Roseanna Bronhard, a civil litigator in Fort Pierce, Sean Conway of the Conway Law Firm in Fort Lauderdale, And incumbent Broward County Court Judge Natasha DePrimo. Courtesy photos. Roseanna Bronhard, a civil litigator in Crawfordville, near Tallahassee, Sean Conway of the Conway Law Firm in Fort Lauderdale and incumbent Broward County Court Judge Natasha DePrimo. Courtesy photos.

A Wakulla County civil litigator and a Fort Lauderdale criminal defense attorney will compete with an incumbent judge in South Florida's primary elections this August, when they run for Broward County Court Judge, Group 31. Here's what Roseanna Bronhard, Sean Conway and Judge Natasha DePrimo say qualify them for the bench. 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

Roseanna Bronhard

Bronhard is a resident of Crawfordville, near Tallahassee, works at the Florida Commission on Human Relations and has more than 25 years of experience. She's also lived in Broward for more 12 years and worked in Fort Lauderdale as a judicial staff attorney and probate counsel.

Why are you running for this position?

I am running based on my qualifications and that I will be an impartial decision-maker. I have been a Florida Bar member since 1991 — over 28 years. I do have experience in making judicial recommendations while serving as a judicial staff attorney and court probate counsel in Fort Lauderdale on behalf of circuit court judges. I have private practice litigation experience. I served as a senior attorney — Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Presently, I make recommended legal determinations regarding discrimination law on behalf of the Florida Commission on Human Relations. Based on my prior court system experience and government experience, I recognize the high volume of cases that will come before a judge that should be handled efficiently and based on the relevant law applied. A judge should process their caseload with a view of fairness and based on the current state of law.

There can be a perception of unfairness in the court system. Justice for all should be a reality and attainable by litigants, regardless of money and resources. Preservation and respect for judicial independence should be among the pressing issues for someone's ability in serving the community. I believe judges should be impartial decision-makers. Provided I am elected, I will make sound decisions based on the law with integrity and not be influenced by the "who is who" and "who makes contributions, nor is connected." My candidacy has not accepted any monies and is 100% self-financed. This provides me the ability to be free of influence. Also, economic, cultural, social and racial/ethnicity should not be barriers to the court and should not weigh in any judge's decision-making process. All court personnel should have policies and procedures that guarantee equal treatment of all litigants free of any impediments.

What about your experience qualifies you for the position?

I presently serve as an attorney with the Florida Commission on Human Relations making recommended determinations regarding discrimination law. I previously served as a senior attorney, administrative prosecutor for the department of business and professional regulations, prosecuting cases against license violations involving certified public accountants.

My prior work was serving as an attorney in the Florida court system nearly a decade. I served as a judicial staff attorney/trial court law clerk from 1993-1997, located in Fort Lauderdale. In addition, I served as court probate counsel from 1997-2002, located in Fort Lauderdale. As a judicial staff attorney and court probate counsel, I served under the direction and supervision of certain circuit court judges. I assisted the judiciary with case management, pending litigation and issues including appellate cases (from county to circuit). I was responsible for drafting memos, opinions, orders supported by legal research, reviewed briefs, case files and made recommendations, advised judges on litigation and legal issues. I rotated and worked for several Judges within criminal, family, civil and probate divisions. As a private attorney, I litigated a variety of cases.

What's your biggest achievement so far?

My compassion for vulnerable species. I have rescued 10 cats from the streets in Florida. I secured and helped coordinate for these cats an indoor living environment with health care provided. As an attorney, my ability to be resilient despite the obstacles that have confronted me throughout my 55 years.

What would a successful term look like for you?

My term would look like for me as a judge that I will be professional, calm, organized and level-headed while making rational decisions based on the relevant law, despite what challenges may present itself on any cases. As a potential judge, I will treat litigants with respect, realizing that each side is entitled to due process regardless of legal representation, or appearing without counsel on their own behalf as pro se litigants.

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

An important issue facing the community at the moment is handling the spread of the coronavirus and the legal implications that transform from this epidemic. Access to courts is an important issue that is always facing this county. In the event I should be elected, I will treat litigants equally and allow access to the courts. I will recognize that at the county court level there will be litigants appearing pro se (without legal representation). The pro se litigants will have the same equal opportunities to present their arguments, evidence and cases as do the litigants represented by attorneys. Litigants expect and deserve competent judges that are impartial and not biased.

Sean Conway

Conway practices criminal defense at the Sean Conway Law Firm in Fort Lauderdale and has more than 23 years of experience.

Why are you running for this position?

Because I would be a great judge.

What about your experience qualifies you for the position?

In addition to over 75 criminal jury trials and hundreds of nonjury trials, the areas of law I have handled over the past 24 years (misdemeanors, landlord/tenant, traffic, small claims) are the areas of law covered by the county court.

What's your biggest achievement so far?

My biggest achievement has been striving to be successful in everything I take on in life, whether that is professional endeavors, relationships, playing music, home renovation, gardening, treating others with respect and courtesy.

