Judges Michelle Barakat, left, and Tanya Brinkley. Courtesy photos.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has elevated Miami-Dade County Court judges Michelle Alvarez Barakat and Tanya Brinkley to the circuit bench.

Both hold law degrees from the University of Miami and replace Eric Hendon and Bronwyn Miller, who rose to the Third District Court of Appeal.

Barakat, a 47-year-old Cuban-American from Miami Beach, was admitted to the bar in 1999. In her pre-judicial days, she specialized in civil and criminal litigation and served as counsel to the Florida Bar. Barakat ran for her county court post in 2012, defeating incumbent Fleur J. Lobree.

Barakat said she's honored by the appointment.

“I'm looking forward to continuing to serve our community in the capacity of a circuit court judge and fulfilling my oath in applying the rule of law,” she said.

Brinkley, 52, is a native of Pennsylvania and holds an undergraduate degree in finance from Howard University in Washington. Since joining the Florida Bar in 1996, she's received awards for pro bono work and served as a traffic hearing officer and an attorney with Brinkley & Henrys in Miami.

Brinkley said she was grateful to DeSantis for choosing her.

“I will work hard to continue to serve the Miami-Dade community with honor and distinction,” Brinkley said.

Brinkley ran for the Miami-Dade County Court bench in 2012, beating opponent Enrique “Rick” Yabor. She becomes the second female African-American judge on the Miami-Dade Circuit bench, joining Renatha S. Francis, who was elevated in 2018.

At a news conference on the UM campus Wednesday, DeSantis said, “Both will serve with integrity.”

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