Olanike “Nike” Adebayo, left, and Eleane Sosa-Bruzon, right. Courtesy photos

This installment of the Daily Business Review's coverage of the August primary election features Q&As with family lawyer Olanike Adebayo and civil lawyer Eleane Sosa-Bruzon, running for Miami-Dade County Court judge, Group 33. Responses have been edited for style and content.

 

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Olanike “Nike” Adebayo

Adebayo is from Chicago but relocated to Miami to obtain her juris doctor from the University of Miami School of Law. She began her legal career at the Miami State Attorney's Office, where she spent eight years prosecuting and trying felony, misdemeanor, juvenile and domestic violence cases. Her most recent position was chief of litigation in the juvenile division. Adebayo was a police legal adviser at the Miami-Dade Police Department for five years, where she prosecuted civil forfeiture actions and also taught at the department's accredited Metropolitan Police Institute.

She later opened her own practice, focusing on criminal defense and family law. Adebayo also joined the Third Region of Florida's Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel, and as an assistant regional counsel, she defends parents charged by the Department of Children and Families with neglect of their children. Adebayo mentors “at risk” youth and has organized domestic violence awareness panels for the Miami-Dade community.

Why do you want to be a county court judge?

Adebayo: I am a servant-leader who believes “service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.” My civic involvement throughout Miami-Dade County as past president for Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association, board member for Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc., and a 5000 Role Model mentor, and volunteer work has helped me to become a great listener and a collaborative, decisive leader. I have a varied legal background including, 19 years of criminal and civil litigation and trial experience. I desire to continue to serve this community in a larger capacity. I strongly believe that my servant-leadership roles, legal experience, diverse upbringing and strong work ethic will make me an excellent judge.

What about your experience qualifies you for the position?

Adebayo: My 19 years of broad legal experience qualifies me to be judge. As a Miami-Dade Assistant State Attorney for more than 10 years, I gained extensive bench and jury trial experience. During my tenure as a prosecutor, I became a chief of litigation for the juvenile division, where I supervised and trained more than 80 attorneys in all aspects of conducting trials. I also served as a police legal adviser for the Miami-Dade Police Department, where I taught police officers and hosted trainings for them on various constitutional issues. I published weekly bulletins and legal notes that were distributed throughout Florida police departments. I also litigated forfeiture cases as a police legal adviser. I currently work for The Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel defending parents who are facing serious allegations of neglect of their children. My current primary goal is to assist individuals to be better parents and keep families together.

As a result of my upbringing and my work experiences, I am a caring, empathetic and hardworking individual. I am a qualified candidate for judge because I possess the trial experience, passion and commitment necessary to serve on the judiciary.

What's your biggest achievement so far?

Adebayo: My biggest achievement occurred on May 4, 2018, when I humbly received the John F. Balikes Award. Each year the judges of the Children's Courthouse present the “Wall of Honor” ceremony to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the children in Miami-Dade's juvenile justice and child welfare system. The award is presented at this ceremony to recognize an individual who demonstrates a great amount of respect and professionalism to the legal profession. Having practiced as a lawyer in this community for almost 20 years, I was honored to receive this recognition from the judiciary. I am privileged to be held in such regard for the service to our children in this community.

What would a successful term look like for you?

Adebayo: A successful term would involve serving as a judge who listened respectfully to all parties who came before me and making fair, well-reasoned rulings based upon the law. Additionally, a successful term would be one wherein as a judge I managed an efficient case docket and courtroom.

What is the most important issue facing the Miami-Dade county courts at the moment?

Adebayo: The most important issue facing the Miami-Dade County courts is its lack of diversity within the judiciary. Miami-Dade County is the sixth largest urban population in the United States and has a population of over 2 million citizens. There are 123 Judges that serve Miami-Dade County. Of its 76 male judges, 10 are African-American, and of its 47 female judges two are African-American. A more inclusive bench will make all residents of Miami-Dade County feel represented in the judiciary.

 

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Eleane Sosa-Bruzon

Born in Miami and raised in Hialeah, Sosa-Bruzon was the first in her family to graduate from college and law school. Her family came to the U.S. in 1971 on one of the final flights from Cuba, fleeing Fidel Castro's regime. Sosa-Bruzon has more than 12 years of experience as a litigator and has participated in numerous jury and bench trials. She interned at the Public Defender's Office during law school, then began a career in the public sector.

As an assistant public defender, Sosa-Bruzon handled misdemeanor, juvenile and felony cases, and ultimately worked her way up to the major crimes division. As a major crimes attorney, she developed and implemented a new system that paired Spanish-speaking attorneys with Spanish-speaking clients. Six years on, Sosa-Bruzon transitioned into civil litigation. and handled cases across Florida. She's has practiced in banking, commercial litigation, real estate and currently focuses on insurance litigation.

Why do you want to be a county court judge?

Sosa-Bruzon: I began my legal career in public service almost 13 years ago in the public defender's office. I truly believe I am at a point in my career where I want to return to public service and that I could serve this community well if elected to the county court.