Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Diane V. Ward. Courtesy photo Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Diane V. Ward. Courtesy photo

Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Diane V. Ward is stepping down from the bench, retiring from the judiciary Dec. 30.

"It's time for a change," she said.

Ward said Wednesday she would not be leaving the legal field but will go into private practice representing people accused of ethical violations by the Florida Bar, the Judicial Qualifications Commission and other organizations.

"It's going to be good to be an advocate again," she said.

The judge was the subject of a famous exchange that became the subject of a viral Internet video that's made the rounds online for nearly a decade. But inside the courtroom, colleagues and attorneys say she's "tough but fair."

Ward's peers in the legal community expressed admiration for the outgoing judge in remarks to the Daily Business Review.

"Judge Ward has been a great jurist for many years and we will be sad to see her go, but we wish her all the best as she enters a new chapter in retirement," Miami-Dade Chief Judge Bertila Soto said in an emailed statement.

Michelle Estlund, the president of Miami chapter of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, said Ward will be sorely missed by lawyers who appeared before her.

"The retirement of Judge Diane Ward will leave a void difficult to fill on the Miami-Dade Circuit Court bench," Estlund said. "Her tireless work ethic and expansive knowledge of the law, coupled with the high standards expected in her courtroom, made all who practiced before her better lawyers. Having begun her career with the Miami-Dade Public Defender's Office in 1982 and continuing into private practice, she broke barriers and paved the way for future lawyers, in particular female attorneys."

Jude Faccidomo, the state vice president of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, gave Ward credit "for making me the lawyer I am today."

"Judge Ward has been a force in the Justice Building since first taking the bench in 2003," the Ratzan & Faccidomo partner said. "She gave respect to those who appeared before her and commanded it just the same."

"I can think of no greater legacy for a judge than the one Diane will surely have: tough but fair," he added.

Ward was elected in 2002 for a term beginning in January 2003. She grew up in South Florida and spent several years traveling the U.S. and globetrotting before enrolling at the University of Miami School of Law. After earning her J.D., she worked as an assistant public defender in Miami-Dade County and later litigated as a solo criminal defense attorney.

A video of one of her hearings went viral last year. As reported by the Miami Herald in September 2018, Ward presided over a bond hearing for defendant Nelson Walker, accused of stealing Dolphins paraphernalia from the football team's stadium.

Nelson had appeared in court wearing a Miami Dolphins jersey, but he was quick to point out the shirt wasn't part of the case.

"This ain't the one, your honor,"  Walker said.

The exchange from 2011 found new life as the video circulated on social media, getting a major boost in August 2018 after an Instagram post by rapper Snoop Dogg.

Meanwhile, the Eleventh Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission has launched a search for Ward's replacement. It's accepting applications through Oct. 29.

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