Aventura Mall
Capital at Brickell
The Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club
Serving Aventura, Bal Harbour, Bay Harbor, Golden Beach, Hallandale Beach, Hollywood, Sunny Isles Beach, Surfside
City of Aventura
www.communitynewspapers.com
May 20 - 26, 2009
North Dade Justice Center celebrates 51st 'Law Day' featuring "This is Your Life" tribute to retiring Chief Judge Joseph P. Farina BY BARI AUERBACH Business and community leaders recently collaborated with judges from the North Dade Justice Center to present the 51st Law Day celebration featuring a tribute to retiring Chief Judge Joseph P. Farina and warm welcome to the Hon. Joel Brown, incoming Chief Judge, 11th Judicial Circuit. The theme of Law Day 2009 was "A Legacy of Liberty," celebrating the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln. Farina's legacy of outstanding service was also commemorated as a special fun and touching "Judge Farina - This is Your Life" presentation was made by many of his good friends and colleagues. Law Day was held in conjunction with "Law Week" - observed nationally every year in May to help promote a greater understanding of the American justice system. Special thanks for supporting the event was expressed to public officials, organizations and participants including the Aventura Marketing Council, Blue Bell Ice Cream, BNY Mellon Bank, the Caribbean Bar Association, Clerk of Courts, COSTCO North Miami Beach, Cuban American Bar Association, Florida Association for Women Lawyers, the Haitian Lawyers Association, North Dade Bar Association and Daily Business Review. The Law Day event commenced with an invocation by Village of Miami Shores Mayor Herta Holly; the Village of Miami Shores Honor Guard presentation; Krop Senior High Natalia Sulca singing the National Anthem; and the Pledge of Allegiance led by the Bailiffs of the North Dade Justice Center. Declaring Law Day officially in session, Judge Myriam Lehr and Judge Linda
Singer Stein introduced Law Day co-chairs: Judge Don Cohn, Judge Eric Hendon, Judge Ada Pozo, Judge Caryn Canner Schwartz, Judge Sheldon Schwartz and Judge Lisa Walsh. Judge Farina spoke about President Lincoln's leadership principles including "reaching out to the community; building strong alliances; showing compassion; and leading by persuasion rather than coercion - thus empowering peoJudge Myriam Lehr; Judge Stan Blake; Judge Linda Singer Stein Judge Farina shares a laugh with wife Joelle ple to act on their own." Judge Brown added, "Today, by this commemoration, we set aside a special time to celebrate Mr. Lincoln's legacy of freedom as well as our own continuing commitment to the same noble goals to protect the rights and freedoms guaranteed to every citizen by our system of laws - and to provide equal access and justice for all." Then, thanks to the incredible comedic talents of Judge Stan Blake, Farina was surprised and delighted by a North Dade Justice Center Judges (L-R) Eric Hendon, Ada Pozo, Myriam Lehr, Sheldon Schwartz, Lisa Walsh and Caryn Schwartz "This is Your Life" retrospecFollowing Farina's acceptance of a tive which included Farina's wife Joelle, grace and professionalism. We are very Judge Stuart Symons, Judge Jon Gordon, fortunate to have had this exceptional proclamation from Florida senators commending his 14-years of dedicated service and longtime friends Michael Rose, Jayne person as our leader." Weintraub, Osvaldo Soto and Ruben "Judge Farina has always been there as Chief Judge, Judge Lehr summed up Carrerou. to protect the downtrodden‌he is a sin- the sentiments of everyone inspired by his More serious accolades followed: cere humanitarian‌His keen intellect has achievements: "Judge Farina has always brought dignity and fairness to every "Judge Farina has fought tirelessly in sup- served us all well throughout the years." port of not just the judiciary - but the "Judge Farina is a man who works situation. We thank you for all your years entire legal system, maintaining his com- everyday to accomplish the goals set forth of selfless service." posure and handling each obstacle with by Abraham Lincoln." Photography by Andrew Goldstein