What would a successful term look like for you?

Knowing that every litigant had their side of the case fully and completely heard and understood with efficiency, respect and dignity.

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

First, there is a major backlog of jury trial cases piling up from the COVID-19 shutdown — the county needs judges with sufficient trial experience. Second, there needs to be an increase in the use of technology (such as the big TV monitors in the new courtrooms which aren't being used). Things which will help minimize forcing witnesses to trek down to the courthouse, when they can appear on the monitors the taxpayers have already paid for.

Judge Natasha DePrimo

Judge DePrimo rose to the bench in 2018, and handles both civil and criminal cases. She's also the elected representative for all county court judges in Broward Circuit and serves as judicial liaison for the Broward County Bar Association's West Broward section.

Why are you running for this position?

As a county court judge, I am seeking to continue to use my experience, hard work and dedication to serve the people of Broward County and retain my seat. I have the ability, confidence and temperament to handle the various cases that come before me. I know how to manage a docket efficiently because I understand the operation of a day-to-day courtroom. During this challenging time, my experience and implementation of innovative technology are of the utmost importance. I have been utilizing the new virtual courtroom since the closure of the courthouse and I have been able to incorporate this new technology smoothly for the attorneys and litigants.

Additionally, each day I arrive at the courthouse, I am reminded of how important this day may be to each person that appears in front of me. Regardless of whether it is on a small claims case, a landlord-tenant dispute, or even a traffic ticket, it is important to that individual. This job allows me to serve the people of Broward County and show that judges are approachable, fair, respectful, humble and care about the community. I also believe that the judiciary should reflect the community that it serves. As the first Asian American female Judge in Broward County and the only sitting Asian American judge in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, I think that diversity on the bench and in the legal community is important as well.

What about your experience qualifies you for the position?

The experience of being a Broward County Court judge for the past year and a half has prepared me to continue to serve the people of Broward County as their judge. I have also found that all of my life experiences have made me a judge that the community can be proud of. I am well-versed in the law and understand the process and procedures of an efficient and working courtroom. I am also compassionate, respectful, decisive, humble and fair.

As an attorney, I practiced both civil and criminal law. I have not only negotiated complex civil contracts, but I have also prosecuted punishable by life felonies. I have tried over 75 trials to verdict. I have also dealt with difficult parties, difficult clients and difficult attorneys, and yet I have always been able to keep my composure and remain steadfast in the work at hand.

As an individual, I come from meager beginnings, I have always had to work hard to achieve my goals. I am the daughter of a single mother, who raised me with the help of my grandparents. I am a Korean Jewish woman and I know what it is to be told you cannot do something because of your gender, your ethnicity or your religion. I am a mother of three boys, a wife and proud Broward County resident. All of my experiences, personal and professional, are what make me a judge that the people of Broward County can trust to be equitable and fair.

What's your biggest achievement so far?

My biggest achievement in my personal life is being a wife and mother of three wonderful sons. My biggest achievement professionally is having the honor and opportunity to serve the people of Broward County as a county court judge. As a sitting judge, I have been given the responsibility and privilege to serve the people fairly, with kindness, and to treat everyone equally under the law. I also have been able to give back to the community as a mentor to students of all ages and young lawyers. I have been able to speak to students throughout the county from kindergarten to law school about the justice system and the role of the judiciary. I volunteer my time for mock trials and trial team programs. I speak to lawyers about professionalism and ethics. I was also selected by my colleagues to serve as the circuit representative for all of the county court judges in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit. I am a certified faculty instructor, which allows me to teach other judges throughout the State.

But one of the most poignant moments in my career happened recently. A young Asian American student at a legal education event I was volunteering at said to me, "I have never seen anyone who looks like me be a judge," and then he simply said, "Thanks." That was an impactful moment.

What would a successful term look like for you?

A successful term, for me, would be to continue to build the community confidence in the judiciary. That every day the litigants and lawyers that came before me felt welcomed and respected, regardless of the outcome of their case. I would like the virtual courtroom to continue to be utilized in a way that helps make the judiciary efficient, accessible and more convenient to the parties. The dockets would continue to run efficiently and the cases would resolve in a timely manner. We continue to have students visit the courthouse virtually, if unable to do so in person. Those are all elements of what I believe a successful term would look like.

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

I believe one of the most important issues currently facing the judiciary is ensuring the people of Broward County continued safe, fair and efficient access to courts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now more than ever, proven experience, service and integrity is what we need and deserve on the Broward County bench. The justice system will be implementing a "new normal." I am a judge that has experience in how the courtroom runs and how to interweave the technology to transition smoothly. I have been running a virtual courtroom and maintaining consistent and fair access to the courts since the closure of the courthouses. My patience and temperament helps to ease the anxiety and concerns of the public. I recently moderated and created a webinar for lawyers and judges statewide that focused on teaching the utilization of the virtual courtroom. This is a challenge that I hope will lead to implementation of technology that makes the legal community more effective and accessible.

 

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