How I Made Judge: 'Hard Work, Perseverance and Life Experience,' Says Circuit Court Judge Christina Maria DiRaimondo

"It is critically important to be professional and maintain excellent relationships with your opposing counsel. Often, they are the first ones called by the judicial nominating commissioners involved in the judicial appointment process."

By Tasha Norman for Law.com | February 25, 2021 at 10:01 AM

(Photo: Shutterstock.com)

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Judge Christina Marie DiRaimondo, 36, Circuit Court Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida

City/State: Miami-Dade County, Florida.

Law school and year of graduation. I attended Nova Southeastern Shepard Broad College of Law in Fort Lauderdale and graduated in 2010.

How long have you been a judge at the circuit court for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, and what year did you join the bench? I have served as a judge for three years. Florida’s governor appointed me to the county court in February 2018, where I was assigned to the Civil Division at the Dade County Courthouse. In December of 2019, the governor elevated me to the circuit court. I presided in the Criminal Division for over a year, and I now sit in the Family Division.

Why did you want to become a judge? Since I was a young girl, it has been my dream to become a judge. I always knew I wanted a long career in public service, and I went to the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office to learn how to become an experienced trial attorney. I was in court every day, and I learned how to be comfortable in the courtroom. It was an incredible journey and privilege to try all different types of cases in a variety of specialized units to hone my craft. I started in county court trying misdemeanors and then was promoted to the circuit court, where I began with third degree felonies and worked my way up to first-degree felonies before being promoted to division chief, where I specialized in homicides. After three years as a division chief, I felt ready to apply to the Judicial Nominating Commission for a county court position. Of the many jobs in public service and government, a judge is someone who almost every person will come into contact with at some point; whether as a party, a juror or a witness. Judges make decisions that are so important to the lives of the parties who appear before them. Having appeared before so many wonderful great jurists, I decided that being a judge was one of the best ways for me to serve the public and make their contact with the court system a positive experience.

What did you do in your career before becoming a judge? Before my appointment to the bench, I was an assistant state attorney with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office. I served as a Felony Division chief, where I prosecuted murder cases and supervised a team of lawyers. I tried 80 cases to verdict in both the county and circuit court. Outside of the courtroom, I was and continue to stay active in my community. I am a long-standing participant of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami and previously sat on the board of directors of the Family Resource Center, an agency dedicated to the treatment and prevention of child abuse, neglect and abandonment. I have also been a member of the Heidi Hewes Chapter of the Woman’s Cancer Association.

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What's the biggest surprise you experienced after becoming a judge? The biggest surprise that I have experienced is the number of lives I am able to touch in a positive way. one of the most rewarding examples is presiding over adoptions, creating forever families.

What do you think were the major attributes that led to you becoming appointed or elected judge? The major attributes which led me to become a judge were hard work and perseverance. When I was appointed, I had extensive courtroom experience, having tried 80 cases to verdict in both the circuit and county court. Additionally, my life experience, motherhood and being an active member of my community were all important factors that led to my nomination and appointment.

What’s the key to managing a courtroom (or Zoom proceeding) and your support staff? The key to managing a courtroom and support staff is preparation, punctuality and proper pacing.  

In your opinion what differentiates a good lawyer from a great lawyer? Thorough preparation differentiates a good lawyer from a great lawyer. Also, the ability to “read a room” and alter your strategy, depending on the verbal and nonverbal cues received from the judge and other participants.

What recommendations/guidance/advice do you give to someone that wants to become a judge? The best advice I can give besides working hard is finding an excellent mentor who can guide you through the challenging judicial appointment process. Also important is establishing relationships with various groups such as voluntary bar associations and professional organizations. It is essential to be out and connected to your community. It is critically important to be professional and maintain excellent relationships with your opposing counsel. Often, they are the first ones called by the judicial nominating commissioners involved in the judicial appointment process. It is also a good idea to maintain a list of your most significant cases and develop good writing samples.

Who had the greatest influence in your career that helped propel you to seek the bench? I had the great fortune at a young age while in law school to be placed as an intern at the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office for now-Judge Dawn Denaro, who at the time was a seasoned Felony Division chief specializing in homicide cases. I worked side by side with her on many murder cases, observing and learning. I watched her meticulously craft direct and cross-examinations and destroy witnesses on the stand. This experience confirmed that this was the trajectory for me. Dawn Denaro took an interest in my career from the time I was very young and worked with me and helped me become a better lawyer by strategizing and practicing. I really took advantage of all of her time and the fact that she was willing to help me prepare and make me strong. Throughout the course of the internship, we struck up a friendship. She went from not only being my mentor but also a close friend. I watched her career advance as she first became a county court judge and then a circuit judge. When I made the decision that I was ready to serve, with hard work and her guidance I was able to achieve my dream.