United States in Miami-Dade County. Other types of problem-solving court dockets followed, using the drug court model, and were implemented to assist individuals with substance use and mental health disorders, and related challenges.

The Problem-Solving Court Certification Program was adopted by the Florida Supreme Court by administrative order. “The Certification Program is a significant step for the courts in emphasizing evidence-based best practices and further advancing positive outcomes for participants,” notes Jennifer Grandal, Chief of the Office of Problem-Solving Courts. Certification implementation will begin with a pilot program of up to six adult drug courts. Additional information regarding the certification program, including the recent certification program educational webinar, is available on the Problem-Solving Court webpage. 

Following the very successful Champions Summit in 2023, the Florida Courts Opioids & Stimulants RESPONSE will host another event with key national experts on the growing issue of methamphetamine addiction, with a focus on considerations for courts. The webinar is scheduled for June 17, 2024, from 12:00–1:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Those interested in attending the webinar must register online.

Marcia Elder, Training Manager with the Office of Problem-Solving Courts, said, “We’re excited to offer an array of top-quality events in support of problem-solving courts and to provide continued resources for tackling the opioid and stimulant epidemics.” For example, sessions from the Champions Summit are available online and are eligible for CJE and CLE credits. Additionally, plans are already underway for the 2024 Problem-Solving Court Conference, which is scheduled for December 11–13 in Orlando.

Court Interpreter Training

Court interpreters are needed in every part of the state, and the need has been growing in recent years. To meet this need, the Office of the State Courts Administrator provides training, testing, and certification of court interpreters.

In March, the Office of the State Courts Administrator held an online Orientation Workshop to train more than 80 prospective court interpreters. This two-day workshop is the first step on the path to becoming a certified court interpreter. Workshop sessions covered the interpreter’s role, the modes of interpreting used in court, legal terminology, professional ethics, and court protocol.

Agustín Servín de la Mora is the president of the DE LA MORA Institute of Interpretation, and he led the online workshop. As a professional and freelance interpreter for the last 30 years (a decade of which was as the lead interpreter for Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit), he is well suited to training the next generation of interpreters. He has collaborated with OSCA for more than 20 years to provide training on court interpreting.

Mr. Mora has developed an online training program that thoroughly utilizes the distance learning tools available in Zoom, which has resulted in an online training experience that is as interactive as in-person training. Participants were clearly engaged over the two-day course as they asked questions, responded to quizzes, participated in exercises, and broke out into small-group discussions. This ability to engage with a large, statewide audience through online training helps OSCA reach the widest possible audience and meet the court-interpreting needs of Florida’s citizens.

For more information on court interpreting, visit the Florida Courts website.

Professionalism Conference

This April, the Fifth Judicial Circuit held its 2024 Professionalism Conference. More than 200 attorneys and judges met in Ocala for the conference, which focused on the theme First Principles of Professionalism.

Experts from across the state offered insights to help attorneys and other legal professionals navigate modern professionalism issues. Chief Judge Mark W. Klingensmith of the Fourth District Court of Appeal addressed the growing issue of artificial intelligence and the use of new technology like ChatGPT in the practice of law. Judge Brian D. Lambert of the Fifth District Court of Appeal spoke about civility, legal etiquette, and why professionalism matters. Chief Judge Nushin Sayfie of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit discussed professionalism and uncivil behavior. Florida Bar President Scott Westheimer gave tips on using professionalism to avoid the attorney discipline process. And attorney Gordon Glover shared insights from the perspective of The Florida Bar’s Special Committee on AI Tools and Resources.

The conference was also the perfect venue to award the 2024 Fifth Judicial Circuit Professionalism Award. This year’s recipient was Rollin “Ric” Tomberlin, who is a Florida Bar board-certified marital and family law attorney. Retired Fifth Judicial Circuit Judge Ray McNeal was on hand to present the award.

The conference is typically offered every other year, and plans are already underway for the 2026 conference.

A Supreme Evening

This January, the Florida Supreme Court Historical Society held its annual dinner, A Supreme Evening 2024. This year’s event brought together current and former justices of the Florida Supreme Court, judges, attorneys, public officials, and many others at Florida State University’s Dunlap Champions Club at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee.

More than 450 people attended the event and listened to Justice John D. Couriel lead a conversation with former United States Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, who discussed his time on the Texas Supreme Court and working as White House counsel to President George W. Bush. In addition to discussing career highlights, they also shared some thoughts on their mutual interest in baseball.

