Meet Cissy Boza Sevelin

Cissy Boza Sevelin

Jolie Gonzalez-Padilla: Where did you grow up? Cissy Boza Sevelin: I am a Florida native. I grew up in West Tampa. We first lived on Union Street and then moved to Carmen 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 married 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 Community College while working fulltime and achieved my Associates Degree. I then applied to the University of South Florida where I first obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and then a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance. During my time at the University of South Florida I was required to take a business law class. As a result, my interest continued in the study of law. I attended the Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law, Barry University and obtained a Master of Business Administration and my Juris Doctorate. During my time in law school, I also became a Florida Supreme Court County Mediator and a Florida Supreme Court Family Law Mediator.

Jolie Gonzalez-Padilla: Tell us why as a practicing attorney you choose to do your cases pro-bono. Cissy Boza Sevelin: I spent approximately nine years working for the Federal Bankruptcy Court in the Middle District of Florida, as a Career and Term Law Clerk. During my time with the court, I was not permitted to do any type of pro bono work. During the same time, I also owned and operated a wedding venue, Victorian Gardens, located in Thonotosassa. Prior to becoming an attorney, I needed legal help and couldn’t afford to pay an attorney. In October 2013, after my position with the Bankruptcy Court was abolished due to the death of my Judge, the Honorable Alexander L. Paskay, I decided – I had been very successful and very blessed and now it was time for me to give back. So, with the support of my husband, I provide legal assist to the indigent and oppressed, in areas of domestic violence, family law, dependency, delinquency, wills and trust and take on other matters when appropriate.

Jolie Gonzalez-Padilla: When did you decide that you wanted to become a Judge? Cissy Boza Sevelin: I have watched, when time permitted, virtually every legal television show which has been produced. To boot, I watch live hearings of real cases being televised.

“My personal experiences as a grandparent, parent and daughter have given me maturity and greater understanding of people. It is important to have the patience and compassion to really listen to people, to be available to them when they communicate and express themselves.”

by: Jolie Gonzalez-Padilla

Jolie Gonzalez-Padilla: Why do you think you will make a good and fair Judge? Cissy Boza Sevelin: I have the experience; balance and maturity that make me stand out as a candidate. My work has encompassed banking, accounting, bankruptcy (debtor and creditor), foreclosures, family law, and civil trial. I worked as a judicial assistant to various county and circuit court judges and in mediation and diversion service. Through this experience, I have not only gained a sense of various areas of the law, but the many functions of the clerk of court. I have significant practical work experience in all of these areas. I have worked for the government, as a solo practitioner and in a small law practice and in the corporate world of banking. These work environments have prepared me to understand the challenges facing the attorneys who could practice before me.

Jolie Gonzalez-Padilla: What are the attributes of a good judge?

Cissy Boza Sevelin: Intellect; maturity; analytical ability; calm and patience; ability to move a docket and to make decisions; organizational skills; research 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 canvass 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 gatherings were I can meet voters in person. Volunteer to be on my host committee or contact my host committee to hold fundraisers. 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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