Brownsville Middle School Law Academy hosts Law Day commemoration celebrating the role of judges

Brownsville Middle School Law Academy hosts Law Day commemoration celebrating the role of judges

Brownsville Middle School Law Academy in Miami recently hosted its commemoration of Law Day 2024 that celebrated the theme, “What Makes A Good Judge.”

With the support of the law firms of Hamilton Miller & Birthisel and Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman, the middle school and its law academy welcomed judges from the 11th Circuit and U.S. Southern District to share thoughts on their professional journeys and their perspectives on what makes a good judge in the courtroom.

“This is a dream realized for the future of our community partner students at Brownsville Middle School,” said Jerry Hamilton, managing partner at Hamilton Miller & Birthisel. “Law Day is a special opportunity to celebrate the best of our profession in our democracy and to show the students what’s possible. On this particular Law Day, however, we want the students to understand the power of their voices in their personal lives and their future chosen careers.”

Guests included:

• Chief Judge Nushin Sayfie

• Judge Michelle Delancy – Criminal Division

• Judge Jason Dimitris – Juvenile Division

• Judge Tanya Brinkley – Civil Division

• Judge Jacqueline Becerra – Federal Court

• Guy David Robinson of the Office of Public Defender

• Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurice Johnson

• Florida Bar President-elect Roland Sanchez Medina

• Terry Ann Howell, president, Wilkie D Ferguson Bar Association

• Charise Morgan, president-elect of the Miami Dade Bar Association

• Suzette Russomanno, president of the Miami Dade Bar

After hearing from the judges, the students conducted excerpts of a mock trial of a cyber bullying case.  The students who led the exercise included Chloe Nelson, lead prosecutor; Briana Turbi, second lead prosecutor; Jackie Edmond, defense lawyer; Juliette Dumarsais, victim; R’Miyah Hendrickson, defendant; and Justin Gonzalez, judge.

The Law Day commemoration also remembered the life and contributions of the late Judge Marcia Cooke of the U.S. Southern District who dedicated the opening of a new mock courtroom for a civics and legal studies curriculum at the school.

“We are committed to this vision for the studies at students and their families at Brownsville Middle School,” said Marlon Hill of Weiss Serota. “We believe that with a connected and supportive community, they can and will fulfill their dreams.  Our legal system will forever remain accessible and familiar to them.”