VOTE411 Voter Guide

Throughout my legal career, I have managed both pre-litigation and litigation matters while leading attorneys, support staff, and departmental operations. My experience encompasses every stage of the litigation process, including drafting and reviewing pleadings, motions, discovery, and settlement agreements; advising clients on legal strategy and procedural matters; negotiating and resolving disputes; and representing clients at hearings, depositions, and non-jury trials. In addition, I have overseen case management, attorney training and mentoring, and post-judgment proceedings, collaborating closely with clients, opposing counsel, local counsel, and court personnel to ensure the efficient administration of cases. These experiences have refined my legal judgment, strengthened my leadership and decision-making abilities, and equipped me with the knowledge, temperament, and commitment necessary to serve fairly, impartially, and effectively on the bench.

I believe in carefully listening to all parties, considering the evidence and applicable law, and making decisions based solely on the facts and the law—not on public opinion, or personal beliefs. A judge must be independent, patient, and committed to ensuring that every litigant has a meaningful opportunity to be heard.

Judicial efficiency and careful consideration are not competing goals they are complementary responsibilities. Every case deserves the time and attention necessary to ensure that the law is applied fairly. Every party must be given the opportunity to be heard. I will review cases in advance of hearings and maintain organized dockets. I will designate specific times for litigants to present urgent motions and time-sensitive matters so that those issues can be addressed promptly without unnecessarily disrupting the court's regular docket. My commitment is to provide every litigant with a fair opportunity to be heard while administering justice in a timely, efficient, and impartial manner.

A law degree is only the beginning. What qualifies someone to be a judge is the experience, judgment, temperament, and integrity developed over years of public service. Before taking the bench, I served for nearly 13 years as an Assistant State Attorney, where I prosecuted a wide range of felony cases, tried numerous jury trials, and served as a Division Chief supervising prosecutors handling serious criminal matters. Since my appointment to the Miami-Dade County Court in 2018, I have presided over thousands of civil cases and have worked to ensure that every person who appears before me is treated with fairness, respect, and impartiality. Those years of courtroom experience, combined with a commitment to applying the law as written and treating everyone with dignity, are what I believe truly qualify me to serve as a judge.

My judicial philosophy is straightforward: every person who comes before the court deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and fairness. A judge's responsibility is to apply the law as written, not to make the law or allow personal opinions to influence the outcome. I believe in being prepared, listening carefully to all sides, making decisions based on the facts and the law, and explaining those decisions clearly. Every case is important to the people involved, and every person who enters my courtroom should leave knowing they were heard and treated fairly, regardless of the outcome.

Judicial efficiency and fairness are not competing goals; they go hand in hand. Every person who comes to court deserves to know that their case has been carefully considered, regardless of how busy the docket may be. My approach is to be well prepared, manage the courtroom efficiently, and focus on the issues that truly matter in each case. Careful preparation and effective case management allow cases to move forward without sacrificing fairness or thoughtful decision-making. Throughout my time on the bench, I have managed thousands of cases while remaining committed to giving every litigant and attorney the attention and respect they deserve. Efficiency should never come at the expense of justice.