JUDGE DEBRA S. NELSON
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| EDUCATION: University of South Florida - B.A. Psychology 1975 South Texas College of Law - J.D. 1979 |
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BAR MEMBERSHIPS: Admitted to the Florida Bar, 1979 Admitted to the Texas Bar, 1979 Admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, 1981 Admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, 1981 Admitted to the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, 1985 Admitted to the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida, 1985 |
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| PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE: January 1980 - July1983 Broward County State Attorney’s Office, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Chief Prosecutor Misdemeanor, Hollywood Court, Felony Prosecutor. July 1983 – March 1986 Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Staff Counsel, Tallahassee. Represented the Department in all personnel legal matters, employment discrimination, labor disputes, administrative law and civil litigation. Appeared before federal and state courts and administrative hearing officers. Registered lobbyist for the Department. Legal advisor on Cabinet issues. March 1986 – August 1992 Borroughs, Grimm, Bennett & Griffin, P.A., Orlando, FL. Commercial litigation practice Partner September, 1988 - August 1992. Head of litigation department, December 1989 - August 1992. August 1992 – June 1999 Debra Steinberg Nelson, P.A., Orlando, FL. Litigation practice including: contract disputes, mortgage foreclosures, corporate disputes, family law (dissolution of marriage, custody, paternity), probate litigation fraud, unfair and deceptive trade practices, employment disputes, employment discrimination, real property disputes, aviation litigation, construction defects, mechanics liens, constitutional law claims, adversary proceedings in bankruptcy, administrative proceedings, class action lawsuit, and appellate matters. Arbitrator for the United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, 1992-1999. |
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| JUDICIAL HISTORY: Appointed Circuit Judge 18th Judicial Circuit of Florida, by Governor Jeb Bush May 1999. Elected Circuit Judge 18th Judicial Circuit of Florida, September 2000 with 72% approval rate of the voters in Seminole and Brevard Counties.Juvenile Delinquency Division, June 1999 – July 2000 Civil, Family and Probate Division, July 2000 – June 2002; July 2004 - Present Felony Division, July 2002 - June 2004 Administrative Judge in the Juvenile Division, Seminole County, November 1999-June 2000. Administrative Judge for Seminole County, July 2000 – July 2001 Administrative Judge in the Family Division, Seminole County, July 2000 – June 2001 Administrative Judge in the Probate and Guardianship Division, Seminole County, July 2001 – June 2002 Administrative Judge for Appeals, Seminole County, July 1999 – present Acting Chief Judge, Seminole & Brevard Counties, July 2003- June 2005 Preside over Seminole County Adult Drug Court, October 2002 - March 2005 Served on Florida Supreme Court Pro Se Committee Served on 18th Judicial Circuit Conflicts Committee Served on Family Court Steering Committee Summit on Redefining Florida’s Family Courts |
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| ORGANIZATIONS, COMMITTEES AND
COMMISSIONS: Florida Bar Family Rules Committee 2004 - Present Florida Bar Civil Rules Committee 1999 - 2004 Seminole County Bar Association Brevard County Bar Association Volie A. Williams Inns of Court, President July 2004 - Present Seminole County Community Leaders and Elected Officials |
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| AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS: "Firm but Fair Administration of Justice to the Children of Seminole County" awarded by: The Office of the Public Defender, Office of the State Attorney, Guardian Ad Litem Program, Attorneys and Court Personnel, June 30, 20002000-2001 Seminole County Community Child Advocate of the Year Award Martindale Hubble "A.V." Attorney Rating |
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