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 17^th 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 11^th 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 17^th 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 17^th 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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