By Michael Caruso
As David noted in a prior post, Judge Williams and I had the privilege of speaking at Magistrate Judge Augustin-Birch's investiture last week. In addition to telling the audience what a wonderful person and lawyer the Judge is, we both noted the "firsts" she's accomplished–the first judge of Haitian-American descent on our court and in the 11th Circuit and the first career public defender on our bench.
Because this is Women's History Month, I wanted to note some (but not all) other relevant judge "firsts."*
Chief Judge Altonaga–the first Cuban American woman federal judge in our country and the first woman Chief Judge in our district.
Judge Barkett–the first woman on the Florida Supreme Court.
Judge Cooke–the first African American woman in our district.
Judge Lagoa–the first Cuban American woman on the 11th Circuit, Florida Supreme Court, and Third DCA.
Judge Maynard–the first African American woman Magistrate Judge in our district.
Judge Nesbitt–the first woman in our district.
Special mention to Judge Seitz–the first woman Florida Bar President.
But the Triple Crown belongs to Judge Susan Black of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals–Judge Black was the first woman to be a county court, circuit court, and federal judge in Florida. (Judge Black was also the first woman ASA in our state). Quite the accomplishments!
If you're interested in reading more about women "trailblazers," I highly recommend this ABA oral history series– https://www.americanbar.org/groups/senior_lawyers/women_trailblazers_project_listing
At this site, you'll find fascinating interviews with Judges Barkett and Kravitch, Justice Quince, Janet Reno, and many others.
*I gathered this information from public sources; please let me know if incorrect.
Nice post, Michael, but you failed to settle the debate about who is the first Hispanic woman to serve on the Eleventh Circuit. Is it Judge Barkett? Or is it Judge Lagoa? (I guess this question would equally apply to the Florida Supreme Court.)
ReplyDeleteOkay. Let's go way back. I think that Ellen Morphonios deserves a place here. First female ASA, first female ASA to become a judge, first female judge to turn her courtroom into a 60 Minutes special, and lastly, first female judge to (barely) escape a federal indictment. RIP
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Mr. Caruso!
ReplyDeleteIt's a very flawed post!
DeleteDo not forget, Mattie Belle Davis.
ReplyDeleteI think the first woman to serve on the Florida Supreme Court was actually Judge Rhea Grossman.
ReplyDeleteYou're mistaken, 6:57 a.m. According to the Florida Supreme Court itself, Rosemary Barkett "was the first woman to serve on the Court and its first female Chief Justice from 1992 to 1994."
ReplyDeleteRhea Grossman sat twenty years BEFORE that.
Deletehttps://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/34300
2023. First career public defender. Anyone else see something terribly wrong with that in this district?
ReplyDeleteWasn’t Dave Lee Brannon an AFPD for 26 years before becoming a U.S. Magistrate Judge? And Patrick Hunt for 18 years? Both longer terms than Penny was an AFPD but not counted as “career”. Sometimes this battle you fight is rather foolish. All three excellent selections.
DeleteMy research about Grossman was that she wasn't appointed to the Court but sat when a Justice took a leave of absence.
ReplyDeleteJudge Nesbitt was not the first woman in our district.
ReplyDeleteI don't consider this a "battle," (and no offense taken for being called a fool), but thanks for reading.
ReplyDeleteYes, Judge Brannon was the first career AFPD appointed to the bench in this district, in 2012. Judge Hunt was the second. Judge Brannon mentored Judge Birch who is now following in his footsteps.
ReplyDeleteYes, Judge Brannon was the first career AFPD appointed in this District. Judge Hunt was the second. Judge Brannon mentored Judge Birch, who is now following in his footsteps.
ReplyDeleteShe doesn't light a candle to DLB.
DeleteWhen I joined Gerstein's office in 1973, there were already several other women there, including Maria Korvick, Carol King Goralnick, Barbara Schwartz, and Rosemary Usher Jones. Probably missed some. Janet Reno was already one of REG's top aides. Morphonios was already on the bench, but I wonder if in fact she was actually the first woman ASA. I had not heard of Judge Susan Black until she reached the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, so I wonder if she was an ASA in another Florida circuit?
ReplyDeleteNot to minimize Michael Caruso's very nice re-cap of these all-too-recent firsts, but I do hope we soon move away from giving country of birth of oneself or one's parents (if not USA) in bios of judges and other officials.
niceeee
ReplyDelete