DIVERSITY CORNER
Celebrating Our Legacy , the Historical Journey of Black Judges in Palm Beach County ( Continued )
LAWONDA R . WARREN
There are currently six Black judges serving Palm Beach County . Judge Debra Moses Stephens was appointed to the County Court bench in 2000 by Former Governor Jeb Bush . She was recently re-elected in 2020 , with opposition . Judge Reginald Corlew was appointed to the County Court bench in 2006 by Governor Bush as well . He was recently re-elected in 2020 , without opposition . Judge Cymonie Rowe was appointed to the Circuit Court by Former Governor Rick Scott in 2016 . Judge Bradley Harper was elected to the County Court bench in 2016 , making him the first Black attorney elected without being previously appointed .
Judge Maxine Cheesman was elected to the Circuit Court bench in 2018 . Lastly , Judge Renatha Francis was appointed to the Circuit Court bench in 2019 by Governor Ron DeSantis . Prior to her service in Palm Beach County , Judge Francis was appointed to the Miami-Dade County Court in 2017 by Governor Scott and subsequently elevated to Miami-Dade ' s Circuit Court in 2018 .
We hope that you are able to attend the Judicial Affair event to celebrate the rich history of the Black judiciary in Palm Beach County and promote diversity on the bench .
Lawonda R . Warren , Esq . is a co-Chair of the Palm Beach County Bar Association ’ s Committee for Diversity and Inclusion . She is also a Past President of the F . Malcolm Cunningham Sr . Bar Association . Ms . Warren is the Assistant City Attorney / Police Legal Advisor for the City of Delray Beach
References :
• Florida Office of the Governor website
• Florida Division of Elections website
• Florida Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Court website
• Florida Fourth District Court of Appeals website
• Palm Beach County Bar Association website
• Ballotpedia website
Sitting ( l-r ) Judge Debra Moses Stephens , Ret . Judge Sharee Davis Cunningham . Standing ( l-r ) Magistrate Damary Stokes , Judge Maxine Cheesman , Judge Cymonie Rowe , Ret . Judges : Moses Baker and Catherine Brunson .
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