There's a new Chief in town

 And her name is Cecilia Altonaga. 

Congrats to Judge Altonaga -- our first woman Chief -- on the new position.  And a big thank you to Judge Moore for leading the Court over the past 7 years and through the pandemic.

Not only is Judge Altonaga the first woman Chief Judge of the Southern District of Florida, I believe this is the first time in this District that a Chief Judge was a law clerk to the former Chief Judge (in this case, Edward B. Davis).  Judge Altonaga is Judge Davis' second favorite law clerk.

I asked Judge Altonaga what her goals were as the new Chief and she said: "My initial goal is to learn to juggle all the new administrative responsibilities with those attendant to being a district court judge.  The next goal is to steer the Court to a safe resumption of jury trials and in-person proceedings.  Beyond that, I simply hope to be a careful listener and wise administrator, in keeping with the Court's fine tradition and reputation."

In one of her first Administrate Orders, Altonaga extended the speedy clock till Labor Day in this order. Interestingly, the order references 703 cases currently awaiting trial.

Congrats again and good luck!  It can't be easy to try and navigate a bunch of federal judges....