The annual dinner is also the time when the historical society presents its Susan Rosenblatt Lifetime Achievement Award. President Tim Chinaris and trustee Joseph H. Lang, Jr., presented this year’s award to legal trailblazer Sylvia Walbolt, who is currently a shareholder at Carlton Fields.

This annual event is the primary fundraiser for the historical society’s efforts to preserve the history of Florida’s highest court, educate the public about the courts' vital role in protecting personal rights and freedoms, and facilitate the collection and archiving of historical documents and artifacts.

Be Alert for Phishing Emails

In the wake of ongoing scams related to jury duty, new scams about phony court cases are starting to make the rounds. Here are five reminders to help you avoid being the victim of a scam.

1. Courts and clerks never send legal notices via email.

2. Never click on a link or open an attachment in a suspicious email.

3. Do not call a phone number in a suspicious email; it is likely part of the scam.

4. Do not give in to suggestions that urgent action is needed.

5. Never provide financial or personal information to someone you do not know.

The latest scams are emails claiming to come from a clerk of court, stating that the recipient has a case against them, and they must act immediately. Recipients are often directed to click on a link or an attachment, which is, of course, a computer virus or other form of malware. The notices may look official, but remember, courts and clerks never send legal notices via email.

To safely verify whether the email is legitimate or fraudulent, a recommended course of action is to contact your local clerk of court. Do not click on or call any phone number shown in the dubious email. Contact information for all court clerks in Florida is available online.

Though they have been circulating for years, scams related to jury service have not gone away. These scams typically involve someone impersonating a law enforcement officer who calls or emails a potential victim and claims to have an arrest warrant for missed jury duty unless the person pays a fine or a bond. In some instances, the scammers are after personal information that could lead to identity theft or other fraudulent activity.

Legitimate notices related to jury duty are sent through the United States Postal Service, not by email or phone call. Communications from real court officials will never include requests for Social Security numbers, credit card information, or any other personally identifiable information.

These are just two examples of scammers using phishing in an attempt to sabotage systems and organizations or to trick users into revealing sensitive information (such as passwords) or transferring money. Don’t take the bait; stay alert!

Turning Points

December 1, 2023, to April 30, 2024

Judicial Appointments

Judge Kelvin Wells
Walton County Court

Judge L. E. Hutton
Fourth Judicial Circuit

Judge Charles Helm
Fifth Judicial Circuit

Judge Timothy McCourt
Fifth Judicial Circuit

Judge Benjamin Thomas
Sixth Judicial Circuit

Judge David Wainer
Seventh Judicial Circuit

Judge James Ramsey
Alachua County Court

Judge Jeramy Beasley
Orange County Court

Judge Mark Skipper
Orange County Court

Judge Celia Dorn
Osceola County Court

Judge Juna Pulayya
Osceola County Court

Judge Carlos Gamez
Eleventh Judicial Circuit

Judge Christine Hernandez
Eleventh Judicial Circuit

Judge Jennifer Hochstadt
Miami-Dade County Court

Judge Reding Quiñones
Miami-Dade County Court

Judge Shannon Hankin
Sarasota County Court

Judge J. Logan Murphy
Thirteenth Judicial Circuit

Judge Christopher E. Brown
Hillsborough County Court

Judge Matthew Felix
Hillsborough County Court

Judge Santo DiGangi
Palm Beach County Court

Judge Christopher Wigand
Seventeenth Judicial Circuit

Judge Michele Ricca
Broward County Court

Judge Sylvia Grunor
Seminole County Court

Judge Brennan Keeler
Nineteenth Judicial Circuit

Judge Christopher H. Brown
Twentieth Judicial Circuit

New Beginnings

Chief Judge Mark W. Klingensmith
Fourth District Court of Appeal
President of the Florida Conference of District Court of Appeal Judges

Lee Solomon
General Magistrate, Eleventh Judicial Circuit

Linda Ivelisse Gonzalez
General Magistrate, Seventeenth Judicial Circuit

Joseph Bernardo
General Magistrate, Twentieth Judicial Circuit

Amy Neahear                                                                                                       
General Magistrate, Twentieth Judicial Circuit

