This installment of the Daily Business Review's coverage of South Florida's August judicial primary election features a Q&A with Miami marital and family attorney Denise Martinez-Scanziani and incumbent Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Thomas Rebull, running for Miami-Dade Circuit judge, Group 65. Responses have been edited for style and content.

Related: 2020 South Florida Elections: Use this Voter Guide to Learn More About Candidates Running for Judge

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Denise Martinez-Scanziani

Why are you running for this position?

I am seeking election as a judge because I believe that qualified, experienced judges who are impartial, follow the law and value precedent, bring stability and fairness to our judicial system. My background as a trial and appellate attorney in different areas of the law provides me with a broad understanding and perspective that make me uniquely suited to take on this role. It is fundamentally important that every person who enters a courtroom is treated with dignity and respect. If everyone has an opportunity to be seen and to be heard, then no matter the outcome, I believe everyone will know they have had their day in court. I also believe that a judge is no more than a servant to his or her community. I will bring these priorities to the bench to serve our entire diverse community. I would be honored to serve Miami-Dade County in this position of trust.

What about your experience qualifies you for this position?

I am a trial and appellate attorney with over 20 years of experience. I am also one of only 33 attorneys in Miami-Dade County who is board certified in marital and family law. I have represented thousands of clients and run my own firm, currently serving clients in the area of marital and family law trials and appeals. My experience as an appellate attorney has strengthened my trial skills, and vice versa. This experience affords me with a unique perspective that will be beneficial to the bench.

I am also passionate about serving my community; I have always prioritized service. As an attorney, my service began when I chose to accept a position as a staff attorney with legal aid, representing one of the most vulnerable populations in the community — our senior citizens. My service continued through the thousands of pro bono hours I have given throughout my career — providing pro bono representation at the trial and appellate level, donating time in clinics throughout the county, representing those who do not have access to representation, and as a guardian ad litem, working for the interests of children.

Throughout my career, I have always sought to serve the interests of justice. I believe that everyone has the right to be seen and to be heard — that is due process. Simply put, I am passionate about the law, about justice and serving my community.

What's your biggest achievement so far?

Our profession, at times, struggles to maintain a healthy work-life balance. On a personal level, being able to successfully balance the roles of woman, wife to my high school sweetheart, Paul John Scanziani, mother to our three children, daughter, attorney, mentor and business owner, is my biggest personal achievement.

As an attorney, becoming a board certified specialist and continuing to be passionate about the law and the pursuit of justice — avoiding cynicism and complacency — after 20 years in practice are my biggest professional achievements. As an appellate attorney, I have not been afraid to challenge decisions that are contrary to the law. I have been successful in this and continue to persevere, even taking appeals on a pro bono basis to pursue justice. In this area, for example, the opinion of which I am most proud is the the reversal of a court order on the basis of denial of due process in an appeal I took on a pro bono basis for a father whose time with his child had been severely impacted.

Overall, the fact that I have been able to pursue my passion, enjoy a successful family and work life, and be a successful business owner, after being the first in my family to attend college, is my greatest achievement.

What would a successful term look like for you?

For me, a successful term as a circuit court judge would result in a reputation as an impartial and fair judge, who treats everyone with dignity and respect demonstrating this with my demeanor to all. I would become known as an asset to the judiciary, based on my ability to recognize that it is is not enough to follow the law, because that is a given, but that it is also fundamental to our judicial system that everyone is seen and heard, because that is due process. I would also be recognized by the litigants and attorneys as the type of judge who will research an issue of law and read the pleadings and motions filed, prior to issuing a ruling. Finally, I would also be known for my dedication to diligently serving our diverse community.

What is the most important issue facing your district at the moment?

I believe the community's perception of our judicial system's ability and willingness to serve all members of our community diligently, impartially and fairly is of prime importance. This is why I stress that everyone has the right to be seen and to be heard when involved in the judicial system — this is due process. This also includes doing the work that needs to be done to prevent lengthy delays in resolving legal disputes, without sacrificing fairness and justice. It is fundamental to the stability of our judicial system, that all who appear before it know that they have had their day in court, regardless of the outcome.

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Judge Thomas Rebull

Why are you running for this position?

I am running for this position because throughout my almost nine years as a circuit judge, I have worked hard to serve the public. I have impacted the community in a positive way in my capacity as judge. I work tireless hours each day preparing for the daily cases and controversies which come before me. I run an efficient, trial-active courtroom, giving each case the attention it deserves. All of the litigants and parties who appear before me are treated with respect and have a full opportunity to be heard.

I have the requisite experience to hold this position, having worked 16 years in the private sector in the civil arena as a litigator before becoming a judge.

What about your experience qualifies you for this position?

I am qualified for the position of circuit judge because, throughout my tenure as a judge, I have presided in the criminal, civil and appellate divisions. I have handled thousands of cases and over 100 jury trials. Chief Judge Soto appointed me associate administrative judge for both the criminal and the civil Divisions. She also named me co-chair of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Professionalism Committee. I am active in the local voluntary bar associations and frequently lecture on professionalism and civility issues. I also serve on the faculty of the Florida College of Advanced Judicial Studies.

Before I was a judge, I was in private practice for 16 years. I was a partner at the law firm of Broad and Cassel for over 10 years in the areas of commercial, real estate and employment litigation. I served on the city of Miami Civilian Investigative Panel for nine years, the last two as its chairperson.

I was born and raised in Miami by my Cuban grandmother and father. I went to Boston University for college and graduated magna cum laude from American University's Washington College of Law. After law school, I came home and clerked at the Third District Court of Appeal. I live with my two teenage daughters in the Shenandoah neighborhood of the city of Miami. I've always been a proud Miami-Dade County Public Schools parent.

What's your biggest achievement so far?

My biggest personal achievement has been raising my daughters, Sofia and Olivia, to become intelligent, independent young women who care about their community.

Professionally, I was honored to recently receive the Alan R. Schwartz Judicial Excellence Award from the Miami-Dade County Bar Association. This was especially meaningful to me, as I greatly admired Judge Schwartz's service on the Third District Court of Appeal. While I was a judge, he honored me by adopting one of my orders as the opinion of the court.

What would a successful term look like for you?

A successful term would be to continue what I have been doing on the bench for the last nine years. I will continue working tirelessly each day preparing for the cases which come before me. I will run an efficient courtroom where the litigants have access to the docket and are treated with respect and the opportunity to be heard.

What is the most important issue facing your district at the moment?

The biggest challenge our circuit faces right now is continuing to run the judicial system during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have made enormous strides in continuing the business of the court using remote technology. There are many challenges ahead, in particular as it relates to conducting jury trials.

We continue to balance the need to protect public health and safety, along with everyone's right of access to the court and to preserve their right to a jury trial. This is especially important in the criminal division, where there are persons in custody who are awaiting their day in court, for a trial by jury.

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