Latina Colombian-American the First to Be Appointed to Two Florida Circuit Courts
Meet Tarlika Nunez-Navarro, 2024 Hispanic Woman of Distinction, Dean, St. Thomas University Benjamin L. Crump College of Law
“Hispanic women today play a crucial role in shaping the legal landscape, education and beyond. These women serve as beacons of strength and exemplify the impact we can have on society when given the opportunity to thrive.”
Students at St. Thomas University Benjamin L. Crump College of Law know that they’re not learning just theory but also the practice of law because their school’s dean is the Honorable Tarlika Nunez-Navarro.
Tarlika has an esteemed background having previously served as a Circuit Court judge in both the Ninth and 17th Judicial Circuits. She is widely recognized for her steadfast commitment to justice and her remarkable contributions to the legal community. Tarlika was appointed to the Circuit Court bench by both Senator Rick Scott and Governor Ron DeSantis.
During her tenure, she presided over various circuit felony divisions, including Felony Criminal Court, Felony Drug Court, Juvenile Drug Court, Domestic Violence Court and the Unified Family Court. While serving on the judiciary, Tarlika was an adjunct professor at Florida A&M University College of Law. Prior to serving as a Circuit Court judge, Tarlika worked in private practice with a focus on criminal defense. She also served as an Assistant State Attorney in Broward County handling cases ranging from first-degree misdemeanors to life felonies.
Earlier in her career, Tarlika clerked for the 11th Judicial Circuit in Miami-Dade County’s Family and Domestic Violence Division. Tarlika earned her BA from the University of Miami and her JD degree from St. Thomas University College of Law where she graduated cum laude. Her achievements have been pioneering when she became the first Colombian-American to be appointed to the Circuit Court bench in Florida’s Ninth and 17th Judicial Circuits.
In recognition of her exceptional contributions to the legal field, Tarlika received the Jurist of the Year award from the Hispanic Bar Association of Central Florida and the Jurist of the Month award from the Broward County Hispanic Bar Association. She was also designated as a Champion for her work in the 17th Judicial Circuit Drug Court program.
Tarlika also holds the distinction of being the first alumna to serve as her law school’s dean. She is part of a distinguished group of the College of Law’s graduates which forms the largest assembly of female Hispanic judges in the nation.
The 2024 Honorees are:
MARIBEL FELICIANO – Broward Office of Economic & Small Business Development
MARY SOL GONZALEZ – Hispanic Entrepreneur Initiative
CHRISTINA D/ELOSUA LAMBERT- Chief Adm. Officer Gordon & Partners, WPB City Commissioner
YOLY MAGANA-VALENCIA – Latinas Who Trade & Wealth with Yoly
TARLIKA NUNEZ NAVARRO – Dean, Professor of Law St. Thomas University College of Law
SUSAN NYAMORA – South Florida Wellness Network, President, CEO
KARINA PAVONE – Amigos for Kids, President CEO
MARIA T. PLANAS – Care Plus Health Plans
RACHEL EUGENIA PINEDO – Foundation of the Americas/Global Philanthropy Society, Founder
SILVIA MARIA QUINTANA – Broward Behavioral Health Coalition, Chief Executive Officer
LOURDES SANCHEZ-BRETON – United Badges of Honor Foundation, Founder & Firefighter
SANDRA NOEMI TORRES – United Latinas, Founder and CEO
2024 LATINA PIONEER of the YEAR
EMILY MARQUEZ-DULIN – -CEO, Brooke USA Foundation, a non-profit focused on providing aid to the to the developing world through economic and sustainable programs that advance the lives of people in equine dependent communities (600 million worldwide). A volunteer consultant for numerous charities and non-profit organizations as we
2024 UP & COMER HONOREE
TIFFANY ESCOBAR – Associate Attorney Beltran Brito Casamayor, LLP, Immigration & Nationality Law
Volunteer with Colombian Bar Association, Co-Founder of the Colombian American Student Bar Association and numerous community service activities.
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