Retirements and Resignations

Judge David Green
Walton County Court

Judge Anthony M. Tatti
Fifth Judicial Circuit

Judge James R. Clayton
Seventh Judicial Circuit

Judge Walter Green
Alachua County Court

Judge Tom Jaworski
Alachua County Court

Judge Brennan Keeler
Nineteenth Judicial Circuit

Judge Leigh Frizzell Hayes
Twentieth Judicial Circuit

In Memoriam

Judge James E. Joanos
First District Court of Appeal

Judge Eric William Hendon
Third District Court of Appeal

Judge Hale Stancil
Fifth Judicial Circuit

Judge Walter Green
Alachua County Court

Judge Ralph Nathaniel Person
Eleventh Judicial Circuit

Judge Frederick Robert Hardt
Twentieth Judicial Circuit

Awards and Honors

Judge Edward C. LaRose
Second District Court of Appeal
Robert W. Patton Outstanding Jurist Award, Hillsborough County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division

Judge Norma S. Lindsey
Third District Court of Appeal
Alumni Achievement Award, University of Miami School of Law

Judge Melanie G. May
Fourth District Court of Appeal
2024 Jurist of the Year, Florida Association for Women Lawyers, Palm Beach County

Judge Stephen S. Everett
Second Judicial Circuit
Trial Jurist of the Year, American Board of Trial Advocates

Judge Monique Richardson
Leon County Court
2023 Parks & Crump Thurgood Marshal Award

Judge Jack Helinger
Sixth Judicial Circuit
2024 Visionary Award, Florida Bar’s Family Law Section

Judge Doneene Loar
Sixth Judicial Circuit
2024 Judicial Appreciation Award, St. Petersburg Bar Association

Judge James Pierce
Pinellas County Court
Trailblazer Award, Stetson University College of Law’s Black Law Students Association

Judge Rachel Myers
Volusia County Court
40 Under Forty Local Government Award, Daytona Beach News-Journal

Judge Alicia Latimore
Ninth Judicial Circuit
Hall of Fame Induction, Paul C. Perkins Bar Association

Judge Heather Pinder Rodriguez
Ninth Judicial Circuit
James G. Glazebrook Memorial Bar Service Award, Orange County Bar Association

Judge Reginald Whitehead
Ninth Judicial Circuit
Hall of Fame Induction, Paul C. Perkins Bar Association

Judge Laura Shaffer
Ninth Judicial Circuit
2023 Jurist of the Year, Hispanic Bar Association of Central Florida

Judge Gina Beovides
Eleventh Judicial Circuit
Circuit Judge of the Year, Cuban American Bar Association

Judge Jason Dimitris
Eleventh Judicial Circuit
Judicial Champion Award, Florida Foster Care Review

Judge Richard Hersch
Eleventh Judicial Circuit
Rodef Sholem Purveyor of Justice Award, Miami Jewish Legal Society

Judge Zachary James
Eleventh Judicial Circuit
Shofet Tzedek Righteous Judge Award, Miami Jewish Legal Society

Judge Bertila Soto
Eleventh Judicial Circuit
2024 Distinguished Judicial Service Award, The Florida Bar

Judge Cristina Rivera Correa
Miami-Dade County Court
40 Under 40 Award, Miami-Dade Bar Association Young Lawyers Section

Judge Jorge Perez Santiago
Miami-Dade County Court
40 Under 40 Award, Miami-Dade Bar Association Young Lawyers Section

Judge Linda Singer Stein
Miami-Dade County Court
County Judge of the Year, Cuban American Bar Association
Community Champion Award, Ancient Spanish Monastery Foundation

Judge Michael Baggé-Hernández
Hillsborough County Court
2023 Judge of the Year, Cuban American Bar Association

Judge James Giardina
Hillsborough County Court
2024 Abraham Lincoln Award, Tampa Bay American Inn of Court

Judge Schosberg Feuer
Fifteenth Judicial Circuit
Jurist Award, 15th Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee

Judge Kathleen Kroll
Fifteenth Judicial Circuit
Judge Ron Alvarez Resiliency Award, Center for Child Counseling, Inc.

Judge Elaine A. Carbuccia
Seventeenth Judicial Circuit
Judge of the Year, Cuban American Bar Association

Judge Michele Towbin Singer
Seventeenth Judicial Circuit
Judge of the Year, American Board of Trial Advocates

Judge Betsy Benson
Broward County Court
Key to the City, Pompano Beach Mayor Rex Hardin

Magistrate Yves Laventure
Seventeenth Judicial Circuit
Presidential Award, Haitian Lawyers Association

Brevard County Early Childhood Court
Eighteenth Judicial Circuit
2024 Child Abuse Prevention Task Force Social Service Team Award

Around the State

Photos from courts and legal events around the state.

Published under the direction of Director of Public Information Susan Emmanuel.

The Office of the State Courts Administrator
500 South Duval Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1900
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