LATIN TIMES MAGAZINE - 1st QTR 2018 1st Quarter 2018 | Page 9

“My personal experiences as a grandparent, par-
ent and daughter have given me maturity and
greater understanding of people. 
It is important to have the patience and compas-
sion to really listen to people, to be available to
them when they communicate and express them-
selves.”
by: Jolie Gonzalez-Padilla
Jolie Gonzalez-Padilla: Where
did you grow up?
Cissy Boza Sevelin: I am a Flor-
ida native. I grew up in West
Tampa. We first lived on Union
Street and then moved to Car-
men Street where I resided until
I married. I began working for
Olympia Bakery when I was 12
years old. Although I reside in
Thonotosassa, my heart remains
in West Tampa.
Jolie Gonzalez-Padilla: Tell us
about your education.
Cissy Boza Sevelin: I was mar-
ried at a very young age. When
I was 25 years old and a single
mother of three, I decided it was
time to better my life and that
of my children. I began taking
classes at Hillsborough Com-
munity College while working
fulltime and achieved my Asso-
ciates Degree. I then applied to
the University of South Florida
where I first obtained a Bache-
lor’s Degree in Accounting and
then a Bachelor’s Degree in Fi-
nance. During my time at the
University of South Florida I
was required to take a business
law class. As a result, my in-
terest continued in the study of
law. I attended the Dwayne O.
Andreas School of Law, Barry
University and obtained a Mas-
ter of Business Administration
and my Juris Doctorate. During
my time in law school, I also be-
came a Florida Supreme Court
County Mediator and a Flori- to become a Judge?
da Supreme Court Family Law Cissy Boza Sevelin: I have
watched, when time permitted,
Mediator.
virtually every legal television
Jolie Gonzalez-Padilla: Tell us show which has been produced.
why as a practicing attorney you To boot, I watch live hearings of
choose to do your cases pro-bo- real cases being televised.
no.
Cissy Boza Sevelin: I spent ap- Jolie Gonzalez-Padilla: Why do
proximately nine years work- you think you will make a good
ing for the Federal Bankruptcy and fair Judge?
Court in the Middle District of Cissy Boza Sevelin: I have the
Florida, as a Career and Term experience; balance and matu-
Law Clerk. During my time rity that make me stand out as
with the court, I was not permit- a candidate. My work has en-
ted to do any type of pro bono compassed banking, account-
work. During the same time, I ing, bankruptcy (debtor and
also owned and operated a wed- creditor), foreclosures, family
ding venue, Victorian Gardens, law, and civil trial. I worked as
a judicial assistant to various
located in Thonotosassa.
Prior to becoming an attorney, county and circuit court judges
I needed legal help and couldn’t and in mediation and diversion
afford to pay an attorney. In service. Through this experi-
October 2013, after my position ence, I have not only gained a
with the Bankruptcy Court was sense of various areas of the law,
abolished due to the death of my but the many functions of the
Judge, the Honorable Alexander clerk of court. I have significant
L. Paskay, I decided – I had been practical work experience in all
very successful and very bless- of these areas. I have worked
ed and n ow it was time for me for the government, as a solo
to give back. So, with the sup- practitioner and in a small law
port of my husband, I provide practice and in the corporate
legal assist to the indigent and world of banking. These work
oppressed, in areas of domestic environments have prepared
violence, family law, dependen- me to understand the chal-
cy, delinquency, wills and trust lenges facing the attorneys who
and take on other matters when could practice before me.
appropriate.
Jolie Gonzalez-Padilla: What
Jolie Gonzalez-Padilla: When are the attributes of a good
did you decide that you wanted judge?
T his I ssue of L atin T imes M agazine is sponsored by
Cissy Boza Sevelin: Intellect;
maturity; analytical ability;
calm and patience; ability to
move a docket and to make de-
cisions; organizational skills; re-
search and writing; compassion;
sensitivity; caring and listening.
Jolie Gonzalez-Padilla: How
can people help you win your
campaign?
Cissy Boza Sevelin: Tell friends
about me. Volunteer to can-
vass neighborhoods. Put signs
up at their businesses and in
their yards. Volunteer to be at
the voting locations the weeks
prior to and/or the day of the
election. Invite me to gather-
ings were I can meet voters in
person. Volunteer to be on my
host committee or contact my
host committee to hold fund-
raisers. Attend functions on
my behalf so I can attend other
events which are being held on
the same day and at the same
time. Follow me on Facebook
at Cissy4Judge and share my
page. Visit my website located
at cissysevelin4judge.com and
signup to volunteer.
Read the entire
interview at:
www.LatinTimesMedia.com
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